Chapter 11

When Seth and Seto Kaiba pulled into the parking lot of the Second Street First Baptist Church their father was waiting for them in the parking lot, standing by a silver Lexus parked among many of its kind in the section of the lot in best view of the highway. The twins glanced at each other and rolled their eyes before Seto found an empty space and they climbed out of the car, tugging at their neckties in a moment of shared discomfort.

By that time Gozaburo had reached them, puffing out his chest and letting out a pleased huff of air that ruffled his mustache. "Wonderful! You wore the suits your mother bought for you; she'll be so pleased."

Seth and Seto glanced at each other. The thick polyester suit jackets and matching pants – Seto's in navy blue and Seth's in gray – had been an ordeal for both of them, since Seto hated wearing any sort of suit, preferring long coats and striking colors as his symbols of power, and Seth merely sulked because they were uncomfortable. However, they both caved in the end, as they were hoping to get through this day with as little headache as possible. Deciding to ignore their father's comment for now, they asked simultaneously, "Where's Mama?"

Gozaburo let out another mustache-ruffling snort and adjusted his belt over the wide berth of his stomach before gesturing for his sons to follow him. "She's inside. You know she likes to have coffee in the fellowship hall with the other ladies before church," he answered, and the twins followed him to one of the pairs of glass double doors that led into the building.

Before they could open it, however, a graying man with thick glasses and an over-bright smile was already holding it open for them. "Good morning, Brother Kaiba. I see you brought your sons with you today. Fine looking young men, I'll say." He handed them each a peppermint and a bulletin with the picture of a dove holding an olive branch in its mouth, the logo "Second Street First Baptist" in shiny, raised letters along the bottom.

"Thank you, Brother," Gozaburo told the man, giving him a smug smile, and the three Kaibas proceeded into the foyer.

"Brother, would you switch mints with me? I prefer the green ones," Seto asked his twin, smirking.

"Why of course, Brother. These are fine looking mints, I'll say," Seth replied.

"Stop that, you two!" their father hissed. "You'd best behave for your mother or I'll…"

"Darlings! You're here! You look so thin!"

"Hello, Mama," the twins dutifully replied, turning to look at the woman who had just appeared around the corner. She wore a long yellow dress with a pattern of pink flowers under a short matching jacket of the same print, which seemed to be part of the dress though it was hard to be sure. Her dyed blonde hair just touched her chin and had been teased and sprayed until it stood at least two inches above her head on all sides. Enormous silver hoop earrings and a pink purse completed the ensemble. "You look nice, Mama," Seth and Seto added, still speaking simultaneously. At the moment it was less of a twin thing and more of knowing the right things to say to their mother.

"Oh, stop it, you two," she scoffed, though she couldn't prevent a pleased smile. "We'll eat after service and I'll stuff you with some of my famous mashed potatoes, how does that sound?"

"Yes, ma'am," they replied.

"I love your cooking, Mama," Seto added, smiling down at the petite woman.

"Oh, you!" she fluttered and hugged him. Seth made a face at his brother over her head.

"Come on, it's time for service to start," Gozaburo said, prying the two apart and wrapping his arm around his wife's shoulders.

Second Street First Baptist was an affluent church, to say the least, just like the majority of its members, most of whose families had attended services in the enormous brick building for at least three generations. The sanctuary, which was at least two-thirds full by the time the Kaiba family entered, consisted of four rows of wooden pews split by aisles that seemed to stretch on for centuries up to the "altar," which was really just a set of steps leading to the stage. The stage was set off by two flags, an American flag on the right and a Christian flag on the left. Stained glass windows decorated with varying pictures of doves, crosses and other Bible scenes stretched up to the high ceiling and let in squares of tinted sunlight.

Gozaburo led his family along the center aisle to the "Kaiba pew," the fifth pew from the front on the left center, nodding at a few middle-aged businessmen and their wives as he passed. As he approached the pew, he raised his thick eyebrows and his mustache ruffled again when he saw a man already sitting there. "Excuse me."

The skinny young man glanced up and smiled. "Yes?"

"I'm going to need you to move. This is where my family sits."

"Um…" the man glanced at the otherwise empty pew. "Do you need me to stand up so you can slide in?"

Mrs. Kaiba gasped and her husband narrowed his eyes dangerously. "I believe you misunderstood me. This is where the Kaiba family sits. I trust there are some empty seats in the back."

