YD: This is dedicated to my friend, Lisa. I say my fics aren't good enough and then she yells at me saying they're wonderful. Thanks, Lisa. It means a lot to me!

Rated PG13 for character death and sadness.

Breaking Down

The day started like any other day. Kaiba Seto woke up to his lover, Jounouchi holding him. He laid there for a long time, simply content to watch his puppy sleep. But life called to him. So Kaiba reluctantly detangled himself from Jounouchi carefully.

He admired Jounouchi for a while longer, watching him clutch the pillow he had vacated moments before.

Kaiba went as slow as he possibly could, hoping for Jounouchi to wake up. There was a slim chance, even though it was still five in the morning. Too soon, Kaiba stood prepared. He turned, about to leave when a soft voice called to him.

"Seto?" Groggily, Jounouchi reached out, grasping Kaiba's wrist. "Are you going to leave without giving me a kiss?"

Kaiba pulled Jounouchi towards him and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips. "Of course not," he murmured.

"Do you really have to go?" Jounouchi asked. "They can handle one day without you."

"I can't, Katsuya. As much as I want to stay with you, I have to go."

"All right, Seto. Stay safe, okay? I just feel like something bad is going to happen today."

"Okay, Katsuya. I will. Goodbye, pup, I love you." He pressed one last kiss on Jounouchi's lips before leaving.

They day passed rather slowly for both of them. Kaiba buried himself in his company while Jounouchi hung out with his friends.

Jounouchi finally voiced what had been bothering him all morning to Yuugi. His friend was an attentive listener. He would understand.

"It's all right, Jounouchi. The feeling will pass soon enough. And what's this about 'not giving enough'? That's just foolish. You've given everything to Kaiba."

"I don't know, Yuugi. It just seems that he does everything for me. I want to do something for him."

"Jounouchi, you've got to stop thinking that!" Yuugi looked at his friend pleadingly. "We both know that you've given everything. You couldn't possibly give more."

"Thanks, Yuugi." Jounouchi smiled gratefully at his friend and glanced at the watch on his wrist. He always had lunch with Kaiba, no matter how busy he was. It was a small ritual of love that both had come to look forward to. There was no way that he would miss it.

"See… you're giving more of yourself to him right now."

"How so?" Yuugi smiled knowingly.

"Because you're constantly thinking of him," He called his boyfriend over and made him sit. "You love him as much as I love Yami."

Jounouchi smiled warmly. He knew how much his friend loved Yami. They were inseparable. Everyone agreed they were the sweetest couple for miles. Even Jounouchi and Kaiba couldn't match the ferocity of love always linking the two.

"So stop worrying, Jounouchi." Yuugi ordered gently. "We both know that you'd give everything for him."

"You're right again, Yuugi. Thanks for understanding."

"No problem, Jounouchi. Anything for a friend,"

A few hours later, Jounouchi was sitting in his limo, on his way to Kaiba Corp. Sometimes, Kaiba would stand outside and wait for Jounouchi. But if he was too busy, he would remain inside and work until Jounouchi arrived.

Jounouchi smiled to himself when he saw Kaiba waiting. Once the car stopped, Jounouchi launched himself into his lover's waiting arms.

"I love you."

The next few seconds were a complete blur. Both heard a gunshot. Jounouchi cried out in pain an instant later. Someone was dialing for an ambulance. Several people had already gone after the assassin.

"Seto…" Jounouchi's wide, confused eyes gazed up at him. His grip on Kaiba was spasmodic as waves of pain washed over him. His lover was fading in and out of focus. "Seto… help…"

He was dimly aware of Kaiba yelling something about not falling asleep before he completely blacked out. Kaiba's desperate pleas faded away as he sank into darkness.

The ambulance arrived quickly, trying to stabilize Jounouchi's condition. It did no good… Kaiba recognized a fatal wound when he saw it. But still, he refused to accept the truth. The paramedics let him on the ambulance.

