Before we begin, my apologies for the long wait! I had this written, but instead of polishing, I went into a cycle of dissatisfaction & rewrite. Oh well! I hope the results are worth it!
warnings ... profanity ...
6. Long-Distance Call
As he rounded the corner, Kazama caught a sight he never expected to see: Yusei Fudo stretched to full length, on tiptoe, kissing Jack Atlas.
For what seemed like an eternity, he was frozen in his tracks.
These were the trespassers? As time stood still for him, turning him into an unwilling spy, somehow it moved on for the two his eyes were fastened on, for they now stood in earnest conversation, holding each other's arms with their eyes locked. Surely, if Jack didn't accept the kiss, he would have reacted violently, wouldn't he?
Kaz' heart dropped to his feet.
At last Kaz was able to break the spell and retreat back around the corner. He couldn't let himself dwell on what he'd seen. But he needed some way of announcing his presence to them so that they could have some warning and prepare for his arrival.
He walked back to his D-wheel and started it again. D-wheels were relatively quiet, thanks to the use of ener-D, but he spotted a gravel path that would produce a nice crunch.
Kaz sighed in relief has he rounded the corner to see that the two friends had noticed his approach and separated so that they were standing close but not intimately.
Still, the kiss lingered in his brain like the afterimage of a blinding lightning strike. He had to get it out of his mind. After all, it had nothing to do with the call. He kicked himself as he came to a stop and jumped off his bike.
Why did I have to take a call off-duty?!
"Kaz?" Jack said, surprised. "What are you doing here?" A slight pink splashed over his pale cheeks for the briefest of moments.
"Someone called in about trespassers in the area and I happened to be driving through the neighborhood."
"But you're—"
"Off duty? Yes; I'm going to have to stop taking drives when I'm not on duty—or maybe turn off my radio." It could save me all sorts of pain and suffering, Kaz thought ruefully. "These calls keep coming in. But at any rate, would you mind taking your activities off this property? It's been frequented by juveniles lately and the owners are concerned about the liability risk."
Yusei smiled. "Juveniles and adults who behave in a juvenile manner," he said, casting a fond look toward Jack, who scowled back at him irritably. You're the one who suggested coming here, the look said plainly. Yusei ignored it.
"The way I see it, both of you were here," Kaz said with a smile. "Jack, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll give you a couple of minutes, but if you don't leave directly, I'll be forced to cite you."
"Yes, Officer. Will do," Yusei said dutifully.
"Thanks." Kaz remounted his D-wheel with a sigh and removed to a respectful distance, watching as the two collected themselves, mounted their D-wheels, and drove off. I keep having to chastise him, Kaz thought dolefully. He can't be happy about that. Is this affecting our friendship?
Kaz reminded himself that Jack still wanted to hang out the next day and tried to push everything else from his mind. There was no use concentrating on things that he couldn't do anything about and that only made him unhappy. Naturally Jack had no interest in him that way; surely he wasn't 'good enough' for Jack. The possibility probably never even crossed his mind. Now, Yusei! There was someone worthy of Jack. Kaz didn't want to think of the two together, but he couldn't help but admit to himself that the two suited each other, Yusei was so smart and capable. He could tear down and assemble a D-wheel blindfolded and challenge Jack in a duel—who else could say that?
The image of the two kissing was hard to shake—as hard as preventing himself from imagining things going farther than kissing between the two of them. They looked so damn good together …
Shit!
It was impossible to remove the thoughts of the two together from his mind, so he tried to concentrate on feeling happy for Jack instead of sad for himself. After all, if he really cared about Jack, shouldn't his happiness be more important than his own?
Still, he was human. He eventually found himself pulling into a little pub down the street from the station house, determined to savor the bittersweet flavor of this emotion. Even if love is painful, he thought, it has a sweetness. Somehow he felt it was better to be in love even if it wasn't returned than just to be alone and hollow.
He was seated in a booth, staring out the window, when a hand clapped onto his shoulder and a voice said, "You're not drinking alone, are you, Kaz? That's not good. Let me join you."
Kaz looked up and said, "Oh, hi, Ushio. Go ahead. No one's coming."
Ushio clapped a beer down on the table and said, "Mikage told me she set you up with the girl who serves coffee at that café opposite Poppo Time. How'd it go?"
