warnings: profanity
5. Reception
A roaring began to fill Yusei's ears as the same question was posed to Jack. Yusei began to wonder, forget Jack, would he make it through without keeling over? He'd thought he could do this, but the thought of Jack walking out of here with Carly cheerily clinging to his arm was enough to kill him.
"… of your life?"
Yusei stared at Jack's back. In this moment, all doubt, whatever remaining threads of hope that remained in Yusei's heart, would be resolved. The broad chest expanded as Jack took a deep breath, causing Yusei's heart to throb painfully.
Jack began to speak slowly and huskily, "I … can't."
Jack collapsed to one knee before Carly, bowing his head, and said, "I'm so very sorry, I didn't want to put you through this, believe me. I tried so hard to get through the ceremony … but—" he sighed heavily. "Dammit. I've already screwed up and we're not even married yet. I hope you can forgive me one day. "
For a moment, Carly stood staring at Jack, her eyes like saucers. Yusei could almost sense the shock, then the rush of thoughts like a tsunami in the mind across from him. He wondered if they were anything like the maelstrom that would have whirled within his own mind.
"Jack, what are you talking about?" Carly said at last. She knelt down and laid her hands on his hair, gently stroking it. "You know I'd forgive you anything. It's all right. We don't have to get married today." She stood up and turned toward the guests. "Everybody, why don't you meet at the reception, and we'll just make it a party, all right? We'll figure this out and meet you later."
There was general confusion as some of the guests began to rise and others began to protest. Crow, Kiryu, and Kazama stood and started to usher the guests from the room. Mikage stopped sobbing and began looking slightly hopeful as Ushio herded her out of the room against her will.
"Carly, that man just treated you horribly!" stated Misty angrily.
"Misty, it's OK. Can't you see that he's confused? He's in pain. I need to help him. Jack, tell me what's wrong."
"I feel awful," he said.
Carly moved to hug him. Yusei wanted to push her away.
What the hell is wrong with me? he thought. She's just doing what I want to do. And he did. Seeing Jack like that, he wanted to pull him close and hold him.
"Awful? I don't see why."
"I ruined your wedding, Carly."
"No you didn't." She smiled and put a hand under his chin and forced his chin up, making him look at her. "See? This isn't my wedding day. I'm not married yet, OK? It can't be my wedding day because I'm not married yet. Everything's going to be OK, just like always."
"Even if I never marry you?"
A shadow crossed Carly's face at this, but to her credit, her smile, although it wavered, remained on her face. "Even if. I hope you don't mind if I steal something away from you, though, in that case," she said.
"What's that?"
"Just this." Carly leaned in and kissed him gently. "I'll always love you, Jack, no matter what. I want to be the one, but if I'm not the one … Well, I'd rather you're happy than unhappy with me."
When she pulled away, Yusei could see the tear trailing down her cheek.
"Dammit, Carly, that's why this is so hard."
Carly's smile widened and she stood, pulling Jack up. "You know I don't want to make this too easy for you. Are you going to tell me what happened?"
"Not yet. Is that OK?"
"Yeah. I'm going to change. Will you be at the party?"
"You're still coming?"
"Of course I am! You're paying!"
"You bet she is! And you're not getting the ring back!" said Misty.
"Now, Misty!" Carly said, giving her a calming look. She slipped the engagement ring off her finger and handed it to Jack. "Thanks for reminding me, Misty. I hope you're coming to the party, Jack."
"I may. I'm still thinking about it."
Jack and Yusei watched the two depart from the room.
"Jack, I thought I was going to drop," Yusei said, wrapping his arms around him. "I can't stand it. If you don't want to be with me anymore, I hope you don't stick around Neo Domino City. I won't be able to take it."
"Yusei …"
But Yusei wasn't paying much attention. He was trying to get closer to Jack, pressing his body into the firm flesh before him.
"Yusei, don't. Please, not here …" Jack gently pushed Yusei away.