The man looked for a moment like he might protest, but at Gozaburo's prolonged stare he rose and walked away, muttering under his breath. The elder Kaiba smirked at his back before ushering his wife ahead of them into the pew. "Bastard," Seth hissed quietly.

"What did you say, boy?" Gozaburo turned from where he had been about to sit and fixed his gaze on Seth.

"I said—"

Seto kicked him, ignoring his brother's glare. "He said that guy was a bastard."

"Ah. Watch your language, remember you're in church."

Seth childishly stuck out his tongue at his father before sitting beside him. Seto plopped at his other side and immediately hissed in his ear, "What do you think you're doing? Are you trying to piss him off?"

"What do I care if he's mad? He's practically disowned me anyway," Seth snapped back in a harsh whisper.

"You're the one who's all about family togetherness—"

"Boys! Don't make me separate you." Gozaburo's low growl drew the twins' attention to the stage, where the preacher was making his first appearance.

"Good morning everyone," the smiling man on stage said to the audience. He was a vaguely good-looking man, save for a slightly red face and the beginnings of a receding hairline, and he wore an ill-fitting navy blue suit that greatly resembled Seto's, much to the sophomore's consternation. "I'd like to open up our service this morning with a few moments of silent prayer. If you'll all bow your heads."

The congregation obeyed and silence fell over the room – until the rustling of a candy wrapper sounded from the direction of the Kaiba pew, following by the crack of someone chewing on hard candy. A few people glanced in their direction and Seto opened one eye, seeing Seth chomping loudly on his peppermint. He stomped on his brother's foot.

"OW! GODDAMMIT!" Seth shrieked and the peppermint promptly lodged itself in the back of his throat, sending him into a coughing fit. He doubled over and clutched the back of the pew in front of him as he choked, his father and brother "helping" by pounding on his back.

Thirty seconds later, the thirty-person robed choir sang the first stanza of "Amazing Grace" and Seth glared at Seto from the other side of his red-faced mother and father. His twin wouldn't spare him a glance, so Seth discreetly pulled his cellphone from his pocket and sent his brother a quick text message.

I hate you

At the buzzing in his pocket, Seto pulled out his phone and read the message, rolling his eyes. He glared at Seth and sent back:

Why should I care?

I'll tell Dad about your "Southern girl"

Then I'll tell about yours

By this time the glares the twins sent at each other could have melted steel, but they both knew they were stuck. Even if they would, neither could tell their parents on the other without his own secrets leaking out. And even though Seth didn't particularly care what his father thought of him, his mother was a different story. As much as he and Seto fought, for the moment, they were allies.

Seth sighed and sent one last text message.

I'm hungry.

Yeah. Me too.

Bakura blinked, his hand raised in midair to not so lightly rap on the door to the twins' dorm, looking into the wide crimson eyes of the younger Latino twins. Lowering his hand, the white-haired man gave a curt nod of his head as Yami slowly and quietly closed the door behind him, leaving them both out in the hallway.

"I need to see your brother."

Biting his lip, Yami's eyes glanced from the other to the door and back again. "He's sleeping and I was just going out to the library to get some research done."

Bakura frowned at the subtle hint that Yami wanted to leave his brother in peace. "I still need to talk to him."

"Is this about your date with Malik? By the way," Yami grinned, "How did that go?"

He scowled, "That's not any of your business."

"I'll just find out from Malik anyway."

"You do that then, in the mean time…." Bakura left the rest of his thoughts hanging as he gently pushed by the twin, put his hand on the doorknob, and began to turn it.

"Bakura wait!" Yami whispered heatedly, his eyes narrowed in a way that made him look exactly like his brother.

"What?"

"Look, Atemu's had a rough night and he doesn't need you messing with him right now."

A rather devious looking grin spread across his face, "Well then, if he's had a rough night, he needs me to help him feel better." And with that, he opened the door, stepped through and closed it on the younger male, faintly hearing 'damn it' coming from the other side. Quickly, he locked the door, making sure he would not be interrupted. Looking over toward the bed, he began to unbutton his shirt, tossing it on the floor and using the toe of his boot, he pulled them off also before making his way to the sleeping figure.

