Sorry about the long
wait guys. Hope you enjoy the chapter! Your reviews really gave me the
inspiration and motivation I needed to finish this.
Now…I'm gonna ask you all for your opinions. I mentioned before, in the very first chapters or so, that I wasn't sure at all whether to make this truly a 'romance'fic between the darks and lights or not…
Eh…I have to say that until now, I still don't know what to make of this little monstrosity of mine. This is the tenth chapter, and it's pretty long as it is, I'm worried that making romance possible in this fic is gonna make it even longer, and maybe incorporating humor, a bit difficult.
So…I'm asking you now—yaoi or to not yaoi?------------
Chapter 10:
A Prince's Arrival
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Seto took in the not so impressive appearance of his 'acquaintances'. Marik and Bakura looked downright dreadful; both were sporting quite a number of bruises and cuts on their skin from their swordfight yesterday (as well as identical bumps on the head). However, this was nothing compared to Malik. The Egyptian light even had to seek help from his sister to fix up a sling for his right arm as well as treat one of his ankles, being literally caught up between Marik and Bakura's sparring, he took the worst beating out of all of them. Thankfully, they were only sprains, no broken bones. Yami, Yugi, and Ryou were pretty much unharmed by the chaotic brawl, being smart enough to stay clear from the fighting darks until they managed to stop them.
Frankly, Seto thought it would take one hell of a miracle for them to fool Dream's son in their state.
"Well…I'm glad to see all of you made it out alive from yesterday's…session," Pegasus started.
He received a few glares from this, particularly from Malik who said, "I can't move my freaking arm…I can't even walk properly."
Marik nodded wisely, "Yeah…I had to hold his hand every time he used the stairs."
Malik went red. "Sh-Shut up! It was your fault anyway!"
"My fault? How the fucking hell is it my fault? What about Bakura, huh?" Marik said loudly.
"Bakura wasn't the one who pulled me into your freaking knife fight to be some punching bag!"
Seto ran a hand tiredly down his face. "Damn it, we don't have time for this!" he said sharply.
The tone of his voice made Marik and Malik quiet down. Malik huffed and stared off to the side, not wanting to look at his dark, while the latter only scoffed and crossed his arms, muttering a "Whatever".
Bakura seemed amused by Seto's noticeable bitter mood. "What's gnawing at your behind?"
A sigh that could almost be described as depressed escape from the CEO. "We've got a problem…"
"A problem?" Yami repeated, confused. "Well…" he looked at Marik and Bakura, "you could always get rid of them…"
"Now wait just a—"
"Don't you even—"
"Relax," Seto said, "True it may be that you two have given us…a hard time, but I can't afford to kick you out of the plan…as sad as that may sound…" he muttered the last part to himself.
"What's the problem then?" Yugi asked.
"There has been…an unexpected turn of events that we have not foreseen...we will be meeting Dream's son earlier than planned."
"Did they move the party's date or something?" Ryou blinked.
"No…" Seto said stiffly. He was starting to feel that dread-filled sensation he has also experienced when he was telling the others of the predicament he had unintentionally involved all of them in a couple of days go. He chose his words carefully, "Dream called me last night. He said his son was on his way to see us. Apparently, he couldn't wait to see all of you. So now he's probably flying over here in some fancy jet…Dream said we could expect him today."
"Today?" the boys said in unison, eyes wide.
"Yes…"
"Freaking hell…this week's just getting better and better…" Malik mumbled.
Yugi and Ryou looked the most concerned. They hardly considered themselves ready for something like this!
"Well that's it then," Bakura said callously, "We're screwed."
Seto gave him a look. "This doesn't mean you're spared from putting any effort in maintaining your gay images when he arrives. I am not such a fool as to have all the sacrifices I made for all of you go to waste. And if you even think about messing around, then I suggest you book a flight to another continent because I will make sure that you'll pay."
Bakura looked slightly unnerved. He scooted away from Seto a bit. "Fine, fine…no need to get all nasty…"
"What are we going to do, then?" Yami brought back the main topic. He felt quite nervous about the recent news, and though he and Yugi might be a few levels above the others in convincing anyone that they're together, it would be an entirely different challenge to act gay in front of Dream's son. This was the real thing, and they were far from entirely prepared for it.
