Disclaimer : I do not own Yu-gi-oh! or any of its characters.
WARNING! Chapter contains brief mentions of abuse and violence
Chapter 19:
Seto glanced down at the man in his arms as he continued his pace down the hallway.
He held back a chuckle as the blond duelist was still pouting, tucking his head into his shoulders and quietly muttering. A little blush was also present on those tan cheeks. How could this man, in his twenties, be so adorable?
Jou looked up suddenly with suspicion. The CEO had reacted instantly at the first sign of movement, his eyes focused forward with the usual smirk settled on his face.
"Whatcha thinkin' about, Kaiba?"
The brunet could hear the wary curiosity in those words. Did Katsuya really want to know what was going through his head? His slight smirk enlarged and he instantly felt the blond tense.
"Ya know, what? Never mind."
The businessman frowned slightly but mentally shrugged off his bewilderment. Jou never really made sense. Trying to figure out what the blond was guessing would just give him a headache.
Thankfully, he hadn't been getting much of the migraines anymore. They had diminished inversely with the increase of Katusya's presence. He had been forced into a healthier diet, sure, but that should have only changed him physically, right? Why did he feel so different? He found his thoughts drawn more to home - and not only for Mokuba. He was often imagining his blond self-proclaimed rival humming to himself while cooking in the kitchen. What was Jou cooking this time? His azure eyes were often drawn to those rough yet skillful hands, welding knives with proficiency. At one time, the light-haired chef had accidentally cut a finger and stuck the appendage into his mouth. How often did the CEO imagine putting that finger into his own mouth, glancing up to take in the expected reaction from the other? No matter how much he shook and fought the thought, it plagued his mind. His lips would also tingle with the memory of the other's lips meeting his own during that other fateful encounter. And fate wasn't something he believed in.
Was he actually interested in this… this… moronic, funny, disagreeable, considerate, insolent, beautiful man?
And even if he was, what was he going to do about that?
Seto had already reached the end of the corridor, about to descend the main staircase. He paused, which caused the blond to look up at him in confusion.
"Eh… Kaiba? Why'd ya stop?"
The CEO met those golden eyes, now dark brown with puzzlement. "What were you imagining that I was thinking earlier?"
"Huh?" Katsuya blinked up at him, eyebrows furrowed.
"I've been told I shouldn't repeat commands to my pup during training." The businessman smirked.
The blond flushed. "I'm not a dog, moneybags!"
"Well, respond properly instead of barking, will you?"
Jou glared. "I figured you were gonna dump me down the stairs earlier."
"Who, me?"
"Yeah you! Who else?!"
"Maybe the ghosts?" He asked cheekily. "Or is it that you truly doubt me?" He paused before asking quietly, "Because of my 'condition'?"
There was silence between them for a moment.
"...I have more than enough strength to carry a mere pup."
Seto continued suddenly, disembarking down the stairs, flexing his arms to bounce the blond in his arms with each step. Katsuya squawked in surprise and threw his arms around the brunet's neck to avoid being dropped. Kaiba grinned.
Jounouchi Katsuya gapped as they returned to the space where they had played their games.
Mokuba was nowhere to be seen. Yeah, they had probably taken a long time, but wouldn't the youth have tried to find them? Especially when the lights had gone out earlier. Where could the younger Kaiba have gone? Well, that was a silly question. This was Mokuba's house, after all. It wasn't like the teen would have gotten lost. Mokuba could have gone to his room or the bathroom for all he knew.
Seto didn't seem worried, so that calmed the blond's nerves a bit, though the brunet had a thoughtful frown which was now directed to him. Kaiba had taken his phone out for a little while before returning it to his pocket.
Katsuya blinked again as a familiar smirk settled upon the CEO's features.
"Do you enjoy being a lap dog in luxury rather than on the streets?"
The comment had the blond launch himself from the others grasp with embarrassment. Kaiba made no effort to keep him there this time - to which Jou was thankful. He sat back to the floor with hesitance, gazing out toward the hallway for a moment before glancing back at the businessman. Seto had also taken up his previous spot from earlier and seemed to be contemplative.
"So…" the blond began slowly, gaining the other's attention. "... where's Mokuba?"
"Probably in his room. He will often take what we order for dinner there when I'm busy." At Katsuya's confused look, the CEO explained further. "I got a text that the pizza arrived around the time the lights went out. Mokuba most likely took a box to his room when we didn't come back fast enough. And watching a movie or something now too."
