Author's Note: Sorry about the delay-schoolwork converging on me all at once...
Two more chapters after this one. A little bit of calm before the oncoming storm...
As always, please read/review/follow/fave! Every little notification makes me ridiculously happy that people are reading this story! Thank you so much!
Enjoy!
"You've been holding out on me, Seto Kaiba." Ishizu turned slightly and lifted her head to look at the man in the bed beside her-the brunet currently tracing intricate patterns into the skin of her back with lazy fingernails-her lips curling into a cheeky smile.
Sunlight streaming in through the dark blue curtains, pooling warmly in golden patches. The coverlet crumpled up at the edge of the bed, threatening to fall off onto the carpeted floor. Sheets with an impossibly high thread count now twisted around their naked bodies.
His eyes anything but cold as he lay beside her, his position on his stomach mirroring hers. His bangs falling into those sparkling blue eyes, half-lidded with drowsy want.
How strange.
"Nn?" Seto dropped an errant string of kisses along her elbow as his hand moved further south, cupping her rear and making her laugh, before returning to skating its meandering way along her spine.
"This bed is so much more comfortable than the one you had me sleeping in." She rolled over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, letting out a thick sigh as Seto's hand continued its drifting linework on her ribcage and belly. "I've never slept so well in my life."
Seto smirked, drawing an invisible circle around her navel with his pointer finger. "I think it's because I rather wore you out last night, hmm?"
To say the least-
Ishizu swallowed a wide grin, her cheeks reddening patchily as memories of the previous night-and day, for that matter-dropped something coiled and wetly wicked below her belly.
The way he'd kissed her. Done more than kiss. Like he knew what he wanted. Asking for her permission, eyes shaded with need, then taking. Drinking deeply, his every goal her pleasure. That worship she had dreamt of. Each minute, perfect touch begging another. And eliciting another. Endlessly. Until stars had risen and burst within them. Between them. Every shard of glittering silver raining upon them. Ecstasy in merciless, twisting waves.
Several times. Never sated.
The things he'd done to her-
Still, she lifted her hand and flicked him hard on the shoulder blade. "Cocky asshole."
Seto went on blithely, smoothing his hand along her side, grasping one of her thighs, the nails digging oh-so-lightly into the soft flesh, smiling as he heard a hitch in her breath. "I mean, I'm not one to be self-aggrandizing, Ishizu…"
Ishizu rolled her eyes at him, sticking her tongue out childishly for good measure. Like hell you're not, Seto Kaiba-
"False modesty doesn't suit you, Seto…"
Seto raised an eyebrow, shrugging his shoulders as he tapped his fingers on her hipbone idly. "Eh-perhaps you're right." He moved closer to her and kissed her neck almost sloppily, his teeth nipping at the tender flesh there. Then a whisper.
"Besides, you like it when I'm cocky, don't you…" His voice a purr. Husky. Sending shivers down her spine as his hand moved again. This time to her inner thighs.
Ishizu felt that flutter within her, pressing her thighs together reflexively, earning a smug smile against her skin from him as she trapped his hand there. Between strong muscles encased in softer skin.
"I-I have mixed feelings about that, S-Seto…" Her words coming out in throaty gasps and starts until he silenced her utterly, his lips pressing against hers with all the urgency of the first time. When he'd had her. She him. In his office. On his desk. Quick and needful and everything. The thrill of discovery all breathless and rushing around them. Through them. Until there'd been nothing to do but bask in that brief afterglow.
Until he'd smiled darkly at her and bade her sit on the couch. Dropped to a crouch before her, graceful as a cat. Spread her legs apart gently but insistently, as he had in her dreams.
Fulfilled.
She felt him smirk against her lips before he pulled away, throwing the remainders of the sheets off of him and rolling out of the king-sized bed. Dug around on the floor for his boxers and slid them on, Ishizu pouting as she propped herself up on her elbows and watched. Observed. The lean lines of his body as he walked over to the door, pulled it open and picked up his tray with his breakfast and newspapers.
Each move of his making her want.
There were two croissants along with two cups of rich black coffee on the tray.
Seto rolled his eyes-clearly nothing stays a secret in this damned house-as he brought the tray over to the bed, where Ishizu had sat up fully and was stretching her shoulders and back, her arms bent above her head sharply as Seto's eyes flickered around her body. No longer needing to be furtive in his gaze. Openly hungry as he sat down on the bed and placed the tray between them. Untied the bundles of newsprint, cheap ink staining his fingertips as he opened up the Domino Herald and began scanning the local news, his eyes straying as soon as he'd focused them on a column. Glancing over the top edge of the newspaper at her. Her smooth, unself-conscious movements. A smile lighting up his face where she couldn't see it.
Ishizu yawned, eyes fluttering closed for a precious moment. "What time is it, Seto?"
I daresay we didn't manage to sleep for that long-
After once again creating a reason for them to have to re-dress themselves, their eyes still bright like thieves', Seto had indeed called in sick to work. They'd slipped out of his office, his shoes and her bare feet making delicate clacking noises on the wood floor as he'd led her up to his chambers. Showed them all to her. The sitting room. His bedroom, all perfectly decorated. Elegant, even. Tastefully done.
Like teenagers, they'd practically raced one another to that bed. Him reaching it first and pulling him on top of her, her sighs resonating within his chest as he'd run his fingers just under the hem of her dress, creating ripples of gooseflesh along her skin. Each touch like the first time. Each drag of his nails different and wholly new. Each kiss she'd pressed to his neck surprising him with how intensely he reacted to it. What it inflamed and inspired in him as well, spiral-like.
Afterwards, they'd curled up together in that bed. Her head on his chest, resting comfortably despite his bony frame, as he'd run his fingers through her now quite-mussed hair. Not talking. No barbed words exchanged. No need to. Just to lie there and watch as their breathing synchronized and smoothed together into one rhythm. Let the hours melt away like tension rolling down their backs.
"It's nearly seven." Seto bit into his croissant and held out the other plate to Ishizu, who accepted it, sitting up and crossing her legs, the sheets winding around her waist. He lowered the newspaper into his lap as he reached for his teacup.
Biting into the pastry, she spoke around a mouthful of food. "Seven?"
