Mai landed with an unladylike thud against him as he suddenly fell back, since he was holding her at the moment. At first, she thought it was some ploy to get to fall down next to him, but soon she realized he wasn't moving. His eyes were closed, so she decided he was taking a nap.
Poor thing .. .must be exhausted, she thought, stifling a yawn of her own. Dawn had risen a couple of seagulls cawed as they flew toward the sun. The sky was all over a beautiful red-gold. Just like him to sleep when there's a sunrise . . . .
She snuggled up down next to him and threaded her fingers through his, even though he might wake up any minute. Her long lashed, amethyst gaze shifted from the sunrise down to their linked hands. While hers was more slender, he had big thick hands, veiny and strong looking. It was just another difference between us two to consider. . . . she thought, musing with a small sigh.
When she felt a slight squeeze, she looked up at his face and saw him looking back at her with an unreadable expression in his dark brown eyes.
"Refreshing-"
"I-" he said at the same time. There was a pause.
"Go ahead, you go first."
"No, you go . . .first."
"Joseph . . ."
"Okay, okay. I was jus' going to say . .. uh, I thought you said I couldn't hug ya anymore, remember?" He was referring to way back when he'd asked her for her ticket for the tournament.
"Oh . .. right . .. but you're not hugging me .. . I'm hugging you." She said slyly. He smiled slightly.
"Ah. So. . . what were you going to say .. . .?"
"If you had a 'refreshing nap' just now."
A frown crossed his brow. " I wasn't sleepin' . .. ."Then he remembered. Sitting up, he muttered, "I knocked myself out . . . ." and waited for her laugh.
"Why did you 'knock yourself out'?" she asked in concern.
"Uh . . . .'cause . . . ." Joey leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees and looked over the rocky cliff. "What I said . . .. last night . . . . . " He glanced at the sun, realizing it was morning.
"You didn't mean it?"
"No, I-I mean yeah, I did, but it was-it sounded so stupidly sappy." He looked broodingly at a small sailboat in the distant horizon.
She pulled him back down next to her. "I didn't think it was stupid or sappy."
"R-really?" he looked back at her face to see if she meant it, but the sun was behind her, obscuring her face. But from what he could tell, she meant it. "Even . . .. even after all I said to ya . .. .an' everything?"
A slightly sorrowful look crossed her face and she looked down as she remembered the hurtful words. He was sorry he'd reminded her of it. Stupid, stupid. . . . . at least this time he remembered not to hit himself again. Instead, he held his breath and tipped her chin to look at him again. A drifting cloud passed over, so the way she was looking at him was clear. It was a sad but tender look, smiling weakly at him. "I'm sorry .. .." A few seconds more, then she touched his cheek, smiling swiftly. He was forgiven.
Returning the smile, he looked down. "So . . .uh, does dat mean . . .you'd like to . . . . ." He cleared his throat. "y'know .. .goes out with me sometime . .. y'know, when we uh, get back to . . . . . um, Domino?"
That must've been the longest ask-outter line I've ever had, she thought. Pushing him back with a smile, she kissed his cheek. "Well, of course, duh! Finally!!" she teased, sitting back up and swiping mud and dirt from her jacket.
He sat up too, plucking a blade of grass from his hair, feeling a little dissatisfied. " ya mean ya had feelings for me too?"
"Sorta. Kinda. . .. " She looked down with a chuckle. "Oh, great . . .. I'm startin' to talk like ya-you! You!" she exclaimed, pointing at him as he started to grin. "You! I said, 'You!'"
"Pretty soon you'll be . .. . eatin' like me . . . ."
"You mean practicing the fine art of not chewing? Oh great." I'll be blimp-size in no time the way he eats! Curious, Mai asked, "Why DO you talk like that anyway? With that accent-thing?"
Joey gave that famous half-smile half-smirk of his, pulling her back down for another kiss. And said something that made no sense.
"Stupid American dubbers . . . . ."
lol, I just had include that lol
"I don't know big brother . . .. I feel bad . . . ."
