A/N: This chapter is 54 percent lemon, so please be advised.
Chapter 49: Finding Comfort
When Kaiba heard his front door open, he immediately stopped working and got up to go meet Yami. He was surprised to see Yami simply standing in the middle of the room looking completely shell shocked by what had just happened. Without a word, Kaiba went to him and gathered Yami in a tight embrace.
Yami awkwardly stood there for a moment before it processed properly that Kaiba was holding him. Only then did Yami mechanically bring his arms up and hug Kaiba in return. He wanted to explain everything to Kaiba, but he couldn't make his voice cooperate.
Kaiba frowned as he felt Yami trembling in his arms and he had to actively remind himself why he couldn't may Yuugi pay for whatever he had done to work the former spirit into such a state. It hurt him to hear Yami softly apologize suddenly, "I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to apologize for," Kaiba reassured before kissing Yami's temple. "Nothing at all."
Rather than accepting it, Yami couldn't stop himself from repeating, "I'm so sorry," in an even softer whisper.
"For what?" Kaiba asked, still trying to gauge what Yuugi had done to shake up Yami so much.
Yami misunderstood when Kaiba tried to pull away to look at him; all he could think of was Yuugi rejecting his touch. It made him cling that much closer to Kaiba as he begged, "Please don't hate me, too."
Realizing stepping away wasn't an option yet, Kaiba commanded, "Yami, look at me."
The authoritative tone made Yami automatically obey. He looked up at Kaiba with fear that he might see disgust in those blue eyes.
Once he was certain he had Yami's full attention, Kaiba told him, "One, there is nothing you could do to make me ever hate you."
When Yami tried to protest, Kaiba immediately shushed him. "Two," Kaiba continued, "Yuugi doesn't even know how to hate someone. No one has any reason to feel that way toward you. Not even Jounouchi."
"But he was so angry," Yami said in an anguished tone.
His blue gaze softening somewhat, Kaiba said, "That doesn't mean he hates you. It means he's being childish."
"He said I ruined everything," Yami told him as he looked away from Kaiba. "Maybe he's right."
"He's not," Kaiba firmly said as he stepped out of the embrace and held his hand out to Yami. When Yami hesitantly took his hand, Kaiba led them to the bedroom and got on the bed, gesturing for Yami to do the same. They propped up the pillows so they could sit, but Yami still curled up at Kaiba's side to rest his head on Kaiba's shoulder. "Start from the beginning."
When Kaiba wrapped an arm around Yami's shoulder to hold him, the former spirit closed his eyes briefly to savor the moment. Yuugi may have been furious with him, but at least Kaiba was still there to support him. He tried to trust in that feeling, but Yuugi's words had shaken his confidence. "What about work?" Yami asked, knowing he was talking Kaiba away from what he was supposed to be doing.
"Right now, you're the only thing that matters to me," Kaiba told him.
The comment made Yami snuggle that much closer to Kaiba. "Thank you," Yami whispered, moved by the fact Kaiba would make him such a priority.
Rather than replying, Kaiba reassuringly rubbed Yami's upper arm while waiting for him to speak.
Yami eventually stated, "He's mad at me because Jounouchi-kun has a crush on me."
"Oh, because that's totally your fault," Kaiba sarcastically commented, rolling his eyes at Yuugi's reason for being upset.
"That's what I said," Yami glumly told Kaiba. "None of it is my fault, but he doesn't care."
"What else is he trying to blame you for?" Kaiba asked.
"For breaking up the group, ruining his friendship with Jounouchi-kun, being more popular in class, stealing his clients, not being able to win games anymore," Yami started to list on his fingers, getting upset all over again. "He acts like I maliciously set out to hurt him like that and I didn't do anything."
Kaiba had to check his first few responses because he didn't want to upset Yami any more than he already was. Instead he settled for a more neutral, "That's bullshit."
"Except it's not," Yami said. "I'm the reason Jounouchi-kun won't hang out with the group anymore."
"That was his decision, not your fault," Kaiba told him, not wanting Yami to blame himself for Jounouchi's immature stupidity.
