A/N: Yeah, this one's coming to close too. Not too long to go and then I'll seriously start updating Dark Satisfacion. How cruel was I to give you two chapters and nothing else? Anyway, this fic. We have Yusei being as manipulative as we all know he could be if he put his mind to it. He always knows exactly what to say to make everyone feel better so he could probably just as easily work out what to say to get his own way. It's good to see him and Jack in competition and next chapter you'll see more of Jack in this battle for Kiryu's attention. Reviews, guys, remeber, reviews.
"This is ridiculous," Kiryu snapped, dumping a copy of Pro Duellist magazine on the table. "I'm going to kill Carly."
"It might not have been Carly," Aki argued. "Why would she disobey you? She looks up to you."
"He always had some sort of charm with woman," Crow muttered. He glanced at Yusei and Jack. "And men. What's the big deal anyway?" Aki picked up the magazine and pointed to a headline on the cover. "Oh? I thought we told Carly not to talk about our private lives."
"I don't think it was Carly," she said. "I mean, read the article, she knows about everyone's messy relationships, why write it as gossip? Besides, she doesn't work for them."
Crow frowned and flicked through the pages. "Wow. Has Kiryu kicked off yet?"
"No, he's been surprisingly restrained," Aki said quietly.
"I'm still in the room," Kiryu snapped. "Yusei, in the study. Now." Yusei frowned and Kiryu clenched his jaw, narrowing his gaze. "Now, Yusei!" He hurried out and Kiryu sighed, running a hand through his hair and glanced at Jack. "Don't get any ideas."
"About what?" Jack muttered.
"About the article, and about me being alone with Yusei," he said. "Gossiping idiots. I'll sort it out somehow. I just need to sort out Yusei first..."
He turned, took the magazine from Crow, muttering about Aki having a copy, and headed out to the study where Yusei was waiting, curled up under the blanket on the couch reading a heavy book. He smiled and tilted his head slightly. In that one instant, all Kiryu's anger faded. He just looked so perfectly innocent. He was so naive and childish sometimes, he probably wouldn't even know why this was such a big deal, why he was in trouble. Just one look in his eyes told him all Yusei wanted to do was please him.
"What's wrong?" Yusei said quietly.
He sighed and sat at Yusei's side. The smaller boy frowned, starting to look worried. He handed him the magazine and Yusei frowned. Kiryu turned him to the article. Yusei's eyes clouded over slightly and he glanced up at Kiryu.
"I thought there were only teams allowed in the pits," Yusei whispered. "We didn't take these and Team Ragnarok wouldn't be interested in doing something this. It doesn't serve any purpose. So who took these?"
Kiryu frowned and sighed. The article was talking about the relationship between Kiryu and Yusei. Someone had managed to get pictures of them in the pits; of Yusei grabbing Kiryu's hand before the duel and of Yusei holding Kiryu's cheek, the pair of them incredibly close and whispering together. Then again after the duel, Yusei in Kiryu's arms as he stroked his hair and Yusei being led off with Kiryu's arm around his waist. It was nothing more than gossip and trash riding on the wave of interest after their victory and they all knew it but people would read and start talking. He didn't mind people knowing if it was the truth, but rumour and gossip just annoyed him.
"I'm sorry, Kyosuke," Yusei whispered.
"No, it's ok," he said quietly, stroking his cheek gently. He was right, Yusei barely understood why it was important, just that someone had taken pictures that mislead people, picture they shouldn't have had. He didn't understand why Kiryu wanted it all to be private. "It's not your fault." Sometimes he forgot how sheltered Yusei's previous life was and how childish his view of the world was sometimes. "They shouldn't have been there. I'll figure out how to explain it somehow but no more touching like that in public, understand? We have to be careful. I don't like people talking behind my back."
"Ok," Yusei said. Kiryu went to get up but Yusei grabbed his wrist. "You can stay, Kyosuke. I'd like you to stay."
Kiryu frowned and Yusei's heart pounded against his chest. After a long moment that seemed like hours to him, Kiryu stat next to him, slowly bringing Yusei into his arms and pulling the covers around them. He smiled up at Kiryu, tossing away the magazine.
"So, what if we let them know the truth?" he said quietly.
"Yusei," he laughed softly. He smiled and stroked Yusei's hair. "I'm not going to declare to anyone that I love you when I'm still in love with Jack. It doesn't work like that, silly."
Yusei frowned. Kiryu and Jack treated him like a child when it came to love and sex. They assumed that because he was sheltered by Godwin and quiet and inexperienced that he didn't understand. Actually, it rather suited Yusei for them to think like that. He was completely ashamed of himself, but he'd been the one who'd planted the camera to get those shots. It would force Kiryu to acknowledge that he did care for him and did hold him like that despite saying he wouldn't until he made his choice. It wasn't something he'd normally do, but he needed to put some pressure on them both.
"So, you do still love me, right?" Yusei said. "I mean, those pictures aren't lying, you did touch me like that."