Seto had a determined look in his eyes.
"I loathe to say this but…we have no choice; you'll all have to wing it…"
"Wing it?" Marik exclaimed, "Are you out of your fucking mind?"
He gave the Egyptian dark a glare, "No, Marik, I am not out of my 'fucking mind' as you so eloquently put it. Don't worry your spiky head…because I will personally make sure you don't screw up."
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Ryou fingered the hidden earpiece at his right ear, a bit uncomfortable with the high-tech gadget that Seto has given all of them. He also fumbled a bit while he adjusted the hidden microphone concealed in his shirt. Though he had to admit, he couldn't help but be impressed with Seto's plan. It almost seemed foolproof.
All six boys were each given their own respective microphone and earpiece.
The plan was relatively simple, and as Seto said earlier, "Only idiots with the brain capacity of worms will be able to screw this up," Seto and Pegasus will be in the mansion's control room, surveying every move they would make and every word they'd utter once Dream's son arrived through the surveillance system wired throughout the complex. Their instructions were simple; 'Do everything Pegasus and I will tell you'.
Hopefully, they wouldn't make them do anything too difficult.
Yugi and Yami seemed to be the most attune with the situation and actually looked quite comfortable. The two were seated calmly at the sofa in the mansion's larger visitation rooms and talking animatedly.
Bakura gave them a dirty look. "Those two are getting on my nerves…" he muttered darkly, causing Ryou to raise an eyebrow at him and then sigh.
"They're just talking, Bakura," Ryou said exasperatedly.
"Shut up."
"Alright boys!" Pegasus' voice suddenly exclaimed in their earpieces, making them slightly jump in surprise. "We just got a call that Dream's boy just arrived…one of Kaiba-boy's butlers is receiving him right now. Prepare yourselves."
The boys tidied themselves up (except for Malik who didn't dare move from his comfortable position on the inclined sofa. His arm and foot would jar him with pain if he tried to move too much). All of them were wondering just what kind of person this son of Dream was. The general question running through their heads was something along the lines of; 'Is he stupid enough to be fooled by their gay act?'
Yugi was starting to get nervous again, especially when they started hearing a few muffled voices at the other side of the door. He unconsciously gripped Yami's arm, said dark looked at him with slight concern and whispered, "Don't worry, Yugi…all we have to do is follow Kaiba and Pegasus' directions. It will be fine."
The shorter of the two gave a more confident smile, "I guess…"
"Though I have to say, I don't really feel comfortable with those two being our 'backseat drivers', so to speak…"
Finally, the double doors opened, admitting their not-really-anticipated visitor in. Everyone tried to put on a welcoming and warm smile (though Marik and Bakura failed).
Carlos' Dream's son actually looked decent, they thought. The boy looked a bit older than them…probably two to three years by the looks of it. He was pale, but not as much as Ryou or Bakura. And his black shoulder-length hair was tied into a very neat ponytail in a way that gave him the air of one of those sinister aristocrats. He wore a black immaculate suit that looked expensive enough to buy a house and lot. The impressive image he made with his entrance only caused the boys to feel even smaller.
"…He doesn't look gay…" Marik whispered to his light.
It was true, the boy looked as frigid as Seto.
Their guest surveyed them one by one with his keen brown eyes, as if examining them from head to toe.
No one spoke.
"Greet him, damn you!" hissed Seto's voice in Yami's earpiece. The latter had to restrain himself from jerking in surprise and opened his mouth to speak, "I…uh…"
Seto felt like hitting his head on the table.
Fortunately, Yami managed to compose himself. He realized this was a great opportunity to rub it in Bakura and Marik's face that he's better then them and so was eager to prove this fact true. A smile formed on his lips as he strode forward and grab the younger Dream's hand, "We've been waiting for you! Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Yami. We're Seto Kaiba's friends…I trust your father told you about us?"
Yugi's eyes were wide as he watched his other half greet the boy in such a casual fashion, truly impressed.
Seto sighed in relief which was unheard by anyone except Pegasus and himself.
