Chapter 17: Learning Curve

"I still can't believe that you never watch movies," Yami commented as Isono drove him and Kaiba home from the movie theatre. "What did you do when you were a kid?"

Still not understanding Yami's confusion on the matter, Kaiba answered, "I mostly read books."

"I would have thought you'd love movies because of the special effects," Yami continued. "Plus, Mokuba loves them, so I just figured that you guys watched them together."

"Not really," Kaiba said, although it made him wonder if that was something he should work on changing. He hadn't realized that his brother enjoyed movies that much, which made him wonder how much else he was missing.

"Huh," Yami commented, still surprised. "Did you at least like this movie?"

"It wasn't bad," Kaiba finally decided, "even if it's improbable at best."

Laughing at Kaiba's pragmatism kicking in again, Yami teased, "That's high praise coming from you."

"Did you enjoy it?" Kaiba remembered to ask.

Nodding happily, Yami replied, "I thought it was a lot of fun, but I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of our evening more."

Hanging out with the Yuugi-tachi was far from Kaiba's idea of fun, but both Mokuba and Yami had impressed upon him how important it was. Plus it was apparently too hard to tell them both no, which annoyed Kaiba to no end since it was further proof that he was growing soft.

"Come on, it's not going to be that bad," Yami promised.

"If you say so," Kaiba responded, not sounding like he believed a word of it.

"I can make it worth your time," Yami purred against Kaiba's ear, causing the brunette to shy away from the feeling. He had thought he'd grow immune to the effect, but if anything, he was becoming even more sensitive.

"Stop that," Kaiba commanded, but it was useless when Yami started feeling impish.

"Don't want to," Yami refused before taking Kaiba's earlobe into his mouth and lightly sucking on it. Yami loved that he could fluster Kaiba so easily.

Pushing Yami away, Kaiba asked in exasperation, "Will you stop?"

Pouting at being rejected, Yami agreed, "Fine, fine. But only because I actually want to hang out with my friends instead of you deciding we need to go straight to your house."

That sounded like a much better idea in Kaiba's opinion, but he knew Yami wouldn't forgive him for doing that. As if sensing Kaiba's thoughts, Yami told him, "There's plenty of time for that later. Much later."

The hint of perversion in Yami's tone sparked Kaiba's interest, but he forced himself to ignore it. "So do they know?" Kaiba asked, wondering if Yami had told his friends.

"Of course they do," Yami confirmed. "It's not like it came as a surprise to any of them."

"That's still weird to me," Kaiba stated, the functioning of the Yuugi-tachi beyond him.

"Why?" They knew I had a crush on you and it was only a matter of time before I got you to see things my way," Yami teased. "Besides, like I said earlier, they were convinced we hooked up years ago."

"Also weird," Kaiba decided, wondering if Mokuba had been privy to the group's theories. Then again, he wasn't so sure he wanted to know.

"You think everything about them is weird," Yami pointed out with a laugh.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Kaiba arrogantly stated, "I'm not wrong."

"Okay, maybe not," Yami conceded, "but it's not a bad thing. And you're far from normal yourself, you know."

"True," Kaiba finally agreed, knowing that it was the truth beyond a doubt.

They arrived at the Game Shop shortly afterward and Kaiba braced himself for an awkward time. Greetings were exchanged as they entered the living room and Kaiba was a little surprised when they sat in opposite facing chairs again. Figuring it meant Yami would behave himself, Kaiba took it as a saving grace, even as he absentmindedly rubbed at his ear.

"So how was the movie?" Yuugi asked once Yami was situated.

"It was good!" Yami answered, knowing that Kaiba was unlikely to do so.

"Yeah, what little of it you actually watched," Jounouchi joked with a knowing look that appalled Kaiba at what was being implied.

Looking vaguely offended, Kaiba defended themselves by saying, "Unlike some people, we know how to behave in public."

"Yeah, but where's the fun in that?" Jounouchi questioned with a brash laugh. "You gotta learn to live a little, man."

Trying to avoid the inevitable fight, Yami asked, "So what's the plan for tonight?"

