Bringing Up Jou
Chapter 7
Rating: PG-13
Author: Moonchild DJ
E-Mail: moonchilddj@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: As much as I wish it was, Yugioh or anything of it doesn't belong to me. *snaps fingers* Dang it. And here I was hoping, too. But then, if I did own it, I'd not be making fanfics..I'd be making all our yaoi-loving fangirls' dreams come true and make our beloved series yaoi for sure!
Jou: *snorts and crosses arms* Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Seto: *wraps his arms around Jou's waist* Mmm, I don't know, puppy. Instead of Dee going nuts and having us as her favorite couple in her stories, she'd be making the show into some kind of porno.
Jou: O.O I take it back! *flushes* It's best she doesn't have the rights, after all!
~_~;; Thanks SO much for the support. But I do own this story, and its ideas, so please don't take my baby? I work too hard on it.
Author's Notes: Yup! Moonchild DJ ish BACK, baby! I know it's been a while, gomen for the wait, but I hope it's worth it? I've been writing like mad, and I think I've come up with some good stuff. So please enjoy, and let me know what you think? You guys are great in your support, I really appreciate it, tons! Arigato to you all! *huggletackleglomps each reviewer and fan happily* On with the story!
********
"How long has it been, now?" Honda asked Anzu, the only one of them all with a watch to calculate how long they'd been trapped. They'd searched all around for a way out, but none could be found. Not even Yami, who'd Yugi let take control for a bit, could find a way out. Pegasus' trap looked to be unbreakable.
Anzu glanced down at her watch, sighing as she watched Yugi pace. "About..a day and a half, now. I think."
"This isn't fair! Jou needs us, why is Pegasus keeping us locked away?" Yugi growled in frustration as he paced, violet eyes glued to the floor.
"Because he can." Ryou observed quietly, sitting up against the wall. "Because Pegasus likes to have the upper hand."
"But Jou's done nothing to him! He's innocent, he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." Honda snarled, glaring up at the grated opening far above them. "It could've happened to any of us, but he's preventing us from helping Jou."
"What's worse, we have to depend on Kaiba to take care of him. If he hasn't killed him already." Anzu sighed.
"I don't think Kaiba will hurt your friend. Far from it, in fact." A new voice told them as the grate was opened. The group glanced up in surprise as Croquet brought them some food, sending it down with a little pulley mechanism.
"Far from it? What do you mean? Kaiba and Jou hate each other's guts." Honda replied as he and the others took the food gladly. At least they weren't being starved...
"Not anymore, I wager. You don't need to worry that much about your friend, Kaiba's taking good care of him."
"Not anymore? There's something you're not saying." Yugi said, narrowing his eyes.
"I think I'll let you find out for yourselves. Master Pegasus hasn't released you because you'll spoil the fun. But you'll not be harmed. Be grateful for that." Croquet replied, replacing the grate and leaving again.
Yugi blinked, glancing back at the others. "Well..at least we know Jou is still okay. I don't know about the rest of you..but I'm more confused than ever. What could have changed between Kaiba and Jou?"
//I think I may have an idea, Aibou.// Yami pointed out from his soulroom.
/Oh? What do you think, Yami?/ Yugi replied through their link eagerly. Yami was so smart and so clever and deep-thinking and handsome and nice and- -Yugi's eyes widened as his train of thought derailed at thoughts of his other half, and he mentally reconnected. --he would know what was going on. He blushed, hoping Yami hadn't caught that.
//........Uh, I think that Kaiba likes Jou.//
There'd been a long pause. Had he caught his thoughts?
