~Jem's POV~

The show was over. They had played a good show, and I was able to enjoy it from just offstage. They were starting to get a fair following, people starting to recognize my brother's talent.

Now we were at a bar connected to the venue for the last hour they were open, and no one seemed to care or notice that we were only almost 18. Jude had tried to get me to drink, saying I'd loosen up and have more fun, but I refused. It was our last night to be together. Tomorrow was Sunday and I would have to head back to be ready for school on Monday. I was trying to be here for it, but this past week had worn on me.

I sat at a bench between Declan and Jude. Sam sat on the other side of Jude, and Jude didn't seem to notice the passes Sam made towards me with every additional drink. It was loud, but I think it had more to do with the girls that Jude was entertaining on the other side of the table that caused him not to notice. Declan was simply chatting with a band member who had opened for them.

I had tuned everything out and felt a little miserable. This wasn't my scene, and I knew that now. I experienced this very differently from how I had years ago.

Think very clearly, I heard, "How about you, sweet cheeks?"

Declan turned to look at me as the boy tried to engage me in their conversation. All I saw was an opportunity to speak and excuse myself with the attention.

"Um, excuse me, Declan, can I just get by?" I was already standing, but still keeping my head down. Declan didn't mind at all and was quick to oblige. The bar was too busy and cluttered for anyone to think anything of it; it took enough energy to just focus on one person.

As soon as I was out, Declan was back down and talking. With all of them engaged, Sam now too, I was able to sneak away without them giving it a second thought.

I wove my way through the crowd and out to the street, where I took a deep breath and crossed my arms, looking up to the skyscrapers.

The bar atmosphere spilled outside to the smokers. I couldn't be around it, so I chose a direction and started walking.

It was nice to be out, alone in the crisp night air. There were still people out, but I ignored them, looking around as I walked.

Further down, there was a section with no skyscrapers and consumed by construction. I didn't think too much of it. It was on my route, and I would check it out as I went by.

~Seto's POV~

I was there later than I intended, but envisioning the arena that would soon stand here brought back memories. Memories I had not yet faced, not with Mokuba close at my side. But he was back home now in Domino, keeping an eye on things while I made this quick overnight trip to check on the second KaibaLand's early construction.

I was deeply unhappy as I stood on the open concrete, reliving the defeat I faced atop my dueling tower and remembering the victory that was stolen from me. I gritted my teeth, and in an attempt to regain control, I turned, deciding to finally call it a night. I would have my revenge. I would regain my title. All I could do until then was try to keep away the contempt that ate at me and focus on my promise to Mokuba.

I slipped through the iron gate to the city, being sure to punch in the correct number to secure it until the workers came. When I turned, all I could see was my car that I was using for this trip waiting for me. The construction kept most of the street from my sight until I was actually on the sidewalk and out of the entryway. Therefore I made sure to check the sidewalk as though I was crossing the street, and that's when I saw her.

She had been looking at the skyscrapers, but turned her head and saw me at the same moment. Seemingly about to walk by, she instead stopped dead and just looked at me, her mouth open. The turn of her head caused her satin hair to twirl and shift to a new side. She wore a little cyan dress that only barely reserved the right to be called modest, though I didn't mind the couple inches it lacked. Her pale skin and fair hair were illuminated in the darkness. All of my disdain was pushed back when I saw her.

Ever since Yugi had defeated me on top of my duel tower, I had felt like nothing. I wanted to feel something other than that. I recalled the sensations I had that night she spent in my arms. I was again consumed by my want for her.

"Seto?" she asked. "Is that really you?"

"Jem, what are you doing here?" I implored.

Her stance faltered, her shock replaced by the memory of where she had been. "My brother," she began, uncrossing one arm to gesture over her shoulder as she shook her head, "he played a show tonight. I went to support him."

"Why aren't you with him now?" I asked, sensing something was out-of-place.

She recrossed her arms and huffed, glancing at the ground before answering me. "They're at a bar. I couldn't do it, it was just making me miserable."

I didn't want her to be miserable, nor did I want her to be at a bar. That was completely beneath her. I was slightly furious that her brother couldn't see that, that he not only allowed it but encouraged it. She would be better off with me.

My longing for Jem consumed me all too easily. I had fought it for a long time, but what I was doing wasn't working, nothing had made it go away. Finally, I realized that I needed to have that power over her, and not the other way around. I wanted a victory, and now, seeing her there, I knew one victory would be finally reclaiming that power.

