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We break one rule here; we had to stick some flashbacks in here, and those are italicized. It's not inner dialogue. It's pretty obvious, since Yuugi isn't in it. Just FYI.
author also takes this time to remind you that this part is edited for FF.net; the fun version can be found at AdultFanFiction.net, MediaMiner.org, or her site
(Wisdom of Youth)
"What happened?" Mokuba asked, glancing away from his book as Yuugi walked into the room looking more aggravated than Mokuba had ever seen him. Yuugi started pacing the room, presumably yelling at Yami (though it looked more like he was yelling at himself).
"…and what a great time to have a goddamn identity crisis!" Yuugi shouted heatedly. "I told you, if he doesn't understand, you can't force it on him!"
At the word "force" Mokuba covered his mouth in shock; had Yami tried to hurt his brother?
"And that 'dense' remark was GREAT, I'm sure he'll be very happy to hear from you again soon! Oh, and the ego thing, it nearly had me pissing my fucking pants with joy!"
Mokuba stared, his shock only surpassed by the urge to laugh; he had never heard Yuugi swear that much, and it didn't suit him. "Yuugi!" he said loudly, and Yuugi suddenly stopped, staring at him as though he had just realized his presence. "I take it that things didn't go as planned?"
"No," Yuugi groaned, sitting on Mokuba's bed. "When I came in, Kaiba was telling Yami that he was 'with' you. I guess Yami was too upset to block me…" Yuugi told Mokuba what he had heard, and Mokuba lost the urge to laugh, becoming more and more surprised with each new word. Finally, Yuugi slumped back, lying on Mokuba's bed, groaning, "These two are more trouble than they're worth."
Mokuba said thoughtfully, "You know, this could be good."
Yuugi's head snapped over to look at Mokuba in surprise. "How could this possibly be good?"
"Well, Seto once told me that he liked people who weren't afraid to call him on bullshit, and Yami just proved that he's not afraid to tell Seto exactly what he's thinking. He might SEEM angry, but I bet he's probably impressed deep down. And now that it's out in the open, we can go to plan B."
Yuugi stared. "There's a plan B?"
"Yea; I'll just talk to Seto about it over dinner tonight. I'll make him understand. If there's one person Seto won't ignore, it's me."
Seto nearly dropped his fork when Mokuba innocently asked, "What were you and Yami fighting about?" After the initial shock passed, he took a bite of his food, answering slowly and casually.
"What makes you think we were fighting?"
"I walked by, and I heard Yami yelling. When I saw Yuugi next, he told me that you two had gotten into a fight."
Seto was suspicious. "Did he say what about?"
"Nope; said he didn't know." Mokuba shrugged and returned to eating his food. Seto didn't answer, hoping Mokuba would drop it. He wasn't sure if it was good or bad when Mokuba changed the topic and said, "I don't think love and maturity go together. Too many people treat people they love like crap."
"Do they?" He was willing to go with it; at least it wasn't about Yami… or Yuugi, or whoever those two crazy-haired males were at any given time... or was it just one crazy-haired male? It was enough to give Seto a headache, and he worked with complex technology on a daily basis.
Mokuba nodded. "But I think I get it: it's simple third grade logic," he said firmly.
Seto quirked an eyebrow, looking intently at his brother across the dinner table. "Third grade logic?"
"Sure." Mokuba's tone was all business, and it made Seto smile ever-so-slightly with a combination of amusement and pride. "You're like that little boy who always yanks a girl's hair because he likes her. It's third grade logic - if you don't know the words to express your feelings, then just pick on the one you want."
That caught Seto off-guard; how had the topic changed from love in general to him? Mokuba must have been using the word 'you' to generalize people… That had to be it. "That shouldn't be what love is about." Not that he knew.
Mokuba took time to chew his food before answering. "Well, that's awfully hypocritical of you to be saying, since it's how you treat Yami."
That made Seto drop his fork. Did Mokuba just call him "hypocritical"… and, more importantly, did he just make an allusion that Seto was in love with Yami? "What is that supposed to mean?"
Mokuba rolled his eyes. "Seto, I know Yuugi, I know there's something simply irresistible about him. I can only imagine that Yami would be the same way. Besides… You need someone."
"When did you develop such a diverse vocabulary?" Seto was hoping to drive the boy off topic, but he was honestly was surprised: from "crap" to "hypocritical." However, Seto's ploy didn't work.