"Stephanie? Eh, not so well. I'm not sure why Mikage wanted to set me up with someone who's set on Jack Atlas."
Ushio laughed, an ironic sound. "I think that's exactly why she did it," he said. "She's trying to cut down on the competition."
Jack can barely remember that poor girl's name, and Mikage considers her competition? "Oh, I see," he chuckled, watching the bubbles make their way up through the golden liquid in his glass. If it were a little more golden, it would match Jack's hair … "It's just as well."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I don't feel like dating right now."
Ushio looked at him, surprised. "You sound down," he said. "That's not like you. What are you talking about? You're in the prime of your life! Don't you want to be with someone?"
"You're one to talk!"
"But I have someone that I want to be with, but she's unavailable. That Jack Atlas! I wish he'd take himself off the market already! Is he even human? I've never heard a hint that he's dating anyone."
"Yeah …" Kaz said almost wistfully.
"So you don't know about—?"
"Jack and I don't really talk about that kind of thing." Well, there was that scene this afternoon, but I'm pretending—and fervently wishing—I didn't see that, Kaz thought.
"And she's a few years older than he is!"
"That's not necessarily a problem, you know. Especially these days. And Jack … I'm close to Mikage's age, and it seems to me that, with his accomplishments, Jack seems more mature than his years."
"Until you actually talk to him, that is," Ushio volunteered.
"Oh, come on. He's grown up a lot since we first met."
"He's still reckless."
"He's confident, Ushio. And he's not going to allow anyone to push him around. I respect that. Honestly, I think you'd be fine with him if it weren't for Mikage's unrealistic hopes."
"I suppose." Ushio finished his beer and signaled to the waitress for another. He stared into the empty glass as though it were an oracle for a minute, then looked up suddenly. "But what about you?"
"Me? I told you—"
"Don't tell me you're the same situation. There's someone that you want to be with, but she's unavailable?"
"Something like that." Kaz chuckled again, his eyes returning to the trail of bubbles in his glass, "You know, I didn't even realize that was why it was—that the reason why I didn't feel like dating was because I wanted to be with this person—until just recently. I wonder why?"
"Can you tell me who it is?"
Kaz looked up at Ushio suddenly. No, Ushio definitely did not want to hear who it was, Kaz decided, and said, "No, I hope you don't mind, but I'd really prefer to keep it to myself, at least for now."
"Well, I can't help if you won't tell me, but it's up to you." He took a thoughtful sip of his beer and then offered jovially, "Hey, you're off duty tomorrow. Do you want to get drunk?"
"Thanks, but no thanks. I have plans, and I'd really rather not be fighting off a major headache."
"Windsurfing?"
"Actually, that sounds fun. I don't know exactly what I'll be doing, but I haven't been out on the water in forever. Maybe I should have done that today." Then I wouldn't have seen that, he thought.
The two sat amiably over peanuts and beers until the shadows lengthened, then they headed for the door, slapping each other on the back.
"You know, Kaz, I don't know who you could possibly be carrying a torch for, but whoever they are, they must be crazy not to go for you. You're a great friend."
"You're drunk."
"No, really, Kaz, I mean it. Well, maybe I wouldn't admit it sober, but … well, yeah."
"Well, thanks. You're not bad yourself."
Jack and Yusei pulled out of the power plant and hit the main road again. "Where do you want to eat?" asked Yusei. "I know a really good—"
"I'm not really hungry," said Jack. "Do you mind if we just go home?"
"Who the hell are you? Jack Atlas never turns down a meal," Yusei said. "Did I mention that I'm treating?"
Jack sighed. "OK."
Yusei looked at Jack curiously and decided to keep it simple, leading him down to a little place near the shore. It was quiet and Yusei knew the owners, so they were seated in a pleasant area with a view, but where Jack's fans wouldn't constantly harass them.
"So what's wrong with you?" asked Yusei. "You were OK, even after I—you know," he said, glancing around quickly. "So it's not that. But something's bothering you and hardly anything's happened—Wait a minute. Kazama? Of course, why didn't I think of that? You like him."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, yes you do. Why don't you tell me all about it?"
"Because there's nothing to say."
"Oh, yes there is. I'm your best friend. Tell me or I'll call Kaz myself and ask him." Yusei started to take out his cell.