Seven-
Right about now-
He'd be bringing me my breakfast. Telling me the plan for the day-
She smirked to herself as she recalled how she'd brought the man sitting beside her on the bed essentially to his knees with her breakfast attire. Lack thereof. Undressing. Eating habits. Each more sensual as the days wore on, growing together into one long tender chain of teasing. Building in intensity and blessed pressure until-
No need for that sort of thing anymore-
She studied Seto, her gaze alighting on the slight furrow in his brow as he studied the newspaper in his lap, meticulously finishing his breakfast and drinking his coffee. She dropped her eyes along the elegant curve of his spine. The thin but defined muscles of his arms. That handsome, patrician profile, made even more appealing by the ruffled state of his hair.
If someone had told me two weeks ago that I'd be here-
She wiped her mouth, licking the last bits of flaky pastry off her fingers as Seto closed the newspaper and rose, leaving the used plate and teacup on the bed. Ishizu's eyes moved hungrily down his torso. Lower.
She flushed as Seto, noticing her sudden fixation, quipped wryly, "my eyes are up here, Ishizu." Snapping her gaze to his, she stuck out her tongue once more as she saw the brightness of his eyes. The private joke they shared now.
Ishizu laid her plate on the tray and slid herself across the bed, climbing out to stand beside him, a seraphic smile on her lips as Seto continued, voice lazy, "yes, Ishizu. It's seven. Now-I have to be at the office today. No excuses."
Though I'd like nothing more to stay home and-
-well-
He let out a thick breath as Ishizu nipped cheekily at his pale neck, her hand sliding into his as he brushed a kiss onto her forehead.
"Shower?"
It didn't matter who suggested it.
As Seto stood before the bathroom mirror, carefully working the razor across his chin and neck, his hair sopping wet and nearly hanging into his eyes, Ishizu sat perched on the end of the bathtub, hair in a towel turban, watching his neat, precise motions. Occasionally making eye contact with that vivid blue gaze. Each time he seemed to see into her. Each time like another surprise.
Surprise that she was here, all places-
In his bathroom. His shower. His bed.
His arms.
The prior morning she'd been holding onto that goal. Her mantra. Planning to do it. To ruin him. End him. Everything. Perfectly laid the trap over the preceding weeks-making him want her in every conceivable way. It hadn't been hard, that-
Rifling through his drawers like peering into his mind. Almost too intimate-more intimate, even, than the reason he was sleeping on his study's couch, his every breath sending a ripple of shivers down her spine.
Something strange had indeed occurred.
Don't question it.
"Yes?" Seto asked, noticing her gaze lingering oddly on his reflected one, lifting the razor from his chin as his eyes grew wide.
Ishizu shook her head, lowering her gaze to her bare knee as a genuine, tiny grin curled on her lips. "Nothing." She dragged her toes around one of the flowered blue floor tiles.
Somehow-
-this strange man-
-the most ruthless man in Domino-
-he'd turned out to be more. Such a prickly enigma. All layers connected and equally true to who he was.
Cold.
She'd seen-and experienced-that side in full when he'd practically burst into her family's apartment. Insisted on taking a hostage. Revenge dripping from his mouth like the blood of a fresh kill.
He ran a bloody arms company, for goodness sakes'-no doubt he could not afford to be otherwise.
Decent.
He hadn't had to provide for her. Didn't have to introduce her to Mokuba. To Yugi and Téa and everyone. Didn't have to try in some small way to make the Kaiba Manor feel like less of the cage it had been.
Opportunistic.
The way his hand had pressed into her often-bare back, leading her through crowds of bloodthirsty paparazzi. Lips at her ear. Using her presence and mere existence for his own selfish gain. His image for the public.
Observant.
He'd picked up on the little strands throughout her conversations with his associates and clients. Her love of art, dating back years and years. Her intense study of it. Then-the way he'd had his private collection brought out for her-for her own enjoyment and pleasure. No ulterior motives behind that gesture-his voice purely excited and ragged as he'd anticipated and been gratified by her happiness.
Generous.
Every employee of Kaiba Manor seemed to be someone he had helped get back on their feet. Allowed to work hard and be rewarded for that effort.
As she stood up and unwound the towel from her hair, Téa's words came floating back to her:
"He's an incredibly difficult man. Judgemental. Proud. Arrogant. Unsatisfied. Angry. But-I promise you-he's not all awful-I know it's difficult for you to believe me. But I can't help thinking-from what I know of you, that is-perhaps, had you two met under different circumstances…"
Stranger circumstances than most.
And yet…
I've seen all of those facets.
The newspaper clipping, still kept at the back of his desk drawer after all those years, providing a clue to a whole new set.
As Ishizu slid on the dress she'd worn the previous day, balling up the panties and putting them in one of the pockets, she turned towards Seto, who was finishing the final touches on his attire, his fingers hard at work on a pale gray tie.
"May I go see my family today?"
I should let them know that things have changed-that I'm really, truly all right-
I could also get my books and such-for my research-
Seto looked at her, eyes wide with surprise, a tinge of annoyance crawling into his voice. "You don't have to ask permission, Ishizu-I told you yesterday that you were free to leave, even, if you wished."
"Ah-right."
This might take some getting used to-
Seto smoothed out the front of his suit jacket, walked past her and picked up the briefcase left by the door. He pulled the door open, gestured for her to step across the threshold, then followed her out into the hallway and closed the door behind him.
What do I do now?
Ishizu looked up at him then, biting her lip, eyes large and cautious.
Is it too much to-to kiss him goodbye?
Seto reached up to scratch the back of his neck almost nervously as he looked down at her.
Well-
-is it appropriate to-
"Um." The single syllable sounded utterly odd coming from such eloquent lips.
Ishizu nearly wanted to laugh to cover up the burgeoning, queasily simmering tension.
As she reached out to pull his face down to hers, to brush a kiss onto his lips, Seto leaned down to kiss her briefly, causing her to accidentally poke him in the cheek. Hard.
It was then that Seto allowed himself to chuckle, noting with a twisted pleasure the rosy, embarrassed blush on Ishizu's face as her hands moved tentatively to his jacket lapels.