"I did, yes," Kiryu said, sliding his hands over his legs and Yusei squirmed slightly. "Yusei, you really need to stop tempting me like this. We can't have a relationship based on sex."
"That's how you and Jack fell in love," he argued. "Right?"
"Not quite. I mean, what we called a relationship was based on sex, but we were kids and didn't realised that we were building a relationship whenever we were near each other just using our friendship as a start. We just needed to realise it. You have to know you're at a severe disadvantage. I've known you for a year or so now, maybe closer to two, but I've know Jack and felt for him since I was thirteen or so. I know him better than I know you."
"So, then we should put that right."
"I suppose... what are you reading?"
Yusei smiled up at him. "It's my dad's research journal."
"I didn't know he had one."
"Me neither, I was just looking through the other day and found it." He pulled a picture from the back cover and showed it to him. "It's pretty obvious which one he is."
"You mean that's not you without your streaks?" he chuckled. Yusei laughed softly and blushed slightly. "He's even hotter than y- ow!"
Yusei frowned and pressed his lips to Kiryu's, turning slightly to make it easier to push him against the arm of the couch. "I'm the one you love, Kiryu. I'm the one who does everything you want."
"I know. I know." He forced Yusei back around and wrapped his arms around him, looking over his shoulder. "Besides, I assume the lovely young lady next to him holding the baby is your mother, so I doubt he'd be interested even if he was alive. He looks like he really loves her. And I hope you realise who that is next to him."
"Yeah," he said. "Epsilon. She looks so happy. And that's Uncle Rex and Rudger."
"Do you remember your dad?"
"No, I just get what I'm told about him, you know? What about you? Did you know your parents?" Kiryu frowned. "I'm sorry, I know lots of people lost their parents in Zero Reverse. I wish Dad hadn't done this research sometimes."
"Don't say that. I doubt it would have helped me anyway. My mother died just after Zero Reverse, she was murdered by one of her lovers but my dad was with my all the time. He died after I did."
"I'm sorry."
"Shh, don't be. He was a horrible man." He laughed bitterly. "He tried to rape Jack, I always protected him though." Yusei frowned and gazed up at him. "He just wanted to protect me I guess. It in a kinda twisted way, but he thought he was protecting me. He wanted to make them suffer like he thought I did."
"I didn't realise..." He smiled and rested his head against Kiryu's shoulder. "I'm sorry. I sometimes forget how you grew up."
"Don't be," Kiryu said quietly. "I'm over it. I loved him though, despite his flaws. He was so angry at my mum for cheating on him, but it twisted him to hating the people she cheated on him with. And then he saw the people I was close to in the same light. When he told me off he'd talk about her, about how if I wasn't careful, I'd be killed too."
"But Jack still slept with him," Yusei whispered. "That's what you said."
Kiryu nodded. "Yeah..."
"I'd never betray your trust like that." Kiryu frowned and Yusei turned once more to rest his head against his. "I only want to please you, Kyosuke."
Kiryu smiled slightly. "I know you do, Yusei." He smiled reassuringly and stroked Yusei's hair. Yusei smiled, his eyes slipping shut, and gently nuzzled against Kiryu's neck, planting a gentle kiss on his pale skin. "Yusei..."
"Kyosuke, I know I'm not as experienced as Jack," he whispered, twisting his fingers through his hair. "But I can please you. I'll do whatever I can to make you happy. I promise I can be just as good as him."
"Yusei." Kiryu cupper his cheeks and pulled him back slightly to look into his eyes. He laughed softly. "Is that what you think? Do you think I care about that? Hey, I'll tell you a secret shall I? When I first met Jack he was a lot like you. Martha kept him and Crow safe from the horrors of the Satellite, they had never been involved in the sleazy world I had. So, when I met Jack he didn't really get it either. I gave him his first kiss, just like I did for you."
"You did?" He nodded and Yusei smiled up at him. "I can't imagine Jack like that."
"I taught him a lot back then. And now look at him. Hmm, don't worry, Yusei, you'll learn, just like he did. It's ok. Look how far you've come already." He smiled and kissed him gently before pulling him down gently onto his lap. "You were reading before I distracted you, right?"
"It's ok. I don't mind."
"Hey, I'm perfectly happy to just sit here with you." He squeezed his shoulders gently. "Like I said, this can't be based solely on our physical need for each other. This is all you have of your parents."
"Kyosuke..." He closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm not sure Jack realises how lucky he is sometimes."
"Hey, this isn't about him, Yusei. This is about me and you right now. Come on."
Yusei smiled and turned his attention back to his father's journal, content with Kiryu's arms around him. Kiryu and Jack have thought he was naive and inexperienced and maybe that was true to some extend but Yusei knew how to play that in his favour. He knew that they looked at him a child. Yusei knew what he was doing though. Sometimes he was a little uncertain with his actions, but he understood the effect his words could have. He knew what having those pictures published would do to Jack and what his concerns about being inexperienced would do to Kiryu. And he knew just how to push it just a little further.