"But most of our classmates and his clients do interact with me more than him," Yami continued to argue.
"You're more confident and outgoing than Yuugi will ever be. People respond to that," Kaiba pointed out to Yami. "As for Host Club, you're a far better flirt, plus you have the exotic appeal going for you. His shy boy next door thing is only going to take him so far with those kinds of girls."
"I guess," Yami hesitantly agreed.
"As for losing games, I don't know why he's surprised," Kaiba continued. "He only started winning because of you. Why would he think that would continue without you? If he wants to win, he should have paid more attention while you were with him."
"He thinks it's unfair that things come so easily to me while he has to struggle," Yami added, still feeling wretched about it. He had never meant to hurt Yuugi and he had apparently done so deeply without even being aware of it.
"Life is unfair," Kaiba cynically stated with a shrug. "It doesn't mean you get mad at people for their advantages. Everything comes at a cost."
Yami agreed with what Kaiba was saying, but sadly Yuugi was of another mind on the matter. "I can't make it better and I hate that," Yami complained with a heavy sigh.
"The only thing that you can do at this point is wait for him to grow the fuck up and get over it," Kaiba stated with a scowl, knowing it was easier said than done. "Don't let him make you feel bad for being you."
"Yeah, but by just being me, I'm obviously hurting him," Yami protested.
Running his fingers reassuringly through Yami's hair, Kaiba argued, "No, his small mindedness is what's hurting you both. He could choose to be happy that after so many millennia in solitude, you're finally surrounded by people who are glad that you're alive. Instead, he's choosing to lash out to make you feel bad that he has fewer friends. Considering how him and Anzu are always carrying on about the values of friendship, he's being a really shitty hypocrite right now."
The logic made Yami pause for a moment before he said, "I hadn't really thought of it like that."
"It's all a matter of perspective," Kaiba told him.
It was actually a somewhat comforting line of logic to Yami. "You certainly seem to know a lot about it," Yami commented as he toyed with the hem of Kaiba's shirt.
"I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't figured out the importance of perspective," Kaiba said with a wry smile.
"What do you mean?" Yami asked, not understanding what specifically Kaiba meant.
"When I was younger, I could have looked at other kids my age and been angry that their parents were alive when mine were dead. I could have been mad that other kids were adopted before my brother and me. I could have become bitter that our one chance of salvation backfired so horribly," Kaiba started to explain. "But eventually I figured out that feeling that way accomplished nothing. Acting out at other people only made things worse in the end, especially for Mokuba. I realized if I changed how I viewed a situation, I could change my reaction for a better outcome. So yes, other people still had their parents and we didn't. But just because they had parents, didn't mean they were all treated well by them. Yes, it was frustrating when time after time we weren't adopted and others were. But it gave me time to plan the perfect way out of the orphanage. And when that plan backfired, I could at least be grateful I kept Mokuba safe, if nothing else. So long as he was fine, nothing else mattered."
Hugging Kaiba tighter, Yami said, "It's incredible that you could be so pragmatic at such a young age."
"Most people would think it's sad that I had to grow up so fast," Kaiba stated to illustrate him point. "Most people would be horrified by what we survived. But without all of that, I wouldn't be who I am today. Why waste time being bitter about what happened? It changes nothing. The past just holds you back."
It suddenly explained a lot about Kaiba to Yami and he was grateful for the insight. It was rare to hear Kaiba talk about the past in such a way and it touched him that he would do so to try and help. "Thank you," Yami said as he moved slightly to kiss Kaiba on the cheek. "That actually does make me feel better."
"When you realize he's basically mad at you for being too awesome, you realize how ridiculous Yuugi sounds," Kaiba said with a chuckle.
Despite his mood, the comment made Yami laugh. He felt a rush of affection for Kaiba in that moment and he shifted so he could kiss him properly. Kaiba quickly gave in to the passionate kiss and Yami started to get overcome by his feelings for Kaiba. Somehow he always knew the right thing to say to make Yami feel better. "You're always so good to me," Yami told him in between kisses.