His lips moved against hers softly, teasingly in some imitation of a kiss. Then he smiled, reached out his hand, pulled her closer to him, and firmly cupped her rear over her skirts, making her giggle with a combination of surprise and glee.
"It won't always be this bizarre, Ishizu." His husky whisper sent a jolt of heat trembling through her.
Recomposing herself quickly-though Seto, of course, had noticed the almost invisible sag of her shoulders with a thrill-she returned his smug smile, her fingers trailing down his front to play with his belt buckle.
"Glad to hear it."
He kissed her then, sliding his tongue along her lower lip coyly as he pressed his hips against hers, his hand on her rear holding her against him tightly.
"You do realize I might be slightly compromised during work today."
Ishizu laughed then, that glowing look lighting up her features-the one that made Seto's chest feel incredibly constricted, his heart gone all hummingbird-like and intensely alert.
"Right. As if you've haven't been for the past week?" She raised an eyebrow at him challengingly, her laughter even more infectious as he turned his head away, rolling his eyes so as to not appear mortified at her rather accurate assessment.
He couldn't resist pressing one last kiss to her forehead, inhaling her sweet, clean scent deeply. Her appreciative sigh making him swallow hard. Resist that monstrous urge within him that was commanding him to press her up against the wall and kiss her properly.
"I'll drive myself to the office. Roland will take you wherever you need to go."
Ishizu bowed her head. "Thank you."
As he turned and walked down the hallway, his hands coming to rest in his trouser pockets, Ishizu licked her lips, a hint of anxiety creeping into her tone as she called after him.
"Um-Seto?"
"Yes?" He turned around quickly, hair falling in his eyes in that incredibly appealing way.
Ishizu smiled sheepishly, walking briskly to catch up with him. "How exactly do I get out of this wing of the house?"
Seto rolled his eyes, a mocking smirk twisting his mouth-rather attractively, she noticed. All this time, and she's still lost in this house?
"This way." And his hand came to rest on the small of her back almost tenderly as he led her down the corridor.
Ishizu pressed her fingers against the tinted window of the limousine, peering out at the careworn shop with the paint-chipped apartment above.
Home.
"Excuse me, Roland-we're here."
The sleek black car pulled to a stop in from of the shop. Ishizu opened the door to the backseat before Roland could protest and stepped out of the vehicle, shading her eyes against the sudden harsh brightness of the mid-morning.
Marik should be in the shop right about now…
She adjusted the baggy, rather shapeless silhouette of the simple dress she had left in, briefly looking down at her sandaled feet and chewing on the inside of her cheek.
What will my brothers say when I tell them-
-that Seto and I are now-
-involved-
She took a deep, calming breath and made her way up the ramp, eyes tearing up at the sight of that old sign above the doorway-the one announcing to the world that here sat the Ishtar Antiquities Company-and the tiny "open" sign in the window by the door.
I'm home.
Clenching one hand into a fist to stop her hand from shaking, she lifted the other to the door. Paused, then knocked, clearly and confidently, on the slightly grimy front door.
On the other side of the door, Marik Ishtar closed the ancient laptop he'd been typing on furiously, recording all of the most recent sales-though there hadn't been many to speak of-in a spreadsheet. "One moment, please!" He pushed his glasses up his nose and refastened the top two buttons of his tan button-down before walking around the old, dusty desk towards the door.
As he quickly opened the several locks on the door and pulled it open, briefly squinting against the flood of sunlight into the dim room, he took stock of Ishizu, standing there on the doorstep, and uttered a loud, high-pitched gasp.
"I-Ishizu-" His eyes immediately watered and spilled over, tears of joy and surprise running down his cheeks, his nose dripping as he pulled his sister into a tight embrace, as if he would never let her go now that she was here.
Sister-that asshole let her go-thank the gods-
Ishizu felt hot, stinging tears well up in her eyes as she smelled her brother's familiar scent-like shampoo and old books-and buried her face in his shoulder, the two of them standing like that for a moment, straddling the threshold between indoors and out.
She let go first, smiling up at her youngest brother and playfully ruffling his hair. "Miss me?"
Marik wiped his nose with his sleeve and laughed, his voice still thick with tears, "n-no, Sister, not in the s-slightest-" He stepped aside to allow her to enter the shop, shutting out nearly all daylight as he closed the door behind her.
Flipping the sign in the window to read "closed", he slipped his hand into hers. "Odion's up in the apartment right now-he'll be so glad to know that you're coming home-"
At this, Ishizu felt a guilty lump form in her throat. Ah. "About that, Marik-"
Marik, however, wasn't listening, leading her blithely back outside, into the hot, miserable sunlight, through the side door to the shop, never letting go of her hand, his hand nearly squeezing the life out of hers as he pulled her up the staircase to the Ishtar apartment.
Pushing the door open, he called out, his voice catching noticeably. "O-Odion-guess who's come home-"
Odion, who was currently in front of the stove cooking something that smelled positively wonderful, turned around quickly, his black ponytail whipping around his face, raising his oven-mitt clad hands as his eyes grew large. "Sister-" Ra be thanked, she's home-
He walked around the kitchen counter, practically knocking Ishizu over with the intensity of the bear hug he wrapped her up in, his muscled arms nearly lifting her off the floor as she could only cling to him and let out a tiny squeak of alarm.
"O-Odion-Brother-please-" she half-gasped, half-laughed at this display of emotion from her usually stoic brother, fighting the urge to kick playfully at his shins. "You-your food will burn, Odion!"
Odion reluctantly let her go, placing his hands on his hips. In his apron and mitts, resplendent with his face tattoos, he looked a rather odd picture-and entirely Odion. "I'd throw it out and start over, Sister."
Ishizu rolled her eyes as she looked up at him. "And burn down the building in the process-go!" She felt herself slipping back into that elder sister-motherly voice she so often used with her brothers-that ever-aggrieved tone tinged with a dash of humor and reluctant acceptance of whatever her younger brothers had managed to get up to-
As Odion shook his head good-naturedly and returned to tending his cooking-some sort of egg frittata, from the look of it-Ishizu felt like shrinking into the floor under Marik's intense stare. As if he were examining her from top to bottom to make sure she had come home unscathed. Untouched. Whole.