"We were thinking of sushi," Anzu replied. "Sound good?"

"It sounds excellent," Yami enthusiastically agreed.

"Kaiba-san?" Anzu politely included him in the conversation.

He wasn't opposed to the idea, so Kaiba merely confirmed, "Sure," and got an appreciative look for his efforts from Yami and Mokuba both.

"We can go just as soon as I finish kicking Honda's ass all over this screen," Jounouchi announced, drawing Kaiba's attention to the paused game on the TV.

It was mercifully a quick battle and soon they were headed to the restaurant. Kaiba had little to add to their inane chatter so he largely stayed silent. That became harder to do when Yami sat on his right side and Mokuba on his left as they sat on a bench once they arrived at the restaurant. He was overly aware of Yami's thigh touching his, but Kaiba did nothing to move away.

"This place has the best otoro," Jounouchi bragged as he looked over the menu to try and figure out what he was having tonight.

Kaiba had his doubts, but before he could say anything, Mokuba said, "I doubt it's better than Miyanoma's. Now that's the best otoro ever."

"Fine, it's the best otoro I can afford," Jounouchi amended with a grin. "But seriously, it's amazing here. Kaiba, you should totally try it if you like that sort of thing."

Nodding in acknowledgement but said nothing as he glanced over the menu's offerings. The waiter came over to take their order and Kaiba was shocked at how much Jounouchi requested. "Is he seriously going to eat that much?" Kaiba wondered in a low voice so that only Yami would hear him.

Grinning at Kaiba's reaction, Yami replied, "Absolutely. The sad thing is, it sounds like he's leaving room for dessert later."

Shaking his head, Kaiba placed his far more conservative shortly thereafter, surprising them all when he actually ordered some otoro to try.

The conversation flowed easily between the group of friends and even Kaiba participated whenever Yuugi or Anzu tried to include him. Kaiba had to admit that it wasn't terrible being with them, but there were plenty of other things that he'd rather be doing. Of course, that might have had more to do with the fact that Yami was resting his hand on Kaiba's thigh, hidden from view by the table. Oddly enough, it was a small source of comfort and Kaiba continued to ponder it as they waited for dinner to arrive. Why would such a small thing matter to him at all?

Kaiba was surprised when the lively conversation continued after the food came and he tried to pay attention even though he quickly grew bored. He was utterly amazed by how much sushi Jounouchi had in front of him and Kaiba didn't know if he should be impressed or disgusted by the fact he could eat so much.

"So what do you think of the otoro?" Jounouchi asked Kaiba when there was a lull in the conversation.

"It's not bad," Kaiba admitted, although he shared his brother's opinion that the otoro at Miyanoma was far superior.

Laughing at Kaiba's way of praising things, Jounouchi exclaimed, "Holy shit, it must seriously be amazing for you to say that."

Kaiba was surprised when Yami's chopstick snuck over to his plate and stole one of his few remaining otoro rolls to eat. He arched an eyebrow at the action, but did nothing to prevent it. With the playful way Yami looked at him, Kaiba wouldn't have been able to stop him even if he wanted to do so.

"I've got to agree with Jounouchi, this is definitely the best otoro I've ever had," Yami added after he finished chewing.

It caused Mokuba to nudge his older brother and whisper, "You should take Yami to Miyanoma."

Filing it away as a good idea, Kaiba merely nodded in acknowledgement so as not to draw further attention to themselves. He supposed he ought to think up some ideas for potential dates instead of solely relying on Yami, but it was certainly challenging. But Kaiba Seto never backed down from a challenge!

At some point, Kaiba excused himself to go to the bathroom. He half-expected Yami to follow after him, but he mercifully didn't.

Instead, as Kaiba was washing his hands, Jounouchi walked into the bathroom and asked, "Hey, do you have a sec?"

"I…suppose," Kaiba conceded as he dried his hands. "Do you require something of me?"

"Nah, it's nothing like that," Jounouchi denied, which confused Kaiba who could think of no other reason the blonde would approach him. "I just wanted to congratulate you."

