phwee? yami hobo: cheers that the new story got reviews Thanks for all the encouragement, it really helps me get over those hard spots! I hate flamers, but as long as they leave me alone, I'll let 'em live... winks Hope you keep reading/reviewing! Later!
Princess Strawberry: Yeah, I did make it up myself! See, since you're royalty, I'd call you "Your Highness", but I replaced High with Talented, hence "Your Talentedness". The Y/Y fluff will be back soon, since Yami's not to be outdone by Seto (you'll see what I mean in the chappie!) Glad you're still with us, and enjoy the fluff!
Assassin of the Shadows: Ryou as a bad-ass cop?! laughs hysterically Thanks for the chocolate cake, me and Diamond enjoyed it points to crumbs on the floor next to Diamond's supper dish and don't worry about your friend, I think it's cute you keep apologizing! At least it's not the opposite problem... shakes fist at insensitive friends Anyway, catch you later, and hope you keep reading/reviewing!
Starfly: Yeah, I'm never content with anything but the best for my readers! R/B are hell to write for... imagine a whole fic! cut to image of Guardian in a straitjacket Thanks for your great reviews, I hope to see more of them!
daisy: Sorry, nuva, but this just might be my fluffiest chapter yet! Don't worry, everyone else is cool now, until the next chapter. grins evilly Oh, right, I haven't called Diamond off yet, have I? Diamond and Bakura run past Diamond, suppertime! throws a big steak at Diamond, Bakura falls over from exhaustion Okies, then, hope you like this chapter, and I'll catch you later, hopefully ^_^!
Daughter of Death: Will do! Nice to see a new reviewer as always, and I'm getting these things out as fast as I can! Enjoy!
Dawn: Yay, she still likes it! blows noisemaker, scares Diamond Sorry, Diamond! I'm glad it's on your faves, that really means a lot! Thanks for taking the time to review!
Kesiah: Wow, you really think so? Thankies! huggles Kesiah While nobody's ever eaten my fic before, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Please stick with us, Y/Y will definitely be back in the next few chapters, so until then, feat on this sumptuous feast of fluff, featuring Seto and Joey! Ja ne!
Tessabug: gasps AHH!!! TEA!!!! picks up Diamond and runs away Thanks for sending Ignigena to toast that flamer, since Diamond was otherwise occupied with Bakura and all.. ~_^ It's much appreciated! Sorry about all this waiting, but school is EVIL!!! Hope you enjoy this chapter, and if you thought the others were fluffy, well you had better know a good dentist! ^_^
Reythe: Thank you for your kind words, Reythe, they were always appreciated! As long as I have one good reviewer of your caliber, I will definitely keep writing! It's a total compliment that anyone stayed up that late reading MY fic, and I hope you keep reading!
babygurl: Thanks for writing that review, I appreciate it after FF. hell deleted your last one! This chap's for you, thanks for keeping it real and being an all around cool person! Luv ya always! I bet your cookin's amazing, and I definitely don't think you're only at number one on the talent chart! Laterz, girl!
Ranma Higurashi: Whoo-hoo, Ranma reviewed again! I seriously think you're the most kawaii of all of the reviewers, with the caps lock thing and stuff! Thanks for being so faithful, LOL, and for adding me to your faves list, I appreciate it! Thankies!
AngelicMouseGirl: blushes Glad you liked my poem, thanks! I'm glad to hear that the R/B evoked such strong emotion in you, and I hope you keep reviewing, it's great to hear from you again! Ja ne!
Lizzie: Done and done! waves magic authoress wand and Tea's on Pluto Sorry, Sailor Pluto! flash as Tea gets lost in a time warp There we go, problem solved! I have a lot of favorite couples too, so don't worry, you're cool! Thanks for sticking with us, and we might actually have R/B together by the next chapter!
uhohgirl: Heya! Thanks for reviewing! Wow, two new reviewers in one chappie... NICE! Aww... I'm sure your fics are amazing! As I keep telling ppl, writing's about heart, not so much talent. If you really push for it, and you really want it, you'll get it, not just in writing but in life! Hope to hear from you soon, and you're anything but snobby!
Wow, major thanks to all my reviewers, you guys rock! Warnings... FLUFF, major FLUFF, OOC, as usual, and... yeah, that's it for this one!