Jack stood suddenly and made a move to either snatch it or slap it out of Yusei's hand. Yusei jerked his cell out of reach barely in time. "Then talk to me," he said, grinning devilishly.
"Fine," Jack sulked, sitting and leaning on an elbow. "What do you want to know, anyway?"
"What the hell are you brooding about?"
"I wonder if Kaz saw you? You would have to kiss me today of all days!"
"I thought we were alone Jack! And I don't think he saw us. He didn't act like—"
"There was something off about it. He was so formal."
"He was acting in his formal capacity, Jack. You can't expect him to be too chummy when he's forced to officially ask us to do things."
"I guess," he said doubtfully.
"If you really want to know," Yusei said tantalizingly while waving his cell, "I can always call him and ask."
"You really want me to smash that thing, don't you?" replied Jack tensely.
Yusei put away his cell, casting a look in Jack's direction that clearly stated, You're no fun at all. "So you don't want Kaz to see us kissing, which means that you don't want him to get the wrong idea," Yusei reasoned, "which means that you're interested in him. Am I right?"
Jack rolled his eyes. "Do you want me to say QED? I might as well admit it. It's just lately."
"I thought it was likely. You got all antsy the other night when he was on that date with the little waitress."
"Well, I—wait!" Jack exclaimed, clenching his hands into fists. "If you suspected, then why the fuck did you make a move on me?!"
"Well … I didn't think anything had happened …" Yusei sighed. "Shit, Jack, you can't blame a guy for taking a chance. I thought it might be my last one." He shrugged. "Besides, who knows? He might have hit it off with Stephanie and nothing could happen between you anyway."
Jack scowled, crossing his arms. "As if she's good enough for him!"
Yusei grinned. "And you think you're good enough, then?"
"Damn it, Yusei!" Jack exclaimed, standing again and slamming a fist on the table, "There's no one better for anyone than Jack Atlas, and you know it! That's nothing to joke about. I should walk out of here right now." But he seemed to think better of it and leaned over Yusei threateningly and said, "Or would you rather come with me and take this outside?"
"Now, Jack," Yusei soothed, "calm down. People are starting to stare at us. Will you stay if I admit you're pretty great?"
"Oh, all right," he said, sitting down again and folding his arms across his chest. He didn't look particularly relaxed. "But I haven't said anything to Kaz yet, so can we change the subject? You're starting to make me angry."
"I'm sorry, but I'm a little miffed myself, now that I realize I've lost out. But at least it looks like I lost out to a pretty good guy. You don't suppose I could duel him for you?"
"I am not going to put myself up as a prize in some duel!"
"Especially since we all know who'd win, huh? That's too bad. Well, you never know if you don't ask, you know!"
"Yusei—!" Jack drawled in a warning tone. Yusei could see his hands begin to tighten into fists.
"Subject dropped!" Yusei said hastily. As often as they'd resorted to fisticuffs, that was one area in which he was pretty sure he'd never beat Jack.
The next morning, Jack got up early and migrated down to the café like a swan to a lake. He ordered a Blue-Eyes White Mountain and waited for Kaz. He wasn't sure why, but he felt a certain anxiety. No, it wasn't anxiety, and he knew why. It was anticipation, and it was because of his gut feeling that Kaz had seen Yusei kissing him.
If Kaz thought Jack was dating Yusei, Jack would correct those ideas quickly enough.
Jack leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and savoring his coffee while thinking over everything that had occurred the previous day, especially what had happened with Yusei and the things they'd talked about. He still couldn't believe that Yusei had a thing for him, and found himself chuckling over the rim of his coffee cup.
"May I ask what's so amusing, or is it a private joke?"
Jack looked up to see Kazama smiling down at him. Kaz was dressed more casually than usual in jeans and a polo shirt with a leather jacket slung over his shoulder. He returned the smile and said, "Hi, Kaz."
"Good morning, Jack. It's rare to see you laugh—especially to yourself. It's good."
"Sit down and have coffee," Jack invited. "I'm glad you think so because it's partly your fault."
"My fault? Why?"
Jack watched as Kaz sat down, looking at him with his usual frank, open gaze. Jack knew Kaz had brown eyes, but he'd never realized before that they had a sort of maroon tint, like a fine wine. He wanted to stare … "I'll tell you later. What do you want to do today?"