"So how did you get the bastard to let you go?" came Odion's deadpan, deep voice from in front of the stove as he pinched some spices into the frittata and stirred.
Ishizu licked her lips nervously. Perhaps I ought not to share that part-
"I-I actually have something to tell you, Brothers." She looked down at her feet, feeling her cheeks redden with utter mortification, her eyes begin to well up with half-idealized tears once more.
Marik immediately broke into a sweat, reaching over and placing both his hands on Ishizu's shoulders. Oh gods-that asshole did do something-
From where he stood, Odion turned off the stove and walked around the counter once more, his face gravely serious as he exchanged a look with Marik. What could have happened?
"Ishizu-are you all right?"
Ishizu looked up at him and smiled despite herself, her voice coming out thoroughly strangled from the lump in her throat. "Oh-I'm fine-don't worry. It's just that-um-while I am free to come back here-"
I'm staying. With him.
"-I've chosen not to. For now."
I-
I've found something-
Marik narrowed his eyes as he studied her face more carefully this time, a dreadful sense of anxiety stirring in his stomach. What on Earth could she possibly mean-she's free, but isn't coming home-?
Odion reached his oven-mitted hand to grasp Ishizu's arm firmly. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and barely audible. "Sister-think about what you're saying. Seto Kaiba is the man who threatened our family. The man who took you hostage. Treated you only Ra knows how. And-" And you've chosen to stay with this man instead of coming home to us-
Marik nearly spat in disgust, his lavender eyes gone a shade darker with fury. "What did he do to you to make you say that-did he threaten you-threaten us-Sister-Sister, please-" He ran out of steam, squeezing her shoulders hard beneath the sleeves of her dress, two tomato-red splotches staining his cheeks.
Think about what you're doing-
Ishizu nodded almost sadly as she patted Marik's tense hand gently. Soothingly. Her eyes gravely serious as she thought carefully. Picked her words.
"Brothers-I'm not coming home because-"
The words she had chosen fluttered away on gossamer wings.
I daren't say it.
Not even to myself-
She pressed her mouth together in a thin, hard line. "I'm staying because it's my choice now. And this is what I have chosen."
Odion dropped her arm, his eyes growing stony, and walked back over to the stove to flip his frittata onto a small plate. The muscles in his back tense, visibly so, as he carried the pan to the adjacent sink and began to scrub vigorously. Saying nothing.
I guess he's done with trying to convince me, then-
-or perhaps done with me altogether-
Ishizu calmly turned her gaze back to Marik, who was looking down at the ground hard in an attempt not to cry again. His arms shaking noticeably as he removed his hands from her shoulders and wrapped them around his midsection as if trying to hold himself together in an act of desperation. She feeling every ounce of agony he displayed so nakedly. Like an open wound.
"Ishizu-why?" he managed to choke out, before he moved to flop onto the worn couch, clutching one of the decorative pillows to his chest as if it would ground him to this Earth. Save him. He pushed his glasses up his nose and glared at her with blurry, accusative eyes.
Odion spoke up flatly from where he was drying the pan, his back still to them. "She obviously thinks she's in love with him. It's called Stockholm Syndrome."
Ishizu gritted her teeth in annoyance as she clenched her fists at her sides, willing herself to stay calm. Placid. The surface of a lake. "I am not in love with Seto Kaiba, Odion-I-I just-"
I don't suppose justifying my staying by discussing how much I want to jump his bones again is prudent-
She closed her mouth. All appropriate words fleeing the distant corners of her mind as she dug her nails into her palms.
As if understanding something, Marik suddenly narrowed his eyes at her, his mouth falling open with shock. "You didn't."
Odion barked out a harsh, cold laugh as he carried his frittata to one of the chairs by the couch and sat, balancing the plate on his lap. "Of course she did. It's written all over her face." Not waiting for a response, he lifted his fork and cut off a neat piece of frittata, which he placed into his mouth.
At this, Ishizu blushed, a sickening feeling churning within her, her vision narrowing to a single wavering point. "That-that's none of your business."
How the hell did he figure it out-
Marik threw the pillow dramatically back onto the couch as he came to a standing position, his entire face gone pink with embarrassment and rage. "Ishizu-"
I can't believe she would do that-with him of all people-
"Marik, what I choose to do and whom I choose to do it with is none of your concern-" Ishizu paused, lifting a hand to cover her mouth, realizing that she had given away too much-confirmed Odion's accurate suspicions-her reaction only hammering it in further. Setting it in stone.
"Ishizu-" Marik raised his voice again, his tone accusatory and scolding.
"It's not like that sort of thing is entirely foreign to me, Marik-"
-after all, I am twenty-eight-
Marik blanched and covered his ears, squeezing his eyes shut. "I don't need to think about that, Sister-"
Odion cut in, his voice rumbling acidly. "I think what our brother objects to is whom, not necessarily what-"
Marik lifted his hands from his ears long enough to retort, his lower lip curling petulantly, "no, Odion-I do have a problem with what as well as whom-"
Ishizu pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head exasperatedly. It would be funny if it weren't so damned sad. The way Marik was unraveling before her eyes as Odion withdrew into himself further and further, lashing out remotely and detachedly and only increasing their younger brother's evident distress.
She cleared her throat once more. Her voice firm. Decided. "Marik. Odion. Now that you two are done arguing the particulars of my private life-"
Marik and Odion flicked their gazes over towards her. Marik's eyes filled with tears. Odion's face remained perfectly neutral. Almost apathetic.
"I came to see the two of you before I headed back. If you won't accept the choice I've made-please allow me to collect my research materials and leave in peace."
With that, she nodded curtly at both of them and walked out of the living area towards her room, where she set to grabbing the duffel bag she'd taken along when she'd flown home, making sure her laptop computer and file folders were packed securely, before surveying her room.
The small futon on the floor. The one grimy window. The worn furniture. All things of home and comfort. Memories of her father telling her stories as he'd tucked her into bed. Memories of Odion and Marik coming to curl up beside her when they'd had bad dreams. Memories all faded and gone rosy with nostalgia. For how things had been.
Once and never again.
Lifting the bag's strap over her shoulder, she looked around her room one last time before walking through the narrow hallway back to the living area, where Marik and Odion had not moved. Odion's plate still half-full of now-cold frittata. Marik standing still with tears streaming down his face.
