Delicate by Sangha
A/N: Sorry, it has taken me quite long this time but I've finally made it. Thanks for the reviews. Still appreciated very much!
Chapter 9 – Confessions
The whole thing was getting better and better every day. It was turning out more interesting, more confusing and more stressing with each minute passing and Tea sighed heavily after her dancing course. She gave lessons after finishing her own dancing training about three years ago. She could have gone to New York or even Europe, dancing in Broadway Shows and Musicals but she had decided against because it meant leaving Domino – leaving Yugi.
Maybe finally she could believe in her own choice and had done the right thing. Tea couldn't get Kaiba's words out of her head. 'He loves you.' How the hell would he know? Was it that obvious for him to see? Love was indeed making blind. Tea was in love with Yugi. Maybe Yugi was in love with Tea. Serenity was in love with Kaiba. And Kaiba, the big riddle, was perhaps even in love with Serenity. At least he was in love. He had said so. And Yugi called a guy who didn't know love exists. How ironic. But even Tea had thought so lately. Now she wasn't so sure anymore.
The young woman with the big blue eyes passed by the Game Shop and stopped at the opposite side of the street. Her mind made a short summary. Rebecca was with Mokuba. Kaiba said Yugi loved Tea. Tea and Kaiba had come to an agreement, plus she wasn't afraid of unwanted pregnancy anymore. The chapter Kaiba was over, finally. She hoped for Serenity that everything would turn out good in the end. Last but not least that left Yugi, being single and maybe in love with Tea. Taking a deep breath the brown-haired crossed the street and entered the Game Shop.
Yugi sighed sitting behind the counter with his head supported by his hand. His elbow was propped on the counter and he was desperately trying to read a magazine. But the letters seemed to spin and the pictures were blurry. Every other minute he would sigh and ask himself what he had done wrong. Until the shop's door went to be opened and Tea stepped inside. Yugi blinked in order to see if his mind was playing tricks on him but it was no hallucination, she was real.
"Hello Yugi."
Yugi almost fell off his chair gazing at Tea. She was looking even more beautiful than ever. Her big clear blue eyes held a sadness that made them sparkle in the artificial lights of the room. How stupid had he been in the past not to see what was right in front of his eyes? The woman was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Her skin was tanned, her brown locks full and silky, her long legs within that short black skirt made Yugi swallow and if she smiled… if she did. She didn't at the moment.
"Hi Tea. I was hoping we can talk. I've to apologize to you." With a gesture of his hand Yugi motioned for the woman to go inside of his actual home behind the shop.
Seeing that Tea nodded and obeyed Yugi quickly ran to close the shop. There were far more important things than the Game Shop. So he walked inside of his living room where he found Tea sitting on the sofa.
"Tea, what I've done was wrong and I'm deeply sorry about that. I'm sorry that it seemed that I didn't care about you and Kaiba. That was just because…"
The woman gazed at the young man in expectation. Would she finally hear what she needed to hear?
"It was because I was jealous." Yugi sank his head. "I was scared you might be in love with Kaiba. And I was disappointed that you've got fooled by one as him. My low self-confidence made me think that you would like to be with someone… someone great as Yami."
"Yami?" Tea never knew Yugi had been oblivious to her feelings for Yami.
"Yes, I know you liked him. More than a friend." Yugi had to draw in another deep breath.
"But it was stupid, really. The crush I had on Yami was never something real. You are real, Yugi." Tea gave a trusting smile and the guy even returned the gesture before he finally sat down.
"But I gave up hope long ago and then there was suddenly Kaiba and you…" The small man drifted off.
"But Kaiba and I had never existed." With a helpless sigh Tea stood up and gazed out of the window from where she could see the huge building of Kaiba Corporation. "Yes, we've spent a night together. But this was between two different people, strangers, neither of us had been themselves. And everything concerning that certain night I'd rather like to forget, honestly."
"I know but I should have known that long ago. Not just yet. I've been a bad friend for you and acted selfishly. How much wrong I could I've been thinking I did the right thing." Yugi made his way over to Tea and looked into her blue eyes. "But I've realized something and for once in my life I want to do the right thing, Tea."
Coming close to the woman Yugi's violet eyes seemed to hypnotize her when he lifted his hand slowly to put in on Tea's cheek ever so softly. He smiled at her before he touched her lips with his'. In a slow and tender way the guy tried to express the love he felt inside and Tea suddenly felt butterflies running through her whole body. It felt like home to her.
"What was that?" The woman whispered slowly opening her eyes.