"I'm 13 years old, Seto. Now, you should just stop being such a…" Mokuba paused, catching the glare from his older brother. "Stop being mean to Yami and just go for him."
Seto finally resigned. "Even if I were remotely interested, Yuugi and you…"
"That would be noble if it were Yuugi. But it's not. It's Yami."
"They're the same."
"No. They're not." Seto was surprised as the conviction in his Mokuba's voice. "Trust me, and just look; you'll see it." Mokuba's plate was empty; Seto had been so wrapped up in the conversation that he hadn't realized that Mokuba had finished his food. Then he stood, taking his plate into the kitchen, leaving Seto to his thoughts.
Seto looked down at his food; he wasn't hungry anymore. He followed Mokuba's example and took the plate to the sink. He went into the living room, sitting on the couch and watching Mokuba play some video game that entailed shooting things. He sat in silence, deep in thought.
"I'm going to go out," he said suddenly, and Mokuba jumped in surprise; he must not have noticed Seto there.
"Where are you going, big brother?" Mokuba asked, and Seto paused at the sudden change in demeanor; the younger Kaiba seemed to slip so easily from wise to innocent. Seto then shrugged, looking away so he didn't seem too enthralled in looking at Mokuba.
"Out for a drive, maybe," Seto told him as he stood. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."
Mokuba grinned, and Seto saw the change again, this time from innocent to devious. "What makes you think I would?"
Seto sat in the front seat of his car just down the road from the game shop that Yuugi called home. He had been sitting there for ten minutes, arguing with himself on what to do. He had Mokuba's blessing; when it came right down to it that was all he needed. On top of that, he had his own interests. He was at least marginally interested in Yami, and even a marginal interest would distract him from his major interest, the one currently sitting on the living room floor back home, bright-eyed and blasting the hell out of computer-generated aliens.
Seto swore, letting his head fall onto the steering wheel in frustration. The whole situation was ridiculous. He never wavered; he was known for being sharp and on the dot. He was ruthless. And yet, he was actually suffering indecision over something as simple as a casual fuck. That was all he was after: blind, meaningless, consensual sex, and if Mokuba told him it was okay to go at it with the spirit that inhabited his boyfriend's body, then who was Seto to say no? He rarely every doubted himself, so why was he now?
He looked up to the game shop again, as though he expected it would magically tell him what to do. Instead of receiving some answer, he was surprised to see someone walking out of the game shop. He watched, entranced, as the figure started walking down the street towards the car. Even in the dim streetlight, Seto knew it was Yuugi; there could be no mistaking that hair. He watched in silence, unmoving as the figure came straight to his car, peering in through the passenger window. Seto leaned over and popped the door open.
"Do you always approach strange cars like this?" he asked icily, doing what he did best: masking his emotions, showing the world his uncaring exterior and demeaning those around him while he did it.
"Mokuba called and told me to watch for you." Seto heard it again, like he had in the park. The voice had a slightly rougher edge to it, and it didn't fit Yuugi.
"Yami," he said softly. That seemed to be all Yami needed to hear; he stepped into the car, slamming the door shut beside him. Seto didn't bother starting the car. "In the den… I shouldn't have…" Seto swore internally. He hated not knowing what to say - it betrayed his cold appearance. On top of fighting with indecision, he didn't understand why Yami had him flustered.
"Shouldn't have what? Shouldn't have let me kiss you?" Yami asked. His voice dropped a bit as he asked, "Or you shouldn't have stopped me?"
Seto glared; Yami was cocky, and that was both intriguing and irritating. No matter what happened, he knew he could never control Yami; Seto didn't think the gods themselves could control Yami, that much was evident from the little Seto knew of him. There were a precious few situations where Seto hadn't been in control, and it didn't seem wise to rush headfirst into one. Still… he found himself eying Yami; maybe he would be more distracting if he were in control. If nothing else, he would keep Seto on his toes. He replaced his glare with a smug grin, and he saw Yami's expression change to confusion. Nonchalantly, Seto asked, "You want to come home with me?"
It was Yami's turn to stare in silence, and Seto saw him lick his lips. Seto just waited, making no moves whatsoever; he could tell Yami was tempted by his offer. Finally, Yami responded, "Why not here?"