Gently, he lifted the covers, frowning when he noticed that Atemu wasn't naked but then he shrugged his shoulders and carefully slid himself into the bed. Reaching a hand out, he brushed golden bangs out of the other's face, staring momentarily at the peaceful look before he leaned in and kissed Atemu's slightly parted lips. Getting no response, he moved in closer, running his hand through silky, sleep-tousled hair, his mouth and tongue gliding effortlessly down the exposed neck of the Latino.

Crimson eyes blinked open, pushing their cloudiness away as heated moisture descended down to the juncture of his neck and shoulder, gentle nips causing him to open his mouth, a moan escaping before he could fathom what was causing him to feel this way.

"Hmm... Kura?"

Silvery-white hair came into view when addressed male lifted his head, those brown eyes dark with lust. Atemu shook his head, bringing his hand up to stop Bakura when the other leaned in again to kiss him. "What are you doing?"

"What does it feel like?" he questioned as he let one of his hands snake under Atemu's gray t-shirt, his fingers ghosting over smooth skin. "I'm trying to get fucked."

Shaking his head again, he grabbed his friend's hand, stilling the caresses, and pushed himself back further away from the older male. "No, not anymore. Not from me at least."

A low growl was heard, the only thing breaking the silence. Atemu turned his head away, frowning a bit before he climbed out of the bed, walking over to his brother's and sitting down on it, facing that hard chocolate gaze. "And why the hell not? Isn't that what we do? Screw each other?"

Even as he frowned, Atemu could only nod his head. "Yeah, but now you have Malik and even I'm not low enough to mess up another's relationship."

"What relationship?" Bakura asked as he sat up, throwing his feet off the bed till he was facing Atemu. "It was one date and there was no sex…I hardly call that a relationship."

Atemu laughed, "You're an idiot. Even you have to see what he thinks of you. He likes you a lot. And you don't have to have sex to be in a relationship or date someone."

"Says the person who spread his legs for me the first night we met."

Crimson eyes hardened, "You have a good thing going for you if you grow up enough to realize that. I highly suggest you pay attention to Malik and be good to him. Don't screw it up," he growled out, standing up and walking towards the door. Opening it up, he turned back toward the only friend he had…or did have. "You can leave now."

Pissed and a little shocked, Bakura grabbed his shirt, throwing it on hastily, and then grabbed his boots. "What the fuck happened to you? You're going to throw me out after everything?"

A dark eyebrow rose, "Everything? We had sex, we had a good time and that's all it was to you wasn't it?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You didn't get laid last night and the first thing you did this morning was come to me looking for a release. Not to talk about your date, or how my night went, or even to see how I felt about the whole thing. I mean after all – according to your terms – we had a relationship since we had sex, right?"

Bakura snapped his mouth closed, his jaw clenching. He really had nothing to say to that. But as he walked out the door, he turned and looked at Atemu one more time, one question still plaguing his mind, "Why the sudden change Atemu?"

Crimson eyes softened slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Let's just say, I might have finally found what I've been looking for."

Gozaburo inhaled deeply, and for a moment his chest was nearly the size of his distended stomach until he let out a loud huff of air and grinned at his sons. The three were seated in brown wicker rocking chairs on the front porch of the Kaiba home, enjoying the balmy weather while they waited for their lunch. "Gorgeous, isn't it boys? Worth the forty-minute commute to work, just to be able to smell this fresh air."

"Yeah, I'm sure the land and the giant house don't hurt anything, either," Seth muttered. His brother smirked.

"Of course, boy! We couldn't have the horses if we lived in the city; and just look at that land! White picket fence, pond almost the size of a small lake… Why, Seto, if you ever run for politics you've already got the perfect backdrop for your commercials. Media just eats this stuff up."

Seto made a vague murmur of assent.

"You know boys, I thought about politics myself. I'm still not too old, I've got plenty of vitality left in these old bones, and it would do my heart good to see a Kaiba run for governor. Heck, even mayor. But then I said to myself, 'Kaiba, old boy, do you really want to do that to your wife? You'll have the women chasing you in herds, and if you ever gave into temptation it'd break the little lady's heart.' So I decided not to. And besides, I have two handsome, genius sons, and at least one of them is on the right track to a proper Kaiba future." Here he shot Seth a dark look, who merely rolled his eyes in response.

Seto quirked an eyebrow. "You want me to run for mayor?"

"Governor, boy, governor! Don't set your sights so low! But that's years away yet, don't worry about it just now." He reached over and patted Seto on the knee. "For now you just focus on finishing school and getting ready to follow in my footsteps with the family business. And of course, courting your little girlfriend and settling down with a Mrs. Kaiba of your own."

