Raspberries & Crème
By Pearl of the Dark Age
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.
I know these are very dull, but I'd rather not experience the thrills of a lawsuit… or having my stuff deleted!
Chapter 3
As soon as Seto arrived home his smile faded away. There in the foyer stood Mokuba. "What are you so happy about, Nii-sama?" he asked. It sounded innocent enough, but it was subtly laced with suspicion.
"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with," his older brother replied. "Have you received confirmation of the guests' attendance yet? I want this anniversary celebration to be memorable."
"Yeah, it's all ready," Mokuba informed. He gave his brother another quizzical look. "You've been acting really strange, lately. You're smiles are usually so rare, but I've been seeing them more often."
True, Seto thought. I probably smiled more today than I have in my whole lifetime. He annoyed his brother with a superior smirk and walked off to his study. He knew Mokuba was getting suspicious. Seto had been making a big deal out of being sure that everything went perfectly for such a small scale event. He planned on letting Mokuba in on the plan after it worked. That way, if it failed, he would not have to suffer the stigma of his loss.
The dinner party was ten days away. Seto planned the party in consideration of Amelda - not out of his own personal preferences. The CEO had henchmen stalk the redhead and research every little scrap of information about him. The cuisine to be served at the party included all of Amelda's favorites, and the wine came bottled from the very vineyard that his relatives owned in Knin. Seto was not worried about being obvious, he wanted to see the look of revelation upon Amelda's face when the time ripened.
I also would like to see him in a tux, Seto thought. He knew Amelda preferred casual wear, but he did not care. Seto was on a mission to seduce the pacifist and fulfill his fantasy at the same time. He felt out of character smiling so often lately, but these feelings were uncharted waters for him. In his study, he reminded himself that it was important not to get carried away.
A couple days later…
"You're dead meat!" Varon cried, swerving his body in synchronized motion to the figure upon the television screen.
"Not if I toast you first!" Amelda returned, pushing the buttons furiously upon his video game controller. "Ha! I won again!" He promptly stuck out his tongue at his roommate and blew a raspberry. "You should just give it up, short stack. My reflexes are just too fast for your slow brain."
Varon growled in displeasure. Folding his arms huffily, he shot Amelda a look of blazing tenacity. "Gloat all you like, mate! One of these days I'll catch you with your pants down!"
"You wish," Amelda cajoled. He wondered if Varon had any inkling about the effects certain statements had on him. So far, it appeared the feisty brunette was oblivious to Amelda's sexual orientation. Raphael knew. He knew from the beginning. And any time one of these comments had been made by the loudmouth, the blonde had shaken his head at their comrade's hopelessness. This had only made Amelda laugh harder.
"So, have you told Raphael yet?" Varon asked suddenly as if they were continuing some kind of forgotten conversation.
"Told Raphael what?"
"About Kaiba inviting you to this party and this duel," Varon supplied, mocking the two words of choice.
"Uh… not yet. I don't want him to worry," Amelda replied. "You know how he gets. Have you heard from him lately?"
"Yesterday," Varon answered. "He says he's been very busy massaging his wife's feet and changing the baby's diapers." Varon laughed softly to himself. "A year ago I never would've been able to keep a straight face at the thought of Raphael being a daddy." He turned to Amelda. "Do you think that we'll ever find someone to love?"
"I thought you wanted to chase skirts for the rest of your life - not settle down!" Amelda teased. An ache shot through his heart. I want Kaiba, he thought. I don't care if I never get married. I just want him all to myself.
"I enjoy the bachelor's life," Varon grinned. "but I want what Raphael has, too. He's really happy!" Amelda looked over at the serious countenance his friend wore. He sympathized for him while grateful for the umpteenth time that Varon could not read his mind. He would never hear the end of the crude jokes the Aussie could dish out.
Varon got up to turn off the video game. Neither one of them spoke for a few minutes while Amelda went into the kitchen to prepare dinner for the two of them. Varon wandered in when enticing aromas wafted through their small house, his baby blues shining with anticipation. "Dinner will be ready in five minutes," Amelda informed him. "Set the table."
"Set the table, please," Varon returned. "You are so controlling!" Nevertheless, he obliged. He knew that if he put up more resistance, he would not be allowed to eat. And he could not cook to save his life! "Do you want milk or something else to drink?"
"I thought you drank the last of it," Amelda glanced into the refrigerator.
"I bought some more this morning."
"Well," Amelda exclaimed, "color me surprised!" They exchanged grins and sat down to their scrumptious meal.