"A kiss." Yugi timidly chuckled but turned serious again. "I know it's late but I've realized that all I want is to be with you, Tea. I've wasted enough years thinking I wasn't worth you and if it should still be the truth then you better tell me, now."
Tea slowly shook her head. "No, it's not too late. I'd have waited even longer but I'm glad you found out." She smiled and wrapped her arms around his slim waist. "I'm deeply in love with you and I'm glad it's you, not Yami or Kaiba. Not many people can call themselves happy to be in love with their best friend."
Their smiles could have been described as stupid or childish, but they were just happy. They kissed once more, overjoyed to have finally found their true loves in themselves. It was a scene of exchanging smiles, kisses, smiles and yet again kisses before they finally parted.
"Yugi?" The blue-eyed woman waited for her friend's attention before she continued. "What happened to you and Rebecca?"
"Rebecca?" Yugi shrugged. "I don't know. We've never been together but I realized she wanted to be with me. I told her there's no way. And I guess she's quite sad even though we're okay. It's hard to explain but I hope we can still be friends."
"I guess that won't be a problem." Tae said in a dull tone. "She's with Mokuba, did you know that?"
Yugi shook his head. "No… but… that went quick. What about Serenity? I thought she was with him."
"Past. Serenity told me yesterday. Poor girl found them snogging in the Kaiba mansion. But she's not as sad as you should think." Tea suddenly grinned and shrugged.
"I don't get that." Yugi scratched his head quite funnily.
"Let's just say that she hopes that Kaiba indeed knows that love exists."
Serenity nervously lifted her finger to press the button of the door bell, standing in front of the Kaiba mansion. Not only she was nervous because of the task she had in her mind but also that she might have to face Mokuba. She rang the bell nonetheless, waiting for someone to open up.
"Yes?" One of the maids opened to Serenity's luck and raised an eyebrow at the familiar face. "Oh, good afternoon, Ms. Wheeler."
To Serenity's surprise the maid turned to talk to no one else but her master. "Mr. Kaiba, there's Ms. Wheeler."
Unknown by Serenity a nod was given to the maid and she was led inside the house. Seto Kaiba himself was standing in front of her as if he had expected her but his look was like usual, unreadable for the woman.
"Mokuba's not at home." Kaiba told her wondering that she was here at all. He couldn't imagine another reason for her visit even if she wasn't with his brother anymore.
"I'm here to talk to you, actually. I'd be glad if you've got a minute for me." Her hazel eyes took in his stare.
Kaiba was confused but he wouldn't show it. He stared at her for a while before he nodded. "Let's go upstairs into my office. There we can talk undisturbed."
Turning around Kaiba walked up the stairs down the corridor leading to his office. Serenity followed him silently, no words left her mouth. She expected Mokuba at any corner, not needing to face him at the moment. What would she say if he asked her what she was doing there? She couldn't possibly answer that she was here to talk to Seto because she hoped he would have feelings for her. That was ridiculous.
Entering Seto's office the woman closed the door behind her and gazed at the carpet for a moment until she looked at the man who had taken a seat on an arm chair. She did as well, but she chose the sofa as an adequate place. His gaze showed no sign of emotion, not even a question, nothing.
"You wanted to talk." He repeated the obvious she had told him minutes ago.
"Yeah, I did. I just don't know how to start this." She smiled timidly. Meeting his blue-eyed stare didn't make it easier on her, so she tried to avoid it. "First of all I need to mention that I know about you and Tea."
Kaiba replied this with a snort. A remark was formed in his brain but he didn't come as far as to express it verbally.
"She hasn't told me. It was Mai" This time the woman didn't come any further.
"That's just great!" Seto remarked sarcastically. "Why doesn't Tea just inform the press and gives an interview?"
"She only told Mai and Mai wouldn't have told me if I…" Serenity was slightly panicking but tried to calm down. "I hadn't told her about our kiss."
Finally Kaiba realized where this was going to lead and closed his eyes, seeking for necessary calmness and strength. He had no clue so far how to react. Not after his brother had split up with the woman ahead.
"So you told her. Well?" His voice not giving away his own mental struggle Seto sent an unimpressed glance. "Tell me why you did that."
"I've been confused about the kiss. About you, actually." Blushing slightly she gazed down at her hands. "That's why I told Mai. I guess she was afraid I might get fooled by you. That's why she told me about you and Tea."
"There is no me and Tea." Stubbornly the man stated with narrowed eyes.
