Chapter Seven: Stolen Cards and a Riding Suit

"Hey, Kiryu, can I ask you something?"

A few days had passed since Jack's transfer became official. Yuusei'd been waiting for the right time to talk to Kiryu about Jack's strange behavior the day he'd sulked by the fountain, and this calm afternoon seemed ideal. Kiryu was in a good mood, having aced his biology test thanks to Yuusei's tutoring, and neither of them had much homework. That meant they could just enjoy one another's company. Currently, this involved Kiryu laying his head in Yuusei's lap and letting him play with his silky hair while he let his nails dry from a fresh lavender coat.

"What is it? I'll paint your nails too, if you want."

Yuusei suppressed a smile as he imagined himself with sky blue nails and white tips or whatever combination Kiryu came up with to suit him. "I'll pass. Actually, I wanted to ask something about Jack."

"Sure." Kiryu blew on his nails. Yuusei was momentarily distracted by the alluring way his mouth puckered.

"Ah... I was wondering, how do you feel about having him back here with us?"

Kiryu tilted his head back and raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? It's the best, having all of us together again. Don't you think so?"

"Yes... But Jack seemed upset a few days ago and I wondered if you knew why." Damn, that wasn't subtle at all. Yuusei hoped Kiryu wouldn't get defensive or upset now.

"Oh, that." Kiryu sighed. "I think he got sick of me and Crow teasing him about Kazama. They'd make a hot couple, wouldn't they?"

Yuusei hid his relief. If that was all that had happened, he'd been worrying for nothing. "I hadn't thought about it. Jack isn't the dating type, anyway. I mean, it's not like he hasn't had plenty of offers. He just turns them all down."

"Maybe that's because all the offers are from girls and he's as interested in dating them as he would be in dating Crow."

Yuusei laughed. "You have a point. But don't pressure him about Kazama, all right? He'll find someone for him when the time is right."

"I'm glad I didn't have to wait that long," Kiryu said, smiling.

"We were lucky," Yuusei agreed softly, leaning down for a kiss. Before his lips could touch Kiryu's, there was heavy knocking on the door.

Crow's voice came through to them. "Hurry and open up, guys!"

Kiryu grumbled, "I told you he was the one with the bad timing, not me." He moved from Yuusei's lap and opened the door, careful not to smudge his polish on anything. "What's-"

Crow cut him off by darting under his arm and pushing the door closed. "Whew, that was close."

"What happened?" Yuusei asked, rising in concern.

"Nothing," said Crow innocently. He tossed a bag down on Kiryu's desk before claiming the chair to rest in as he got his breath back. "Just getting some presents for West."

"The kid you're babysitting?" Yuusei recalled.

"Yeah, one of them." From the bag he withdrew a stack of Duel Monsters cards, some in protective sleeves, and rifled through them attentively. Kiryu stood behind him and nodded in approval.

"Those are some good cards. Damn, why'd we stop playing that game? I can't remember..."

We stopped because you introduced it to us and after you were arrested, it wasn't the same. It wasn't just that sad memory that bothered Yuusei now. He asked, "Crow, did you steal those from somebody?"

"Now why would you think that?" Crow smirked, admiring the way the light reflected off a holographic card.

"So you did."

Kiryu high-fived him. "Nice work."

Yuusei crossed his arms and glared at them. "It's not 'nice work.' Crow, you have to give them back to whoever you took them from."

"Lighten up, Yuusei," Kiryu frowned.

Crow added in his defense, "He didn't even want them! He was bragging about how he was going to make a bunch of money selling his older brother's old trading cards. West will actually appreciate them."

"That doesn't make it right."

"Oh, like you've never stolen before!" Crow snapped.

"Food, when the alternative was starvation. And then only from those who had plenty."

Crow rolled his eyes and went back to organizing the cards by rarity. "What are you gonna do, turn me in?"

"Of course not, but..."

Neither Crow nor Kiryu were listening to him anymore. Yuusei sighed and left the room unnoticed, laptop in tow. He needed a break from trying to keep his friends out of trouble. I almost feel like I should congratulate Jack for causing me the fewest headaches this week.


Kazama narrowly escaped being forced to work overtime that weekend. Normally he didn't mind getting pinned with the extra hours, but he already had plans with Jack. At least, he probably did. Jack wasn't answering his texts, which meant he was upset, but he also hadn't replied with a resounding "no" when Kazama said he wanted to hang out Saturday afternoon.

He had an idea for something that might cheer Jack up. Since he'd always found riding his motorcycle to be a great stress-reliever, he thought it might prove helpful for Jack as well. Letting the wind carry away troublesome thoughts, feeling the roar and speed of the machine... It seemed like something Jack would like.

With this hope is mind, he showed up at Tokushima right at noon on Saturday. To his delight, Jack was waiting in the spot he'd suggested, near the parking lot Kazama'd used before. "So you did get my texts."

"All twenty of them."

Kazama grinned sheepishly. Did I really send that many? "I wouldn't have to send so many if you'd answer and let me know you're alive every once in awhile."