Jou nodded, taking in that information. Well, so much for doing something together. Mokuba ran off and left me alone with Kaiba. He thought, being more than a little put out. His shoulders slumped. Maybe I should just bounce?
He glanced up at the clearing of the other's throat.
The businessman was looking at something over his head intently. Katsuya tilted his head.
"Not that I care, but did you want to keep that bow?" the brunet smirked, leaning back on his hands.
"Ah! No way!" the blond reached into his hair frantically, searching for the clip. When he finally found it, he couldn't seem to figure out how to remove the thing! He pulled at it, only to let go with a whimper when hair was trying to come with it. Multiple attempts with no avail had him whining softly in frustration. In the middle of his next effort to free the clip, he froze as he saw the CEO scooting closer and leaning toward him.
"Allow me." Seto murmured softly.
Jou stiffly dropped his hands into his lap, tilting down his head to hide beneath his bangs. He winced occasionally at the little tugs of his hair but, for the most part, Kaiba was careful. Katsuya could feel the ministrations of the other unwinding the strands with delicate twisting. The awkwardness faded gradually as he accepted the help. He sighed in resignation. The breath following caught the scent of pine once again. His cheeks dusted lightly with pink in recognition and he shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"Stop moving!" Kaiba growled. "I almost have it."
The blond froze. "Sorry…" he whispered lightly.
After what felt like a long time, but only actually being another minute, the businessman leaned back in triumph. He flashed Jou a smirk and showed the bow in hand. "Got it."
"Thanks," the blond expressed quietly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Don't mention it." Seto flicked the bow across the room.
The next few moments were thick with silence until Jounouchi had finally had enough.
"Well!" he grinned sheepishly at the businessman, and rose to his feet. "I'm just gonna go. See ya tomorrow, I guess."
Just as he was passing by Kaiba to get to the main entrance, a hand on his wrist pulled him to a stop. Katsuya looked down at the CEO with confusion.
"Stay." The brunet's gaze held his own with intensity.
"Uh… why?"
"I wanna keep playing."
"Really? There wasn't enough embarrassment for you?" Jou chuckled nervously. "And Mokuba isn't even here."
"You don't have to ask for dares."
The blond felt a wave of suspicion cover him. What did Kaiba want to know from him? And why? Since when did this stoic businessman want anything to do with him?
"I'd rather not play at all."
Seto was quiet for a moment but maintained their eye contact. Katsuya felt the pressure on his wrist loosen slightly but was still there.
"Please?"
His eyes widened and his body stiffened in response to that. Kaiba had never - never! - said that word around Jou, especially to him! What was he supposed to do with that? This manipulative, arrogant punk! Those azure eyes were insistent and almost… pleading.
"Darn it, moneybags! Why'd you have to go and say that?" the blond groaned but dropped into a pretzel on the floor. Seto had released his wrist and now Katsuya crossed his arms over his chest, grumbling at the turn of events. "Fine! But it's my turn technically. I haven't had the chance." Jou sent a sharp look at the brunet, who nodded in acceptance at that. "Truth or Dare?"
"...Truth."
The blond blinked in surprise. Sure, Katsuya didn't want to do another dare but he would have figured that Seto would rather chance that over revealing anything. The blond's eyebrows furrowed in thought and he closed his eyes. Now what to ask Kaiba? …he really didn't need to think long about what he really wanted to know most from the CEO.
"Why won't you tell Mokuba about your condition?"
The silence returned.
Jounouchi waited patiently this time around, knowing that Seto would answer, in the name of the game and because he obviously had something he wanted to ask Katsuya himself. It was still a pretty long while before the brunet spoke up.
The other slumped slightly, gazing at the floor before raising it to look out the window on their left side. His eyes were dazed, deep and foggy. "I was taught that expressing oneself is a weakness, something that anyone else would take advantage of given the opportunity."
Jou opened his mouth to rebuke the statement but the CEO continued on, not even seeming to notice the blond's attempt to cut in.
