A/N: ...oops. This is probably a bad idea to upload with only 1 skim-through... But it's still Spring Break, I have no impulse control, & I am LOVING this chapter too much to hold out.
I know, I was supposed to be doing design homework. And writing Broken Dreams. And finding a new psychologist and making appointments. But. Well 90% of this was already written and ready to go!
The playlist isn't organized yet, but it's public.
Not Only You And Me
playlist on YouTube at EttuCh4
Heart pounding and stomach flipping, Joey walked into the fancy cafe's restaurant area, gripping the strap of his backpack over his shoulder. He asked a waitress if someone of Mai's description was there, waiting for someone. As he spoke of her long blonde hair though, he was hit by the fear that she could have changed her appearance and he would not even know. The young woman had a spark of recognition though, and lead him to the back. Joey smiled anxiously, and with a deep breath and a gulp, he followed.
Before he knew it, he spotted Mai's same iconic blonde hair over the waitress's shoulder. But the whole situation did not feel like reality to him.
Mai's face lit up, albeit nervously, when she saw Joey. "Hey," she said quietly. She gave him a little wave, and her full attention.
Joey stood there, frozen. He did not notice the waitress leave, did not notice Mai's greeting, did not notice how long he was awkwardly standing next to his pulled-out seat. She looks... BETTER.
Mai looked absolutely pristine, the very image of high class – high business class, more elegant than he had ever seen her. Her confidence was back and realer than ever, but she also looked softer than ever. Her dark-colored professional blazer had a tint of blue in it in the low light; probably navy, and the trim all around it was a lighter sky blue. A silver KC brooch ornamented the left side of the jacket. Her blouse beneath it was white and looked silky, hanging loosely upon her bosom, still allowing plenty of cleavage to peak through of course. Silver hoop earrings, her necklace a modernist random shape pendant of silver. With the way she sat angled, Joey could tell she was wearing a matching pencil skirt that came to just above her knee. His mind slid down her smooth crossed legs to complementary-colored pumps.
Oh-hoh-ohhh... Joey exhaled through his mouth, drinking up how amazing she looked, still looking so much older than him even after he had thought he had matured so much over all this time. He hoped she was still as full-figured as he had seen her before the whole Dartz debacle, but so far it seemed like she was. She looked like she had her life together. She looked powerful. Most importantly, she also looked like she remembered her faculties for compassion. Joey likewise felt his heart swell with happiness that she must indeed be living a great life she was finally happy with.
"Joey?" She asked again, furtively.
Her voice somewhat snapped him out of it. He fumbled hanging his backpack on the chair, then frumped down and scooted it in. "So, uh, how ya doin'?" He safely studied the table. A small menu remained, and she had already finished half of a coffee, but ordered no food yet. His face cringed, hardening as he struggled to focus on the reality before him, and not the memories he was simultaneously, involuntarily, envisioning: a fancy lobby, spiral staircase, a motorcycle descending from the second story, how he could see her bottom ribs...
"Joey," Mai tried again, successfully snapping him out of it this time. He at least lifted his eyes to her chest. She smiled at his obvious worry and concern. She cleared her throat a little. "I've been good, thanks." She blushed and glanced down. "But I'm sure you've heard about what I've been up to." She fiddled with the edge of a napkin, her silver wedding ring glinting brightly in the light of their table's hanging lamp.
"I- uh..." His prepared response for whenever Mai was brought up had been to talk about her latest standings or circuit wins -I saw you on TV-Joey caught himself ready to start rambling, before the repressed knowledge of her nonsensical marriage popped up. He nervously rubbed his thighs. "I saw." At his unease and inability to predict where she was going to steer the conversation, he found himself noting the location of his deck in his backpack. He had obediently left his Duel Disk in his locker at work so he could come straight here. He felt ashamed as he realized he was scrutinizing her jewelry for anything unusual.
"Hmm," Mai hummed at his acknowledgment. "So, how have you been doing?" she eagerly asked, "Or do you have questions for me first?"
The answer to the first one was comparatively easy by any measure: Nothing. The second question was the spark that lit up the stash of questions that burned his mind. First off, how dare you, part of him wanted to lead with. He shuffled his feet under the table as his hands gripped the edge of the seat. Fuck why did I come here? Why did she want to see me?
Mai bit her lip when she could see the struggle in his face, but then looked up grinning at the saving grace of their waitress approaching. "Oh, but of course!" she interrupted Joey's sullen thinking, "Let's order something for you first."
Without looking at the menu, Joey perked up and rattled out his cappuccino order; a simple back-to-basics large, cream and sugar.
