Cursive

by Lethe Seraph

Nine: In Passing

DEAR SWEET MOTHER OF YUGI.

I screwed up so badly. XD For that, Ariadne Bassarid, you are my new hero.

Why did I write 'suitcase' instead of 'briefcase' FOUR FREAKING TIMES?

I went too far, didn't I.

No, I don't think you did.

He ran away. He won't be back.

He is pretty stubborn, but … I think he will. How did it feel?

What?

It's not just a game any more, is it?

Kaiba couldn't get it out of his mind, the feeling. It was like when he wasn't working – that inexplicable sense that something had to be done, but he didn't have the will – or even know, in fact, what it was that he had to do. Restless. Edgy. A lump in his throat.

But this time it had something else.

Electric.

He couldn't get that rough texture off of his mouth. The hand off of his back.

Seto Kaiba had been touched, and he wasn't entirely sure whether that was a bad thing.

Or why he had thought it was before.

It was desire.

Had it been there all along?

Desire.

He had needed a reason, and Mokuba had provided one.

Denial was useless.

"Mokuba, I need to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

Kaiba looked Mokuba straight in the eyes. "Your big brother is attracted to men."

Mokuba giggled.

So what are you going to do?

I'll wait.

For?

He'll come around. It would be unseemly of me to track Jou down – and I'll see him in school anyway.

Well, that's true. Tell me what happens.

Don't I always?

Jonouchi didn't come around. A week passed. They saw each other in school, yeah, but Kaiba didn't push anything, and Jou seemed intent on avoiding him. So they didn't talk, or even acknowledge each other's presence. Kaiba noticed Yugi looking at him oddly sometimes.

Two weeks.

A month.

Snow came and melted, and came and melted again. The windows were shut; no more distracting breezes. Instead, a heater hummed. Jou still didn't say anything. And Kaiba – having changed, just a little bit – respected him.

It was a cold January day when Jou talked to him again.

And he said this:

"Sorry."

"Sorry," said Jou quietly. "Listen, I just…"

Kaiba glanced around – they were the last two out of the room. "I shouldn't have done that," he said. "It was … unprofessional."

"Yeah, so, um… yeah. I'll…" Jou left it hanging. I'll see you around, then, Kaiba finished.

Awkward silence.

Their teacher entered the room and did a double-take. "Are you still in there? Get to lunch, already!"

They did.

Well, it's a start.

I suppose. I wonder why he chose to apologize now.

Who knows? Maybe it's been bugging him as much as it's been bugging you.

It hasn't been 'bugging me.' I'm fine.

Hmm. Well, if you're fine, then I won't tell you.

Tell me what, Mokuba?

Well…

Tell me what?