Coincidence and Circumstance

by Telpei

Seto and Jou haven’t spoken or seen each other since graduation seven years ago. Now, in a series of coincidences, they meet up time and time again. Will circumstance allow for old attractions to rekindle?

2. Circumstance in Japan

Title: Coincidence and Circumstance (2/?)

Author: Telpei

Rating: R

Pairing: Seto/Jou

Beta: Jennie B.

Spoilers: None.

Disclaimer: Yugioh is not mine. I do not profit from the writing of this story.

Summary: Seto and Jou haven't spoken or seen each other since graduation seven years ago. Now, in a series of coincidences, they meet up time and time again. Will circumstance allow for old attractions to rekindle?

OoooooooO

Part II: Circumstance in Japan

OoooooooO

Jounouchi didn't go to Tokyo very often, but the Annual Police Marathon was taking place that week in the larger city. Always one to help a needy cause, the blond was participating in the fundraising event, where the proceeds were donated to a juvenile detention center. However, just because he was there on business, it didn't mean that he wasn't going to go out and enjoy himself, too.

His favourite club in Tokyo was titled America, and it was made up to look like a bar right out of an American western movie. There were horseshoes hanging above the counter, and there was an authentic swinging door in the entranceway. The floors were polished wood, and several round tables were stationed around the edge of the dance floor. The music was a mix of country and techno, and every Wednesday a pretty, Texan immigrant came in and gave line dancing lessons.

Tonight was Friday, however, and Jounouchi sank down into his regular seat at the bar with a grin. Zachary Keates grinned back at him from the other side of the counter, brushing his thick, black hair out of his eyes and winking at his friend. "Howdy, partner!" he called out over the loud music, leaning in close and winking at Jou again. "You want the usual, tonight?"

"Sure do, stud," Jou replied, making a show of fluttering his eyelashes. He was another American immigrant, and one of Jou's good friends. Zach was ex-police force, having been removed from the public service sector when a bomb explosion had permanently damaged his vision. The raven-haired man was blind in one eye, but he hardly let it dampen his spirits. Jou held himself partially responsible for the accident; Zach had been his partner at the time, and Jou had escaped with only minor injuries while his friend had lost his job and half of his sight.

Jou accepted his drink with a grin and a nod to the other, and he sat nursing his beer as he watched the bartender work behind the counter. Zach's right eye was pale in colour, slightly cloudy, and sightless, but his other was a vibrant blue, and it sparkled with life. The blond found himself thinking of Seto Kaiba, and it was not the first time he had done so since meeting the stoic brunet on the highway a few days prior.

The blond took another sip from his bottle as his thoughts turned completely to his former classmate. Kaiba had changed since high school. Jou knew, of course, that change was inevitable. They had all changed, matured, and grown (yes, even Yugi), but this new Seto unsettled Jou more than he was willing to admit. He found that he was worried for the brunet – worried that the CEO hadn't managed to find happiness yet, despite his power and wealth.

Seto had seemed so tired, even somewhat sad, and the old fire in his eyes that Jounouchi remembered and loved seemed to have faded over the years. Seto's eyes still glinted with intelligent curiosity and comprehension, and the brunet was still proud and arrogant; however, he seemed defeated somehow, as if he felt he had failed in some important, lifelong task. Jounouchi snorted to himself as he lifted his drink to his lips once more. Kaiba was only twenty-five, maybe twenty-six, and that was hardly old enough to be suffering from some midlife crisis. The blond realized he was definitely over-thinking the situation, and it was likely that he had simply caught the CEO on a bad day when he'd pulled him over to issue the ticket. After all, stopping drivers for speeding was never a good way to meet people, as Jou had quickly learned. The officer also knew that Seto Kaiba was not a man with an idle mind, so it was very probable that the businessman just had a lot to think about these days.

Jounouchi sighed as he drained the last of his beer and ordered another from his friend, shamelessly mock-flirting with the other male. He and Zach had screwed around for a while back in college, but eventually their relationship had simmered down to a tight friendship. They understood each other, since they had both come from rough backgrounds. Zach was one of the few people that knew why Jou had decided to pursue the career of an officer. Their reasons for entering the profession were similar, after all – neither of them had had the most stellar of childhoods, and they both wanted to make up for it by giving something back to the community.