Mai's smile pinched at laugh lines as her cheeks bunched. She tried to cover her knowing look by leaning her mouth on her hand, as her arm casually rested on the table.
Joey finished his pleasantries with the waitress, then turned back to Mai with a leftover fake smile that withered away.
"You've grown up even more since the last time I ss—" Mai stopped herself.
Joey arched forward at the table, feeling the memory like a punch to his gut. He looked away, letting his bangs flop down over his eyes and gritting his teeth.
Mai looked down to his side of the table. "I suppose I should actually be the one to start..." Her lips formed a pout. "And I'll get right to it then..." Hopelessly irrepressible, he lifted his gaze again to face her. She stared straight into his big brown eyes. "Joey, I can never repay you for what you did. And I would never be able to thank you enough. Nor can I apologize enough for – everything I've done, including my avoiding you since."
Joey pressed his lips together hard as he listened, willing himself not to cry, no matter how much he had to strain.
"You know you did the right thing, all along. And I am," she choked up herself as she got to this part, "Sooo sorry I hurt you."
They let the long overdue, but heartwrenching apology sink in between them. The air settled in heavy. Finally Joey shrugged, pretending his eyes and lashes were not already glistening. "I was just glad you were alright..." He looked right at Mai, showing her those eyes on full display. "But since den?"
Mai took him in, took her licks, knowing this was the exact music she had been hiding from. She swallowed and cleared her throat. With a shaky voice, she answered. "I've been doing so much better. Thanks to you guys."
'You guys.' The 3 of us... His face squirmed. Sure, Kaiba was there. Important. He helped. But he wasn't the one desperate to save you. He just wanted his company's stock to stop plummeting or whatever. Some 'hero!' He recalled the sobering and unexpected lesson he took away from his duels with Valon and her back then, even as he was losing his soul in her arms. Saving you didn't mean I was the one you'd end up with... Turns out Valon was a good guy... But Kaiba? "Err," Joey shook his head, retching from side to side as he could no longer contain it. "KAIBA?"
Mai sighed, suddenly worried about rearranging her cup and utensils, but readying herself to speak.
But Joey continued. "I mean, is everyt'ing alright dere at least? Are ya actually happy with him? I thought you said you'd never marry someone like- Would he really track my Duel Disk? He dun't even know you're here right now, does he? What's wrong, Mai?"
She snapped her attention back to him, feeling the attack alongside his concern. "All that's wrong is that I've missed you!" she whined defensively.
Joey sat back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest, still not believing her. He wiped at his eyes and nose before replacing his hand in the crisscross. "You're tellin' me you're honestly happy with Kaiba?"
She grunted and sighed. "He reached out to me almost a year ago, we dated, and then- yes- of my own free will, I married him."
Joey rolled his tongue around in thought, openly frowning at her, but then he sighed and shook his head. "As long as you're okay, dat's all I care about."
Mai half-frowned, half-smiled. "Well, thanks, I guess." Backhanded congratulations...?
"So..." Joey tried not to let the conversation just drop.
Mai sighed and drooped her head.
"Why did you want me here?" Joey suddenly burst, immediately cringing and regretting it.
"I just wanted to catch up," Mai calmly offered as an answer.
Joey forced a smile. "I'm not mad at you, if dat's what you were lookin' for. I really am sorry dat we let ya down after Battle City. Dat was a mistake on all our parts. I understand why ya did whatchya did. Valon even turned out ta be an okay guy for ya, underneat' it all. I..." He choked down a gulp. "I'm just glad I was able ta get t'rough to you in da end..." Cuz I love you...
Mai nodded. "You did. You really did. I, um... I left you with Valon there, cuz I knew 'Yugi and co.' would find you. I took off and challenged Dartz myself, but I lost."
He listened intently. "I didn't know how you'd lost; I figured I didn't wanna know... But, t'ank you, Mai."
"Hm," she smiled with a furrowed brow. "Joey..."
The waitress interrupted, returning with his drink.
"Oh, t'ank you," Joey beamed at the waitress again, but even he realized he was looking right through her. He rested his arm on the table on his own place setting, busy criticizing the generic swirl in the foam in front of him.
Mai seized the opportunity to take his hand. He jumped, but remained caught. His hazel brown eyes at last locked securely with her amethyst ones, both wide and unassumingly expectant. Their hands sparked and ignited where they touched.
