A/N: Good morning, everyone! I hope you're all doing great; I know I am! So here we are, at the end of the road! The finish! The final chapter of Cutting the Ties...and now I'm thoroughly depressed! I had such a fun time writing this fic, even if the story itself is serious and angst-ridden in some places! I didn't even expect to have fourteen chapters; after all this was only supposed to be a one-shot! : ) But here it is – the end! -sniff- Much thanks to everyone who reviewed, once again!
ONIX-21: Thanks for all of the reviews! : ) As for Jounouchi and Kaiba making up...well, I guess you'll just have to read ahead and find out. : )
iloveatem: Awh, thanks! : ) Who wouldn't take a bullet for Jounouchi? -a very long silence ensues- Well, I wasn't expecting that! -sweatdrop- It's okay, don't cry! Things might finally be looking up! Maybe? ; )
Solo's Orca: They're both so stubborn, hence the silly arguments! Though they're opposite, they do share a few traits! Thanks for reviewing!
Ellinida: Ah, I did continue writing! Yay! Unfortunately, as of now, there will be no sequel to this fic! However, you shall get your wish – a one-shot with a seme Jounouchi and an uke Kaiba is in the works! It's going to be fun. -evil grin-
-Nightly Halo-: Ah, congratulations on the acquisition of a new family member! That's so exciting! Red Bull and coffee, eh? What a delightfully caffeinated combination! Thanks for the review!
melodyz07: Yes, yes – those boys are so stubborn, especially when it's a topic concerning the both of them! They're both in a lot of pain, but they shall find the courage to heal! : ) -victory sign-
TheChazz: lol! Yes, sometimes Kaiba deserves a good ol' panning! : ) And I love Death Note – it's incredibly brilliant! Man, oh, man...great stuff, there! : )
XxTypoMasterxX: Yeah, I know! It's so sad! -sniff- Hopefully things will work themselves out!
astalder27: Thanks for reviewing! Fate has definitely not been on their side lately, eh? Oh – I love lasagna! : )
N.M. Smith – Mr. Cackles: lol! That's right – it is me! : ) I have control over those poor boys! Unfortunately, my kind of control leads to angst and depression! ; ) Thanks for reviewing! ...And I love coconuts! :D
TatianaSaphira: Thanks for the compliment! : ) I'm glad you like the story!
Astrolita Karastase: Awh, thank you so much for the compliment! -tears of joy- I'm glad that my writing has been progressing! : )
Kalinovskaja: Yay, you're back! –inputs the 'ta-dah' for you- : ) I'm glad to hear that you're trip was good – and it's always hard to return home after such a wonderful time! I'm glad that I kept you in a little bit of suspense! Woo! Warm and fuzzy, eh? Reading your reviews always makes me warm and fuzzy – they're so fun! : ) Definitely agree with the 'Priest Seth' comment – one hot hunk 'o anime man! ; ) Thanks for reviewing! : ) : ) : )
Phew – and there we have it! The end, the finish, the grand finale – it's all come to this, folks! I'm a little bit sad that I'm finally done this fic, but hey – it was fun and I'm glad that I had time to work on some writing! I hate to be cliché or anything, but I would really like to give my extended thanks to Kalinovskaja, devotedtodreams, melodyz07, -Nightly Halo-, and N.M. Smith – Mr. Cackles – I always, always look forward to reading your reviews! -hands out chocolate- : ) Everyone else – thank you for being so outstanding! -tears of joy- : )
Well, that's it. Thank you for reading, and I look forward to your responses on my next fanfiction adventure! By the way...yes, I do have another story in the works. I've made mention of it before. It's only a one-shot and it will be featuring a seme Jounouchi and uke Kaiba! I've never written them that way before, but there's a first time for everything! Anyway, the story is going to be humorous – none of this dark stuff! : ) I don't know when I'll start it or when it'll be done, but hopefully sometime in the near future. : )
Ah, and yes, if anyone is wondering, the characters have indeed slowly undergone a change and I am quite aware of this. : ) It's all part of the story – experiencing, wondering, renewing – you know! : )
With that said, enjoy this last chapter. I tried to wrap everything up nicely. : )
Adios amigos!
