AN: Since my story is not set in the 1800s and relationships now progress so differently, the culmination was obviously going to be very different. Despite the many side pairings I have included along the way, this is essentially about two main characters and their journey together - I wanted to explore that all the way and felt a pretty big culmination was in order. I have thus made my first attempt at a full love scene.
The rating has altered to M this week for explicit yaoi content in the final scene – if you feel it may offend, I suggest you do not read - I hope it is beautiful – I wanted it to be.
As always, many thanks to all who continue to read/follow and especially take the time to review, your support and feedback is so important to me. Following the unavoidable break in posting before last week, I seem to have lost some of my most long-time supporters, they are missed and I hope that they realise that I intend to complete this.
Particular thanks this week to: Nenya85 (awesome review – thanks so much), Deck Divination (poor, poor Pegasus), Mad As A Hatter 13 (thanks for waiting), Janders (so glad you enjoyed it), Bella (plenty more consuming to come), Bill (so happy to have you back!) and Lovemondotrasho (thank you as always).
I hope you all enjoy this update – please let me know :)
"Such a change in a man of so much pride, excited not only astonishment but gratitude - for to love, ardent love, it must be attributed."
Jane Austen, P&P
Chapter Nineteen
As he realised that Bakura was still present in the foyer, Ryou was glad of his brother's presence. Hopefully he would be able to leave without any further remarks if Yami was there. Now that the moment had passed, his indignation had died away and he felt utterly miserable. He hadn't really had time to process everything Bakura had said yet but none of it had made any difference anyway, it all amounted to the same thing, he didn't want to know.
Saying goodnight to Yami he left the building, pausing to breathe deeply as the night air hit him and blinking rapidly as he got his emotions under control before turning to head home. He walked slowly, hands in his pockets and shoulders hunched; his abstracted gaze on the path before him as he thought.
All the weeks of not being able to put Bakura out of his mind, his secret hopes and desires and the anticipation of finally seeing him again – all he'd done was make reality that much more painful to face and he had the feeling that he wasn't going to feel better about it any time soon. Sighing at the unwelcome reality he needed to face, he missed the sound of the door opening again…
"We hadn't finished our discussion."
Ryou froze for a moment at the sound of the voice a short way behind him, 'please no,'- he thought feeling as though he really couldn't deal with any more of this now - 'somebody give me a break!'
Knowing it was faint-hearted but deciding he didn't really care at this point, he shrugged before continuing on his way, he'd already lost this contest yesterday and just wasn't up to any more pep-talk. Hopefully Bakura would now understand that he'd accepted it and go back inside.
No such luck…he heard rapid footsteps directly behind him and stopped again as that sinfully erotic voice spoke again from close behind him. "I fail to see the point of making such a convincing case…if you're not going to wait for a response…"
Disbelievingly, Ryou turned slowly to face him, wariness clear in every line of his body. Bakura was silhouetted by the light coming from the club behind, his face partially shadowed by the gloom but there was light enough to see his expression.
A faintly self-mocking smile was present but his eyes were serious and questioning, "You were spot on," he said abruptly, "I don't have the right to make decisions for you, so I won't do that – at least - I'll try not to," he added honestly, with a faint laugh which died away as he searched the still face before him, "that is, if I haven't already made you rethink the whole thing?"
Ryou tilted his head slightly as though considering his words, his dark eyes sombre and Bakura forced himself to continue, "You were right about the excuses too," these words were softer and came much more reluctantly, "I was…am scared to try, I've never wanted to before, but there's something about you…"
Trailing off, he waited impatiently for a response, heart in his mouth as he wondered if he'd said too much, or maybe not enough. He felt unpleasantly vulnerable and was barely able to believe how strongly he wanted a chance to try for something better in his life. Breaking with Pegasus and the strange strength of feeling he had for this man before him – it felt like a turning point and his heart pounded.
A slow smile and a step towards him was enough. A heartbeat later, Ryou was in his arms as they relived the first moments of the incredible kiss of yesterday. This second embrace deepened, evidently Ryou knew exactly who he wanted and Bakura - letting go of all restraint was almost stunned by the force of the feelings coursing through him.
