Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh because if I do, then I'd make it a yaoi anime and the dialogue would be totally different. Hehehe. . .^___^. But I do own the plot of this story.
Notes: This is my second Yu-Gi-Oh fic. But anyway, I am warning you that this is a Honda/Jounouchi yaoi fic. So if you're not a fan of this pair or you just don't like yaoi, then you may go. But if you like yaoi, then enjoy this fic and please review! I have seen only a few Honda/Jounouchi fics, and I really like this pair so much! So review. . . thanks!!!
Now, on with fic. . . don't want to keep you all waiting! ^__^
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HOLDING ONTO YOU
CHAPTER 1 -
"Hey Honda, can I stay at your house for awhile after class?"
"Huh?" Honda looked up from his desk to see Jounouchi standing beside him.
"I said, could I stay at your house for awhile after class? Please." By the sound of Jounouchi's voice, he practically sounded like he was begging.
"Sure Jou. You know you're always welcome there in the house. You almost live there." Honda laughed, while Jou just smiled, relieved. "But, why do you want to stay there now?"
"Why do you keep on asking? Is it forbidden to stay at your house in the last minute?!"
"Hey, take it easy man, just want to know." Honda was surprised when Jou suddenly snapped.
"Well, nothing. I don't feel like going to my house now. But," Jou clapped his best friend's shoulder. "Thanks buddy. I really appreciate it. You're such a good best friend. I'll see you later after class." And with that, Jou went out of the classroom.
"Yeah, just a best friend." Honda muttered as he went back into doing his homework for the next class. "That's all I am to him. No more." He sighed. . . now he can't finish his homework. Honda put his hand under his chin and stared on the blackboard. He didn't know how he'd go through the afternoon because Jou will be in his house again. Jou. . . the one Honda's falling in love with now.
Honda's been in love with Jou since Battle City Finals. Well yes, he had been in love with Serenity that time. But when Jou almost died because of Yami Marik in their duel, Honda was the most hysterical person there. He did everything just so Jounouchi would wake up. And when he did, he almost cried a river out of worry. . . but then, Honda realized it wasn't just worry. It was that time that he realized how much he cares for his best friend and also found out that he was definitely in love with Jounouchi Katsuya. He cried because he was afraid to lose Jou---this was where he felt sure he was really in love. Otogi immediately knew this and confronted Honda. . .
~ Start of Flashback ~
Honda was waiting outside of Jou's room as the doctor checked on him to see if he was okay. This wasn't actually the reason why he went out as the gang was inside the room. He needed to calm down because what he did awhile ago got on his nerves. He can't believe he made a scandal like that in front of everybody. . . getting Jou out of his bed, forcing him to wake up, then getting mad at Jou, then crying like a baby. . . it was just so embarrassing remembering it. He thoughts were broken though when the door opened and Otogi came out. Even though he was frowning, Honda could see amusement in his eyes. Why was he amused? Did he think what I did was funny.
"Can we talk?" But before Honda could answer, Otogi dragged him in the far corner of the corridor.
"Look, Otogi, I know what I've done there awhile ago was stupid and embarrassing, but you didn't have to make it look like it's funny or something because I can see you're amused and that----"
"You're in love with Jou, aren't you?"
"Huh?" Honda stared at Otogi.
"I said you're in love with Jou. . . aren't you?"
"Wha--? What the hell are you talking about?!"
"Don't deny it Honda. What you did awhile ago was far beyond caring for your best friend. You love Jou so much that you're really afraid to lose him. I can see it in your eyes while ago that you don't know what you'd do when he dies. The others would see it as just worry for your best friend, but you can't fool me."
"How would you know Otogi? How would you know about this kind of thing?"
"I don't have to explain to you why I know this kind of things. Just stop denying, Honda. You definitely love Jou so much."
Honda smirked. "Oh yeah? Well, for your information, I am not gay because I am in love with Serenity and we're always fighting over her. So, that just proves that I am not in love with Jou."
It was dice king's turn to smirk. "You think I didn't notice that? I told you awhile ago Honda, you can't fool me. You falling in love with Serenity was just a cover up so that people won't know that you're falling for her older brother instead of her. So that everyone won't go hysterical when they find out you're gay you go gawking over Serenity instead of Jou. I'm telling you now Honda: falling in love with Serenity was just a cover up."