Chapter XIV: Reconciliation
That evening, Kaiba sat idly on a park bench as the sun rested below the horizon, its light refracted by the earth's atmosphere – twilight. One hand was propped up against his cheek, elbow resting on his knee, as he stared off into the distance. He had finally succumbed to physical exhaustion.
A light spring breeze gently ruffled his hair and he sighed quietly, not really paying much attention to his surroundings. He wasn't in deep thought or anything, just a mindless funk. It was nice to sit there and not think; not a worry or care in the world. Instead his senses were focussed on the smell of the air, the taste of the wind.
But then one blue eye caught sight of a single glimmer of the sun – and he was reminded almost immediately of Jounouchi. He sat up straight, now fully aware of the sensation of emotional pain coursing through him. He felt his heart in his throat and weakly attempted to block the blonde from his weary mind. It didn't work, though. His moment of complete serenity had been shattered by a single glimpse of light.
He had never felt so strongly for anyone before, except, of course, for Mokuba. But that was a different kind of 'feeling.' He'd always had a soft spot for him but didn't realize it until these past few weeks. When Jounouchi had been in real danger, that's when those damn feelings had come rushing forward. Sure, he had always 'hated' him – but it was all just pretend.
It's impossible to hate Jounouchi because he represents so much of what I'm not. He represents the side that I can't show – being carefree, loving, and adventurous. I'm envious of those traits, but it's part of the reason why I'm so attracted to him.
Kaiba heaved a heavy sigh. There was so much pressure on him to succeed; always had been, always will be. As much as he tried, he couldn't just forget what had been so mercilessly drilled into him as a child. He shifted as realization dawned on him.
I just want to be loved and that's why Jounouchi's confession meant so much to me.
He leaned back slightly, remembering the way Jounouchi had been that night, remembering his taste, his touch. It was almost too much. He wanted to feel that body beneath his again; he wanted to kiss him and hold him and protect him from any trouble that he might get into.
Why can't I have him?
Kaiba was startled out of his reflections by the loud snapping of a twig. His eyes darted in all directions; the only light now was that of the streetlights and the lights illuminating the walkways in the park.
"Kaiba?"
The voice which called his name was so soft and timid, so weary, that he barely even recognized it. "Jounouchi," he stated quietly, just loud enough for the other to hear. "What are you doing here?" He moved to rise from the park bench, but saw the blonde shake his head. Then he sat beside him, carefully lowering himself onto the other side.
"I happened to be walking this way and I saw you. Um, I guess you could say that I kind of wanted to find you." Jounouchi cast his eyes downwards, towards the ground. He didn't look too good, his blonde hair sticking up in all directions and his skin giving off a deathly pale glow.
Kaiba stared icily at the boy. "I thought you made it perfectly clear earlier that you wanted nothing to do with me."
Jounouchi was silent for a moment before hesitantly replying, "I didn't mean it. I was just angry."
"You said, and I quote, that my 'touch is poison.' How can you not mean something like that?" Kaiba demanded, feeling the frustration come rushing back.
"I don't know, damn it! All I know is that I'm confused. I – I didn't expect something like this to happen. I didn't expect us to suddenly, out of nowhere, have a relationship, and I certainly didn't expect us to...to...have sex," Jounouchi stammered. "I – I mean, we've spent so long hating each other and then suddenly I'm in trouble and you're reaching out a hand to help me. You've never shown me anything other than hate...and now..." He trailed off, heart pounding in his chest.
"And now what?" Kaiba asked, moving just a little bit closer to him.
