~ Lotus ~
LK
~I don't own YGO… Nor do I own Enigma's Gravity of Love, I'm just borrowing it, because that song's so pretty! ^_^
Summary:
Jou has finally caught the attention of the cold CEO of Kaiba Corp, and Seto finally has what rightfully belongs to him; the millennium rod. While their relationship is still new and good, Seto begins to act strangely…
LK: Sugoi!! ^_^ I have 17 reviews! I'm so happy. This is my newest YGO fic in like forever! *:giggle:* This is wonderful. I'm glad so many of you like it. Now, here's the second chapter! I may not be able to update all the time, but I can at least work on the fic during most of my classes. R+R and I'll get to work on the next chapter even sooner!
Oh, and hai! LK is now calling Kaiba, Seto, got it? Good. Now on with the fic!
Key:
*~***~* – Memory/flashback to Egypt
* – Song lyrics
~*~
Last time:
Seto scooped the younger boy up and took him to his bed. Retreating to the bathroom with long strides, he returned with a small object in hand. He shook the old-fashioned thermometer a little, so that it was back to zero, before placing it in the blonde's mouth. He paced as he waited the five minutes, which seemed like an eternity, before snatching the thermometer back. His eyes widened in shock. Kami! How long was he in that storm?! The thermometer's reading was shocking, and it even scared Seto.
104.4
~*~
Seto let out a heavy sigh, left arm draping over his eyes as he lay on his bedroom couch. Sleep evaded him and any rest he obtained was uneasy. The night before had been stressful.
*~Flashback~*
Seto quickly reentered his room, wrapping a hand towel around a bag of ice. Placing it on the blonde's forehead, he reached for his phone and hit speed dial. It rang about three times before it was answered. "Sensei, I need you to come over here ASAP! Both a life and your career depend on it." He said, giving the man no time to say a word before hanging up. Half an hour later, the doctor was in the room, fully prepared for anything and everything. The first thing he did was take the patient's temperature.
"Hm. 103. My, that's quite a fever."
"103?" Seto let out a sigh. "Good, then it's gone down."
"Gone down? You mean it was higher?" Sensei asked as he pulled a bottle from his bag.
"Yes. When I called you, it was 104.4." the CEO replied. Sensei removed the ice and gave the unconscious blonde a pill and some water to help it down.
"Is he a friend of yours?"
"…Yes."
"I see. How did he get so sick?"
"I'm not sure. He was in the storm, so he might have been out there for maybe half an hour; but I wasn't with him." Sensei nodded as he finished checking over his new patient. With a sigh, he turned to the brunette, a small smile on his lips.
"He'll be just fine as long as you get his temperature down to normal. It shouldn't be too hard, since I gave him that medicine." He handed Seto a bottle. "These are medicinal herb pills that we use when our patients temperatures are so high. Give him another one in six hours. After that, every ten hours until his temperature returns to at least 97." Seto nodded and escorted Sensei out.
~*end flashback*~
After Sensei had left, telling Seto to get some rest, the brunette had checked Jou's temperature again before trying to rest. Being unable to do so, he had pulled out his laptop and began to work.
He slowly opened his eyes to stare up at the ceiling as his watch alarm went off, signaling that it was 4 a.m. he pulled himself up and moved back over to the bed. As he opened the bottle, a small groan reached his ears. "Jou?" He asked as he sat on the edge of the bed, watching the younger teen. Cloudy honey-cinnamon eyes opened halfway to look at the brunette.
"Seto?" Said brunette nodded, surprised that the blonde had used his name. "Where-?"
"My house. You're sick. Here." Seto replied as he reached for the thermometer. Placing it in the blonde's mouth, Jou's eyes closed again and he sighed. Not long after, Seto checked the thermometer. "Damnit." He muttered under his breath.
"What is it?" Jou asked tiredly, opening his eyes to look at the brunette again.
"102.8." Jou groaned and closed his eyes again. "Take this." Seto helped him take the pill before he fell asleep again. Seto returned to the couch to lay down and found himself sinking into the darkness of sleep, unconsciously grasping the Millennium Rod.
~*~
"You're worried." A male's voice said within the darkness. Seto opened his eyes. Looking around, he saw nothing but the ever-present gloom.
"What?"