"Then—"
… somewhere? Later? We can … ?
"I want to be with you, Yusei. I haven't been able to stop thinking about what we did—what we must have done—since … But I want to remember this, this next time, I want to know you, Yusei."
"Jack …" Damn. The way his voice got low and husky when he spoke those words made his heart race and thump wildly in his chest. He didn't want to wait.
"Let's go to this party."
"I don't want to wait."
Jack smiled. Now Yusei really didn't want to wait.
"Let's go to the party," said Jack. "Everyone is waiting for us. Do you want to say anything?"
"Not yet. I want to have you to myself for a while and … with the wedding and Carly …"
"Yeah, I didn't think the timing was right."
"God, Jack, I don't want to wait."
"But if you want me to yourself for a while, we really should go." He took Yusei's hand. "Besides, aren't you forgetting something?"
"What could I—Shit! Aki!" If he didn't show up at the party soon, Aki would look for him here, or try to find him. "Dammit, Jack, I hate it when you're right like that."
"I'm always right."
Yusei took a breath, trying to reorient himself. He stopped Jack as he turned toward the door. "Oh, yeah," he said. "I sort of told Crow."
"Geez!" Jack exclaimed. "Are you sure he won't just tell everyone?"
"I think he'll at least wait to find out what happens between us. He might think we're fighting right now … as in beating each other senseless."
"Well, we'd better get going, then."
They walked toward the doors. Just as they reached them, Jack pushed Yusei against the door. He tilted Yusei's chin up and kissed him gently. "For later," he breathed.
"Jack, wait," Yusei gasped. At last his hands ran along those beautiful white lapels and gripped them so that Jack couldn't pull away so easily. He returned Jack's kiss with redoubled passion.
Jack pulled away. "Not yet, Yusei, please," he said, his voice husky, almost groaning with the effort of putting him off. "Uh … Aki …"
"Oh, yeah. Aki."
The two quickly smoothed their clothing and then headed for the party—happily, in the ballroom just down the hall in the hotel.
"At least we don't have to go far to get to this party," said Yusei. "Was the venue Carly's idea?"
"Actually, I suggested doing it all at the same location. I even have the honeymoon suite for tonight."
"You …" Yusei stopped him and looked into his eyes. "You really shouldn't have mentioned that until after we got out of the party."
Something flickered in violet depths of Jack's eyes. He cleared his throat. "Hnh. Someone's eager."
"I know that it won't be our first time, but it'll be the first time I remember, so, yes, I admit it."
"Me too, but we have a couple of things to take care of and you're not making it easy."
"I don't want it to be any easier for you than it is for me."
"Believe me, it's not easy," he said, starting to walk down the hall again. "Let's get there so you can see Aki and I can face the music."
Oh yeah …
Yusei slowed, watching Jack walk ahead. Then, as he paused to admire the rear view, Jack's trim form, the tails swaying gently against the backs of his calves, he decided that wasn't such a good idea.
He caught up with Jack as he entered the ballroom.
As soon as they got there, Aki grabbed Yusei's arm and any number of people descended upon Jack. Yusei glanced over in his direction, but it looked like they were going to be on their own for a while.
"Carly has been here for a while … and she changed, so, what took so long?" Aki asked.
"I just talked some stuff over with Jack, that's all."
"Did you find out why he stopped the wedding? The whole party's been humming with speculation."
"I suppose they have! Well, we did sort of talk about that a little, but … I can't speak for him. But, yeah, we talked guy stuff. He just made a big decision, after all."
Aki looked dissatisfied. "I suppose."
Crow waved at them and walked over with a couple of glasses of punch. "Here you go," he said. "You see Mikage and Stephanie?" He gestured over toward the buffet table, where the two had Jack cornered. "I can see the headline now," he said. "Disaster Averted! Jack Atlas Single!"
The two chuckled. Then, just as Yusei was taking a sip of his punch, a thought struck him and he began to choke.
"Are you OK?" Aki asked, patting him soundly on the back.
