WARNING: This chapter contains some sexual content. It's really nothing graphic - more lime than anything else, but I don't want anyone reporting me for something over the rating so I'm warning you now. If this offends you, don't read it.

Dedications: This chapter is dedicated to Dragon and firezone12, for reading over the chapter to make sure it's still PG-13. Thanks so much for your help, guys! I really appreciate it. Oh, and it's also dedicated to Rekall, I suppose, since she read the whole story when I accidentally uploaded the wrong file at the Pharaoh's Palace (and didn't tease me about it too much). ::winks at Rekall::

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Chapter 9

I didn't intend to pick up Yami from work; really I didn't. But Mokuba already had arranged to ride with a friend- I think he had a school project to do –and my feet just led me to my car, without my input. The next thing I knew, I was at the café.

As I waited in the parking lot for Yami to exit, I called my office and checked my voice mail; but there was nothing interesting except one message from my secretary, telling me that Bakura had come by my office again.

"When will he ever give up?" I muttered, frowning to myself.

"Who?" Yami asked, suddenly climbing in the passenger's seat. I hadn't noticed his approach.

"No one. Just business," I replied vaguely, giving Yami a genuine smile. He smiled back, reddening slightly. I wondered why he always did that.

"Okay. Did you have a good day?"

"Passable," I snorted, feeling a tiny painful prick in my chest once again. "You?"

"It was fine. I really like this place; the people are so nice- although customers do tend to flirt more than I'd like," Yami replied, making a face. I scowled at that image and silently started the car. After a moment, as Yami observed the scenery, he remarked calmly, "Seto, this isn't the way to my house."

I chose not to reply and merely kept driving, triumphantly noting Yami's faint smile through the corner of my eye. So what if he loved someone else… I mean, so what if he… There was no reason for me not to… If I wanted him around…me…

I know, I should probably shut up now.

A few minutes later I parked in my driveway and Yami climbed wordlessly from his seat. I rushed to follow him, and we walked shoulder-to-shoulder into the house; and when I felt the warmth of his arm next to mine I automatically relaxed a little and I could feel the hint of a smile tugging at my lips. Yami glanced casually up at me and I couldn't help noticing that the flashing, proud crimson eyes were almost exactly the way I remembered they once were…so long ago…

"You really are looking better," I observed seriously.

Yami sighed. "I think it's because I'm not at the bank anymore; not that I hated it- I just felt…drained, I suppose. It was a hard job," he replied, shrugging indifferently.

Somehow, I felt a tiny bit disappointed by this response. Silently adding my reaction to the ever-growing list of mysteries concerning Yami, I strode calmly into the living room and sat on the sofa. He sat right beside me, much to my (secret) delight.

"So…where's Mokuba?"

"Friend's," I replied shortly.

"Ah."

This was the extent of our conversation for the next half-hour. I turned on the television and we watched the news together, sitting just close enough so that I could feel his body heat. My arms itched to wrap around Yami's slim frame once again, but I resisted, of course, instead crossing my arms across my chest as tightly as possible and consoling myself with the knowledge that he at least was nearby.

Eventually, right at dinnertime, Mokuba arrived at the house in his usual boisterous manner; vaguely shouting a hello to the two of us before clomping directly to the kitchen. "Well, I suppose it's time for dinner, then," I observed dryly. I rose and unthinkingly offered Yami a hand, which he took just as automatically.

I really, really should have known better.

As his slender white fingers slipped into mine and he rose, crimson eyes slightly downcast so that his long, dark eyelashes nearly brushed his cheekbones; a horrible shock ran through my entire body and I froze, gaping like an idiot at Yami. He smoothed his white button-down shirt with his free hand so that it clung to his lean chest without wrinkling, then attempted to pull his hand from mine.

I clung to it with all my might.

"Ouch! Seto, don't squeeze so hard," Yami grumbled, tugging at his hand. I loosened my grip slightly, but not enough for him to pull his hand away; and silently started walking to the kitchen. Yami's cheeks reddened but he walked beside me without comment- and I even thought he leaned slightly against my side, though that might have been my imagination.

When we entered the kitchen I had to drop Yami's hand (since Mokuba would most likely ask embarrassing questions), but I sat beside him at the table and subtly scooted my chair closer to his, much like I had this morning. He raised a questioning eyebrow but smiled indulgently and allowed it.

I smirked.

