A/N: There is the slightest little bit of solo action with fantasy at the end of the chapter, but I don't really think it merits a warning.

Chapter 06: Date Night

Yami felt overdressed until he arrived at the restaurant. It was on the top floor of a skyscraper and gave off the impression of being super exclusive. Yami walked with as much confidence as he could muster and tried to act like he belonged. It was a little easier when he was shown to his table by the wall of windows where Kaiba was waiting for him.

Standing up to greet Yami, Kaiba let his eyes trace appreciatively over his rival's form. Kaiba knew he had made the right choice in choosing the black suit with a dark crimson shirt that offset Yami's eyes. "Welcome," Kaiba greeted him as he gestured to the free seat for Yami to take.

"Hi," Yami said almost shyly, feeling the heat of Kaiba's intense gaze as he sat down in the chair. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble, though."

"It's no trouble at all," Kaiba reassured him as he also took a seat.

"You could have just told me to dress nicely, though," Yami said as he tried not to fidget too much. "I do actually have dress clothes."

"I wasn't trying to imply otherwise," Kaiba told him, although he supposed he shouldn't have been surprised that his gesture had been misinterpreted. "I just happened to see that and think it suited you."

"It's very nice," Yami praised, having no doubt the outfit probably cost more than his entire wardrobe combined.

Smiling at that, Kaiba said, "I'm glad you lie it. I certainly do."

Yami's cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment and looed out the window to distract himself. "The view is amazing. I never would have known there was a restaurant up here," Yami commented.

"I like being away from prying eyes," Kaiba explained. "Even though it means eating at pretentious places, at least the food is amazing."

Finding it interesting that Kaiba acknowledge it was pretentious, Yami merely said, "Ah," before the waiter arrived with water.

They were quiet as they studied the menus and Yami was relieved that it was an Italian restaurant. He wouldn't have known what to order if they had gone to a French place.

After their orders were placed, Yami realized that meant it was time to talk. "Uh, how did your call go?" Yami asked, drawing a blank on subjects to talk about that weren't dueling related. How were they supposed to date when they couldn't even talk?

"Pretty well, given how distracted I was," Kaiba replied with a smirk that made Yami shiver at the memories of why he would have been distracted.

Yami felt the need to apologize, "Sorry, I didn't mean to—"

Interrupting Yami, Kaiba reassured him, "You have nothing to apologize for."

"But—"

"I'd much rather think about you than talk about quarterly earning reports," Kaiba told him with a laugh.

"That doesn't sound like much of a competition," Yami said with a smile. "I'm much more interesting than number crunching."

The comment made Kaiba grin as he said, "Precisely, which is why I'm choosing to spend my evening with you."

Wondering just how much of the evening Kaiba was planning on spending with him made Yami's blush deepen and he did his best not to think too much on the subject. "So what's new with you?" Yami asked, wanting to avoid talking about what might happen later that night.

"I actually have a new event that I want to host at Kaiba Land," Kaiba explained. "I've been meaning to talk to Yuugi about it, actually."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to do whatever you're planning," Yami said, knowing his aibou loved doing events.

"He has always been generous with his time," Kaiba acknowledged, grateful that his younger brother's friendship with Yuugi gave him easy access to the official King of Games. "I was also hoping you and several of your other friends would be willing to help."

That surprised Yami and he asked in disbelief, "You actually want Jounouchi-kun to help you with something?"

"Although we have not always seen eye to eye, he is still ranked fifth which means he has some use for me in this project."

Now Yami was really curious about Kaiba was planning. "So what's this mysterious project?" Yami wanted to know.

"I was thinking of having the top duelists in Japan teach a dueling class at the orphanage this summer," Kaiba told him. "I'd also like to include some female duelists so that the girls don't feel like it's exclusively a guy thing."

Yami was touched by the thoughtfulness of the idea and he quickly replied, "I think that's a great idea! I know everyone would love to help with that!"

"I just wanted to do something different from the regular outing to Kaiba Land," Kaiba explained. "I already got Industrial Illusions to agree to donate cards and of course I'll supply the equipment."

"That's really awesome, Kaiba," Yami told him, genuinely impressed. "I think everyone will jump at the chance to help out."

"I'm counting on it," Kaiba replied, knowing his idea hinged on the cooperation of others.

Hesitating a moment, Yami finally worked up the nerve to ask, "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"Sure," Kaiba consented, knowing that he wasn't obligated to answer it.

"If you insist so much that the past is irrelevant to you, why do you keep in such close contact with the orphanage?" Yami wanted to know, having always found that strange. "It just seems like the kind of thing that you would normally distance yourself from."

Taking a sip of water before answering, Kaiba finally said, "They were good to us when the rest of the world turned their backs on us. I have never forgotten that. Plus, if I can alleviate some of the pain of being there, that's the least I can do. Small acts of kindness go a long way in a place like that."

Wondering if it was wrong to pry, Yami questioned, "Do you have any friends from your time there?"