"And now I've gone and fallen in love with you." He said it flatly, trying to mask the emotion in his voice. "The feelings have always been there – why, I don't know – and now it's just all built up and come to this. I hate it, Kaiba. I hate it because it makes me weak to fall for my enemy. I hate being weak – that kind of shit gets me into trouble. This is no different."
"You love me, then?" Kaiba's leg was so close to Jounouchi's that they were almost touching.
"Yes," Jounouchi whispered, feeling heavy and defeated. He didn't want to cry again, but he soon felt the salty substance begin to leak out of his eyes.
"You don't have to be afraid to love me, Jounouchi," Kaiba said softly, and slid his arm around the blonde's shoulders and pulled him close. He ignored the voices in the back of his mind telling him to stop. "I want you to love me because then I can do this." He chastely kissed the other's temple. "And this." He brought his thumbs up to the corner of his eyes and gently brushed away the tears.
Jounouchi could only gape at Kaiba in wide-eyed shock, feeling the other's heat against him penetrate through his thin layer of clothes.
"And this," Kaiba finished, gently lowering his mouth to Jounouchi's, pressing their lips together. He pulled away after a few moments and murmured, "I don't want you to regret falling in love with me because I don't want to regret falling in love with you."
Jounouchi's heart hammered against his chest as he opened his mouth to reply. But Kaiba placed a single finger against his lips.
"Don't say anything. I know that this is new, different, and confusing, but we can experience it together. Please, Jounouchi. I know it might be difficult for you to do so, but please trust me." His once hardened blue eyes looked at the blonde softly and pleadingly.
"I trust you," Jounouchi murmured against Kaiba's finger. He wasn't sure what it was, but something was telling him that it was okay to lower his defences, that it was okay to let Kaiba in. He knew that the brunette had meant every word and was being completely sincere.
Kaiba just nodded and held Jounouchi, threading his fingers through that golden hair while the moon peeked out from behind the clouds, illuminating the two boys. "I promise I won't hurt you."
"I'm sorry that I – "
"Let us not worry about the past. What's done is done and it can't be erased. Let's focus on now." He leaned down and kissed the blonde again, this time more firmly and for a longer time. "I want to protect you and keep you safe. God, Jounouchi, you can't even imagine how I felt when I thought that those guys were going to kill you."
Those guys - that's right. None of this would have happened if I hadn't confronted Kyuuseishu and told him that I was done doing his bidding. That one night sparked a chain reaction and now...here I am. Kaiba's holding me and we're content and at peace with each other – love each other, even. I don't know how long this is going to last but I want to enjoy it.
"Jounouchi?" Kaiba whispered against his ear, trailing his hand down his leg and back up again. "Come stay with me again tonight. I want to show you how much you mean to me."
The blonde's amber eyes met the slightly darkened and warm but suggestive gaze of Kaiba's cobalt ones. He shivered and nodded.
Kaiba stood up and pulled him to his feet. He reached out and embraced him, careful to avoid his injuries. "Perhaps you've successively managed to cut the ties with that dirty gang, perhaps not. If the latter, you can rest assured that I will not let harm befall you." He brushed a stray blonde strand out of his eyes.
Jounouchi nodded and then he felt Kaiba's hand close around his. It was going to take some getting used to, but he wanted to do it. He wanted to be with Kaiba.
"Come on...Katsuya. Mokuba's at home tonight and I think he'll be pleased to know that we've put aside our differences – for good." Kaiba cast him soft, tender look and the two started walking, hand in hand – as strange as that was.
Jounouchi couldn't help but feel accomplished as Kaiba gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He'd managed to do two things – pull himself out of a bad habit and cut the ties of hatred that had been lingering for so long between him and Kaiba.
The brunette suddenly stopped, a half-smile gracing his features.
"What is it?" Jounouchi asked, confused.
"For what it's worth...you still look beautiful." And he leaned down, kissing Jounouchi's lips soundly before starting to walk again, the moonlight illuminating their tired but content faces.
Fin