Valkyria : Hello everyone and welcome to the latest installment of Caged! This chapter is in celebration of us passing the four hundred review mark!
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Chapter Twenty-Five : Restart
"You sure you want to go buddy?" Jou leaned against the doorway of his bedroom and watched his friend pack up the belongings that he had brought. "I mean, you can stay as long as you want."
"I'm sure." Honda zipped up his bag and glanced over his shoulder. "I've bothered you long enough, and if I stay any longer you'll probably beat me up again."
It had been more than a day since he had met up with Shizuka and had that unexpected run in with Otogi. He had delayed calling the raven-haired man due to his nervousness. He was afraid that he might break down and forgive the older man and he would be back to square one. Honda wasn't even going to consider telling Jou about the whole situation, and apparently neither did Shizuka, the younger woman had indeed called and scolded Jou about his plan in getting revenge on Otogi, he couldn't help but watch and listen in amusement as Jou flushed a deep red and mumbled an apologies over and over again to his little sister. The blond wouldn't admit it, but he was wrapped around Shizuka's finger. His amusement ended quickly when Jou hung up the phone and immediately pounced on him for even telling his little sister about the situation. He came out of the scuffle with a bruised shoulder and even more bruised ego.
"I probably would." Jou agreed, much to Honda's surprise. "But that doesn't mean I don't want you to stay here. What if Otogi comes sniffing around?"
Honda didn't miss the anger in his friends voice and he fought not to smile at it. He knew that if he wanted something bad to happen to Otogi -which he didn't of course!- then Jou and Seto would definitely make it happen. It wasn't the best thing to brag about having friends who could financially and mentally ruin someone that broke your heart.
It was the thought that counted right?
"If I run into Otogi then I'm strong enough now to handle it myself." he reassured the blond. "I'm not a little boy Jou. I can take care of myself."
"I didn't say you were." Jou muttered, clearly displeased about him leaving. "I just want you to be careful. Keep your cell phone with you at all times and if you need something then call me."
Honda rolled his eyes and lifted his bag. "Yes mom. I got to get going and start on my assignments. I'm already way behind…"
Honda made his way out of the bedroom and into the living area, he grabbed his keys from the hook and slipped on his shoes. "What are you doing today anyways?"
Jou crossed his arms over his chest and gave him a level stare. "I was going to treat my friend to lunch and help him with his homework, but since he's leaving I'm going to go bother Seto and Mokuba in a little while."
"Well." Honda drawled. "I sincerely apologize for ruining your plans. I will definitely make it up to you once I get all of these assignments out of the way."
"You do that." was the firm reply. Honda raised an eyebrow at the serious look that the blond was suddenly giving him.
"Jou," he questioned giving the blond a weary glance. "Everything okay? Besides me going home that is."
"Yeah," Jou shrugged and smiled at the brunet. "Everything is good. We'll meet up for breakfast or lunch tomorrow. Sound good?"
Honda twisted the doorknob and pulled the door open. "You're paying right?"
Jou snorted and watched his friend give him a smug grin. "Don't I always." the blonde frowned heavily. "Be careful Honda alright? I'm serious about what I said before. Call me if you need anything?"
"Of course. Don't I always? Anyway, I'll see you later okay?"
Jou watched the door slowly click shut leaving him in silence. He made his way around the couch and plopped down, he propped his feet on the table and spread his arms along the length of the couch. Jou stared up at the ceiling and let parts of the conversation he had with his sister slowly come back to the forefront of his mind.
Honda. looks so sad big brother…
He can only make himself happy in the long run. No matter how much we interfere or give advice, in the end it's Honda's decision.
I can see it in his eyes, big brother. He still loves Otogi-san. Regardless of you and Seto's protests. Nothing will stop that love from deepening. So, you can beat Otogi-san to a pulp, ruin him financially, but remember this: Honda will be the one who picks up the pieces. That is, what loved ones do for each other after all.