I studied her for a moment, and for the first time in a long time, my desire for her pushed past my pretentiousness and manifested as an action. Or rather this time, a direction.

"Then come with me."

She hesitated, thinking, then answered, "I can for a bit, then I have to get back."

I hit the button on my key. The lights flashed as the doors unlocked. "Get in."

~Jem's POV~

As soon as I saw him move, I went too. As much as I loved my brother, I much preferred Seto's company. And I had missed him.

As Seto started the car, I slipped on my seatbelt, then checked my phone. Jude hadn't noticed yet, so I simply texted 'Be back in a bit' for when he did. Feeling like I'd bought some time, I tucked my phone away, not to be bothered with it.

Seto peeled out on to the sparse street a bit unexpectedly. I looked over at him to see his eyes locked on the road. He seemed a bit detached, not quite his normal self. Still-

"I'm happy to see you," I noted after a minute. This seemed to pull him from his thoughts as he glanced over at me, shifting in his seat.

But he did not respond with his typical silence or "Mm." Instead, he replied firmly, "Good." Then he shifted up, the car jerking with a new fruition.

We drove for a bit and the city started to thin. As it disappeared completely atop the cliffs, I wondered where exactly we were going, but I didn't ask as my eyes were pulled out over the waves. I worried briefly about the time that passed and the distance from my brother, but I didn't say anything, giving the situation time to play out. I knew my slight anxiety was making it feel longer than it was.

Before I knew it, we were parked among several exquisite cars outside a dark, grand cottage. Seto didn't waste any time shutting off the engine and exiting the car. I was a bit more awestruck and careful, looking around as I undid my seatbelt and climbed out.

"Is all this yours?" I asked, stepping out of the car.

"Yes," he replied. "This is where I'm staying during this trip. All of this is nothing compared to all that I own."

"I like it," I remarked as I closed the door.

"Come with me, there's more."

I finally turned my eyes back to Seto, quick to follow and keep up with him. He led me around to the other side of the grand cottage, out to the cliffs.

I unintentionally gasped, catching his attention. Though I had been looking out when I could from the car, the view Seto owned was remarkable in comparison. Still, I looked up to him, slightly embarrassed. He turned ahead and kept walking, his hands in his pockets.

We stopped among the rocks, just a bit before the drop, looking out over the water.

The moon was out tonight, reflecting its silvery light and illuminating the night. "It's astounding," I breathed. I recrossed my arms and gave a slight shiver. In the late hours of the night, and now out in the open and exposed to the sea breeze, it had become quite cold. I still fixed myself on the water, but Seto seemed to be keeping an eye on me and noticed my slight shiver. And again, he surprised me by pulling off his long coat and wrapping the fabric around me.

~Seto's POV~

I could tell she was cold, and I didn't want her to be uncomfortable. In fact, I wanted her to be quite comfortable with me—I could take more of her. Though I didn't mind how her dress displayed her legs, I wanted them protected. And I wanted an opportunity to touch her again. I had waited far too long.

I did not simply drape my coat over her shoulders as I had before. This time, I wrapped it around her firmly, grabbing the fabric near her hips and turning her to me. Finally, her eyes were ripped from the ocean and came to rest upon me, though there was an uncertainty and surprise behind them.

As she looked at me, I kept my gaze and my grasp firm. Slowly, I released the fabric and slid my hands around to the small of her back. Those few inches still kept her too far away. I guided her body against mine. The gap closed between us.

Jem wove herself between my arms and pressed herself against me for warmth, her cheek on my chest. Her body felt wonderful against mine. I closed my arms around her and held her to me, bowing my head to the top of hers. And there it was, that scent I had missed. I closed my eyes, simply enjoying her.

A breeze came and gently pushed my hair forward, and though I thought she was safely encased, I felt her shiver again. I opened my eyes and raised my head. With this, she looked up as well.

I was about to say something about going inside, but I was silenced as our eyes met again. After a moment, her eyes fell, looking to my lips. Softly, she reached up, placing a hand on my cheek and brushing her thumb briefly over my mouth. Her eyes again rose to mine. She had the exact same thing on her mind.

Finally, I took what I had craved since she left my bed all those months ago. I leaned down and kissed her. To my satisfaction, she kissed me back.

I felt her hands slide to creep up over my shoulders and around my neck. I would let her be my distraction. There was nothing I could do about Yugi at the moment, and I decided that I would rather enjoy Jem than agonize over my defeat. Her lips were soft and warm and she kissed with a delicacy that embodied who she was. This made me enjoy it all the more. I wrapped my arms further around her. She wasn't going anywhere.