Seto rolled his eyes. "I refuse to sink so low as to fuck anyone in my car." Seto heard Yami's breath catch, and he wondered if it was because he was being blunt… or if Yami hadn't understood his meaning at first. Either way Seto started the car without waiting for an answer.
"I didn't say yes," Yami said pointedly.
"You were going to."
"You don't know that."
Seto nodded. "Yes I do." He took off, his driving fast and somewhat reckless; he noticed with that satisfaction that Yami looked horrified, clumsily clipping his seat belt into place.
"This could border on kidnapping," Yami said, his irritated tone obviously a cover to hide his nervousness.
"Then punish me for it when we arrive," Seto said briskly, and he glanced over quickly to see Yami blush.
The next morning Seto rolled onto his back, forcing himself awake. He stretched, slightly sore.
"Morning," he murmured, glancing over; he was surprised to find that he was alone in the bed.
He thought he heard a door close as he fell asleep.
That meant that the door Seto thought he heard when he fell asleep must have been Yami leaving. Seto frowned and sat up. Why would Yami just leave? Seto felt like a stupid woman, upset and irritated just because Yami hadn't stayed. He told himself he was angry because Yami had refused such his offer of somewhere to sleep; not many people had stayed in Seto's bed.
"You could have gotten a hooker for his," he told Seto matter-of-factly.
Seto came back nonchalantly, "True, but why pay someone when I can have you for free?"
"Oh," he said out loud. That must have been it; he had noticed that it upset Yami… He felt like he ought to have slapped Yami; he certainly hadn't meant to be insulting, he only wanted to shut him up. That was just what Seto did - he pushed people's buttons to make them do what he wanted. It hadn't been anything personal.
He looked over to the clock: 7 AM. Regardless of the fact that 7 AM was sleeping in for Seto, it was too early to call. He decided he could wait a few hours.
Seto walked into the game shop around 11; he had decided in the end that it would be better to confront Yami face-to-face. He had expected to see the old Motou behind the counter, but was instead greeted by Yuugi glaring at him. That stopped Seto in his tracks; he had never seen Yuugi glare at anyone like that. It reminded Seto of a mother sizing up a threat to her cubs.
"What did you do?" Yuugi asked. His voice was soft but it held none of his usual playfulness or mirth, and it was obvious that he would be a force to be reckoned with.
Seto tried to stay nonchalant, but that fact that Yuugi had him nervous annoyed him, and that combination of apprehension and annoyance wasn't helping him any. "What do you mean?"
"Yami isn't talking. He's upset."
"Maybe he's just worn out."
Yuugi's glare hardened. "There's a difference between exhaustion and anger, and I can feel it."
Seto heaved a sigh. Somehow he had forgotten that he'd have to deal with Yuugi to talk to Yami, and it was useless trying to keep secrets from the short teen. "We may have had a misunderstanding. Can I talk to him?"
Yuugi appeared to be sizing Seto up as though he was checking for any hint of a lie. Curtly he agreed, "I'll talk to him. Call if there are any customers." Seto watched with mixed emotions as Yuugi disappeared into the back.
Yami sat on the chair, holding his palms to his temples.
"I don't want to." As though it hadn't been enough of a headache to be forced into physicality, learning that Yuugi wanted him to talk to Seto made it worse.
"Yami," Yuugi said firmly, "I don't know what happened, but he looks sincere… Just go hear him out. Then, you can swear him out all you want and I won't say a word."
Yami mumbled aloud, "He probably just wants another go. I refuse to play his whore." Bitterly he added internally, "I used to have whores; if I had known that is was so demeaning, I wouldn't have kept them." He heard Yuugi groan from inside his head.
"Please?" his hikari pleaded. "You shouldn't burn your bridges, you know."
Yami rolled his eyes. "Fine, if it'll stop you from spouting modern clichés..." In all reality, he couldn't bear listening to Yuugi beg; he liked his little one too much to make him plead for anything. Still, that didn't mean he was happy; he stood and practically stomped into the shop. He was almost stunned to see Seto; the tall teen looked aloof as ever, but there were definite signs of nervousness. "Well?" Yami said shortly, stepping behind the counter and leaning down on his elbows, watching Seto. Seto didn't miss a beat.