"If you don't have anything more to say to me, Marik, Odion, then I'll be on my way out." She tried to keep her voice level as she folded her hands in front of her, examining the nails and picking at the skin.
And they won't even say goodbye-
"You said you would always protect us, Ishizu. That you would never let anything hurt us." Odion's voice was a mutter, directed at the ground. Not even accusatory. Just matter of fact. As if he had accepted her failure and moved on. Let it slide off his tongue.
"I've kept my promise." Ishizu's voice was calm. Sure. Unruffled.
Odion looked up at her, his eyes blank. "Have you?"
Seto picked at his salad and stared out the floor-to-ceiling windows of his top-floor office. The grid of the city with its endless cars and people like tiny toys beneath him. Movable. fragile. Flick one building and it would slide into the next, toppling over endlessly like dominoes.
Hah.
He crossed his legs and dropped his gaze to the rather listless clumps of lettuce and chicken in the plastic container. The sad-looking brownish avocado slices. The sickly yellow-orange tangerine slices that supposedly constituted flavor.
Note to self: fire the cafeteria workers who thought this was acceptable.
Having had only in-office meetings back to back, with only this small half hour available for lunch, Seto hadn't exactly been able to be choosy in the KaibaCorp headquarters employee lunchroom. Keeping his voice low, his bearing poised. Ignoring the amazed and shocked looks from the various mid- and lower-level employees seated at the plastic tables, their surprise even uglier under fluorescent lighting.
Sighing to himself, the sound echoing throughout the large, empty office, he lifted his plastic fork and stabbed a piece of white meat.
I suppose I ought to eat up-
-I have to keep my strength and energy up-
At this, he smiled to himself as he swallowed the bland, cold chicken and swung around in the swivel chair, placing the plastic carton on his desk.
The morning had been a blur. Memories of the morning's activities swimming behind his eyes as some utterly boring employee made some long presentation. Entirely distracted, his eyes glazing over as he'd nodded politely at all the right moments.
The afternoon not looking much better, for that matter-
Ishizu Ishtar-
-who would have thought-
Certainly not he. As he'd seen her for the first time, in that shapeless dress that did her figure no favors, she'd registered as attractive, yes. Beautiful, even. Her blue-green eyes wide and wet, her expression mournful and timid as she'd taken her idiot brother's place.
He certainly couldn't have anticipated that she'd-
That he'd-
Well, he could have anticipated wanting her. Seeing her in her gowns each evening, her bewitching and curious mannerisms-that chameleon-esque, almost slippery way she adjusted her behavior depending on the situation, all perfectly done-how could he not have been entranced? It was practically a foregone conclusion when she'd agreed to leave with him that fateful night.
Like a puzzle, Ishizu was. All the different sides of herself that he only saw hints of here and there, bits at a time. Her magnetism. Her fear. Her pride. Her inner strength.
Her happiness. Her incandescent warmth that lit her up from within in those rare moments. All eyes on her like moths to a flame. Impossible to deny. To ignore.
Not to mention-
-well-
Seto chuckled under his breath as he speared a soft chunk of avocado and placed it into his mouth.
The way she'd done it. Uncannily. Stripping before him each night. Asking him to stay with her in her bed. The scantily-clad breakfasts. Her manner. Her body. All these things inspiring a need so fierce that it nearly torn him apart.
Until it hadn't.
Until she had looked at him with those large, bright eyes, her skin kissed by firelight, climbed onto his lap, and challenged him to kiss her.
Everything. It was there. With her. In her. Inherent. She caught the flame that passed from his lips to hers and stoked it. Let it warm her from within until she was wanting just as much as he.
And then-the following day-
-on my desk-
He'd never done anything like that before. Nothing with that same tender yet animalistic, throbbing, screaming want that made all rational thought abandon him entirely. Only wanting to bestow pleasure upon this magnificent creature who inspired such feelings in him.
The guilt afterwards. After the waves of arousal had ceased. He'd regarded her with a potent, almost virulent mixture of fear and strange unhappiness curling around his neck. Veering on choking the very life out of him-
Until she'd chosen to stay. With him.
Somehow.
Against all odds-
-perhaps it wasn't quite Hell after all.
Ishizu wandered throughout the corridors of the Manor aimlessly. The world blurring at the edges of her vision, her hand trailing the wall in a listless effort to keep track of where she was.
Odion-
She thought of her brother, his face dull and empty, as he condemned her. Cruel in how casual it had been.
What could have driven him to say that-
-that I've broken my promise?
Everything I've done-
-I've done for this family.
Put off college to work to support us while the business was struggling-
-put off graduate school when Father died-
-all for the family.
For us.
Ishizu's free hand curled into a fist as her eyes filled with unwanted hot tears. Them falling down her cheeks like burning.
I want something that is mine. For myself.
-is that wrong?
She wiped at her face with the sleeves of her dress, the rough fabric scratching the skin beneath her eyes.
Anger, bright and burning, seethed within her. Liquid within her veins. Anger at Odion. At Marik, who had done nothing to contradict Odion's baseless condemnation. Stood by. His silence tacit acceptance of his brother's claim.
Anger at herself-
For this-
Everything I've done-
A memory of Seto from the previous day dropped into her mind's eye. That look on his face when she'd told him she was staying. Fear and a wild, birdlike hope.
Something more that she dared not consider. Something too frightening for the limits of her mind.
How that look of his had made her feel.
Feel things.
Feel everything.
Like fire and rain all in one.
Suddenly it was as if he was before her then. The mere thought, the mere suggestion having summoned him to her. His eyes cold and nervous. Wide. Gentle, almost doe-like in their innocence. Innocence playing as cynicism.
Something cracked further within her. Another heavy load replaced by impossibly lightness as she thought of him.
She wiped away the last of her tears and allowed herself a tiny smile.
I've made my choice.
He found her in the room with his art collection, her keen, careful eyes examining every inch of the Calder stabile on its post, her lips parted in pleasure. Lost in her examination. Her concentration flawless.
"I thought you might be here."
Ishizu's hair fell about her shoulders as she looked away from the artwork, eyes wide with surprise.