Disclaimer: I don't own them
Chapter 16: As I Am
For reasons unknown, Seto was awake before four o'clock, a habit he'd hoped to break once he'd left his corporate station. For the next half hour, he lay still with his eyes closed, being very careful not to awaken the blond beside him. He knew he needn't have worried; Joey could sleep through an atom bomb, yet the brunet was reluctant to court the possibility of disturbing his rest, especially after the events of the previous night. The billionaire still couldn't believe that his little puppy would do that for anyone, much less him.
His eyes settled on the roses, which hadn't even begun to wilt, although a few petals from the red one had fallen to the dresser. Smiling faintly, Seto picked up the flowers, sniffed them once, and traced the path of the white and black ribbons that bound them. These ribbons are like our love; it started out pure, unspoiled, and all the challenges we've faced together have made the whole stronger. Azure eyes came to rest on Joey's shirtless form, relaxed under the blankets, snoring softly. Say what you will about him, but he's one hopeless romantic. Reverently, Seto placed the roses in the vase on the night stand and slid back down into bed, wrapping both arms around Joey protectively. The other boy murmured in his sleep, smiling as he pressed up against his boyfriend unconsciously.
A wave of fatigue washed over the brunet just then, and he let himself give in to the sweet oblivion rushing up at his closed eyelids. First time I've ever succeeded in getting back to sleep, he realized as he curled closer to the vision in his arms.
* * *
It was going on six thirty by the time Joey woke up, amber eyes cracking open gradually. Throwing an arm over his face to keep out the morning light streaming through the curtains, he tried to roll over, finding himself pinned in his love's strong embrace. One of Seto's arms was around his waist, the other encircling his chest, and both were as unyielding as the billionaire himself. As much as the blond would have loved to stay this way for the rest of his life, he knew Seto would be more than a little frustrated if he let him be late for school. Doesn't mean I can't have a little fun waking him up, though.
Grinning broadly, he trailed butterfly kisses along Seto's chin. The other boy hovered on the edge of wakefulness, and he looked like he was torn between arching into the contact or pulling away to prolong his slumber. Joey smirked as he traced the path of his love's collarbone, darting out his tongue every now and then to lap at Seto's flesh. The arms around him tightened, and the brunet let out a low, rumbling groan of pleasure that had a greater effect on the trapped boy than he would ever have thought possible.
Time to end this. Taking advantage of their closeness, Joey forced his tongue past Seto's lips, allowing his hands to explore beneath the other boy's shirt. It's fun being dominant for once, he reflected as he probed deeper, tasting that inexplicable flavor that could only belong to his beloved. Unsurprisingly, Seto woke up fairly quickly (A/N: Wouldn't you?), immediately taking control of the kiss. In the space of a few seconds, the blond found himself on his back, his tongue still dueling with the taller boy's, but this time in his own mouth. Although he would have been perfectly content to remain in this state of rapture indefinitely, Joey kept focused on his purpose for starting this in the first place.
"It's six thirty-five, love," he said when Seto broke off for air, laughing at the other boy's hushed curse. Reluctantly, he slid out from under the firm, sculpted body, and made for the bathroom. "I won't be too long," he called out as he shut the door, leaving a very frustrated billionaire to flop back into bed and catch another few minutes of rest before it was time to take his turn in the shower.
* * *
Seto took longer than usual getting ready that morning, somehow feeling more tired than when he'd woken up at four. A cold shower took care of that, but by the time the brunet actually felt awake, he'd wasted a few precious minutes. Guess I'll have to grab something and eat on the way to school, he sighed as he descended to the kitchen, still buttoning up his uniform shirt. I wonder if we have any of those awful oatmeal bars left....
When he arrived, Joey was finishing the last of his breakfast. Across from the blond, a steaming platter of pancakes sat, dripping maple syrup and melted butter.. Seto found his mouth watering at the actual, non-processed food as his boyfriend smiled, heaped a generous helping onto his plate and set it down on the table.
"We'll be late if you don't get a move on, Set," he said, dropping his dishes in the sink and rinsing them off. As the brunet walked towards the table, Joey looked over his shoulder at him. "Coffee, or orange juice? Both fresh, of course."
"I'll have whatever you're having, pup." In a flash, Seto wound his arms around Joey, kissing him deeply, picking up the lingering taste of his breakfast. "Coffee it is, then." he said with a wink as he began to wolf down his food. The shorter boy blushed slightly and poured his boyfriend a mug of the steaming beverage. Seto nodded his thanks as he gulped down half of it at once.
"Slow down, you're gonna choke," the blond warned halfheartedly.