Joey forsook any pretense and twisted his hand, so they were palm to palm, and held on tightly, their thumbs crossing. His brow pinched as they held the gaze. He imagined pulling her close, tearing that KC off along with her jacket, clutching, grabbing, pulling, as she would throw her head back and he would bow down as he kissed every inch of her along the way. His lips pursed hard again, selfishly not wanting to think of a more platonic way to love her right now.
Mai held on just as tightly, matching his grip. "You saved me," she choked out. "You, Joey. Ever since I met you, you've taught me about what's really important, and you helped me to know myself." She paused, fighting back tears and sniffling. "And sometimes the lines aren't so clear, ya know?"
Joey winced, knowing she was right, but not wanting to accept it. Her ring, the beautifully textured ring and considerably sized rock from Rich Boy, was digging into his hand, but he could not care enough to stop squeezing.
"You made me believe in love. You taught me about fighting for something bigger than myself. And you helped me to figure out and accept what I need out of life, without pushing people away- I don't want to push you away." Compromise...
But I'm not whatcha need... is what Joey heard. He steeled his jaw, and though he knew he had to, he did not want to let go.
"I am who I am," she shrugged, trying to smile through gathering tears. "I chose this path, for all the reasons you helped me to find in myself, and..." I'll always love you, Joey... But I just don't see how we could have...
He nodded, searching deep into her eyes. "And dis is what you really want? Cuz you know I'd do anything for ya if ya need me to..." he trailed off. Kick Kaiba's ass any day of the week for ya...
She took a deep breath, relishing in his comforting brown eyes. She nodded.
"He," Joey heard his voice cracking apart, "Treats you good?"
"Like a queen." She chuckled, "I promise."
"For real?" He still could not believe it, but he did let his grip on her hand loosen.
"Listen, Joey, you know how he cares for Mokuba?"
"Well, yeah, but he came as a package deal in his life..."
Mai sighed. "Well it's along those lines."
"You came as part of a package deal?" He raised a wise-ass eyebrow at her.
"No!" she chuckled. "You're still a knucklehead, aren't you?"
"Hm," Joey smiled charmingly.
Mai had to tear her eyes away. "We're family. I know it's hard to believe, but he does care."
Joey hoped she would not go on. He did not need his income compared to that of the CEO of the wealthiest tech corporation in the world, twice in one day. Let alone anything else compared. "Sure," he offered his acceptance of closing the issue. "I mean, married ta the head of Kaiba Corp. What more could ya want?" He shrugged and faked a smirk.
Mai forced a sad smile.
Joey squeezed her hand a little more, and their eyes met again, at an understanding. He smiled and nodded, then gently released her hand. With his eyes still speaking volumes to hers, though, he let his fingers only slowly slide down to the tips of hers. Her nails flicked and tingled the pads of his fingers, and just like that, they were separated again.
Joey cleared his throat, and changed the subject to her job at Kaiba Corp itself. She eagerly chattered about her new line of fashion designs, the company's first soiree into the field. There were KC branded sneakers, messenger bags, purses, wallets, and such. Next they were working on a dress that could have any pattern, even a moving pattern, projected upon it. He listened in rapture, and eventually she was just as enthusiastically asking about the Duel Monsters themed cafe. Joey blushed that his work stories were much more blue-collar, but Mai enjoyed them thoroughly nonetheless.
Before they knew it, they were almost the last ones left as the cafe they sat in began closing.
"You're okay gettin' home?" Joey asked, not thinking.
"Yes, Joey," she chuckled, then pointed to someone sitting outside, a nondescript suit. "My driver's right there. Well, driver and bodyguard." She added in a bemused sigh, "You know Kaiba..."
"Well, dat's good." Joey nodded, fully agreeing with any idea Seto had for Mai's safety.
"Don'tchyu worry 'bout me, Hun." She stood up, beaming at his resilient care for her. He stood as well, awkwardly wondering how or when he should pick up his bag, and whether he should walk with her to the front. Mai answered all his ponderies when she reached out for him, first touching his shoulders, then wrapping her arms around his neck as she stepped closer. Yet again, Joey felt weird being taller than her but wearing a t-shirt and jeans as opposed to her professional attire. The thought dissolved quickly though, as she pulled him against her in a hug. Finally, she felt his head settle as he leaned down into her shoulder, his own arms wrapped around her, and his hands held her side and shoulder firmly. "You take care now, you hear me?" she said intimately.
"Sure thing," he muttered. He leaned away, and tried to fix her hair back. "And don't you be a stranger," he pleaded in all seriousness.
She smiled wholeheartedly. "This was, absolutely wonderful, Joey. We have to do this again sometime."
