Chapter 18- Truth Be Told

Honda didn't see anyone when he walked back into Anzu's house. He knew there were other people in the room and he knew that there was music blaring and video games being played but everyone was a blur. Honda only wanted to see one person and he wasn't in the livingroom when he entered the room.

Otogi was there, chatting away with Shizuka casually. He saw Honda and waved, "Hey!"

Honda went over to him and asked, "Where's Bakura?"

"Ryou? He's in the kitchen."

Honda shook his head, "No. I need Bakura."

Both Shizuka's and Otogi's eyebrows raised, "Umm he's out back having a cigerette I think." Shizuka said, pointing towards the back door. "You okay, Honda?" she asked, "You look all pale."

"Fine." Honda answered and ran out the door. He found Bakura laying in the grass, a cigerette contently placed between his lips. "Bakura!"

The spirit didn't look away from the night sky, "Don't yell. I can hear you from a mile away. What's your problem this time, Kid?" he inhaled the cigerette with his eyes closed in bliss.

Honda dug his hands in his pockets and walked closer, "How did you fix Ryou?"

Bakura laughed, coughing a little on the smoke in his lungs. He sat up and smirked evily at Honda, "You can't 'fix' something like that, Honda. It's out of your control. Ryou's too fucked up."

"This isn't about Ryou." Honda said, "It's about Jou."

"The blonde?" Bakura asked, knitting his brows together, "Well, that's a little different, I suppose." he exhaled smoke through his nose, "Okay, Kid, what do you want to know?"

Honda sat down in the grass beside the spirit, "You said to me that Ryou was 'broken'. What did you mean?"

"That sort of stuff is confidential. I don't just anybody that. Ryou's a pansy, but he's still my lighter half and what I know about him isn't shit that I can just broadcast on the news." Bakura smirked, "Unless you can convince me otherwise."

"I know you love him."

Bakura's smirk left him, "You play a hard game." he pulled out his box of cigerettes and offered them to Honda, "Fine, but if you tell anyone, I'll skin you alive and leave your insides for the cats."

Honda nodded, silently taking a cigerette from the box, "Fine." he held the stick to his lips.

Bakura took out his lighter and held it for the other boy, "Have you ever smoked before?"

"Always interested me, but I never had a reason to really start." Honda inhaled enough to light the stick and quickly exhaled, not wanting to rush into his new hobby. He looked up at the stars, "Stop putzing around. Tell me about Ryou."

The yami nodded, "You have a one track mind. It's amusing." he smirked again and sighed, "Did you know that Ryou used to be with Marik?"

"Marik? You mean Malik's yami?" Honda's eyes went wide.

"Well aren't me smart?" Bakura rolled his eyes, "Yes, well, they were a very unlikely couple and it seemed as if Ryou had to be mad to be with Marik." he blew smoke into the air, "Funny thing about people. When they've been alone long enough, they'll do anything to recieve some sort of attention. That's what Marik gave him; attention." he shrugged, "Shit happened and eventually Marik got tired of Ryou. Ryou wasn't an innocent little boy anymore. He was forced on by Marik so many times that it just wasn't fun for him after a while. Ryou was beginning to like the pain that Marik put upon him. Ryou was falling in, dare I say it, love." Bakura shuddered at the word.

Honda nodded, feeling more relaxed with the cigerette between his fingers, "So, when Marik dumped him, what happened to Ryou?"

"He went into a depression, of course." Bakura said it as if it was no big deal, "He was a bloody mess. He didn't leave his room for two weeks. I'd have to climb into his window to bring him food. He never touched it either. I don't know why I even bothered."

Honda snuffed out his cigarette, "What happened after that?"

"He met you." Bakura handed Honda another cigarette, surprising himself with his charity, "I forced his ass out of bed one day and made him go to the store. I said 'Ryou, you lazy shit, I've been feeding you and keeping the house clean and the only thing I ask of you is to go to the store and buy the food.' He got up and when he came back, he was acting as if Marik never existed." he sat up and looked at Honda with umber eyes, "I never figured out what the hell you did to him." he glanced away, "Don't tell anyone, but I'm grateful."

Honda thought back to that day. What had he done? He vaguely remembered seeing Ryou there. He shrugged and Bakura and said, "All I remember was smiling at him. He invited me to sleepover a week later. That's all."

Bakura blinked, "You smiled?"

"...yea." Honda inhaled his smoke, "Maybe that's all he really needed. The kid needs love, Bakura. No one in his life has given him that. I guess..." he bit his lip, "I guess that's all people ever really need." He got up off the grass and brushed off his rear, "Thanks, Bakura. You really helped."

Nodding, Bakura laid back down into the grass, "You owe me two cigarettes and a dead cat." he laughed darkly as Honda's eyes went wide, "Relax. I'll get the cat myself." he waved Honda away, "Now leave before I do something nice again."

Honda smiled, "Bye, Bakura." he said and returned inside the house to find Anzu crying in the corner of the back porch. He went over with concern in his eyes, "Hey, Anzu? What happened?" he dug in his pocket and found a tissue. The girl hiccuped and took the tissue. She held it to her mouth as she sobbed. Honda looked into the party and saw Isis fuming next to her younger brother. Honda frowned, "Aw Anzu, I'm sorry. You know, you'll find someone someday. I'm sure of it. We all need some love, and you have enough with me and our friends. Don't forget that, okay?"