The brunet shook his head even as Mokuba came barreling in. "Something smells amazing!" he cried as he slid into the closest seat. In less than ten seconds, Joey had a large glass of juice and the rest of the pancakes at the youngest Kaiba's place. Exactly like his brother had done, the raven-haired boy cleaned his plate with the speed of a vacuum cleaner. In mock exasperation, the blond threw his hands up in the air.
"What am I gonna do with you Kaiba brothers?" he laughed as Seto passed by on the way to the sink.
"I can think of a few things you could do with me, although Mokuba might feel a bit left out." the billionaire said, pressing his lips to his love's cheek in passing.
"Not in front of the kid, please!" Mokuba laughed around a mouthful of food. "Hey, when do I get to drink coffee?"
Both older boys exchanged fearful glances at the thought of the already hyper child on caffeine. "Hopefully never, and don't talk with your mouth full." Seto said, polishing off the rest of his own coffee and snapping up his book bag. "Let's get going."
"Coming," Mokuba called. "Thanks for breakfast, Joey!"
"Sure thing, kid," Leaving the rest of the kitchen for the staff to clean up, Joey followed Seto and Mokuba outside to the car. "By the way, Set, can I borrow your Chemistry homework?"
Some things never change. "Whatever," the other teen replied, taking out the notebook and sliding into the back seat, across from his little brother.
"I thought copying was wrong, Seto." Mokuba said even as Joey began to scribble furiously into his own notebook once again.
"It is," the brunet in question agreed, "but do as I say, not as I do."
* * *
Despite their relative lateness, Seto and Joey were the first into homeroom. Ryou appeared shortly thereafter, not exactly happy but not really sad either. Tristan and Serenity took their places without any fanfare a few minutes before the first bell, and uncharacteristically, Yugi rushed in under the bell, his clothes disheveled and the gel in his hair still not set completely.
"What hurricane did you run into?" Joey whispered across the aisle as the teacher began to take attendance.
The tricolor-haired boy glanced furtively at the Puzzle before replying. "Hurricane Yami." he muttered back, and the blond had to stifle a fit of laughter. "It's not funny!" was all that Yugi had time to say before he had to dig his homework out of his bag to show the teacher.
Joey flashed the copied homework, endured the teacher's suspicious glances at the seemingly correct answers, and leaned back, shuffling through his Duel Monsters deck. Once the teacher was gone, he began to stare out the window wistfully, not really caring that he wasn't finding out how pressure and temperature affected each other.
His thoughts finally strayed to the slender brunet two seats down, who was engrossed in some book. Joey watched the twin sapphire orbs scroll back and forth a few times before his love turned the page, noting his audience as he did so. A barely perceptible grin appeared as he set down the book and scribbled a note to the other boy.
You should be listening, it read.
Joey allowed himself a smile before replying. Pot calling the kettle black, if you ask me.
I know this stuff already. You don't. Sandwiched between two lines of Seto's flawless script, Joey's scrawl looked five times worse than usual.
I'm sure you'll teach me more than I want or need to know later on, he wrote back, taking extra care to be neater than before. The brunet noticed that with a spark of amusement.
Dependence isn't a good thing, you know. What would you do if you didn't have me?
The blond frowned. Probably slash my wrists and OD just for good measure.
His boyfriend's azure eyes held a note of fear and surprise. I really mean that much to you? The look as he passed the page back was one of disbelief.
More than words. Didn't you learn anything from last night? As he refolded the paper, Joey looked at his love with mock disappointment that, just the same, sent guilt lancing through the other boy.
Not even an angel as sweet as you can undo a lifetime of self hatred in one evening, he wrote back, and the shorter boy smiled at the compliment.
I love ya, Set. Folding up the paper, he tossed it back at the taller boy. Seto read it, smiled, and scribbled down a reply before returning to his book, eliminating any possibility of continuing the conversation. The note he slid across the floor to strike the heel of one of Joey's worn sneakers. The blond picked it up, glanced back at the other boy, and unfolded it.
Love you more, puppy, it read.
* * *
The billionaire didn't make it more than five steps down the hall before Joey attached himself to his arm, resting his head against the other boy's shoulder as they fell into step. "You always have to have the last word, don't you, Set?" he murmured.
"Reflex from my business days." Seto replied with a smirk that Joey found unbearably cute. Suddenly, the blond found his face being tilted upwards, his love's mouth mere inches from his own. Dimly, he was aware that they had stopped moving, and were off to the side of the hallway. "That wouldn't be a problem, would it?" the taller of the two asked softly, flicking his tongue out to caress Joey's lips fleetingly, like a snake.