Joey nodded and smirked wistfully. "Could we? Or wouldja hafta duck Rich Boy again?"
Mai groaned uneasily, "I was worried how you'd react, too, ya know... But don't you worry about him. He doesn't control my life, not one iota. I can certainly see my friends anytime I'd like."
Joey's heart and stomach settled quite a bit, at the pleasant surprise in hearing that Kaiba was not a psychopathic controlling boyfriend. – er, husband... He still shivered at the title.
Mai was rubbing his upper arms, preparing herself to leave, but Joey clutched her close again in another hug. He craned his neck back and turned to kiss her cheek, then whispered at her ear, his breath hot on her already warm cheeks. "I'll always care for ya, Mai, no mattah what." He gave her a good squeeze, then released her. He stepped back, slung his bag over his shoulder, and bowed, holding his arm out directing her to walk ahead.
Mai blushed and hummed as she walked past, with her biggest grin of the evening. She turned back just once. "Thank you, Joey... for everything."
Joey watched her leave, with his own heavenly grin, unable to explain or give reason to the very epitome of joyous warmth spreading throughout his entire being.
"Well then when are you coming home?" Seto listened a bit longer, growing exasperated again and rubbing his eye with the hand not holding the phone. He sat on a stiff-backed couch, one knee pulled up and a laptop set balanced upon it; but it had been left untouched long enough for the screen to go to sleep. He leaned back with both elbows resting up on the sides. Finally he butt back in, throwing a hand up. "No, you don't need to-" He sighed. "Fiiine, fine. Have fun. But let me-"
Mai's heels clacked walking up through the wide entryway of the sitting room, toward the back of the couch. Seto looked up behind himself to see her.
"Oh, hey," he greeted her, then returned to the phone conversation. "No- wait. I said just let me know what's going on, okay, Kiddo?"
Mai idly started squeezing his shoulders while she waited.
"-no, I know, I'm just saying- Look. Have fun, but be safe, let me know what's going on. Anything happens though you call me, no matter what. Alright? Ya know?.. ... I know you know. Alright. I love you. ... See ya." He hung up and sighed, leaning back into the massage. "How are you doing?"
There was a soft genuine smile on her face, left from the afterglow of the cafe. "Mmm, I'm fine."
...it's pretty late, isn't it? He hesitated to say anything, not wanting to spoil her apparently good mood. If the time had involved any other mini-breakdowns, he did not need to remind her of them. He was just glad to see she was back on the upswing.
"So, lemme guess," she said with amusement, "He's staying another week?"
"Uh, yeeeah..." he sighed again.
Mai giggled. "You're such a pushover with him, you know." She took to running her fingers through his hair.
"Problem is he knows it," he grinned fondly.
"Mm-hm," she nodded, then took a deep breath and rested her hand back on his shoulder "Did you go to your appointment today?"
This time he groaned. "No. But nothing's really happened. I'm busy and nothing's chang-"
"Ugh, you have plenty to talk about! It's not recent stuff that you're working on."
Seto sat there silently, staring into the edge of the couch.
Mai shook her head but smiled. She squeezed the new tension out of his shoulders, then slid one hand down over his chest, resting over his heart, as she leaned down close.
Seto took a deep breath, returning to calm. He placed his hand over hers and turned his head down toward her. "Taking everything," he said quietly, apologetically.
"That's good," she whispered back sweetly. "You're lucky I'm a pushover with you, too." She nuzzled his temple.
It gave him a sad grin. He reached up to hold her cheek beside his face, and they stayed like that a moment.
Mai pulled away a little to look at his face. "You tired?"
Seto tilted his head farther back to look straight up at her, his small smile turning into a devilish smirk. "Not too tired."
She smirked back. Her hands moved on to generously stroking feather-light, warming touches up and down his throat, careful to never use any nail. Meanwhile, she planted a kiss on his lips, upside-down. As quick as it was, she could feel his breathless moan vibrate through her.
She went to move away, but his hand caught the back of her neck and pulled her back. A tiny giggle escaped, til he kissed her cheek. She gasped; the smoldering spot that had been left behind now alternately felt his cool breath. With more forceful intention, she pulled away, so he let her go.
"Are you alright?" he asked, still grinning and eyes half closed.
She smiled sweetly at his concern, but preferred to change the subject til they could go all-out. "Yeah," she breathed. Sounding even more genuine than before, she answered, "Yeah, I'm alright." His laptop might stand in the way of anything else, though. "Whatcha workin on?"