"I always thought there was something disturbingly impersonal about leaving after sex like that," Seto said bluntly, his tone almost condescending. Yami rolled his eyes: did Seto feel abandoned? Oh, look at him feel sorry for the poor baby…
"That whole night was impersonal," Yami shot back. "Did you expect I'd want to cuddle after you practically called me a whore?"
Seto argued, "I never called you a whore!" He fell silent. "Just because I said you were free doesn't make you easy, it just means-" Seto stopped. His eyes widened the smallest bit, and he continued, his voice a bit more hushed, more filled with wonder, "it must mean you care. About me." After that Seto seemed to regain his senses, and he went back to looking as though he was bored.
Yami stared; had Seto just now come to that conclusion? Seto was staring intently, and Yami looked down at the countertop, uncharacteristically timid. "Well, of course I care," he said. "I figured you must have guessed that when I got in your car. Do I seem like the sort who just has sex for the sake of doing it?"
Seto was silent. If it weren't for the fact that he hadn't heard footfall, Yami would have thought he left. "Are you busy now?"
Yami looked up; that had come out of nowhere. "Yuugi needs to watch the store for his grandfather. Why?"
"I thought you just might want to come over for a bit. Get to know each other a little better."
That fully stunned Yami; he never would have expected Seto to say that. Then again, it could have been a euphemism for sex. "Why?"
"Is that all you can say?" It almost sounded like Seto was joking... but Yami had never heard Seto tell a joke. "I just thought it might be interesting, since I don't know you." Without warning Seto leaned over the counter and placed a soft kiss on Yami's lips. "Come over later, I think I might enjoy your company." After speaking those words, he left; Yami was so surprised that he couldn't muster the coherency to move.
"Woo hoo!" he suddenly heard Yuugi proclaim. Yami was too shocked to care how long Yuugi had been there.
Mokuba grinned at his brother as the elder left the game shop; he had been peeping in one of the windows.
"I saw that," he said, stretching out "saw" in a singsong manner for emphasis. He grinned as a light blush crept over Seto's cheeks. "Good job, big brother!"
"How did you get here?" Seto asked, and Mokuba let him change the subject.
"Had the driver drop me off. That's okay, right?"
Seto nodded, unlocking his car. "That's fine. Don't be home late."
"I'll call," Mokuba said and went into the game shop. Yuugi was back behind the counter, wide grin on his face. "Did you see?" Mokuba asked excitedly.
Yuugi nodded and said confidently, "It's all downhill from here."
- author thoughts... -
First things first here, peoples: all you reviewers… absolutely rock my socks. I'd just e-mail everyone individually and … glomp the hell out of you, but I'm sort of lazy. v.v And not everyone leaves an e-mail address. *cough*excuses*cough* But seriously, I've had such a freakin' ego boost since posting this story, you wouldn't believe it. But I'm glad it's been so well received; this has been my pet project since mid-August, so it's really scary watching it leave the nest like this… it's a big relief that people aren't telling me: "Dude, get back in your cave, and that this story with you!" So thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. Now, onto notes about the part…
Look; the title of the story finally has depth and meaning!
now, because I'm lame, I actually sat down and looked into this paradox I had accidentally created; in the last part, Yami is perfectly willing to give in the Seto. During this part, he's quite the opposite (even though, if you read the whole thing, he isn't exactly in control either). I justify this by realizing that Yami is probably still miffed about Seto thinking it was Yuugi kissing him, and therefore is less willing to let Seto play the control freak. And hey, it just so happens that Seto wasn't arguing…
*sigh* I didn't like editing this part, only because I think it just… doesn't flow. Its like a giant chunk is missing… which, it is, so I guess that makes sense. XD But I eventually, for the sake of flow, had to cut out the part where Seto is DONE psycho-driving and they're walking into the house. *sigh* I thought it was fun…
I tried to edit and write so that this made enough sense without the sex scene, but in my opinion, it makes a lot more sense if you read that with it, because Seto thinks, man. Strange, that I feel weird posting sex on FF.net. It's only because I simply cannot distinguish what's appropriate and what's not: I suck like that. So, should you read the non-edited version and see that it wasn't really THAT bad (as it probably isn't)… be nice to me; I don't like breaking rules. ^^
Everyone lend your kisses to Hanachan, who was forced to deal with my semi-colon/colon love triangle whilst beta'ing this part. ^^