"You're worried." The voice stated again.
"About what?"
"The boy."
"What boy?"
"Your little puppy…Katsuya."
"How do you know about Jou?"
"You don't like being surrounded by darkness." The voice said with a hint of amusement. Seto glared around at whatever it was that was talking. He's mocking me. He was startled as the darkness melted into scenery. He now stood within an oasis, the water's edge just feet away from him. From within the circle of palm trees, the only thing he could see was desert. A warm desert breeze drifted by, ruffling his clothing and brunette locks.
"Where am I? What is this?!" he asked.
"Isn't it obvious? You're in my oasis. In a dream."
"Your oasis? Dream? Who the hell are you!?!"
"Who am I? Perhaps, what am I? Or better yet…Who are you?"
"What kind of a trick question is that?"
"You're smart. Though I didn't expect anything less." Seto could easily hear the amusement and smirk in the other's voice.
"Why don't you show yourself?" He smirked. "Is it that you're afraid?" Laughter surrounded him at his question, sending chills down his spine.
"Me? Afraid? Ha! No, that is not it. I do not yet reveal myself, Seto, because it is not yet time."
"Not yet time?"
"No."
"When will be?"
"Soon. Do not worry, khered*. Soon. For now, take care of your precious puppy." With those last words, the world seemed to dissolve into the light colors of morning.
~*~
Deep sapphires opened slightly, only to snap shut once again, a hand rushing to shield them from the bright morning sun that leaked through the blinds onto the shapely face of Seto Kaiba. The brunette CEO groaned as he sat up, retreating from the beaming ray of light. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Seto checked his watch. Eh…four hours of sleep. That wasn't unusual, but considering the circumstances, it was not quite enough. Pulling himself up, Seto walked back over to his bed to find it completely empty, black sheets still ruffled. For a moment, his heard jumped into his throat as horrible thoughts of where his puppy could be, flashed into his mind. Hearing the sound of the toilet flush, a heavy sigh Seto hadn't known he was holding rushed past his lips.
Turning to the bathroom door, Seto saw Jou bracing himself up against the doorframe, rosy blush still staining the bridge of his nose. "Jou." He said gently as he walked up to the blonde. Jou looked up and weakly smiled.
"Ah…morning, Seto." He said, breath becoming somewhat labored. His blush deepened as Seto's strong arms surrounded him, helping to support his weak frame back to the massive bed. Once he was laid down again and under the covers, Seto frowned at him.
"What were you doing up? You're sick!" Jou flinched slightly.
"Gomen ne. I-I…" his blush deepened a bit, "just 'cause I'm sick, doesn't mean I won't need ta use the bathroom, ya know." Seto sighed.
"Why didn't you have me help you?"
"You were sleepin'." Jou replied quietly, looking to his right, opting to stare at the white wall instead of Seto.
"Then why didn't you wake me?" This time, Jou sighed and looked back up at the gorgeous brunette.
"Because…You were finally getting sleep. I know you were up all night." Seto sat down on the bed, staring Jou down, though not with icy eyes.
"How?"
Jou giggled quietly. "I woke up when you were typing. You must have checked the time because you muttered that it was three." A small smile turned up the corners of Seto Kaiba's lips.
"I see. I didn't notice."
"That's because I didn't move." Jou replied with a small smirk.
"How do you feel?"
"Like shit." Seto had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.
"Not unexpected. You'd probably feel better if you *hadn't* gotten up." He internally smiled at the frown Jou gave him. Reaching for the thermometer, he continued. "Let's check your temperature again." With a small nod, Jou let the cool metal and glass object into his mouth. Five minutes later, it was removed. "Sa…At least it's going down."
"What is it this time?"
"102."
"Damnit. A whole five degrees left to go…"
"Give it another day or two. So, are you hungry?" Jou shook his head in a negative, a second before a loud rumbling was heard. He blushed slightly.
"Guess my stomach changed its mind…" he muttered.
"Hai. I'll be back with some soup." Seto said as he got up and headed toward the door.
"Arigatou." Seto nodded over his shoulder before he left the room. All alone in the semi-dark bedroom of Seto Kaiba, Jou looked around. Something vaguely occurred to him. Where's Mokuba? Shrugging, the blonde teen closed his eyes to wait for his temporary caretaker and secret love to return.
