Coming of Age

AN: Note to self- DO NOT set update dates. I freaked out when I realized I had to write three pages, but thankfully got some help from the friend who inspired this whole story in the first place. Now they are beta reading it for me (least, that's what they're supposed to do. I think they just want to read it before it's out.). Now I should probably write that research paper and those thank yous... Chapter four, Overheard Conversations.

Mokuba peeked out of his bedroom door, convinced that at any moment Seto would jump out from behind something (he wasn't sure what, as there really wasn't anything in the hallway), shove him back in to his bedroom and rape him- or worse, convince Mokuba to have consensual sex with him. He thought about that last bit again. Technically it couldn't be consensual; Seto had recently turned 18, so whether Mokuba consented or not, it was still rape. But that really wasn't the point. He crept from the room, carefully avoiding the squeaky boards until a maid caught him and informed him his brother had a guest, so he could relax. The staff wasn't sure why the younger of the Kaibas was so studiously avoiding his brother when before it had been hard to separate them. Still they assisted whenever they could. Mokuba was by far the more pleasant of their employers. As he slipped past his brother's bedroom, he heard noises from within. Somewhat curious he pressed his ear to the keyhole. Then he made a face. That was Yugi's voice.

"Ah, ah, ah! Oh!" Mokuba was about to head for the bathroom (whether to vomit or for another cold shower he wasn't sure) when Yugi actually spoke.

"So how's Mokuba?" His voice was a little breathless, but perfectly coherent.

"Still hiding up in his room." Seto grunted, sounding disappointed. "I didn't think he be that bugged by it." There was a long pause in which the creaking bed could be heard, along with some pants from both of them. Just as Mokuba was about to leave, Yugi spoke.

"Should we go join him?" He sounded normal, but this was quickly followed by a yelp and a good thirty seconds of whimpers. Seto spoke again.

"No... He's still freaked out about that incident in the car." Mokuba winced, remembering. After his rather boring kiss from Serenity he had fallen asleep and by the time he had woken up the others had a party in full swing. Seto had had a few to many and Mokuba had to help him to the car. Once they were settled and on their way home Seto slurred out, "Hey Mokie, that skirt looks really pretty." Mokuba had squirmed away, but Seto dragged him onto his lap. That was all he did, though Mokuba had a strong suspicion that it wasn't Seto's belt-buckle digging into his ass. It had been three days but still... it was just... creepy.

"He'll come around." There was a loud creak from the bedsprings and Yugi's voice caught. "He is getting to be that age."

"I know. I just don't understand. I mean, he's turning down sex!" Seto said sounding outraged. "And do you know what Joey told me? He kissed Serenity!"

"Joey kissed her or Mokuba did?" Yugi sounded mocking. Mokuba could just hear Seto's growl of anger and Yugi's increased groans through the thick wood of the door.

"Mokuba! I mean, what if he's straight? How did I raise a straight boy? What did I do wrong!" Mokuba winced. He didn't want to disappoint Seto, but he didn't want to hop in bed with him either. Though Yugi seemed to be enjoying himself...

"Don't worry about it." Yugi soothed. "Soon he'll realize that women aren't as hot as the ads make out and it will be proved that your family produces only gay children." This was followed by a good ten minutes of creaking bedsprings and various gasps and moans. Just as Mokuba was about to leave and take a much needed cold shower someone grabbed his shoulder. He whirled around to find Tea smiling at him.

"Hi! Aren't they done yet? I only asked for a fifteen minute video." She asked cheerfully. Mokuba stared, wondering if the girl had gone even further off the deep end than she already was.

"Um, I have no idea what... Say, how did you get in here? The gates are always locked and guarded."

"Oh, I came to drop of Kaiba's new restraints for Yugi. I had to special order them since they don't generally make them so small." She listened at the door for a moment and then sighed. "I think they finished the video. They're just wasting time." And before Mokuba could stop her Tea opened the door and marched in. Mokuba caught a glimpse of bare skin and firmly closed his eyes, waiting for her shriek of outrage and disgust. Instead he heard her ask calmly whether they were done with the video and where it was. A minute later she walked out holding an unmarked video cassette. Mokuba goggled at her.

"Did you know that they were...?" He asked her, marveling at her composer. Maybe it was shock...

"Fornicating like a couple of mad gay rabbits? Duh. What did you think they were paying me with? I buy them their toys; they make me a few sex tapes. Everyone ends up happy."

Yeah, in the pants, Mokuba thought. But apparently it wasn't shock.

"Say, Mokuba... Do you still have the clothes we bought you? I'd like to take a few pictures." Tea asked, bating her eyelashes. Mokuba blushed, not at the mild flirting, but that he did indeed still have the clothes. Late at night he had been putting them on and admiring himself in the mirror.

"No." He told her firmly. "I've got to go." He turned and rushed off, thinking of going downstairs for lunch since Seto seemed otherwise occupied. The cook was serving hot dogs as he entered. Mokuba took one and grabbed a bottle of ketchup. Ten minutes later he was still fighting with the catsup bottle for the red condiment that he wanted to be on his hot dog. Staring into the nozzle that seemed to be blocked, presumably with dried ketchup, Mokuba squeezed the bottle. It let out a tired wheeze. Squeezing harder he was rewarded with the desired ketchup, except instead of going on to the hot dog it squirted straight into his face.

"Napkin?" Seto's sardonic voice murmured in his ear. Mokuba grabbed the offered napkin and wiped his face.

"I would suggest aiming it at the hot dog. Or putting the nozzle in your mouth if you just wanted catsup. Also, squeeze gently." Seto continued. Sighing Mokuba turned the bottle over and squeezed. The thick liquid poured smoothly onto the hot dog. Hungrily, Mokuba shoved it into his mouth. Seto stared at him.

"What?" Mokuba managed to say around his mouthful of meat, bun, and ketchup.

"Your mouth fits much more than I would have guessed." Seto paused. "And didn't I teach you not to speak with a full mouth? Depending on what it's full of."

"I- what?" Mokuba stared. Surely his brother was not flirting?

"Never mind. Mokuba, your thirteenth birthday is in two days. I was thinking we could have a nice party." Seto said.

"What kind of party? The kind with old people in suits admiring how tall I'm getting before they start talking about business? Or the kind with friends?" Mokuba asked. Suddenly he realized a night spent socializing with Yugi, Joey, Tristan, Duke, and his brother might be just as bad as the suits.

"Well, I was thinking friends. You can of course invite your friends from school and Serenity could come." Seto's voice remained even but there was a hint of a challenge in the way he smiled, like he knew that the kiss was not enjoyable. Mokuba wanted to wipe the smirk off his face.

"Yeah, I'd like that." He said defiantly. "And Seto? Let's make sure we have bottles to play games with. I think I'm old enough now."