Dear Reviewers…
Crushed Liles: Please enjoy the fic responsibly, and I apologize for not updating for so long.
Sora Kohaku: Duke and action? Mm, later and much later. I sincerely hope I can last that long.
Fiby: pg won't come up? Usually it's b/c the server's down, try refresh.
Theiviousracoonness: awesome idea! I'm already developing towards that plot. Thanks a lot, and don't worry, you will be credited. )
For the rest of the reviewers, thank you very much for your support!
Disclaimer: don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, so don't sue. Thx and enjoy!
Chapter Warning: swearing
Pairing: SxJ
Summary: basically just insanity, Joey's temper gets him into trouble as usual…
Modeling Business – Let it burn
A couple of days passed by soundlessly, time ticked away as usual, abandoning behind a mentally mummified Seto Kaiba in his deep vertex of confusion. He seriously needs to sort himself out, but the magazine in front of him is not helping. At all.
To the great CEO, magazines were considered the lowest form of literature for they lack both in quantity and quality. The producers who thought up of that rubbish obviously have nothing better to do than stalking celebrities, start rumors, and kissing ass. After been voted as the sexist man on "the sexist man alive in Japan" poll for 3 consecutive months, Seto vows thy hand shall never touch another magazine again. Poor him could still recall the unpleasant memory of waking up in the morning and see the cover of every magazine plastered with a photo of himself wearing nothing but a navy bath towel around his waist. The next day his locker was jammed with love letters and women's wet patties. However, for someone who loath the mere existence of magazines, he sure distributes his money wisely this time around.
By saying that he purchased something that he hates, I have failed to mention that it wasn't the gossiping rubbish or the poll, which was doubtfully even properly surveyed, that interested the CEO. Rather, his attention is concentrated on a perfume advertisement posed by a particular annoying yet beautiful blonde adolescent.
When he first purchased the item, he persuaded himself to believe mass media propaganda has made him a victim. After all, the fragrance is entitled "Crave", it would make perfect scene for the consumers, such as himself, to crave the product.
Yet, persuasion could not explain why he often absentmindedly tracing the contour of the young model's perfect body, observing, drinking in every detail of the youngster's exposed glowing skin. Sometimes, one's own intelligence could be one's worst enemy. Then again, it doesn't a genius to figure out, deep down, what Kaiba craves for is not the perfume itself…
Why is he being so uncharacteristic? Is this the effect of the process of disillusionment? The fact that Kaiba realizes the blonde's reputation have now exceeded beyond that of an un-intellectual lowlife is now smacking him unexpectedly hard in the face. Truth hurts, yet it still doesn't provide the solution to his sudden ridiculous craving. The rest is a blur, an abyss of confusion, a pain in the ass since Kaiba hates being secluded from the answer.
Guess this time he is really losing it. As a result, he finds himself taking unconscious actions such as glaring hard into the picture, as if the answer to his misery lies under those honey orbs of hidden desire, but instead of finding an explanation he often drowns himself into those cursed eyes. The magazine (so used and abused) is then thrown to the hardwood floor with brutal force, but only to be retrieved back into his palms seconds later. These are the times when the brunette silently wishes for Superman's laser beams vision, so that he won't have to metaphorically burn holes into the advertisement. Perhaps that shall put a stop to his ambiguous emotions...
Unless his screwed up consciousness succeeds in persuading him again…
Kaiba's undergoing of change didn't go pass unnoticed. Of course, when you are chanting to incoherent words yourself while rhythmically stomping your foot against the floor, someone who lives in the same household is gotta get involved. Namely Kaiba's innocent sibling – Mokuba. Seeing his normally cool and collected brother breaking down both spiritually and physically, the little naïve lad decides to take action…
Kaiba don't know whether to cry or laugh when he gapes at the "100 ways to tell her I love you" that Mokuba surprised him as a cheer-up present. Cry, because reality just struck him that he has unintentionally worried his precious little sibling. Laugh, because he couldn't be possibly in love, even he himself couldn't even identify this strange emotion that's burning in his chest. In the end, he pulls Mokuba in for a tight embrace while mumbles words of apology, creating a perfect Kodac moment.