Eventually they broke apart and still holding him, Bakura rested his forehead gently against Ryou's. They stood this way for several minutes before Bakura spoke, a return of humour in his roughened voice, "you're getting a bad bargain you know. I've quit my job and don't even know where I'm staying tonight. Can you recommend anywhere nearby?"
"Dad'll put you up in the spare room," Ryou said teasingly, "Don't worry about it."
As Bakura started to protest he ignored it and continued leading him down the street. A lifetime with four brothers made him know exactly what to say, "Just shut up Bakura," was followed with another kiss – and that was far more effective.
Breakfast next morning was a noisy affair.
Grateful for the warm welcome given him by Solomon and Arthur, yet somewhat bemused, Bakura (like Kaiba before him) found himself in the midst of a relaxed and clearly loving family. Seated beside Ryou and provided with coffee and an English muffin (Arthur had been triumphant at that choice) he absorbed the atmosphere with an enjoyment that was bittersweet. He had been old enough that he could remember, dimly, what it had been like to be part of a family not too dissimilar and for a moment, memories claimed him.
He remembered his mother trying not to laugh as she scolded them about manners one time - when breakfast had got too rowdy. His father pulling his mother onto his lap and winking at them as he snagged another muffin behind her, the stifled sniggers of his brother and sister.
Even after all this time he felt a pang of anguish, perhaps because he had so rarely been in any similar situation since those days, but a hand took his beneath the table and gave it a reassuring squeeze before letting go. He glanced to the side and received a small sweet smile from Ryou who (without yet knowing the underlying cause) had been aware of the sudden tension in the body beside him. Bakura was shocked by how much it had helped as he felt himself relax, when had he ever sought or received reassurance?
Thoughtfully, he glanced at Ryou again with a reassuring half-smile of his own before replying to a remark from Arthur, but the moment of almost panicky discomfort had passed and he felt far more comfortable, even glad to be among them, he realised in some surprise. Being here with Ryou made him realise how much he had actually missed this kind of interaction.
Across the table, Marik was delighted at the way things seemed to be working out for his brother and catching his eye gave him a grin and a wink that was meant to be conspiratorial, unfortunately subtlety was really not his thing and Ryou blushed furiously as Bakura noticed the exchange. Glancing at the red faced Ryou; he surprised them both by winking back, with a distinctly wicked smile of his own. Ryou blushed even harder before he received a squeeze of his own but Marik laughed, deciding he liked this guy.
The feeling was mutual; Bakura had observed this brother several times at the club and thought him amusing. Having considered Yami's remarks of the evening before, he also had a good idea that this must be the confidant who had been overheard.
Seated next to Marik, Yami himself looked in a particularly good mood this morning, if sometimes distracted. He too was pleased that things seemed to be working out between Bakura and his brother but he was also giving a fair amount of pleasurable thought to the prospect of seeing Kaiba later that day.
Joey and Mai had been talking excitedly with Solomon; they had decided to move into her apartment in ten days' time and were discussing the idea of a leaving home party.
As they shared the idea with the rest of the table, the prospect of a party was enthusiastically greeted and the date was fixed for the Saturday before the move. The rest of the meal was then spent discussing the details, with some hilarity at a few of Marik's more outrageous ideas to make it a memorable event.
"What about making it a fancy dress party?" He suggested hopefully, offering several follow up ideas for themes: super-heroes, beachwear and cosplay among them.
All these were gently turned down by Joey and Mai and after a few seconds of further thought he triumphantly offered, "Bondage gear?"
By this time, everyone else was laughing too much to speak but after exchanging horrified glances, Arthur and Solomon (whom he promised some age appropriate tips) vetoed that one immediately. Was he serious or kidding…and from where did he come up with this stuff?
After breakfast was finished, Bakura left to collect his case from Industrial Illusions and book into a nearby hotel. He had been called by a company PA to arrange this and apparently it would be left at reception.
