A/N: I haven't had enough caffine to write the second part of this chapter into this chapter. That made sense, I promise. I basically means I've left you on a cliff hanger because I'm mean. Sooo, Kiryu gets his Crash Town outfit- which I kind love so long as his hair stays short and he stays kind of insane- Bruno is just dawww, and Yusei put that bow back in his hair. So review, or I'll never give you the end of this chapter! (Insert evil laughter) Yeah, we all know that's an empty threat, but review anyway.
Kiryu sighed, watching Yusei working with Bruno. It had been over two weeks since Bruno had turned up and they'd barely stopped working to eat or sleep. He frowned and climbed down the stairs to the garage, drawing Jack's attention. He was pissed with Yusei too, although more with Bruno. The night Bruno had arrived, he'd distracted Yusei so much that he forgot all about spending the night with them.
"Wow, Kyosuke," Jack said quietly.
Tori and Aki laughed between themselves and glanced knowingly at Kiryu, who smirked and waved dismissively.
"They said you'd like it," he said.
"I love it. What do you think, Yusei?"
"He loves it too," Crow laughed when Yusei didn't answer or even show any sign of hearing. "It's a good look for you. Actually, you look kind of like Jack's reflection. Kinda wild west badass too."
Kiryu laughed and slowly dusted off his new coat. Jack smirked and pulled him up into a deep kiss, and whispered in his ear about liking just how tight his new pants were. Kiryu smirked and shook his head.
"Just for you, Jackie."Jack smiled and ran his hand over Kiryu's behind, taking his time to figure out just how tight the leather pants were. Kiryu hummed softly and clenched his fists around Jack's top. "Not now, Jackie, not in public. But, maybe I'll let you take them off later, huh?"
"I knew there was a reason I loved you." He laughed and kissed him again, giving him a firm pat on his ass before turning away. "What's the harmonica? You've taken to that thing."
"There's nothing wrong with my harmonica."
"No, I just wanted to know what you're doing with it," he said. "Where did you even find it?"
"I don't even remember," Kiryu said. He smiled and sat on Jack's lap on the couch, resting against his shoulder as Jack wrapped arms around him. "I just kind of like it."
"Can you play it?" Crow said.
Kiryu nodded and slowly brought the harmonica to his lips, playing a slow, slightly sad tune. Jack frowned and gently squeezed his arms around him noticing Yusei had stopped typing.
"What's wrong, Yusei?" Bruno said quietly.
"Huh? Oh nothing," Yusei said. "I just wanted to check over this section before I move on. Does that look right to you?"
"Yeah, looks it."
Kiryu stopped playing and glanced at the pair. "I must be distracting you guys. Sorry."
"No," Yusei said, turning to face him. "It's ok. It's really beautiful. You can keep playing."
"I was going back to the mansion anyway," he said, getting up slowly. "Is anyone coming with me?"
"I'll join you in a bit, Kyosuke," Jack said quietly. "See just how tight those pants really are."
"Anyone else?"
"No thanks," Crow laughed. "Not if you two are going to be going at it."
"Ok, see you later," he said, heading up the stairs.
"Wait, Kiryu," Yusei called. "Can I have a word?"
"I guess."
He got up and followed him up the stairs and outside. Kiryu didn't stop until Yusei caught his wrist. "Kyosuke-"
"Don't call me that, Yusei," he said firmly.
"You said I could," Yusei said. "Remember? You spent ages-"
"Yeah, but things are different now, aren't they?" Kiryu said.
"No. Nothing's changed. Nothing at all, I just have to work now, but if I finish this, then we can win the WRGP and you and I can have way more time together. Will you look at me, Kyosuke?"
"I don't feel like it," he said, pulling his wrist from Yusei's hands. "And I just told you not to call me that."
"Well, what if I told Bruno to take a break, and I could come back to the mansion with you, we could make up for all the time I spend on work? Would that help? You must be feeling kind of neglected, all the work I've been doing... I'm sorry. We can have some fun together, right?"
"No. You should work."
"Kiryu-"
"Just, stop it, ok?"
"Please, Kiryu, I just want to make up for spending so much time working."
"No." He sighed and turned, slowly cupping Yusei's cheeks. "Just work, ok? This is important to you. You and Bruno are kind of cute together anyway. Your brains work on the same level, don't they? You two don't need the less intelligent hanging around, right? You two have fun together."