/Uh..likes? Kaiba and Jou are like oil and water, they never get along./
//Maybe that's a cover-up. Haven't you ever heard of opposites attract, Aibou?//
Yugi blushed again. Boy, had he ever. Yami and himself were total opposites, and still..he mentally slapped himself back on track again. /So..what, you think that Kaiba loves Jou?/
//I think it's a definite possibility. How else can you explain the way they fight? Maybe the fights and the words are a cover-up for the true feelings.//
/Maybe..but Jou's a chibi, now../
//Well..if it's true, then Kaiba won't allow any harm to come to him.//
/Kaiba and Jou..you could be right, Yami. There was always something weird about their fighting, about the look in their eyes as they fought. Like their mouths were saying one thing, but their eyes were saying something else./
Yami gave a mental chuckle. //You always were the asute one, Yugi, always able to look into a person without having a Millenium Item. Another one of the things I l--uh..//
Yugi blinked. /Yami?/
//......//
/Er..okay..um../ Yugi blushed. /Thanks for the help, Yami./
//Always, Aibou.//came the soft reply.
"Yugi? Hello? Talking to Yami again?" Anzu asked, waving a hand in front of his eyes. Yugi blinked and snapped out of his stupor, nodding.
"Hai. Yami says that we shouldn't worry about Jou, he should be fine."
"Under Kaiba's care? Is he crazy?" Honda squeaked anxiously.
Yugi smiled. "Let's just say..there might be more to this than we thought."
The trio blinked at him in confusion, then nodded reluctantly. "If you say so, Yugi." Anzu replied half-doutfully.
"I do. You'll see, Anzu."
******
"Seto.."
Long, delicate-looking but strong fingers reached for him, a gamin, mischievious smile hovering on those delectable lips. The fingers pulled him closer, and Seto couldn't help but bury his fingers into the soft blond hair, sifting through the strands as he leaned closer to steal a kiss.
"Jou.." he whispered, loving the look in his dark eyes, a look reserved only for him. How could he have been so stupid to ignore the feelings shouting at full-decible at him when he argued with the blond? How could he glare and taunt when all he wanted to do was look into those eyes he'd been fascinated by since they'd first met and kiss that pouting mouth? How could he have been so blind?
Seto reached out, wrapping his arms around the slim waist, pulling him closer. He really did love him, and Jou loved him back..everything was right. Everything was perfect. He opened his eyes and blinked. Everything was..chibi?
"S'to? Whatcha doin'?"
Seto blinked again. Then gasped, sitting up from his sleeping position on the ground, blushing furiously.
A dream. A very VIVID dream, but a dream. He groaned in frustration, shaking his head, then glanced at the blond child, who looked confused. "Uh..gomen, Jou. Wh-what was I doing?"
The dark eyes blinked innocently. "You were makin' a whole buncha sounds, and movin' around, and sayin' my name." he replied, tucking his hands behind his back. "What were ya doin', S'to?"
If possible, Seto blushed more, closing his eyes. Ack..he'd been having a vivid, hentai wet dream, about Jou, in front of chibi-Jou. Gods, it couldn't get more embarrassing.
"What does, 'more, more, give it all to me' mean, S'to?" Jou asked.
Seto squeaked and wished the ground would swallow him. Correction, he'd been having a vivid, hentai wet dream with himself as the uke. Why must fate torture him? "Uh...er..well..it's uh..time for breakfast, Jou!"
"Yay! What're we having?" Jou squealed happily.
Distraction works. "I think I can make some pancakes..with a side order of me with egg on my face.." he muttered to himself.
Jou blinked, then giggled. "You're funny, S'to."
"My main purpose in life. Set upon this earth to make you laugh." Seto smiled at Jou as he searched for some batter in the belongings. 'That and to torture myself with hentai dreams..the gods must hate me..'
As he set about making breakfast, listening to the sizzle of the batter on the skillet on the fire, he didn't see the little blond glow again and shoot back up to normal size.
But Jou saw him, and grinned mischieviously. Something led him to sneak up behind the brunette and sniff the air appreciatively. His two favorite scents..food and Seto's cologne.
"Smells good." he murmured softly, his eyes half-closing on a hungry look. But was it for the food or for Seto?
"Thanks.." Seto muttered absently as he flipped a pancake. In mid-flip did he realize the voice, and squeaked in surprise, glancing at him with wide, astonished eyes. The pancake landed in the fire and sizzled to a crisp.
Jou smiled and wiggled his fingers in a careless wave.