"No, not at all," the other boy stammered, breathless as Seto kissed him sweetly.
"Good." His love's sultry voice sent chills up Joey's spine as he felt himself being guided along by a gentle hand on his back. "Are you coming straight home after school, or are you going to the 'library' again?"
The blond looked off to the side wistfully. "It's your home, not mine, Set. Remember? I haven't officially moved in yet."
"That's right, I had forgotten." A sly grin took shape on the taller boy's lips, hidden before Joey looked back at him. "Well, how's today?"
The other boy shook his head in bewilderment. "How's today for what?"
"To move in, of course. Would today be convenient?" The matter-of-fact way that Seto made the offer threw the blond off for a minute. Once it sank in, though, you couldn't pry Joey off his boyfriend with a crowbar.
"You mean it? Really?" At the brunet's careful nod, Joey kissed him full on the lips. "Thank you, Set!"
"Don't mention it," the other boy said, grinning. "Now, are you going to want your own room..." Joey narrowed his eyes, "... or would you like to continue with our arrangement?" At the second one, the shorter of the two began to nod vigorously. "Fine then. I'll call Annie and get everything set up."
The blond smiled before yanking a few textbooks out of Seto's locker and slamming the door shut. "Mind if I get goin' a bit early? I want to catch up to Yugi before second period starts."
"Not at all. See you later, pup," At Joey's indignant look, Seto kissed his cheek and whipped out his cell phone. "Go on," he said as he glanced at the time display. "There's not much time before second starts."
"Okay, later, Set!" The other boy called over his shoulder as he took off down the hall. The brunet laughed at his love's exuberance before punching speed dial one. Annie picked up on the third ring.
"Kaiba residence." she said very professionally.
"It's me." As always, the former CEO's tone was kept perfectly modulated.
"Mr. Kaiba? Is there something wrong? You never call during the day." The older woman sounded quite taken aback.
"Relax, Annie, everything's fine. I just wanted to ask you to clear out enough space in my room to accommodate Mr. Wheeler. He'll be moving in today. I trust you can have it all done before dinnertime?"
"As if I'm looking for more work," the maid griped good-naturedly, and Seto gave a snort of laughter. "I'll get the staff right on it, sir. What do you want done with the things we clear out?"
"Move them into one of the empty rooms, I suppose. So long as I know where they are." Just before he hung up, Seto remembered something else. "Oh, and do you remember our conversation a few weeks back?"
Silence reigned on the other end of the line. "You mean about the...."
"Exactly," her employer cut her off. "Please have it out when I get home." Cradling the phone under his chin, the billionaire stuffed a few folders into his briefcase and closed it as the bell sounded. "I'll see you after school, Annie. Thank you for your cooperation."
"Good-bye, Mr. Kaiba." The line clicked as Seto snapped his cell phone closed and went off to class.
* * *
Serenity just smiled at lunch time when Joey told her that Seto wanted to make their living together official. "Unnecessary step, if you ask me," she said once her brother was done. "I can't help but be suspicious; Seto never does anything without a reason."
The blond thought for a moment, then slumped down in his seat. "You're right," he sighed. "Man, I wonder what he's planning this time?"
Playfully, the younger of the two punched her brother's shoulder. "Why so glum? It's not likely to be anything bad, you know."
"Yeah, but when he does things... I don't know, it makes me feel so weird." Joey confessed. "It's like this demigod has just seen fit to do these amazing things for me even though I'm not worthy to breathe the same air as him." Feeling remarkably silly, the teen blushed, and his sister placed her hand on top of his on the table.
"I'm sure he feels the same way when you do something special for him. I know I do." Serenity smiled, wrapping her arms around her brother's chest and giving him a light squeeze.
"Thanks, Seren'." The blond returned the embrace. "You always know what to say and do to make it all better, don't you?"
The girl's grin broadened. "What's a little sister for?" she laughed, and moved her chair over to make room for Seto, who had insisted on getting them lunch. "Thanks, Seto!" she said, lifting a tuna sandwich and a can of soda from the tray the tallest boy carried.
"Don't mention it," the brunet replied, taking a slice of pizza and his own soda before sliding the rest of the food over to Joey, who immediately commenced tearing into it like a starving man, ignoring the stares from everyone within a three table radius.
"Slow down, Joey," Seto admonished. "The food's not going anywhere, and you're liable to choke."
"You would think so, wouldn't you?" Serenity chuckled.