Kaiba paused long enough to make Yami look at him as he said, "Because you deserve it." It was kind of embarrassing to say for some reason, but Kaiba figured it was important for Yami to hear when his confidence was so shaken.
Yami leaned forward and kissed Kaiba with the full force of his passion, even as he started trying to take off the brunette's shirt.
"What are you doing?" Kaiba asked, although he offered no resistance as Yami successfully stripped him of his shirt.
Taking off his own shirt and casting it aside, Yami leaned forward and murmured in Kaiba's ear, "Showing you how much I appreciate you."
Kaiba groaned at the overwhelming sexiness of Yami in that moment, even as he said, "You don't have to do that."
"But I want to do it," Yami moaned before suckling on Kaiba's earlobe and nipping at it after.
Any thoughts of stopping Yami instantly fled Kaiba's mind. Yami then began worshipping Kaiba's body with his lips and fingertips, working him up into arousal.
It took Yami some time to build up the nerve, but finally he got the lube off the nightstand and started to prep Kaiba. The experience wasn't unpleasant for Kaiba, but he was eager to move onto other things. He let Yami do things at his own speed, knowing it was important, and tried to relax himself for what was to come next. There was the slightest flutter of nervousness, but Kaiba pushed it aside in favor of focusing on feeling.
Eventually Yami was ready to slowly enter Kaiba and it was an almost overwhelming situation for both of them. Kaiba gasped as his body accommodated the intrusion and he held onto Yami's bicep with one hand to help ground himself as the former spirit pushed all the way in to the hilt.
The feeling of that slick heat embracing him was damn near divine for Yami and he moaned deeply in satisfaction as he cautiously began to move. When Kaiba tightened around him to try and encourage him to go faster, Yami thought he was going to lose his mind to lust. After that, there was no stopping him as he sought out the ultimate pleasure for them both.
Kaiba reveled in the feeling of their bodies moving as one and he moved his hand from Yami's arm to entangle in his tricolor hair and pull him closer for a kiss. The resulting shift in angles made Kaiba cry out softly in surprise at the resulting feeling and Yami growled in approval.
Remembering what felt best for him, Yami began to stroke Kaiba's member and was not disappointed in the reaction. Kaiba's whole body arched as he was overcome by pleasure and he could only breathlessly swear as he tried to stave off his release.
The sight of Kaiba in such a state was too much to handle and Yami came hard with a moan of relief. The feeling of Yami's seed inside of him was unexpected and Kaiba finally came with a gasp, his body finally stilling.
They looked at each other for a long moment before Yami leaned down and kissed Kaiba tenderly. It was hard for Kaiba no to get caught up in it and his other hand wrapped around Yami's neck to pull him even closer as he indulged himself. Kaiba broke the kiss when Yami finally pulled out and lay on top of him. He wrapped his arms around Yami and held him as continued trying to process the experience. Kaiba smiled faintly when Yami nuzzled against him with a noise of contentment and just enjoying the simplicity of feeling in the afterglow.
After some time, Yami commented, "That was good."
"Mm," Kaiba agreed, having enjoyed himself more than he had expected.
"Like, really, really good," Yami emphasized, causing Kaiba to chuckle. "Is it weird that there's still a part of me that wishes you could flip me over and do me next?"
Snorting at Yami's choice of phrasing, Kaiba replied, "Not really. While I could easily flip you over, I need some time to recover first. Time we don't have, unfortunately."
Groaning in protest, Yami held on even tighter to Kaiba as he sighed, "I'm not ready for it to be Monday yet."
"You haven't finished your homework yet?" Kaiba questioned, finding it surprising.
"That's not what I meant," Yami denied. "My homework is done. I just am not ready to give up my time with you and face the rest of the week."
"Ah," Kaiba commented with understanding. "Eventually you'll get used to it."
"I don't want to get used to not spending so much time with you," Yami stubbornly insisted.
Ruffling Yami's hair affectionately, Kaiba admitted, "I understand."
