Well, lots of you asked for it, so here it is - the story is continued! Now, that didn't feature in my original plans, so this may not be a brilliant chapter... but what the hey, go for it!
To leiko: Since you actually appreciated what you're SUPPOSED to do for songfics, I'm gonna make life easier for ya by putting the song titles in now as well ^_^ For anyone who wants to know, last chapter's theme was 'One Last Breath' by Creed.
That's all the replies I need to make really, save for thanking everyone who reviewed! *huggle for all* And let's make it clear now, I AM A GUY! I am sick of ppl calling me authoress! Look at the freakin profile! Gargh!
Ok, done flipping out, on with chapter two, which was inspired by the songs 'Last Time Forever' by Squeeze and 'Without You I'm Nothing' by Placebo.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Three months had passed since the events at Domino's Teeth. Jou and Seto had become an official item the very next day, and Jou had moved in to Seto's mansion a week later. He'd had no reason to stay at home - he had no real possessions, other than his duel deck, and without Serenity it was just him and his drunkard father, who only avoided becoming an alcoholic because he didn't have the money to.
When Mokuba had asked why Jou was living with them - "I was happy with it only being us two, Onisama!" - Seto had explained how good Jou had been to him while Mokuba was in hospital, and how he had stuck by him all the way. Now that Jou had finally learnt to grieve for Serenity, he needed to be with friends all the time, rather than at home with - as Seto had put it - "That pathetic excuse of a man he calls a father." At this Mokuba had nodded happily - "Hai, Onisama" - and skipped to tell Jou he could use his game consoles any time he liked. Seto smiled - for Mokuba, that was one of the nicest things he had to offer.
The two boys had agreed not to tell Mokuba about them being together yet. He was, after all, still only eleven years old, even if he was old beyond his years. They'd have to at least let him get used to Jou and accept him as 'one of the family' first.
Officially, Jou slept in the first guest bedroom, which was on the same hallway as Seto's room. However, since Mokuba's room was on the other since of the house, and rules were made to be broken, things very rarely stayed that way. Jou had given up counting how many times he'd cried himself almost to sleep in his room and woken up in Seto's arms in Seto's room. Not that he minded any of it. Crying showed he cared, and it helped him heal. And who would object to waking in their boyfriend's arms? Exactly as he had this morning.
However, last night he hadn't even tried staying in his own room - in fact, he hadn't even gone in there. Today would have been Serenity's birthday, and he hadn't been able to face the night alone. He had simply walked into Seto's room, fallen on top of Seto and his duvet and, much as the first time back at the Teeth, just buried his head in Seto's chest and cried. Seto had wrapped his arms - and half the duvet - around his puppy and kissed him. "Jou," he'd whispered. "I think tomorrow is the time to say goodbye."
Which was why they were visiting Serenity's grave today.
*~*~*~*~*~*
As the two boys walked up the slope to Serenity's grave - Mokuba, who hadn't really known Serenity, had stayed at home - they were both surprised to see five other figures already there. As Jou recognised Yugi, Yami, Ryou, Malik and Anzu, he turned to his lover. "Seto… did you…?"
Seto shook his head honestly. "I was really only expecting us two."
Yugi spotted Jou and Seto first and waved, before walking down to meet them halfway. "Hi guys," he said with a sheepish and half-apologetic smile on his face. "We kinda guessed you'd be coming today, and we wanted to say goodbye too." He gestured up the hill to everyone else. "She touched all of us."
Jou felt a lump form in his throat. "Thanks Yug'," he whispered.
When they got to the grave - a place that seemed so cold for a final marking place for one such as Serenity - Yugi returned to his spot next to Yami. Jou couldn't help but give a slight smile as he saw Yugi slip his hand straight into Yami's and rest his head against Yami's arm. He was quietly surprised to see that Ryou and Malik were still together too - but then, Malik had changed so much since Ryou had asked him out. He was almost… nice. Even now, as he stood with his arms around Ryou's waist, his eyes observed the grave with a genuine sadness.
'Serenity even reached him…' Jou thought with a small, grieving mental sigh. As he turned his attention to her grave for the first time since the funeral, he felt his lower lip begin to quiver almost instantly. Right on cue, Seto slipped his arm around Jou's shoulders and whispered, "It's okay puppy… we're all here for you." Jou looked up at Seto, his eyes wet with tears and shining with gratitude.
