Title: Being Third
Author: Wodenschild
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Seto/Jou
Beta: CrossedScarsX
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: If I owned Yu-gi-oh I wouldn't worry about my car insurance, since I do, I really don't own it.
Summary: After a year Jou gets sick of being third in Kaiba's life.
Author's note: Unlike the previous chapters, this one is in Kaiba's POV.
Chapter 4: Afterward
I woke this morning to my favorite sight: a blond puppy nestled in my arms. I reached down and brushed his bangs back; such a precious person. Last night was such a shock to me. That he would plan out an elaborate evening for the milestone of our first kiss had never occurred to me. I never realized he was such a romantic. I knew he loved me, he talks in his sleep. I'm probably the only one who knows that. I feel a flare of anger. I better be. He's mine, and I DO NOT share.
"seto..."
My anger cools at his soft whisper. How does he do that? Change my mood with one word? Is this part of love? I glance at the clock and frown. I should be at the office in an hour, our new game still has some bugs, and I really wanted to make our deadline date. I look down at my puppy it's not as important now though. It boggles my mind, he never played the game? In the nine months since I gave it to him, a video game addict, he never once touched it? I tighten my hold on him; I must have really hurt him for that. How close was I to losing everything? Do I even want to know?
I sigh; I really do need to get up. Slowly, as not to wake him, I extract myself from his grasp. I write a quick note, so he won't worry, and I place it on my pillow. Maybe this year I can convince him to move in with me. I leave the room shutting the door quietly, turning I see Mokuba standing by his door.
"Mokuba? What are you doing up so early."
He frowns at me. "I was worried. Are you and Jou okay?"
I smile, enough for it to reach my eyes. "Yes, we're fine. Why wouldn't we be?"
"He was crying. And he was drunk. He never drinks. Niisama, you know I love you right?"
"Yes Mokuba, I know."
"Good. 'Cause if you EVER screw this up and drive him away I will personally see to it that you are dismissed from Kaiba corp."
I stare at him blankly. When did my little brother get so ruthless? "Mokuba?"
He sighs. "Just because I love you Niisama, doesn't mean I'm blind. Jou loves you, enough to put up with, well, everything and you can't find that very often." He stops and swallows hard. "I don't want you to lose each other, maybe you can't see it, but both of you are so different now, happier and I refuse to let either of you let this go for some petty reason..."
"Mokuba! It's fine. I promise." I kneel down by him, he's getting big. "I would never let Katsuya, go. I didn't realize you'd been worrying so much over this."
He looks at me and there are tears in his eyes. "It's hard not to. This is the first relationship you've let yourself have, Niisama. I care about you both, and you're both so stubborn, I worry that you'll say something you both will regret later. I don't want to have to make a choice between you two. Lately you've been working so much; I know Jou's feeling second best. I can see it."
I sigh softly. "Mokuba, do you why I been working so hard?" He shakes his head. "I've been working on Katsuya's anniversary present."
"I don't understand."
"For Katsuya's birthday last year I helped crate a game to tell him how much I love him."
"I remember 'Wolf's Quest' right?"
"Yes, it was a major hit and we were flooded with requests for a sequel, so I decided to create one for our anniversary. It takes a lot of time and energy to create a video game, so I've been a bit distracted lately."
He's frowning at me. "You didn't tell Jou any of this did you? That was stupid Niisama. You ignore the person you love to spend time working on a game to tell him how much you love him? Next time just say the words."
"He's got a point, Set." I swivel to see Jou standing in the doorway, looking very sleep rumpled. "Morning kid. Want some pancakes?"
"You feeling okay?" Mokuba can be such a mother hen.
"I'm fine, no worries! I told you I was only buzzed by the time I got here." I can never get enough of watching him. He's moves with such a limber grace. He pulls me up and gives me a searing kiss. "You want some pancakes too before heading to work?"
I raise an eyebrow. "Set?"
He shrugs, "Seto sounds too formal for me, besides I wanna call you something no one else does."
I stumble a bit as we're tackled from the side. "You guys are alright! I'm so happy! Come on Jou, pancakes!" Mokuba tugs on Jou's arm, smiling brightly.
I place a hand on Katsuya's shoulder. "Do you mind if I spend the day at Kaiba Corp?"
"Why should I Set? You are going finish my game before our anniversary right?"
I smile at him, feeling more secure than ever before. "Yes Pup, even if I have to work overtime. Now go on and make pancakes, Mokuba and I need to eat." As I watch him being dragged off by my brother I think how wonderful the past year has been, and how much I'm looking forward to the ones to come.
Ending Notes and Thanks: blinks Wow. Thank you all so much for your reviews. I'm really glad that everyone enjoyed this so much. I never expected the reviews to be as overwhelming kind as they were. Especially since I was always told in school that I couldn't write well. Well what do they know right? :)
Xiaolng's Ying Ma: Gah, wow, never thought I'd read someone write a review like that for me. Thanks! I'll try to write another, we'll see what the muses bring me. I'm glad you liked my version of a lemon, I'm just not good at writing NC-17 like material but wanted to show well something.
MacDuff's Mistress: (laughs) Don't kill Seto, Jou would be sad, and Mokie would destroy your life. Hope this chapter puts him in a better light.
Markyc58: well I hope this chapter lives up to the anticapation.
Cherry-Wolf: Thanks, I tried to be true to their personalites, Seto's just not a romantic person, nor is Jou a weeping doormat but their still so cute together.
And to everyone else who reviewed: Dark, Alex, eyes0nme19, M.J. Shaman, and Midori I apperciate all of your reviews and hope this ending doesn't disappoint.