Her face lit up with a gentle smile in that way that threatened to unmake him. God.
"Seto-I didn't hear you come in." She walked around the pedestal and approached him, her hands folding in front of her almost shyly. That awkwardness again blooming between them, almost tangible enough to touch as her grin grew slightly nervous.
Seto ducked his head in acknowledgment of the tension. Is it all right to kiss her now-is that too cute?
God forbid I'm cute. The small word was practically distasteful to him as she stepped in closer, closing the gap between them and pressed her lips to his.
His eyes fluttered shut automatically, moving his free hand to her waist, the throaty moan she then made against his lips causing him to drop his briefcase with a loud thud.
I am such an idiot-
Ishizu pulled away, mirth sparkling in her eyes. "I won't tell if you don't."
Seto groaned from deep within his chest as he leaned forward once more, clutching at the fabric of her dress with both hands as his lips found her neck. "How magnanimous of you, Miss Ishtar."
Ishizu pressed her thighs together, willing her breath to stay even as he sucked on a tender spot below her ear. Her hands floating upwards to clutch at his hair. Everything sharpening and coiling together in heated, frothy desire.
"Ishizu-" Her name coming out in a ragged breath.
Without warning she found herself pressed against a wall hard, his hips rubbing against hers almost past the point of control as his hands began to hike her skirts around her waist. He gripped her hips in place against the wall, another moan tearing from her lips as his lips drifted lower. The sucking on her neck turning into light bites, each one more electric than the one that came before it.
"I've-I've been thinking about you all day, Ishizu-" His hoarse voice against her flesh almost praying. Already preparing to worship and to sully by the same token.
Amidst a whirl of want, Ishizu managed to grab at his hair long enough to lift his head from her skin. "Seto-someone could see-"
It's not like we're in his rooms-or his office-
-gods, though-
-him-
His eyes, bright with desire, met hers, sending a shudder through her every fiber.
"Isn't that what makes it fun?"
His voice was perfectly husky and dark. Almost silky, a wide leery grin spreading on his lips as Ishizu released a wanton cry and pulled his lips to hers once more, rolling her hips against his in a slow, deliberate circle.
"You do realize you've got quite the propensity for giving hickies, Seto?" Ishizu rubbed uselessly at a mark on her neck and shifted in the passenger seat of the car.
Eyes focused on the road, Seto smiled to himself. I regret nothing.
"I like marking what's mine."
Ishizu groaned in annoyance, poking him in the side, making Seto nearly swerve out of his lane as a low laugh issued from his lips. "Ah-ah-hands off the driver, please-"
She acquiesced reluctantly, leaning back in her seat and taking in the rolling landscape from her window. He was taking her away from the downtown sprawl of Domino City, driving smoothly past verdant fields and forests she hadn't even known existed. Flowers falling from the branches like confetti, littering the road before them with pink.
As if sensing her question, Seto glanced over at her and spoke. "I'm taking you somewhere for the night. Somewhere I think you'll like-"
Ishizu blushed, her hands clasping one another in her lap tightly. Where in the world-
"A hotel, Seto?"
Doubtless he can afford something like that, but there's no need for it-
Seto shook his head briefly. "Somewhere better," he replied, making a sweeping right turn and coming up to what looked like-
-the bank of a small lake-
And by the shore, a little boat all paneled in dark wood.
Ishizu's eyes widened as she turned her head sharply to look at Seto. "Is this-"
Yours?
Seto nodded as he pulled over and stopped the car. "I thought you might like to spend the night on my boat. It's nothing much-a small little craft, but she's served me well over the past few years-" Of course, Hawkins' is much larger-much more gauche, if I'm honest about it-
Of course he has a boat. "You sail?"
"Don't often have the time. But I do know how, if that's what you're asking."
Of course he knows how to sail.
Rich people-gods help me-
Seto turned off the car, which rumbled with an ostentatious purr as it went to sleep, and opened his door, climbing out of the car and practically jogging around the front to open Ishizu's door before she could do it herself.
Ishizu pushed open her door right as Seto pulled, and she climbed out of the car, her sandaled feet creating a crunchy noise on the rock-and-sand ground.
She shaded her hand with her eyes and took in the view, breathing in the fresh air. Positively idyllic. The pristine, flawless body of water, with a grove of trees surrounding the far edge. No one around for what seemed like miles. The faint singing of birds whistling through the slight breeze.
"I suppose this is your private lake, too?" Her voice held a hint of humor as she turned to look at the man beside her.
Seto tsked at her, his hand moving to the small of her back as he led her towards the boat. "Now, Ishizu-don't be ridiculous."
"I thought that, before dinner, we might go for a swim. The water's lovely at this time of year."
Seto quirked an eyebrow at her as he slid off his jacket, then his shoes and socks. Unbuckled his belt with nimble fingers, untucking his button-down and unfastening the buttons before casting it aside along with the strip of leather. Then his undershirt joined the pile on the smooth wood of the deck. His perfectly pressed trousers followed until he was standing before her in his boxers.
Ishizu's eyes flickered over his body as she licked her lips unconsciously, her cheeks going a light pink.
A cruel grin lit up his features as he watched her watching him. "Your turn-or would you like some help with that, Ishizu?"
Ishizu rolled her eyes, bent down and unfastened her sandals, then pulled her dress over her head. "I think I've demonstrated my facility well enough in this area, Seto." Ha.
Seto watched her unclasp her bra and tug her panties down her legs with a silent thrill, then followed suit with his boxers. He walked over to the front of the boat, Ishizu following, the pair of them basking in the warmth of the sunlight on bare flesh, and climbed on top of the wooden railing, grasping one of the vertical poles for balance.
Ishizu's eyes traveled down the length of his back, focusing briefly on his excellent rear end before he looked back at her, smirked once more, and dove neatly into the clear waters of the lake, breaking the surface cleanly with nary a splash.
He soon popped up above the water, which came up to about his chin, and lifted his arm to beckon her to follow him.
"Come on, Ishizu-the water's fine." His darkening eyes narrowed, his voice becoming velvet.
"Unless you're afraid, that is…" Let's see if that gets her in the water-
Ishizu rolled her eyes once again, ignoring his egging her on, and pressed her lips together as she followed his example, clutching the pole and unsteadily climbing onto the wooden railing.