"I, I. . . damn you Otogi!" And at that, Honda punched Otogi's face and sent him flying onto to the wall. But even so, Otogi was still smirking as he wiped the blood from his mouth. And somehow, Honda's shout had led the gang, including Jou to go out the room and check what was going on.
"Why are you being so defensive, eh Honda?" Otogi said, standing up. He looked at Jou and at the others, and then back at Honda. "Being defensive means you're guilty."
"What's happening here? Honda, what did you do with Otogi?" Jou asked accusingly.
Otogi shook his head. "No, this is nothing, Jou. Honda," Otogi approached the brown-haired boy and whispered, "after Battle City, I'm going back to America because I have to see what's happening with my DDM game. But I'll be back after a year or so. And when I get back, I want to see that you have told him what you feel and that you two are already a couple."
"Wait a minute. How is it that you're assuring yourself that we would become a couple?"
Otogi just smiled. "Don't deny this feelings Honda! If you do, it might be too late. I know you love him so much, you might as well tell him as soon as possible. You don't want to lose him again, do you?" And with that, Otogi walked away towards his own room, leaving Honda stunned and the others confused. Then after a minute, Honda walked away towards his own room as well, but not before looking at Jou with saddened eyes.
~ End of Flashback ~
Otogi's last word echoed through Honda's mind as soon as the flashback was gone. I know you love him so much, you might as well tell him as soon as possible. You don't want to lose him again, do you? Yes, he didn't want to lose Jou again, but he didn't have the guts to tell his best friend his true feelings as well. Otogi was right from that time. . . he was denying that he loves Jou because he didn't want anybody else to know. The moment he saw Jou struck by the lighting of The Winged Dragon of Ra in his duel with Yami Marik, he was afraid he had lost Jou and was not able to tell him his true feelings. And, again, Otogi was right. . . Serenity was just a cover up. Only he saw everything.
Maybe I should tell him later. Honda thought as he closed the book that he was reading. It's not that I'm thinking he'll almost die (knock on wood) but I can't wait to any longer to tell him. I don't know if he'll accept it or not, but the important thing is that I tell him immediately. Honda nodded as he got ready for his next class.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Honda waited nervously for Jou on the school's front gate. He knew he had to tell it later or it would be a very long time before he tells his feelings again. He was so nervous that he fidgeted on his fingers, and because of this he literally didn't hear Jou call him until he was grabbed in the neck from behind. Due to this action, Honda turned around and pushed Jou on the wall.
"What the hell did you do that for?!" Honda yelled. "You almost scared me to death"
Jounouchi, on the other hand, was shocked and a bit scared by Honda's reaction that he didn't answer immediately. But what Honda didn't know was that he was actually hurting him, though it was not his fault. Jou frowned in pain as Honda pushed him more onto the wall. "Ho----Honda. . . yo---you're hurting me."
"It was then that Honda realized what he was doing and immediately let his best friend go. "Oh god. . . I'm so sorry man. I didn't mean too. I was just so nervous and then you suddenly came up to me. . ."
"It's okay. It was really my fault 'coz I startled you."
"No, it's not okay. I have hurt you, and I would never do that to you."
"Look Honda, I told you it's fine!"
"No, it's not fine---"
"Let's just go to your house, ok?" Jou said firmly, which meant that argument was over.
"I. . ." Honda sighed, then nodded. "Ok." Both boys walked to Honda's house in silence, even until they went inside and Honda went to prepare a snack, while Jou watched TV. As he prepared their snack, he was thinking how he'd tell Jou about his feelings towards him. Maybe kiss him. . . no. That would startle him more. Or just plainly tell him. . . but what if he doesn't return his feelings? Damn, nevermind! Just tell him!
"Uh. . . Honda?"
Still dazed, he answered, "What?"
"You're spilling the orange juice."
"Huh?" Honda looked down and saw that the orange juice was already spilling from the glass. "Oh shit! Damn it!" He put the pitcher down and looked for a rag.
"Here. . . I got one." Jou said, but Honda found a rag as well, and as he put the rag on the wet spot, so did Jou, which resulted to both their hands touching. They were still for a few seconds, both boys looking at each other in the eyes, before Honda realized what was happening and let go of Jou's hand first.