"No, but Mokuba has a few," Kaiba replied. "I didn't concern myself with such things back then."

"You don't really concern yourself with them now, either," Yami pointed out with a sad smile.

"Fair point," Kaiba conceded.

"Do you consider us friends?" Yami asked, unaware of the hopeful look in his eyes.

Softening his gaze, Kaiba replied, "You are the closest I've ever come to allowing myself to have a friend."

"Why is that?" Yami pressed, wanting to understand.

"Because I never believed that I needed a friend," Kaiba told him, unaware of how sad that made Yami feel. "Besides my brother, you are the only person I've ever felt that I need in my life."

It was an unexpected confession and Yami felt touched by the sentiment. "I didn't realize you felt that way," Yami finally responded, still moved by the confession.

Hating that he couldn't touch Yami, Kaiba continued to ache with the need to do so. "Regardless if you accept my advances, I can't lose you," Kaiba confessed, although it pained hi to do so. "You have become too important to me in too many ways."

They were words that Yami had never expected to hear and he felt them deeply. "Kaiba," Yami breathed, still reeling from the knowledge. "I—"

The arrival of the waiter with their food interrupted Yami and Kaiba was more than happy to stop addressing such private things publically. He redirected the conversation onto safer subjects as they ate and Yami was surprised at how easy it was to talk with Kaiba. The night passed quickly and soon they were parked in front of the Game Shop in Kaiba's private limo.

"I had a really good time tonight," Yami thanked him.

"As did I," Kaiba replied. "I hope to do this again some time soon."

"I'd like that," Yami said, surprised that he actually meant it. "Although you don't always have to send clothing for me."

Reaching out and caressing Yami's cheek, Kaiba retorted, "You can't blame me for wanting to impress you."

Leaning forward slightly, Yami initiated a kiss that was sweet and unhurried, pleased when Kaiba didn't try to escalate it. "I don't think you have to worry about that," Yami said with a soft laugh that Kaiba wanted to hear again.

Unable to resist temptation, Kaiba claimed one more kiss, this time with a burning passion that swept Yami away with it. He could scarcely remember to breathe when they parted. "Kaiba…" Yami sighed, his tone colored with need.

"Say my name like that again and I'm not letting you get out of this car," Kaiba playfully warned, the sound cutting straight through him.

Part of Yami was half-tempted to do it just to see what would happen, but he knew better than to tempt Kaiba. "I should probably go," Yami decided, knowing if he stayed he'd get himself into trouble. "Thank you for such a great night."

"Anytime," Kaiba offered, hoping Yami would take him up on the offer.

Yami allowed one more lingering kiss that was filled with want before he got out of the limo. It was too tempting to stay and Yami didn't trust himself when Kaiba looked at him in that certain way that made heat rush through his veins. It made Yami want to take things further and he knew he wasn't quite ready for that.

Only once Yami was safe in the house did the limo pull away. Yami walked upstairs to change and was stopped on the way to his room when Yuugi called out, "How did it go?"

Entering his aibou's room, Yami admitted, "It went really well. Better than I expected."

"That's great!" Yuugi happily exclaimed. "I knew it would."

"We actually talked," Yami told him, still sounding surprised. "And now I don't know what to think."

Grinning knowingly, Yuugi said, "You like him."

"I don't—well, maybe a little, but not like that, or at least I don't think," Yami tried to say. "It's all a mess in my head now."

"You totally like him," Yuugi repeated, finding the whole thing amusing.

"Stop saying that!" Yami demanded, but it only mad Yuugi laugh harder. "It's not funny!"

"Oh, you really like him," Yuugi realized when Yami started to blush.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Yami hotly replied, "Just because I had a good time tonight doesn't mean that I want to be with him like that!"

"But you do," Yuugi said in a sing song voice.

"I don't!" Yami protested.

"You totally do," Yuugi continued, laughing at how worked up Yami was getting.

"Aibou!" Yami exclaimed.

Holding up his hands in surprise, Yuugi apologized, "Sorry, sorry. I just think it's funny that you're trying to act like you're not interested when you clearly are."

"That doesn't mean I want to date him," Yami insisted, unable to refute Yuugi's claim.

"Except that you do," Yuugi retorted with another knowing look. "You should be more honest with yourself."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Yami demanded in exasperation.

Having spent most of Battle City in the millennium Puzzle, Yuugi had been overly aware of Yami's thoughts at the time. "It wasn't a one-sided obsession on his end," Yuugi finally explained. "You've been pretty tied up in him for a long time now."

Yami desperately wanted to deny it, but he couldn't without lying. "I was interested in him as a rival," Yami insisted.

"It was more than that and you know it," Yuugi wisely contradicted. "There's no shame in it."

Running his fingers though his hair, Yami sighed, "This is all just so confusing."

"Not really," Yuugi disagreed. "It all boils do to one thing: do you want to kiss him again?"

"So what if I do?" Yami asked.

Grinning again, Yuugi said, "Then you have your answer."

"But it's Kaiba," Yami protested.

"Which is why you like him," Yuugi pointed out the obvious.