"I know. I've spoken to Tea and she told me the same." Serenity blatantly babbled but hit finally a nerve when Kaiba – usually not a friend of emotions – dramatically rolled his eyes and groaned.
"What the hell are you doing at all? Is this any of your business? I don't think so." Glaring at the woman he stood up and towered to his full height.
Panic overcame the small young woman again and with wide eyes she stared at the man in front of her, standing up as well. "But I've got feelings for you! So just tell me once more it's none of my business and I will get lost."
Kaiba crossed his arms instead. The info slowly sank in. She believed she had feelings for him. He was skeptic after all. Could one kiss be enough to make her have feelings for him? Serenity took in that the man didn't reply at all. This was good. He could have told her to get lost but he didn't. The woman slowly sat down again.
"I know how this must sound to you. I can hardly believe it myself but after we kissed I was so confused… There was suddenly you in my mind all the time and I honestly don't know what I'd have done if I still was with your brother. I can't deny, nor change it, though that this kiss has made me feel things I've never felt before in my life." Serenity knew she was walking on thin ice telling Kaiba how she truly felt. He could break her heart with one sentence if he wanted to and knowing Seto Kaiba, there was always the possibility of some world shattering comment.
Instead Kaiba sat down as well. He stared at the woman before he tore his gaze away and narrowed his eyes. Wasn't that what he wanted to hear? He wasn't even sure, hadn't even thought about it. He was aware of his own feelings but he didn't know what he wanted at all.
"Why did you have to talk to Tea at all? You could have talked to me instead." His eyes didn't look at the auburn-haired this time but stared ahead.
"That's what I'm doing right now. The reason I was talking to Tea is because I wanted to be sure she has no feelings towards you." Serenity kept her voice low not to risk to sounding too desperate.
"She hasn't." Seto stated. "Nor have I feelings towards her. I suppose she told you how this mess could happen at all, not that it should be any of your business."
"Yes, she did tell me. But actually, what I need to know is…" Serenity took a deep breath. It was now or never. "What I need to know is if our kiss meant anything to you?" She stared at the blue-eyed man who hid his eyes beneath strands of his chestnut hair. "That night with Tea obviously hasn't meant anything to you. Fine. But I need to know if it was just the same with our kiss. Has it meant anything to you?"
"Yes, it has." Kaiba said low and kept staring ahead, avoiding to gaze into her beautiful hazel eyes. Instead he crossed his arms again.
Serenity smiled. But there was way to go and another frown build on her forehead. "I told you that I have feelings for you and I'm even pretty much convinced that I've fallen for you. I'm going to ask you straight away now, okay? Do you have feelings for me as well?"
Silence until his azure eyes finally met hers. "Yes, I have."
The woman's heart was pounding in her chest. Her hands were so cold but her face felt like fire. "When? Just with the kiss?"
"Battle City." This was getting too emotional for Kaiba and he needed to stand up. He certainly wasn't as calm as it was looking like. Through his veins were rushing a million ants right now. "Not just with a kiss. The kiss shouldn't have happened at all."
The woman was now staring at Kaiba. She had no clue if she had heard right. Was Kaiba telling her that he liked her even since Battle City? That had been over six years ago. That meant he had hidden his feelings inside even during the time she had been with his brother. No wonder that his moods changed so often towards her.
"But I'm glad about the kiss!" She was exclaiming now desperately and stood up holding her hands to her chest. "I would have never realized how much you mean to me! And you probably would have never told me what you feel. Aren't you glad about it?"
Kaiba closed his eyes for a moment tightly before he opened them again, gazing at Serenity. She was almost looking like in those days back in Battle City. Her hair was still long and girlish and her begging eyes expressed all her idealism.
"Aren't you forgetting about Mokuba? When did you decide not to be in love with him anymore? Or is this some kind of revenge? Vengeance for his cheat of you." His blue eyes had narrowed again as he was staring at Serenity.
"I haven't decided anything, Kaiba. Not even to kiss you. What I've told you is the truth and I can't change it. I know it might be hard because of Mokuba. I wished you wouldn't be his brother. But you are and we've to make the best out of it. I think at last there are only two options. Whether there won't be a 'we' at all or we give it a try." Serenity knew she should calm down but she couldn't help it. How should she make him see that her feelings for him were true?
The tall man just stared at the small woman. Usually he could make quick decisions but this one was hard to make. Giving up was never something he liked. If he decided that there won't be a future for him and her, it would be the easiest. Maybe. He had his doubts. If they gave it a try it may be difficult with Mokuba and who was to know if it would last?