"Just swallowed the wrong way," he said. He couldn't say that an alternative headline had crossed his mind.
Apocalypse! Jack Atlas Gay!
"I don't think he'll be in a hurry to repeat this," said Crow, "so I hope those two aren't getting their hopes up."
"I just don't see it," said Aki.
"He's always been popular," said Yusei. "Ever since I can remember. Right, Crow?"
"Yeah. It's disgusting."
"It's not like he took advantage of girls just because they were gaga over him."
"Like I said: Disgusting."
"Crow!" Aki said, and gave him a firm swat on the shoulder.
"Ow! What would you do? Honestly?"
"Well, I …"
But Crow's attention was diverted. "I'll see you later," he said, and headed off toward the end of the buffet table.
"Oh, for Pete's sake!" Aki groaned.
Aki's attention was drawn to the end of the room. "What is it now?" Yusei asked.
"They're serving the wedding cake?"
"You don't expect Jack and Carly to let it go to waste, do you?"
"This is too weird. Let's get out of here."
"I really should stay."
"Because of Jack?"
"Of course, because of Jack."
"The wedding's off, so you don't have to back him up as best man."
"How about as his best friend?"
"You, of all people, should know that Jack has no problem taking care of himself."
"Which means I should bail on him? I don't get to see him that often."
"Yusei …" Aki looked irritated. "I want to go home."
We came together … right.
"Let me talk to Jack. I'll be right back."
"Jack. Right. Of course. Who else?"
"And Carly. This evening is in their honor, you know. I'll make our excuses for the both of us."
Yusei headed over toward Carly feeling a little guilty. She senses something, he thought. After he thanked Carly, he made his way to Jack, who was talking with Kazama over some cake.
"—tell you about my work, Jack. I know better than that. You'll just go after them yourself."
"What's this?" asked Yusei.
"Jack's just asking about any criminal activity centered around dueling lately. I know better than to tell him about that."
Yusei laughed. "You're right about that. He'd just take matters into his own hands. Jack, I need to take Aki home."
"OK." Jack made sure their eyes met.
Yusei suppressed a shiver. "I need to talk to her anyway," he said, half to himself. What had Jack said? String along?
"I'll see you later then."
"See you later." All of you.
As he walked to the door, it was hard not to anticipate what they had planned for later.
Why didn't I take a better look at him when I had the chance? Yusei thought. On the other hand, if he had, his predicament right now, exercising patience, might be even more difficult right now.
In a little while, he could look all he wanted. When he got to the door and opened it for Aki, he stole a look back at Jack only to find him glancing back in his direction.
He did like that tailcoat.
Yusei didn't particularly like driving a car.
Aki settled in next to Yusei, looking a little annoyed.
"You're unhappy," he observed.
"I'm … frustrated. We were supposed to be at a wedding and it didn't come off. And when it didn't come off, you were … weird."
"OK."
"That's all you have to say?"
"Not exactly. But I want to listen to your point of view."
"Why don't you tell me why you're being weird?"
"OK, I'll try. When Jack told me that he was getting married, I thought it was kind of strange that he was getting married to Carly because, well, let's face it, she's been after him for a long time and he never really showed that much interest in her."
"So?"
"So he pointed out that we've been dating for quite a while ourselves. He didn't quite come out and ask me, but it was kind of out there that I hadn't exactly popped the question."
Yusei paused, but Aki didn't say anything. The silence was deafening.
He decided this wasn't exactly what she was expecting to talk about.
"I don't think I'm being fair to you, Aki."
"Yusei—"
Yusei rushed on, hoping to save Aki possible embarrassment, his face turning red. "I don't think I'm going to ask you to marry me and I expect you're turning down offers from other guys … I know, I sound terribly conceited, but … I don't want you to waste your time."
"Yusei … I should kick your ass."
"What? For wasting your time?"
"Maybe, but for being so damn self-deprecating and not making me want to kick your damn ass!"
