To Protect You- A Jounouchi/Mai Fanfic
Chapter 10
Mai was shocked. "Sorry? Wha... Why're you saying that?"
He looked at her with eyes full of remorse. "None of this would've happened if I'd just stayed with you and Shizuka," his hand clenched into a fist and his eyes fell to the ground. "I never should've left you two alone like that! I'm such an idiot!"
Mai was silent for a moment, then returned to looking for the supplies she needed.
"You're an idiot if you actually believe that," she said calmly.
Jounouchi leaned forward and continued to insist on his liability. "But if I had just...!"
"Stop it, Jounouchi!" Mai said forcefully. "There's no reason in blaming yourself. The fault lies with those stupid punks and them ALONE. So stop beating yourself up over it. Now sit still."
She came back over, put a piece of gauze over the cut and secured it with medical tape. "There," she announced with a sigh.
Jou still looked at her with those puppy dog eyes and would make anyone turn to goo. "Mai...I..."
She closed her eyes. "Don't look at me like that, Jounouchi," she pleaded. "I'm...I'm gonna get some water. Use one of those towels to dry yourself off. I don't want you getting sick, too."
Reluctantly, Jou grabbed another towel, draped it over his head and started drying his hair.
Mai walked into the kitchen and opened the cabinet. She grabbed a glass and backed up to close the door. However, Mai didn't see a misplaced box where she was headed. Her foot hit it and she spun around to see what she'd hit but lost her balance along the way. The glass flew out of her hand and shattered on the tile floor.
The noise caught Jou's attention, and he twisted in the chair to see what was happening behind him. He saw the shards spread across the floor, and Mai attempted to grab something to keep from falling on the glass. However, there was nothing to hold onto, and she began to fall.
"Mai!" Jou called out as he jumped over the chair and stepped over the glass in his socks to catch her. She fell into his arms, her face buried in her chest. He held her tight and asked, "Are you OK?"
Mai stayed silent for a moment, surprised she could be so clumsy, amazed Jou could get there so quickly, but mostly...
...She was angry.
"Dammit, Jou..." she mumbled into his chest.
"What?"
She jumped back and let loose. "Why do you always do that?!" she screamed.
Jou's face twisted in shock. "Do what?"
"This! You always do this!"
"What're you talking about?! Why're you so angry?! All I did was catch you!"
She stormed past him and picked up the towel he dropped with a huff. "That's what I'm talking about! Every time I'm in the slightest bit of danger, you just jump in without thinking and try to save me! Did you even think for a second about your feet?! What if you'd stepped on that glass and it cut you, huh?!"
Jounouchi stood, utterly confused by Mai's outburst. "What's wrong with you, Mai? I just didn't want you to get hurt!" he argued.
"But what about YOU?!"
"What ABOUT me?!"
"Look at yourself! You were cut by a knife, punched in the face, and...and I don't even KNOW what else!" she yelled. "You could've died tonight, Jounouchi! And why?! Because you were trying to be 'Mr. Macho' and save me! Just like always! You just leapt into that fight without thinking!"
"Because I--"
"There's no reason for it!" She walked over and pushed Jou in the chest with her hand. "You scared me to death, Jounouchi Katsuya! I'm sick of your 'knight-in-shining-armor' routine!" Tears began to form in her eyes as she ranted.
Why am I so mad? She though quickly. Her eyes fell to the floor. She wasn't about to let Jou see her cry.
"But-"
"I'm not finished!" she stopped him. "I don't need you rushing to my rescue for every god damned thing, Jounouchi! I want you to stop."
Jou was absolutely oblivious. "Stop what?! I don't understand why you're so pissed off!"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about!" she insisted. "And I want it to stop! I want you to think about yourself before you just come barging into help me with every little thing! I don't want you putting yourself in danger for me! Promise me! Promise me right now, Jounouchi Katsuya!"
Silence.
"Do you hear me?! Promise!"
Nothing.
Mai lifted her head and looked up to Jou with tearful eyes. He blinked in shock. Was she crying...over him? But with the watery eyes, flushed cheeks, and wild, messy blonde curls that framed her face, she took on a softness that Jou had never seen before. His heart beat a mile a minute, and his mind went blank as his body took control. He grabbed Mai's shoulders, pulled her to him, leaned down, and shut his eyes tightly.
And kissed her.