"I. . . I. . . don't worry. I'll take care of this. Just wait in the living room."
"No. . . I won't leave until you tell me what's wrong with you."
"What---? Nothing's wrong with me! I'm just. . . uh. . . tired, ok?
"No. it's not okay! You've been jumpy lately. This isn't you. . .what's wrong?"
"Nothing!" Honda turned his back from Jou and continued wiping the wet spot.
"Honda. . ."
"I said nothing!"
"But. . ."
"You don't want to know!"
"Of course I do! We're best friends, and friends tell! If you tell me, I could help you. I don't want to you keeping secrets from me. Just please----" He was cut off when he felt warm lips on his own. Jou just stood there, and on the few seconds that Honda's lips were on his, the blond never returned the kiss. When the brown-haired boy broke the kiss, he looked calm as he searched Jou's widened eyes. Then he sighed.
"There. Does that tell you everything?"
Jou just stood there, fingers on his lips and still in shock.
"For crying out loud Jou, say something! I don't want you keeping quiet about this!"
"I. . . I. . . I have to go. I still have homework to do." At that, Jou got his bag and was about to get out when Honda grabbed his wrist.
"Jou, I just want to tell you that the kiss was true. I've always wanted to tell you for so long that I love you very much!"
Jounouchi glared at him as he roughly detached from his grip, brushing it aside. "You're making a big mistake, Honda. You do not deserve to love someone like me." And with that, the blond ran out of the house.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jounouchi ran as fast as he could until he reached into a deserted alley and dropped onto his knees, panting and crying. He knew what he did awhile ago was unexplainable to Honda. But that's just it. . . he didn't want to explain it more, and that was why he went out of the house immediately. As he was catching his breath, Jou felt something wet drop on his face, and before he knew it, rain was pouring down. And even though he didn't like it, he had no choice but to go home. He stood up and ran towards his home, backpack on his head.
When he got home, he went up immediately to his room, closed the door, opened his desk light and lay down on his bed. He liked it when the house was like this: quiet, peaceful, and serene. But when six 'o clock comes, that's when this house becomes the opposite. . . and bad things start to happen as well. And speaking of bad things. . . Jou looked at his wall clock, and saw that he had only ten minutes left before this house turns into hell again. The rain seemed to sense what's going to happen in the house because it kept pouring down harder as the minutes tick by. Usually, Jou doesn't wait for six to come because he was usually out or at Honda's house or even just walking around the park. But now he had to wait until. . . what? Maybe, he should've come home yet. But it's not too late. . . he could still go out. . .
Before he had come into a decision (which is to go to Yugi's house) he heard the front door open and knew he was too late. But Jou didn't get up. . . the more he lay still, the more he will be unnoticed. He stared at the ceiling as he listened to the footsteps that first stopped in the kitchen, then went up the stairs until he heard it stop, then a door open, footsteps and close. Jou sighed in relief. . . as long as he was still and not do any movement that could be heard in the room beside his. When he thought he would be able to go through the night being unnoticed, he heard a knock from outside his room, and froze.
"Katsuya!" A low, growling voice yelled. "Katsuya, I know you're in there! I saw your desk light open when I came up! Let me in!"
Jou looked at the said light and groaned softly. "Damn it! I forgot to put off the light." At the same time, thunder roared from the gray sky. "Uh. . . I'm doing homework, dad."
"Homework can wait! I want to talk to you. . . right now!"
Shit! Not again! Oh god. . . I don't want to go through this one more time.
"KATSUYA!"
"Uh. . . yes dad." Jou stood up, and found that his whole body was shaking, just like before whenever an episode like this would happen. Jou opened the door to find that, obviously, his father was drunk again (as always), and he looked rather angry and irritated (maybe because he and his friends had a fight with each other again). But there was something that Jou was sure: put drunk, angry and irritated together, and an episode would come up again. That's why he refused to let his father in when he said he wanted to step inside the room.
"Dad, I'm doing my homework. If you want we can talk outside, but not here."
"Look, there is nothing wrong if I talk to you inside your room. Other fathers usually talk to their sons inside their rooms."