"What do you want, Seto?" Two big hazel eyes sought for his sapphire blue ones. Then Serenity sighed when tears stung behind her eyes. "Maybe I should leave you. So you can think about it all by yourself." Hanging her head she gave an almost unseen nod to reassure herself and turned to leave.
Kaiba blinked suddenly and his eyes went wide open. Without any thought at all his hand reached out to grab the woman's arm and spin her back around to face him. Serenity wasn't prepared for this and gasped caught by surprise when she suddenly was face to face with Seto. He held her with both of his hands at her arms while his own heart was hammering inside of his chest but he couldn't care less at the moment. Any doubting thought had left his mind when he was leaning down to kiss Serenity.
Seto wanted to be with her. There was no doubt except of those which concerned his hidden fears. But leaving all outer influences unseen he just wanted to wrap his arms around her body and hold her tight to his own and never let go. When she wrapped her slim arms around his neck to reply his kiss he couldn't help the flattering feeling of being in love with her. But he needed to come up for breath some time and the moment he did and Serenity opened her eyes he was able to see that she was indeed truly in love with him.
"Don't…" The woman whispered not wanting to stop their kiss.
The tall brown haired didn't hesitate, nor question her request, while she was pushing him to sit on the sofa. Climbing onto his lap she smiled when he pulled her close and kissed her neck.
"You know I've been about fifteen when I was dreaming about being so close to you." She whispered close to his ear while he planted a soft kiss on her key bone.
"Guess we both have kept some secrets." Seto murmured against her skin but she pulled away slightly and gazed into his clear blue eyes.
"You want to know how my dream ends?" Serenity asked with a small grin while she was undoing the top button of Seto's shirt.
"How?" His trademark smirk appeared while his eyes wandered across the woman's body on purpose.
"I'm going to show you." With that she shrugged off her sweat jacket before she put her parted lips onto his.
"Yugi…" Tea giggled when her new boyfriend kissed her once more in front of all people. The small grown guy had suggested going somewhere nice on their first date as a couple but as there was no good idea from either Tea or Yugi they decided to go to Rainmen's once more. None of their friends were there so far and Yugi used this opportunity obviously to get close to Tea even in public.
"What?" He grinned at her and raised his eyebrows funnily.
"They're watching." The brown haired laughed.
"Who?"
"Everyone!"
"So?" Yugi shrugged. "Who cares?"
The woman shrugged as well and grabbed the champion by his jacket, pulling him close. And so they joined their mouths for yet another kiss, wrapping their arms around each other. The guy let his hands run through Tea's soft brown hair while she let her hand run up his chest. Being in public made them have limits which was good after all. They should take each step at a time.
"Tell me I'm not dreaming!"
The familiar voice of one of their friends caught in their ears and the couple came up for breath. Their both gazes met the sight of the surprised looking face of Joey. Next to him Mai was smirking.
"You're not, Joey." Mai told her boyfriend with a grin.
"Finally, it was about time they got together, right Mai?" Joey laughed and clapped Mai's butt playfully what resulted in Mai slapping Joey's blond-haired head not so very playful.
Yugi and Tea instead grinned at each other and laughed. There was no need to envy Mai and Joey anymore. Finally they were together and hopefully forever.
"What have we missed out?" Mai asked joining their friends with Joey.
"Not much." Yugi told them and grinned.
"Not much." Tea agreed laughing. "Apart from Kaiba talking to me by free will and Yugi's try to kill him. Not worth talking about." She added with a wink of her hand.
"You tried to kill Kaiba? What the hell stopped you?" Joey asked the smaller guy who wasn't sure if it had been a joke after all.
"I haven't tried to kill him." Yugi shrugged off the topic. "I just told him to leave his fingers off my girlfriend."
"You should have killed him." The blonde guy said casually without the hint of a joke.
Kaiba smelled at the silky strands of hair of his lover and tightened his embrace around her. The two of them were lying on the sofa in content silence. The blanket wrapped them in its warmth and made them feel in complete comfort.
"How are we supposed to go on from here?" Serenity said softly stroking across the tiny hairs on her lover's arm. She loved the feel of them standing up in response to her touch.
A sigh escaped the man lying behind her with his arms wrapped around her. "I guess I should talk to Mokuba." Taking a deep breath Seto made to stand up, leaving the content warmth of her body next to him.
"Now?" The woman asked and wrapped the blanket around her body, already feeling the cool hitting her skin.
"What better time than now?" He replied and started to get dressed.
"Shouldn't I come along?" She asked and moved to sit gazing at the tall dark haired man who shook his head.