Seto blushed. "I'm dreaming..I have to be dreaming." He squeaked again as Jou leaned closer, tiptoing his fingers up his chest.
"Does this feel like a dream?" he smirked as the brunette blushed more.
"Erm..umm..uh..Jou? Why're you..?"
Jou shrugged. "Wanted to..got a problem with it?"
Seto shook his head. "N-no problem.."
"Why? Why isn't it a problem?"
"Well..um..I, um..kinda don't mind..?"
Jou quirked a brow.
Seto sighed and shoved the other hand through his hair. "Look, I've fallen in l--" His eyes widened in disbelief as the blond shrank again. He yelped as he dropped the skillet on his foot, which he'd dropped in surprise. He hopped around on one foot, cursing under his breath as a confused blond child watched him.
"Why is this happening to me? What kind of fate is playing tricks on me?"
"S'to? You okay?" Jou asked, blinking.
"No, I'm not!"
Jou cocked his head. S'to could be so strange, sometimes.
******
Seto sighed as he watched the blond sleep against him a few days later. Gods, he really hated that curse. In all, the boy had turned from a chibi to normal about four times throughout the past two days, and each time he tried to get up the nerve to tell him what he felt, he'd turn into a child yet again. It was almost enough to make him want to scream in frustration. What sort of cruel twist of fate allowed this to happen--over and over and over again..when was the torture going to end?
"Right after I lose my sanity." the brunette muttered, glancing down at the innocent boy. How long was this going to keep up? The stress of changing back and forth couldn't be good for him, not to mention he was going to go crazy with the missed opportunities of telling Jou just how he felt. He wanted it all over, no matter that Jou was adorable like this, no matter that they would more than likely go back to their insult matches after. He just wanted it over, so he could speak the truth, whatever the consequences. It had gone on long enough--at least four days, now. Four days of this agony.
Jou wasn't so chibi..he'd grown twice, now, and he was now at least twelve, close to his original age. He was still beautiful. He could see those familiar features of the Jou he'd known in the boy, but having taken care of chibi-Jou had made him seem all the more beautiful.
The blond was still affectionate with him, but there was a different tone to it. Pre-teenage angst, he supposed. He'd even blushed and stammered when they'd gotten muddy during a rainstorm and Seto had taken him to a stream to clean off.
"I can clean myself, Seto!" Jou had protested, swatting at the gentle hands that had reached for the boy's green jacket. "I'm not a baby!"
Seto smiled. Jou had been a baby about a week ago, but he wasn't going to say that. He never seemed to remember his previous age after changing, didn't realize he HAD given him baths not more than a few days ago. But he'd left it alone. It might have been awkward anyhow, considering just how close he was to his orginal age. When he'd bathed himself, he'd caught the blond staring and blushed himself. The looks from Jou were different, now, too.
Instead of worshipful childish gazes of a boy with a father or brother figure, now it was like a boy with the first pangs of a crush. And while he returned the feelings, it was far more than a crush, so he wasn't quite sure what to do with that. He couldn't act on the feelings, Jou was still too young..he was nearly his brother's age! But still..he stroked the soft blond hair under his fingers gently, watching Jou sleep.
What was he supposed to do? The curse-thing seemed to have calmed down, Jou wasn't bouncing back and forth between child and normal, which was halfway a good thing and halfway not, but it left him with a new problem..if he wasn't randomly turning back to normal, then when would he get a chance again to say what he felt?
Sure, there'd been plenty of chances, all missed, but if Jou wasn't going to be changing back and forth, and he didn't know when the curse would wear itself down, then when would he be able to say what was on his mind? He certainly couldn't just come out and say it, Jou wouldn't understand. He didn't know of their rivalry, or of the way things had changed. It wouldn't be fair to him. A small smile curved his lips in an ironic sort of way.
"Funny how things can change so quickly." he murmured to himself.
The young blond curled at his side stirred and glanced up at Seto sleepily, a slight frown creasing his face. "Mm..something wrong, S'to?" he mumbled as he gazed up at him.