She looked down at the water. So far below. Seemingly deep and shallow.
Her vision blurred for a moment.
Seto watched the slight shift in her expression, a thread of concern in his voice as he began to swim closer to the boat.
"If you don't want to swim, it's perfectly all right-"
"No-no-" Ishizu stammered, cheeks reddening once again. "It's just been a while-"
She inhaled deeply, gulping down one last lungful of air before she jumped into the water from the deck of the boat, the coldness of the lake knocking the breath from her lungs. Her hair floating around her, almost sentient, as she came up for air, her eyes screwed shut in response to the frigid sensations encasing her body.
"Seto! You blasted liar-the water's freezing!" She dipped her head under the water, trying to acclimate herself as her legs kicked wildly like noodles in thick soup, willing her body to adjust. Adapt. Accept.
The water wasn't too deep-she could scrape the soft, rising pieces of dirt with the pads of her toes when she delved below the surface.
Seto smirked at her as he swam over to her, the sunlight gleaming off the surface of the crystal clear water, each drop of water on his skin a tiny diamond, his eyes dark and bright.
"I daresay I haven't the foggiest-" he began in an airy tone, only to sputter in a rather undignified manner as Ishizu skimmed her shivering hand along the surface of the water, splashing him with an icy wave that soaked him through.
"Shit!" Seto half-screamed, half laughed, as Ishizu dropped back under the water and swam towards him. Through the water he could see her approach him when she moved up right before him, sliding her body against his and wrapping her arms around his neck, breaking the skin of the water and pulling his mouth to hers.
"That's what you get for being so tricky," Ishizu purred, biting his earlobe playfully as Seto's hands found her rear and pressed her hips against his.
Running his hands up her sides to wrap around her waist, Seto couldn't help but grin a tiny, evil grin as Ishizu moved her hands from around his neck to rest on his shoulders.
"I can live with that," he breathed as her lips pressed along his jawline-then, in one fluid motion, removed her from his body, swung her into a bridal-style position in his arms, lifted her above the surface of the water and tossed her. Her grin fading into a round o, her dark hair sticking to her shoulders, as she flew several inches and fell into the lake with a resounding plash.
Asshole-
Ishizu lifted her head above the water and stuck her tongue out at him, treading water, the now-lukewarm lake rippling around her. "I guess someone's sleeping alone tonight…"
Seto shook some water out of his hair, swam over to her once more and grabbed hold of her, her slender arm so soft beneath his palm. He pulled her close once more, a warm laugh coloring his voice.
"Now, Ishizu, what are the chances of that happening?"
The sun dipped behind the last cloud, leaving behind a fantastically red sky quickly darkening to violet as Ishizu wrapped herself up tightly in the thick comforter she'd found in the ship's cabin, sitting on the striped picnic blanket Seto had laid out on the ship's deck and looking out over the still lake.
Inside the cabin's kitchen, Seto was hard at work-had been for a good twenty minutes now, she supposed. Whipping up some sort of dinner-no doubt his perfectionist nature was making everything that much more difficult for him.
Seto Kaiba, cooking. I never thought I'd see the day-
She glanced back over towards the sealed-off cabin before looking back out over the water, holding the blanket around her as a slight breeze threatened to chill her bones.
I do hope he's all right in there-
The creak of a door's hinges made her jump slightly. She turned her head towards the sound and saw Seto, clad in his undershirt and boxers, hair still sticky and drying from the swim in the lake. In his arms a simple wooden tray with three plates and a pitcher of water-a distorted mirror of their many breakfasts together.
So much had changed so quickly.
Though my state of dress is largely similar-
Ishizu couldn't help but grin quietly to herself at the thought.
She felt her chest grow tight with something stirring as Seto walked towards where she sat and set the tray down before her, then coming to sit facing her, his legs crossed in front of him like a child's.
His cheeks were slightly red, his eyes darting from the tray to her face and back again.
He's nervous…?
Ishizu was almost charmed as Seto's eyes narrowed, his shoulders hunching, his voice annoyed and defensive as he demanded:
"Well-are you going to try it or not?"
I surely have embarrassed myself with this silly gesture-
Ishizu looked down at the plates on the tray to find two heaping servings of grilled salmon, perfectly pink with parallel char lines, along with a dollop of mashed potatoes and some assorted grilled vegetables. On the third plate-
-a single slice of perfectly decadent-looking chocolate cake.
She looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, sliding the blanket off her bare shoulders and extending her arm towards one of the plates of salmon. The blanket slid down her back to settle around her waist as she crossed her legs under the thick material to mirror Seto's, balancing the plate on her lap.
"You remembered-"
It wasn't the first time-but it was such a small, errant detail-
Seto smirked. "It's not like your penchant for chocolate is something easily forgettable."
That's putting it lightly-
He handed her a fork, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Well, eat up. After all-"
Ishizu looked at him as she accepted the utensil, her eyes wide and questioning.
Seto leaned in and brushed his lips to her ear, his voice thick with perfectly wonderful implications. "You're going to need your strength."
Ishizu's eyes opened slowly, the stars behind them having ceased their endless bursting, the sensations on her skin only just beginning to wear themselves out as she gripped Seto to her, her nails digging into his back one last time as she sighed, her forehead nuzzling against his.
Oh-
Seto climbed off of her and down on the picnic blanket beside her, his heavy breathing evening out, a droplet of sweat running down his forehead as he leaned over to press a wet kiss to her temple.
She shivered and smiled sleepily at him as he sat up and pulled the comforter over their bodies, then scooted in close to her, his lips at her ear. Voice still breathless.
"Do you want to be the little spoon?" Mocking. Teasing. The unbearable twee-ness of the idea.
Ishizu poked him in the shoulder playfully, her lips turning upwards. "You just want to feel my ass against your-" Seto silenced her train of thought by leaning over once more to press a kiss to her lips, his hand bracing against the ground for support.
He smirked against her mouth. "How vulgar of you, Ishizu."
Ishizu rolled her eyes as he flopped back down onto his back and found her hand by her side under the blanket, his heart thrumming just a little bit faster as she entwined her fingers through his.