"Of course, Mokuba would never do that. I know that for a fact as my brother was never taught in the same manner as I was - which was part of an agreement between me and Gozaburo." The name was said harshly, and anger flashed in those blue eyes before they went vacant once again. There was a pause. "Mokuba is and always will be innocent in mind and thought - though he certainly has a mischievous side to him." The brunet conceded with a soft chuckle. "I refused to have that part of him change. I was more than enough to keep our adoptive father interested, and they needed Mokuba to keep me in line. But back at the orphanage, no one else was willing to take us together." Seto ran some fingers through his hair and his gaze darkened, looking over Katsuya's head. "Maybe it would've been better for us to be separated. Mokuba would have attracted a loving couple that might have given him the proper love and care. Something that he wouldn't have received with anyone that would take us both. All those that showed genuine interest in me were only seeking pride and fame. I wasn't oblivious to that. But they were also naive to not see my brother's own potential."
Katsuya nodded with a frown. But Kaiba made no sign that he noticed the other. The businessman was intensely focused on his story.
"Regardless, throughout the years, I was swept into a world of greed and progress. Progress was not failure, and I was rarely wrong. There were enough consequences in my youth for me to go to the utmost degree to prevent that. With each success, I became more confident. But as such, I never sought outside help in any capacity. My relationships outside of Mokuba were meaningless in the first place, but even my bond with my brother was strained as I didn't seek to worry him. That's just grown over the years. I've done all I can to give Mokuba a life of comfort and without unnecessary pressure. I already know that he worries about my welfare, being compassionate since birth really. I just… don't want to add to that."
Seto met Jounouchi's eyes solemnly. Emotions flickered over the blue of those orbs, the depth surprising the blond. "Is that wrong of me?"
Katsuya kept their eye contact and gave a soft smile. "No… No. It's not wrong to care enough to keep someone you care about from worrying. I can even say that I'm guilty of that with my own sister and sometimes with my friends too." He paused for a moment in thought. "But when it affects someone's health or safety, you shouldn't hide it from those that care about you. For example, I had Yugi and the rest of the gang to encourage me when I found out about Serenity's condition and sought to find a solution myself. They were what allowed me to accomplish that. And even if it hadn't worked out, I would've had their support. You have people there for you too, Kaiba. You even admitted that Mokuba is compassionate. You know he cares about you. And I know that your secretary, Shimizu, is fond of you too. Yugi, Tèa and Tristan would want the best for ya as well - I just know it!"
The CEO stared at the blond's wide grin for a while. After silence fell between them, Jou felt his grin fall and he tilted his head in curiosity.
Katsuya leaned back in surprise when Seto suddenly leaned forward with intense focus in his eyes.
"What about you?" the businessman asked boldly.
"Huh?"
Jounouchi felt his face flush as he took in the question. He looked down at the ground, hiding behind his bangs again. He gazed up through the blond strands, looking at the brunet's face. Those blue eyes were piercing, still concentrated completely upon him. Katsuya felt a shiver run down his spine.
Seto Kaiba watched the rise and fall of the other's chest, who was obviously taking deep breaths to calm himself.
Blond fringe covered Katsuya's face, making it difficult for the CEO to see the impact his words had other than the initial embarrassment. Red dusting the ears of the shorter man and his breathing were the only tell-tell signs of a reaction. The silence between them filled the room.
Understanding that his question might be avoided, Seto gambled. "Katsuya."
Jounouchi lifted his head in surprise
Acknowledging the attention, the brunet carried on. "Truth or dare?"
Those brown eyes narrowed, realizing the ploy at which the businessman was applying.
"Truth," the blond said hesitantly.
The CEO considered his question seriously. He could always seek the answer to his previous inquiry later if possible. He sought instead an answer to something that had been plaguing him since the early days of their deal.
"Why do you cower when in the dark and hear noises?" he asked lightly.
Despite the softness of his tone, Katsuya visibly flinched. The blush was no longer present upon his tan features. When the brown gaze returned to his own, the eyes were haunted. Kaiba felt his blood go cold. He had never seen this look from Jou before. But he had the desire to know what was causing this unnatural reaction in the blond. But because of the reaction itself, Seto had the feeling that it was going to be a fight to get a proper response from the other.
"Katsuya, please."
A speck of light appeared in those dark eyes.
"I just want to understand." Seto murmured, reaching forward and taking a hold of Jounouchi's left hand that was gripping painfully into his other arm. He softly stroked along the back of the hand, trying to ground the other and release the tension in his form from his touch.
It took a while but, eventually, the blond finally relaxed and gave the CEO a timid smile. The brunet returned it with a small smile of his own.
