Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Summoning Death ❯ Chapter Five: Making Repairs ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! is owned by its creator, Kabuki Takahashi and its respective anime companies. I'm borrowing the characters and ideas for a nonprofit fan fiction written solely for the enjoyment of myself, and hopefully others.

All rights and privileges to Gundam Wing are trademarks and property of Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties. The characters of these works are used WITHOUT permission for the purpose of entertainment only. This work of fiction is not meant for sale or profit.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is copyright J.K.Rowling. Sandman and Neverwhere are copyright Neil Gaiman.

Author's Notes: To fully understand this fan fic, which is part of a much larger arc, I highly suggest that you read Animom's "KP Duty" and the first two chapters of the sequel "Coming Clean". I am blessed that she allowed me to play this story in her richly written AU arc about what really happened when Seto Kaiba lost his soul to Pegasus. These stories are about recovery and coming to terms with oneself after the unthinkable happens.

Again, I cannot stress how good these stories are and I am unable to find the words to fully convey my feelings on this subject.

"Oh, wow, I'd like to get my hands on that body," Duo whistled as he scrolled down the web page.

He gave a low whistle, his violet eyes gazed over with lust as he stared in wonder at the screen. "Oh, I'd like to make her roar, that's for damn sure."

He clicked on the mouse a few more times and said, "Seto's gonna wanna ride this baby for hours. I think I've outdone myself."

He set up the system to print and said, "Now to get the address out . . ."

The Bugatti EB 16_4 Veyron's stats were before Duo on the screen. He whistled softly in pure delight as he scrolled down the screen. No wonder Seto had a dream about this car when his soul was returned; it was the type of car that would do a pilot proud. The speed, the power, the grace of it, and the sheer design. It was a work of art.

He pulled the sheet of paper out of the printer and smirked to himself. On the page was an address of a local rare car dealer that just happened to have a Bugatti in stock and a way to order them as well. It was a bit of a drive, but Duo thought it was worth it. And so does Seto from the look of it.

He chuckled to himself as he clicked out of the various windows describing the gorgeous work of art in all of its black and crimson glory. He had a plan forming in the back of his devious brain. A wonderful, glorious plan involving this machine.

Despite all of Duo's talents, there was one thing he could not do.

He was a horrible cook.

He had mourned the loss of Hilde's cooking more than her when she moved away. Duo hated to cook. He despised it. He would rather have his braid yanked a hundred times than to create something in the kitchen. However, he could make one hell of a cup of coffee for a caffeine junkie.

And he also figured that Seto's ribs would be sore from all the puking he did yesterday, so he had four ibuprofen to go along with the coffee. He had already called up Seto's school, saying that Mr. Kaiba was going to be away for business today. The school staff was very understanding and apologetic, sorry for any inconvenience they could have caused President Kaiba.

Duo figured the reason Seto went to school was to set a good example for Mokuba. After all, with Seto's brains, he should have already graduated from MIT with honors by now. He also figured that subconsciously, Seto was lonely and wanted to be with people his own age without realizing it.

Duo felt a pang of sympathy as he balanced the creamer, sugar, and coffee on a tray. He knew that Seto was up, probably trying to hide from what had happened yesterday. Duo sighed. After breaking down one wall he was going to climb another. At least this one seemed shorter.

And part of him was dying to find out what the "cat" was Seto had referred to yesterday was. The lost chance as it was, the one Seto was sorry for blowing it. The one where Seto obviously wanted to do something, but couldn't come up with the guts to do so.

Looks like I get to pay the lovely Mai another visit, Duo thought with a grin.

He whistled softly to himself as he walked to Seto's office. The CEO was already there, at his computer, typing furiously. The bloodshot blue eyes wandered across the screen as Seto worked. Seto shyly glanced up when Duo walked in.

Duo sat the coffee, painkillers, sugar, and creamer beside Seto. He then backed up and gracefully flopped himself into the couch in the office. Duo stated, "I didn't know how you liked your coffee so I just brought everything in."