Groaning, Yami sighed, "This is so confusing."

"So take your time and sort it out," Yuugi counseled. "It's not like he needs an immediate answer."

"He didn't even bring it up tonight," Yami added, still a little surprised by that fact.

"He's giving you space," Yuugi guessed. "You may as well take advantage of it because I doubt he'll be this patient for long."

"You're probably right," Yami realized, knowing that patience wasn't Kaiba's strong point. "I think I'm going to go take a shower and think."

"Is that what you're calling it now?" Yuugi joked, laughing at Yami's scandalized expression.

"Aibou!" Yami exclaimed in shock.

Waving it away, Yuugi said, "I'm just playing. Go take your shower."

Yami hurried though his shower, determined not to do what Yuugi had implied, even if it was more tempting than he'd care to admit. It was all just so confusing now as his want warred with his common sense.

As he sealed himself in the sanctuary of his room, Yami finally had to admit that some part of him actually wanted Kaiba. He couldn't stop the mental picture of himself riding Kaiba hard in the backseat of the limo, writhing in pleasure as they searched for their peaks together. It was too tempting a visual and Yami sighed heavily as he felt himself starting to become aroused. It was as if now that he gave himself permission to notice, he couldn't stop thinking about how attractive Kaiba was.

Shutting off the lights, Yami crawled into bed with another heavy sigh. Things had become overly complicated, but that was largely due to Yami's resistance to the idea. Then again, the night had gone a long way toward putting his mind at ease about what dating Kaiba would be like. He hadn't been lying when he said it had been an enjoyable evening. Yami had actually had fun and had even managed to forget for a little while that it was a date.

So why was he still so hesitant to be with Kaiba? Was it really only because he was afraid that they would lose their rivalry if it all went bad? When he had with Otogi, it felt like nothing had been at stake. If they worked out, then that was great. If not, they were still friends. Nothing had changed after they split, but Yami knew it wouldn't be the same for Kaiba. He was far too invested in it and wasn't exactly known for being the forgiving type. No, if their dating relationship ended, all of their relationships would end.

But was worrying about one possible outcome really worth not taking a chance on something that could be amazing? Kaiba and him were obviously very compatible on a physical level, which was something that he had missed about being with Otogi. Being alone just wasn't as satisfying when you knew what it felt like to be with someone.

Besides, if Yami was truly being honest with himself, maybe he had always been interested in Kaiba on some level. He had fought hard to gain recognition as a worthy rival and to make Kaiba believe in his then unsolid existence. After he gained his body, Yami had actively pursued Kaiba duels, which were great excuses to spend time in his presence. But did that really mean Yami liked Kaiba would like that?

Rolling onto his back, Yami stared up at the dark expanse of his ceiling and accidentally pictured Kaiba joining him in bed. Kaiba said nothing as he smirked down at Yami before kissing him deeply. Yami imaged Kaiba moving on quickly to explore his body with lips and fingertips, enticing him into a state of frenzied arousal. As he continued fantasizing, Yami's hands travelled the same path as Kaiba's, causing him to become erect and aching for more. He couldn't stop himself from masturbating when he visualized Kaiba going down on him.

Even though there was a disconnect in feeling between his hand and the wet warmth of Kaiba's mouth, it didn't matter. The thought of those arrogant blue eyes looking up at him as Kaiba brought him to the very brink of pleasure was almost too much to handle. Yami had to bite his lower lip as he continued, doing his best to muffle the sounds of his enjoyment so as not to draw unwanted attention to himself.

It only served to make Kaiba step up his efforts in the fantasy as he started to insert his fingers into Yami's entrance and toy with that spot that always made him come undone. It made Yami want to get one of his vibrators to help fill that empty ache inside of him, but he was too far along to be bothered to stop for such a thing. No, imaging Kaiba's slim fingers working him was more than enough to help Yami finish.

It didn't take much more before Yami came with a muffled gasp, his back arching slightly as he found released and pictured Kaiba swallowing it all. It left him panting from the effort and he lay still for a moment and enjoyed the aftermath. He had no idea if Kaiba would ever do such a thing, but damn if Yami didn't want it. Yami felt like he was fighting a losing battle against Kaiba, but somehow he didn't mind losing this time.

As he cleaned himself off with tissues from his nightstand, Yami realized he had to admit that at least on some level, he actually wanted Kaiba. Badly. It was a disturbing revelation and Yami wasn't quite sure what to do. Did he just march into Kaiba Corporation and announce that they were officially dating? Did he allow his consent to serve as silent approval when they started to fool around the next time? Yami just didn't know what to do.

Rolling onto his side and curling up, Yami did his best to fall asleep.

A/N: I don't know why, but playful Yuugi is really amusing. I'm shocked that it's taken me this long to write him that way…

NEXT CHAPTER:

"Then what are you doing?" Yami hissed as he tried and failed to stop Kaiba from undoing the button on his jeans.

The next chapter will be posted on Sunday, December 14th, so please look forward to it!