Pegasus obviously intended to make his displeasure felt, but Bakura found that he had no regrets. Resigning had admittedly been a spur of the moment decision, but there had been too much provocation in recent weeks. Demands had been made that he had found increasingly distasteful and a certain hint of disrespect had crept into his dealings with Pegasus. Bakura had had enough. In retrospect, he could see things had been heading to this point for a while.
Inside, he felt strangely relieved to be a free agent once more and after collecting his things - he walked briskly down the street to the hotel as he considered his options. Arrogance aside (although he had plenty of that too), Bakura knew he was a talented businessman; he needed to find a position which would utilise his skills in a different way. What he really wanted was something challenging but which would provide more lasting satisfaction than the element of risk which had often been the thrill of working for Pegasus. He could take his time to work out what that might be, as he was comfortable enough financially that he had time to decide on the best course of action.
A sudden buzzing from his pocket made him jump before he realised it was his cell phone and frowning slightly he took it out, wondering who it might be. He had not expected any calls now he was out of a job. Unless it was Ryou and there was a problem?
A quick glance at the display revealed this not to be the case, but his brows rose in surprise as the caller ID was revealed…Seto Kaiba? Now what could this be about?
Yami was starting to get both nervous and impatient as he waited for Kaiba to call. They still needed to arrange the details of their date that evening and although he knew it was foolish, as time went by he felt increasingly tense. He was currently taking his turn to mind the shop, but business today was unusually slow and this gave him far too much time to overthink things.
Kaiba had indicated that he had a number of contracts to deal with at his office this afternoon and Yami was aware that his own edginess stemmed mainly from the desire to see him again. Annoyed with himself, he wrestled down the faint feeling of anxiety, telling himself he was worrying about nothing. But the nagging feeling persisted, could Kaiba be having doubts or second guessing their actions of the day before? It had not seemed possible when they spoke on the phone last night; their conversation had mainly been about other things, but his tone had been warm and he had seemed as positive as Yami still felt today. Hadn't he?
Yami thought back over their recent conversations, remembering the vulnerability he had glimpsed each time Gozaburo was mentioned. He had no excuse for his own insecurities but it was no wonder Kaiba had trust issues. Had he ever allowed anyone close besides Mokuba? What Kaiba certainly did have though, was plenty of mental strength and an incredible determination and Yami reassured himself. He would never walk away from a challenge, despite any inner doubts. In fact, he decided, Kaiba would be far more likely to push himself – just to prove that he could do it.
Leaning against the counter and now lost in more pleasurable thoughts, Yami smiled as he daydreamed about Kaiba. He found him incredibly attractive and again his mind's eye drifted to that sneak preview by the lake, but their connection was so much more than that. Neither of them dealt in half measures and they challenged each other continually - that was a large part of the excitement. Where he found most pride though, was in watching Kaiba's struggles to move forward, his longing to escape the constraints of his past. Yami knew he would succeed and he wanted to be part of that future.
A sudden burst of noise interrupted his musings as finally his phone rang from next to the till; Yami pounced on it happily…finally!
His eagerness died as he looked at the display, it was only Tristan.
"Hi Tris," he said as he answered the call, trying to keep the disappointment from his tone, "how're things going?"
An excited burst of speech assaulted his ear and he frowned as he tried to make sense of the jumbled noise, "Tristan! Slow down, I can't make out what you're trying to tell me."
As his brother repeated his news more slowly, Yami's face reflected his gathering amazement, this was news he had definitely not expected…
The text had suggested that they meet at the KaibaCorp penthouse that evening. Having sent back his agreement, Yami had passed the last few hours in eager anticipation. Now he was almost there and he could hardly wait to see Kaiba again.
As he approached the building, Yami thought about the startling news he had heard that afternoon from his brothers.
Kaiba never ceased to astound him. Yami had dared him to fight his personal demons and convinced him there might be another way. For most people that would mean a tentative attempt to question their outlook. Not Kaiba. It was now clear that having accepted the possibility; he was treating it as a challenge and had thrown himself into the struggle. He would take on his own faults as mercilessly as anything else he wanted to beat. His actions today were typical of both his stubborn determination and the strength of will that was so exciting.