They drove on in silence for a while. At last they reached Aki's apartment and Yusei parked. Aki sighed. "I guess I knew this was coming," she said. "I was just … It's just easy to be with you."
"Me too. I hope we're still friends."
Especially after you find out where I'm going …
"Of course."
He looked at her and hoped that what she said was true.
Yusei dropped off the car he'd borrowed and picked up his D-wheel, then drove back to the hotel.
He hurried to the ballroom, where Crow was happily munching on a piece of wedding cake and drinking punch near the door. Dancing was in full swing.
"I thought I saw you leave with Aki!" he said. "Why'd you come back?" Then his eyes widened. "Oh, don't tell me—?"
"Sh! Don't say a word to anyone or—" he wracked his brain for anything suitably dire. "I'll tell everyone I can think of about every stunt we pulled, starting with you dressing up as a ramen cup and going all the way back to when we all lived at Martha's and—"
A hand clapped over his mouth. "No problem. My lips are sealed. Choose your moment."
"So where's Jack?"
A huge grin spread over Crow's face. "Anxious, are we?"
"Do you know where he is or don't you?"
"Maybe I should see what I can get out of this?"
"Maybe I should ask someone else whether he's still at the party or not."
"Someone's testy. Jack's right over there," Crow said, pointing toward the corner, where Jack was completely engaged in conversation with team Ragnarok. How had he missed him? It must be because they're all tall Nordic types. "They're talking duels. It's going to be a while."
It would be difficult to extract him from that. Jack must have thought it would take Yusei a lot longer to wrap things up with Aki.
Unfortunately, Yusei was running out of patience.
"Have some of the shrimp puffs," Crow said around a mouthful of cake. "They're really good."
"Thanks, but I have something else in mind."
"Sausage?" Crow asked, grabbing a platter from the buffet and waving it at him.
Ha freaking ha, Crow …
He grabbed a couple of glasses of champagne and headed over.
Jack stood talking with Team Ragnarok, wondering when Yusei would get back. Mikage and Stephanie had descended upon him immediately after he arrived. He couldn't understand how two women who could barely gather the courage to speak to him somehow managed to monopolize him so effectively. It had taken the combined efforts of Crow and his own semi-hyperbolic claim that a pre-wedding case of nerves had caused him to drink enough coffee to float the British navy to finally free him to rush to the men's room. He had hidden out there for several blissful female-free minutes before emerging to brave the onslaught of criticism and well-wishing once more.
Martha had seemed disappointed, but fortunately had supported his decision not to marry before he was completely ready. His ear was still sore from her pinch, however.
At this moment, he was discussing his last duel with Bommer with the three tall Nordic duelists, telling them how much he thought Bommer had improved lately. The weird thing was, while he expected the usual crowd of girls to glom onto him, but he didn't expect to be getting strange vibes from people like Dragan. He was starting to be a little freaked by the way Dragan was currently eying him. Jack knew the guy had been obsessed with him, but he'd thought it was just because of the fact that he'd had to throw that stupid duel. Who knew? But just how much champagne had that dude drunk, anyway?
You're imagining things, Jack, he told himself a little nervously. Just because Yusei likes you doesn't mean you're a guy magnet.
He was a little relieved to see Yusei approaching as Brave added his two cents. "The word is that the changes he's made have made him much more effective," said Brave.
Thank god. At last the person I want to see!
"He's got a long way to go before he's at Jack's level," commented Yusei. "Here you go, Jack." He handed Jack a glass of champagne.
"I thought you were going to be a while yet."
"I took care of what I needed to. Hey, guys."
"Yusei, I've been meaning to give this to you," Jack said. He handed him a duel monsters card he'd picked out especially for Yusei. He snuck something a little stiffer under the card.
Take the hint, Yusei, and get us out of here!
"A new card?" As Yusei took the card he hesitated ever so slightly, but pocketed both the card and the item it concealed without looking at them. "Thanks, Jack."
"No problem."