A bitter chuckle escaped Jou's mouth and it echoed throughout the apartment. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved his slim phone and pressed one. It rang three times before a deep voice came through.
"Hey. I need to you do me a favor." he waited for the other to respond before speaking again. "Leave Ryuuji Otogi alone." Jou chuckled at the groan from the other side. "I know, I know, but I really do think that the ball is in Honda's court now." he rolled his eyes at his lovers smartass remark. "Whatever Seto! Promise me that you'll remove anything that you've already done." Jou allowed a small smile to pull at his lips at the response. "Thank you. I love you bye," folding the phone close, Jou tossed it onto the cushions beside him before letting out a deep sigh.
"I'm such a damn softy."
"What a spread…" Atemu murmured appreciatively, looking at the various fruits, sandwiches, chips and desserts. He had taken a personal day after the conference and left things to Mai and Ishizu for the day, he was surprised when the two woman merely smiled and said that it was no problem at all. Yugi didn't have any classes for the day so the two of them decided to have a day together, no interruptions.
"Thank you." Yugi replied, sliding into the wooden chair. "You said that you wanted to talk to me about something?"
"It's about my mother," Atemu reached over and grabbed a small sandwich. "I want to tell you about her and my father."
"Oh," Yugi leaned forward curiously, getting the chance to know about the older man's family was one he wasn't going to pass up. "Go on,"
"My parents are what you would call unique, they don't abide by the rules that upper society people go by, -they don't abide by any kind of rules really- they're honest, hard-working people. They rather you tell them that you're dirt poor instead of trying to pretend to be something that you're not."
"Where did they meet each other?"
"In Japan, Tokyo to be specific, my father was visiting a friend and my mother was fresh out of high school." Atemu chuckled. "My father was completely lost and my mother offered to show him around. My mother says that it was love at first sight, but father says otherwise, he said and I quote "Your mother was forceful and demanding. It was not love at first sight, rather "I was scared that she might kidnap me." Atemu winked at him. "But don't tell I told you that. She'll just insist that her husband was a shy man."
Yugi could tell from the tone of Atemu's voice, which was full of love and amusement, that he cared about his parents very much. That brought one question to his mind. "I don't understand, your parents seem like nice people. Why are you so reluctant to having your mother coming to meet me?"
"She tends to be a little over-protective and prodding. She'll catch you alone and propose a lunch date or some other ruse and grill you about our relationship." Atemu suddenly grinned at him. "Be prepared to answer sex questions little one, because she spares no expense."
"S-Sex questions…?" Yugi squeaked, feeling his face heat up. He shouldn't be surprised, Atemu had to get that damned arrogance from somewhere.
"Yes," Atemu stood and dragged his chair closer to his before sitting down again. "That's why I decided we should practice."
"Practice!" Yugi jumped from his chair and gave the older man an incredulous look. "You're not serious!"
A moment of awkward silence descended on them. Atemu slowly raised an eyebrow at him, before a knowing smirk pulled at his lips. "Questions little one." he chuckled. "We should practice our reactions to the questions she's going to ask us. What in the world do you think I meant?"
"Don't play dumb," Yugi snapped, plopping back down into his chair and scooting it a few inches away from the businessman. "Be more detailed when you say stuff like that."
"My apologies," Atemu released a snort of laughter. "I didn't expect your mind to go straight to the gutter like that," Atemu could hold in his laughter no longer, he threw his head back and laughed long and hard.
Yugi crossed his arms and sent the older man a glare cold enough to freeze blood. "It's not that damn funny."
He had to patiently wait for Atemu to stop laughing at his expense. When the man's laughter finally faded away, he had the decency to give Yugi an apologetic look when he saw how upset he was.
"What kind of questions would you think she would ask?" Yugi sounded wary and amused at this point. "She's not going to ask what kind of positions that we use will she?"
It was his turn to smirk when Atemu stared at him with shock before his lips twitched. "You've been hanging around me too much. I remember the proper young man that came to live with me months ago."
