Chapter 2: Reality TV

"Jounouchi, I told you to finish those signs already!" Anzu yelled.

"Dammit woman, I'm working as quickly as I can!" Jounouchi yelled back, waving his paintbrush so splotches of red landed on Anzu's cheek. "I'm not an octopus, I've only got two arms!"

"Calm down guys," Yugi interjected before Anzu could reply. His arms spread eagle between them, trying to keep as much space as possible between his two over-stressed friends.

"I am calm," Jounouchi growled. "Amazingly, considering I'm working under a slave driver!"

"Slave driver? You're just lazy and unproductive!" Anzu retorted. Yugi sighed, probably wondering what happened to all her calls for friendly togetherness.

The culture festival was coming soon for the students of Domino High and like always all the students were high strung and stressed with all the preparations. Before the weekend, Yugi's class had decided on doing performances. It had been suggested by the girls and with Anzu as their most vocal leader (not to mention the girls out numbered the boys in a class) it ended up being accepted. Much to the dismay of Jounouchi and a few other boy's, since they ended up doing most of the manual labour while the girls frolicked, played dress up and screamed orders. Jounouchi supposed it was better than being forced to frolic and be dressed up with them, like poor Bakura. It didn't take them too long to put him in something that resembled a dress.

The only one that was getting away unscathed was Kaiba. Though the girls had put on a valiant effort to have him dance with them. They spent ten full minutes whining under that icy glare before Kaiba finally became tired of them and promised to pay for all the expenses the class needed if they'd just leave him the hell alone.

It's true, money did buy everything. Jounouchi wished he had that kind of power.

"And you're an Amazon slave driver!" Jounouchi growled back at Anzu.

"Stop it already!" Yugi yelled, completely sick and tired of their fighting. They had been going at it all day. "I'll finish the signs and Jounouchi-kun can throw out the trash. Okay?" Yugi gave them both his most power glare, which had the intensity of a kitten's. It was about as cute too. They didn't have a chance.

"Fine."

"Whatever."

Anzu and Jounouchi glared at each other one last time before she stormed off in the other direction. Good, she was rejoining the other harpies, maybe they'd leave the guys alone for a while.

Yugi sighed in relief and tugged on Jounouchi's school jacket to get his attention. The boy's expression was no less serious, Jounouchi knew it had nothing to do with what had just transpired. Yugi looked around to make sure no one was looking or listening. Everyone was too engrossed in their own work to notice them. Yugi then turned his attention back to Jounouchi, looking rather sheepish, his cheeks pinking slightly.

"Er... Jounouchi-kun," Yugi began. "Are you okay? We haven't had a chance to talk since Sunday and... I was worried." He peeked up at Jounouchi through long dark lashes--Jounouchi never noticed how long they were until that exact moment--worry clearing etched in his violet eyes.

Ah yes, Sunday. A day that would live in infamy in the history of Jounouchi Katsuya. His fingers brushed his lips unconsciously remembering the kiss. When he realized what he was doing he quickly shoved his hand back in to his pants pocket and tried really hard not to look embarrassed. The way Yugi struggled in vain not to look amused let Jounouchi know he was failing.

"I'm fine," Jounouchi said. "It was so hectic yesterday. Kinda tired you know."

"Okay..." Yugi said. "I had thought that you were avoiding me or something."

Jounouchi patted Yugi on the head. "Never." He hoped he sounded convincing because even though he had not been actively trying to avoid Yugi on Monday, he had spent a lot of time doing things that kept them both separated. He also never tried to look for Yugi like he would have done on any other occasion. It wasn't that he was angry with Yugi, or even Yami, it's just that he felt awkward around them right now.

The whole situation was awkward and confusing. He just wanted to spend sometime in peace, actively trying not to remember all the advancements and surprising declarations he'd gotten all last week. For almost three years the population of Domino High had not realized that Jounouchi was an eligible, single--and rather attractive, in his humble opinion--male and now Domino city's King of Games and the most wanted bachelor were trying to get into his pants. What the hell?

"Are you sure?" Yugi pressed, leaning forward a little.

"Are you doubting me?" Jounouchi asked, feigning insult. Yugi shook his head rapidly, trying to explain himself.

"I-I just... after what happened with the other me, I thought you'd be mad. Especially since I didn't tell you..." he ended lamely. Poor guy seemed to not really understand what he was guilty about. Jounouchi smiled sympathetically and promised himself not to punish Yugi for his own problems, even if it meant facing Yami prematurely.