"No, let me do this alone." He said and grabbed his cell phone, speed dialing Mokuba's number.
"Yes?" The voice at the other end of the line held a bit of surprise and confusion as well as annoyance.
"Where are you?" Seto asked without hesitation while Serenity was starting to get dressed properly as well.
"At Rebecca's. Why?"
"I need to talk to you. It won't take long. I'll be there in fifteen minutes." Typical Kaiba he shut down his cell phone and left the younger brother in wonderment.
Mokuba had no clue what Seto could want, why he wanted to come to Rebecca's place, why so quickly and why at all the older brother wouldn't give him order to come home instead. But all this stayed unknown to the younger Kaiba who gave a puzzled look at his blond girlfriend. With raised eyebrows he just shrugged.
Meanwhile Seto was ready to leave the house. Followed by Serenity he grabbed the car keys and headed to the door where he suddenly stopped and turned to face the small woman behind. Lifting her chin he kissed the surprised looking woman.
"I'm going to drop you off at your place." He said before he finally left the mansion with the woman.
Serenity hoped that the Kaiba brothers would be okay after their talk. Knowing Seto he wasn't the best when it came to talks like that but on the other hand he knew his brother the best and so far they had made many years together without killing each other. Anyway, there hadn't been a woman between them she guessed. Nervously biting at one of her finger nails she watched out of the car's window until it finally stopped and she gazed at the man next to her.
"I'm going to call you when it's over." Seto stated with no visible emotion but Serenity could tell that in his mind he wasn't even with her anymore.
"Okay." She just said and climbed out of the car. "Good luck."
Without another word Kaiba drove off, destination Rebecca Hawkins' place. Actually he had no clue what to tell Mokuba but going for the option of being honest was always best he just guessed. Of course there were some risks too but if Seto would think about them right now, he might just turn around and run away. Still, stubbornness forbad the CEO to be a coward who runs away. He had never done that and if he would have to make a choice between his brother and his girlfriend there was only one and only family he had ever had and always would be.
Stopping the car in front of the small house Kaiba made his way on the front porch to ring the bell. He didn't have to wait long until Mokuba opened and went outside.
"You wanted to talk." The raven haired guy said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Talk."
Seto fixed his blue eyes on those of his brother and drew in a breath. "I'd like to apologize to you. I've been unfair to you when I called you all those names. Anyway, I realize I'm wrong and I'm asking you to accept my apology." A good start so far, Seto thought.
Mokuba stood astonished for a moment with his eyebrows suspiciously raised. Seto had never apologized before and it was more than just a surprise that he was doing now. But with a nod the younger brother accepted the offered apology.
"I'm not proud of how I broke up with Serenity, you know? I even see I've disappointed you, maybe. But all in all I'm not okay with the names you called me. So, okay, I accept your apology." It was an act of vengeance that Mokuba tried to sound as arrogant as his older brother when he crossed his arms quite childishly.
"Great. Now I should tell you the reason for me being angry when you hurt Serenity." Seto took in the sight of Mokuba's newly raised eyebrows. "I have feelings for her."
Mokuba's jaw dropped literally. "You have what?"
"I have feelings for her." Kaiba repeated his last sentence blatantly and stared at his younger brother.
"When did that happen?" The pitch of sarcasm in his voice wasn't hidden.
"Battle City." The older one replied and crossed his arms as if pouting. Why was everyone asking about when he had fallen in love with her? It was as if they were expecting him to have made a decision about loving someone.
"That long?" Mokuba couldn't help asking like a schoolboy. With his eyes wide he stared in disbelief at his older brother who gave a curt nod in response. "And why didn't you just tell me before? You could have told me long ago."
"And when would that have been? During Battle City I wasn't in the mood talking about a stupid crush on a stupid girl. Later I haven't seen her anymore which I preferred by the way. Then you came with her as your new girlfriend. What do you think you'd have done if I told you?" The brown-haired gazed down at the ground while his brother just shrugged.
"I guess I'd have thought you were insane." The raven-haired replied with an almost shy grin. "But if you'd asked me to break up with her I would have done."
Kaiba smirked. "Probably but that's the last thing I wanted you to do. That's why I didn't tell you."
"It doesn't really matter anymore, does it? I'm not with her anymore." Mokuba sat down on the staircase of the veranda and looked up at his big brother. "It's just hard to believe that you really care about a woman, Seto." Carefully he grinned.
"That's not everything yet."
"Not?" Mokuba actually had not the slightest clue what could there be possibly even more.