"Well, uh… I don't know how much you know about me really…" Katsuya muttered sullenly. "But my parents had a divorce and split custody. My mother left with my sister and I remained with my father. He… umm… well… he didn't handle it the best, ya know?" The blond gave a sheepish grin and Seto knew that it was a front but didn't interrupt. "He would binge himself at a bar as often as he could, and as such couldn't maintain a job. So we didn't have it easy." He paused. "The drinking would continue at home. There wasn't much that didn't set him off." With his other hand, that wasn't occupied, he scratched his head before dropping it into his lap and his eyes focused on the arm. Kaiba followed the gaze to the scars and tiny marks that were faint but intermittently dispersed along the skin. "He would sometimes get me with bottles. Or I'd cut myself triping or trying to clean up the mess. I… joined a gang to avoid the house as much as I could along with school but that changed after I met Tristan and Yugi. I would hang with them instead. I started making money in high school through duel monster tournaments but Dad kinda ruined my deck one night before graduation. Everyone else left after graduating so I didn't really see the point in dueling anymore… especially when I needed to stay in Domino to help my dad. I was able to admit him into a rehab center, so he's doing much better now but I need to make the money to make sure he gets the care he needs."
"I see." Seto affirmed thoughtfully, still sliding fingers over the other's hand. His question had been answered in a roundabout way but answered nonetheless. Now he knew. He gazed up into those now clear brown eyes. "Did you have another question for me?"
Blond eyebrows rose. "You want to keep playing?"
"If you're okay with that." The businessman shrugged, releasing his hold on the other's hand and leaning back onto his hands.
Katsuya fingered his chin lightly. "Truth or dare?"
Kaiba smiled. "Truth."
"In a chatty mood, aren't we?" Jou jested lightly. "Well, are you going to tell Mokuba then?"
Seto pondered that. He didn't really see the point since the situation had basically already been resolved. He had actually been slowly decreasing his coffee intake and was rarely drinking it anymore. And even then, with the blond making him meals, he didn't even take vitamins either. Did Mokuba really need to know?
As if reading his thoughts, Katsuya frowned. "Mokuba would want to know."
The brunet sighed. "I suppose you're right. I will find a good time to tell him."
"Honestly, he's a bright kid. He might already have known." Jounouchi chimed lightly.
Seto frowned at that but shook his head. "Truth or dare?"
The blond rubbed his eyes as he responded. "Truth."
"Why did you avoid me after the paparazzi encounter?"
"Cuz it was fetchin' embarrassing! How else was I supposed to act?" Katsuya scowled.
"Like an adult?" Kaiba suggested with a shrug.
"Pah! Whatever," Jounouchi growled back. "How am I supposed to know how an adult should react to a situation like that?"
The CEO smirked. "So you don't have experience with kissing?"
The blond flushed. "I was referring to the accidental kiss! Those aren't that common."
"But are you experienced with kissing?" he pressed, leaning forward.
The other's blush deepened. "I'm not answering that. I already answered your other question truthfully."
Seto tsked lightly but gave a half grin as he leaned back. That was answer enough.
"Truth or dare, moneybags?"
"Truth."
Jou suddenly grew serious. "How do you feel about me?"
The CEO blinked. That wasn't a question he expected. And it was a hard one to answer. He had admitted to himself his attraction to the blond, and had a desire to learn more about him. Should he take this opportunity to confess that, or play it off in another way?
"Like a happy master feels about his loving pup."
"Seriously?! Stop talking nonsense. I thought we were finally getting to the deep nitty gritty stuff." Katsuya muttered angrily, crossing his arms over his chest.
"How a owner cares that his pup has the attention it needs, how it requires discipline but proper affection, how he grooms the dog to the best of his ability to not always get back what he expects but what he needs, how it doesn't hold grudges and remains loyal to those it cares for, how it continues to return with a wagging tail, and how much he knows that he'd suffer heartache over losing his four-legged companion."
Jounouchi stared then blinked a few times before staring harder. "What? Do you mean what I think you mean?!"
"And what do you think that I mean?"
"...You love me." the blond whispered.
Seto met that brown gaze and found gentle adoration there. He felt his own gaze soften and gave a smirk. "Is that what you think?"
Katsuya's gaze wavered, now shining with uncertainty.
The CEO leaned forward and whispered brazenly into the blond's ear. "You're right."
As he leaned back again, Jou pressed a hand to his ear subconsciously and went red as a tomato. Smirking, the brunet stood and walked out of the room.
"Make sure to grab some pizza before you head out. Good night, Katsuya," he called over his shoulder with a chuckle and disappeared up the stairs around the corner.
The End of Chapter 19