He begrudgingly picked his head back up and stared at the black screen, remembering what would show up if he woke it. Modeling contracts... "Ah, you know what," he sat forward, "I'll show you tomorrow." The lid closed with a gentle tap; in another second, the LED's turned off.
With that aside, he stood and came around to her. His arms snapped to her waist, hers to his chest. With gentle smiles, they both eagerly rejoined for a full kiss. Hands twirled together, they headed upstairs. Behind the closed door of the bedroom, each was certain they were the only one in the other's mind...
It seemed like any other intimate night, but then escalated to such a high level of sensual enthusiasm, mutually expressed. Loving movements felt more earnest than ever before. Neediness was tenderly answered with generous giving, both emotionally and physically.
Joey- you could never take her from me. And whether you would reject me or not, I know that she's here with so much love for me- and she will be here. This works- this- with her- she- is incredible, augh! ...what would he be like?
Joey- could this have ever been? Oh, but would it have worked out as wonderfully as this? Would it be as strong and solid as this? I know he cares about me, but him I can depend on. Whatever else there may be or could have been, I know I felt loved this evening, and oh I feel so loved right now!
Contrary to conventional assumption, the way their minds and days were going, their marital affection only felt all the stronger and more intense. Connecting thoughts, analogies, and imaginations riled them up in a continuous feedback loop. "I love you"s abounded freely and desperately.
Eventually they were drifting off to sleep, still loosely cuddled together. Neither would deny how completely satisfying their late night activities had been. But, neither would they admit there was something keeping them from feeling complete contentment as a whole.
Joey took a deep breath and stared down the large, executive door for just a few more moments. And then just a few more moments. Just a few more moments...
He had left his apron, Duel Disk, and backpack downstairs. He had made sure in the bathroom that he looked presentable enough, and had changed into his spare clean Tower Records red T-shirt, tucked into his skinny jeans and neatly bloused, with a lightweight black opened zip-up hoodie. He hoped his kitchen shoes resembled simply black sneakers enough, hoped he did not look too out of place in the office floors, hoped he was not tracking bleach onto the carpets. – But he had not done a thing about those classes.
Kaiba's just gonna hand me my ass again... Maybe I could just lie. I mean, at very worst, I actually do it and learn something... Something about giving in still just rubbed him the wrong way.
Finally, with one last heaving sigh, he pushed the door open. He forced-casually stepped in onto the crisp azure carpet, and let the door close behind him. His attention was immediately captured by Seto's mahogany desk, and particularly him in stark white standing behind it; how his eyes were already on him. Joey felt pale, painfully aware of his nerves being both defensive with anxiety, and enthralled with the sleek beauty in here. "You, uh... wanted ta see me?" The door clicked shut behind him and he jumped.
Seto watched him, and allowed a smirk at how literally jumpy he was. "Yes," he growled.
Joey calmed down at that. He could deal with Seto's more predictable dickish behavior, no matter the mood or topic. He rubbed his finger under his nose and grinned, a little less-forcibly playing it casually friendly. "Whadja need ta see me about exactly, Chief?"
Seto was in the most normal-looking outfit Joey had ever seen him in: A normal white suit jacket, with normal narrow notched lapels, over a normal light blue dress shirt, unbuttoned down a ways, and a normal royal blue tie, loosened down low. As a whole, it all was still tight and sharp enough that it still looked damned sexy on him. Although, Joey could not find those words exactly as he took it in.
Seto looked down at the papers spread across his desk. He wanted to simply blurt, Would you want to model for these, or do I have to... But he turned his head away a moment. With a sigh he turned back to Joey. He scooped up a pack and flipped them around. "Take a look at these..." Why. Whyyy does this now feel like the strangest spot I've ever been?
Joey curiously stepped up to his desk. He leaned over the name plate and puzzle toys that decorated the edge, to move some of the papers apart. His eyes widened and dilated; his breath hitched. This is what Mai was talking about!
He gulped and cleared his throat, composing himself, and really took a good look at it. "Whoa..." The symbols leapt out at him; a golden triangle, the KC ligature. The designs looked expensive, so he assumed they were good. He realized the pile of papers was actually a dissembled book, so he began turning the pages as he looked through. After a few, he turned back to Seto. "What're you showin' me dis for?"
Hands shoved in his pockets, he sauntered around to the side of his desk. "We need people to model them. Preferably top duelists."
Joey tweaked an eyebrow. "Me?"
"Or me," he answered, annoyed.
"Oh-ho-ohhh," Joey grinned. "You wanna duel me for the spot?!"