Meanwhile, the two other dark entities in the room were inwardly seething. Both were thinking the same thing; 'That fuck is such a show-off.'
And for the first time, their visitor spoke, "Why, of course he did! My father always tells me whenever he comes upon anyone I could weave a social relationship with. And to tell you the truth, I was so very anxious to meet all of you. That's why I couldn't wait to drop in! I am Prince, by the way, Prince Marius Dream. A pleasure to meet all of you!"
Bakura blinked, as well as everyone else in the room. It was as if the whole cold stiff appearance he seemed to convey before was nothing more than that. The way 'Prince' smiled and talked threw all their previous assumptions they had about him out the window. He sounded carefree and completely casual, it made quite a contrast with his stern looks.
The tomb robber said, "He…he looks like ice-cold Kaiba, but he acts like a happily gay Pegasus. It's like what you'd get if those two had children or something…" he stopped, "Damn. Now I feel sick."
Ryou gave him a weird look, faintly wondering what said CEO and Duel Monsters Creator would've said if they heard him.
Actually, Pegasus and Seto heard Bakura perfectly. The former looked honestly thoughtful for a moment. The latter however, reminded himself to take some precautions that Bakura never repeat that sentence again.
Prince shook Yami's hand again before letting go and walking towards the others. His gaze passed through each of the couple's before he spoke again, "I have to say, I was very surprised to see the similarities between all of you…I must've stared too much in awe, I usually make it my habit to greet anyone first. Forgive me."
"Oh, that's fine," Yugi said meekly, attempting a smile.
"Well…I've already introduced myself…so what about you?"
"I'm Yugi, glad to meet you."
"And you must be with Yami there, correct?" Prince said.
The smaller boy blushed and muttered a "Yes…"
He laughed and gave Yugi a fond gaze, "Well…you're a cute little thing aren't you?"
Prince then turned to the white-haired pair. Bakura involuntarily stiffened when Prince looked at him.
Ryou, knowing fully well that Bakura was useless when it came to conversations (including simple introductions), brought it upon himself to speak, "I'm Ryou and this is Bakura…he doesn't talk much at…certain times."
Bakura bristled when Prince chuckled, "Yeah, I know that type."
"Eh…right," Ryou said unsurely.
Malik looked up from his relaxed position when their visitor's eyes were directed at him. "Malik Ishtar," he said simply.
"And I…am Marik," the darker Egyptian said in a proud tone.
Prince couldn't help but stare in awe at the two (making Malik very uncomfortable). "The resemblance of your looks really is amazing…and your names! They're so much alike!"
Malik coughed nervously, "Yeah well…"
"We were just meant to be I guess…" Mark stated, nodding his head wisely.
Seto was slightly impressed by the other's performances so far. Hell, even Marik was being quite successful in keeping Prince in the dark. If things went as smoothly as now, then they wouldn't even have needed to plant all those communication devices on the boys.
And then Prince asked, "What's with all the injuries, though?" he looked at Malik's arm. He looked at Marik as well, "And those bruises…did you get into a fight?"
"Uh…I—I mean, we…" Malik stumbled all over his speech. What was he going to say? Marik and Bakura decided to have a swordfight and he ended up being a literal shield between them? He didn't think Prince would be very impressed if he did. His mind was spinning, what the hell was he going to say? A quick glance at Marik didn't yield any results. His dark didn't even appear to be thinking about answering Prince's question.
Seto was cursing, seeing that both Egyptians appeared to be stumped as to what to say.
Suddenly, Pegasus turned on his mike and opened Marik's line, "Marik-boy. Grope Malik-boy's butt. Now."
Marik's eyes went positively wide, "WHAT? Even I'm not insane enough to do that! Lightside's going to kill me!" he whispered harshly. Thankfully Prince wasn't close enough to hear him, otherwise, the other might've questioned him as to why he was talking to himself.
"Just do it, and smile afterwards."
Seto looked on with something akin to horror. His mind was unable to think of any explanation as to why Pegasus was asking Marik to do…that. This better not be his perverted side making itself known at this convenient time, that's for sure. Seto opened his own link to Marik's line and said, "Do as he says, Marik."
