Chapter Eighteen
"I give up Katsuya..." Kaiba repeated.
"You care to elaborate on that? Last time I checked, I can't read minds," Jounouchi answered.
"I'm a fool, to think I could earn your love. I've been nothing but an asshole to you; so why could you change your feelings for me even though mine have?" Kaiba asked. His voice trembled. No, his every muscle trembled. His chest felt like it was collapsing inwards.
"You have a point," Jounouchi said.
"I give up trying to win your heart. What fucking ridiculous notion," Kaiba mumbled.
"Then why are you saying all of this?"
"Because you deserve an explanation."
Jounouchi sighed getting up out of his chair.
"And do you realize how ridiculous it seems that the great Seto Kaiba loves a pauper like me? I don't want to be hurt by you," he answered.
Kaiba looked confused, and then for once, he realized how blind he had been. Jounouchi had always been in denial. That had just been a lack of confidence. Proof of hurt. Proof that he might actually stand a chance if he just stayed there a little longer and took the rejection time after time.
"You've always been there. Always. Despite your idiocy; you've always proven that you have potential."
"Potential hm?" Jounouchi questioned.
"Ever since I saw you dance for the first time, as 'Kat' per-say, I knew that you were more than what met the eye," Kaiba admitted.
The blonde sighed and walked across the room.
"Not exactly sure what you saw but it's made you stupid ever since."
Kaiba couldn't help but slightly smile, "That's more of your role Bonkotsu."
"Che..." was Jounouchi's only reply as he stood up and walked a little ways over to look at the view from the balcony. There was an awkward silence between them...
"You're far from a pauper," Kaiba managed to admit gently.
"Oh?"
"When you're dancing...you're admired and people seem in awe at your presence. I guess it makes you a fake prince perhaps?" the brunette explained with a little laugh. Jounouchi couldn't help but smile. The way Kaiba got nervous was hilarious in so many different aspects.
"It seems like you've fallen in love more so with 'Kat' than me," he said sadly.
"Kat and Katsuya are the same person; Kat's just a more confident you... And I wish more than anything else, that I could bring that side out more often than just on a dance floor under some club lights," Kaiba admitted.
"I guess you could say things have been ingrained into my brain. I'm used to masks as a shield. A way to..." Jounouchi's voice trailed off knowing he was saying way too much for his own good.
"That's normal," Kaiba reassured.
"That's something I rather not be," Jounouchi murmured with a sigh.
There was an awkward silence between them as they gazed upon the spacious night scenery. Sometimes things were better left unsaid. Jounouchi couldn't help but smile a little. Sometimes it was better if they were just quiet. Even Kaiba's presence; him just being there was enough to keep him satisfied. There was something about him that just made the blondes defenses come up and eventually by the end of the night let down. Recently, he hadn't be able to stay completely mad at him...
"Aren't you cold?" Kaiba asked.
"Hm?"
"You're in a tank top and it's mid-winter..."
"I totally forgot," Jounouchi said with a laugh. He moved to grab the finished dinner plates and bring them inside. Kaiba also moved to help and was rather amused at how lost Jounouchi got trying to find his way back through the hallways and into the kitchen.
"Bonkotsu...just stop. Turn around. Now walk down that way..."
"I feel like you're leading me in circles," Jounouchi muttered darkly.
"Well, that's all this manor is really; one big circle," proclaimed Kaiba with a smirk.
"Stop making me feel foolish..."
"Then stop acting cutely foolish and maybe I won't be so tempted."
And with the minor taunts-they found their way to the kitchen. Sat down the glass wear into the sink to be dealt with tomorrow.
"You should stay here tonight," suggested Kaiba.
Jounouchi blinked, "Wha-?"
"I said it in full Japanese; you should stay here tonight."
"I should really get home, my father-" Jounouchi began.
Kaiba smiled darkly before pulling the blonde near him and examining the boy fully. Behind the clothes and make-up the boy was very much so bloodied and bruised. He hid it well.
"What about your father?" the brunette asked. It was time to start interrogating about that now that it was on his mind...
"I have to take care of him," explained Jounouchi.
"Seems like you need to be taken care of more so than your old man," Kaiba murmured as his thumb brushed the corner of what was Jounouchi's concealed but busted lip.
Jounouchi's eyes widen as if horrified and within milliseconds slapped Kaiba's hand away.