Anzu nodded, sobbing softly, "Thanks, Honda. I'm so glad someone cares." she wiped her eyes and stood up, fixing her skirt, "I guess I should just chin up. I'm always telling you guys to do that."

"That's the spirit." Honda smiled, rubbing her arm, "Come on. Let's both get back." he led her back into the party, looking a little happier; the weight on their shoulders a little lighter. Anzu went upstairs to clean her face and Honda walked over to Otogi and Shizuka. Shizuka looked over Honda's shoulder to find her brother coming out of the bathroom. She smiled for a brief moment before her face became stiff with horror, "Jou! Don't!"

Honda turned around to see Jou's fist a milisecond before it connected with his cheek. The party immediately stopped, everyone watching the blonde's rage above Honda's fallen body. Honda started wide eyed at his friend, too surprised to say anything. All he could think about was how Seto and Jou had fought earlier today, and Honda had forgotten to ask why.

"Jou, what the hell man?" Malik called out, grabbing Jou's arm just as it came up to strike again.

"What the hell? WHAT THE HELL?" Jou shouted, "You should be asking Honda that! THAT FUCKING BACKSTABBER!" he struggled against Malik and now Yami's grip, "I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY BEST FRIEND, HONDA! HOW COULD YOU GO AND TAKE MY BOYFRIEND?"

The whole room gasped, Honda stood up, his head down low, "Jou..."

"We tell each other everything!" Jou said, tears going down his cheeks, "You didn't even tell me you were gay! Why? Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Nobody knew!" Honda fought back, "I'm sorry, Jou! I really am! Yes, I love Seto Kaiba!" the whole room gasped again, "I don't know what else to tell you!" he looked away, "I've spent months sick and underweight because I was stressing out about making you and everyone else happy. I didn't tell anything I was gay because I didn't think anybody could handle it. Honda, the one that gets all of the girls, was really looking over their shoulders to check out the closest guy. Jou..." he bit his lip, "Hit me, hate me, do whatever you want to me, but I can't hide how I feel about your boyfriend any more. I love him, but it doesn't matter. He's all yours." he added the last part and immediately wished he could take it back. It was bad enough to lie to his best friend once.

Jou had calmed down a little bit, but he was still angered, "You won't pull anything to ruin our relationship?"

"If I was going to, I would have a long time ago, now wouldn't I?" Honda smiled, "Come on, Man." he opened his arms, "It's cool."

Jou nodded and smiled, embracing his friend. The rest of the room, who had been silently watching cheered at the rekindled friendship. Honda squeezed his best friend tight, knowing that any other surprises could kill any chances at looking at tomorrow without a black eye; or worse.

x-x-x

Sorry Jou.

A week later, Honda stood in front of Seto Kaiba. The two of them were standing very still in the CEO's office, not saying a word. Before Kaiba could say anything, Honda pulled him down, claiming his lips in a furious, passionate, kiss. Kaiba did not disagree, pulling Honda closer. The two couldn't satisfy their hunger. With each kiss came another and their hands could not find a place to rest of each other's bodies.

When they broke apart for air, Kaiba would always look at Honda with an expressionless face. He would have his lips parted to pant and would constantly run his thumb over Honda's lips. Everytime Honda would make eye contact with him, he'd look away. Honda didn't confront it; he didn't want to jepordise his new...what could he call it? Relationship? Affair? Well whatever it was, Honda was not going to ruin it. Kaiba was his; even for just a short while.

Kaiba sat Honda on his desk and kissed him softly, "I think taking you on my desk would not be the best way to break you in. Especially when you know the other events that have occured here."

Honda made a face, "That's a bad idea." he smiled and kissed Kaiba again, "One day, I'll lay in your bed with you."

Kaiba smiled, "We can go right now." he pulled the car keys out of his pocket.

The other boy took hold of Kaiba's hands and kissed them, shaking his head, "Not today. I'm still not ready."

"What's stopping you? Isn't that what you wanted?"

Honda nodded, "Yes...it was." he looked out the window of the office and sighed, seeing the sun setting in the horizon. He had saved himself for Kaiba all this time. Why was he suddenly saying no? He looked up at Kaiba and smiled, "Come on, my lunch break is over in ten minutes."

The smallest smile gathered on Kaiba's lips as he bent down and pressed his lips against Honda's. He broke apart just as he placed a small box in Honda's hands. "Then I'd better get you this."

Honda blinked, looking down at the light box, "What is that?"

"Merry Christmas..." Kaiba tapped Honda's nose, "I was going to give it to you, but didn't have the nerve."

Lifting the lid, Honda peeked inside to find a silver ring with a band of emerald going around the center. He gasped and slipped held it in the palm of his hand, "It's gorgeous."

Kaiba chuckled and picked it up, slipping it onto Honda's finger, "Perfect fit." he reached up around his neck and freed the dragon charm was hiding underneath his shirt, "Just like this."

Honda gasped, "You wear it?"

"Everyday." Kaiba kissed Honda's forehead, "You underestimated me, Hiroto."

Honda wrapped his arms around his lover and laughed, "I guess I did." he closed his eyes and stayed in bliss for a while. With luck, nobody would question where he went to for lunch.

x-x-x

Chapter 18 is over! This was a really messed up chapter. Forbidden love between Seto and Honda...looks like this fic is far from over. haha! See you around!