Finally, I pulled back. She sank a bit as I straightened up, and I watched her eyes open gradually.

Jem then shook her head, a little baffled. She still seemed shocked.

"What is it?" I asked.

"It's just..." she began. "It's been a long time. I'd come to think you didn't want any of this. And now all the sudden, it's happened."

"I told you to not presume to know what I want," I countered condescendingly.

She nodded calmly, unable to argue with that. "You did." I liked that she didn't argue with me.

"Come on, we're going inside," I told her, turning and taking her firmly by the hand. I led her up the stairs of the open back porch to the glass door. I placed my fingertips behind the seemingly normal sliding door handle, allowing it to read my prints. I heard it unlock and I removed my hand, allowing it to open.

As I stepped in, the house was already illuminating itself. Jem's attention was quickly caught by the lights, as I expected. Then I watched as her eyes shot up, exploring this main space that was big and open, not limited by other floors.

She was distracted momentarily as the door closed behind her, but was brought back when the house greeted, "Welcome back, Mr. Kaiba."

I dropped her hand and took my coat off her, hanging it near the door. As I did, she took a few steps past me, her eyes wide, glancing around.

~Jem's POV~

I looked around, mystified. All of the was completely surreal. I didn't know what to think, dreams had never come true for me before.

"Make yourself comfortable, I have to make a call," Seto directed, going to a screen just around the corner.

With this I wandered over to the large cream couch, going to sit. Then I heard the voices and stayed quiet.

"Good evening, Mr. Kaiba-"

"Status update," Seto overrode impatiently.

"Everything is going smoothly here, Mr. Kaiba."

"How's Mokuba?" he continued.

"He's asleep, sir." I smiled as I looked down at my hands, waiting.

~Seto's POV~

I glanced over to where she waited for me. Her eyes were down, and I caught her smile at the mention of my brother's name. I could tell she adored him. This was important to me, seeing as everything I did, I considered to be for the benefit of Mokuba. I had told myself that I would now be working on giving him the life I promised. I didn't know if she was a part of that life yet.

Mokuba had not had a woman figure in his life since our birth mother. I hadn't thought he needed one, but I remembered her in the back of that helicopter from Duelist Kingdom, how he clung to her. I knew that was something I wasn't personally capable of giving him. Was that part of the reason he kept pushing me? Perhaps that gentleness was something he needed. Perhaps that gentleness was something I wanted.

"I have nothing else to report. Did you have anything else for me, Mr. Kaiba?" Roland asked, interrupting my thoughts.

"No," I replied, and without taking my eyes off her, I hung up.

I came to stand before her and she looked up at me. My height presented a significant distance between us. With my eyes on her, I came to kneel, more at her level, though I still rose above her slightly. And she was right there.

I glanced down at her bare legs, closed to the knees, but still. I lifted my hands to follow the curves of her legs. I minded the fabric and she seemed unopposed to this. She leaned toward me as she waited to see what I wanted. Just above her hips, I curved my fingers behind her and pulled her closer. This broke what lock there may have been at her knees as they needed to separate for me to get closer. Claiming a few more inches, Jem reached out, taking my shirt and encouraging me even closer to the point where our lips met again. I wanted more of her, so I pulled her nearer, curious to see how she would react when she found my body between her knees.

Just as I did, her phone beeped.

This pulled her attention away. She let go of my clothes and twisted to withdraw her phone from her dress pocket, causing her to move away from me a bit. I didn't like this intrusion, especially not when I had just gotten her.

She brought it out to look at. "Jude just got back to me. He's wondering where I am," she shared.

I looked at her disdainfully, though this was meant for her brother. "It took him this long to notice you were missing?"

She glanced up at me. "Probably, or that long to wonder about it," she replied casually as she stowed her phone away. She brought her hands back to my chest, her eyes downcast as she looked at them. "I hate to ask, but I think it's about time I head back."

I didn't want her to return to him. "Your brother should be able to take care of himself-"

"He should be able to take care of himself-" she began.

"Stay here. I'll bring you back to Domino with me tomorrow," I interrupted. She froze and stared at me. Her eyes shone. She seemed to be considering it.

"I should go..." she answered faintly.

I stood. "I'm not going back there tonight. Choose a car and take it."

She didn't seem to know what to say and waited. Finally, she gave me a, "Yeah, ok."

I didn't like losing her. I did not wait for her, and retired to my room.

Next Chapter: Run Off

As I drove I fought with myself. I didn't want to leave, I wanted to stay.