'Practically everything..' he thought to himself, but outwardly, shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, Jou, don't worry." he replied, smiling.
Dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully as they moved over intently the brunette's features. "Something's bugging you." he replied firmly. Seto quirked a brow.
"Oh? And just how do you know that?"
Jou reached up to Seto's face and smoothed his fingers over his forehead. "When you get chewing on some problem, the skin right here wrinkles up." he replied matter-of-factly.
Seto blinked, then flushed slightly. Jou was learning to read him. Only really close friends and family could do that to a person. But he wasn't neither of them, not since recently. And heaven help him, he did want more than just friendship with the blond when the time was right.
"Am I that obvious to read?" he asked the younger boy, smiling when Jou nodded confidently. "You know me too well."
Jou blushed and fiddled with a button on Seto's trenchcoat. "I'd like to.." he murmured quietly.
Seto's eyes widened before he flushed as well. He..did he just hear..? He glanced curiously at Jou, then put it out of his mind for now. A time and place for everything..he just hoped it was soon.
"Seto..?" Jou raised his head to him, the gaze hesitant and shy. Not at all like the Jou he knew. He struck him as so confident of himself, unless he, too, hid his true self.
"Hai, Jou?"
The blond bit his lip nervously, then, following on instinct, rose up and placed a hand on his cheek. He flushed when those blue eyes widened, and leaned in to press a chaste, gentle, shy kiss to the other's lips.
Seto gasped against the soft, hesitant lips, shocked to his soul that Jou had kissed him. He knew of the crush, of course, but he didn't know it was this serious. Part of him wanted to react to the kiss, kiss him back, hold him close. The other part questioned his sanity and told him to get as far away as possible before things went from bad to worse. He didn't want to take advantage of Jou when he was young and didn't know of the complications of their relationship, but yet he didn't want to lose this feeling. He pulled back reluctantly, gazing at the blond.
"Why?" he asked softly, nearly whispering as his fingers brushed through the blond hair. He felt Jou nuzzle shyly against him.
" 'Cause I wanted to.." came the responding young voice. "I..I lov--" His eyes widened when Seto sealed his lips closed with his finger. "Mmn?"
He couldn't hear that, now. Not when he was still young, when the only thing he knew of Seto was this, and not how'd they'd been before. If he heard those words, continued to hear them until Jou changed back and changed his mind..he knew his heart would break. Not after all this..taking care of Jou, essentially bringing him up, discovering what his feelings were..it would hurt too much.
"Not..not now, Jou.." he murmured softly. "Not yet."
Jou blinked, then flushed and nodded, hugging the brunette instead. He hoped he hadn't said anything wrong, but he said not yet. So maybe soon..? He pouted slightly, a stubborn tilt to his young features. He had to tell him, he felt he would burst if he didn't. He sighed when Seto's arms wrapped around him, making him feel safe and content. Wanted. Seto wasn't angry..he didn't mind. Soon, he told himself. He would tell Seto soon.
******
"Hmm." Pegasus murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Time to push up the ante, I think. Let's see what happens to this sappy little drama when I work out the last part of my idea.." he murmured, calling for his bodyguards. "Collect Kaiba-boy or the little blond, I don't care. Just capture one of them." he replied, pointing at the screen.
"Er..sir..you know how hard it is to hold down Kaiba. The kid would be easier.."
Pegasus sighed and massaged his forehead. "Dimbulbs. Apparantly, you use only ten percent of your brains, if that. You don't grab just what would be easy. You must think of what would be more beneficial. Kaiba-boy would sacrifice himself to protect Jounouchi-boy. However, taking the boy would be interesting, as well.."
"So what would you have us do, sir?"
"Do whatever circumstances warrant. Just don't fail me."
"Yes, sir."
The silver-haired man watched them go, shaking his head. "Now if they can only succeed in their job.." he sighed. "You just can't find good help these days."
**********
~End Chapter 7~
**********
A/N: Finally! An ending! And yes..a cliffie..^^;;; Dun kill me? Chapter 8 out soon, review, please, and tell me whatcha think!