Absolute silence then descended upon the site as everyone remembered how much Serenity had meant to him or her.
Anzu stepped forward and placed a teddy - a green and white rabbit that Serenity had always adored - down by the grave. 'You were my best friend Serenity,' she thought. 'God… I still can't believe you're really gone. Well, I *know* you're in heaven, and you're having a great time. I really miss you Serenity, and I know I won't forget you. You were like the little sister I never had… and a great one too. We're all proud to have known you Serenity.'
Yugi watched as Anzu set the rabbit down and felt his throat tighten. 'God… Serenity. It's still so… *hard* to accept. We were so close; I used to talk to you about everything. You always tried your best to help, and even if it didn't work, we'd still have a giggle about it afterwards. I hope I get to heaven too, so we can talk again. God, Serenity, I…" At this, Yugi's emotions overcame him. As his eyes welled up, he turned and buried his face in Yami's jacket, sobbing quietly.
Yami looked down at his hikari, and hugged him tightly. 'Serenity… whether we show it or not, we all feel the same as Yugi does. You were a truly beautiful girl, in body and spirit, and being buried in the Valley of the Kings wouldn't be enough for you. I should think Osiris was honoured to judge someone such as yourself.'
Ryou stood with his eyes closed, unable to look at the dull, grey stone that was all that marked what remained of one of the most important people he'd known. Feeling his shoulders beginning to shakes as Yugi's sobs set him off, he snarled inwardly. 'Serenity… I'm sorry, I should be trying to cheer Yugi up. That's what you taught me, you remember? Always try to cheer others around you up. Well, maybe you didn't mean to teach me, but I learnt it from you. 'Cause that's what you always did. Maybe you didn't even try… but everyone here would be more miserable now if they'd never known you. You taught us all happiness in one way or another… and now we can never repay you. But, Serenity, if you can hear me… thanks for everything. Especially helping me ask Malik out. Thankyou so much.' Ryou couldn't contain himself any longer, and he too spun round and sobbed in his partner's arms.
Malik held Ryou close, and whispered to the grave. "Serenity… you gave us all so much… but me especially. You helped me become who I am, and you gave me Ryou. No words could say what that or anything you've done for any of us means. Serenity… I hope you've found peace at last." At these words, he heard - or at least felt - a collective agreement from everyone around the grave.
Even Seto had a few thoughts running through his mind. 'Serenity… I only ever met you at the hospital those few times you came in with your brother. Even so, you left a deep impact on me. Always so optimistic, and so happy. You were your brother's beacon; his hope and inspiration. Now that task has been handed to me, and if I can do half the job you did, he'll turn out to be a great man. I hope I don't let you down.'
*~*~*~*~*~*
Jou allowed five or ten minutes to pass before clearing his throat. "Hey guys," he said, only just above mumbling. "If you're all done, I'd like a moment alone with my sis."
Everyone nodded, and slowly made their way off, Yugi and Ryou still being comforted by their other halves and Anzu, who had a little trickle down her face herself. As Seto turned, Jou grabbed his arm. "Hey… tell them 'bout us, 'kay?" Seto said nothing, but simply smiled and nodded before walking off.
When Jou was alone, he turned back to Serenity's grave. "Hey sis," he whispered. "It's me. I'm sorry I let you down and whatever, but… I guess I'll have to move on eventually. I know you wouldn't want me to mope around and beat myself forever, so I've started to forgive myself. But know this sis; just 'cause it's forgiven, doesn't mean I'll ever forget ya. You're still on my mind, and I can feel ya watching me from up there. I know I never took the time to say this to ya before, sis, but… I love you."
Jou turned around, and began walking down to meet the others. "Happy birthday, Serenity."
Somehow, Jou was sure that Serenity was behind him, waving goodbye. He could feel her. And not only that, but she was smiling again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ok, I'm not ashamed to admit it... maybe it was just because I was caught up in the emotion, but I nearly cried when I wrote those goodbyes! *sniffle*
Anyways, please review people, and tell me if you think it should be a full-blown story or stopped there. Since I've the ideas, I may as well continue, but then I could just use them in another instead. *shrug* Your call!