"Thank you," Seto replied quietly. Duo watched as he added a spoonful of sugar and a dab of cream into his cup of coffee. The silence was thick enough to cut as Seto took a sip and began to work.

The silence stretched on for an endless eternity. Duo played with his cross for a moment before peeking over the couch to look at Seto. Seto looked up at him then quickly went back at his computer, the sound of keys clacking the only thing breaking the silence.

Duo said, "Mokuba went to school and I already called in for you."

"What did you say?" Seto asked uneasily, his pale cheeks tinted with rose as he avoided eye contact.

Duo grinned and answered, "That you're away on business for the day."

Seto looked at him wide eyed before returning back to work. Flopping down, Duo pounded his head against the couch for a moment before sitting back up. He watched Seto and thought, Yep, he's not talking about what happened yesterday. In fact, I'd wager a month's pay that he's embarrassed as hell about it.

Duo flopped back down on the couch and looked idly up at the ceiling. The sound of keys clacking slowed to a stop. Duo looked up to see Seto rubbing his eyes and groaning.

Still probably has a bit of a hangover, poor guy, Duo thought, his heart reaching out for a moment. Time to put the plan into action. He grinned as he sprang up.

"I gotta run an errand for Mokuba, wanna come with?" Duo asked brightly.

Seto looked up at him with a puzzled expression. He rubbed the bridge of his nose as he asked, "An errand?"

"Yeah, he was being very insistent about it. Persistent little bugger," Duo sighed, shaking his head with a tiny chuckle.

Seto stood up with and looked down at the computer. He sighed, "I guess this can wait."

"That's the ticket," Duo chirped.

As they walked to the door, Seto asked, "What kind of errand?"

"It's pretty interesting, actually. I'll think that you'll love it," Duo said with a tiny wink.

The limo pulled into the parking lot of the dealership. Duo looked over. Seto's eyes were hidden by a pair of dark blue sunglasses, but by the steady, deep rise and fall of his chest, Duo could tell that the brunet was asleep. Duo gave a tiny smile as he unbuckled his seat belt and reached over toward the taller teen.

Duo gently pulled the sunglasses up and whispered, "Wake up, Seto. We're here."

Seto groaned as he awoke. Dark blue eyes blinked as he took in his surroundings. He sat straight up and looked around. His mouth parted in a silent gasp of surprise.

"Pretty spiffy, huna?" Duo asked, gesturing to the various sports cars for sale.

Seto reached for the handle and got out of the car. Duo followed him with a chuckle. Seto took off his sunglasses as he spotted the sleek crimson and black Bugatti. As if magnetized, Seto walked over to the car.

He asked, "How did you know?"

"Mokuba told me," Duo answered as he looked at the car. He saw a salesman dressed in a pale grey business suit stroll their way in the reflection of the window. He nudged Seto.

Seto looked at him and asked, "What?"

"Put your sunglasses back on," Duo whispered as he placed his braid over his shoulder.

Seto gave him a puzzled look before slipping them back on. He asked, "Why?"

"Trust me, I've got a plan," Duo answered confidently as the salesman approached. As an after thought, he added, "And act arrogant too."

Seto's lips quirked as he stood to his full height. Duo smiled to himself as Seto gracefully folded his arms over his chest and looked every inch the bored boy billionaire. With the sunglasses and the blue duster billowing around him in the slight breeze, Duo had to admit that Seto looked rather sexy today.

The salesman came up to them and asked, "Can I help you gentlemen today?"

Duo smiled flirtatiously as the salesman's dark eyes roamed over Duo's black leather clad form and wandered over to Seto's tall and brooding presence. He noted the hungry, wistful look that flickered in the salesman's eyes for a moment before he focused back to Duo. Seto looked at the car with the bored arrogance that came so easily to him.

Duo answered, "Yes, we could use some help."