Arriving at the door and knocking, Yami breathed in sharply as Kaiba opened the door himself.
Kaiba looked stunning. Clad in a button down white shirt and dark trousers, he met Yami at the door with a look that somehow combined triumph with uncertainty (although the last emotion was one he would never have knowingly shared).
As Yami was ushered to a low sofa and given a glass of wine, he was utterly aware of Kaiba's proximity as he sat down close beside him. The subdued lighting in the simply decorated room allowed the city lights far below to provide a spectacular backdrop, but Yami had eyes for only the man before him.
"I hear you've had a busy day," he said the lightly; his approach careful as he tried to judge how Kaiba felt about what he'd done. "I've heard all about it from both Tristan and Ryou," despite himself, the last comment betrayed a hint of his earlier shock.
"I take it you were surprised?" Kaiba asked, the ghost of a smile playing about his lips, "I hope you were pleased as well?"
"Kaiba…you amazed me, but then," he laughed, "you've done that many times now. You must know that what you've done has made me very happy, but I want to ask you why you did these things? Are you sure about what you have done?"
Kaiba looked at him defensively, "Sure? No. But don't misunderstand this Yami, these were sound commercial decisions – I just had to be prepared to consider them."
Seeing Yami raise a questioning eyebrow, he rose and walked to the windows, looking out over the city as he continued. "I previously intended to market Dungeon Duel Dice; you know that – it has great potential. It was Devlin I wasn't prepared to deal with after he showed that he couldn't be trusted." He hesitated, before continuing, "Recent events have made me decide to rethink that decision but how it works out, I'll have to see – at least he has a partner to keep him in line now."
"And Bakura?"
"Again, it was good business sense to offer him a job, I've seen him operate many times and he's got talent. It was wasted working for Pegasus but while that was the case…," he shrugged before casting a wicked look over his shoulder. "Of course, pissing Pegasus off is a side benefit of both deals," he smirked, "I might decide to toss him a few crumbs though."
Yami chuckled at this before speaking, "but you're still giving a fair bit of trust…in both cases…after all Bakura's worked against you before," he noted.
Kaiba stared out into the darkness, "Perhaps I decided that the potential for gain was worth the risk," the words were said flippantly but Yami could see his tension in the set of his shoulders and put down his glass.
Rising, he walked to stand beside him at the window but ignored the view outside, instead he was focussed on the dim reflection of the man he had come to admire so much, "You have much to be proud of Kaiba," he said softly, "so determined, so much courage."
"Maybe checking out your 'different weakness' theory," Kaiba corrected, but a faint flush rose on the elegant cheekbones, "I want to find my own way, I won't become like him I promise you."
When Yami failed to answer this immediately, he turned his head and met the serious eyes fixed on his own. "I already knew that," Yami said simply, "but you had to believe it yourself." Reaching up slightly, he cupped the back of Kaiba's neck and gently pulled his head down as he moved closer. "I don't think there's any challenge you wouldn't rise to," he murmured as their lips met.
This kiss began so softly it was almost tentative, but as Kaiba's arms came fully around him it deepened and the desire both felt was evident as they pressed closer together.
Raising his head, Kaiba's normally crisp voice was husky as he spoke, "What time do you have to leave tonight?"
"I don't," Yami replied, that answer telling Kaiba all he needed to know.
They had been waiting so long so this. Hungrily they came together in a fierce kiss, tongues tangling, breathing ragged, and pressing against each another almost desperately.
The sweetness of Kaiba's mouth on his sent another pang of desire through Yami's body and he shivered with it, moaning slightly and producing a groan from Kaiba in response as similar sensations flooded through him. "How I've wanted you," he murmured against Yami's lips.
The urgency of his desire was a palpable thing, all the pent up emotions, uncertainties and frustration of the past months were an almost elemental force and Kaiba's body trembled at the promise of release.
Something of his turmoil was evident in his touch and an answering echo fuelled the arousal within Yami, "and you didn't realise?" He panted through the mingling of their breath, "I've been desperate for you for weeks." The twin admissions were a further aphrodisiac and the embrace became forceful and demanding as mutual need coursed through their minds and bodies.
