An Inch Forward but a Foot Back
When Jounouchi woke up on Monday morning he found a familiar figure curled against him, purple eyes open and staring at him. Yuugi was smiling. "What are you doing here?" Jounouchi asked, yawning. "Did my dad let you in?"
Yuugi nodded. "A couple of hours ago; he was on his way out. I guess he thought I was picking you up for school or something."
"Well, I ain't complaining, but why aren't you in school?"
"I'm skipping to keep you in company."
Jounouchi frowned and pointed out, "You'll fall behind in classes."
"Not because of one day," Yuugi retorted. "I figure it's my fault you got suspended. Besides, the extra sleep was nice, and if we have all day to ourselves…" Yuugi's lips brushed along Jounouchi's bare shoulder.
"Mm, sounds nice, but we can't do anything here," Jounouchi said a little remorsefully. "I have no clue when my dad'll be home, and I'd rather not know how he'd react if he saw us doing something."
"Damn," Yuugi sighed. "We can't go home; Jiichan thinks I'm at school."
"Yuugi," Jounouchi said lowly, "he's gonna be pissed if the school calls and asks where you are."
"It'll be fine," Yuugi commented with a grin. "Anzu's covering for me."
"Ah." There was no arguing with Yuugi, especially if Anzu was helping with his delinquency. "Why don't we just… I don't know, go wander or something?"
That was exactly what they did, and sometime around 11 they found themselves at a playground, playing on the equipment like 5-year-olds. They got a lot of strange and scathing looks for mothers - especially whenever they found an excuse to kiss - but it didn't bother Jounouchi. It felt nice to act carefree and stupid. Cathartic, really: a way to let loose all the nervous tension he hadn't realized had been building up. They went to get some food from a nearby vendor for lunch; it didn't take them long to eat, and before they knew it they were back to playing, without a care in the world. Somehow, in all their playing, Yugi managed to pin Jounouchi down into a tube slide, grinning down at him. "Caught you," he said triumphantly, smirking to show his pride. He leaned down to give Jounouchi a quick kiss.
"Oh. Damn," Jounouchi mocked, play-acting like he was upset.
Yuugi laughed and cuddled against him. "I love you," he said softly. His was words were hesitant, as though he wasn't sure if he should have said anything at all. Jounouchi stared down at the top of Yuugi's head, and - as if on cue - Yuugi looked up to meet his eyes.
He couldn't say it. Even if he wanted to, the words seemed caught in his throat. It didn't make sense! He cared for Yuugi, he knew he did, and he could feel the tightening of emotion in his chest, but there were no words to accompany that feeling. He was happy with Yuugi, but…
He smiled and responded fondly, "I know." It was a far cry from what Yuugi wanted to hear, but it was the best he could muster. Yuugi looked disappointed momentarily, and then put on a smile; it wasn't convincing enough. Jounouchi internally swore at himself. He wasn't trying to play with Yuugi's emotions like that!
A watched beeped. Yuugi's watch. "Oh," Yuugi said softly. "I didn't realize it got so late. I need to go home; Jiichan wants me to help with the shop today after school." He extracted himself from the slide, and Jounouchi followed, quickly pulling Yuugi into a hug as though that could express words he couldn't speak. Yuugi lingered for moment, leaning against him before he pulled back. "I have to go. Bye Jou!" He smiled and walked away, waving one last time before he turned the corner and left Jounouchi's line of vision.
Smiling or not, Jounouchi had seen that look, the agonizing mixture of disappointment and regret… He'd be damned before he caused Yuugi to look like that again. He ran to catch Honda; luckily his friend took the same route home from school as he always did. "I need your help," he said without wasting time or breath with a greeting.
"Eh? Help?"
"Yea." Jounouchi explained his dilemma as they walked, right down to what he had felt just minutes ago, when Yuugi had made his confession again.
"Shit, man, I suck with advice, you know that," Honda admitted. "I asked for your help on this sort of thing, remember?"
Jounouchi nodded. "I remember. Yuugi and I helped you, so now help us."
"Maybe it's all in your head. It can't be that hard to say. Listen." Honda grabbed Jounouchi by the shoulders and looked at him seriously. "I love you." A girl passed them on the sidewalk, staring at them like they were aliens. Honda flushed and they began walking again. "See, simple."
"Not, it's not," Jounouchi replied sadly, shaking his head. "You didn't mean it. I want to mean what I say."
"Damn. Ask Anzu; she's a chick, and she always has good advice."
"Yea," Jounouchi said absently. "Yea, you're right. I'll ask Anzu tomorrow." He wrapped an arm around Honda's shoulders, squeezing his friend affectionately. "Thanks."
- author says -
This is, again, for transition… *giggle* Since it's so short, it's posted at the same time as Chapter 9. In all honesty, the two were meant to go together. And I love Chapter 9; I couldn't leave it be for long. If at all.
I'm in love with that girl on the sidewalk. I can just SEE that little part playing out. XD
Oh! hey, cheerleading offer! Wow. That blew my mind, in the best possible way. :) I don't think we have formal cheerleading sign-ups around here… ^_~ So here works.