Venturing

"Jou, I'm hungry!" Mokuba whined uncharacteristically, jumping onto the living room couch supporting Jou's body. The blonde peered from underneath the recipe book he was reading, trying to stifle a smirk on his lips. It seemed some of his personality was rubbing off. For the past several months of living at the Kaiba Mansion, Jou noticed the gradual change in the household. Sometimes, Seto or Mokuba would clasp into brief periods of raw emotion, showing what was on their minds, before they recovered into their former reserved selves. Jou never knew how big of a difference he made just by being present around the Kaiba brothers, especially the stiff elder Kaiba.

Quickly following Mokuba's whining, Seto picked up Mokuba and neatly placed him on the floor, the whole time, keeping a straight face. At first, the younger Kaiba looked confused, but a moment later, Jou found himself joining Mokuba in laughter.

The brunette simply flopped down next to his lover. "Do you want to cook tonight, Jou?" he inquired seriously, his guise remaining as stoic as ever. "If not, we can order out."

Jou couldn't help but smile. He loved Seto's consideration. It was a huge jump from when they first met, when playing nice was really trying not to hate each other. Now, it seemed they were heading down a completely different road.

"I'll cook," the blonde announced, climbing to his feet.

"Great!" Mokuba exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement. Jou ruffled the boy's raven hair before heading for the kitchen. He heard the television flicker on, and Jou continued to smile. He held a special place in his heart for both brothers. It seemed that the younger Kaiba was an additional sibling to his small family, and the kid adapted to having another adult in the household. Jou contemplated why he noticed the subtle changes in himself and in the other housemates suddenly. It really wasn't new to see such changes take place. After all, this was their lives now.

Deft fingers suddenly wrapped around his hand, causing Jou to glance in surprise at the blushing brunette. This was new. Seto never held hands with him openly. Seto looked away, pretending to look at Mokuba, as Jou adjusted the awkward hold into a warm interlace of their fingers. Smiling, Jou squeezed his lover's hand affectionately, hoping to chase away the embarrassment evident on Seto's burning face.

"Lonely?" Jou purred, fishing to get a rise out of the brunette.

Seto's skin flushed even redder at the question, quickly unfolding his fingers to release himself. Unfortunately, Jou felt too comfortable with the hold, and he clasped Seto's hand more tightly to prevent him from breaking it. Jou wanted to laugh aloud, but he didn't want to upset his lover any more than he already accomplished. Emotions and displays of affection were rare with the guarded CEO, and though several months were suffice to thaw him out of his self-built coldness, Jou felt he could never grip Seto's fleeting shows of feeling tightly enough.

He wanted more, but even for his impatience, Jou knew he could only bask in each moment. And at that moment, he was basking as hard as he could.

Seto protested only slightly, even when Jou pulled him into the kitchen and dragged him to various areas, grabbing ingredients with his free hand and preparing for dinner. "Hey," Seto called out, reluctantly following Jou, "do you not need both of your hands to cook?"

"Oh, so you don't like holding my hand?" Jou returned with amusement, pulling flour from the pantry. He raised an eyebrow in Seto's direction to put emphasis on the retort, glimpsing the brunette's amazed expression.

"No, it's not that, it's just—"

Jou released Seto's hand and pulled him into a heated kiss. Seto's protest died on his lips as Jou took the dominant role and explored his lover's mouth with his tongue. Before Seto could acclimate himself, Jou pulled away, busying himself with more ingredients for dinner. The blonde knew he was playing a dangerous game with Seto, but he hardly cared. It was more fun for him.

He was sure Seto would annihilate him with simple pleasures as punishment for the surprise kiss attack, but after a lengthy silence, Jou turned to see why Seto had done nothing. The brunette stood still, watching him with a strange, intense look in his eyes that made Jou wonder what was going on.

"Seto?"

The brunette seemed to tense at his name, and Jou began to worry. What was wrong? Had he done something wrong?

"Jou…" whispered Seto, his eyes showing a sense of apprehension, but above all, something soft. It made Jou worry even more. What could cause the brunette such an unguarded expression? "Jou, I …I'm in love you."

Jou's amber eyes widened. He knew Seto loved him, but he had never heard the man say it. Expressing affection was at the bottom of Seto's to-do list, he was certain, and understanding Seto was far more important sometimes than hearing things. Still… the moment that Jou thought he wasn't waiting for was there. He didn't realize how tense he became until Seto closed the gap between them and pulled him into a gentle kiss. He softened beneath the kiss and Seto's arms.