Seto looked away in distaste with a tiny grunt. And he's as good at playing a role as Heero is. Duo took a quick glance at him. No, he's better. Heero always looked pissed, Seto's got the masked emotions down. But then, he's had to build them or go insane.

Resolution bubbled up in Duo to make Seto happy. Or at least not as tense.

The salesman asked, "So, what are you looking for?"

"Something fast, sporty, and cool," Duo answered with a grin, pushing his bangs out of his face.

The salesman smiled at Duo and asked, "Anything in mind?" His eyes flickered back to the limo that they had gotten out of. Duo knew what he was thinking and planned to exploit it.

Seto nodded his head pointedly once at the Bugatti. He strummed his fingers on his arms as he cast the salesman a distrusting look. The salesman paled, despite the fact that Seto's gaze was covered by the sunglasses.

The salesman ran his hands over the lapels of his silk waistcoat. He smiled pleasantly and said, "Of course, it's obvious that you have excellent taste."

Duo gave a nervous smile and gently took the salesman's arm. He walked them a few steps away, giving the illusion that Seto was out of earshot. He cast Seto a glance over his shoulder and winked.

Duo gave him a nervous smile and said, "You see my friend over there might just be interested in the Bugatti. I was wondering if we could take it on a little test drive?"

"It's a very expensive car. In fact, it's the only one we have," the salesman replied weakly.

Duo flipped his braid over his shoulder and gave him a sultry grin. He waited for the reaction, and just like he had thought, he had it. The salesman's lips parted as he looked at Duo's face hopelessly in lust.

Duo gently pleaded, "You're not thinking that he can't afford it, are you?"

"No . . ." The salesman answered before taking another look at Seto. The eyes widened in recognition as he looked back at Duo. He asked, "Is that who I think it is?"

Duo nodded with a hum.

The salesman smiled brightly and said, "Well, I have the keys on me actually. Just let me tell my supervisor where I'm going."

Duo shook his head and leaned closer. He looked over at Seto with a fearful expression when he was trying his hardest not to laugh. He whispered, "I think my friend wants to try it out by himself. Well, with me of course." He flashed his coy grin at the salesman.

The salesman's mouth parted thoughtfully as he looked back to Seto then Duo. His cheeks colored slightly as he managed, "Oh, of course. Tell Kaiba-sama that we are honored to have accommodated him here today."

Duo took this with a bright smile. He patted the man's shoulder, causing him to blush slightly. He chirped, "Thanks a lot, pal."

He chuckled to himself as he ran back to Seto, jangling the keys as he did. Seto eyed the salesman and said, "If it was anyone else I'd wonder how you did that."

Duo flashed him a grin as he opened the passenger door. He made a courtly flourish that would have made Relena glare. He said, "I'm driving first."

Seto peered at him from beneath the dark blue lenses. He balanced his hand on the door as he slid into the car. Duo chuckled to himself as he settled himself behind the wheel.

His eyes widened as he looked at the control panel. It was a strange combination of high-tech and vintage homage. He whistled as he touched the speedometer and ran his fingers to the gear shift. He looked at the other added features with a grin.

Duo managed, "Wow."

"You know how to drive a stick?" Seto asked as he put on his seat belt.

Duo flexed his fingers behind the wheel. He watched as the salesman ran back to them. He flashed the two teens a winning smile and said, "Kaiba-sama, we are very honored to have you here. Please, if there is any way that we can help you, just let us know."

Kaiba gave the salesman a cold look and replied, "Thank you. Duo?"

"Gotcha," Duo said with a smirk as he put the key into the ignition. He grabbed the gear shift and glided the car out of the lot. He looked back in the mirror to see the salesman head back to the office. He grinned, shifted and snorted, "Of course I can drive a stick."

Then he stepped on the gas.

Duo kept it under eighty until he found some country back roads. He parked the car and cracked his knuckles. Seto looked over and gave him a tiny, appealing look. Duo almost laughed aloud at the caressing look Seto was giving the steering column and gear shift.