"Serenity cares about me as well." Narrowing his eyes Kaiba found this part the most difficult to tell. "She just told me. You know I'm not naïve and I thought she was gone completely insane but…" A sigh escaped the older brother when he sat down next to Mokuba. "I believe her."
Silence swept over them for a while before Mokuba finally felt the urge to say something. "That's some news but well, it's not to me to decide whether she's truly in love with you or not. Do you want to be with her?"
Seto nodded slowly. "I might give it a try."
"I don't mind." The raven-haired suddenly smiled. "I'm skeptic because it's kind of quick but if you both feel that way I might as well wish you good luck."
Seto's blue eyes stared at his brother in wonderment for a few seconds. "Thank you Mokuba."
The rareness of his brother's words made the younger Kaiba smile. "Welcome."
"It might become difficult though. Serenity's your ex-girlfriend and" The brown-haired didn't come any further when his brother suddenly cut in.
"We'll see what happens." Mokuba grinned. He couldn't help feeling even happy if his brother was indeed in love for the first time in his life – as far as Mokuba knew.
Seto's hand suddenly reached out to touch his brother's shoulder and squeezed it lightly before he made to stand up. "I've got to go. Perhaps we'll see each other later."
Mokuba nodded. "Yeah, bye big brother." He smiled when Seto turned to look at him.
Kaiba hid his smile as he went back to the car and climbed inside. The first step was taken.
"Jeez, will they ever stop?" Joey said when he joined Mai standing at the pool table.
His gaze had fastened on the picture of Yugi and Tea who were sitting at the table, holding hands and kissing each other every now and then. They were so obviously in love that the blond guy had to roll his eyes at the sight of the two lovebirds making out. Of course he was happy for them but he was already missing his mate Yugi who was now busy with Tea. But Joey had Mai, hadn't he? He didn't know what he would do without her.
"I think they're sweet." Mai said and couldn't even help it but watching them with a blissful smile playing on her pink lips.
It was sweet to see her both friends finally being in love and openly showing. It had been a long time since Mai had been sitting there with Joey just like they were now. Years had passed and she couldn't imagine a life without the ever bugging blond man at her side. Her hand suddenly sought out for his to touch and she sent a smile to the love of her life.
"We have been like this once. Do you remember?" The woman asked drowning in nostalgia.
"Oh yeah." Joey suddenly grinned and tightened his grip on Mai's hand. "We have been even worse." He laughed and was happy when his long-term girlfriend joined in.
There weren't many moments like this in both their lives. Routine made them stop behaving like lovesick teenagers but instead sharing their whole lives with each other. The façade was showing two friends – they indeed were. Everyone could see how they were rolling their eyes at one another or making silly comments and even sometimes how they were having a row. But in fact just Mai and Joey alone knew the truth. That neither of them was able to get some sleep without the other one next to them. That neither of them was able to organize their lives without the other. That they were making each other complete.
Joey's brown eyes wandered to the form of his girlfriend. They could have been married but weren't. Why was that actually? Joey had always wanted to grow a family, even if just a small one because he wasn't rich. About Mai he wasn't so sure after all. Maybe that was the reason he had never asked her to become his wife. He had been a coward.
"Mai." The blond took both of his girlfriend's hands in his making the woman raise her brows in surprise. With Joey you never knew what would happen next.
"I have been thinking lately and actually we are sharing our lives, right?" Wide-eyed the woman nodded and Joey continued. Mai wasn't sure if a thinking Joey was good concerning them sharing anything at all. What the hell was he on about!
"And I can't imagine my life without you being part in it anymore. It made me realize that I have a request concerning the rest of our both lives." The young man loved the way Mai's violet eyes were gazing at him right now and the soft shade of pink rising on her cheeks. "I know it's a bad time and an even worse place and I don't even have a ring but…"
With that the blonde man sank down on one knee and looked up at his girlfriend holding her hands in his. Mai gasped at the shock realizing what Joey was about to do. She had often thought about why he hadn't done that so far but being the emancipated woman she was Mai had actually no problem living without marriage. But now that she was seeing the love of her life doing what she would have expected the least, she was overwhelmed by her feelings.
"Mai, will you become my wife?" With a typical Joey-grin he added: "Finally."
The woman grabbed her boyfriend by the collar of his blue shirt and pulled him up before she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Yugi and Tea were looking at the two of them by now with puzzled faces.
"Yes!" The blonde shrieked happily when she had finally let go of her boyfriend. "I thought you'd never ask!"