"I've been giving it a lot of thought. I was originally thinking maybe something on the water, but now I don't know. What do you think about in-line skating? Have you ever tried that?"
"Hunh. It's been a long time, but, yeah, that sounds like fun. Let's do it."
"I haven't skated in forever," Jack commented, sitting on a bench and strapping on his brand-new in-line skates.
"When was the last time?" asked Kaz.
Jack admired his skates. Kaz laughed, looking at them. Only Jack could have walked into a store and found those exact, custom, sparkly-white pro-level in-line skates in his size. "Back in Satellite, actually," he said.
Kaz felt a pang at the mention of Satellite. He didn't want to think about Yusei today if he could help it, so he said, "How do you like your new skates?"
Jack stood up and stowed his boots carefully in the minimal storage compartment of the Wheel of Fortune. "Much better looking. Let's see how they work."
Kaz watched as Jack tested his balance on the skates, skimming slowly but easily on the sidewalk near where they'd parked.
"This is so much smoother than that pair," he commented.
"That's not too surprising is it?" Kaz said. "I should hope a brand new pair of skates is better than a cobbled-together pair."
"You'd be surprised what Yusei could do with a pile of junk," Jack said, looking at his skates thoughtfully. "He pieced our skates together from high-top basketball shoes we found in the trash, then he added all sorts of junk for support, plus the wheels. It took a long time to get all those matching wheels that actually spun." Jack sighed, remembering. "And then we wore them out skating everywhere. Yusei made us skateboards too."
"I guess he could make just about anything."
"He could build a D-wheel from scratch, so a skateboard was nothing."
"I guess so." Kaz felt another pang at the mention of Yusei's name, and the reminder of all those years that he spent with Jack growing up didn't help Kaz feel any better. "I guess he did a lot for you, huh?"
"I suppose," Jack allowed. "We all pulled together. You see, Yusei and especially Crow were so little that guys wanted to bully them, so I had to step in a lot. And Crow … well, he's a slippery sort. He found a lot of the rarest parts and things that Yusei was looking for. I guess he got into his share of trouble for that," Jack said, almost regretfully, remembering. "I had to straighten things up for him for that, too."
"Huh."
Jack stood up, coasting to a stop, and Kaz followed suit. "Why did you get me remembering all this shit?" he asked. "I never liked that place."
"I'm sorry. But still … you had your friends back then, and all that's part of you." Kazama disliked thinking about the huge parts of Jack's life that he had nothing to do with, but he knew that all that Jack had gone through was important to him. Jack couldn't afford to minimize or forget it.
"You're right," Jack sighed. "I'm not ashamed of where I came from. Still, I spent so much time trying to leave it, I can't help but have mixed feelings. I don't think Yusei ever really got that."
Kaz looked at his friend, trying to think of something helpful to say. Jack wasn't the sort to go into detail, so he was a little surprised that Jack said even this much. Momentarily he held his breath, catching the sensation that he'd just witnessed something rare. He debated what he might say lest Jack catch on and become embarrassed or defensive.
But if Jack noticed the shift in the conversation, he didn't show it. Instead, he said, "What are we waiting for? Let's get moving!" and suddenly pushed off and began dashing down the pathway as though he were in a race. Kaz was glad it was a weekday and early still so the boardwalk wasn't crowded.
"Jack, wait!" he called, taking off after him. "Be careful! Skating's allowed here, but you have to be careful of pedestrians."
"Oh, gotcha," Jack said, turning his forward momentum into a graceful spiral.
As he came to a stop, Kaz caught up and hit the breaks more awkwardly. "Man, and I thought I would probably have more experience with this sort of thing."
The two started skating easily down the boardwalk in long, easy strokes. "Why, are you trying to find something that I don't know how to do? There are still tons of things. You know that I don't bother with stuff unless it's worth doing."
"You mean unless you can do better than anyone else."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
Kaz couldn't help smiling. It felt amazingly good to spend time with Jack, but that only made him want to spend even more time with him. He felt a sneaking guilt from his desire to monopolize Jack. Wouldn't Jack rather be with Yusei?
They skated on for a while, Jack stealing looks at Kaz, wondering what he might be thinking about. "Hey, Kaz, skating is allowed, but is there an area where I can try something interesting?"
"Interesting? Like what?"