Duo unbuckled his seat belt and opened the door. Seto's seat belt came off with a spring as the door flew open. The taller boy quickly made his way around to the driver's side as Duo stepped out of the car. Duo got in on the passenger side as Seto was arranging the mirrors and seat to his greater height.

Seto said, "This car can go from zero to 300 kilometers in fourteen seconds. Buckle up."

"Oh, you're going to try it, are you?" Duo asked with a grin as he buckled the seat belt.

Seto flexed his hands on the wheel as he turned the ignition. He gingerly shifted gears and brought the car onto the road. They sat perfectly still for endless moments. Seto licked his lips as he looked out at the road.

Duo said, "You'll never know unless you try."

"What about fear?" Seto asked quietly.

Duo grinned and answered, "You're asking the wrong person that question, Blue Eyes."

Seto looked out the windshield intensely. Duo sagely said, "Sometimes you just have to take a chance."

The car flung into motion, growing recklessly faster with each passing heartbeat. Duo laughed as he clutched the dash. Seto flexed his fingers around the steering wheel, down shifted, and pressed his foot on the gas.

Seto was a natural. He moved through curves with ease. He knew exactly when and how to shift. He even kept the reckless speed at perfect control. Drove the car like it was flying.

"You're good," Duo gasped in awe as they made a particularly sharp turn.

Seto asked, keeping his eyes on the road, "Really?"

"Seto, you'd make a top notch pilot, that's for damned sure," Duo answered, meaning every word of it.

Seto gave a tiny smile and replied, "Well, I'm not finished yet."

"Ooooh, yeah! Come on, make this baby scream," Duo challenged, shifting his weight in the seat.

Seto downshifted, the tachometer spiked, and the engine roared as the speedometer crept to its limit.

"Beautiful," Seto breathed as he popped the trunk open to look at the engine.

Duo whistled appreciatively, "Yeah. They don't make them like that where I come from. It's all about conserving energy and crap."

Seto chuckled as he took off his duster. He rolled up his sleeves and checked the oil and transmission fluids. He murmured, "It's in good condition. Amazing. Brand new too, I think we're giving it its first real test drive."

"Well, you were the one banking 200 around that curve," Duo pointed out.

Seto rubbed at his nose with his grease-covered hand, leaving a streak of black on it. Duo grinned. With his hair slightly wind blown, skin flushed from heat and maybe even excitement, and now the grease smudge, Seto looked absolutely delectable.

Seto retorted, "You took it at 406 the second time around."

"Hey, I couldn't let you have all the fun now. Besides, I'm a pilot. I'm supposed to be a reckless adrenaline junkie," Duo volleyed back.

Seto grinned as he looked the car over. He said, "It's the wrong color."

"What's wrong with the color? It's black and red. It looks spiffy," Duo retorted in disbelief.

Seto shook his head and replied, "It needs to be silver-blue."

"Well, that does sound cool, I guess," Duo said with a shrug. Personally, he liked the red and black coloring scheme. Then he realized that wouldn't fit Seto, but the dragon silver would.

Seto mused, "I can get a custom paint job."

"Oh yeah! You can get a more powerful engine and make it go faster," Duo crowed.

Seto snorted, "Why would I want it to go faster?"

"Because it can," Duo answered, rolling his eyes.

Seto laughed, a delightful sound. "It has all the power it needs."

"But it can have more," Duo pleaded.

Seto ignored him as he mused, "Custom color, custom sound system, interior work . . ."

"Excuse me, sir?" a female voice asked.

They both turned to see a middle-aged woman standing there. She gave Seto a polite smile and Duo a puzzled look before scowling at him. She said, "I'm having a problem with my accelerator. I'm wonder if you could you take a look at it?"

Duo took a look at Seto. Without the blue duster and the smudge of grease on his nose, he did indeed look like a mechanic with the dark green tweed shirt and pants he was wearing. All he needed was a name tag and a wrench in his pocket and the look would be complete. Duo had to turn away to stifle his laugh.