Now hit the purple button!
To leiko: Since you actually appreciated what you're SUPPOSED to do for songfics, I'm gonna make life easier for ya by putting the song titles in now as well ^_^ For anyone who wants to know, last chapter's theme was 'One Last Breath' by Creed.
That's all the replies I need to make really, save for thanking everyone who reviewed! *huggle for all* And let's make it clear now, I AM A GUY! I am sick of ppl calling me authoress! Look at the freakin profile! Gargh!
Ok, done flipping out, on with chapter two, which was inspired by the songs 'Last Time Forever' by Squeeze and 'Without You I'm Nothing' by Placebo.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Three months had passed since the events at Domino's Teeth. Jou and Seto had become an official item the very next day, and Jou had moved in to Seto's mansion a week later. He'd had no reason to stay at home - he had no real possessions, other than his duel deck, and without Serenity it was just him and his drunkard father, who only avoided becoming an alcoholic because he didn't have the money to.
When Mokuba had asked why Jou was living with them - "I was happy with it only being us two, Onisama!" - Seto had explained how good Jou had been to him while Mokuba was in hospital, and how he had stuck by him all the way. Now that Jou had finally learnt to grieve for Serenity, he needed to be with friends all the time, rather than at home with - as Seto had put it - "That pathetic excuse of a man he calls a father." At this Mokuba had nodded happily - "Hai, Onisama" - and skipped to tell Jou he could use his game consoles any time he liked. Seto smiled - for Mokuba, that was one of the nicest things he had to offer.
The two boys had agreed not to tell Mokuba about them being together yet. He was, after all, still only eleven years old, even if he was old beyond his years. They'd have to at least let him get used to Jou and accept him as 'one of the family' first.
Officially, Jou slept in the first guest bedroom, which was on the same hallway as Seto's room. However, since Mokuba's room was on the other since of the house, and rules were made to be broken, things very rarely stayed that way. Jou had given up counting how many times he'd cried himself almost to sleep in his room and woken up in Seto's arms in Seto's room. Not that he minded any of it. Crying showed he cared, and it helped him heal. And who would object to waking in their boyfriend's arms? Exactly as he had this morning.
However, last night he hadn't even tried staying in his own room - in fact, he hadn't even gone in there. Today would have been Serenity's birthday, and he hadn't been able to face the night alone. He had simply walked into Seto's room, fallen on top of Seto and his duvet and, much as the first time back at the Teeth, just buried his head in Seto's chest and cried. Seto had wrapped his arms - and half the duvet - around his puppy and kissed him. "Jou," he'd whispered. "I think tomorrow is the time to say goodbye."
Which was why they were visiting Serenity's grave today.
*~*~*~*~*~*
As the two boys walked up the slope to Serenity's grave - Mokuba, who hadn't really known Serenity, had stayed at home - they were both surprised to see five other figures already there. As Jou recognised Yugi, Yami, Ryou, Malik and Anzu, he turned to his lover. "Seto… did you…?"
Seto shook his head honestly. "I was really only expecting us two."
Yugi spotted Jou and Seto first and waved, before walking down to meet them halfway. "Hi guys," he said with a sheepish and half-apologetic smile on his face. "We kinda guessed you'd be coming today, and we wanted to say goodbye too." He gestured up the hill to everyone else. "She touched all of us."
Jou felt a lump form in his throat. "Thanks Yug'," he whispered.
When they got to the grave - a place that seemed so cold for a final marking place for one such as Serenity - Yugi returned to his spot next to Yami. Jou couldn't help but give a slight smile as he saw Yugi slip his hand straight into Yami's and rest his head against Yami's arm. He was quietly surprised to see that Ryou and Malik were still together too - but then, Malik had changed so much since Ryou had asked him out. He was almost… nice. Even now, as he stood with his arms around Ryou's waist, his eyes observed the grave with a genuine sadness.
'Serenity even reached him…' Jou thought with a small, grieving mental sigh. As he turned his attention to her grave for the first time since the funeral, he felt his lower lip begin to quiver almost instantly. Right on cue, Seto slipped his arm around Jou's shoulders and whispered, "It's okay puppy… we're all here for you." Jou looked up at Seto, his eyes wet with tears and shining with gratitude.