"Stop worrying so much. So, what's this mysterious idea you had?" Jack asked, referencing Kazama's vague texts.

"You're looking at it." He gestured to his shiny black bike and waited for Jack to catch on. Judging from his blank stare, though, that wasn't happening. "I thought I'd teach you the art of driving a motorcycle."

"I don't have a motorcycle license." Jack smirked. "Are you encouraging me to break the law, Officer?"

Well, if he's back to teasing, that's a good sign, right? "Of course not," Kazama said indignantly. "I'll drive until we're on a quiet side road. It's not a problem for you to practice somewhere uncrowded, I'd say, and if you find you like it you can apply for the license."

"Why are you offering this all of a sudden?"

Because you're sad and I'll try anything to cheer you up, because I... Like Kazama could admit to Jack the feelings he held in his heart. "Think of it as an early birthday present."

"It's nowhere near my birthday."

"That's why I said 'early.'"

"What if I say no?"

"And why would you?"

"I don't have a proper riding suit."

For a moment Kazama just stared. Then he couldn't help it; he burst into laughter. Jack looked completely affronted at his behavior. "What the hell's so funny?"

Kazama could barely answer through his laughter. "Only you... would have such a reason," he got out. He'd thought Jack would protest on the grounds of not wanting to ride behind Kazama, or because he preferred to jump headfirst into things rather than being taught like a reasonable person. But no, his reason was because he didn't have an outfit for it.

"I'm being serious!" Jack said crossly.

"I know, I know." Kazama took a deep breath and forced himself to stop laughing. "If that's the problem, why don't I just take you shopping then? There should be a store nearby where you can get a... 'proper riding suit.'"

"You're making fun of me," Jack scowled, starting to turn away.

"Jack, wait!" Kazama reached out to him, feeling bad about his outburst now. He'd come to cheer Jack up, not put him in a worse mood. "I'm sorry for laughing. I really will take you shopping."

Jack looked at his outstretched hand in contemplation. "Throw in a meal and I'll go."

Shit, that's almost like a date. Kazama coughed, "Yeah, whatever you want."

"All right then." He took the back seat without any prompting. Kazama couldn't believe how well this was going.

"Here, you need to wear this," he said, handing Jack a spare helmet. "Though someone as hardheaded as you probably doesn't need one."

Jack rolled his eyes at Kazama and put the helmet on. Once Kazama got on the bike and adjusted his own helmet, Jack put his arms around Kazama's waist and held onto him loosely. Kazama couldn't help but smile as he said, "Hold on tighter or you'll fall off."

They left the parking lot and soon Kazama was driving through the city's main streets. It was hard to focus on finding a shop that looked like it would sell something in Jack's style- his strange, flashy style- when his mind only wanted to focus on how nice it felt to have Jack's arms encircling him. They were strong and warm-

-and he wishes he were holding Yuusei with them. Kazama's smile faded. He was definitely getting carried away, comparing what they had planned to a date. In Jack's mind, they were friends, nothing more. Jack loved Yuusei, even if Yuusei didn't love him back.

"He's always been the only one for me."

Could Kazama really convince him otherwise?

He was considerably more somber when he pulled into the parking lot of a bustling mall. He turned off the bike and said, "Surely there will be a store here that sells something you'll like."

Jack studied his face after getting off the bike and removing his helmet. "Is something wrong?"

Kazama forced himself to look cheerful. "No, why do you ask? Come on, let's go." He walked ahead of Jack and tried to compose himself.

He could sense Jack watching him suspiciously, but only until they entered the mall. Instantly Jack was distracted by all the sights. That made Kazama's smile less forced; he adored the way Jack became absorbed in whatever he was doing, be it a judo match or clothes shopping.

For the next few hours, Jack dragged him from store to store. Most of them clearly didn't have what they were looking for, being full of fancy dress clothes instead of anything riding-appropriate, but Kazama didn't complain. Eventually, Jack picked a store with a small collection of riding suits in the back. His eyes lit up and he snatched something off the rack before making for the dressing room. Kazama studied a shelf of leather gloves until he heard Jack say, "What do you think?"

Kazama tried to keep his face casual, but his heart rate accelerated as he took in the sight of Jack in a form-fitting full-body riding suit. It was white and violet, which accentuated his eyes nicely. If only he hadn't zipped it all the way up... "It's good. Do you like it?"

"It's perfect," Jack affirmed, looking back at the dressing room's inner mirror and posing with one hand on his hip. "This is the one."

"It's the only one you tried on, are you sure?"

"Yes."

He changed out of it and carried it to the counter along with a pair of white leather gloves. But when the cashier told him the price, Kazama saw his face fall. Jack never talked about his financial situation, but Kazama had learned a bit about it over the years. He'd grown up penniless in an orphanage with too many kids to afford treats or any sort of excess. But when he became a popular judo practitioner, his manager had spoiled him with all sorts of material goods and an apartment lease that was still ongoing. Apparently, he hadn't yet adjusted to not having someone buy his things.

