Fun and Games

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Yu-gi-oh gx; I do own my own characters though.

Summery: It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt. After a strange moment with Sartorius, Aster sees a side of Zane he's never seen before

Chapter 9: Fulfillment

Aster's POV

The morning sun shined down on my face. I flipped over to get away from it, but my mind was already running wild. I had to get up. I sat up and rubbed my eyes to get them to focus on the world around me. I remembered hating the plainness of Zane's room but after a few nights I had gotten use to it. And while I was away, I missed it. Now—it felt like I was home.

I felt a chill and I looked down to discover that my shirt was missing. Zane must of have done it for me. I should have been mad at him for undressing me without permission but...it was comforting to know I was back in his bed.

"Good morning." Zane was at the doorway, holding a white bag. He smiled as he approached the bed. "I didn't want to wake you so I just went and got some breakfast…Donuts are okay, right?"

He sat beside me on the bed and I smiled back. "They're fine…I'm just glad to be back."

"I guess so since you slept in so late." Zane kissed my cheek gently. "It was difficult to not take advantage of you." I knew he was teasing but my mood sank almost instantly.

I never did apologize for throwing Zane's virginity- or there of lack of—in his face. Yes, there wasn't really anything wrong with not being a virgin. But it was difficult when the other party was white as snow. Not only did it bother me sometimes, but it bothered him knowing he had experienced all the things that were new to me and somehow—they seemed less special. Maybe to him they did anyway, to me… they were wonderful regardless.

"Zane, we have to talk." I whispered.

"I know." He said, brushing the hair from my face. "I'm so sorry, Aster… I want you to know I never thought low of you…I could never think low of you."

I put my hand over his. "I know Zane, I've forgiven you…I'm just…sorry about what I said too. I know you're not a virgin." He cringed when I said that but I continued. "But I don't care how many people you've slept with in the past… As long as you're with me now, I'll take you as you are… But that's not why I wanted to talk…"

He interrupted me with a kiss—our first real one in days. I savored the taste for as long as I could before he pulled away, smiling at my apparent dream state. "Are you going to let me finish or not?"

"If you insist." I did. He couldn't distract me. It was too important, and it was giving him power.

"Zane, Sartorius came home and he brought Larius with him—they're together now." After I said it, he stared at me in confusion and what appeared to be anger. I continued on anyway. "I gave Sartorius a choice, and he picked Larius over me, so I moved out of the mansion."

His hand stiffened in mine and his animal nature showed for a second. He managed to bury it below his features once again; but I could tell he was still angry at Sartorius.

"I don't understand how that basturd…after all you've done for him…" He shook his head and brought me into his arms. I wanted to remind him that we were still having a conversation and I couldn't think when he held me this close—but his embrace was warm and comforting. And for this particular subject, I needed the comfort. "Do you need a place to stay?"

I nodded. "Until I get my own place anyway…It shouldn't be more then a week."

He pulled away gently to look at me. "Why not just stay here?"

"Permanently?" The words barely left my mouth. My shock over took me instantly. Every part of my brain told me this wasn't right. I couldn't just move in with Zane after the short time we've been dating. No matter how much I thought I loved him. It was too soon.

But…what did it matter in the long run? If I was destined to be with Zane, didn't it make more sense to move in now and move out only if it ended? And what about Sirena's prophecy? Could moving in with Zane complete it, or was I just fighting the evitable? There were so many things on my mind—and as they built up, I only became more and more confused.

"It's just a suggestion." He covered quickly. I had taken too long to respond; now he was afraid he was scaring me off. "I mean, just…you don't have to hurry, stay as long as you like."

Zane set the donuts on the end table and moved to get up. I caught his arm quickly. "Zane, it's not that I don't want to move in with you. Now's just a really bad time to decide…"

He thought about what I said and sat back down, relief instantly washed over me. "You're right… You have too much on your plate to decide right now—until you do, my home is your home." He smiled again and reached over for the donuts again. "Just get use to this kind of breakfast."

I didn't know what to do about my things back at the mansion. As far I was concerned, the more extendable items they could keep; I just wanted my clothing, my cards, and anything that had belong to my father. I didn't really trust any of my agents or lawyers to retrieve them since Sartorius hired them. Not to mention, I didn't expect Sartorius to receive them well either and I wasn't going to get them—whatever was left of our friendship had died the moment he brought Larius home. Yes, I felt a heavy amount of guilt. I hadn't been truthful about my relationship with Zane, but Zane wasn't the son of my father's murderer. So I had to send someone I could trust to go get them.

"Zane, do you have Jaden's number? I'm thinking of sending him over to get my belongings." I said outside the bathroom door. Zane had gone in to take a shower, but the water had stopped running fifthteen minutes ago.

"I might, Syrus does if I don't… Are you sure you don't just want me to get them?"

I rolled my eyes. "So you can start a fight with Sartorius? I'm trying to avoid conflict by not going myself." When he didn't respond, I wondered if I had said something wrong. It was odd since I didn't make a habit of caring about what other people thought of me. Of course, I didn't really act normal around Zane either. "Can I just come in? I hate talking to you through the door."

He paused for a minute before he answered. "Yeah, go ahead."

I proceeded with caution and opened the door slowly. I froze when I saw the reason he was reluctant to let me in.

He was taking the pills for his heart.

There were three containers spread across the bathroom sink—each of them about half empty. He was placing the cap back on a fourth container and smiled meekly—which was so not like Zane. It didn't take a therapist to figure out why he was so nervous- unsure of my response.

I had a mixture of conflicting emotions. Guilt knowing that it was his duel with me that had caused this, sadness that he would need these pills for the rest of his life, and amazement that he had let me see this.