With another sigh, Jounouchi set his second bottle down on the counter, and began sliding his fingers up and down the cool, moist glass as was his nervous habit. He knew he should stop brooding and get out on the dance floor to enjoy himself – several of his friends from the police force were here for a good night's party two days before the marathon - but Jou couldn't seem to drag himself out of his depressed mood.

"You seem a little low for someone who should be enjoying a night out in the big city," a familiar voice commented from beside him, jerking Jounouchi into complete awareness.

"Kaiba!" Jou exclaimed, turning his head so quickly to confirm the identity of the voice that he nearly experienced whiplash. "What're ya doin' here!?"

Seto shrugged. "I'm staying at a hotel across the street," he replied without giving any further explanation. In all honesty, Seto had caught sight of a blond head disappearing into the bar while waiting for the valet to take his car. It had taken him nearly half an hour to work up the nerve to follow his heart and pursue the man who had, from a distance, looked like Jounouchi. The brunet was glad, however, that his intuition had proven correct in this case, and he took the opportunity of Jou's stunned silence to order a drink from the dark haired bartender.

The blond was shocked that he had run into Seto again so soon, but he didn't waste the chance to look the CEO up and down while he ordered his drink. Jou couldn't help but be pleased with what he saw, but he resisted the urge to lick his lips for fear of being too obvious.

The brunet was wearing formal, black slacks - an obvious tribute to a long day at the office. His button-down, long-sleeve dress shirt had four or five buttons undone at his throat, revealing pale, smooth skin that begged to be touched. He was still wearing his tie, but it was loose around his neck, and his hair was slightly out of place, as if frustrated fingers had combed it through. Seto Kaiba certainly knew the 'after-hours-businessman look' intimately, and he made it look damned good. Jou finally gave in and wet his lips, but he was caught in the act as Seto turned to face him.

The brunet's eyes focused for a brief moment on Jounouchi's small, pink tongue darting out to taste his moist lips, but he quickly averted his gaze. Seto knew all too well that there was no use in fantasizing about a high school crush. Suppressing a sigh, he turned his eyes back to the counter, and motioned towards Zach's retreating back as the bartender moved away to serve another customer. "Is he a... friend of yours?" he asked once Zach was out of hearing range.

Jounouchi raised an eyebrow, wondering if Seto actually sounded... jealous. The question was loaded with implications, so Jou took his time in answering. He wondered about the meaning behind the brunet's actions, and a million questions flew through his mind in a matter of moments. Foremost among them, of course, was the level of Kaiba's interest – if he was even jealous, which was a fairly large assumption. Besides, Jou knew the brunet wouldn't be in town long, so was the effort even worth the trouble? Taking a deep breath, the blond decided to play a neutral card in order to garner more information from the young CEO. "Zach and I went ta college togetha," he answered with a shrug. "Why d'ya wanna know?"

"Curiosity," the brunet lied, his expression now guarded in defense, masking any emotion. "I saw the two of you conversing when I came in." The little voice in Seto's mind reminded him that it was rude to eavesdrop, but the young executive rationalized that he was simply conducting a little background research in an area of interest. Besides, as a businessman, he had learned that exploiting opportunities was not above him, especially when they presented themselves so eagerly.

Jou considered retorting that he was free to speak to whomever he liked, but he decided to let the subject drop. If Kaiba wanted to be jealous, Jounouchi certainly wasn't going to stop him. "So, you've been drivin' slower since I saw ya last, I hope," he commented with a little smirk. Seto rolled his eyes, and Jou smiled before changing the topic of conversation. "I saw in the paper that ya sold Kaiba Manor ta Industrial Illusions."

Seto nodded, keeping his eyes on the glass of amber liquid on the counter in front of him. "Pegasus has more of a flare for grandeur than I do. With Mokuba staying in the States, I hardly have need of all that space anymore. To be honest, we didn't need it to begin with."

Jounouchi snorted with amusement, trying to ignore Seto's depressed tone of voice and body language. "Dat's what rich people do, Kaib'," he assured the brunet with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes – eyes that were shining with a hint of worry for his former classmate. "They've got things they don't need 'cause they can afford it. 'Sides, most of ya jus' like ta show off."