"I don't know … like sliding down a railing, or—"
"You're looking for something like that empty pool you were at yesterday?" Kaz asked. He had to smile, knowing how Jack loved to show off. No doubt he wanted to try pushing his new skates to their limit. But having to bring that up didn't lighten Kaz' mood any.
"Well … yes, I guess," Jack admitted.
"I'm sorry, Jack, the Boardwalk doesn't have anything like that. I thought it would be nice for the view and the sea breeze."
"That is nice," Jack admitted. But what he really wanted was an opportunity to show off. He really wanted to take Kaz' mind off of whatever was bothering him. Then maybe Jack could bring up things that were bothering him.
He turned around and started skating backward casually, just so he could look at Kaz. "Don't let me run into anything," he said.
"Jack, this isn't like your D-wheel."
"My D-wheel has a rear-view display. That's why I'm depending on you. I trust you."
"Jack …" Kaz debated telling Jack what he'd seen. He felt like he'd invaded their privacy. What good would telling Jack about it do except possibly cause him embarrassment? Still, he felt somehow less trustworthy and as though he'd betrayed Jack in some way by inadvertently spying on him.
"Kaz, is something bothering you?"
"Me? I'm fine."
Jack grunted in response, thinking Kaz wasn't fine at all. Like a figure skater, he turned 180 degrees on one skate in an instant, continuing to skim forward easily. Maybe the best thing would be to just go for it?
But what was the best way to bring up the subject of the possibility of a real date between the two of them? This activity seemed so date-like, yet there were no expectations. It would help if he had an idea whether Kaz would be open to being with a guy in the first place. After all, he'd just been on a date with a woman, and as far as he knew, Kaz dated women. Period.
But Jack had to do something or nothing would happen. "What is your opinion of long-distance relationships?" he asked suddenly.
Oh, god, thought Kaz, why is he asking me? Is he practicing before he talks it over with Yusei? He took a deep breath, preparing himself, and said, "It kind of depends. If the people are really committed, it can work. Otherwise, no. I think most times it doesn't work out because if the people were really committed, they'd find a way to be together."
"I see …" Jack said doubtfully, looking Kaz over.
Kaz wondered if Jack thought he doubted whether Jack had the commitment to see it through, and hurried to clarify his support. "But I think you'll be fine, Jack. You're serious people, right? So—"
"We? Just who are you talking about?"
Kaz was so stunned that he stopped dead, Jack skimming to a stop just past him. "Well … you and Yusei. Who else would I—?"
"Me and … and Yusei?" he echoed incredulously. Oh, right, he thought. He'd been so concerned about Kaz' reaction just now that he forgot to prepare for the possibility that Kaz might think he and Yusei were involved.
"I saw you kissing Yusei—I didn't mean to! So naturally I … I just—"
"Kaz …" Jack started back, reaching out to catch Kaz's wrist when four or five bodies suddenly inserted themselves between him and his objective. He had to jerk to a stop to avoid running into them.
A chorus of "Mr Atlas! Mr Atlas!" greeted him as he looked past the cadre of reporters to see an embarrassed Kazama headed in the opposite direction. "Sharon of the Duel Channel here. Your publicist didn't announce your return to Neo Domino City, Jack. Can you comment?"
"It's just a short pleasure trip," Jack said shortly. "I only have time to see my close friends and didn't want to make any public appearances. If you don't mind—" He tried to see where Kaz had gone, but could no longer see him.
"Watanabe from Duel magazine," said a wiry young man that Jack recognized from the tour. "Do the friends you just mentioned include Yusei Fudo? And do you intend to duel him this trip? I'm sure that our readers would like to know."
"I'm staying with my friend Yusei," said Jack, "but we're not dueling this time. Look, I don't mean to be rude, but you've interrupted an important conversation, and I'd like to find my friend—"
"Can you tell us who—" said a third voice, but Jack was shouldering his way through the bunch now, with a hasty, "Excuse me!"
Shit! thought Jack, I wonder who tipped them off that I was here? His hands tightened into fists. I'd love to give them a reason to regret that decision! But it was more important to find Kazama. Well, he'd have to get back to his D-wheel sooner or later—if he hadn't left already! Jack raced back in the direction of the lot where his D-wheel was parked, surprising a number of pedestrians as he whipped around them on his skates.