"I've got no reason to be mad at you Yugi," Jounouchi said honestly. "You've done nothing wrong. Okay? So forget about it. You're still my best friend."

Yugi nodded and smiled. Guess that did the trick, Jounouchi thought pleased with himself.

"Ne, Jounouchi-kun," Yugi called after a few minutes of silence. Jounouchi blinked and looked quizzically down at him. Yugi blushed a little again. "So about you and the other me..."

Jounouchi's eyes widened, there was just something very strange about Yugi saying 'the other me'. Like Jou was being hit on by Yugi... just a different side of him. Kinda like when he got roaring drunk and Honda would joking say that he got to see another side of Jounouchi.

Let's hope it wasn't quite like that.

"I'm sorry, it's a little hard to talk to you about that when he's basically right there."

Yugi giggled a little. "Right. Sorry." He whispered looking apologetic though Jounouchi could tell that he was disappointed. Yugi could be quite a little busy body.

His friend was starting to get that dazed look he always got when Yami was talking to him. It was always the strangest thing since Yugi always looked like he was zoned out and concentrating all at the same time. Jounouchi wasn't going to stick around to find out just what it was the pharaoh wanted. Yami usually refrained from coming out when Yugi was in school, unless something was going on that really pissed him off or his help was required, but that didn't mean he couldn't pass on something potentially embarrassing to Jounouchi through Yugi. Not that Jounouchi expected him to, but people did strange things when they were courting (Honda and Otogi were perfect examples) and Jounouchi had no interest in finding out what it was ancient Egyptians said or did to their dear ones in public.

Straightening out, Jounouchi shoved his hands in his pockets and moved towards the large trash bag begging to be disposed. "We better get back to work before Anzu notices we're not being 'productive'," Jounouchi said. He made a face while saying the last word.

Yugi blinked and looked at Jounouchi. "...oh--okay," he said a little distractedly. Jounouchi had the feeling that he just escaped something.

"Don't work too hard now," Takano teased as he walked out of the alleyway. "Oh that's right, I forgot who I was talking to."

"Ha ha--watch your back dipshit," Jounouchi warned, removing the trashcan lid. He grabbed the large trash bag and threw it in. Takano's laughter just rose, knowing Jounouchi was about as serious with his threat as Takano had been with his insult--not very.

Takano disappeared back into the school, leaving Jounouchi alone for the first time since he arrived in school this morning.

The start of culture festival had been a godsend for Jounouchi. With everyone running around preparing, there wasn't a single place that remained unoccupied for too long. Which meant Kaiba couldn't corner him in some dark, isolated part of the school. It made him less antsy and fidgety, not having to worry about some six foot tall beanpole stalking him into the bathroom.

Still he felt bad for using the culture festival as means to avoid Yugi. It was just awkward, and he was afraid that Yami would try something while they were in school. Jounouchi sighed, replacing the trashcan lid; he knew that Yami wouldn't do something like that. Yami, unlike Kaiba, actually had scruples. Jounouchi frowned, it was all Kaiba's fault. The brunet's advances had made Jounouchi oversensitive to these sorts of things now.

Did that mean that Jounouchi was implying that whatever the hell it was that Kaiba was doing was the same as Yami's admittance? It seemed unfair to Yami but all the same it made Jounouchi feel better. It wasn't just one of Kaiba's incomprehensible mind games, and he wasn't just some sort of... he didn't know... he just wasn't some toy! Something Kaiba fucked around with when he was bored. It meant there was something about Jounouchi that Kaiba couldn't help but want.

But they aren't the same, Jounouchi thought, turning and moving out of the alley, back into the school. Yami has feelings for you. Kaiba has problems.

Realizing he didn't want to go back to his classroom, he stopped just before entering the building. He wanted some peace. A place where he could just be alone. Maybe he'd think, maybe he wouldn't do any such thing. He didn't care as long as he could relax like he did before last week.

A smile graced his face as he stepped onto the roof and it wasn't just in response to the cool breeze that instantly blew through his hair. Though that was nice but Jounouchi's smile had to do with the memories that came to him. The roof was where he and Yugi, as well as Yami, had had some important moments. He and Yugi had strengthened their friendship here many times. He had also watched Yami think up here, make vows to save Grandpa Suguroku, red eyes narrowing and flashing fiercely with determination and ferocity.

"He's so cool," Jounouchi whispered. Slipping his fingers through the chain linked fence, he rested his forehead against the cool metal. The students could be seen below, running around the courtyard, pieces of sets or half completed stands scattered here and there. "He's got this intensity about him..."

