A/N: Yep, a long one. Back to the Dark Signers. An AU this time. Thank you for your lovely reviews, darling, they're very encouraging. And yes, rating went up because I like to play on the safe side. Don't want to offend anyone.

Title: Personal Paradise

Rating: M (for implied sexual acts)

Words: 2138

Summary: Dark Signers Victory AU. The Dark King's heart was cruel and cold and own by his Queen. But every now and again, Kiryu was sure he saw Jack in there still.

"You see, Carly, what you fail to understand is that you did this to yourself." Had he always sounded so mad? Kiryu wasn't sure. Who cared? "A Jack who doesn't need bonds or friendship or friends…" Kiryu flashed a grin. "Love… doesn't need a Queen like you."

"Jack loves me," Carly hissed. Kiryu laughed and shook his head. "You're never going to get away with this, Kiryu."

"Watch me." He laughed and Carly tugged at the chains holding her. "You made Jack so he no longer needed anyone, so he was so strong by himself. Since he doesn't need anyone… guess he doesn't need you. And you are so boring anyway, all your silly sentiments…"

"Kiryu-"

"Goodbye, Carly."

He grinned back at her and pulled the heavy doors shut, locking them behind him. The halls fell deathly silent. Kiryu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Being dead, he didn't need to breathe, but it did calm him. When the Dark Signers won, Rudger had told him to go where he pleased, that he could do anything he wanted. Kiryu had been content to wander and see what the world had to offer, until one day Jack had appeared in front of him and offered him a place at his side. He'd been powerless to resist. With Yusei gone there was nothing to hold him down anymore.

Until he realised that Jack's Dark Queen wasn't at all fond of him. Jack didn't seem to notice, or just didn't care, but Carly didn't take kindly to having Jack's ex in their palace. Kiryu didn't care about her jealousy, what he cared about was Jack's attention and how to get it. And now there was no one left to interfere.

It took two days before Kiryu was called to Jack's throne room. He paused outside the doors, fastening the clip on his cape and pulling his hood up. One of the few rules of Jack's court was being dressed appropriately. For his fellow Dark Signers, that meant the full get up, something Kiryu had grown to dislike soon after the duels. The cape was heavy and hot, especially in this new Hell. He'd returned to a simple t-shirt and jeans.

Jack was as magnificent as ever. Kiryu could never deny how stunning Jack was. His eyes were still striking and vivid and he still held himself with that regal air. Kiryu would have smiled but then he'd have to explain himself. He kept his face calm and emotionless as he dropped to one knee at the foot of Jack's throne, playing the part of Jack's submissive subject, living only to please and serve his King. It wasn't so far from the truth.

"My King," he murmured, keeping his head down.

"Kiryu." His voice was so cold and hard now. Like there had never been anything between them. It still sent shivers down his spine though. "Where is Carly?" Kiryu opened his mouth to deny any knowledge of her whereabouts but the tip of Jack's boot tucked under his chin, tilting his head up so he was gazing up at him. "Kiryu."

"Your highness?"

"Do not lie to me."

"I've taken care of her."

Jack smirked and Kiryu kept his face as blank as possible. Whatever Jack was thinking, he'd find out soon enough. Whether he wanted to kill him or praise him, Kiryu would take it. It didn't matter, he had Jack's attention focused on him now. It was silly, wasn't it? But that was what being resurrected did. His desires and dreams became his focus. Everything became stronger. His hatred was stronger, his lust was stronger, everything was stronger.

His need for Jack's attention had become overwhelming recently. The worst part was he knew it and he couldn't stop himself. Kiryu no longer cared if it was positive or negative attention, as long as Jack was focused on him and nothing else.

Finally, Jack laughed. He caught Kiryu's jaw between his fingers and tugged him up so quickly he stumbled, barely managing to get his hands out to brace against the throne. He lifted his head slowly. His hands had found the throne either side of Jack's hips and he was gazing at Jack's chest, only a hair from smacking into him.

"Have I been ignoring you, Kiryu?" he teased. "I must have been for you to slip back into your old ways."

"Old ways?" Kiryu murmured. "I didn't kill her, my King, I'm not so much of a monster." He purred and leant up slightly, making sure to still seem subservient. "Just got her out of the way."

"I suppose you want your King to reward you?" Kiryu raised an eyebrow. "Or do you know better?"

Of course he knew better. But he didn't care. "Reward or punishment… I don't care, Jack…"

"Treason, Kiryu," he said softly. "You always said treason had to be punished."

"Then punish me until you're satisfied I've learnt my lesson," Kiryu purred. Jack shoved him up and Kiryu stumbled away. "Jack-"

"Come with me."

He shoved Kiryu out and led him down the halls into the depths of the castle. Kiryu wasn't sure he'd ever been this deep. He still wasn't sure if Jack was mad or amused when they stopped in front of huge engraved iron doors. Kiryu waited patiently. Jack sneered slightly, rather amused by something in his head. Kiryu just gazed up at him, starting to wonder if Jack might be as insane as he was now. Death could take an interesting effect on the mind. Jack's desires and needs were enhanced, just like Kiryu's were. Just what was going on in his mind?

Suddenly Kiryu was slammed forwards into the doors. He groaned and Jack pinned his wrists to the door, leaning close over him, murmuring into his ear. "Are you so desperate for my attention you would do anything just for a little touch?"