In the meantime, Kaz had been skating toward the parking lot slowly, trying to figure out what was going on. Jack had sounded incredulous when he'd assumed Jack and Yusei as a couple. But that didn't explain the kiss—or Jack's question. Could there be someone else? He just couldn't make sense of it.
Soon he spotted Kaz ahead, skating toward the lot at a much more rational rate of speed. He skimmed toward him, but didn't lose much speed in the process. When he reached Kaz, he wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him into a spin so that he could slow down. Kaz, surprised, almost lost his footing, and had to throw his hands around Jack's neck to stabilize himself.
"Jack—!" he exclaimed. "Careful."
"You weren't going to leave on me, were you? We were in the middle of something important."
"Important?" Kaz echoed. How could that be? Securely back on his skates, he let go of Jack and pulled away, but Jack seemed reluctant to let go him entirely, hanging onto his wrist. Kaz stared at it, his mind so confused that it was nearly blank.
Somewhere in the distance, a voice was asking, "Are you OK?"
Jack's fingers encircling his wrist …
Jack had kissed Yusei. He didn't hit him. But if he wasn't with Yusei …
So what if it doesn't make sense?
"Shit," muttered Kaz. I'm going for it.
"What?" Jack asked. "I didn't hear what you said."
Kaz suddenly whirled around and wrapped his free hand around Jack's neck again, which surprised Jack so much that he lost his footing. The both of them skittered, Jack ending up on his posterior with Kaz on his knees in front of him. Jack let go of Kaz' wrist during the fall, and Kaz wound up hanging on to Jack's shoulders with both hands. "Are you OK? I didn't hurt you did I?" Kaz asked.
"I'm fine. You?"
"No problem." No problem indeed, especially because Jack was now within easy reach. He leaned in and pressed his lips against Jack's briefly. Pulling back, he said, "I said, 'If you're not with Yusei, why not try me?'"
Jack was pretty sure that wasn't what he'd heard, but he really liked the sound of it. "Of course I'm not with Yusei, and just to let you know, I didn't kiss him, he kissed me. And now you kissed me."
"Is there a problem?"
"I think it would be nice to initiate a kiss." With that, Jack pulled Kaz in and returned his kiss, this time with a little more fervor.
Suddenly Kaz pulled back. "Oh!" he cried. "I forgot! We're in the middle of the Boardwalk!"
The two looked around, and, indeed, they were beginning to get a few curious stares. Remembering himself, Jack looked over his shoulder. The reporters were beginning to come into view now. Thank goodness they're on foot, he thought. He didn't mind them knowing, but he didn't need them intruding on an important personal moment. "Hey, Kaz, let's get out of here before this becomes a press conference." He scrambled to his feet and extended a hand to Kaz. Soon, they were skating toward the parking lot again.
"Um, Jack …" Kaz said. "Are you OK with this? I mean, what you said. It sounds like you're interested in someone, but if you haven't done anything about it, I mean, I wonder if you might … Could you ever consider me?"
Jack stopped suddenly, forcing Kaz to stop and look at him. "Kaz," he said, "why would I even ask you that question unless I wanted to know if you thought you could conduct a long-distance relationship? Why would I kiss you back?"
"So you're saying—?"
"I'm saying I like you, Kaz. I guess it never really hit me until you went on that stupid date, but yeah. I wasn't really thinking of dating yet, but … I couldn't stand the thought of you with some girl when you could be with me." He sighed. "But you haven't really said whether you like me."
"Like you? Are you serious? Jack, I'm crazy about you. I can't believe that you could be interested in me. I …" Kaz sighed and grabbed Jack's hand impulsively. "I'm just D-wheel officer, Jack. I'm not—"
"If you say you're not worthy of my love, I will slug you," Jack said. "I'll be the judge of who is or is not worthy of me."
Love …
Kaz was dying to jump into Jack's arms again, but he didn't want the reporters catching up with them. He turned toward the parking lot again. "Let's get out of here!" he said.
"Let's! Kaz, let's have a real date. Right now."
Kaz tried not to laugh at Jack's excess of enthusiasm. He wouldn't have minded just taking Jack to his apartment right away. But Jack didn't have a regular adolescence, did he? No high school or dating with restaurants and nice romantic sunsets on the beach …
Jack probably felt the need to spoil whomever he was with, didn't he? So Kaz just said, "Yes, let's!" Romance always led to, well, more intense things, right? "What do you want to do?"