He sighed and turned, but Yusei tugged him back around, pulling him into a firm kiss. "You can't just- what have I done to deserve this? What did I do, Kiryu? I thought- I still love you, I just need to- I thought you loved me too..."
"I love Jack, Yusei," he said firmly, pushing him gently away. "We had a stupid drunk thing that we thought might work out. Life doesn't work like that. I'm going to go back to mansion and you're going to go back and work with Bruno, then, when Jack comes home, I'm going to tell him what's been going on and pray that he's generous enough to forgive me for how dumb I've been. I'll make sure he knows it wasn't your fault."
"You don't mean that."
"I'm sorry, Yusei, I shouldn't have messed with your feelings like that, but you should tell Bruno how you feel about him. You like him, right?"
"Kiryu-"
"I'll see you when I next stop by to take my baby out on the highway, ok?"
"A-alright, but, maybe some other time, when we're done with this program."
"Yusei-"
"You can't treat me the way you have and then ignore me, Kyosuke," he snapped. He grabbed his hand and kissed him again, knowing Kiryu still cared about him when he kissed him back for a second before turning away. "You love me. I know you do. Whatever I did to make you act like this, I'm sorry, but I love you and I know you love me still. I will do whatever it takes to make you admit it again."
"Just stop this, Yusei, you're making yourself look silly."
"Then just tell me what I did. I'll make it up to you."
He sighed and snatched his hands away and Yusei's heart clenched, watching him walk away silently. He didn't know where it had gone so wrong, he thought everything was going so well, he hadn't noticed anything wrong. He sighed and went back inside. There had to be something he could do to fix this.
"Yusei?" Bruno said, stretching his arms above his head. It was late and Yusei had thrown himself into his work while trying to figure something out. "Do you want to take a break?"
"Yeah," Yusei said quietly. "I think we should."
They got up from the computer and Bruno poured them each a drink before joining Yusei on the couch. Yusei took the drink and sipped it slowly, thinking over what Kiryu had said earlier. He didn't know what to do. He sighed and closed his eyes. He couldn't lose Kiryu, at least not without knowing what he'd done.
"Are you ok, Yusei?" Bruno said quietly.
"Yeah, I guess," he said, gazing at his feet. "I'm just not sure... I'm having some issues with Kiryu."
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault, he's just awkward sometimes, I guess. He's been through a lot and his mind delicate, he's prone to depression and psychotic breaks and stuff. He's mentally fragile, sometimes, he just has to have his moments and his tantrums and be treated with care and love. It's not his fault."
"It's a shame."
"What is?"
"That he holds your heart," Bruno said with a smile. "And either doesn't know or doesn't care. It's sad to see you care for him while he can only see Jack."
"I suppose... so, why are you..."
"Yusei, please, you must know by now. I've only not said anything because I could see how you felt for Kiryu."
He smiled and lowered his head. Yusei frowned, then smiled and nodded. Once or twice, he'd noticed Bruno's hand would brush his on the keyboard or mouse, and sometimes the looks they shared. He leant in and gently connected their lips, pushing all thoughts of Kiryu from his mind.
"Is- is this ok, Yusei?"
"Of course it is," he said gently. "I wouldn't lead you astray, would I?"
"N-no, I trust you. It- it's just I think Jack and Kiryu dislike me enough as it is without giving them a reason like this."
"Forget what Kiryu and Jack think. I won't let them hurt you."
He smiled awkwardly and nodded. Yusei kissed him gently, his hand slowly going to rest on the back of his neck, pulling him closer. After a few moments that felt like forever, Bruno slowly wrapped his arms around him and kissed him back. Something in his hidden memories must have told him what to do, because, as Yusei quickly discovered when their tongues met, he knew exactly what he was doing. Despite his quiet, meek temperament, without a few minutes, he'd gently pushed Yusei to the couch, resting above him.
"Bruno," he said quietly, chuckling as Bruno kissed his jaw firmly. "Whoever you were with before you forgot is a lucky guy."
"Are you sure this is ok?" Bruno whispered.
"Of course it's ok. Come on, trust me, I won't let Kiryu and Jack use this as an excuse to hurt you."
"You know, you did look kind of cute it that bow."
Yusei's eyes widened and he sat up, knocking his head against Bruno's. "Oh, sorry, Bruno, sorry."
"No, no it's ok. Did I do something?"