He didn't know exactly how to word it. He supposed he could just sum it up by calling Yami what he was, an ancient monarch. He had all those great attributes that were admirable and desirable. He was powerful and kind, honest and dependable, safe and familiar... He was so many things that Jounouchi couldn't even begin to describe him. It made him want to give into Yami. Jounouchi Katsuya was never one to be swept off his feet but if anyone could do it, he supposed the spirit of the millennium puzzle probably could.

That was probably why he had responded to Yami's kiss, Jounouchi reasoned, remembering the way he had leaned into Yami, his mouth seeming to open of its own accord. It had felt good. Yes, there was no denying it, Jounouchi had enjoyed it. But then why did he not stay with him? Why couldn't Jounouchi bring himself to accept the pharaoh's feelings? It was like there was just something in Jounouchi's way, holding him back.

"I don't understand," he whined.

"That shouldn't come as a surprise. What do you ever understand?" Warm breath teased his ear and he gasped in surprise. Jounouchi's cheeks flushed in embarrassment, anger and something else indefinable to him at the moment. Spinning around he came face to face with a smirking Kaiba.

Jounouchi immediately wondered if Kaiba had over heard anything else he had said. The brunet had any uncanny ability of knowing things about Jounouchi that the blond rather he not know. But Kaiba didn't look upset, just superior. However that was a normal expression on his face. Kaiba, after all, thought he was a god or something. The egotistical bastard.

"Kaiba," Jounouchi said after getting some of his composure back. "What the hell is wrong with you!"

Well that wiped the smirk off his face. Jounouchi wasn't sure if it was reason to celebrate. The look in Kaiba's eyes now, Jounouchi was familiar with--had become very familiar with it over the past week--but the frown on his lips didn't match. It made Jounouchi uneasy. A feeling which increased as Kaiba invaded his space.

"You are," Kaiba responded. Jounouchi's confused look must have prompted him to elaborate. Or so Jounouchi assumed. Though the assumption seemed silly since Kaiba didn't do anything for Jounouchi's benefit. "You're my problem."

Jounouchi wasn't exactly sure what to think about that. One thing he did know was that when someone usually said something like that to him it was a good indicator that said person wanted to make him hurt, physically more often than not. Jounouchi had appropriately adopted measures so as to look unbothered while at the same time ready to strike or avoid a strike. When Kaiba said it though, he didn't feel the need to worry about physical harm. That didn't mean Jounouchi was all relaxed and fine. He was still nervous, edgy, alert for lack of a better word.

His mouth opened, trying to work out some sort of scathing retort or a question or something! Jounouchi forced himself to stop acting so pathetic.

Suddenly he was very angry.

"I'm your problem?" Jounouchi spit out. "No, you're my fucking problem." He growled, now taking a part in the continuing removal of his own personal space. "You, with all your fucking sexual harassment. Why don't you leave me the fuck alone?" His hand raised, his index finger poking Kaiba's chest, punctuating his every word.

"Sexual harassment constitutes as an unwanted sexual advance," Kaiba began, seemingly unbothered by Jounouchi's poking finger. That was until he grabbed the blonde's wrist and pulled him towards him, personal space had completely disappeared now.

"So?" Did Kaiba just purr? "When exactly did you tell me you didn't want it? During your needy whimpers or excited gasping?"

Jounouchi felt his face heat up. The fight draining from him. He did do those things, didn't he? Yup, while his hand squeezed Kaiba's shoulders and his body pressed closer to that lean, warm body. He had whimpered, gasped, whined and probably moaned too.

Kaiba smirked. His free hand was cupping Jounouchi's face, his thumb rubbing warm cheeks.

"Kaiba..." Jounouchi didn't exactly know what he wanted to say. He was confused now more than ever. He wanted Kaiba? Kaiba wanted him? The way he was touching and looking at Jounouchi made it seem so.

He wants my body?

Kaiba leaned forward, his warm breath washing over Jounouchi's face. Brown eyes disappeared under blond lashes. He wasn't even aware he had closed his eyes. But he did know that he was waiting--

I allowed it in the end. Blaming it on Kaiba isn't fair. But can I really accept him! Kaiba torments me. To allow this to continue... But I did. I do. I'm allowing it to continue without knowing why. Kaiba could just as easily be playing with me and here I am letting him.