"Aren't you going to look at it?" asked Harald, curious.
"I want to check it out with my deck later. Besides," he smiled, "I don't like to give away my deck to possible competition."
"That's wise."
"Here's to the future." Yusei took a sip from his own glass and watched Jack take one as well.
"To the future," Jack agreed. Their eyes met and lingered for just a moment.
They seriously needed to get out of here.
Yusei looked around. "Has Carly already left?"
"Yes, she and Misty ran off to go shopping, I believe."
"Shopping?"
"Misty said something about 'therapy.'"
Yusei laughed. "I think you need some therapy yourself."
"I do?" Jack looked at him, confused.
"Not shopping." Jack could almost hear the wheels turning in Yusei's head as he paused. "Remember what you once told me?" he asked.
"Can't say I do." What the heck are you getting at, Yusei?
"You said nothing was more relaxing after a trying day than a long, hot shower."
A shower? Jack almost groaned. Why did Yusei have to bring up a subject that involved nudity? He was having a hard enough time keeping his mind off of—
Somehow he forced his mouth open and managed to say, "Oh! Yeah. Yes, that's right." He smiled and took another sip from his glass and set it down. "I think that sounds perfect, Yusei. Do you mind if I excuse myself, guys?"
"Not at all," said Harald. "I'm sorry that things didn't work out, but it's always good to see you … and the former 5D's."
"We'll always be 5D's, no matter where we are," said Yusei.
Yusei and Team Ragnarok walked Jack to the door, ushering him through a veritable gauntlet of goodbyes. Considering the circumstances, Yusei thought that it went rather well.
At last Jack had vanished out the door, leaving Yusei standing with the members of Team Ragnarok.
"So," said Harald, "do you have any plans for tonight? We thought we might find what clubs this town has to offer."
"I should get out of here and turn in. I have experiments to check on tomorrow. I'll bet Crow would like to go, though."
Yusei headed toward the door as the trio headed toward Crow. Yusei smiled. That would buy him a clean getaway to the elevator. He slipped in and punched the button for the penthouse suite.
He pulled out the item in his pocket. A keycard in a paper envelope. Yep, the number of the penthouse suite was written on it.
The anticipation of the elevator ride, then the final walk to the penthouse door was almost excruciating.
Yusei knocked softly, then let himself in. He was happy to see that Jack was still in his tails.
"Did I mention how much I like that suit?" he asked. "You look incredible in it."
"Do I? You look amazing in your suit, Yusei. With you standing there, in that gorgeous suit … and me, not remembering what happened—the fact is, I just couldn't do it. When you said you might have initiated what happened … that you thought you initiated what happened, I couldn't get it out of my mind. I couldn't go through with it after you said that."
"You mean …?"
"If you wanted me, then I couldn't just marry Carly without—Yusei, I never thought you felt that way about me. I always thought that you were the one who changed me, transformed my life. You're the one who made the difference in my life and I could never be that important to you."
"Jack, what are you talking about? I never could have achieved any of what I did without you!" He stepped forward, running his fingers under the lapels, breathing deeply. "This fabric. It's so rich."
"It's silk, Yusei."
"Of course it is," he said, undoing the buttons. "The tails drive me insane, Jack."
"Really?"Jack unbuttoned Yusei's jacket and peeled it off quickly. "Wool?"
"Uh, I guess." He felt a kiss against his forehead. It felt cool against his feverish skin. "Jack," he moaned, pulling Jack down into an impassioned kiss.
The hands removing his shirt felt like they were trembling. Could it be that Jack as anxious as he was?
When Jack released Yusei's lips at last, he murmured something that Yusei didn't quite catch. Yusei was about to ask what he said when he was lifted onto the roomy bed.
"Jack …" he groaned. He had to remove all the obstructive clothing. The shiny white bow tie suited Jack beautifully, but it had to go. As soon as Jack moved to join him on the bed and came within reach, he snatched at an end and pulled it loose. "I want to see you."