000
Having his rival on his door step during the mental break-down is something Kaiba would never have dream of happening in his previous-life, present-life and after life. Agreeing to the group project was initially not in his favor, but then again either does he want a zero. Thus, the "fun" begins, as Joey puts it in an eerily peachy kinda way; but he is in way too good of a mood to notice the brunette's weird glance.
The usually sloppily dressed blonde has abandoned his casual jeans and T-shirts and went for the most fashionable and probably expensive attire. With a zipped white leather Gucci motorcycle jacket, accompanied nicely by a pair of pants and shoes of the equivalent hue and material, Joey succeeds in drowning the other adolescent in bewilderment. Kaiba have to admit for once the blonde could pass for a high-class gentleman…
"Alright, let's get this shit finished, the sooner the better. I'm still scheduled for some photo shoot later." But when he opens his big, trashy mouth, it's all down hill from there.
The next few hours has proven to be the least productive period of the CEO's entire life. Firstly, he has already developed a tendency of rubbing his temples while Joey makes finger-tapping a life-time habit. Currently, both of them are seated on each end of the rectangular Oakwood desk in the billionaire's personal library. One look could instantly reveal who's on which side. Kaiba's end consists only of a laptop, while Joey is buried in endless piles of calculus books, creating a wall of barrier between the two. No longer is the blonde in his good mood after his 10 minutes devotion is paid off with nothing, and Kaiba is too much of a jackass to help. Soon Joey declares his bladder is giving out and excuses himself faster than a hurricane blows.
000
The ground shook as Joey stomps angrily down the hall. What the hell was he on when he thought that he and Kaiba could temporarily ignore their rivalry? Before getting settled down in the library, the brunette sticks up his nose and proposes his refusal to help, leaving Joey gaping at the piled-up books. Seconds later, the CEO effortlessly finishes his share for the group and declares he is moving on to his work whereas Joey is still sitting there summoning up every ounce of his brain power, dwelling on the first sentence of the first question. Finally, the young model couldn't take it anymore. Thus, faking a bathroom excuse like he did so often during classes, he left the room without a second thought.
The original plan was to cool down on some fresh outdoor air. But since every corner he turns leads to another identical corridor, his fury heightens due the frustration of being lost in the maze. Soon the blonde wants nothing more than tear down every painting from the wall and smash each glass vase to the floor. Oh, just the imagination of Kaiba's pissed-off face distorted in rage is enough to bring a toothy grin to Joey's face. Just when thought are about to converted to action, Joey suddenly remembers, considering Kaiba's wealth, whatever he ruins would be renewed the next day with a snap of a finger. The most effective way for revenge, he concludes, is to destroy a valuable possession instead. With this new idea springing to mind, he continues to wonder aimlessly while scanning for anything that could be of any importance to the brunette. Climbing down the stairs to the first floor, Joey explores his way into the grand kitchen. He pays no heed in the elegant, extravagant ornaments of the grand space; instead his wicked plotting is immediately replaced with the desire for food. He doubts he would displease Kaiba by robbing his fridge empty. But Joey's first priority now is to satisfy his bottomless belly. Sitting down on one of the bar stools, he ponders anew at his master plan while chewing on a pre-made sandwich, and…
Mm, what's this? Right beside him, on top of the kitchen counter is a familiar sliver trench coat. Neatly lay out like a gift from God. Fingering through the soft leather, Joey could tell its being cautiously dry-cleaned with expertise. Even if Joey isn't into leather, he still could tell the importance of this coat. C'mon now, the guy wears it everyday. How careless of Kaiba, abandoning such rich garment at a place like this. Joey drops the sandwich and grins evilly as he seizes the sacrifice-to-be in both hands, feeling giddy inside out. Now he must decide on the easiest and most accessible method of erasing its existence from the face of Seto Kaiba. Sneak it out of the mansion and sell it on the black market? Too risky since he doubts that he could hide anything from Kaiba, let alone a 6 feet long trench coat. Cut it to shreds? Too much effort, leather is so hard to cut, he'll have to spend the night here. Joey begin to look around for a destructive device for dummies, his eyes brightened as the stove came to view…
What's the most wonderful experience in life? Well, if you ask Joey, doubtlessly, he'll tell you it's maxing up all four burners, then make himself comfortable on a nearby bar stool while watching the orange flames licking away the most valuable attire that belongs to his rival.