Kaiba was silent. The two siblings were walking down the hall to their hotel suite, which coincidentally, was right down the hall from the suite Mai and Tea shared. He wore his usual expressionless face. "I know! Maybe Wrenny will help! She gives good advice. She must be in the girls' suite." Mokuba skidded to a stop, half turned and sped down the hall with his usual youthful energy without waiting. He left the door open, and Kaiba silently walked in without inhibition. He watched, keeping out of sight in the shadows, as his little brother ran towards Serenity, who was out in the balcony.
Mokuba black head was nodding, his eyes glued to Serenity. Kaiba suspected that he had a mild 'crush' on her even though he knew his big brother was dating her anyway. That thought amused him so much he actually smiled. A bit. a/n: I know: call the press!
He was in a very good mood, though no one could tell just by looking at him. And there was a very good reason for that.
Mokuba had just defeated yugi.
It gave him a sort of mixed reaction. He couldn't defeat him, but his little brother could? It's just another one of life's little ironies, he thought cynically.
True, yugi had fallen ill and had been forced to forfeit, but a win was a win. The judge hadn't been lenient. You were given one chance and that was it. One won and one lost.
I should be worried, he thought. What if since I couldn't beat him and mokuba could, someone at the company thinks mokuba should be CEO? Weirder plots had beene hatched, so he should be on guard. But I'm not. It's the irony of it all . . .makes me want to laugh for some reason. Really laugh for some reason. . . . he thought dimly, standing perfectly still in the shadows. He was tired after working all day yesterday and all night, except for that 'incident' in the restaurant. Automatically, he narrowed his cobalt eyes, and touched the right side of his face. That mutt is REALLY going to pay for that. Revenge would be to hire a hit man to knock his head off, but he didn't think Serenity would like that. He could sue, but it was Serenity's family he'd be filing a lawsuit against.
I guess it's up to me, he thought, smirking slightly in the darkness, then frowning. I'll take the one thing we both want. . . . . his gaze shifted to Serenity, whose long hair was blowing in the wind. She had the purest, most gentle heart he had ever known. After his humiliating defeat against Yugi at battle city, he'd immersed himself in work, trying to ignore his crushed spirit as well as everything else. That had been a mistake . . . .
And earlier, when he'd stood by his brother for support, he faced Yugi for the first time since their duel. The small spiky headed boy had glanced many times nervously at him, as if he expected Kaiba to go over there and throttle him. Oh, there were times when I thought about it. . . . .
But he'd behaved himself, and when---
"See ya, Wren!" Mokuba ran back out into the hallway, waving good bye to his older brother. Kaiba gave him a nod; he didn't have to tell him where he was going to. He knew.
A few moments passed as he stood there watching her still out on the balcony, singing softly to herself. Her long auburn chestnut hair was pulled back with a clip, the wind blowing a few strands loose and making them dance.
"In the lonely light of morning . . . .. in the wound that would not heal .. . . it's the bitter--- oh!" He was nearly next to her by the time she noticed. "Seto! You s-scared me!" she said, half turning and grabbing her heart.
"As you were." He wanted her to keep singing.
It sounded like an army sergeant giving orders to his private soldier. "Wait. . . .. I have to tell you something.. . . . first." He had reached her last night after the scene in the restaurant, but when they had tried to talk, he had been called away for work. Always. But now she was determined.
"Mokuba. . . ." he said slowly, looking away at the ocean. " . . .told you what happened?"
"I-yes." Serenity followed his gaze for a moment. "He. . . . feels guilty about what happened. But . . . .I told him not to quit and to duel for both him and Yugi." She glanced up at his granite like profile. "Are you happy for him at least?"
One corner of his mouth twitched up. "Yes." He scanned the waters, then turned and sat down on a bench at one side, folding his long legs, then looking at her with an expectant expression. "Now he has a chance .. . for the finals.. . ." he went on. Even while he sitting and she standing, he was taller.
Serenity sat next to him, a troubled look in her amber eyes. They had a slight exotic curve, dark against her fair skin. He was looking at her in a way that was very nearly imperceptible, unless you knew him well. She was thinking this thought when all of the sudden, she was being lifted and settled on his lap. He tucked a stray lock of hair around her ear, amused by the surprised look on her heart shaped face. "Well? You said you had to tell me something."