All the way, Kaiba whispered nonsensical words of reassurance. Who he was reassuring, himself or Jounouchi, he did not know. He kept a firm grip on Jounouchi's limp hand. Only when they wheeled him away did Kaiba allow himself to be parted from his lover.

With nothing left to do but wait, Kaiba sat in the plastic chairs and did so. Waiting… waiting amidst the calm. He knew that this was not the end. This moment of stony silence was the calm before all hell broke loose.

"Kaiba-san… we have news." The doctor observed the haunted expression lingering in the CEO's eyes. He knew the news was bad simply by looking at the doctor's stance. Still, he wanted to see Jounouchi before he…

"Go on." He whispered. Unshed tears had gathered in his eyes. But he refused to let them fall. Not here. Not now. There would be a time for it later. Now was a time to be strong.

"We can't do anything. That bullet wasn't shot from a regular gun. It was filled with a poison with no antidote. There is nothing we can do for Jounouchi-san."

"How long?" Kaiba asked hoarsely. The doctor just confirmed what he already knew. The wound was fatal. Jounouchi was going to die before the day ended.

"We estimate that he has a couple of hours to live. I'm sorry."

"Can I see him?" Kaiba was surprised by his own strength. He imagined himself breaking down or killing something now. Instead, he was as calm as the day he played chess with Gozaburo.

"Of course. I will lead you to his room."

Kaiba walked like one condemned. He shuffled past several closed doors, eyes unfocused and blurry with gathering tears. As soon as he was in the room, the doctor closed the door. One glance at Jounouchi caused a few tears to fall. He stilled them quickly. His strength was wavering.

With quivering hands, Kaiba pulled out his cell phone and dialed for Jounouchi's best friend. Soon, he had called every single one of Jounouchi's friends. Each had the same reaction. Shock and horrifying realization. Jounouchi was going to die.

A few minutes later, Atemu and Yuugi entered the room. They found Kaiba sitting next to the bed, clutching Jounouchi's hand and staring at nothing. He jumped when Atemu placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

The rest of Jounouchi's friends arrived. Each paid Kaiba their condolences and sympathy. Every heart was being torn apart by grief. Yuugi sobbed into Atemu's shoulder.

The once proud CEO sat defeated next to his lover. Desperately, he tried to hold back tears, fully aware of the people behind him. He refused to show any type of weakness, especially in front of Atemu.

But somehow, the tears still came. They fell, but Kaiba did nothing to stop them. He hid his face behind his hands. Vainly, he tried to keep from shaking. It wasn't long until he completely broke down and cried. Why should he not? Jounouchi was an inch from death, clinging to life from a mere thread. As time passed, the thread grew thinner, and Kaiba weaker.

He knew nothing could save the man lying on the bed. But in his mind, he desperately clung to the thought that Jounouchi could fight off his impending death. Everyone in the room knew it was impossible.

Jounouchi Katsuya would die tonight, regardless of what the doctors tried. Every time Kaiba thought about it, more tears pushed past his closed eyes. Dimly, he could hear someone crying behind him. No doubt it was Yuugi, Jounouchi's long-time friend. He could hear consoling words behind him. Who they were directed at, himself or Yuugi, Kaiba paid no mind.

He heard himself order them out, needing to be alone. They complied, unable to bear the sight of an unconscious and dying Jounouchi. It simply was too painful. Yuugi cast one last longing look at his best friend before he was led out by Atemu.

Kaiba clenched the sheets Jounouchi was lying on. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. Colors around him seemed blurred. Was that the tears he had shed? Or was it something different?

One thought ran through his head constantly. This had been all his fault. Stupid company, stupid assassins, it was all them. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Kaiba reached out and brushed a few bangs from Jounouchi's eyes lovingly. Regretful tears filled his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Katsuya."

"Don't be, Seto," Pain-filled eyes opened slowly and gazed up at Kaiba. Jounouchi raised his hand and touched his lover's tear-stained cheek. "It's okay."