They had reached the parking lot and began changing out of their skates back into their boots. "We can start with lunch, and then shopping."
"Shopping?"
"So I can buy you something to remember the occasion with, of course! There's a shopping district right by here. Then maybe the amusement park! And dinner, and …"
Kaz couldn't help it. He started to chuckle. Then he reached out and pulled Jack into a tight hug. Jack stared at him, not quite understanding, but he hugged Kaz back.
Later, they sat at dinner, awaiting an assortment of seafood. Kaz unconsciously touched his new silver pendant that Jack had insisted on buying for him.
"I really want to get that inscribed," Jack said. "Why did you insist on taking it with you?"
"I didn't want to wait to have it done."
"Pft!" Jack privately decided he'd just surprise Kaz next time.
Kaz suddenly reached inside his jacket and pulled out his deck. "What are you doing?" Jack asked.
Kaz smiled and said, "Making a point." He riffled through his deck until he found Demon Chaos King. "There you go," he said.
"What? Why would you—?"
"It's for you to keep until we can be together," Kaz said. "Remember I said a long-distance relationship could work, but only if both had the proper commitment? I need to show you that I'm ready to commit to you; that I'm confident you will return and bring my King to me … you are my King, Jack."
Jack frowned slightly. "Then what can I give you? I'm a duelist, so I need my cards. By that token, don't you need Chaos King to bring in duel infractions?"
"I can do that with my other cards," Kaz said, "but Chaos King is still the one that's most special to me. Jack, you don't have to give me anything. I believe in your honor. But you've already given me this." With that, he clasped the pendant in his hand.
"That's not the same thing at all," Jack insisted. "It should be something more—"
"More dramatic?"
"Something like that."
Dramatic, romantic, impressive, whatever. "I'm sure you'll think of something," Kaz said. "I just want you Jack. You're more impressive than anything you could give me."
"That's not the point."
Kaz smiled and changed the subject. Jack was what he wanted. Immediately, and forever. He was in this for the long haul.
After seeing Jack off, Kaz checked in to his shift at work. He'd traded a shift with Andou so that he could have that time with Jack and made a mental note to thank him later.
He had to go up to the office to sign some paperwork and pick up a citation book before heading out. He entered the area with a certain amount of dread.
Sure enough, he heard sniffling as he entered the area. Mikage was still crying? He surreptitiously glanced at her as he passed by only to see her catch sight of him and begin to sob helplessly into her tissue, then grab another one from a large box on her desk.
Maybe she should have taken the day off, he thought, hastening his step.
When he got to his desk, he rifled through it for the few items he needed, and just as he was about to turn around, he felt a hand clap onto his shoulder. He thought he was going to hit the ceiling.
"Ushio?!" he exclaimed, seeing who it was. "Sorry, I have to get down to the garage."
"I'll walk with you, then," he said, grinning broadly. "This is the first I've seen you since … well … since you and Jack became a thing."
"A couple, Ushio. You can say it, I don't mind."
"A couple, then. Is it … I mean, you weren't too keen on dating when we last talked. Was he the reason why? Of all people …"
"Well, yeah. I still can't believe it turned out like this."
"You and about a million of his female fans. I wonder if this will hurt his following?"
"I don't know, I think maybe … maybe they'll think they could be the one to change him, so … maybe not."
"Could be irritating for you, Kaz."
"It's worth it."
"Hey, I'll have to take your word for it."
"But Mikage … will she be all right?"
Ushio looked over his shoulder in the direction they'd come from and said, "She'll be OK. All she needs is a shoulder to cry on."
"Yours?"
"Hey, it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it! You know, she told me if Jack had to pick a guy—hell, anyone who isn't her, I think—she was glad it was someone nice like you."
"She really said that?"
"Everyone at the station likes you, Kaz."
"You don't think this is a little … weird?"
"Oh, I think it's all kinds of weird!" Ushio said happily. "But, trust me, I'm more than happy to get used to it. There's no law against it, and you're taking Jack way off the market. What's not to like about it? I'm hoping to catch Mikage on the rebound. I get to comfort her in her hour of need already."
Kaz couldn't help laughing. "Well, good luck, Ushio," he said. "Maybe she'll finally let go of him after all this time."