*~***~*
The soft caress of a strong, callused hand to his soft, slightly tanned cheek drew Jono into the realm of consciousness. The first thing his honey-amber eyes meet were the stunningly deep sapphires of his lover. A small smile pulled at his lips as he stretched, a sigh escaping the parted, delectable lips of the blonde Egyptian. A soft chuckle reached his ears.
"Good morning, Jono." The normally cold voice of his dear lover spoke gently to him. A pair of lips touched his in a sweet caress and he smiled against them.
"Morning, Seth." He replied, wrapping his arms around the neck of his brunette lover and cuddling into him.
"I see you're feeling better." Seth chuckled as his arms encircled his precious puppy. The younger teen nodded.
"Yes. Thanks to you."
"Thanks to my prayers to Re and that potion." Seth corrected. Jono smiled.
"I'd much rather say it was just you." His reply was muffled, but it reached the brunette's ears all the same and he smiled.
"If you wish." The two remained cuddled for a while longer before Seth reluctantly pulled away. "We must get dressed, my love. I need to be at the Pharaoh's chamber before the sun reaches the clouds." With a small pout on his face, that Seth just had to kiss, Jono nodded.
"Fine."
*~***~*
Jou slowly opened his eyes. What was that? He didn't dwell on it for long, however, for Seto returned to his side, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and a plate of toast, presumable for Seto. The other helped him into a sitting position and set the tray onto his lap. The two ate silently, lost in thought. Seto couldn't stop wondering about that dream he had had, and that strange daydream Jou had was again on his mind. Now dat was weird…Maybe I should talk to Seto about it…Or maybe not…I mean, those two…Jono…and Seth…they looked oddly enough exactly like me an' Seto! A small flush rushed up to Jou's cheeks at that small revelation. No way! Definitely not! Besides, I have no idea what he thinks a' me…
"Jou?" The blonde's thoughts were interrupted by the voice of the brunette. Jou blinked and looked up, honey eyes meeting Seto's sapphires.
"Eh? Nani?"
"Are you okay?" Jou nodded.
"Yeah, just fine. Er…sorta." He offered with a small laugh when he remembered he was sick and in Seto Kaiba's house…in his bed, come to think of it…His blush darkened some. The tray was lifted from his lap and moved over to the bedside table, sitting precariously next to the bottle of pills.
"Get some more rest." Seto ordered. The blonde nodded and snuggled back down under the covers. After making sure he was covered, Seto moved back over to the couch. For the next two minutes, everything was quiet and the only sound the two could hear other than each other's gentle breathing, were the occasional bird tweets outside.
Becoming irritated by the lack of noise, Jou broke the silence. "Seto…"
"Hm?"
"It's quiet."
"You're supposed to be sleeping."
"I know, but it's too quiet." Jou heard a quiet sigh and watched as the brunette stood from his seat on the couch and walked over to the stereo system. Turning it on, he selected a CD and put it into the CD tray. Selecting a specific song and turning the volume down so that it would play softly, Seto lay back on the couch again.
*
"O Fortuna
velut Luna"
"O Fortune
like the Moon"
*
"Thanks." Jou said softly as the tune reached his ears.
"You're welcome."
Jou closed his eyes and listened to the harmonious melody of the English singing woman.
*
Turn around and smell what you don't see
Close your eyes ... it is so clear
Here's the mirror, behind there is a screen
On both ways you can get in
*~***~*
Honey brown eyes turned up from the papyrus scroll they had previously been reading to see the High Priest, Seth, enter the library and head toward the Pharaoh, whom was sitting at the desk in the room, going over documents. Something caused Seth to halt his step and his icy sapphire eyes meet those of the blonde Egyptian.
*~***~*
Don't think twice before you listen to your heart
Follow the trace for a new start
*~***~*
As their eyes meet, Jono felt something within him flutter as his eyes locked with the Priest's dark orbs and he felt heat rush up to his face.
*~***~*
What you need and everything you'll feel
Is just a question of the deal
*~***~*
Seth tore his eyes away from the blonde boy as the pharaoh called his name. Jono watched as the two spoke for a moment before Yami rose to his feet and began to follow Seth. He paused and spoke to Jono. With the other teen's nod, the Pharaoh and High Priest exited the large chamber.