"Pfft, no," he said in monotone. "That is the last thing I wanna do."
Joey shoved his fists down at his sides indignantly and scowled at him. "I came in 4th in your precious Battle City, right under YOU, ya jerk..." His fiery anger was seething, not caring how easily it was provoked.
Seto's eyes went wide in confusion. "Wheeler!" he raised his voice, ready to extinguish this argument. "I don't want to model this stuff! So I need the next in line and that's you, dumbass."
Joey's rage sizzled away. "Oh..." He grinned sheepishly and rubbed his neck. "Sorry..."
"Do you want to?"
"Uh, yeah, sure. I guess."
"Thanks then." He regathered up the papers.
Joey shifted in place where he stood. "Um," he scratched his temple. "Dese designs, dey remind me a lot of you and Yugi, but, um..." His brow furrowed, worried to broach the subject.
Seto kept his attention on him, even while his eyes were pointed at the papers and his writing on them.
"Like..." Joey ventured placing his fingers back on the desk toward the papers, but dared not touch them again. "Who designed all dis?"
He watched for his reaction. "It was Mai."
Joey tensed, but quickly tried not to show it. He felt proud and nervous all at once. He didn't even hesitate!
"This was her proposal for an entirely new merchandising unit," Seto continued proudly.
"Oh, uh," Joey stuttered, trying to pretend to sound as professional as them. "I see."
Seto smirked. Jealousy? "We'll be in touch with you about the details of the shoot."
Joey nodded, rolling his tongue around and gazing around the room, trying to look casual. Trying to keep thoughts of Mai at bay, especially now, especially here. "Anythin' else?" He looked back to Seto, involuntarily letting his focus drip down his flared collar and clavicles just peaking out. The amount of space his shirt was open would be just enough to slip a hand into. Once he caught himself staring, he pursed his lips hard in a frown, unsure if he was grateful for the distraction, or not.
"Uhhh, yes..." Seto was finishing writing something while watching a new reply pop up on his phone screen. He huffed a chuckle at what he read and closed his eyes a moment before turning back to Joey. "On a more personal level," he stood up and walked around his desk. He plucked up a puzzle toy and began turning its parts around in his hands, as he leaned back against the edge of the desk. "I wanted to talk to you about Mai." He probably is the key to helping her once and for all.
Joey's chest caved as an icy vein of fear shot through him. He stepped back away from him, ready to throw his arms up to block at any moment. He knows...!
Seto on the other hand, remained reserved, sullenly focused on the puzzle. There were so many ways to start it. "You ever..." No, no yet. " I mean, you and your group have always confused me. I can invent hologram projectors and play corporate bosses like puppets. But..."
Joey gritted his teeth as he listened.
Is this the right way to go? Seto questioned himself, pausing his fingers. Well, best to keep going and find out. "Have you ever started something, thinking you knew what to expect, but then something else comes up?"
Joey tilted his head. "Are you purposely being vague enough to include my entire life?"
He hit a dead end and sighed. "You can leave if you want to."
Joey was shocked, but put his foot down. "No. I ain't scared ah you," he announced determinedly.
Seto finally looked at him and saw his stance, how he was ready to pounce. "Huh." He tilted his head right back to him in intrigue. "Relax, Wheeler," he said quietly. Not here, he thought, suddenly not feeling right. "Could we..." But this is the only privacy I'll get.
"Out wit' it, Kaiba," Joey demanded.
Seto glared back. "Do you like me?" Suddenly his heart jumped and chest tightened. There. – and now?!
Joey resented how his eyes quickly did another up and down over how his slim body leaned back on the desk. Sexy bastard... But quickly, he bit, "I appreciate everyt'ing you've done for us over da years, and I really do believe you've turned out ta be quite a good guy, but I don't hafta like you ta respect you for dat."
He twirled the toy in his hands; all these pieces made sense. "You don't forgive me for... when we first met?"
Joey sighed shamefully. "Yugi does. Atem did. But de rest of us..." he trailed off. "I know you went t'rough some kinda mental break, and came out better cuz of it, but..."
Seto reflexively shrugged a shoulder. "I don't know if you'd call that a 'mental break.' There's been so many... Things you might call 'mental breaks...' Some good, some bad."
"But you've never brought dat up again."
"I thought my regret was implied. At a zero-sum approach, I'm surely in the black. I'm a completely different person now."
"Tch, 'completely?'" Joey smirked.
Seto dipped his head in concession. "Slightly."
"I've tried forgivin ya..." Joey trailed off and looked away. "But stuff like dat's gotten me back in trouble before..."