Joey grinned stupidly and nearly blushed. "Better late than never. Look at us, Mai, we're the perfect couple! We have to marry each other! To be an example of how it should be!" Being Joey Wheeler he couldn't help but making a joke.
"I love you too, Wheeler." With a smirk Mai planted another kiss on the blond guy's lips to silence him. "Now let's celebrate this wonderful day a bit. What do you think?"
Mai turned to Yugi and Tea who had finally realized what was happening between their friends. They told them their congratulations and hugged each one of them, both being happy for their friends. Joey ordered drinks for every one of them and promised never to bet with money when playing pool ever again. Later even Tristan and his girlfriend joined them, being happily surprised about the news.
Joey sighed. "I'm so happy to celebrate this with all of you – a pity Serenity isn't here." He was oblivious to the loss of her last boyfriend but had no clue about the new man in her life.
Mai rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just call her?"
The blond guy laughed nervously. "Yeah, I could do that." Picking up his cell phone he dialed her number and waited for her to get the call.
"Hello?" Serenity's heart beat fast when she picked up the phone because it could finally be Seto telling her how it went with Mokuba.
"It's Joey! Why don't you come over to Rainmen's? There's something we have to celebrate! You never guess what I've done, Seren!"
"No, tell me. What did you do, Joey?" Serenity had no idea what her brother was on about but it was always funny listening to him.
"I've just asked Mai to become my wife!" He proudly exclaimed. "Will you come and join us?"
"Really?" The woman could hardly believe it but was happy with her big brother. "Course I'd love to come…" Serenity got silenced by the doorbell ringing. "Listen Joey, I'll see you later. There's someone at the door."
"Okay, see you then. Bye."
With shutting down her cell phone Serenity opened the door and was surprised to find Kaiba standing outside.
"Seto, I thought you'd call me…" Stupid but honest she exclaimed low.
"I've tried but your phone was busy. So I've come here. Is that a problem?" Stepping inside the tall man looked around in order to see if her brother was somewhere near.
"No. No problem at all. Joey's not here if you're watching out for him." She shrugged and turned serious. "How was it going with Mokuba?"
"Better than I'd have thought." Seto said casually watching the pictures at the wall. "He's okay with us. Quite skeptic but okay in the end." He shrugged and turned to see the happy face of Serenity who immediately ran to hug her boyfriend.
"But that's great news! I'm so glad!" She had a huge smiled plastered on her face when she gazed into Seto's blue eyes before she kissed him. "Was it really that easy?"
"Mh… no problem at all." Kaiba as usual overdid just a bit but that was just his nature. "When are we going to tell your brother?" He couldn't help his smirk thinking of Wheeler's reaction to his precious sister being now Seto's girlfriend.
"That's exactly why I need to tell you something." The woman put a careful smile on her face. "We are going to see him and Mai later in Rainmen's."
"Are we?" Seto raised his eyebrows.
"Yes, actually now. He's just called me and you know what he's done? He's just proposed to Mai and they are celebrating a bit. Joey wants me to join them." Her smile faded seeing Kaiba's expression.
"Oh great – I hate parties." Dripping off sarcasm he gazed at Serenity.
"It's the perfect opportunity to officially present you as my boyfriend." The hazel-eyed woman laughed when she saw the smirk on his face appearing again. "So, are you coming along or what?"
Kaiba just grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her along to leave the apartment.
The moment Serenity entered the club with Seto Kaiba in tow Mai were the first one to see them and her violet eyes widened. She couldn't decide whether to prepare Joey for the worst or just to run away herself. So she just sat there and waited for them to approach. Her fingers mindlessly began to pad the table and she was smiling nervously when Tea raised a suspicious eyebrow at the blonde. The brown-haired realized what was coming.
"Hi Joey!" Serenity exclaimed happily and immediately her brother turned with a big smile on his face seeing her.
Jumping from his chair he hugged his sister when she congratulated the newly made fiancée of Mai. But pretty much sooner than later the blond man narrowed his eyes recognizing Kaiba. Letting go of his sister he just glared at him which was replied by the tall dark-haired man. Yugi rolled his eyes at the sight and Tea shrugged helplessly. They would never get along with each other they supposed.
Serenity didn't care to tell them anything right now and hugged Mai instead. As the female of the day she received congrats from the younger woman as well before Serenity finally turned to look at her brother who was still glaring with his brown eyes. As if Joey was noticing the stare of his younger sister he turned and his look softened, slightly.
"What is he doing here?" He almost pulled a face and raised a brow, pointing with his index finger just slightly at the tall man behind as if he were an alien.