And his leather-clad client. Duo did snicker at that.

Seto blinked in bewilderment as he said, "I'm not a mechanic."

"You're not?" the woman asked, looking him over. "I thought you were giving road-side assistance."

Duo laughed out loud. Seto shook his head with a scowl. He answered, offense slightly coloring his voice, "No, I'm not. I'm looking at the engine at a car I'm thinking about buying. For myself."

The woman blushed, bowed and apologized before running away. Seto shook his head as he rolled his sleeves down and shut the trunk. He saw his reflection through the back windshield and gasped.

"You could have told me that I have grease on my nose," Seto snapped, trying to rub it off before giving up with a sigh.

Duo shrugged and teased, "But you looked so cute with the grease stain."

"I do look like a mechanic," Seto sighed, his shoulders slumping.

Duo reached over and stroked the back of his head. He stated, "Come on, let's go order you the car."

"I gotta go," Jonouchi sighed as he donned his green jacket.

Mai nodded and gave him a swift peck on the cheek. She suspected what was eating him and wished that she could do something about it. She watched as he headed for the door.

He opened the door to reveal Duo Maxwell standing there, his fist lifted to knock. Duo gave Jonouchi a wide-eyed look before lowering his hand. Jonouchi looked him over and nodded.

"How's Kaiba?" Jonouchi asked.

Duo nodded and answered, "He's doing better, thanks for asking."

Jonouchi nodded with a tiny grin. He said, "Thanks man." He grinned at Mai and added, "Bye, baby." Then he left.

Mai smiled and said, "Come in."

Duo did and asked, "Did you tell him why I was here?"

"Sort of. I left out the whole 'Living Embodiment of Death' thing. That would have freaked him out," Mai answered with a grin. She stood up and asked, "So, what are you doing here?"

Duo chuckled, "Well, to talk about our favorite subject of course."

Duo settled himself on Mai's couch with a grin. He said, "Mokuba said the funniest thing to me the other day."

"Oh?" Mai asked, toying with a lock of her hair.

Duo nodded and answered, "Yeah. He said that Seto needed somebody. Probably a boyfriend because you're too old to be his girlfriend."

Mai chuckled and asked, "Did he have anyone in mind?"

"Well, other than me, no," Duo answered sheepishly, "But he had a whole list of things that they should be like though."

Mai lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Really?"

"Yeah, good looking, hot, brave, funny, cute, likes kids, stubborn enough to banter back with Seto when he's being an idiot, and Mokuba's gotta like em," Duo explained with a tiny grin.

Mai said, "He needs someone willing to make the first move. Add that to your list."

"Yeah, and someone that already knows him and expects his interesting little quirks," Duo replied, rolling his eyes fondly.

Mai smiled as she said, "Someone already attracted to him would be a definite plus."

"Okay, so we need to find this person and shove them together! Or close enough where one of them would reach out. Got any ideas?" Duo declared brightly.

Mai twirled a lock of her curly hair thoughtfully. She mused, "Cute, sexy, a good kisser, liking kids . . . Well, actually, I have someone in mind."

Duo leaned back into the couch's soft cushions and asked, "Who?"

"Well . . . he's a little like you. Not as smart or bad," Mai answered teasingly.

Duo grinned and retorted, "I'm good at being bad. As for smarts, I have my occasional moment of enlightenment, you know. Still, a little like me, go on."

"Well, Jonouchi likes kids. He adores his baby sister. He's funny in a goofy sort of way and he's an excellent kisser," Mai stated, flipping her hair off her shoulder.

"The puppy?" Duo bellowed in shock as he stared at Mai, dumb founded, "Come on, Mai. Isn't that stretching it a little too far?"

Mai looked out the window wistfully. "It's funny, the best sex we ever had was after Jonouchi finally told me the story about his Duel with Kaiba. Kaiba wiped the floor with him, humiliated him to the point that Jonouchi was on his knees. He described everything, got more and more worked up: how arrogant and self-assured Kaiba was and how badly he lost. He just ranted on and on about it. Then he screwed my brains out."