"That's fair."
Joey shot his head up, wondering how he could say that unsarcastically. But his face confirmed that it was a sincere answer. He narrowed his eyes at him. "Are you tryin' to apologize?"
Seto's voice came out in a quiet, gravelly grumble, yet somehow devoid of resentment. "I suppose."
Joey hardened his expression, to hold back his heart welcoming and encouraging the change. "Well den, thank you." As pleasant as this development was, he desperately wanted to change the subject. "Sooo, hah, you, uh, ya really want me da model official Kaiba Corp merch?"
Seto perked up, immediately recognizing and somewhat grateful for being forced off the topic. "Yes, ah," he put the toy down. But he knew he had to bring it back around, and surprisingly wanted to. Not having an answer was agonizing. He slid his hands into his pockets, eyes studying his white dress shoes, and took a couple steps towards him. "Yeah." Seto lifted his eyes from lingering on his own shoes, to Joey's sneakers, skinny jeans, and so on, rolling all the way up his body to his waiting, hard-set brown eyes. "Why not?"
Eyein' up the competition? Joey held back reacting, remaining a neutral serious.
Seto lost the edge in his attitude, as if he finally had the answer to fit into a frustrating crossword. The tiny corners of his mouth turned upward, as his eyes retreated to his shoulder. His voice came out in a softness Joey had rarely heard from him, but knew was real. "You're cute."
Joey's eyes popped open wide. "Wha..." His jaw fell open, shoulders dropped like lead weights, and he froze. "Kaiba..." It was as if they had both fallen through into some tunnel-vision alternate dimension where time and all other space disappeared- irrelevant. He did not realize how his cheeks turned rosy, but his blood ran cold; as blatant a positive reaction as one could showcase. However, he certainly did not register how Seto had stepped right up to him.
Seto saw the look on his face, the opportunity, and the moment just felt right. He leaned in, his eyelids drooping along the way, watching carefully.
Joey's state of reflection ceased without warning. Out of nowhere, he saw him leaning in, and his heart skipped. Reflexively, he closed his eyes, and jumped in. He instantly gasped at the crackling sizzle he swore he felt as their lips gingerly made contact. Every nerve in his body shivered in the tingling pleasure running down his spine. He leaned into him a little more.
To Seto, it felt like a big section had clicked together, though he had no idea where it belonged overall. Lightning had shot through his body and set him on fire, a heat he suddenly could not get enough of. It seared through him, raising his pulse to heights that G-forces did not even reach anymore. This beautiful blonde before him was every bit as sensual as his lawfully wedded. And clearly, he was right about this fellow young man's interests. He was right about everything; he was safe. He was right, and it was a gloriously dynamic validation. He ventured slipping his tongue out.
A small groan jumped from Joey's throat. His mind blanked on anything else before or after this, this heavenly sensation. Focused on only themselves, he fell into a dizzying vertigo, as his heart pounded at the singular idea- and it coming to life. Rich Boy's- ...kissing me! He seized the moment himself, his tongue rushing to meet his.
Joey moaned, but was simultaneously aware of feeling Seto's sighing moan through their connection. He grinned giddily, and took a step forward so they stood flush, feet alternating beside each other in their stance, pressed against each other.
Joey's tongue demanded control, and strangely, Seto's seemed to act powerless against it. Joey cut him some slack, then smirked as he felt him shyly try to fight back.
He raised his hands to either side of Seto's face, delicately slipping through the ends of his wispy chestnut hair, then sliding down over his high cheeks.
Seto groaned at the touch, and in frustration for not knowing what to do with his own hands. Moreso than ever with Mai, he felt himself absolutely melting at the intimacy of this gesture. It felt too good for any trauma to stand a chance, but it did feed his guilt. He settled on carefully placing his hands directly over Joey's, desperately hoping the kiss would last as long as possible.
His fingers were like ice, adding extra height to the bounds of Joey's nerves. As Seto's hands warmed, though, they played with each other's fingers, drifting down to his chest. Joey's heart jumped again when a finger unexpectedly brushed that clavicle he had been eyeing earlier.
Why didn't we do this sooner? Joey had his own ascertainment to celebrate, but he wanted Seto to know how right he was this time. Joey tenderly parted the liplock, still brushing them together as they both breathed hard. "Heh, I knew you liked-" It finally hit him. MAI! His eyes shot painfully wide, though they remained unfocused. "Guys..." he breathed in shock. His hands wound up and shot out at Seto's shoulders, shoving him back as hard as he could, nearly toppling him backward, but he caught himself while stumbling. Joey's face was completely enflamed, as he stood ready to attack. "You cheating bastard!" he screamed, voice squeaking and cracking all the way.
