Venturing

A/N: So this really is the longest fanfic I've written...ever. It may as well end here (or end really soon), so enjoy it while it lasts. Read and review, and something magical might happen...

Jou couldn't get enough of Seto's lips. He wondered when the kiss would end, and when the taller man dipped his tongue into his mouth, Jou's thoughts escaped him. There was something different about this kiss. It wasn't rushed nor were the lips over his ready to lift. The kiss continued, refusing to escalate and refuting defeat.

The thought of playing out a long fantasized wet dream made Jou's hormones rise with every second the two men shared the kiss. His fantasy was within reach, plaguing his mind, but he didn't want to advance anything unless Seto wanted to.

A finger began to trace the outline of Jou's jaw, making the blonde gasp with surprise. The action was one Jou didn't think Seto was capable of doing, let alone, in such a caring manner. Did their relationship really change by the act of lovemaking, or were the emotions riveting through his body just something that were built over the past years? He shuddered as the finger skated across his bone line and reached his ear before a hand cupped the nape of his neck and pulled him flush against his body.

"God," Jou heard the brunette whisper between a softer kiss, their bodies melding together in warmth. Seto's lips strayed to Jou's ear while the blonde found himself wrapped within a tight embrace. It bewildered Jou, not because of the action, but only because of the fact that the cold brunette was hugging him. Having sex with him and kissing him wasn't the same as a hug. At least he knew the difference between their meanings, and to the blonde, the variances went even deeper for the tall CEO.

The hug meant that the affection really existed. It wasn't just a night of pleasure for them to share the night before. It wasn't something to toss aside like old clothes. They had something, and although it was undefined, Jou knew something intangible was building inside of each other. Years of rivalry and tension seemed to shape into more than a bitter annoyance toward one another. They were intertwined in a way Jou couldn't express.

Jou smiled against Seto's shoulder, afraid to say anything to spoil the moment. Instead, he moved closer against the lithe body of his lover, hoping to gain more of the strange warmth encompassing his body.

The sound of something striking the floor suddenly brought Jou and Seto from their affectionate moment. They turned to look at the source of the ruckus.

Aki and a taller young man behind him returned their stares with equal amazement and curiosity, Aki's hand suspended on the door as light filtered into the darkened kitchen. "Uh, hey…" Aki finally drawled with uncertainty, unraveling the strong arms wrapped around his midsection.

Jou chuckled at the sight, but Seto's arms tightened around his body while he looked at the other couple with narrowed eyes. "Aki, what are you doing here?" came Seto's cold inquiry.

Aki smirked, his eyes roving their bodies. "Well, I came in here to do the same thing you were going to do to Jou, but it looks like you beat us to the punch." Jou felt Seto tense at the curt reply. Aki waved his hand dismissively as he turned to leave. "Aw well. I guess we'll have to go elsewhere."

"Aki."

The raven-haired man turned to glance over his shoulder, hands on his partner's chest to push them out of the room. Jou looked at Seto's face to see the CEO glower at the inn keeper. It wasn't very becoming of the brunette to act so childish, but it was something that Jou was accustomed to.

"Tomorrow, we will have a little chat about your behavior. Is that clear?"

Aki's amused smirk faded, soon replaced with a solemn expression. Jou watched as employee and employer traded serious glances. There seemed to be some non-spoken code between the two while they exchanged nothing but stares. After a few moments of silence, Aki broke into a smile, enthusiastically pushing his partner out of the kitchen. "Sure, sure, boss," he supplied more cheerful than before. "We'll talk, but until then, I've got some problems to take care of."

Jou blushed at the comment, especially underneath the accompanying look that Aki sent him before the inn keeper whisked himself and the other young man out of the room, leaving the two lovers alone. Jou returned his sight to Seto, but the darkness obscured the expression on the CEO's face.

"Seto?"

The brunette bent down and gave Jou a gentle kiss, making Jou's breath hitch with surprise and arousal. It seemed Seto was acting more strangely than normally. The blonde thought that the CEO would erupt into a cold fit of anger, but instead, the taller man remained silent. Jou brought a hand up to Seto's cheek, trying to gauge some sort of reaction that resembled the Seto he knew.

Seto wrapped his arms around Jou, bringing their bodies together again. Jou smelled the brunette's scent, rich in vanilla and distinctly Seto, while he enjoyed the warmth. He wanted to ask Seto why he was acting so strangely. He wanted to ask if they could define what they had, but he knew it wasn't the best time to ask. After all, a show down with Aki was most likely enough to send Seto into irritability.

"Jou," Seto began, gaining the other's attention, "I like you. I think…I've liked you for a long time." Jou's eyebrows lifted with amazement. The Seto Kaiba confessing something so intimate was beyond the blonde's understanding. Certainly, the strange behavior from the days prior seemed to make sense, but still, displaying emotion and actually voicing what he felt was something completely foreign. Jou began to wonder if Seto hit his head on something.

"Seto, I think I have too," Jou found himself admitting, trying his best to keep the bewilderment out of his tone. He felt Seto's arms tighten around his body, and for a moment, Jou felt completely safe in the embrace. Maybe becoming a cook for the Kaiba household wasn't such a bad idea. Jou chuckled at his thoughts aloud, and Seto moved to peer down at him.

"What?"

"It's just, this all started with a bump on the head, and now, look at where we're at," Jou stated amusingly, smiling up at the taller man. "Who knew that the Seto Kaiba had a soft spot for me."

"You mean, a soft spot for stray puppies?"

Jou scowled at the familiar nickname, and Seto seemed to smile. "Hey, I'm no stray puppy."

Seto bent down and placed a kiss on Jou's lips. "No," he agreed, pressing another kiss onto Jou's cheek. "Do you…want to continue where we started?"

The blonde blushed at the thought.

Chapter 27: Oh no! Look at A/N for preview...

A/N: So will there be a Chapter 27? We will see...Should I continue this fanfic or just leave it and start a new one? You decide! Review please!