Chapter 7
Rating: PG-13
Author: Moonchild DJ
E-Mail: moonchilddj@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: As much as I wish it was, Yugioh or anything of it doesn't belong to me. *snaps fingers* Dang it. And here I was hoping, too. But then, if I did own it, I'd not be making fanfics..I'd be making all our yaoi-loving fangirls' dreams come true and make our beloved series yaoi for sure!
Jou: *snorts and crosses arms* Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Seto: *wraps his arms around Jou's waist* Mmm, I don't know, puppy. Instead of Dee going nuts and having us as her favorite couple in her stories, she'd be making the show into some kind of porno.
Jou: O.O I take it back! *flushes* It's best she doesn't have the rights, after all!
~_~;; Thanks SO much for the support. But I do own this story, and its ideas, so please don't take my baby? I work too hard on it.
Author's Notes: Yup! Moonchild DJ ish BACK, baby! I know it's been a while, gomen for the wait, but I hope it's worth it? I've been writing like mad, and I think I've come up with some good stuff. So please enjoy, and let me know what you think? You guys are great in your support, I really appreciate it, tons! Arigato to you all! *huggletackleglomps each reviewer and fan happily* On with the story!
********
"How long has it been, now?" Honda asked Anzu, the only one of them all with a watch to calculate how long they'd been trapped. They'd searched all around for a way out, but none could be found. Not even Yami, who'd Yugi let take control for a bit, could find a way out. Pegasus' trap looked to be unbreakable.
Anzu glanced down at her watch, sighing as she watched Yugi pace. "About..a day and a half, now. I think."
"This isn't fair! Jou needs us, why is Pegasus keeping us locked away?" Yugi growled in frustration as he paced, violet eyes glued to the floor.
"Because he can." Ryou observed quietly, sitting up against the wall. "Because Pegasus likes to have the upper hand."
"But Jou's done nothing to him! He's innocent, he just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time." Honda snarled, glaring up at the grated opening far above them. "It could've happened to any of us, but he's preventing us from helping Jou."
"What's worse, we have to depend on Kaiba to take care of him. If he hasn't killed him already." Anzu sighed.
"I don't think Kaiba will hurt your friend. Far from it, in fact." A new voice told them as the grate was opened. The group glanced up in surprise as Croquet brought them some food, sending it down with a little pulley mechanism.
"Far from it? What do you mean? Kaiba and Jou hate each other's guts." Honda replied as he and the others took the food gladly. At least they weren't being starved...
"Not anymore, I wager. You don't need to worry that much about your friend, Kaiba's taking good care of him."
"Not anymore? There's something you're not saying." Yugi said, narrowing his eyes.
"I think I'll let you find out for yourselves. Master Pegasus hasn't released you because you'll spoil the fun. But you'll not be harmed. Be grateful for that." Croquet replied, replacing the grate and leaving again.
Yugi blinked, glancing back at the others. "Well..at least we know Jou is still okay. I don't know about the rest of you..but I'm more confused than ever. What could have changed between Kaiba and Jou?"
//I think I may have an idea, Aibou.// Yami pointed out from his soulroom.
/Oh? What do you think, Yami?/ Yugi replied through their link eagerly. Yami was so smart and so clever and deep-thinking and handsome and nice and- -Yugi's eyes widened as his train of thought derailed at thoughts of his other half, and he mentally reconnected. --he would know what was going on. He blushed, hoping Yami hadn't caught that.
//........Uh, I think that Kaiba likes Jou.//
There'd been a long pause. Had he caught his thoughts?