Soon the leather coat is no more than a file of debris. If all day are like this Joey would die a happy man. Standing up, he proceeds to turn the stove off. He reversed the burner control 1 to minimum…and stops grinning instantly.
The fire didn't go down.
So he did it again. Same result. Joey starts to panic. Another 20 times, by then, the flames are practically jumping 10 feet into the air.
Letting out an "OHMYFUCKINGOD", he considers the last option: flee.
000
Back in the library, Kaiba drops all his pretending of working and bangs his head on the desk during the other's absence. He needs to be away from Joey now as much as possible before he figures what's causing his strange reaction towards the other. Yet it seems that lady fate has some other plan, or Seto is just not destined to be apart from the blonde. Approximately 20 minutes later, a loud, earsplitting shriek echoed through the whole mansion, interrupts him before he abuses his forehead further.
It is then he realizes Joey have not yet returned from his bathroom break. Then again, this is his first time visitation. How could the blonde possibly know where the bathroom is! Dread washes over him as the most absurd scenarios keep flashing before his eyes. Such as an excessively frustrated Joey jumping off from the mansion, or a revengeful Joey sets the mansion on fire while locking the brunette inside…
Before he could think logically, his body is already out of the chair as he launches himself down the endless hallway to find the other teen.
However, Seto didn't find the blonde on the roof top writing his will nor outside pouring liquor and gasoline around. Rather, the exhausted brunette catches him trashing around hysterically in one of the many corridors like maniac. This kind of behavior could only be witnessed in madhouses. Another insult springs to life automatically. However its utterance died at Kaiba's lips as he advances to the other and realizes the fact that Joey's new white outfit is stained with spots of dust and ashes.
It is Joey who detects the other first. Before the CEO had the time to question "What happened", the apparently-insane-blonde dashes over and grabs him by the shoulders and shook him hard like a rabid dog would to a rag doll. "Where the fuck is your fire distinguisher!" he roars on top of his lunges. Bacteria-infested saliva (due to lack of brushing) flies across the little distance kept between them and lands on Kaiba's well-pampered, flawless facial skin.
"Huh?" is Kaiba's intelligent reply.
Moments later they both arrive in front of the kitchen. Facing the tightly sealed doors, Kaiba is more than just a little confused.
As his mind darts between the closed door and his rival's sudden desperateness for a fire distinguisher, his inner instinct tells him that what he is about to discover is not going to be pretty.
Opening the door, black smoke immediately invades his nostrils, blinds his vision and stains his eyes. Seto is then faced with a wall of dancing flames. Registering the unfolding situation, conscious immediately overpowers his limbs. He runs to turn on the air ventilation system installed in the kitchen, waiting until the smoke dies down a tad and rushes for the fire distinguisher from one of the drawers. Joey is tempted to help, yet he only seems to achieve in getting in the other's way somehow. As a result, the brunette "kindly" shoves the die-trying blonde with a swift stride of his muscular arm, sending the teen model flying to the ceiling. By the time he has landed belly-flat to the floor, the flame has already diminished under the rush of white fume with a hissing sound. Kaiba then immediately proceeds to turn off the stove to prevent gas leak.
Joey reverses himself to his rear. His honey-colored eyes open wide, gazing at the stove like a child who has just awakened from a nightmare.
He redirects his attention to Seto and instantly wishes he hasn't done so. According to the other's scolding feature, the blonde knew he is in deep shit. Thus he decides to do the smart thing – keep his mouth shut and quickly works up a half-assed lie to cover his earlier mischief.
Releasing the awfully heavy red tube, Kaiba let it clash with the expensive marble floor below with a loud 'thud', causing Joey to jump. Beads of sweat on the brunette's forehead are carelessly wiped away by a shift of his head. He has his attention to a greater matter, namely the mess presented before him. The stove had a little damage thanks to its titanium exterior; the rest of it went to the window curtains, sink, plus everything else that lines up on that side of the wall.