--with breathe held. Anticipating. Jounouchi wet his suddenly dry lips. Kaiba was so close now. It was like Jounouchi's nerve endings were reaching out for him. He wasn't just allowing it. He participating--

But if it's just sex... nothing else, nothing sneaky, but the want of carnal pleasures... Isn't that okay?

--just like Jounouchi had done with Yami.

Yami.

"Jounouchi!"

Jounouchi swallowed hard. Some where, deep down inside, he had a feeling this was going to happen. That this was how they'd find out about each other. It was straight out of some soap opera. Only Jounouchi wasn't cheating on either of them (he wasn't even dating either of them!), there was no reason to feel any guilt. So why the hell did Jounouchi feel guilty and why couldn't he decided who the guilt was for? Damnit, his life just got a hell of a lot more complicated.

Watching them, Jounouchi felt like he was no longer in Domino city because the way Kaiba and Yami were glaring at each other reminded him strongly of how a cobra and mongoose look when they're facing off in those nature shows. As to what it all meant to Jounouchi in the grand scheme of things, he did not even want to begin to fathom. Though he had a fair enough idea.

Jounouchi forced down the blush that threatened to color his cheeks.

"So he is the mistake, Jounouchi?" Yami stated, never taking his glaring eyes off Kaiba. Jounouchi was sure that just how he hadn't missed the stress on the word 'mistake', Kaiba hadn't either. Oh this was not headed in a good direction. No it wasn't.

Now how to answer Yami without incurring Kaiba's wrath? Jounouchi quickly realized there really wasn't a way of doing so. Not without upsetting Yami even more so then he already was. He wondered if opting for shutting up was available to him. Considering how Kaiba and Yami only had eyes for each other he felt there was a fifty-fifty success rate.

"Yugi," Kaiba began, he never did care to differentiate between the spirit and Jounouchi's best friend. "I doubt what the mutt and I do is of any of your concern."

"When it comes to unwanted advances, yes it does," Yami snapped back.

"Who said they were unwanted?" Came Kaiba's silky reply.

Well Kaiba won that staring contest since Yami was now staring at Jounouchi with wide eyes. Kaiba only allowed himself a momentary look of triumphant before he also looked at the startled blond. The way Kaiba was looking at Jounouchi made it hard for him to breathe. It was so intense and his eyes were drawing Jounouchi in. The brunet was looking at him the same way he looked at Jounouchi just before pulling him into a particularly passionate kiss.

And then Jounouchi put two and two together. It was the same look Yami had given him just before he had kissed Jounouchi the day before yesterday on Yugi's couch. Which ultimately meant that Kaiba also had feelings for him. Kaiba just had a really screwed up way of displaying affection.

The realization didn't exactly floor Jounouchi the way Yami's declaration had but it was surprising nonetheless. It was different. It wasn't just about sex (or making out rather since they haven't had sex yet). Jounouchi wasn't exactly sure of the best course of action. Things had become more difficult. He vaguely was aware that this probably was one of his best chances to be rid of Kaiba. But he couldn't bring himself to do so, not after admitting to himself that he did allow Kaiba to touch him the way he did. But wait... he couldn't reject Yami for the same reason. Even though it was just that one time, Jounouchi had reciprocated.

Jounouchi looked at both Yami and Kaiba. So did he like them both? That couldn't be possible. He had to like one more than the other. Yami, though, had one up on Kaiba. After Jounouchi and Yami had kissed, the pharaoh had not left him confused. Jounouchi was still unsure as why Kaiba didn't stay. Why didn't Kaiba just tell him? He had already admitted his physical attraction, why not admit the emotional one as well? It made Jounouchi doubtful. Confused. Why did Kaiba always leave him afterwards? Maybe he had read the brunet wrong? Maybe he was giving Kaiba too much credit? Making him more human than Kaiba really was?

Both sets of eyes were settled on him. He felt paralysed from--suffocated by--the desire in their eyes.

"I don't know!" Jounouchi yelled, breaking under the intensity of their eyes. "I don't understand any of this!" He closed his eyes but he could feel the heat from Kaiba and Yami's gazes still on him. It was unbearable. It was searing him.

Stop it! I don't know!

He ran, shoving right past Yami, through the door and down the staircase. He vaguely heard a pair of voices call out his name but it just made him run faster, jumping over the banister to the next level. He needed to get away. Away from the weight, heat, and desire in their eyes.

TBC

A/N: Before I forget... I'm going to Florida for the next three weeks and I doubt I'll be able to connect to the internet. If it's any consolation, I'll try to work on the fic while in Florida.