"Wheeler," Seto panicked, "Now just hold on a minute-"
"You did! You cheated-!" he cried out. "Awgh, I shoulda known DIS would be it, after everything- after EVERYTHING!" He was reaching screeching levels now.
"You can't tell her," he tried to point out, but it sounded like a worried plea.
"Why!" Joey bellowed. "Clearly you don't love her! You're not even into women!"
"Tch," Seto smirked, glaring at him. He was done playing nice. "How is this any different from you?"
Joey froze again, caught in his icy glare. His own features betrayed how he could not defend himself against his own same accusations. Mai... And yet, he could not deny the attractiveness of the disheveled and flushed CEO before him. "Urrrgh," he grabbed with both hands at his hair. "You set me up!"
"I did, but you liked it." Seto maintained his cool exterior, but inside, he was a hot mess of anxiety, ready to shoot down any idea of Joey's and probably enjoy doing it.
"How could you- Why- How could you hurt Mai like this!" he cried out. As a sob sprang up and tears filled his eyelids, he realized he was yelling at himself as well.
"I am devoted to her," Seto said adamantly, actually offended. "I just had to figure this out."
"'Figure this out?!'" Joey cried again, and swung his arms about, accentuating his speech. "Figure WHAT out?! SHE'S your wife! YOU fucking married her, ya jerk! But nah, it's all about figuring people out! Everyt'in in life is just a fucking game to you! But people ain't machines! YOU ain't a machine! You PROMISED to take care of her, and I dun care if you evah meant anythin' else ah not, you'dbestBETTER take care ah her! Or I don't give a fuckin' damn whatevah else you've done for me or no one, I will come beat the ever-livin' daylights outta ya!"
She's better taken care of than you could ever-! was Seto's first thought as he bore the rant, but he bit his tongue. "Wheeler," he instead snapped urgently.
"What?!" his arms flailed out with the exclamation.
"Tell me you didn't like that."
Joey just stared at him, as tears escaped and his scowl contorted. I did... He hated himself at the mere thought. He tried wiping his face clear, while also covering it. Oh God, what have I done to Mai's marriage?!
"Did you?!" Seto demanded.
Joey turned back to him, slouched and looking pathetic. He drooped his head in a one-way nod. "I just screwed everything up..." he cried. "Well, I mean technic'ly you did, but I let you."
Seto sighed and walked back over to him, thinking of anything to say to smooth this over. "You didn't screw anything up. Listen, I'm sorry. I should have explained more straightforwardly-"
"Save it, Kaiba," Joey sneered. "You owe Mai an apology." Breathlessly, he continued muttering to himself. "Shit, she's gonna hate me..."
"Mai is in perfectly good hands," Seto spoke more softly, still with a stern edge.
"Yer a dirty rotten cheatin' son of a bitch..." he kept on going.
Seto wanted to berrate him right back, but remained focused on tactics. "Wheeler," he growled as he locked his hands around his wrists, over his black hoodie sleeves.
Joey locked their eyes in turn, as he cringed with guilt and confusion.
"Listen to me," he said gravely. "This changes nothing." A lie will pacify him, he thought methodically. More tantalizingly, he searched deep in those honey brown eyes. There's fire in those eyes - it is... ~dangerous... You're not a pushover at all, are you? Otherwise you wouldn't still be around, after everything...
Joey twisted his arms in to crunch his own hands around fistfuls of Seto's white lapels. I have so many more questions... His head spun, but did not believe Seto for one second. He tried searching deeper in those crystal blue eyes. As icy as ever - so... ~powerful... but he ain't so tough. For all his smarts, he's just the same stupid, scared, lonely, jerkoff. "But Mai..." he whined. "You can't!"
"You hear me?!" Seto growled, still waiting for an answer.
Joey calmed himself down, somehow feeling more at ease in their current position. But still he could only think of the juxtaposition of the equally guilty man holding him, and the woman he was, at very least, supposed to be a good friend to. Mai...
"Joey," Seto tried whispering; a desperate plea through gritted teeth and wistful eyes.
Joey jolted at hearing his given name. He looked to him in disbelief, and in the next moment, had shirked him off and was briskly walking out the door.
Seto stared straight ahead past the spot where Joey had stood in front of the new bookcase. He did not shudder when it slammed.
A/N: Ah thank you to Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable for solving that thing for me.
And why does my total word count double with each chapter?!
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