At this, Seth let out a choked cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh. Gozaburo turned to him, heavy eyebrows furrowed. "Something funny, boy?"

"Oh no, Father, nothing at all." He grinned at Seto's warning glare, causing his brother to growl under his breath.

"Seth's got a girlfriend, too, Father, did you know?" Seto put in smoothly. "Well, he's working on it, at least. She's rather… spunky."

"Spunky, eh?" Gozaburo echoed, cackling. "Well maybe you do have some sense after all, Seth. Your mother was like that; a real spitfire, that one. And that's putting it nicely…"

"I heard that." Before Seth could reply his mother had walked up behind him and cut in on the conversation. "Lunch is ready," she added, giving Gozaburo an indulgent smile.

"Wonderful!" The man boomed, rubbing his over-large belly as he stood and gestured for his sons to follow. "Come along boys, we'll finish this conversation at the dinner table."

The twins followed Gozaburo inside, through the spacious, hardwood entryway and down the hall, passing their father's lounge – in which the only furniture were two recliners, a plasma television and the various trophy deer heads that lined the walls – and their mother's sitting room – also filled with her "trophies;" pretty, frilly things she had crocheted and her collection of unicorn figurines – before they reached the dining room. The dining room had obviously been intended for nothing but that – dining – and the only piece of furniture in it was the eight-person, hand-crafted mahogany table in the center of the room, the picture window in one wall letting in a square of sunlight that landed on the carpet a few feet short of the food-laden table.

"It looks wonderful, Mama," the twins said simultaneously, sitting beside each other to the left of the table's head. Their mother sat across from them and Gozaburo took the seat at the head.

"Thank you dears," she beamed. "We have fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and cornbread, so you boys had better put some meat on your bones! And I made peach pie for dessert, so be sure to save room for that, too."

Seto glanced at Seth and rolled his eyes, but the two dutifully filled their plates and began eating. Their mother was a good cook, even if the food tended to stick to their stomachs and make them sick later. But maybe any meal would make them sick after surviving mainly on coffee and ramen noodles the way they had since college.

Ten minutes later, after everyone had made a sizable dent in their food, Gozaburo spoke up again. "So, Seth, let's hear about this new girlfriend of yours."

The twins both choked on their food.

"Uhh…" Seth began. Seto coughed loudly to hide his laughter. "We're not… actually together yet… but… uh…"

Gozaburo narrowed his eyes. "She's not some tramp you're trying to hide from the family is she? Are you causing trouble again, boy?"

Seth growled but Seto stomped on his foot under the table, quickly cutting in. "No, Father, she's very pretty. And… ah… spirited. Seth's been chasing her for awhile but he's finally starting to wear her down. In fact, he told me he's going to call her tonight and finally ask her out. Isn't that right, Seth?"

Blue eyes widened in his tanned face as Seth stared at his twin brother in amazement. Seto was actually defending him? Well, he supposed part of it was not wanting to lose face in front of their father, since Seth could easily give away his brother's secret; but still. It felt nice to think that Seto was on his side. "Uh… yeah, that's right, Seto."

Gozaburo sniffed. "Well I have no doubt she's pretty enough. Kaibas have always been known for their excellent taste, after all." Their mother rolled her eyes. "What about you, Seto? Are you getting serious with that girl of yours? You know your mother and I wouldn't mind seeing you settle down – a long engagement would be just the thing, set the wedding for when you graduate, that gives us plenty of time to plan the details and make sure all the right people are there…"

"We're not that serious," Seto muttered, staring at his plate as his ears reddened in embarrassment. "We've only been out on a few dates."

"Is that so?" Gozaburo let out a great, booming laugh. "Oh, it's one of those relationships, then. You boys are at the age to have fun. Enjoy yourself while you're young, I always say!"

"Hey, why is okay for him and not for me?" Seth muttered under his breath. Seto shot him a look. "It's not like that, Father," Seth spoke up. "Yami's a nice… girl, and they're completely hung up on each other. Seto's just being shy." Seto's ears reddened even more at that and he glared at his brother, obviously not as thrilled with Seth's defense as Seth was with his.

"Yami, eh? Strange name. Is that Japanese? I thought you said she was a Southern girl."

"Oh she is, very Southern." Seth smirked.