"No," Yusei said quietly, kissing him gently. "Bruno, you're a genius. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. What did I do?"
"Don't worry, it doesn't matter." He smiled and lay back once more. "So, where were we?"
"But what about Kiryu..."
"He made his feelings perfectly clear earlier," he whispered. "He doesn't want me near him anymore. As far as I can see I only have one hope of getting him to see me like that ever again. I have to understand that and accept what I can't change and focus on what I can have and what I can make into an amazing relationship with a man who understand me on every level."
"Yusei, I don't want to be the one who gets in the way of you and Kiryu," he said quietly.
"And I don't want to be the one who spends the rest of his life wanting his best friend's boyfriend."
"I suppose..."
A few days passed and Yusei kept an eye on who was in the mansion, waiting for Kiryu to be alone so they could talk properly. Finally, after almost a week and a half, Crow and Jack took Aki out onto the highway to help her gain confidence on her new D-Wheel. She'd only just passed her test and was struggling to keep her confidence up outside the stadium. The others went with them but Kiryu wasn't happy with how his D-Wheel was feeling at the moment and wanted to adjust the controls. Much as he appreciated Bruno and Yusei's adjustments, he did like to do his own work on a lot of other stuff.
Yusei sighed and closed his eyes. He couldn't believe he was doing this but Kiryu had been avoiding him since that day and he needed to at least talk to him. He frowned and sent the message. At least- as far as he could tell- Kiryu hadn't told Jack about them yet. Jack was acting no differently towards either of them. He was glad; it meant there was still a chance to get Kiryu back. He didn't like the idea of being so manipulative, but if it was the only way to get Kiryu to acknowledge his love once more, he had no choice.
Kiryu's phone beep on the desk and he frowned. After a moment, he reached up and glanced at the message. It was from Yusei. He sighed and wiped the oil off his hands, closing up his D-Wheel and taking a moment to read the message better. There's no one else in. You liked the ribbon, right? Kiryu frowned and swallowed. If that meant what he thought it did... He got up and hurried back to the mansion.
"Yusei?" he called as he burst through the door. "If this isn't worth it I'm going to kill you!"
"That depends on whether you're going to talk to me or not," came Yusei's voice.
Kiryu smiled and ran up the stairs to Yusei's room. The door was locked though. Kiryu frowned and banged his fist against the door.
"Yusei!"
"Yes?" Yusei said quietly from the other side.
"Tell me you didn't drag me all the way down here to talk through a door," Kiryu snapped.
His phone beeped again and he opened the new message- a picture of Yusei's hair with that blue bow in once more. Kiryu smiled to himself and banged against the door once more.
"Yusei. Is it just the bow, or is there more?"
"I dunno," Yusei said quietly. "Are you going to talk to me? I don't like you avoiding me."
"Let me in," Kiryu said.
"Why did you dump like that?" he said.
"Yusei-"
"Don't make excuses, just answer me. Why dump me like that? I hadn't done anything to deserve that."
"You're with Bruno now."
"You said it yourself, there was nothing stopping us being together behind the scenes."
"Let me in."
"I love you, Kiryu, why would you do that to me."
"Because I hated seeing you with him, alright!" Kiryu snapped. "I loved you! You were mine and then you just dump me for him?"
"You're with Jack, how do you think I feel?" Yusei cried. "And I hadn't even considered being with him until that night. I only kissed him the first time because I was so angry with you! I wanted to feel loved for once."
"Yusei," he said with a sigh. "I..." He clenched his fists, sudden anger flaring up once more. "How dare you get all morally superior on me! I'm your best friend's boyfriend and you've lured me here just to try and have sex with me!"
"I didn't lure you anywhere, you're here on your own accord, you didn't have to come," Yusei said quietly. His phone beeped again with another message; this time a matching blue bow around his neck and the edges of a low neckline. "I bet you're more turned on right now than I am."
Kiryu sighed and rested his forehead against the door, slowly clenching his fists once more. "Yusei. What do you want from me?"
"I want to how you can claim to love me and then do that to me? And if you didn't love me, why say it? Why put me through all that? Especially when you knew how I felt about you."
"How could you just abandon me for Bruno?" He shook his head, struggling to control the strange mix of fury and despair inside him. "The day he arrived you took off with him, completely ignoring me."
"I didn't mean to. It wasn't like we had plans."