"Katsuya…" He squeezed his eyes shut and placed his own hand over Jounouchi's, holding him there. "I should've stayed. I should've protected you! I just stood there… and damn it, I'm so weak!"

"You're not weak, Seto." Jounouchi slurred. "Mm… Seto, I'm so tired."

"No! Damn it, Katsuya! Please don't leave me!" Jounouchi's eyes slowly closed and the EKG keeping track of Jounouchi's heartbeat slowed. Jounouchi forced his eyes opened and looked at his lover. He pulled Kaiba down and kissed him briefly. Then he let his hand fall and eyes close.

"I love you, Seto." With every word, Jounouchi's voice got fainter and fainter. The EKG announced loudly that Jounouchi's heart had stopped. Instantly, Kaiba started shaking the blond, as if he could bring his lover back. Tears blinded him, and he called for Jounouchi over and over again.

Doctors rushed in and pushed Kaiba away. They tried desperately to revive Jounouchi. But it was all in vain. Jounouchi was gone.

And he wasn't coming back.

Kaiba stared, horrified and utterly destroyed. He was gone. Kaiba's world shattered. Everything was falling apart. His once iron grip on life was loosening and slipping away. Nothing mattered anymore.

The doctors announced Jounouchi's time of death. Oh cruel irony that today should be the day of their fifth year anniversary. Five years previous, they had married. It had been the best day of Kaiba's life. He always treasured the memory. Now Jounouchi's death had marred the once perfect day.

A sheet was pulled over Jounouchi's head. One doctor kindly led him out of the room. Jounouchi's friends instantly knew what had happened. Yuugi burst into tears all over again. No one's eyes were dry. Together, they all mourned the loss of a loyal companion.

Kaiba had cried his tears and had no more to shed. He simply stood there, posture tense with grief. His normally iced blue eyes were clouded. He did not cry, merely watched the wall across from him without actually seeing it.

Why Jounouchi? He never deserved such a fate, not so soon. Kaiba stopped breathing after a quick thought. He would never kiss his beloved, never hold him, never love him. It would just be him in their bed, cold and alone.

And what of the person who killed Jounouchi? Red hot anger flared. Rage set into his lost expression. That bastard would pay. Kaiba would make sure of it. That assassin would bear the brunt of Kaiba's despondence and fury.

One month. Just one month after he lost Jounouchi, he lost his younger brother. Mokuba had finally decided to settle down with his girlfriend he had been going steady with for two years. That meant he was moving out.

It meant Kaiba would be all alone.

Nightmares plagued his mind while he slept. His face was gaunt and eyes haunted. Since his lover's death, he had not gotten a proper night's sleep. Nothing seemed to matter anymore. Mokuba had taken over the company, knowing fully well how his brother was handling his grief.

He wanted warmth. He wanted his loneliness to end. But most of all, he wanted to hold Jounouchi in his arms.

Kaiba knew he was destroying himself, lingering on Jounouchi's death like this. But Jounouchi had been his first and only love. Mokuba was only family. He couldn't offer what Jounouchi had.

Jounouchi would look down on him in disappointment if he knew that Kaiba would not move on. Jounouchi would want him to live his life. But he couldn't. Lord knows he tried. Nothing worked. He couldn't forget Jounouchi and move on. He didn't want to forget Jounouchi.

So now here he was. Broken, lost, and at the brink of insanity. His stoic mask long since faded. Nothing mattered anymore. He had been so hopelessly in love with Jounouchi. With him gone, life no longer had any meaning behind it. Love makes people weak. But it was better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. Damn proverbs.

"I'm sorry." Kaiba whispered brokenly. "I'm sorry for being so weak."

Then he pulled the trigger.

Owari

YD: Well… that was depressing. But it had to end sometime.

HS: Okay, there is a reason Kaiba acted this way. He loved Jounouchi with all his heart. When he died, it killed him. Can you imagine living a half-life without love? Yes, I realize I'm being a hopeless romantic. But once you meet the person who completes you, loves you, would you want to lose them?

YD: I'm sorry if you didn't like it. But please, review?