"Seto's with me." Serenity stated carefully but realized her choice of words wasn't clear enough.
Joey wondered why the hell his sister brought Kaiba with her. Had they become friends while she had been together with Mokuba? Joey's brown eyes wandered over Kaiba trying to find anything indicating a change of friendship in the icy blue eyes of the tall man. He couldn't find any. Kaiba was staring down at him like usual, just arrogantly.
"So, finally you're going to marry, Wheeler." Kaiba crossed his arms and towered in front of Joey. "That must be the first thing you're doing right in your life. About time I must say. Your wild life wouldn't have been good influence on my girlfriend." The traditional smirk appeared on his features.
Joey just stared at the tall blue-eyed with a puzzled expression. He had almost been happy enough to finally comment Kaiba with his patented sentence 'mind your own business' when his mind took over riddling about that girlfriend-thing. Adding one and one Joey still had no idea what Kaiba wanted from him and why he should be a bad influence on moneybag's girlfriend. The only way that could happen…
Like lightning the brown-eyed turned to face his sister who was smiling sweetly before she passed him by to join Seto's side. "He doesn't mean that with the bad influence, Joey. Seto's actually happy for the both of you as well."
Finally Seto's glare faltered and switched to his girlfriend with actually no result as she was ignoring it simply. Joey on the other hand sent an SOS gaze at Mai who shrugged at him but stood up and taking his hand.
"So, are you together?" Mai asked the unavoidable question nagging in Joey's mind but trying purposely to miss out on.
"Yeah." Serenity answered for the both of them.
"What about Mokuba? He just left you, Seren!" Joey suddenly cut in trying to find excuses. "You don't need to do an act of vengeance against him with good old Kaiba. You don't need to look for another boyfriend that quickly. You don't need to be with someone at all."
"Why is everyone thinking I'm doing an act of vengeance?" Serenity nearly whined when she slowly fell into a fit of slight rage. "I fell in love with Seto before Mokuba left me, okay? And Seto fell in love with me even before! So guys, you got any problem with that? No? Fine!" Stomping with her foot she passed Joey by and sat down at the table where Yugi, Tea and Tristan were sitting.
Tea couldn't help her grin and gave the younger woman secretly the thumbs up. Seto couldn't help but feel as uncomfortable as Joey was looking. Stuffing his hands in his pockets he shrugged unlike him at the blond guy. It wasn't in his interest that Serenity was telling her brother so many details about the when of them falling in love but however, actually it was the truth, wasn't it?
Joey came to his senses when Mai squeezed his hand softly. "Well, can't do much 'bout it, can I?" The blond man shrugged as well while his girlfriend was shrugged this time.
"If that's not my brother!" A familiar voice belonging to a certain nineteen-year-old beamed from behind. "Are you having a party without me, guys? That's pretty much unfair of you!" The cheeky grin was upon his face when he gazed from Seto to Joey and back. "Gladly I'm here now. The moods seem to be miserable…"
Joey's eyes suddenly fastened on Mokuba with a glare. "You!" He hissed and Mokuba's blue-gray eyes obviously widened in shock. "Actually I wanted to punch your face till you're looking like an apple pie but…" The blond suddenly grinned. "Seeing that obviously it doesn't really matter to my sister with which one of the Kaiba brothers she's going out I'm going to make an exception."
With a snort Kaiba shook his head and joined his sister. That Wheeler was some sick joke freak, he was sure about it.
Mokuba instead smiled innocently. "That was the whole plan. Serenity and I were just together to get her closer to my big brother, you know?" The raven-haired laid an arm around the blond guy's shoulders.
Joey just smiled wryly. "Doesn't make any difference really."
"What's there to celebrate actually?" Mokuba asked ignoring the discussion they had been in second ago. Rebecca Hawkins stood next to Mokuba and silently took his hand.
"Joey and I are going to get married!" Mai exclaimed happily lightening the moods.
"Shit! I mean, congratulations!" The young Kaiba grinned and wrapped an arm around his girlfriend's waist. "From both of us! Right, Becka?" The girl nodded reassuring him.
Seto couldn't help but look at Serenity in expectation how she might react to the picture of his brother with Rebecca. Feeling his eyes upon her she turned and smiled at the brown-haired taking his hand in hers. She sighed blissfully and leant close to his ear.
"I love you."
The end.
(A/N: Finally. It had taken me quite a long time. Happy ends are not my strength. Anyway, there may be an epilogue soon in order to prepare for a sequel in another generation!)