Yeah, maybe loving and anti-alcohol fathers would, but definitely not you!"Yeah, but it would be more appropriate if we talk. . . maybe in the living or dining room. It's more quiet."
"Katsuya (don't you know how much I hate it when you call me by that name, dad!) I don't want to argue as to where we'll talk as long as I talk to you!" And with that, Jou's father shoved him inside the room, closed and locked the door behind him, and was nearing towards his son.
"Da-dad. . . you know. . . you're drunk. I. . . I think you should just rest, and maybe we can talk later." Jou said, voice shaking, and trying to push his father away from him. "When you're a bit okay already."
"But I'm okay, and this talk can't wait!" At that, Jou's father pushed his son on the bed, and hovered over him. He smirked as he saw fear on Jou's face. "You see my boy, if you had just let me in your room immediately, I wouldn't end up being angry." At that, he caressed Jou's cheek. Much to the blond's disgust with this action, he slapped the hand away.
"So, you're finally learning to fight now! You never resisted before, why the change of heart?!"
"I finally realized how much of an animal you are! I can't believe you're even my father!" Jou spat on his father's face. He knew that as a son, that was very disrespectful to do to his father. But having a father like that in front of him now, he wouldn't even think twice of doing that action.
"How dare you do that to your own father! You don't even have respect for me!"
"Who would even have respect for somebody as disgusting as you?! Not even a rat would look twice at you! That's how repulsive you are!" Then Jou smirked. "But then again, come to think of it, rats like foul things. I wouldn't be surprised if all the rats in this house came near you right at this very moment."
"Why you ungrateful brat!" And with one angry yell, he was thrown hard into the floor, landing on his stomach. He saw his father disappear from his room, but it was only a few seconds then he was back, so he had not time to escape. And this time, he had a thick black leather belt in his hands. "I let you live in this house even though I didn't want to! I don't even know why your mother let you live here instead of her!"
"I didn't want to live here either! Now I know why mom left you!"
"Why you---!" He took off Jou's shirt and whacked him at the back with the belt. Usually, Jou would yell in pain whenever this was done to him. But now that he had enough and was also prepared for this, he just stayed silent and let the belt slash his back, even though deep inside him, he was writhing in pain. He tried to stand, but his body was beginning to get weak and so was on all fours as he was hit. "You brat! If it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't be in that pathetic school of yours!"
He turned his faced to his father. "Ha! I was in that school because of me, not because of you. Because of me, I was able to pay the house bills. And because of me, Shizuka is seeing the world more clearly now than before. I other words, it was no thanks to you at all!"
"You succumbed brat!" Another whip in the back. If Jou could see his back now, he was sure that it was full of slashes. He could feel the blood prickling in his back, and knew too that his other wounds that were about to heal had opened again for what? The nth time? Then, his father also whipped him on his chest, which also resulted to the re-opening of his almost healed wounds. This was the reason why his wounds wouldn't heal completely.
He could stay silent while his father whipped him continuously at his back and chest, but he would not stay silent at what his father would want next later on. He had enough of that. . . if before he had given in because he had no choice. . . now, enough is enough.
Jounouchi had realized that he had to be strong on this awhile ago when his father went in. He had to be strong, especially now that he found out Honda loves him. He regretted it what he did awhile ago with his best friend. He wouldn't tell Honda about what's happening here in the Jounouchi household, but at least the fact that Honda loves him is making him strong and making him fight his father. He will go back to Honda and tell him that he loves him too. He had to make it to this night and fight. Jou's thoughts were broken though when the cracking of the belt had stopped. The next thing he knew, he was slammed hard on the floor, his father was on top of him again and his hands above his head.
"Aaaaahhhh!" he yelled as the hard slamming (and the coldness of the floor) hit his very wounded and bleeding back.
"Finally, I heard you yell in pain. I have to admit you're not that weak as before. You're learning to fight." Then his father smirked. "But I know you won't be able to fight on this one because if you do, you'll sure to lose your job and you won't be able to go to that school of yours. Remember," He traced Jounouchi's chest (which was also covered with wounds) with his fingers. "I have very close connections to where you work, and I can let you be off immediately. You see, I'd rather want you to stay here at home than be at school or work."