"Hey, I'm still here, you know?" The blond interjected around a mouthful of food, which he promptly gulped down with the help of a mouthful of Coke. "And you're just as bad, Moneybags, or have you forgotten this morning?"
The other boy chuckled at the irony of the situation. "Have you told Serenity about..."
"Yes, as a matter of fact, he has, and I think it's totally great!" the brunette exclaimed with barely restrained enthusiasm.
"Well, Serenity, that's what I wanted to talk to you about." Seto cleared his throat. "If you would also like to come live with us, we would be honored to have you. I know Mokuba would be thrilled; he hasn't stopped talking about you since you two first met." Serenity looked like she wanted to say something, but the brunet continued. "I know that you don't live with either of your parents, since your mother's place is too far away and you didn't want to be separated, so I wanted to offer you the chance to come with us rather than live alone." His gaze swiveled to encompass both Wheelers. "I certainly wouldn't want to be responsible for breaking up such a winning team, after all."
For a moment, Serenity was completely overcome by the gravity of what her brother's boyfriend was asking. Even Joey, taken by surprise, stopped shoveling food into his mouth and stared. Then, just when the billionaire was getting ready to retract his offer and apologize for offending her, Serenity grinned and nodded quickly. "A real mansion? How can I refuse?" she said with a laugh.
Joey, once he'd recovered from the initial shock, dashed over to Seto and hugged him so hard that his sister was afraid the brunet might be nursing a few broken ribs in a minute. "See, Seren', this is what I was talking about before. He's such a sweetheart." One perfectly placed kiss, right at the pulse point on Seto's throat, and then the blond reluctantly released his love. "We'll continue this once the kids have gone to bed," he whispered seductively, and Seto's cheeks went positively red. Luckily for him, Serenity didn't seem to hear that last part.
"So I'll drive you guys home, then send a moving van over around five or six to start picking up your stuff. Sound good?" I gotta admit, he can recover from embarrassment fast, the blond thought to himself.
"We might have to wait until the weekend to take care of everything, though," Serenity said. "Storage for the stuff we don't need..."
"I've got a whole slew of empty rooms for that, don't worry." Seto assured her.
"..getting the lease canceled...." the girl continued.
"I'll swing by today and pay the 3 months' rent." Joey offered. "There's more than enough left in that account Mom set up for us, being that we won't be spending as much as we thought by the end of the school year."
Serenity nodded once before deciding that there wasn't really anything else she needed to worry about. "All right, but still, it might take a while to get everything over to your place, Seto. How about Joey packs up what he'll need until the weekend, and we move everything on Saturday? That'll at least give me a head start on packing, and we won't have to be up so late on a school night, not to mention the homework..." The brunette winked at the two boys in front of her. "Besides, I'm not too sure Annie would appreciate having two new people moving in on the same day, no matter how much she likes us."
Joey looked worried as his sister finished her speech. "You sure you'll be okay by yourself all week, Seren'? Not to mention all the extra problem packing would entail...."
"Well, it's not like we have all that much stuff to move," the youngest of the three reasoned. "Most of the furniture and appliances came with the place." She stretched her arms, leaning back to stare into the sky. "Really, all we have to bring are the clothes, and whatever little junk we might have accumulated there during the past year." Her gaze moved to Seto. "We shouldn't even be needing a whole room, if that's all right with you. More like one of those walk-in closets that Joey was raving about his first night over."
The azure-eyed brunet blinked a few times. "That's it?" As he spoke, Seto became aware of just how much of a class gap existed between himself and the two teens in front of him.
"Yep, that's it." Serenity affirmed as the bell rang. "I'll see you guys later, okay?" Without missing a beat, she kissed both boys on the cheek in turn and ran off toward her next class.
Almost immediately, the billionaire felt an altogether different pair of lips moving against his own, gone just as quickly. "Thank you a thousand times over, Set," Joey said sincerely. "I love you." With that, he too was gone, leaving Seto to trudge off to gym class alone, suffused with a warm feeling that was not so foreign to him anymore.
* * *
That day after school, Joey and Serenity didn't even bother changing out of their school clothes before starting to get their things organized for the move that would be taking place in a few days. The brunette dragged out the boxes that they had kept when she and her brother had moved into the apartment, and began to pack the stuff they wouldn't be needing before Saturday, while Joey stuffed his clean uniforms, Duel Monster cards, and anything else he could into a large duffel bag with the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas morning.