Kiryu didn't even get a chance to answer before Jack bit his neck and he had to bite his lip not to yelp. He closed his eyes and Jack's chin ended up resting on his shoulder. So what if Jack was playing with him? Kiryu didn't even care anymore. He was almost certain Jack liked having someone longing after him as much as Kiryu loved being at his mercy. It was hardly a healthy relationship, but it worked. Being dead was hardly healthy. Jack's arms slid around him and Kiryu bit his lip harder.

"After all your effort you've finally got what you want," Jack whispered against his jaw. "A King must be generous, after all. You're not going to reward your King's generosity?" Kiryu bit his lip, forcing himself to stay silent. They'd been here before. They'd played this game since they were young. "You were always so stubborn."

The doors Kiryu was pinned against were thrown open and he stumbled in. Regaining his balance, he glared back at Jack. What was it with him and making him stumble like that? Did he just like keeping him off balance? Jack smirked and shut the doors behind him.

"Well?"

Well what? Kiryu frowned and glanced around. He supposed Jack was showing off his room. For a moment he was unimpressed until he realised just what it was. It was a huge atrium. The ceiling was entirely made of glass, it stretched the entire height of the palace and sunlight was streaming in. Actual sunlight. Kiryu pulled down his hood, letting light bathe his face for the first time in what felt like forever. How had Jack found the sun in a world of eternal night? Suddenly Kiryu realised what it was. A courtyard garden, inside the palace of the Dark King, Ruler of Hell. There was something rather off about that. Kiryu glanced back at Jack, who was leaning against the doors looking bored.

"Still being stubborn?" he muttered.

Stubborn? Of course, their little games. No, he was just dumbstruck by the entire thing. There was a large tree in the middle of the courtyard, leaves causing mottled shadows on the soft grass. It couldn't have been a recent addition. Had Jack built the castle around it? Kiryu was rather ashamed to admit he'd never see anything like this. The flowers and the blossom on the tree and the soft vibrant grass. His entire life in the Satellite, the closest he'd come was Martha's. And the Satellite air meant you could get nothing like this.

Jack's arms wrapped around him and Kiryu leant back against him. "Do you remember? Talking about this when we were young? We would talk about how you wanted a gorgeous garden where you could just lie under the tree and think and plot? And I laughed about lying with you just to listen to you tell stories? About making love in our secret little paradise. It was all a big joke back then."

He honestly didn't remember. But he took Jack's word for it. His cape was removed slowly and tossed to the ground. It was silly but… had Jack created this for him? Kiryu laughed and Jack glared at him.

"What's so funny?" Kiryu smirked and Jack frowned. "Fine. If you want to be like that."

His legs were swept out from under him and Jack shoved his shoulder in just the right way to force him to twist as he fell. Before Kiryu could hit the ground, Jack's arms were around him and Kiryu was hanging onto his coat. What the hell was he playing at? Jack sneered down at him, slowly lowering him to the ground. Kiryu swallowed heavily, gazing up at Jack as he leant down.

"I suppose I'll just have to make you scream for your King then, won't I?"

He pressed their lips together roughly, his hand sliding up under Kiryu's t-shirt. He was cold. Kiryu knew that because he was cold, they were dead after all, but he didn't feel it. In fact, Jack felt rather warm. Perhaps that was the dappled sunlight. It was almost romantic; two childhood lovers undressing each other in the shade of their own dream garden.

It was incredible. Long buried dreams returned and Kiryu knew it was better than he'd ever imagined. The sunshine warming his skin, the soft grass against his back and Jack lying by his side, watching him with a lazy, rather smug smile. Kiryu closed his eyes slowly, a small smile coming to his lips. Their own private paradise in the middle of Hell. Although, his paradise could have been anywhere he could see Jack's naked form in the warm light of the sun. A sight he sorely missed and could never get enough of. Jack's hand slid over his side, as he kissed his neck with surprising tenderness and care.

"Well, my King?" Kiryu murmured, opening his eyes a crack. "Are we-"

"Kiryu," Jack said, pressing a finger to his lips. Kiryu blinked up at him and he smirked. "If the next word out of your lips is 'satisfied', or any other form of the word 'satisfy' for that matter, we won't end up here again." Kiryu almost pouted and Jack grinned. "You were almost my favourite."

"Almost?!"

Jack chuckled and kissed him gently. "Thinking back… I lost so much respect for you when you let your team fall apart."

"Kiryu!" The doors flew open as Carly was there, eyes blazing. Hell had no fury like a woman scorned, that's what Yusei often said. She was about to launch into a rant when she seemed to catch onto the scene in front of her. "Jack…"

Jack rolled his eyes and sat up, utterly unashamed by being caught like this. Kiryu didn't blame him. He was damn proud of how quickly he'd got Jack to forget about her. "You shouldn't be here, Carly."

"Why?" she said quietly. "This place is beautiful and… you and him?"

"This place isn't for you," Jack replied.

He pulled over his coat and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a key on a blue and black ribbons entwined together. He slid it over Kiryu's head. Kiryu frowned and looked down at it. "For me?"

"For him?" Carly cried. "Jack!"

Jack picked up his clothes and dressed slowly. Before leaving, he wrapped Kiryu's cloak around him and kissed him roughly. "Yes, for you. How else can I satisfy you?" Kiryu smirked and Jack stood straight. "I told you, Kiryu, almost. Come on, Carly."

He led Carly out and Kiryu sighed, falling back into the grass again, gazing up at the leaves above him. What was he supposed to do? Carly had bound Jack to her immortal. To kill Carly was to kill Jack. He supposed he had to wait for Jack to come to him again. He'd have to be satisfied with this gift by now.