Something stabbed at his lips from within. Trembling. Desiring to emerge. Whole. Naked. Shuddering.
The most vulnerable thing.
I need to tell her.
Ishizu broke out into a slight sweat when Seto spoke, his voice sounding far away, "I never told you about my childhood, Ishizu."
The newspaper clipping-does he know-?
Ishizu licked her lips and pressed her forehead into his shoulder almost tenderly, willing the erratic nature of her pulse to even out. Steady. There's no way he could know. He would have said something-
Still, it was like she'd caught him raw and unawares. Without his permission. Invaded. Intruded.
Like a boulder sitting on her chest.
"You-you don't need to talk about it, Seto," she said softly. Trying to hide that nigh-despicable, awful curiosity that bubbled within her despite herself. Despite her misgivings.
The desire to know. To understand.
The key to the riddle that is Seto Kaiba-
Seto turned his head to look at her, squeezing her hand briefly, his eyes dark and serious. Almost frighteningly earnest. "No-I want to-"
Ishizu nodded and slid closer to him, rolling onto her side and laying her head on his chest. His heartbeat quickening against her as she moved her hand to rest beside her face. Stroking the thin hairs soothingly. In preparation for him saying terrible things. For her having to hear terrible things.
Seto closed his eyes, slipping his hand out of hers, dragging it up to run through her tangled hair as he let out a ragged sigh. His other hand coming to rest upon hers, dragging his nails on the back of her palms gently round and round.
Now-
"I-I was six when my parents passed. Mokuba was an infant at the time." His voice perfectly flat. Normal. Controlled. As if he were discussing something innocuous. Like the weather.
"None of our relatives would take both of us, so we were sent to an orphanage-and that-well." His hand stopped and gripped hers tightly. "Again. No one wants a smarmy brat and a baby to boot."
He'd been so-
-so-
-innocent then. Guileless. Optimistic, even. Hopeful. Wide-eyed.
So easily capable of being hurt.
Seto shut his eyes, a lump rising in his throat. Pinching his voice to a hoarse, tiny sound as he continued.
"When I was ten, Gozaburo Kaiba came to the orphanage. Some press nonsense. A show of goodwill for shareholders. Something I have to do as well from time to time-"
Ishizu bit her lip. Gozaburo-the man from the newspaper-
Seto's adoptive father-
-the man who killed himself-
Seto squeezed his eyes shut, a slight pain digging itself between his brows.
Gozaburo been so tall to ten-year-old Seto. So big. His every move connoting power.
His tiny, beady eyes observing everything. Missing nothing. Quantifying. Judging. His mouth hidden beneath that awful mustache.
Seto gripped her hand tightly. His voice more controlled now. Still slightly quavery around the edges. Something he could perhaps hide from a more casual listener.
Not Ishizu.
"I knew we needed to get out of there. Mokuba was-so small-he was picked on. By the bigger boys. Bigger boys than I was."
That's why-
-I made my deal with the devil-
"So I challenged him to a chess match. If I won-he had to take us. Both of us."
He remembered sitting across that small table from the hulking businessman. Mokuba standing behind him, hands clasped. A bead of sweat falling into his eyes as he'd considered every possible move. The white and black squares coalescing before his eyes
"I won."
As a ten-year-old child?
-He's brilliant-
Ishizu piped up quietly, "so he adopted you then?"
And then he became the CEO of the Kaiba Corporation-at sixteen-
-gods-
-what a responsibility-
Seto's voice was bitter. Bleeding into scraping sarcasm.
"He did more than that. He groomed me to be his successor."
By any means necessary.
"I was tutored by the finest instructors. Studied languages, computer science, literature, the arts-and business. That above all."
Ruthlessly.
Seto continued, his shaking fingers making further knots of Ishizu's hair.
"Mistakes in anything were… costly."
Ishizu blanched as she caught his meaning. Her heartbeat slowing, then quickening as she felt his grow erratic. His hand squeezing hers to his chest, his lips pressing together almost painfully, making tears pool at the edges of his eyes.
Still he pressed on.
"When I was sixteen-I staged a coup. Banded with Gozaburo's top advisers and associates and ousted him."
I wanted it all.
So that's how he became the CEO-
Ishizu's eyes widened in horror, her breath stopping for a moment.
That must be why-
"Gozaburo jumped from the window of his office at KaibaCorp headquarters. Because he knew that I had won again."
That I was superior. Capable of more cruelty than he could ever be.
"I've been the CEO ever since."
The words floated from his lips and hung, loaded and shimmering and sickly, in the air.
Ishizu swallowed hard, her mind racing wildly. Trying to stop herself from trembling as she clung to him.
Fear?
He's colder than I could have imagined-more ruthless-
-beaten into him as a child-
Seto's voice was almost inaudible. "I killed my stepfather, Ishizu."
She lifted her head to look directly at him, words slurring and breaking. No-
"You-you did no such thing, Seto Kaiba-"
Seto cut her off, his voice edged with ice. "I understand if you want to leave."
I understand if she-
-doesn't accept it.
Me.
Because of this.
Ishizu gritted her teeth as she dug for answer. Something that wouldn't sound maudlin. Pining. Too romantic and silly for the gravity of the moment-
He's being foolish. Self-flagellating-
Something clicked in her mind. A piece swinging into place.
She lifted her face to his and kissed him. Gently. Deeply. Feeling him sigh against her mouth, his lips parting almost automatically.
Her hand moving to his shoulder and gripping it tightly. Digging her nails into his flesh delicately as she sucked on his lower lip, delighting in the way his lips lifted ever-so-subtly under the blanket. Responding.
Letting her actions speak for themselves.
Pulling away slowly, she flickered her eyes upwards to meet his. Lacing a bit of humor into her voice.
"And?"
His brow furrowed. Confused. Disbelieving.
"And…"
"Is that all?"
It'll take more than an overdeveloped sense of guilt to get rid of me, Seto Kaiba-
She felt his heartbeat return to normal as she lowered her head to rest on his chest.
His breathing evened out as his hand slid down, caressing her arm, his lips brushing against her forehead as he chuckled darkly, grabbing hold and pulling her on top of him.
It'll take much more than that-