/Uh..likes? Kaiba and Jou are like oil and water, they never get along./
//Maybe that's a cover-up. Haven't you ever heard of opposites attract, Aibou?//
Yugi blushed again. Boy, had he ever. Yami and himself were total opposites, and still..he mentally slapped himself back on track again. /So..what, you think that Kaiba loves Jou?/
//I think it's a definite possibility. How else can you explain the way they fight? Maybe the fights and the words are a cover-up for the true feelings.//
/Maybe..but Jou's a chibi, now../
//Well..if it's true, then Kaiba won't allow any harm to come to him.//
/Kaiba and Jou..you could be right, Yami. There was always something weird about their fighting, about the look in their eyes as they fought. Like their mouths were saying one thing, but their eyes were saying something else./
Yami gave a mental chuckle. //You always were the asute one, Yugi, always able to look into a person without having a Millenium Item. Another one of the things I l--uh..//
Yugi blinked. /Yami?/
//......//
/Er..okay..um../ Yugi blushed. /Thanks for the help, Yami./
//Always, Aibou.//came the soft reply.
"Yugi? Hello? Talking to Yami again?" Anzu asked, waving a hand in front of his eyes. Yugi blinked and snapped out of his stupor, nodding.
"Hai. Yami says that we shouldn't worry about Jou, he should be fine."
"Under Kaiba's care? Is he crazy?" Honda squeaked anxiously.
Yugi smiled. "Let's just say..there might be more to this than we thought."
The trio blinked at him in confusion, then nodded reluctantly. "If you say so, Yugi." Anzu replied half-doutfully.
"I do. You'll see, Anzu."
******
"Seto.."
Long, delicate-looking but strong fingers reached for him, a gamin, mischievious smile hovering on those delectable lips. The fingers pulled him closer, and Seto couldn't help but bury his fingers into the soft blond hair, sifting through the strands as he leaned closer to steal a kiss.
"Jou.." he whispered, loving the look in his dark eyes, a look reserved only for him. How could he have been so stupid to ignore the feelings shouting at full-decible at him when he argued with the blond? How could he glare and taunt when all he wanted to do was look into those eyes he'd been fascinated by since they'd first met and kiss that pouting mouth? How could he have been so blind?
Seto reached out, wrapping his arms around the slim waist, pulling him closer. He really did love him, and Jou loved him back..everything was right. Everything was perfect. He opened his eyes and blinked. Everything was..chibi?
"S'to? Whatcha doin'?"
Seto blinked again. Then gasped, sitting up from his sleeping position on the ground, blushing furiously.
A dream. A very VIVID dream, but a dream. He groaned in frustration, shaking his head, then glanced at the blond child, who looked confused. "Uh..gomen, Jou. Wh-what was I doing?"
The dark eyes blinked innocently. "You were makin' a whole buncha sounds, and movin' around, and sayin' my name." he replied, tucking his hands behind his back. "What were ya doin', S'to?"
If possible, Seto blushed more, closing his eyes. Ack..he'd been having a vivid, hentai wet dream, about Jou, in front of chibi-Jou. Gods, it couldn't get more embarrassing.
"What does, 'more, more, give it all to me' mean, S'to?" Jou asked.
Seto squeaked and wished the ground would swallow him. Correction, he'd been having a vivid, hentai wet dream with himself as the uke. Why must fate torture him? "Uh...er..well..it's uh..time for breakfast, Jou!"
"Yay! What're we having?" Jou squealed happily.
Distraction works. "I think I can make some pancakes..with a side order of me with egg on my face.." he muttered to himself.
Jou blinked, then giggled. "You're funny, S'to."
"My main purpose in life. Set upon this earth to make you laugh." Seto smiled at Jou as he searched for some batter in the belongings. 'That and to torture myself with hentai dreams..the gods must hate me..'
As he set about making breakfast, listening to the sizzle of the batter on the skillet on the fire, he didn't see the little blond glow again and shoot back up to normal size.
But Jou saw him, and grinned mischieviously. Something led him to sneak up behind the brunette and sniff the air appreciatively. His two favorite scents..food and Seto's cologne.
"Smells good." he murmured softly, his eyes half-closing on a hungry look. But was it for the food or for Seto?
"Thanks.." Seto muttered absently as he flipped a pancake. In mid-flip did he realize the voice, and squeaked in surprise, glancing at him with wide, astonished eyes. The pancake landed in the fire and sizzled to a crisp.
Jou smiled and wiggled his fingers in a careless wave.