"Because you feel the same way, too?" Yami asked, propping himself up in order to meet Kaiba's gaze.
"Yeah," Kaiba confessed, feeling somewhat embarrassed for some reason. "But none of this is getting us clean."
"I don't knows whether to be disappointed we have to move or excited because of you naked and wet in a shower," Yami joked as he finally got off of Kaiba and out of bed.
"As opposed to what? Me wet and clothed in a shower? Or dry and naked?" Kaiba retorted as they entered the bathroom together.
Yami could only laugh at the comment as they waited for the water to get hot enough for them to get in the shower. When Kaiba was done cleaning himself, Yami embraced him and complained, "Seriously, how have we not had shower sex yet?"
"We haven't had couch sex either, but I don't hear you complaining about that," Kaiba retorted, causing them both to laugh. "What is your fascination with shower sex?"
Trailing his fingers lightly down Kaiba's back as he explained, "Our slick bodies pressed close to each other as we move as one and the feeling of you inside of me—"
When Yami cut himself off with a moan of need, Kaiba told him, "That's enough out of you," before being ornery and turning the water cold and getting out of the way of the spray. When Yami exclaimed in wordless displeasure at being doused with freezing water, Kaiba immediately turned off the shower.
Yami swatted at Kaiba's arm as he swore, "That was just cruel," as they got out of the shower. "And what part of that explanation were you not enjoying?"
"The part where we don't have time to do it," Kaiba replied before tossing Yami a towel and getting one for himself.
"Well, we could have time," Yami tried to tempt Kaiba as they went back into the bedroom and got into bed after turning off the lights.
"Not without it seriously impacting you tomorrow," Kaiba reasoned. "I think we'll live."
"Not happily ever after," Yami playfully groused as he cuddled up to Kaiba and made himself comfortable.
Automatically wrapping his arm around Yami, Kaiba sarcastically replied, "I wasn't aware that butt sex was a conditional provision for attaining happily ever after status. I must have somehow missed that in all the fairy tales I read."
Yami couldn't stop himself from laughing hysterically at the comment. "I think you just ruined fairy tales for me," Yami joked when he was able to contain his mirth.
"Or vastly improved them," Kaiba countered. "I suppose it's a matter of opinion."
"See, this is what I meant when I said I miss just getting to talk with you," Yami said with a sigh, feeling himself starting to get drowsy.
"Because my witty repartee is so irresistible," Kaiba scoffed.
Yami insisted, "I'm serious!"
Softening his tone, Kaiba told him, "I know, I'm only teasing."
"I'd like to think you miss talking with me, too," Yami added, although he was appeased somewhat by what Kaiba had just said.
Knowing it was important for Yami to hear, Kaiba made himself say, "Of course I do," even though it made his cheeks flush in embarrassment. "My evenings are no longer as enjoyable."
"That makes me happy to hear and sad at the same time," Yami replied.
"Sleep now," Kaiba told Yami before kissing him good night on the forehead.
Sighing heavily, Yami whined, "I know I have to, but I don't want to."
"Am I going to have to put a blanket over your cage to get you to sleep, Pigeon?" Kaiba teased.
It made Yami laugh despite not wanting to encourage Kaiba to continue with the absurd nickname. "I don't think that works on pigeons," Yami commented.
"Shall I try it?" Kaiba asked, causing Yami to snicker.
"No, I'll go to sleep," Yami conceded. "See you in the morning. And…thank you. I feel a lot better about everything."
"Good," Kaiba said as he continued holding Yami long after he fell asleep.
A/N: I love having such a logical Kaiba that isn't using flawed arguments to tear himself down for once.
NEXT CHAPTER:
The very thought of it sent a cold feeling of dread through Kaiba and he protectively tightened his hold on Yami.
For those of you on , there is an extended preview for you to enjoy of next week's chapter. Although I'm traveling next week for the holiday, I should be able to get a chapter up on Sunday, December 20th, so please look forward to it! Until then, I look forward to your wonderful reviews, as always.