"For?" Kaiba asked with an arched eyebrow.

Snickering at that, Jounouchi replied, "For finally dating Yami, what else?"

"Aren't you supposed to be opposed to us being together or something?" Kaiba wondered, finding Jounouchi's easy acceptance strange.

"Why? It's not like you're my enemy," Jounouchi reasoned, having come to an understanding about Kaiba after their last duel. "Plus, he's had a crush on you for ages, so it's good to finally see him happy, you know? Anyway, it'd be pretty hypocritical of me not to support you guys since I'm seeing Honda and all."

"But we don't get along," Kaiba pointed out as he gestured at himself and Jounouchi.

Grinning at that, Jounouchi explained, "That's just banter. It doesn't mean I hate you or anything. Besides, have you heard half the shit I say to Honda? It's just how I show that I like you. Although I tend not to tease your brother too much, but that doesn't mean I dislike him or anything. I don't want you kicking my ass for starters and sometimes he takes thing a little too seriously, you know? I don't want him to get the wrong idea."

"I…appreciate the consideration," Kaiba forced himself to say, surprised that Jounouchi was so thoughtful about Mokuba.

"Hey, it's no problem," Jounouchi said with a grin over actually receiving gratitude from Kaiba. "He's a good kid."

"Yeah, he is," Kaiba agreed.

"Anyway, I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't at least say if you break Yami's heart, I kick your ass, got it?" Jounouchi told Kaiba before laughing at his expression.

Arrogantly tilting his head, Kaiba demanded, "And what makes you think you can take me in a fight?"

Holding up his hands in surrender, Jounouchi told him, "Relax, relax. I doubt it'll come to that anyway, so there's no need to get all pissy about it."

The comment was an odd one and it caused Kaiba to ask, "Why's that?"

"Because if your dedication to your brother is any indication of how you'll be with Yami, there's nothing for me to worry about," Jounouchi explained, once again surprising Kaiba. "Speaking of which, you should probably head back before he starts thinking we're in here fighting."

Having said everything he needed to, Kaiba left without another word. When he returned to the table, Yami worriedly asked, "Is everything okay?"

"It's fine," Kaiba reassured him, shocked he actually meant it. Sensing Yami still didn't believe him, Kaiba rested his hand on Yami's knee and lightly squeezed it, unprepared for the way it caused his rival to laugh suddenly.

It drew everyone's attention to Yami and Anzu asked, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, nothing," Yami denied as he subtly moved Kaiba's hand up to a safer and less ticklish place on his thigh.

Jounouchi returned then, questioning, "So what did I miss?"

"Apparently nothing?" Yami replied, causing everyone to laugh.

"Good! Now what's for dessert?" Jounouchi brightly asked, causing everyone to groan at the thought of more food.

"I vote doughnuts!" Mokuba volunteered, having saved room for dessert because he knew how his friend thought.

"We haven't had ice cream for awhile," Anzu pointed out just to offer an alternative.

"I say we do both!" Jounouchi exclaimed with a fist pump in the area.

"No!" almost everyone protested before laughing.

"Aw, you're ruining all my fun," Jounouchi playfully complained. "Fine, doughnuts it is!"

Mokuba cheered and the group hurried to pay the bill while everyone tried to figure out which doughnut shop to go to next.

Kaiba personally thought doughnuts after sushi sounded like the grossest thing ever, but he kept his opinions to himself and merely went with it. Besides, if it made Mokuba and Yami happy, it wasn't much of a hardship to manage.


A/N: Hey, I finally managed to get a supportive Jounouchi. Sure took me long enough, ugh. The funny thing is, I've always thought Jounouchi/Honda was a thing, but for some reason, this is the first time I've ever made them actually a pairing in one of my stories. No clue as to why it took me so long, but it's fun to change things up sometimes.

NEXT CHAPTER:

"Looking for that reward for good behavior?" Yami teased as he started working off Kaiba's coat.

So we all know what that means~. The next chapter will go up on Sunday, October 12th, so please look forward to it!