"And I want to see you." The long body pulled in close.
Yusei opened his eyes, his body vaguely uncomfortable. His sleep-heavy mind told him there was a very good reason for this, so he shouldn't be concerned. After all it, was all because Jack—
Oh, God.
Jack.
Jack was wrapped around him. There were two large hands on his pecs right now and … and … Jack's body—his magnificent, naked body—was spooning his own—equally naked—body.
Oh God.
He felt an intense blush start at his cheeks and sweep down his entire body. He felt so hot he was surprised it didn't wake Jack up.
Oh God.
Last night was … incredible. In fact, it had felt so good, that his body was responding in all sorts of embarrassing ways just because he was thinking about it. It wasn't as though he was averse, but there were certain parts of his body that were petitioning for a longer recovery period.
After all, it wasn't as though he was used to this, and, well … he blushed a little and glanced over his shoulder at Jack.
Then he was sorry he did. Jack's physique was not conducive to cooling his libido.
"Mmm … Yusei …"
Jack's sexy, low, sleepy voice.
"Yes, Jack?"
"You weren't about to get up, were you?"
"I was going to take a shower."
"Without me?"
A little thrill ran through Yusei. He wants to bathe with me.
The little sore part of his body objected. He felt like whining.
"Yusei? Are you all right?" Jack pulled Yusei around to look at him. "Wait … Of course! You're a little sore, aren't you? You know we don't have to do that, don't you?"
"Yeah, but …" Yusei blushed. It felt so damn good!
Jack smiled and kissed Yusei deeply.
"That's not helping, you know," Yusei groused.
"I'll make it up to you," Jack said, running his hands down Yusei's bare back.
"You know, this time I remember everything."
"Any regrets?"
"Of course not! You?"
"Jack Atlas never makes a wrong decision."
"Oh yeah? What was the whole proposing to Carly thing about, then?"
"That?" Jack shrugged. "Something had to make you come around, didn't it?"
"Right, Jack. It was all part of your master plan. To mess up everyone's lives with a wedding that you back out of, just to get me to admit my feelings. I have to hand it to you, Jack, you're a master manipulator."
Jack laughed and wrapped his arms around Yusei. "Maybe not, but it worked out all the same, huh? Thank you for being my best man."
~ finis ~
Author's notes ...
Well, that's it for this one. I hope you liked it!
Well, once again, I want to thank absolutely everyone who's been reviewing so and giving me so much support! 4810, I hope that the characterization is still holding up. :) And my most profound thanks to KaiFudo16, CrimsonShootingStar7, firesarrow, MrMyshka, and KizunaTsudoishi. It really does help to hear what people like (or not) about what I'm doing.
Carly's response: I think I may have made her a little too nice, but she is a bit of a manipulator and what can she do? If she wants him, she has no choice but to back off, so ... (That's why she takes a moment to gather herself.) Still, I'm not sure she'd be so nice about it.
Aki's response: I thought it was a bit of a downer (which is why this is one big chapter instead of two smaller ones, actually ...), but I couldn't get it to turn out lighter somehow. I'm really sorry about it, but Aki wouldn't cooperate with me this time around. I hope there's a little humor in the rest of the chapter and this didn't drag it completely down.
Just a note about what I'm doing. No, I haven't given up on Where There's Fire! I just need to fix the next chapter and get it posted. I just went through a short period of high stress that sort of turned off my creativity. I seem to be recovering from that, but (sheesh!) that wasn't fun. I'm finally starting to make some progress again. My next 5D's project is planned to be an adventure story (yes, I actually do listen to polls, even if only a few people vote ... thanks to all 10 who voted), but I really want to write something for DM first. If I do say so myself, I really like the way that story is shaping up, but it is so epic that it will probably take a little while before it starts posting ... stay tuned! (Any story for the Naruto category will have to wait if only because they aren't coming along very quickly.) Anyway, that's what's going on, for those who are interested.
Until next time, happy reading!
~ DD