"You take pills? I asked slowly. He nodded and I felt my heart sink even further into a sea of regret.

"I have to take them every night…" He said; putting the containers away as if to pretend they were never there. "As long as I take them, the doctor says I have a pretty good chance of living a long life."

"Just a chance?"

"It's a good chance." He corrected me fiercely. His words suggested something completely different then what he was saying. Don't go there. But I couldn't help it—I felt the words flow out like a confession.

"I did it to you."

He leaned against the sink and shook his head. "I was afraid you would blame yourself…"

"Well it's true!" My emotions exploded and the pain became too strong to keep in. He stood for the most part emotionless as I lamented. "I forced you into Dark Kaiser's skin. It wasn't ever intentional, but it happened and I don't know how I can forgive myself for it. Ever!"

"Aster, I trusted you enough to tell you this…Doesn't that count for something?" Zane asked. Suddenly, his voice got louder. "You didn't do this to me! You're not the one who made me duel in the underground; you're not the one who made me trust Shroud, and you're certainly not the one who made me wear electrodes. I did this to myself and no one else is to blame!"

It the look in his eyes that snapped me out of my break-down. He really did believe that it was his fault… The sense of regret thick as ice. "But… I was the reason you did it."

"Does it matter what my reason was? I know that if you could have, boyfriend or not, you would have stopped me. It was my own self-pity that destroyed me when I should have just dusted myself off and moved on. And I have to pay for those mistakes." He brought me into his arms and held me close. He planted a kiss on my forehead that was warm and welcomed even in my current state. "The last thing I want is for you to pay for them too."

It was odd—almost like the sun melting away the snow of winter. With that tender kiss I felt something inside burst and explode. Before I could stop it, the warm tears began falling down my face. I was bit embarrassed to cry. I wasn't a sentimental guy and crying was always a sign of weakness as far as I was concerned. The ache of my embarrassment was well worth the relief of forgiveness I decided.

"I love you." I managed to blunder through my sobs. He stroked my back.

"I love you too."

Soon a heat began building between us. Not sure where or how it began but suddenly I wanted him. The want raced through my body and caused my blood to boil.

I faintly remembered when Zane kissed me (after my supposed failed-attempt to seduce him). I remembered how I had never in life experience such a mixture of emotion and physical affection. After that, all my body wanted was for Zane to kiss me again and again. Now, my hunger had grown past a kiss. I needed more.

He looked into my eyes and knew what I was feeling. I don't know how he did, but he did. I kissed him slow and sensually as if to give him my permission. His hand left hand held my back so he could steady me, his right hand held the back of my head to bring me closer. His body was pressed against mine; my back was pressed against the sink. I made noises to get his attention.

He pulled away to hear me out. "Not here…In the bedroom."

Zane smiled a wicked smile that sent shivers down my spine. "Hero, by the time I'm done with you…The bedroom will be a distant memory."

Zane's P.O.V.

I woke up the next morning, my mind hazy and groggy from the previous night. When I completely wake up, I wonder if I'm actually dreaming.

Aster was lying in my arms, facing away from me. His right hand resting itself in my left one. My other hand resting against his chest. We're both naked with only the blankets to hide our natural figures. His skin is too vivid. My memory is too in tact. This isn't a dream. This was a sweet example of reality.

Last night was incredible. Even with Aster's inexperience and my nervousness about harming him; every touch and every moment was like a roaring fire that was inextinguishable. Even now, I felt like I wanted more.

I kissed his shoulder gently. I feel him tense under me and realize that he's slowly waking up. "Good morning." I growled.

He giggled lightly brought my hand to his face. "Wow…who knew getting laid could put you in such a great mood?"

"A lot of people actually." He turned on his back and smiled up at me. I smiled back and claimed his lips in a kiss. He grunted in pain and I stopped. "Something wrong?"

"Just a headache." He waved it off nonchalantly. "Just…a lot to handle I guess. I'm not a virgin anymore."

I could understand that. It was hard for me to handle too. Part of me was glad that the first awkward part of my sexual life was over—another part missed the ignorance of never knowing. Of having the experience to look forward to. "You're not sorry about that, are you?"

"Surprisingly…Not at all. I'm happy I'm not."

It was amazing to hear that from him. I had spent the entire night worrying about how this might affect him or if tomorrow would regret it. I had been as careful as I could be, hoping that the less pain I caused him, the more he would enjoy it. But he loved it all—he loved the sensations, the feelings, he even loved the pain a bit. To me, it meant everything to have him enjoy it.

I got out of bed and dug through my drawers for some clean clothes. "I was thinking maybe we could grab brunch. We might not beat the church crowd but…"

"Wait…Today is Sunday?" He asked. I raised an eyebrow and nodded. At first his face went blank, like he was trying to solve a math equation. Then a smile came across his face; one brighter than the one he had before. "Sounds great…but…I'd rather wait until lunch. So I can grab some more sleep, is that okay?"

"Yeah sure." I was going to ask him what great meaning Sunday bared for him but figured if it was important, he'd tell me. I grabbed my new clothes for the day and walked towards the door, when I heard him say.

"Zane…Thanks for last night…" He said softly, he then added. "I love you."

I felt myself go speechless; the words touched me in a way I couldn't understand. How could three simple words make a person feel so many things? "I love you too."

And I felt, for once in a very long time, as if everything was perfect.

Hey, sorry it's taken so long to update. I'm really terrible at keeping to this :( But I intend to finish this story! Thank you to all of you who have read, continue to read, and have reviewed this story. Your patience is very appreciated.