"Would you like me to revert back to that proper young man," Yugi chuckled and tossed a grape into his mouth. "Who pointed out everyone one of your habits and flaws? I would be happy to do that."
"No thanks,"
Yugi shrugged his shoulders and grabbed a strawberry from the pile. "But seriously, is she going to ask if I'm a virgin or something?"
"Are you?" the question caught Yugi off-guard for a moment and he had to stare at the man sitting next to him. Atemu's crimson eyes were suddenly very intense and Yugi quickly had to lower his gaze.
"If I am?" he challenged, keeping his gaze lowered. "Is that a problem for you?"
Yugi almost jerked back in surprise when strong fingers suddenly grasped his chin and pulled his face up. He met still intense crimson eyes again and grinning lips.
"No," Atemu's thumb caressed his cheekbone. "That's not a problem at all. That's just another precious gift that I'm going to have besides your hand in marriage."
Yugi snorted weakly and pulled away. "Keep dreaming. Is there anything else that I need to know before your mother comes?"
"Not really, though I want to ask something of you."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Kiss me."
Yugi froze and stared at the man beside him. He blinked, and discreetly pinched himself on the arm to make sure that this wasn't a very lucid dream.
"Pardon?" Yugi croaked out. "You want me to kiss you?"
Atemu leaned forward and Yugi suddenly found himself almost brushing lips with the other man. "Yes, I want you to kiss me. Those beautiful lips of yours haven't been kissed yet?"
"If they have," Yugi breathed, suddenly feeling brave since Atemu's bold question. He wasn't going to back down. If they were going to be lovers then he would was going to start taking the initiative every once in a while.
Atemu chuckled and pulled back slightly. "Then it will be better for us in the long run, besides what would it look like if we didn't kiss each other when my mother arrives? I did tell her you were the love of my life."
Yugi lips twitched. "Is that why you want to kiss me? Because your mother will think it's strange? If that's the reason then don't-" his words were stopped when he felt full lips press against his suddenly. The lips disappeared before Yugi could comprehend what had happened.
"Don't be silly little one," Atemu's voice was husky and laced with desire and it had caused a very noticeable shiver to run down his spine. "I wouldn't kiss you for that reason alone. I would kiss you because I want to and you have the most beautiful lips that I have ever seen."
Yugi couldn't find a comeback to that, because honestly his brain was too fried to come up with one.
The door to his apartment closed with a quiet click. Honda set his keys down on the small table and slipped off his shoes before walking into the living area. He set his bag down on the brown leather couch, and wandered into the kitchen to retrieve the phone. He wouldn't even bother to check the refrigerator for salvageable food, quickly calling in some Chinese from a nearby restaurant, Honda showered and dressed in a simple t-shirt and sweatpants before settling down on the couch with assignments. He managed to get through have of them before the delivery man came, he tipped the young man and dug into his food. Slurping his noodles, he stared at the cell phone lying innocently on the table beside his papers. It would be so easy for him to pick it up and dial that familiar number. Honda turned his gaze away before he broke, he wouldn't call the man.
Not yet.
Relationships shouldn't be this much trouble.
Hours passed by and completed assignments piled on the left side of his small table, glancing up at the clock. Honda was surprised that it was way past midnight, he stretched and moaned when the bones in his neck and back cracked. Putting the papers into his bag. Honda rose from the floor to wash up and retire for the night when the ringing of his cell phone stopped him. He glanced down to check the caller and felt his heart stop when he saw the number. He smiled bitterly at the insistent ringing.
It looks like Otogi was tired of waiting.
A/N : End of Chapter Twenty-Five of Caged! Short chapter, but full of fun right? Atemu and Yugi finally locked lips! Not as romantic as some of you were hoping for but a kiss is a kiss right? Anywho I hope you enjoyed the chapter and see you on.
Update Date : July 3rd.