"You know what, I'm happy that Shizuka can see now, but I would really hate it if she has to see your ugly face right now! If that happens, then I wish she had really gone blind! You are the last thing that I want Shizuka to see," Jou glared daggers at his father. "Even if you're her father!" And with that, he spat for the second time on his father's face.
That was the last straw, for he was thrown into his desk hitting not only his back but his head as well. Jou felt blood prickle on his forehead and he was becoming dizzy. Oh God, don't let me be unconscious. . . that's the last thing I need now. But he knew he was hit on the head hard, and that any moment, he would get unconscious.
Then he was thrown again on the floor. "Ha! This time, you won't be able to escape! Let's not take this long." And with that, his father started taking off his son's pants. No, I would not allow this anymore. The blond tried pushing his father away, but it was no use, as his chubby father was heavy. Jou started to panic when he felt cold wind touch his legs, and pushed his father away even though it was really no use.
Just as he was about to give up hope, Jou saw a plate under his desk. He then remembered that he usually eats inside his room and, being the lazy boy that he is, never returns the plates that he uses. He hurriedly tried reaching for the plate as he felt his father's lips on his neck, chest, and then on his belly. As his father was busy "exploring and playing"* his son, he didn't notice that Jou was already nearing in reaching the plate. Before his boxers could be taken off, he got hold of the plate and smashed it right onto the back of his father's head. All happened too quickly that he didn't notice his father drop limply on him before he felt something heavy on him. Jounouchi moved his father on his side, and tried to stand up. But as soon as he sat up, he felt himself go dizzy and weak all over.
No way. . . I shouldn't go unconscious. "I. . . have. . . to. . . go. . . to. . . Honda. . ." He felt himself getting weaker and weaker as he stood up and moved. With all his might, he was able to put his pants on and get a jacket from his closet and putting it on his shoulders, limping. He felt more blood prickling on his back and chest as he went out of his room and down the stairs. As he got out of the house, his vision was getting blurry and felt his body couldn't hold it anymore. He thought more of Honda as he walked on the sidewalk under the splashing rain, which was falling harder on than Jou had thought awhile ago. The more he walked farther, the more his body was getting weaker and his vision getting more blurry because of dizziness and the rain.
"Please, please just let me get to Honda. Oh God, just let me get to him." Jounouchi murmured as he tried walking faster. He didn't know how long he was walking and where he was, but as he stopped in front of a white gate, he couldn't take it any longer and any minute now he could pass out. He didn't know whether he would wake up again or not. As he couldn't see anymore and his eyes were already dropping to a close and he was on his knees already, all he thought about was Honda and the fact that he wasn't able to tell him how much he loves him too.
"I love you Honda." He said as he fell unconscious on the cold ground, rain splattering on his wounded form.
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A/N: Um yeah. . . a bit of a cliffhanger. Actually, I was thinking whether to end it like I had ended it now, or end it with something else. Then, I thought, it's better to end it this way. . . hahahaha. I am so damn mean! But, don't worry I'll update soon.
I am so sorry for being so violent to Jounouchi *lots of Jounouchi fans throwing torches and pitchforks at me*. Believe me, even I had a hard time writing Jou's "violent" scene. . . I couldn't look at the monitor and read the part I had written. And I know that the scene of Jou was very long, but that was already planned.
*I am so sorry for the terms but I couldn't find anything that suits this gross situation. You just don't how I feel now writing up this whole scene. . . I shudder in every word I put here. Good thing I have "Shuffle" as background music to keep me going on. It's one of my favorite Yu-Gi-Oh songs. . . it's actually the Battle City Opening Song. It's such a great song 'coz the beat is so nice and makes me wanna nod my head. ^___^
Another thing: My two Harry Potter fics will be updated when summer starts as I still have that mental writer's block. This Yu-Gi-Oh fic is sort of a fill in for the dead air.
If you have questions, suggestions, and comments, just out it in the reviews then I may answer you back or thank you through email. You can also email me at malfoy_gurl09@yahoo.com if it's something private.
So, as a final word, please review. Please, please review, so that I can have some inspirations to do chapter 2 (reviews are my inspirations, whether good or bad. . . believe me). Review. . . thanks!!! ^__^