The brunet rolled his eyes. "Well, I guess I'm not your average moneybags," he replied with a wry quirk of his lips as he took another sip of his drink. The mention of his old nickname pulled painfully on his heartstrings for reasons unknown. "Seven years is a long time, Jounouchi," he admitted, a sad frown turning his lips downward. "To be brutally honest, I'm tired of being in the spotlight all the time."

The blond raised an eyebrow. "I guess ya never had time fer yerself," he agreed. "Shit, you've been famous eva since ya was a kid. I don't envy ya for it, dat's fer sure."

The two were silent for a while, listening to the music and conversing shortly with Zach to order fresh drinks. The raven-haired man raised an inquisitive eyebrow at Jounouchi, nodding his head in Kaiba's direction in an unspoken question. Jou chuckled softly and shook his head. Zach would want details later, no doubt, but despite his nosiness, the blond was still thankful for his friend. Yugi had taught him the value of friendship in high school, and it was a lesson that Jou intended to carry throughout the rest of his life.

His thoughts turned back to Kaiba as he snuck a glance at the tall brunet, and he wondered if the CEO had any close friends. He had only read about Seto having one lover in the past, and according to the tabloids, the relationship hadn't ended well. Other sources of the media hadn't covered much of Seto's personal life since then, and although the blond had been snooping around over the years, he had never been able to find any really juicy gossip. However, Jou knew intimately of Seto's prickly personality from hours of arguing and fighting back in high school. He knew that the brunet didn't trust easily, and that he mostly kept to himself. It was logical to deduce that there wasn't any gossip in the media since there was nothing to talk about. Kaiba probably worked his ass off twenty-four-seven, so he didn't have time to go getting into trouble like other celebrities.

Jou hated to admit it to himself, and he knew that he would never admit it out loud, but he felt a certain amount of pity for the brunet. Seto was trapped in his life, and it was obvious to the blond that the CEO didn't know how to escape from work and enjoy himself. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, even if he could only alleviate the brunet's stress for one night, he turned to the taller male with a grin. "Wanna dance?" he suggested, motioning towards the dance floor with a wave of his hand.

Seto frowned, confusion crossing his expression. "Dance?" he echoed, clearly unable to fathom Jounouchi's suggestion.

"Yeah, dance," the blond replied with a smirk. "Ya know, that thing people do when there's music playin'?"

The brunet's expression changed from confusion to apprehension in an instant. Now that he knew that he had heard Jounouchi correctly, he turned suspicious. "Aren't you ... well, straight?" he asked bluntly, one eyebrow lifting beneath his bangs.

Jounouchi abruptly burst out into loud laughter. "Oh man, Kaiba, dat's a good one. Do ya think I woulda offered if I was? 'Sides, it don't matter ta anyone in here."

Seto was silent for a few moments, taking his time to finish the last of his drink. He felt a little embarrassed for his question, since Jounouchi was right. He managed to convince himself that the flush on his cheeks was just from alcohol consumption. He certainly wasn't blushing. "Fine," he finally agreed, setting down his empty tumbler and getting to his feet. "Let's go."

"Good," Jou replied with a grin, standing as well and leading the brunet to the hardwood dance floor. "It's 'bout time we had some fun!"

The music was loud and fast, its heavy bass rhythm reverberating through the floor and into their chests. Seto felt like he hadn't had quite enough to drink to completely loosen up and enjoy himself, but Jounouchi's company was certainly intoxicating in a different way. The blond moved in ways Seto hadn't thought possible, and his amber eyes sparkled with mischief and challenge. The brunet had never been one to back down once provoked, so he smirked and played along with the shorter male's games. It didn't take long before their bodies were brushing against each other, innocence long lost, and soon the world around them melted away into a blur of movement, noise, and colour.

Jounouchi's playful looks quickly turned teasing and seductive, and Seto couldn't help but respond. The shorter male was the puppeteer, and the brunet was being masterfully manipulated with invisible strings. Seto was drawn closer until there was barely space for air to pass between them, and each gyrating twist of Jounouchi's hips brought them into direct contact. Seto's hands reached out, directed by Jou's fingers in the air, and looped around the blond's trim waist. His fingers skimmed up the other male's back and then down his sides, finally coming to rest on his swaying hips. The puppet strings brought his face in close, so that their mouths were barely touching and hot air was being exchanged between them. Their gazes were locked, sapphire on gold; neither of them were able to look away.