Marik stiffly moved closer to his light, positioning himself at Malik's side. And with a shuddering breath, reached down and—
"GAH!" Malik yelled, jumping out of his sitting position, the shock overcoming the jolt of pain he did at the sudden movement. "What the—!"
Marik smiled just as he as told, an accomplishment, considering the completely horrified and furious look Malik was giving him.
"Repeat after me; 'That's how it happened really…Malik here is just so irresistible, see. And one night, I got a little carried away…"
"Malik here is just so…irresistible, see," Marik said, "And one night…well…I got a little…carried away," he nearly choked. Damn. This was hard!
Yugi and Ryou, along with their respective darks, looked at him with totally shocked faces. The darks were particularly flabbergasted. They knew Marik was prone to taking things to the extreme, and they both expected him to resort to all sorts of crazy things even at the start of their competition, but honestly, this was a whole new level.
Pegasus opened Malik's line, "Say 'I like it rough'."
Malik was too shocked to retort. He didn't even seem to be registering what he was saying as he repeated Pegasus' words.
"I...l-like it...rough."
The other's eyes widened even more.
Fortunately, Prince was oblivious to the other's reactions and didn't seem to register the very unnatural expressions adorning the two Egyptian's face as they spoke. "I see," he laughed briefly, not at all disturbed by the information they shared, "I like bondage, personally…and maybe a little whipping, but you two must really be getting it on to break an arm!" he laughed even more.
"It's only sprained…" Malik said faintly.
Prince only laughed and sat himself on one of the chairs. "My, I'm sure I'll be enjoying my time here with all of you. Sex is one of my favorite conversation topics."
Ryou looked at the older boy, quite perturbed, not to mention feeling suddenly nervous. He had assumed that Pegasus and Seto might've been coaching Malik and Marik before, judging by the looks in both boy's face as they were talking. He didn't know of he can handle saying something like that, when it involved him and Bakura. He at least hoped they don't order Bakura to grope him…he might slap his 'lover' out of reflex.
Strange enough, Bakura looked interested. Ryou didn't trouble himself with wondering what was going on in said tomb robber's head, he was positively sure he wouldn't understand it anyways.
"That's…nice," Bakura said.
"Yes, very much," Prince nodded, he then looked at Bakura with a teasing smile. "What about you…--Bakura, correct?— any bedroom secrets you'd like to share?"
The way Bakura smiled made Ryou's blood run cold.
"Not really…my little Ryou here's somewhat sensitive. You'd think I was going to kill him when I bite harder than he likes, or if I pull his hair. He always complains about that. But what can I do? It's not like I can fully control myself in the throes of passion!"
Ryou gagged, turning it hastily into an embarrassed cough. He was only barely successful in not glaring at his dark. The way he seemed all to happy with what he was saying made Ryou sure that there was no Seto or Pegasus reading him his lines. Sometimes, he wondered whether Bakura's personal goal was to embarrass him to insanity (like what Marik seemed to have dedicated himself to do to Malik).
Yami watched with narrow eyes as Bakura chatted up with Prince. Damn, now he was the only one who hasn't seemingly earned some 'points' in their contest. What can he do?
He wasn't really eager to follow Marik and Bakura's examples. Unlike the other darks, he wasn't willing to put Yugi in any form of humiliation. He briefly looked at Ryou's red face, and Malik's clearly traumatized expression. No, Yugi wouldn't be able to handle that. He would have to think of some other plan, something that would leave Marik and Bakura speechless but will keep Yugi completely shame-free…
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As always, I hope you enjoyed this. I admit to having trouble writing this chapter, really amazing how inspired I got all of a sudden! I really can't believe I finished this in one sitting!
YES! I have now officially kept my promise. Three freaking updates in one day! Check my other stories out if ya'll interested (I've been kinda neglecting them for a while in favor of this fic XD)
And yet another surprise. I'm planning on this new fic (humor again :P). It's not gonna be as long as JP that's for sure. It will probably be up a few days from now. Yeah, I'm super inspired damn it! And I'm using it all up before it flies away again.