Gradually, the kiss deepened further and slowed slightly as their mouths began to move in exploration, mirroring the hands which were roaming on their own paths of discovery. Kaiba's fingers found their way inside Yami's shirt and caressed the silken skin, stroking and pressing him closer. So soft and smooth the skin felt over that strong yet deceptively slender body,
Kaiba revelled in the moment, for the first time he tentatively believed that people might not all be just a series of disappointments, some were honest. He actually felt…hope, and that was almost as much of a high as the feel of Yami's body against him. 'Finally, he's in my arms,' he thought, and his passion rose further.
Impatient with the restricted access he grasped both sides of the shirt and wrenched them apart, pushing the fabric off Yami's shoulder in a hushed silken whisper. A gasp and throaty chuckle came from Yami before he returned the gesture; soon both shirts were twisted together on the floor, an echo of their owners' entwined bodies as they moved together once more.
Yami's mind reeled at the strength of the sensations he felt; waves of heat and longing crashed over him and almost overwhelmed, he clung to Kaiba - the only thing which had meaning at this moment. His body was screaming for completion, he wanted more, needed more, and craved…everything about this man. The mixture of admiration, desire and thankfulness was a heady combination. 'We might never have made it this far,' he thought and gripped Kaiba even more urgently, the arms about him tightening in response. It was where he belonged and had waited to be, he realised - enfolded in this reassuringly gentle yet fervent embrace.
"I need you," Yami whispered, "but by the time I recognised that, I was so afraid it was too late and I'd blown it."
"Not a chance," Kaiba replied seriously and blue eyes captured his own as both gave silent validation of how much they meant these words, "Right from the beginning, you were always too firmly buried inside my mind, I couldn't change that – even when I tried." He recaptured Yami's mouth in another searing kiss and groaned at the sweetness of him, his tongue slipping between eagerly parted lips.
Kaiba was losing himself in a sea of unaccustomed emotion, each thump of his pounding heart dragging him further under. He was drowning in the consuming desire he had long felt for this man and not one atom of his being felt any regret, instead he drew him closer - every line of their bodies melding together.
Their hands roamed lower and gasps hung in the air as the friction between cloth and needy erections gave off heat. Yami could feel the thickness beneath his questing fingers, pulsing as he stroked lower and harder, his own panting ragged in response to the same stimulation. The urge to cause a real loss of control in this normally reticent man rose within him, Yami wanted to be the one person who could make him totally fly apart and really feel.
As Kaiba's searching fingers encountered a nipple and teased it to tingling awareness, Yami's breath rasped in his throat with the force of his emotions and he felt Kaiba's lips smile against his own. With a distinctly wicked smile, he pulled back slightly, catching the burning blue gaze with his own before dropping to his knees before him.
As he slid Kaiba's clothing gently past the curve of his hip, he held that stare and moved slightly to bite and suck, placing his brand on the creamy flesh beneath his lips. Tilting his neck provocatively, he shifted position and in a deliberately slow motion gave one long sweep of his tongue – moving from base to tip before circling the crown in a rapid spiralling motion.
Kaiba bit off an oath as the smouldering eyes continued to challenge and hold his own, while a warm wetness enclosed him, drawing and sucking even as that clever tongue continued its' investigations. Tendrils of fire began to coil lazily in his gut and lick outward; a building heat was ready to burn through him and he shuddered, his body threatening to convulse at the exquisite torment. Kaiba could feel all control slipping from him and gasped aloud. He wanted this to last, to explore thoroughly the complicated man who had tempted him for so long. He needed to possess him utterly.
Slender hands grasped Yami's shoulders and drew him to his feet, "Oh no you don't," Kaiba breathed into his ear, "I want you just as frantic for me."
He drew Yami to the bedroom and pressed him to the large bed within it, before proceeding to prove his words. Sensitive fingers trailed a route across Yami's body, his tongue like the touch of velvet - following and claiming the same territory before the sensations he raised had time to die away. From the neck he moved down over shoulders and inner arms, his final destination was lower but he tantalised and teased his way across chest and abdomen, peeling off the remaining clothing on his way, until every inch of skin felt on fire, desperate for more as he passed.
