Chapter 4: Fit, But You Know It.

"Sixty-three... Sixty-four... Sixty-five..."

Yami wiped away the small beads of sweat forming on his brow with the back of his hand, and exhaled slowly. His arms were screaming at him in protest, but he continued his push ups. After all, he didn't want to look weak in front of Seto Kaiba. It just wasn't an option. He glanced up, but the brunette was staring outside the cell; probably looking for guards.

"Seventy... Seventy-one..."

The exercise routine was Kaiba's idea. While they still had no idea how to get out of their prison, Kaiba reasoned they should stay as fit as they could, should an opportunity to escape arise. Of course, with a single bowl of rice between them per day, the food situation was critical. Yami had, at one stage, seriously considered the nutritional value of his fingers, but by then he was already so thin his fingers were mere skin and bone. And there were very few parts of his anatomy he was willing to sacrifice.

"Eighty-nine..."

"C'mon, Yami, you're slowing down. You only have eleven to go, don't be so slack. Or are you just weak?"

Irritated, Yami made a rather rude gesture with his finger, while continuing his push ups on one arm. He had over-estimated his strength, however, and fell to the floor, slightly winding himself. Kaiba spluttered a laugh, and stood over the ancient one.

"Well, your Majesty, King of Games, didn't you just make an arse of yourself?"

"Fuck off, Kaiba." Yami sat up, rubbing his chest where it had hit the stone floor. By all appearances, the relationship between the old rivals had remained the same. They still bickered; always over petty, childish remarks. Yet there was no venom in their words, and while Yami repeatedly and vehemently told Kaiba to fuck off every day, it was obvious that if Kaiba were to leave, Yami would be rather upset indeed.

He liked to think Kaiba felt similarly - he certainly didn't hate Yami, which was a vast improvement. Yami spent a lot of time pondering the young man. Three months after his arrival in Yami's cell, all traces of illness had completely left him. Apart from the dirty clothes and unusual slightness of his figure, he looked little different to the businessman Yami had duelled so often. He still maintained his icy walls, keeping the world out.

Sometimes, when they were talking, or training together, Yami flattered himself he was able to see small openings in the young man's façade. But they were so few and far between, he began to wonder if Kaiba was opening up at all; whether it was just wishful thinking. Yami longed to get past those walls, to see Kaiba as only his little brother was able to.

For Yami loved Kaiba. He was sure of it now, though it had taken some time to realise, and even longer to admit to himself. He had always been physically attracted to the CEO - who wouldn't be? But, before the invasion, he had held Kaiba in such contempt as to not even consider feelings beyond a lust for his body. Now, though, after sharing the same three foot living space for endless months, after suffering alongside him, after watching him sleep...

It is often said, that when two people share a traumatic or dangerous experience, they build up an extremely strong bond. In Yami's opinion, 'extremely strong bond' didn't even come close to the way he felt. It was a physical pain somewhere deep in the pit of his stomach; a constant need coursing through his veins.

"Yami? You're off in a dreamworld again. As I recall, you still owe me eleven push ups."

Yami sprang to his feet, and before he knew what he was doing, had decked Kaiba. The other blinked, a fleeting look of surprise dashing across his features. Yami, too, was shocked - he literally did not know where that had come from. He supposed it was suppressed feelings; though this was hardly consolation, as he seemed to be suppressing far more sexual desires than feelings of anger...

Kaiba's brief surprise was quickly replaced by amusement. "You think you can take me, Yami?"

Ignoring the slight innuendo, Yami rose to the challenge. "With two hands and two legs tied behind my back."

"Oh, really?" Kaiba grinned, before raising a fist to Yami's temple. Yami ducked, turning slightly to avoid the other's second assault. He went to hit Kaiba again, but this time he was too slow, and his arm was caught in a tight lock behind his back. Kaiba pushed him up against the wall, the Pharaoh's cheek grazing against the cool stone wall. He struggled against the taller man, but could not release himself from his grip. Kaiba laughed softly in Yami's ear.

"Bastard," Yami spat.

"You always were a sore loser, Yami."

"How would you know, Kaiba? You've never beaten me."

"Last I checked, it was you pinned against the wall."

Yami pushed off the wall hard, wrestling with the other, trying to free himself. Kaiba's extra height set Yami at a disadvantage, but he disregarded the odds, as he was prone to doing. He was winning, at least for a little while; but then Kaiba made a come back, eventually managing to push Yami onto the cot.

Yami writhed and squirmed, in an attempt to get away from the other. Kaiba launched himself at Yami's wrists, holding them tight. They were at a deadlock, Kaiba on top of Yami in their little cot. Throwing all his weight behind him, Yami heaved upwards, but once again, Kaiba was too fast for him. Yami felt his arms pinned by two heavy objects - upon closer inspection, they were Kaiba's knees.

The situation hit Yami like a dragonfly hits a windscreen. He was in a bed, with a sweaty and disshevelled Kaiba sitting on top of him. Both were shirtless, and both were panting as if they had run a marathon. Or...

"Ha, ha, ha. I win."

Yami remained silent. On either side of his body, he could feel Kaiba's strong thighs holding him in place. Sweat was glistening in the dim light, clinging to his pale, heaving chest as he breathed. His beautiful blue eyes remained locked on Yami's red, and just for an instant, Yami could see further into Seto Kaiba's soul than ever before.

The clash of steel on steel broke the moment, and both looked over to the bars, where a bowl of rice and a pathetic looking plastic spork had been left.

"I had it yesterday. It's your's today," Yami muttered. Kaiba nodded, and wordlessly climbed off the other man. Yami hastily removed himself from the cot, and returned to his spot on the floor.

"Ninety... Ninety-one... Ninety-two..."

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A/N - sorry guys, I haven't really been updating much... ... ... ok, at all. There have been all sorts of exams and camps and formals, though, and life has been a little hectic... and i'm a little lazy. I know this is short, but expect more updates from now on, ok? I'll try and do B&R and get Hurtful Exclusions part I up next, ok? kewl.