"Kyosuke."
"Yes, Yusei?"
"Why do you like me?" He turned from his book to gaze up at Kiryu. "I mean... you first became interested in me because it would hurt Jack. So... why do you love me now?"
"I- I never really thought about it, Yusei," he said quietly. "I just did. Like, I never really thought about why I love Jack."
"Jack says you just like the fact that I'll do whatever you ask."
"Ignore Jack when he says stuff like that. I'm not taking advantage of you, you know that." He smiled and kissed his cheek gently. "I love you because you're my gorgeous, sexy girl." Yusei frowned elbowed him in the ribs playfully. "Yusei... I just love you, ok? I mean, you know I think you're good looking, but you're... considerate and devoted and kind. You're so honest and you only think about others. Actually, I'm a little surprised you're even willing to go against Jack."
"I guess I decided to be selfish for once. Besides, you mean the world to me... even if I don't mean the same to you."
"Oh Yusei." He squeezed his shouldered tightly. "Yusei, don't you dare think like that. Ignore Jack, you know what he can be like when he's pissed off. Come on, silly, if Jack says I only like you because of you in that dress-"
"He also said sometime about big blue eyes that make people want to make me better."
"That too. He's wrong though. So, if he says that about you, then who's to say I'm not only interested in him because he's incredibly hot is the only person I've known strong enough to argue with me on an even playing field. We just matched each other. It was kinda like having a relationship with myself." Yusei smiled up at him and laughed slightly as Kiryu smirked. "I mean it. Don't you dare start thinking how Jack wants you to think. I'll make my choice when I'm ready and he's not going to influence that by getting you worked up. I love you, Yusei, don't try to change."
He leant back against Kiryu as the older boy stroked his hair while he read. It wasn't like he was actively influencing Kiryu. He didn't have to take his word for it. He could think on his own after all.
"You're furious, aren't you?" Tori laughed. Jack frowned and glared up at her. "Heh, too bad. I guess he's made his choice."
"No, he's not. He said it was nothing. You know he's undecided."
"They're some good pictures though," she said. "I wonder who took them."
"Hey," Carly called running in. "Did everyone see my article?"
Jack frowned and she handed him her paper. "It's good, Carly, but we have something else to deal with."
"Oh?"
"Someone caught photos of Yusei and Kiryu getting a bit close," Aki said. "I mean the pictures, you know, they do imply that there's something going on. They are kinda close."
"Yusei's trying to influence Kiryu's decision by getting up close," Jack said. "It won't work."
"You two are ridiculous," Crow said quietly. "I mean, you're arguing over Kiryu like he's just a prize. He's a real person, you know."
"He's right," Tori said. "You can't just do all this male posturing and decide you have a right to him. I mean, you two could duel it out and say the winner gets him, but he might not see it that way."
"Sure," Jack grumbled.
"Carly!" Kiryu yelled from the study. "Get in here."
"Oh dear, I hope he doesn't think I'm responsible for this..." Carly whispered.
"He knows it wasn't you," Aki said gently. "Although you we're not so sure about, Tori."
"Why the hell would I want to do that?" Tori snapped.
Carly frowned and walked down the hall, slowly pushing open the door to the study to find Yusei in Kiryu's arms, dozing lightly. She smiled and blushed slightly.
"I'm not interrupting am I?" she stuttered.
"Carly, would I have called you in here if you were," Kiryu said quietly. He smiled and nodded at a seat across from them. "Take a seat, Carly. Have you seen Pro Duellist?" She nodded, sitting quickly. "Still want your big exclusive, Carly?"
"Of course. What did you have in mind?" she said quietly.
"Well, I figure we should put to rest these silly rumours," he replied. "You can have your exclusive. You can hear all about what's really going on."
"Err, Jack," Tori said quietly. Jack frowned. "Can I ask a serious question?"
"I guess," Jack said, folding his arms.
"This picture of you and the other three," she said flicking through her phone. "How come Kiryu's holding Bruno's hand?"
Jack frowned and glanced at Bruno, who glanced away quickly. "Because Kiryu thinks it cute that he does as he's told in bed-"
"That's enough!" Crow snapped. "I don't want to know about your sex life, Jack. I don't want to hear that my best friends are having sex."
"You're sleeping with Aki," he said.
"And from what I hear it's kinda kinky," Tori giggled and Aki glared over, blushing slightly. "What? You know I can't keep a secret like this."
"Oh come on, you guys get Yusei to dress up, we're hardly that bad," Crow said.
"It was Kiryu's idea," Bruno whispered.
Jack frowned and glared at the door, wishing Kiryu wasn't spending so much time with Yusei. It wasn't exactly fair. "How are you happy with this anyway? I thought you were all gaga over Yusei."
"I care about him, yes," he whispered. "But I want him to be happy. And if being with Kiryu makes him happy then that's enough for me. As long as he's happy and smiling then I don't care how much I have to suffer. That's what love is, right?"