"When did I give you that outfit, Yusei?" he snapped. "Did you ever make a decision?"
"What?" Yusei whispered. "What are you... Kiryu, I don't understand."
"Of course you don't. You completely forgot about me the second he arrived just because of Tori's stupid prediction! I won't be with a guy who doesn't love me... how am I supposed to trust you if you'll do that to me?"
"I didn't mean to break your trust," he said gently. "I didn't mean to hurt you, Kiryu, I love you so much. I don't understand. Tell me how to make this better. Tell me what I did to set you off. You could have spoken to me. Hell, you could have just pulled me away and made it clear what you wanted... just like you used to..."
"I gave you that outfit the day Bruno arrived, remember?" he said. He sighed and stepped back, turning away from the door, pacing away a few strides, as far as the hall would let him before turning back. "Do you remember I asked you to consider it? To come and find me when you made your choice? Do you remember any of that? Do you remember me tying that stupid ribbon in your hair? Or how you said you'd do it just for me, to make up for all the time you'd be spending with Bruno?"
"I- I just kind of forgot, I'm sorry," Yusei cried. "I didn't think it was that much of a big deal to you. Is that what this is about? Me forgetting that to spend time with Bruno? What about me? What about all the times you blew me off to spend time with Jack?"
"That's different."
"Not to me! Now you understand how I feel."
Kiryu sighed and turned away, storming off down the hall. "I'm not playing games, Yusei!"
"Tell me you love me."
Kiryu froze. His voice was no longer muffled by the door. He turned slowly. Yusei's bedroom door was wide open. He frowned and took a step closer, almost afraid to face Yusei now.
"Kyosuke, tell me you love me still and I'll send this message to Jack right now asking him to come and join us. Just say it and I'll let you have everything you want."
"Is it just the bows, or are you wearing it all?"
"All of it."
"Everything?"
"Everything."
"Prove it."
Yusei chuckled bitterly. "Do you still love me or not?"
"You promise you're wearing everything?" Kiryu said, stepping closer, heart pounding. "All of it? Everything I gave you."
"Kyosuke, I know what you want me to be wearing, to see how serious I am," Yusei said. "Do you want me to send this to Jack or not?"
"This is wrong, Yusei. We shouldn't be doing this," he said gently, leaning against the wall just outside his room. "We're both happy with other people. We should do this to them or ourselves."
"Is that why you won't come in and look at me?"
"If you really do look half as sexy in that as I imagine you do, I won't be able to stop myself... I don't want to cheat on Jack. I don't want to hurt him. I don't want to be in love with you. We'll only hurt ourselves."
"Do you think I wanted to feel this way about you? I didn't. I wanted you to be happy with Jack. I thought once you were alive again and you didn't remember that we could just move on. I didn't want to fall in love with you. I didn't want it to be like this, but it is and right now I'm wearing an outfit of Tori's that I don't even know why she owns, feeling so stupid because I love you and I want to get you back and I know you want this. Please, just tell me you still love me and come in here."
"Don't send that message to Jack just yet, Yusei," Kiryu said quietly, closing his eyes for a moment. "I want you on your own first."
"Good, maybe you can get these panties off me," Yusei muttered. He groaned softly and Kiryu could just imagine Yusei touching himself. "They're kind of... made for a slim girl like Tori rather than me... Just tell me you love me already, Kyosuke."
"We shouldn't do this," he said. "It's just going to destroy us in the long run."
"I don't want to think about the long run," he said quietly. "If you're going to walk away, do it now so I can get out of these stupid clothes, please."
Kiryu sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, weighing up his options. After a long moment, he swallowed his pride and pushed off the wall.
"I still love you, Yusei," he said. "I love you and I want you and I'm sorry I hurt you like that. I was just fuming after you blew me off like that and I should have spoken to you but the longer I left it the worse it got. I'm sorry."
"It's ok, I'm sorry too. I should have remembered, but I can make it up to you now. So, get in here and get me out of these humiliating clothes."
Kiryu laughed softly and turned to step in the doorway. Yusei was plainly in view, leaning against the dresser so Kiryu could take in Tori's clothes. The younger boy blushed heavily as Kiryu took in the sight and bit his lip. It seemed like hours before either moved. Yusei stood up straight and smiled awkwardly, blush deepening and Kiryu kicked the door closed, locking it without ever looking away.
"This is what you wanted right, Kyosuke?"