"You think?" he said hopefully. "Well, stay safe out there! I don't want you getting hurt!" Ushio winked and left Kazama standing in the garage next to his D-wheel.
Kaz had a brief vision of Ushio's worst nightmare: Kaz dying and Mikage easing Jack's grief. Yeah … no way was he going to let that happen!
As he was settling on the seat, he heard the ker-plunk sound of a text arriving and pulled out his cell.
What are you doing? I miss you already.
Kaz felt the heat of a blush spread throughout his body. Shit! Just receiving an innocent text from Jack prompted memories—wonderful memories, but inappropriate for duty. Perhaps Jack's strategy of building up to romance had worked beautifully, but it was painful in that he already felt in dire need of Jack's touch. He just hadn't gotten enough. A scary thought struck him: maybe this was so addictive that he never could? He sighed and quickly typed in an answer and pressed Send, thinking, I really don't want to work today …
Me too. Can't text now - going out on duty.
Ker-plunk! He checked the new message.
Then I won't bug you. Stay safe.
He chuckled to himself and started to put his cell away. That was the same thing that Ushio said. But just as he was zipping his jacket, he heard it again: Ker-plunk! and pulled out his cell. He really needed to get on the road …
I love you.
Damn it. He sighed, and tapped in a response. He'd just be a little late starting, that's all.
Me too.
Yeah, a long-distance relationship wasn't going to be easy, but for Jack, it was so worth it.
~ Fin ~
Author's notes ...
Gosh, well, sorry for the long wait, but (as noted at the start) I was dissatisfied with this chapter and ended up revising it endlessly as a result ... and got a double-size chapter as a result. (In fact, I was just about to post this puppy, and then got disgusted with a major section and tore out about a third of it and replaced it. ... I REALLY hope this is an improvement ...) I hope you like it ... it still seems a bit short on romance and warm fuzzies to me, for which I apologize, but I just couldn't seem to make it work out that way! :( Hopefully my next story with justiceshipping (I hope there will be one!) will be an easier write. I think it might be that I'm still getting a handle on Kazama as a character; when I can visualize them properly, some scenes almost write themselves. (Honestly, I hope this is OK, because I'm sick of looking it over! It's going out!)
I really want to thank everyone for their tremendous support during the writing of this story. :) Thanks so much for your reviews, favorites, and follows! This story may not have a lot of favorites or follows (or even many views ... sigh), but at least those who like it seem to appreciate it, so go, you! Your thoughtful reviews and PMs are more encouraging and inspiring than I can possibly express.
Reviews:
A couple of you mentioned Jack's tricks. I meant to write a little author's note about that and forgot! The producers seemed to like to have Jack do risky things like ride up stairs, jump gaps between buildings, etc, like it was nothing for him (not to mention the driving in reverse so often ...). Yes, Yusei does a lot of this during the final duel, but isn't he pulling a leaf out of Jack's book at the time anyway? (Or is he showing off for him, shippers?)
Not good enough: It wasn't just Kaz' good-guy instincts that were disturbed by Jack's comment. While Jack was thinking that Kaz deserved someone better ... like Jack, Kaz was thinking Jack would never think Kaz was good enough for him ... which I hope comes out in this chapter. (which is why I didn't respond on that point until now ;) ) I hope this isn't too explain-y ...
I agree with animerival that having Kaz witness the kiss is cliched, and I actually debated with myself at some length whether I wanted to do things that way (in my mind I put it "That would be a bit much"). But in the end I couldn't resist! I hope you can forgive the indulgence ...
There was a bit that a reader sent to me that I got permission (and am dying) to share, but I'm going to save it for my next story! (Since it might have a larger audience ...)
And now, for a couple of actual notes:
QED: quod erat demonstrandum. Translates to "that which was to be shown," meaning basically, that which was to have been proven has been proven (by what has preceded this statement).
I'm going for it: Kaz actually has a bit of a reckless streak (probably one of the things Jack likes about him, actually), and I thought he needed to take a little initiative here to reach for what he wants. My first version had Kaz behaving a bit passively and it just felt wrong.
Preview ... not this time because this is it for this story! Thanks so much for sticking with this story and for your patience. :) I hope you will try my next one. Right now, I don't know which one that will be. Until then, happy reading, everyone!