Absolute silence then descended upon the site as everyone remembered how much Serenity had meant to him or her.
Anzu stepped forward and placed a teddy - a green and white rabbit that Serenity had always adored - down by the grave. 'You were my best friend Serenity,' she thought. 'God… I still can't believe you're really gone. Well, I *know* you're in heaven, and you're having a great time. I really miss you Serenity, and I know I won't forget you. You were like the little sister I never had… and a great one too. We're all proud to have known you Serenity.'
Yugi watched as Anzu set the rabbit down and felt his throat tighten. 'God… Serenity. It's still so… *hard* to accept. We were so close; I used to talk to you about everything. You always tried your best to help, and even if it didn't work, we'd still have a giggle about it afterwards. I hope I get to heaven too, so we can talk again. God, Serenity, I…" At this, Yugi's emotions overcame him. As his eyes welled up, he turned and buried his face in Yami's jacket, sobbing quietly.
Yami looked down at his hikari, and hugged him tightly. 'Serenity… whether we show it or not, we all feel the same as Yugi does. You were a truly beautiful girl, in body and spirit, and being buried in the Valley of the Kings wouldn't be enough for you. I should think Osiris was honoured to judge someone such as yourself.'
Ryou stood with his eyes closed, unable to look at the dull, grey stone that was all that marked what remained of one of the most important people he'd known. Feeling his shoulders beginning to shakes as Yugi's sobs set him off, he snarled inwardly. 'Serenity… I'm sorry, I should be trying to cheer Yugi up. That's what you taught me, you remember? Always try to cheer others around you up. Well, maybe you didn't mean to teach me, but I learnt it from you. 'Cause that's what you always did. Maybe you didn't even try… but everyone here would be more miserable now if they'd never known you. You taught us all happiness in one way or another… and now we can never repay you. But, Serenity, if you can hear me… thanks for everything. Especially helping me ask Malik out. Thankyou so much.' Ryou couldn't contain himself any longer, and he too spun round and sobbed in his partner's arms.
Malik held Ryou close, and whispered to the grave. "Serenity… you gave us all so much… but me especially. You helped me become who I am, and you gave me Ryou. No words could say what that or anything you've done for any of us means. Serenity… I hope you've found peace at last." At these words, he heard - or at least felt - a collective agreement from everyone around the grave.
Even Seto had a few thoughts running through his mind. 'Serenity… I only ever met you at the hospital those few times you came in with your brother. Even so, you left a deep impact on me. Always so optimistic, and so happy. You were your brother's beacon; his hope and inspiration. Now that task has been handed to me, and if I can do half the job you did, he'll turn out to be a great man. I hope I don't let you down.'
*~*~*~*~*~*
Jou allowed five or ten minutes to pass before clearing his throat. "Hey guys," he said, only just above mumbling. "If you're all done, I'd like a moment alone with my sis."
Everyone nodded, and slowly made their way off, Yugi and Ryou still being comforted by their other halves and Anzu, who had a little trickle down her face herself. As Seto turned, Jou grabbed his arm. "Hey… tell them 'bout us, 'kay?" Seto said nothing, but simply smiled and nodded before walking off.
When Jou was alone, he turned back to Serenity's grave. "Hey sis," he whispered. "It's me. I'm sorry I let you down and whatever, but… I guess I'll have to move on eventually. I know you wouldn't want me to mope around and beat myself forever, so I've started to forgive myself. But know this sis; just 'cause it's forgiven, doesn't mean I'll ever forget ya. You're still on my mind, and I can feel ya watching me from up there. I know I never took the time to say this to ya before, sis, but… I love you."
Jou turned around, and began walking down to meet the others. "Happy birthday, Serenity."
Somehow, Jou was sure that Serenity was behind him, waving goodbye. He could feel her. And not only that, but she was smiling again.
*~*~*~*~*~*
Ok, I'm not ashamed to admit it... maybe it was just because I was caught up in the emotion, but I nearly cried when I wrote those goodbyes! *sniffle*
Anyways, please review people, and tell me if you think it should be a full-blown story or stopped there. Since I've the ideas, I may as well continue, but then I could just use them in another instead. *shrug* Your call!
Now hit the purple button!