*~***~*
In the eye of storm you'll see a lonely dove
The experience of survival is the key
To the gravity of love
*~***~*
Jono sat on the plush pile of pillows, staring after the two, watching the tall, beautiful brunette until he was completely out of sight. It was the first time their eyes had ever meet when one was looking at the other, and the feelings that arose within Jono were more frightening than confusing, especially since they were for the 'cold-hearted, I-care-about-only-myself' High Priest, Seth. Silently, Jono wondered if that was truly how the graceful Egyptian thought.
*~***~*
"O Fortuna
velut Luna"
"O Fortune
like the Moon"
[Whispers]
[Woman :]
The path of excess leads to
The tower of Wisdom
[Man :]
The path of excess leads to
The tower of Wisdom
[Whispers]
*~***~*
Hours later, when the sun began its descent to the sand and servants entered the room to light torches, Jono decided it was time to leave. He rolled up the scroll he had just recently begun to read and pulled himself from the mass of silken pillows. He placed the scroll on the Pharaoh's desk before heading to the door and exiting the room.
*~***~*
Try to think about it ...
That's the chance to live your life and discover
What it is, what's the gravity of love
*~***~*
He walked down the flame-lit hallways of the palace, headed toward his room. As he passed a connected hallway, just feet from his doors, he felt a gentle touch brush across his left shoulder. Looking over his shoulder at the statue that he had walked by, Jono's eyes widened and he turned around, coming face to face with Seth.
*~***~*
"O Fortuna
velut Luna"
"O Fortune
like the Moon"
*~***~*
The older teen's strong hand gently brushed against the soft tanned skin of Jono's face. The hand cupped his cheek and a deep flush spread over the bridge of Jono's nose as he felt Seth's other arm slide around his waist, pulling the other closer as sapphires stared deeply into honey-chocolate.
*~***~*
Look around just people, can you hear their voice
Find the one who'll guide you to the limits of your choice
But if you're in the eye of storm
Just think of the lonely dove
The experience of survival is the key
To the gravity of love.
*~***~*
Jono let out a soft gasp as Seth lowered his lips onto the other's in a gentle kiss. When the hand on his lower back ran up and again down his spine, Jono gasped, allowing Seth to deepen the kiss. A small moan escaped from his throat and Jono gave in to the older man's kiss, wrapping his arms around his neck. Easily, Seth led Jono into his room, never breaking the kiss.
*~***~*
"O Fortuna
velut Luna"
"O Fortune
like the Moon"
*
Jou awoke again when the song ended, face extremely warm from his blush. I must have fallen asleep sooner that I thought…man! That was a light sleep… Then he remembered his dream. That was defiantly me an' Seto! But…was that Egypt? Yami was in it this time…Weird…Jou lifted his right arm up from under the blankets and draped it over his forehead, letting out a sigh. Turning his head slightly, a smile came to his lips when he saw that Seto had fallen asleep again. He looks so peaceful… With an amused 'hm', Jou turned his eyes back to the ceiling. They didn't remain there long before his eyelids drifted closed once again and he slipped back into the darkness of a dreamless sleep.
~*~
Seto shot up, breathing erratically. What the hell was that?! Egypt…I was there, in Egypt, and I was…I was kissing…Katsuya…but- he felt his cheeks set aflame when he remembered how much farther his dream had gone. It went way beyond simple kisses, and unfortunately for him, it had a little bit of a toll in the real world. Seto groaned when his eyes landed on the other that had been in his erotic dream. Time for a cold shower. In his sleep, Jou let out a soft moan and Seto practically died right there. Make that an ice shower… he corrected his earlier thought. He lifted himself from the couch and trudged over to his connected bathroom, bent on getting rid of his most painful arousal. Little did he know, that both he and the blonde had shared the dream- before it had gotten so…graphic…
~*~
LK: Well, this is a bit later than I thought I'd do, but hey! ^__^ At least it's done, ne? R+R! Ah, I'll thank all of my wonderful reviewers in a separate 'chapter' or else at the end….naw, I think I'll do it every, say…5 chapters. How's that sound? ^^ Ja ne~! The next chapter will hopefully be up in another 2 weeks. That's the update schedule I'm giving myself now. Let's hope I can stick to it! ^^;