Feeling warm breath ghost across his sensitive erection, Yami groaned aloud and Kaiba smirked at him as he prolonged the anticipation, carefully licking the surrounding flesh before finally taking him fully into his mouth. Yami's normally focused mind became a sea of splintered impressions as the intensity of his emotions crashed over him. He felt so deeply for the difficult, exciting individual who hovered above him and longing, became almost frenzy. He felt that Kaiba would consume him and he yearned for it.
Kaiba instinctively responded to the inarticulate writhing of the body beneath his and increased his attentions. The languid strokes of his tongue and the deep pulls were almost too much and Yami's head tossed on the pillows as ripples of pleasure ran through him. "I want you Seto," he panted, "so much…"
Dimly he felt Kaiba reach out and heard the bedside drawer open, then his senses reeled further as a slick finger slipped within him, followed shortly by another. The impression of fullness, mingled with his ever increasing desire and he moaned, trembling, "yes, Seto…please…"
Yami felt the bed move beneath him as Kaiba positioned himself above, then a pressure that was excruciatingly slow…oh, much too slow. Almost desperate with longing he tried to force his body down and him in and heard Kaiba gasp, but he did not comply with the inarticulate urging and continued his measured, smooth penetration as Yami moaned for completion, caressing and kissing his chest with an eager open mouth. Fully joined, they paused for a moment looking deeply into each other's' eyes; finally savouring this delayed and longed for union.
As Yami relaxed, Kaiba began to move – first slowly, then increasing the motion gradually, before thrusting deeply into the tight heat and altering the angle. At first the feeling had been intense but then… Yami cried out in the throes of his passion as sensation almost overwhelmed him, "yes…there…god's above Seto…more…" Their eyes locked; each open thought and emotion, every reaction - exposed between them – lovers at last.
Kaiba moved one hand to Yami's erection, pulling in time with the roll of his hips and they found the perfect rhythm together, the pace picking up as they grew lost in the pleasure of the friction between them. The air was filled with the sounds of their ecstasy, pants and gasps, the occasional soft murmur of an endearment and mingled cries of longing as sensation built and each sought the ultimate fulfilment.
A few more thrusts, the reaching of an almost painful crescendo and Yami's body seemed to explode with feeling as he climaxed violently, constricting around Kaiba and calling out his name like a benediction, "Seto…Seto…" It took only a brief moment of this pressure before - moaning Yami's own name, Kaiba followed him over the precipice, clutching him tightly as his orgasm ripped through him with the force of a hurricane, leaving him trembling and completed in its wake.
Breathing heavily and hearts tumultuous they slowed and finally stilled; the moment of perfection had passed and yet not, as they collapsed – still shuddering - into each other's arms and held on…and that was wonderful too.
As their heartbeats slowed, Yami turned in his arms and looked into Kaiba's eyes. Still slightly dazed and vulnerable, they appeared a gradually calming ocean beneath the sweaty spikes of his chestnut hair.
He took a calming breath before speaking, this would be irrevocable, but he refused to be a coward. "I love you Seto," he whispered, softly, yet clearly sincere, his eyes filled with the force of his emotions. "Everything you are makes you special to me."
Deeply serious, his expression almost wondering, Kaiba gazed into them for a moment before he answered slowly, "I love you too, I think I have for some time…but also…I trust you – completely – and that means everything to me."
Their lips met briefly in a silent promise for the future - then still loosely embracing, satiated and supported by their togetherness, they slept.
AN: I hope you enjoyed this week's update and really want to know your opinions of the chapter, so please, please review, even if you haven't before.
Having made the decision to override my own inhibitions and write the final scene I am very anxious to know if you think it worked, and you're the only ones who can tell me ;)
There will be a final chapter - an epilogue, which I hope to post next week but it could possibly be the week after as work commitments are currently looking demanding.
Massive thanks for reading (and hopefully your feedback).
EvilMidget6 ;)