Seto's car pulled up in front the apartment building at exactly five o'clock, and the chauffeur requested Serenity's presence at dinner on his employer's behalf. So as not to create any problems for the poor, nervous man, the younger Wheeler shrugged and tagged along with her brother to Seto's mansion.
"Why do you think he wanted you there, Seren'?" Joey asked when they were in sight of the sprawling residence.
"Guess we'll find out, won't we?" the girl replied with a grin. "Maybe this is phase two of his major surprise?"
"Oh yeah, and we all know how I love his surprises," the blond chuckled, watching the horizon advance toward them.
* * *
Seto watched his limousine drive up to the door, and his two guests step out, thanking the driver. One hand went furtively to his left pants pocket, checking whether or not his precious cargo was still there. The weight against his palm was comforting, and the brunet sighed heavily as Annie shuffled into his room, rapping on the door as she passed out of habit.
"Sir, your guests have arrived. They are being escorted into the dining room as we speak." The older woman's face showed hints of a barely restrained smile.
"Thank you, Annie," Seto nodded. "Please tell them I shall be with them in a moment."
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba." Once the maid had gone, the billionaire smoothed down his clothes for the final time.
"Here goes nothing." he told his reflection.
* * *
Joey and Serenity were given places across from each other at the great table, one to either side of the head seat. The chandeliers were lit, and fresh flowers had taken the place of some of those that Joey had brought the previous night.
"Seto's certainly gone all-out for something," Serenity whispered across the table to her big brother once they were alone. "Maybe it's like a welcoming feast?"
Joey shrugged. "Maybe. I have a funny feeling, though..."
At that moment, Annie came in, announcing that Seto would be arriving soon, and disappeared into the kitchen, presumably to fetch dinner. A short while later, the brunet himself sauntered in, and Joey's breath caught in his throat.
His boyfriend was wearing a dinner jacket, silk shirt, and perfectly tailored pants, all jet black. His hair was impeccably combed, and he smelled faintly of a potent cologne. Under the blond boy's appraising gaze, the former CEO walked to his chair and rested his hand atop it. Neither of the two guests missed the bead of sweat that trailed down his face as he did so.
"Thank you for coming, Serenity." Seto nodded formally, and the girl in question smiled. "Before dinner, if you will permit, there is something I must tell your brother. I don't want you to feel slighted in any way."
"Not at all." Was it Joey's imagination, or did Serenity look a little too happy about something? Girls, he thought, as Seto moved over to stand by him.
"Joey, I..." His love took a deep breath. "I love you, and I hope you can learn to love me half as much as I already care for you in the time we are together." Joey looked as though he would open his mouth, but Seto silenced him with a finger across his lips. "You complete me totally, and there is no other person I can truly say understands me as well as you. You would be very hard-pressed to find someone who needs you as much as I do." Another great breath. "I guess what I'm trying to say..." Smoothly, Seto slid a tiny velvet box from his pocket and fell to one knee, taking Joey's right hand in his left. "Joseph Wheeler, will you marry me?" The ring box snapped open. Seto had obviously gotten the jewelry custom-made; it was pure white gold, in the shape of two dragons, one with sapphire and the other with amber eyes. In their claws, they held the largest diamond Joey had ever seen, crystal clear and perfectly faceted.
A dead silence followed as Joey's honey eyes began to tear. Even the noises from the kitchen had stopped, and the occupants of the dining room were faintly aware that the entire household staff was listening in. An agonizing, nail-biting five seconds later, the blond leaned down to kiss his love's ruby lips sweetly. "Yes, my love." he said, just loud enough for everyone to hear.
Serenity squealed with joy, and a cheer went up in the kitchen, Annie's voice ringing out the loudest. Grinning stupidly, the brunet slid the ring around Joey's finger, where it settled perfectly, before gathering his fiancé into his arms and sucking the breath from his lungs. Annie set a tray with three plates down on the table and took her leave respectfully, not wanting to intrude on the moment.
"This is way better than any crappy romance movie!" Serenity squeaked as the three began to eat. "You're showing me that ring later on, Joey!"
"Who ever knew that I'd be the first of us to receive a marriage proposal?" her brother laughed, and Seto chuckled.
"Dibs on the bouquet!" the brunette declared before she too joined in on the laughter.
* * *
Okay, chappie 16 under my belt! Once again, big thanks to all my readers, and I encourage you all to review, cause it helps get the chappies out on time! Hopefully, school should be slowing down, and I can get to writing more! Hope you enjoyed the chapter, ja ne, and peace out!