"Seto, I love you, too," Jou murmured to Seto when they pulled apart. They gazed into each other's eyes, and Jou couldn't get enough of those blue orbs staring deep into him. The blonde felt that the heavens had come down to earth and touched only him and Seto with its ecstasy. There was nothing that could make Jou any happier than that moment.

The sudden sound of the ringing house phone blasted Jou's romantic moment away. He jumped at the noise, but relaxed when he realized that the moment was over and the real world was calling him, literally. Seto was already answering the phone by the time the blonde calmed himself down.

"Kaiba residence," Seto answered coldly, reverting back to his usual self. He stared at Jou with his piercing eyes, showing that the effects of the intimate time between them were not fleeting. "Yes, hold on."

Seto handed the phone to Jou. "Hello?" Jou answered, confused as to who called the house phone.

"Jou! What're you doing tonight?" Yugi asked, his voice sounding excited.

Jou smiled. "Nothing, Yug. Just cooking dinner." Jou glanced up to find Seto watching him with those penetrating blue orbs. "Why? What's up?"

"Do you want to come over tonight after you're done eating dinner? It's just a small party before Anzu goes to dance school."

"Um…."

"C'mon, Jou, everyone's going to be there. You have to come! We haven't seen you in a while, too!" The blonde found himself looking at Seto, hoping that the brunette would catch on to the question in his eyes. Yugi continued to be persistent. "Look, I know you and Honda aren't on the best terms, but he'll be there too. We need everyone to show support to Anzu before she leaves."

Jou's mind reeled into action. Honda was going to be there? In the months following their fight, the whole gang planned out any events with only him or Honda there, but not both of them on the same scene at the same time. Now that Anzu was leaving, Jou hesitated. He didn't want to miss saying a formal "bye" to one of his best friends, yet, he didn't want to confront his former best friend either.

He met Seto's gaze as the conflict became apparent on his face. Seto seemed to understand what the question was, and quietly, he nodded his head.

"Ok, I'll go," Jou answered, relieved that he and Seto had a strong enough bond to comprehend the change of facial expressions. "Is it ok if I brought Mokuba and Seto with me?"

The blonde watched Seto open his mouth—most likely to protest—as Yugi's voice channeled through the phone. "I don't think that's a good idea, Jou," said Yugi seriously. Jou frowned.

"Hey, they have to come. If they don't, I'm not showing up," Jou replied evenly, surprised at the words exiting his mouth. Did he just put his relationship before his friends? No, he was taking a stand on his current life and his old life. He needed to keep his courage and to say what he thought, or else, he would be lying.

He needed Seto to be there with him to show Honda how ridiculous he was being about the relationship. Probably at this point, Honda wasn't even mad any more, but Jou couldn't just leave Mokuba and Seto just because of his friends either.

"Jou—"

"Yugi, I think that everything will be fine," Jou told him. "This is a chance for Honda and I to work things out, and for everyone to see that Seto and I are doing just fine. I mean, besides all the cooking, he's not abusing me or anything."

He meant the last statement as a joke, but even Seto's stern expression made Jou wonder if it was lost on Yugi as well. "Jou," sighed Yugi, "if you think things will be fine, I guess they can come. But if another fight breaks out, you'll just hurt Anzu. So, at least be cordial, all right? That's all I'm asking."

"Ok, ok, no need to pull my arm, Yug," Jou replied, smiling. "I'll see everyone later, ok? And don't worry! I know you like to worry, but everything will be fine!"

Yugi seemed to hesitate. "Ok, I trust you, Jou."

"All right, I'll see you later."

"Oh, one more thing." Jou waited patiently. "Don't forget to bring some food!"

Jou's face contorted with protest. "Hey, you didn't say this was a potluck!"

"It is now," Yugi laughed before hanging up. Jou's face fell as his shoulders sagged with defeat.

"I hate cooking now," he drawled sadly. He knew he should had kept his cooking skills a secret!

Chapter 35: The last and final chapter... REAL surprises....

A/N: Sorry for the shorter chapter. I thought I could pull out a longer one since it's the second to the last, but unfortunately, finals and writer's block took out my writing capacities completely. Hopefully, I'll make up for it in the next chapter. :)

Happy holidays! Thanks for reading! And don't forget to REVIEW!