Momentarily, Kaiba finds his voice and utters the question which came to mind earlier. "What…happened?" he nods towards the accumulated ashes on the floor of what used to be fine-quality possessions.
"Well…th-that's what I like to know! All I did was lean on your stove, and it just turned on all by itself. I tried to turn it off, but whatever I did only made the flames go higher…" Yeah, fuck him for being a reckless dumbass plus liar, but at least part of it is true. "…it's not my fault that your stove too technologically advanced." Joey tries to defend himself but fails miserably. For one, he did just burn the other's trench coat and demolished his kitchen in the process. Knowing Kaiba, with his status and personality, Joey is likely to get his pants sued off by the CEO. Fear washes over him, and cools his hot temper; regret begins making its way into his nerve system.
Kaiba rolls his eyes and snorts inwardly at the deliberate lie dripping with lameness. But for some odd reason, he doesn't feel like arguing with the blonde, perhaps he is too wore out. Instead, he slides onto one of the bar stools and quietly observes the other who remains uncharacteristically silent on the floor.
Joey shifts awkwardly under the other's keen gaze. "What are y-"
"You know…" Kaiba interrupts with that infamous smirk restored in place "you are very pretty…" he smirks wider as the blonde blushes uncontrollably. "But, still unbelievably stupid." No matter rain or shine, Seto Kaiba is always capable of producing insults that specializes in putting Joey in his place.
Abandoning the feeling of guilt and fear of being jeopardized in a law suit, the blonde gets up, and is about to flip his favorite finger when a strange pain shots up from the core of his phalange, leaving the blonde yelping in agony while tenderly grasps his injury.
The smirk is wiped clean from Kaiba's face as he strides towards the injured other. Tenderly peeling opens the hand that grasps protectively around the finger; he carefully inspects the red swollen flesh that is most definitely caused by the earlier incident. "Hm, just a minor burn." He informs and reaches into the drawer near by.
Joey's eyes widened at the sight of a first aid kit. Isn't he mad just minutes ago? He thought confusingly. However, he doesn't want to risk an infection. Thus he places himself obediently on the bar stool next to the brunette and willingly offers his hand. Besides, seeing the great arrogant jackass Kaiba helping the wounded is probably a once-a-life-time experience.
Kaiba bandaged the wound with expertise. "Try to not get water on it…" he instructs. "Oh, and avoid flipping it." He adds, then smiles mockingly knowing there isn't one day that Joey wouldn't go home without flashing his finger off at someone at school.
Joey's mouth hangs open waiting for the gratitude that never came. If Kaiba is intentionally making him feel shitty by being nice, congratulations, he has succeeded. Joey has now completely entered the buyer's remorse phase, regretting everything he committed, feeling guilty from the bottom of his heart. "…are you still mad at me?" He finally manages to whisper in a low, reluctant tone, like a child asking for forgiveness.
"Not really." Kaiba's curt response is surprisingly lightly-hearted while retrieving the kit and fire distinguisher back to their separate drawers.
Upon hearing that, Joey releases the breath he hasn't noticed he is holding. For once in his entire life, he thought that the brunette is different. How? he cannot tell, but just different. And you know what, he actually likes it.
But perhaps, he made his judgment a second too soon…
Through the dark debris of the damages, something flashy catches the brunette's eyes. Although the shine is dull, it still stands out amongst the blackness of the surrounding. The burnt piece of metal, which now holds in Kaiba's hand, shapes into a letter "K" intertwined with a "C".
Ops… Joey's body tenses as Kaiba inspects the said object.
"What is this?" The brunette questions harshly, turning, revealing the metal to the blonde.
"Um…" Joey stumbles over the choice of words. To lie or not to lie, that is the question.
000
The next day Kaiba came to school without his usual gravity-defying outfit, and Joey came with a black eye and a crocked finger.
TBC
a/n: yay! It's 1 frigin' 41 in the bloody morning and my brain still functions, yaya I'm sooo good…….kk, going to sleep. Btw, I hope this is wroth the wait, really I dooo. If liked, plz review.