At about ten o'clock that night, Yami and I sat on the couch again, idly watching television. (As far as I could remember, I had never wasted an entire evening watching television before, but it was the only way I could sit close to Yami without looking suspicious. I'd even managed to snake my arm around the back of the couch so I could touch his shoulders.) Yami finally yawned and glanced up at me questioningly. "Are you ready to take me home?" he asked.

"No."

Yami rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll get one of the drivers to give me a ride."

"No." Not the wordiest argument, but effective enough.

"Seto! You're not still worried about that stupid streetlight, are you? Nothing's going to happen," he groaned as he climbed to his feet.

I grabbed his hand, but paused when I felt that frightening jolt once more. Yami stared at me in askance, and shaking off my reaction I rose to stand beside him (still keeping a firm grip on his hand). "You should stay…it's late," I said, rather lamely.

Yami glanced briefly at our joined hands before lifting his gaze to my face, and our eyes locked. With his free hand, he lifted trembling fingers toward my cheek, but he drew them away just before he reached me; then shakily lowered his hand and dropped his gaze to the ground. At this near-contact, my strange new addiction to Yami's touch flared up again, and this time I gave in. I let go of Yami's hand, only to step closer to him and wrap my arms around him, drawing him into my chest. Briefly I wondered what he would think of my actions, but at the moment I couldn't make myself care.

All I wanted was to hold him.

We stood unmoving for a moment- he frozen in surprise and I relishing the feel of him in my arms –until suddenly, making a choked sound in the back of his throat, Yami threw his arms around my waist in response and buried his face in my chest. Now I was the one taken by surprise, though I certainly wasn't unhappy… I tightened my grip on him and let myself smile, since no one could see me anyway.

"Seto…" he murmured softly, and I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck at the word.

"Yami…I…"

Just then, my brother's voice echoed down the stairway. "Seto, do I have to take a shower tonight?"

"Yes," I shouted back, rolling my eyes; and the moment was broken. Yami pulled away from me and took a few steps backward, watching the floor. I felt my heart sink- we had been so close to…so close to…something. "Stay?" I asked once more.

Yami glanced up at me and I saw a strange, cloudy expression in his crimson eyes. He observed me for a long moment before he finally nodded silently; and, stepping around me, slowly plodded up the stairs.

Two hours later, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall. My body had decided, against my will, to spend another night pathetically watching the wall separating me from Yami. This was ridiculous.

I growled angrily and climbed to my feet, stomping across the carpet to my bedroom door. If I wasn't going to sleep, I might as well go to my study and get some work done. When I pulled open the door, however, my rebellious feet started walking the wrong way- instead of turning right, toward my study; they turned left and strode the few steps to Yami's bedroom door.

My feet stopped in front of the thick oak door, but before I could force them to turn the other way my hand joined the rebellion- and twisted the doorknob.

I held my breath as I silently pushed open the door and stepped into the darkened bedroom. My mind had finally succumbed to the rebellion, letting my body move where it wished- so I honestly had no control of the situation when I shut the door behind me and cautiously crept to the side of the bed where Yami lay, his pale skin glowing faintly in the moonlight streaming through the bay windows. Really- I couldn't help stretching my hand to caress his soft, smooth cheeks…and touch his lips…

Without realizing, I had stepped even closer to Yami and I leaned over him, so that our faces were mere inches apart. That strange overwhelming need to touch him flooded over me in a tingling rush and I sat on the edge of the bed and stroked Yami's thick, soft hair, even as my other hand still lingered near his cheek.

Yami's eyes fluttered open.

I froze.

That odd smile twisted his lips and he let his eyes droop shut once again. I let out a soft sigh of relief- but then he softly murmured, "I love you…"

I yanked my hands violently away, sudden, horrible anger flooding through me. So, he was dreaming about that stupid jerk he was in 'love' with! I should have known! That smile wasn't for me, then…

Before I could wonder what in the world I was thinking, let alone what I was doing, I grabbed Yami's shoulders and shook him until he woke with a gasp. "Wha…what's going on?" he mumbled. His ruby eyes seemed to have deepened to a rich brown in the darkness; and as he glanced around him in surprise I just stared at his soft, fragile face.

"Seto? What…is something wrong?" Yami asked, finally seeming to realize I was gripping his shoulders nearly tight enough to bruise.