"Seto," Jou said softly, his voice lost in the waves of music, but the brunet felt the movement of his lips, and the soft gust of air against his mouth. "What do you want from me?" the blond questioned, realizing belatedly that perhaps Kaiba's level of interest extended a little further than mere jealousy.

Seto's hands moved of their own accord, one winding up Jou's back until his fingers gently twisted in the soft hair at the nape of the blond's neck. His other slid up the officer's front, tenderly cupping his jaw and tilting it upwards so that their lips finally came into direct contact. The brunet lost his breath, electric fire shooting through his nerves at the simple contact. He vaguely registered Jou's hands snaking around his back and grasping at his shoulders.

Lips parted and Jounouchi moaned as Seto's tongue slipped into his mouth, the sound lost to their ears but vibrating through their touch. His dark, amber eyes fluttered closed while his fingers tightened on the brunet's shoulders. Their embrace was slow, despite the rapid beat of the music; a languorous, passionate exchange that left them both gasping for air when they finally broke apart.

They stared at each other for several minutes before Seto's lust-clouded eyes suddenly snapped back into focus. He roughly shoved the blond away, mentally wincing at the shocked, hurt look in the expressive, ocher eyes. Frightened by the depth of the emotions he was beginning to feel concerning Jounouchi, Seto shook his head, desperately trying to convey his apology to the blond as he backpedaled, taking a few faltering steps backwards before turning and disappearing into the crowds.

Confused, and feeling slightly disoriented, Jou made his way back to the bar. Zach was immediately at his side, exchanging quick words with his coworkers to excuse himself for a few minutes, and then leading his friend out of the club. Once out in the fresh air, Jounouchi took a deep breath in an attempt to ward off the stinging in the corners of his eyes.

"That bastard," Zach growled, pulling Jou into a one-armed hug as they began to walk slowly down the street. "What did he do to you? What happened?"

"It ain't his fault," Jou replied miserably. "I should've known ta back off."

The raven-haired man snorted in disbelief. "I find that hard to believe, buddy. If he's making you feel like this, he's not worth it."

With a bitter laugh, the blond shook his head. "It ain't dat simple. Dat was Seto Kaiba, Zach. We went ta high school togetha."

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "The Seto Kaiba? The same Seto Kaiba you obsessed about all through college? The same Seto Kaiba you stalked with those girly, gossip magazines?"

Jou flushed with embarrassment, but nodded all the same. "Da one an' only."

Zach frowned, concerned for his friend. Jounouchi deserved better treatment than this, of that he was certain. "What was he doing here tonight? I thought you had told me that he had moved to the US?"

The blond shrugged, motioning with a hand towards the hotel across the street. "He's stayin' over dere," he explained, glancing up at the huge building and wondering which room the brunet occupied. He figured it was probably on the top floor; some expensive suite with a Jacuzzi hot tub and imported champagne. Then again, it occurred to the blond that maybe the CEO had opted for something a little lower class, since Seto himself had admitted he didn't like flaunting his money.

"Well good, at least you know where he's run off to," Zach commented, cracking his knuckles and giving a lopsided grin. "I'll go beat him up and drag him back so he can apologize."

Jou stared at his raven-haired friend for several moments before he burst out laughing. "Oh man," he said after a moment, struggling to catch his breath. "You c'n still cheer me up no matter what, Zach," he admitted, smiling at his friend with warmth in his eyes. "Kaiba's like a triple black belt or somethin' like dat. Ya wouldn't put a scratch on his pretty-boy face. 'Sides, I don't think he knows how ta pronounce 'sorry'. But, it don't matter, honest," he defended when the blue eyed man started to protest. "It'd take some weird coincidence fer us ta meet up again, after all. I probly ain't gonna see Kaiba fer anotha ten years."

Zach sighed and let the matter drop as they turned around and headed back to the bar. He waited with the blond until his friend had found a taxi, and after Jou had departed, he stood on the curb for a few minutes longer, staring at the hotel across the street. "You'd better not hurt him anymore than you already have," he growled under his breath, finally turning to return to his shift behind the counter. The raven-haired man sighed, unable to stop worrying about Jou throughout the rest of the night. Maybe he needed to set the blond up on a date...there had to be someone in Japan that would be able to help Jounouchi get over Seto Kaiba once and for all.

Ooo TBC ooO