Seto blushed. "I'm dreaming..I have to be dreaming." He squeaked again as Jou leaned closer, tiptoing his fingers up his chest.
"Does this feel like a dream?" he smirked as the brunette blushed more.
"Erm..umm..uh..Jou? Why're you..?"
Jou shrugged. "Wanted to..got a problem with it?"
Seto shook his head. "N-no problem.."
"Why? Why isn't it a problem?"
"Well..um..I, um..kinda don't mind..?"
Jou quirked a brow.
Seto sighed and shoved the other hand through his hair. "Look, I've fallen in l--" His eyes widened in disbelief as the blond shrank again. He yelped as he dropped the skillet on his foot, which he'd dropped in surprise. He hopped around on one foot, cursing under his breath as a confused blond child watched him.
"Why is this happening to me? What kind of fate is playing tricks on me?"
"S'to? You okay?" Jou asked, blinking.
"No, I'm not!"
Jou cocked his head. S'to could be so strange, sometimes.
******
Seto sighed as he watched the blond sleep against him a few days later. Gods, he really hated that curse. In all, the boy had turned from a chibi to normal about four times throughout the past two days, and each time he tried to get up the nerve to tell him what he felt, he'd turn into a child yet again. It was almost enough to make him want to scream in frustration. What sort of cruel twist of fate allowed this to happen--over and over and over again..when was the torture going to end?
"Right after I lose my sanity." the brunette muttered, glancing down at the innocent boy. How long was this going to keep up? The stress of changing back and forth couldn't be good for him, not to mention he was going to go crazy with the missed opportunities of telling Jou just how he felt. He wanted it all over, no matter that Jou was adorable like this, no matter that they would more than likely go back to their insult matches after. He just wanted it over, so he could speak the truth, whatever the consequences. It had gone on long enough--at least four days, now. Four days of this agony.
Jou wasn't so chibi..he'd grown twice, now, and he was now at least twelve, close to his original age. He was still beautiful. He could see those familiar features of the Jou he'd known in the boy, but having taken care of chibi-Jou had made him seem all the more beautiful.
The blond was still affectionate with him, but there was a different tone to it. Pre-teenage angst, he supposed. He'd even blushed and stammered when they'd gotten muddy during a rainstorm and Seto had taken him to a stream to clean off.
"I can clean myself, Seto!" Jou had protested, swatting at the gentle hands that had reached for the boy's green jacket. "I'm not a baby!"
Seto smiled. Jou had been a baby about a week ago, but he wasn't going to say that. He never seemed to remember his previous age after changing, didn't realize he HAD given him baths not more than a few days ago. But he'd left it alone. It might have been awkward anyhow, considering just how close he was to his orginal age. When he'd bathed himself, he'd caught the blond staring and blushed himself. The looks from Jou were different, now, too.
Instead of worshipful childish gazes of a boy with a father or brother figure, now it was like a boy with the first pangs of a crush. And while he returned the feelings, it was far more than a crush, so he wasn't quite sure what to do with that. He couldn't act on the feelings, Jou was still too young..he was nearly his brother's age! But still..he stroked the soft blond hair under his fingers gently, watching Jou sleep.
What was he supposed to do? The curse-thing seemed to have calmed down, Jou wasn't bouncing back and forth between child and normal, which was halfway a good thing and halfway not, but it left him with a new problem..if he wasn't randomly turning back to normal, then when would he get a chance again to say what he felt?
Sure, there'd been plenty of chances, all missed, but if Jou wasn't going to be changing back and forth, and he didn't know when the curse would wear itself down, then when would he be able to say what was on his mind? He certainly couldn't just come out and say it, Jou wouldn't understand. He didn't know of their rivalry, or of the way things had changed. It wouldn't be fair to him. A small smile curved his lips in an ironic sort of way.
"Funny how things can change so quickly." he murmured to himself.
The young blond curled at his side stirred and glanced up at Seto sleepily, a slight frown creasing his face. "Mm..something wrong, S'to?" he mumbled as he gazed up at him.
'Practically everything..' he thought to himself, but outwardly, shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, Jou, don't worry." he replied, smiling.