Jack withdrew a few bills from his wallet, but the amount fell short of the suit's price. Not wanting to see him further humiliated, Kazama pulled out his own cash. Jack narrowed his eyes at him and said, "Forget it. I'll just put it back. I don't need your help."

"Who said I wasn't asking you to pay me back?" Kazama asked for the sake of Jack's pride. "Here, just borrow some of my money."

Jack hesitated a moment before accepting the money and giving it to the cashier. When his things were bagged and handed to him, he left the store with Kazama and muttered, "I'll pay you back as soon as I can."

"I know. Don't sweat it."

Outside the mall, the sun was beginning to set. "Um... I guess I'll give you those lessons another day," Kazama laughed. They'd completely lost track of time and while Kazama wasn't normally a fan of shopping, somehow he hadn't minded it today. "Why don't we eat and then I'll take you back to your college?"

"I'm not hungry. Let's just go back."

Kazama figured he didn't want to have someone pay for his things twice in one day, so he didn't push it, though he was disappointed. "All right. Should I come up next weekend then?"

"Sure."

Knowing he wouldn't see Jack for another week, Kazama did his best to enjoy having him close on the ride back. And if Jack didn't have such a good sense of direction, he would've been tempted to take the long way back, but he resisted and much too soon he was bidding Jack goodbye.


Jack was glad to have his room to himself that evening. He hung the riding suit up in the corner of his closet, wondering if he would actually get the chance to wear it and go riding the next weekend. It could be fun, but Kazama was a stickler for rules, and he'd definitely make sure Jack didn't go too fast. Still, anything that distracted him from thinking about Yuusei was welcome. It was great to be back with his friends, but it was also painful. He'd forgotten how excessively Kiryu and Yuusei displayed their affections for each other.

Jack fell back onto his bed and sighed. How long had he been in love with Yuusei? He couldn't remember a time he hadn't felt strongly for him. He'd planned on making his feelings known one day, but then Kiryu had appeared and Yuusei'd been wholly enraptured by him. Even though Kiryu had almost killed someone, even though Kiryu had fractured their group of friends... Did none of that matter to Yuusei?

I have to get over him. It was painful to think that anything was unattainable for the great Jack Atlas, but Yuusei was out of his reach. But I can't just give up. I never give up. What can I do to make Yuusei see that I'm better for him than Kiryu is?

If only he could borrow Crow's power of instantly moving on each time he broke up with someone or got turned down by a girl. But Jack didn't see multiple potential partners in the world. From his throne, he saw only the best.

After double-checking the lock, Jack returned to his bed and slipped a hand into his pants. Maybe he just needed to relieve some tension. He worked his hand back and forth while imagining it was Yuusei's. He could see the tiny smirk that would be on Yuusei's face and hear the low whisper in his ear, "Does it feel good, Jack?"

Jack bit his lip to keep from moaning as his fantasy extended to Yuusei putting his mouth to his cock, kissing and licking and finally sucking when Jack thought he could stand the teasing no more. His eyes clenched shut and his face flushed. Yuusei...

It felt so good, but he couldn't come. His frustration grew and his mental images dissipated. Though his hand moved faster, it was useless. Now he could only think of Kiryu leading Yuusei away by the hand, Yuusei never looking back...

The desire previously burning within him faded. I can't have him. I can never have the one I want. He pulled his hand out of his pants. Fuck this. Fuck him. Jack Atlas does not pine over anyone!

His phone beeped from where he'd left it on the floor. Jack picked it up and checked the text he'd just gotten from Kazama.

I had fun today, Jack. I hope you sleep well. :)

That wasn't likely. Jack started to drop the phone but decided he might as well reply.

What are you talking about? I'm not the one who needs beauty sleep.

And though his frustration didn't leave, a faint smile appeared on his face as he pressed send.


A/N: Normally I get ready to post this and realize I've forgotten all the author's notes I wanted to make and then I just ramble. But this time I actually remembered what I wanted to mention about this chapter.

First, Jack's not wanting Kazama to give him money. This may seem contrary to his behavior in 5Ds, where he spends Crow's money without a thought. But I think that's because it's Crow, who is basically his brother, and because he knows he can get away with it, he can continue living like he did when he was with Godwin. It's all part of his fantasy of being King, which he developed all those hours he spent on his makeshift throne in Satellite and dreamed of living the best life possible. When this fantasy becomes impossible in this chapter- he tries to buy something but he simply doesn't have enough money- just borrowing from Kazama isn't enough to make him feel better. He's reminded that he doesn't have all that much, in reality, and having Kazama buy him dinner after shopping would only rub that fact in more.

...I spend a lot of time thinking about Jack Atlas, you see.

Oh, and that line about Jack not wanting to date Crow was not meant to offend squabbleshippers. I actually like that pairing, haha.

This chapter would have been out earlier, but Otakon. I cosplayed as Team Satisfaction Kiryu! It was so fun. And also, I completely scrapped the last part of this chapter and had to come up with an entirely new scene. Anyway, trouble is coming (as always in my stories). Next chapter:

Revelations and a Repair