… Well, you know the disclaimer… I don't have to say it, do I?

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It was after classes, and Seto couldn't hide it in any longer. He called after Yami, who was talking with his group of friends. Yami turned around, and Seto challenged him to a duel. Yami looked at Seto for a moment, and shook his head. He turned back to his friends and told them something. In a few minutes, Yami parted from the group and headed towards Seto.

"Alright, Kaiba. Let's duel."

After the "fun" duel (in which Yami won, of course), Yami looked at Seto for a minute and smirked.

"Thank you for that fun duel, Seto, but I will always beat you."

Seto's heart leapt at the sight of Yami's smirk, but he didn't show it. He managed to produce a growl as Yami turned around to walk away. Seto looked at Yami's retreating back. Without knowing what's gotten into him, Seto found his legs running closer towards Yami. He grabbed the pharaoh's arm, which caused Yami to turn around, looking surprised and curious.

"What is it?" Yami squeaked out, trying with all his might to make it sound normal and calm, since it was pretty hard, being so close to this guy that he obviously needed so much.

Seto opened his mouth to say something, perhaps about his feelings, but instead, dropped his hand and looked down at his feet. He mumbled something, but Yami couldn't hear him.

"I'm sorry, Kaiba, I couldn't hear what you said."

Seto mumbled something again, and although Yami strained his ears, he still couldn't make out what Seto had said.
"What? Can you talk a little louder? And stop mumbling!" Yami replied, with a little bit more force… but not too much force.

Seto looked up from the ground with annoyance, and articulated through gritted teeth. "I SAID I LIKE YOU, YOU IMBICILE. LOUD ENOUGH FOR YOU?!"

Yami was taken aback, but quickly tried to regain his balance. Unfortunately, Seto's eyes were too quick. He had already noticed that Yami had looked surprised, and he took it as a good sign. Yami started to look like a bunch of emotions were running past him.

Yami opened his mouth to say something like "I like you too, Seto!" but then something hit him. It was too dangerous. Everything was dangerous. What if Kaiba meant it as friends or something else? Yami's hopes would be crushed, not to mention, very embarrassed. Yami smiled a warm smile and answered "I like you as a friend too, Kaiba."

"Call me Seto."

"Seto," Yami affirmed, and smiled again before turning away from Seto. He started walking away as fast as he could, but still trying to maintain his air of calmness around him.

Seto watched him walk away, stunned and speechless. "Could he be any more dense?!" Seto voiced his thoughts out loud after Yami was out of hearing distance.

As Yami walked away, he reflected on what had happened. "Strange behavior," he thought. He then reflected on his feelings on Seto. He wanted so much to tell him, but it was too dangerous. If Seto didn't like him back, he would be devastated. All his hopes would come tumbling down in front of him and there would be nothing left of Yami. He knew that if Seto really didn't return his feelings for him, he couldn't bear to think about what would happen to him.

After a few helpless moments to himself, Seto quickly got up from the floor and started to follow Yami. He noted that Yami wasn't walking towards anywhere intentionally, just wandering aimlessly over the town. When Yami was walking past what seemed like an alley, Seto ran up to Yami and pushed him into the alley. This happened to quickly; that it took a few seconds for Yami to realize what had happened. He looked around, and noted that he was in this dark alley, and Seto's arms were on both sides of Yami, cornering him. Yami looked at Seto with inquiring eyes and they both just stared at each other for a few minutes. After those minutes passed by, Seto didn't know what overcame him, but he leaned in and kissed Yami on the lips. It was a deep and blissful kiss that swept Yami off his feet, and when they broke apart, Yami had some trouble standing. "Thank god for this wall," Yami thought.

Yami looked at Seto with lust in his eyes, but snapped out of it. He couldn't get into this relationship with Seto. He was afraid of commitment, and he was afraid that this wasn't going to last long. Seto would leave him one day, and so when he knew what he had to do, he scrutinized Seto's grinning face. How his lips felt warm and soft, and all the beautiful features on his face. He just wanted to wrap his arms around the CEO and continue kissing him. His thoughts wanted to yell out to Seto that he loved him, but instead, he just looked at Seto and "I'm sorry, Seto. I just want us to be friends, is that okay?"

Seto stared at Yami. This couldn't be happening… but it was. Seto felt himself being sucked into a black vortex, all his thoughts crashing into him.

Yami's response had started to sink into the CEO's mind. His silly grin slowly faded as he stared at Yami with hurt. It pained Yami to see it, and he turned his head to one side so he wouldn't see it.

After a few minutes, Seto regained his composure and stood back.

"Y-yes, yes, friends…" Seto managed a smile and pretended like the kiss didn't happen. He held out his hand and shook Yami's hand, and then he started to walk away. Feelings of anguish, hurt, anger, and pain surrounding him.

"Friends…" They both thought sadly as they went their separate ways.

This is how they began to become friends. They each still loved each other on the inside, but that was hidden. The kiss was never spoken of ever again.