Willing herself not to blush, Serenity cleared he throat slightly, trying to act like this was an everyday occurrence, like he was. In truth, he wasn't a touchy feely sort of person, obviously, but if he can do it, so can I! "Uh .. . I'm not .. . too heavy?" she said, amazed by how calm her voice came out. Sort of timid.
"No." It was a change to look down at him for once. For a long time she said nothing. "Well?"
"Oh! Um . . .what was it?" He watched a tiny frown creased her brow. "Oh, yes. There's still one person I have to tell about, you know, u-us." Stupid stuttering! But her heart rate felt the same speed as a mouse's. "My mother." She pushed his hair back to see his expression.
He raised a chestnut eyebrow slightly. "Do it only if you have to."
"A-are you going to be there with me .. . ?" His eyes darkened to a navy blue color and he pulled slightly away. "Or . . .. not."
"I can't." he said flatly.
" . . .. . . . . .. Oh."
"Not that I wouldn't be there if I could, but, I can tell from your look, she's twice as worse as the m-your brother.. . .. isn't she?" Serenity thought about lying and saying her mother would be acceptable, but she didn't like to lie. So she fibbed, "A little bit. It's not like . .. . she'll shoot you .. .. or anything like that!" she said with a nervous laugh.
"Oh great," he said sarcastically. "So she has a gun, eh? That's fine!"
"Well, she used to, for protection . . .. but-not-anymore!" she said hurriedly, knowing with a sinking feeling she was making it even worse. But to be there all alone . . . .under her mother's wrath .. . .. . he should be at least there, shouldn't he? Just for support? "Please be there . . . . " Serenity tried Mokuba's pleading puppy eyes, at full power. He hated anybody begging or even asking him for anything, but it was important.
Kaiba smirked. "Not quite perfected yet. I see Mokuba's been teaching a thing or two. . .Look. don't worry, I'll take care of everything." There was a long period of silence, then he asked suddenly. "About last night." Though it came out more like a statement.
Serenity knew exactly what he was referring to. They had gotten so close sometimes, it was like he didn't have to say anything and she knew what he was talking about. "Yes."
The wind whispered softly as he gave her a long look. But she didn't dare to look at him, until he pushed her face towards his to look into her eyes. And still she looked down at his hand, before taking it. His fingers were long and aristocratic looking, while hers were pale and with calluses from helping her mother out doing housework. He felt cold, but then he always did, even in the sun with winter clothes on, but it didn't make her feel chilly. Even when he was giving his famous icy glare, she was warm, while others froze. Jeez, I'm making him sound like Mr. Freeze, she thought with a rueful shake of her head. I guess then I'd be that frozen girlfriend if his . . .. . "I-I meant it when I said that I-I love you. . . ."
There was a long silence.
"You don't have to say it back . .. ." she stammered, afraid she'd put some major pressure on him.
"But-----"
"Would you give up your family, if you have to? If they still disapprove?"
Yes. The answer was immediate and final-sounding. He could tell what her answer was, but he wanted her to say it out loud. Even if he said nothing back. Tensely, he waited, sapphire eyes narrowing at her hesitation. "W---"
"Yes . . . . .I would." The words slipped out before Serenity could stop them, but it was too late. But I don't regret it . . . . She nodded slowly. "Yes, I would, Seto . . . ."
Accepting her answer, he kissed her fiercely. His arms circled around her slender back and held tight. It was a little awkward because she was sitting and had to twist to one side, but she barely noticed the discomfort. I never once believed he was cheating on me, not for a moment . .. . I could never believe that. but I still feel so disloyal. . .but I just can't help it. Joey said to follow my heart, she thought, making him be gentle. Just as suddenly, he pulled away, and she half-leaned, half-slumped on his shoulder. Getting up suddenly, he swept her up, so swiftly she was almost thrown, and then he caught her again. They went inside, throwing the glass doors open with a foot with a thump. The sound made her jump, but the next words made, did make her freeze in surprise, in his arms, for it was the first time . . . . .
"I love you . . . . . . too. . . . .Serenity. "