"Asian descent, then? That's wonderful, Seto! Those Japanese are always ambitious, can count on them to make lots of money. Not to mention good-looking women, too. Well I remember when…"

Seth and Seto shook their heads as their father went into a long rambling, monologue, the twins only half-listening as they turned their attention back to their lunch.

Atemu yawned loudly, not bothering to be respectful enough in front of his brother's presence to cover his mouth as he leaned over Yami's shoulder, peering at the current sketch he was working on. Crimson eyes blinked, trying to fight sleep as he studied the fine details that were just beginning to show on the white backdrop. He smiled, gently laying a hand on the desk, allowing himself to get a better view without disturbing his twin's concentration.

He had always loved to watch Yami paint or draw. The younger male had a real talent and just being able to sit back and watch as wordless emotions sprung to life on whatever his brother decided to use at that particular time. Pride was too weak of a word to describe how he felt toward Yami whenever he looked at a finished piece.

"Looks like home," Atemu whispered absentmindedly, not really realizing he was voicing his conclusion to what he was looking at.

The sound of the charcoal pencil stopped, similar ruby-colored eyes flicked in his direction. "Yeah, it is…or will be rather, once I'm done."

Atemu flinched, "Sorry, didn't mean to bother you."

A soft smile and Yami shook his head, laying the pencil down, turning in the chair to fully face his brother. "You didn't. Besides, this is personal, not schoolwork."

"Ah, so why are you…" A sudden ringing of the phone threw both the brothers off, each turning to look at the cellphone that had been tossed onto Yami's bed earlier that day. Being as he was the one already standing up, Atemu walked over to the bed, grabbed the phone, flipping it open only to scowl at the name 'Kaiba' on the caller ID.

"It's for you," he said as he tossed the phone to his brother before flopping back onto the bed, willing his mind to go someplace else so he wouldn't have to listen to the nauseating conversation that was sure to happen. He closed his eyes, letting out a breath only to yelp slightly when something hard landed on his stomach, bouncing lightly until it slipped off and onto the covers of the single bed.

"Actually, it's for you."

Furrowing his eyebrows, Atemu opened his eyes, sitting up and looking at his brother's amused smile with a bit of wariness. "Why the fuck would your boyfriend want to talk to me?"

Yami's smile just grew, a strange look in his eyes that Atemu found rather disturbing, "Who said it was my boyfriend? There are two Kaibas you know." Chuckling a bit, Yami turned back around, picked up the charcoal and set out to work again while Atemu stared at the phone wondering whether or not he should pick it up. But curiosity won out. The idea that Seth could be on the other line sent some strange fluttering feeling down into his chest, and a rare smile on his lips – and hormones weren't the cause of it either.

"Hello?" he finally answered, mentally scowling at how eager he sounded.

"Hey Babe," Damn fluttery feeling, "How are you?"

"Feeling a bit nauseous, but otherwise fine."

"Oh? You aren't getting sick are you? Because I was really hoping you could accompany me to this Latino festival they are holding in town this coming weekend."

Two butterflies turned into ten as Atemu stared, wide-eyed at the wall in front of him. "Latino Festival?" Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Yami once again had stopped what he was doing and had turned in his seat so he could watch.

"Yeah, they hold it once a year, here in Atlanta. I've never been before…but then again, I didn't have a reason to until now either."

Scratch that, there were fifty of those suckers fluttering about in his stomach and chest now. "This weekend?"

"Yeah. So…?"

Atemu swallowed, sparing a glance to his smiling brother. A date? No sex involved, just a simple outing…with talking, laughing, getting to know each other…he could do that…right? "Umm, sure."

"Great, I'll pick you up at three on Saturday. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, this Saturday at three."

"K, see you in class tomorrow."

Atemu continued to hold the phone to his ear even after the dial tone sounded. He blinked, turning his head to look at his expectant twin, his mind reworking over what he had just agreed to before he threw the phone to Yami, jumped off his bed and practically ran to the closet they both shared.

"What's wrong?" Yami asked, closing the phone and watching with wide eyes as his brother furiously rummaged through his clothes, throwing an odd assortment of jeans, shirts and leather pants over his shoulder onto the floor.

Atemu spun around, wide-eyed and slightly panicked looking, and threw his hands up into the air. "I have nothing to wear!"

The oddity of what his twin had just said sent Yami into a fit of laughter, the younger twin barely able to keep himself in his chair. "And who's acting like the girl now?"