Dark eyes narrowed thoughtfully as they moved over intently the brunette's features. "Something's bugging you." he replied firmly. Seto quirked a brow.
"Oh? And just how do you know that?"
Jou reached up to Seto's face and smoothed his fingers over his forehead. "When you get chewing on some problem, the skin right here wrinkles up." he replied matter-of-factly.
Seto blinked, then flushed slightly. Jou was learning to read him. Only really close friends and family could do that to a person. But he wasn't neither of them, not since recently. And heaven help him, he did want more than just friendship with the blond when the time was right.
"Am I that obvious to read?" he asked the younger boy, smiling when Jou nodded confidently. "You know me too well."
Jou blushed and fiddled with a button on Seto's trenchcoat. "I'd like to.." he murmured quietly.
Seto's eyes widened before he flushed as well. He..did he just hear..? He glanced curiously at Jou, then put it out of his mind for now. A time and place for everything..he just hoped it was soon.
"Seto..?" Jou raised his head to him, the gaze hesitant and shy. Not at all like the Jou he knew. He struck him as so confident of himself, unless he, too, hid his true self.
"Hai, Jou?"
The blond bit his lip nervously, then, following on instinct, rose up and placed a hand on his cheek. He flushed when those blue eyes widened, and leaned in to press a chaste, gentle, shy kiss to the other's lips.
Seto gasped against the soft, hesitant lips, shocked to his soul that Jou had kissed him. He knew of the crush, of course, but he didn't know it was this serious. Part of him wanted to react to the kiss, kiss him back, hold him close. The other part questioned his sanity and told him to get as far away as possible before things went from bad to worse. He didn't want to take advantage of Jou when he was young and didn't know of the complications of their relationship, but yet he didn't want to lose this feeling. He pulled back reluctantly, gazing at the blond.
"Why?" he asked softly, nearly whispering as his fingers brushed through the blond hair. He felt Jou nuzzle shyly against him.
" 'Cause I wanted to.." came the responding young voice. "I..I lov--" His eyes widened when Seto sealed his lips closed with his finger. "Mmn?"
He couldn't hear that, now. Not when he was still young, when the only thing he knew of Seto was this, and not how'd they'd been before. If he heard those words, continued to hear them until Jou changed back and changed his mind..he knew his heart would break. Not after all this..taking care of Jou, essentially bringing him up, discovering what his feelings were..it would hurt too much.
"Not..not now, Jou.." he murmured softly. "Not yet."
Jou blinked, then flushed and nodded, hugging the brunette instead. He hoped he hadn't said anything wrong, but he said not yet. So maybe soon..? He pouted slightly, a stubborn tilt to his young features. He had to tell him, he felt he would burst if he didn't. He sighed when Seto's arms wrapped around him, making him feel safe and content. Wanted. Seto wasn't angry..he didn't mind. Soon, he told himself. He would tell Seto soon.
******
"Hmm." Pegasus murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Time to push up the ante, I think. Let's see what happens to this sappy little drama when I work out the last part of my idea.." he murmured, calling for his bodyguards. "Collect Kaiba-boy or the little blond, I don't care. Just capture one of them." he replied, pointing at the screen.
"Er..sir..you know how hard it is to hold down Kaiba. The kid would be easier.."
Pegasus sighed and massaged his forehead. "Dimbulbs. Apparantly, you use only ten percent of your brains, if that. You don't grab just what would be easy. You must think of what would be more beneficial. Kaiba-boy would sacrifice himself to protect Jounouchi-boy. However, taking the boy would be interesting, as well.."
"So what would you have us do, sir?"
"Do whatever circumstances warrant. Just don't fail me."
"Yes, sir."
The silver-haired man watched them go, shaking his head. "Now if they can only succeed in their job.." he sighed. "You just can't find good help these days."
**********
~End Chapter 7~
**********
A/N: Finally! An ending! And yes..a cliffie..^^;;; Dun kill me? Chapter 8 out soon, review, please, and tell me whatcha think!