'Bingo...'
"That's none of your business," snapped Jounouchi with a glare to replace his shocked look.
"Katsuya you know damn well you deserve better... I'm sorry to bring this up again; but look at what I can give you. Even if you may no love me romantically, I can still help you more than you think I can," Kaiba pointed out.
"I'm well aware but-" Jounouchi was cut off.
"Shut up. I know you feel obligated to him. I know that it feels like you're bowing down to me but regardless-once you're out of this mess, I can help you get Shizuka. You'll have a reputation to save her and you... I know you want to be independent, but you've done so enough. For once shut the fuck up and take the backseat and let me handle everything."
"And why does it have to be you?"
Kaiba blinked. He didn't know how in the hell to make a counterargument out of that. He was of course doing it out of instinct. His mind of course wanted to say the obvious, "Because I fucking love you dumbass." but knew that wouldn't get him anywhere. Not with Katsuya at least. But Jounouchi was the only one he was interested in and lately had been the only thing on his mind. He didn't know why it had to be him other than for his own selfish reasons but... For once the tensai was at loss for words.
"I'm not sure why. Just fucking take it mutt. I'm already 'dating' you so to speak so just fucking let me court you like a proper boyfriend and take it," Kaiba snapped. God he felt his face turning red at such words. Yeah, he just threw a little bit of his pride away there.
Jounouchi sighed, "I'm going home." he made move for the kitchen door and walked a little ways and Kaiba followed. He walked around a little bit and Kaiba couldn't help but laugh.
"Kaiba-help me get out of this damn house..." he said.
Kaiba being mischievous only smiled a devilish smile, "You're not wanting help with other things so why should I help you with finding your way to the door? And even then; you do realize there's no train to take you back this late right?"
Jounouchi's face was priceless just then. If Kaiba could have been out of character and could have rolled on the floor laughing; he probably would have done so. The realization hit the boy like he had gotten smacked in the face.
"Fuck!" Jounouchi hissed.
Kaiba then had to laugh and answer, "Oh? You're going on with that again? I thought we already decided on whom I'd fuck."
Jounouchi whirled around and pushed at him out of frustration only to have Kaiba yank him down with him in the process. He'd be damned if he was going down with out a fight.
"What in god's name is wrong with you? Why in the hell do you have to be so damn arrogant all the fucking time?" cursed the blonde trying to pull himself up only to have his arms pinned by Kaiba.
"Because you make me be," Kaiba stated lightly.
Jounouchi struggled for about five minutes trying to get his hands unclasped and realized that the Tiffany's bracelet was going to make a lovely bruise around his wrists from his struggles and that Kaiba wasn't letting up anytime soon.
"Fuck it I give up!" exclaimed Jounouchi.
"Exactly, now if you'd bark and roll over maybe I'd be nice and let you sleep in your master's bedroom tonight," Kaiba teased.
Brown eyes glared back at him darkly.
"I'm being sarcastic. You're welcome to sleep with me without any of that."
"I want my own bed," Jounouchi snapped.
"You'll just get lost in the hallways the next morning, so I find that pointless. You might as well just rest with me. It's not like you haven't slept in my bed before," pointed out Kaiba, "Matter of fact you even slept on it a couple of nights ago after our bath."
Jounouchi looked away blushing furiously remembering...
"Whatever."
Kaiba grinned. Once again he won. Just a little bit of stubborn-ness always got him his way. He wasn't Seto Kaiba for nothing might he add. He lifted himself off of Jounouchi before heading down another one of the many halls in the manor before calling out, "You coming pup or would you prefer the hallway floor?"
Jounouchi sighed, "Next time you call me a dog name I'll promise to never love you!"
Silence. Jounouchi couldn't help but smile at his empty threat. That shut up that brunette quite nicely...
(A/N: HOLY FUCKING SHIT! I'm so sorry you guys! Real life really really kicked my ass... Hence why you guys haven't gotten anything since..-looks- June! Anyway I was determined to get this chapter out for my lovely 'daughters' who've been following this story almost religiously...lol... They've really encouraged me to continue on with this silly little thing. -has been very uninspired lately- Hence why this chapter is nothing but fanservice ne? Well, we're progressing, somewhat-trust me! Anyway I hope you guys are entertained despite the long disappearance! Much love you guys!)