I just kept staring, slowly feeling my unreasonable fury dissipate, only to be replaced with the unquenchable desire to hold him in my arms; though this time it was slightly different… "Forget about him," I ordered.

"What? Who?"

"Whoever you supposedly love!" I snapped.

"But Seto…"

Before he could protest, I tugged harshly on his shoulders, drawing Yami close against my chest and reveling in the feel of his slim form against mine. He sighed and rested his cheek against my shoulder, and my heart skipped a beat. "I can't. Seto, you don't…" Yami protested.

I cut him off again- this time by letting go of Yami, only to grip his chin and tilt it upward so that our eyes met. "I don't care. You don't need him," I said. Yami lowered his eyes and tried to draw away, but I gripped his chin tighter and pulled him toward me…

Right into my lips.

Both our eyes widened as I pressed my lips against Yami's. I hadn't even realized- or, at least I hadn't let myself realize –that this was what I wanted from him. But it was. It was. I wanted him so much that a huge knot of longing lodged itself in my throat, even as I kissed him. Before Yami had even begun to respond, I slipped my arms around him, drawing his warm body flush against my chest- and slipped my tongue through his slightly parted lips.

Yami still didn't respond, even as I desperately tasted the slightly bitter tang of his mouth and ran my hands reverently along his back and up to the nape of his neck, fisting in his soft, fine hair. He sat, seemingly frozen in shock, though he made no move to push me away. Finally, however, reality crept into my consciousness and I reluctantly drew back from the still creature in my arms.

"I…I…I'm sorry," I stuttered, a humiliated flush creeping up my throat.

Yami blinked.

Then lunged at me.

He knocked me onto my back against the mattress and straddled my hips, then lay across me, stomach flat against mine as he crashed our lips together just as desperately as I had a moment before. Yami slid his tongue briefly across mine before pulling away and trailing wet kisses down my throat; and I felt his hands scrabble at the hem of my shirt, pulling it up as he nipped my collarbone and elicited a most uncharacteristic gasp from me. At the sound, Yami chuckled against my chest, and my lower body reacted automatically to the deep vibration. I gasped again, and Yami pulled the shirt over my head and tossed it recklessly away.

"Yami…" I started to say something, but the word escaped my throat as little more than a husky croak, and he smirked wickedly at me.

I could never resist a challenge.

I flipped our bodies so that Yami lay flat on his back, and I slipped his shirt over his head and tossed it to join mine somewhere on the floor. He stared up at me with his wide crimson eyes, the longing clouding them obvious even in the darkness. Slowly, reverently, I slid my palms over his chest, starting at his waistline and slipping my fingers all the way along his stomach and up his arms until our fingers intertwined. A violent shiver ran through Yami and I felt his reaction against my hip.

"Seto…please," he whispered.

I smirked in reply.

Long afterwards, I lay on my back, relaxing against the soft pillows and warmed by the thick down comforter covering me. Of course, these luxuries were laughable compared to the joy of holding the wondrous creature currently dozing against my chest. Yami's slim body fit just right against mine, and his cheek was just the right size to fit in the crook of my shoulder…

I tightened my arms around him.

Yami had fallen asleep with that smile on his face; that odd, twisting smile that twisted the pit of my stomach. I loved it, and I couldn't tear my gaze from the marvelous expression, but at the same time I loathed it with my entire being, because I knew it wasn't for me. What we had done tonight…it was perfect; incredible; but I knew Yami didn't mean it- not like I did.

After all, he was in love with someone else. And I- I…well…

I stroked Yami's hair softly, marveling at its perfect, smooth texture. "I love you so much," I whispered. Since he was asleep, of course, I could admit this freely.

Yami stirred the tiniest bit in his sleep, and a minute wrinkle appeared between his eyebrows as he frowned, but it immediately smoothed and that smile reappeared on his face. "I love you," he mumbled, and relaxed against me as he fell back into a deep sleep.

My heart sank and I fought to keep tears from my eyes as I tore my gaze away from Yami. I glanced out the window to see the first hazy pink rays of dawn rising on the horizon, but I couldn't keep my eyes away from Yami for more than a moment. Glancing back down at that twisting smile, I smiled wryly in return and tenderly dropped a kiss against his soft pink lips.

"I'll make you forget about him; I swear it."

Now review everyone! ::counts reviews:: I got 27 reviews for the last chapter! The most I've ever gotten! I guess being greedy works... Thanks everyone, and please review!