Duo looked over at Mai. She gave him a tiny smile and a shrug. She said, "And I knew it wasn't me he was possessing."

Duo fiddled with his cross and exclaimed, "I knew I was sensing some interesting vibes from Jonouchi when I first met him. He was jealous when he found out that I was spending time with Kaiba. Not so much as that Yami dude, but I could feel it."

"But Jonouchi's not going to make the first move. He figures that there's not any interest from the other side," Mai sighed, propping her chin on her knuckles.

Duo looked at Mai and said, "Seto mentioned someone the other day. A lost chance, something like that. With someone named 'Cat' or someone with a cat. Do you have a clue of who he meant?"

Mai frowned thoughtfully for a moment. "Cat . . . cat . . . Oh my gosh . . ." She broke off with a giggle.

Duo asked, "What is it?"

"Jonouchi Kat-suya? It would be Kaiba who'd make a pun like that," Mai chuckled.

Duo rubbed his hands together and chirped, "So, we've got our subjects!"

Mai sighed and said, "It's not that easy."

"Yeah, I know, I'm just being my optimistic self," Duo snorted, rolling his eyes.

Mai sighed, "They're both stubborn and have an extra helping of pride. It isn't going to be easy."

"You think?" Duo quipped with a sigh.

Mai continued, "So they attack each other. It gets the juices flowing between them, you know? And they can really get in each other's faces that way, really in their faces. It's the only way they know how to get physical with each other."

Duo nodded and asked, "Kind of an 'I want to fuck you, but I'm afraid to ask' sort of thing, eh?"

"Well, they are seventeen," Mai pointed out with a playful grin.

Duo pushed his bangs from his face and leaned forward. He remembered what Seto had said to him in his drunken rage. He groaned, "It's just Seto doesn't know what to do with it, so he just pushes it down. He's severely held back."

"Jonouchi's not," Mai replied with a sly, sexy grin.

Duo chuckled and gave her an approving look. He winked, "I'm jealous."

Mai nudged his shoulder and teased, "It seems like you don't have a drive problem."

"You got that right, babe, but it's not that," Duo replied, nudging her back, causing her to chuckle.

Mai tapped his knee and proclaimed, "Ahha! You want to ride the Ultimate Dragon too!"

Duo nodded and sighed, "Oh, yeah. It would be some ride, but . . ." He broke off with a shrug.

Mai chuckled, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

Duo looked her over with a roguish grin and asked, "Wouldn't Jonouchi get jealous? We don't have much time . . . Just a couple of hours. I can be quick, but I don't like to be. It's not satisfactory."

Mai playfully slapped his arm and pushed him. She chided, "You're bad!"

"I prefer 'deviously wicked' myself," Duo retorted with a toss of his braid.

Mai laughed and said, "You're almost worse than Jonouchi. I think you are worse."

"I would hope so. Cute puppy, but I'd hope that I have a much dirtier mind," he retorted playfully.

Mai rolled her eyes before clapping her hands together and stating, "Well, okay then. Now, we just need to give them a little push. Get them past their misconceptions and misgivings."

Duo looked at her in amazement. He asked, "And you're not upset? I thought that you and Jonouchi were together. Most girls I know would be horrified about seeing their sweetie with a guy." Or horrified that their sweetie use to sleep with another guy. Mainly Relena.

Mai toyed with a curl of her golden hair. She answered, "Oh, don't get me wrong, the sex is great. Stamina, whoo, gotta love that. And he's playful, not many inhibitions, especially for someone his age . . ." She trailed off, looking wistful, "And he's a sweet boy, but that's what he is: still a kid."

Duo patted her shoulder and said, "I kinda know the feeling."

Mai looked up at him, her violet eyes sparkling. She leaned close and stated, "Besides, there's good, then there's better."

Duo grinned in agreement and said, "That's true. So, any ideas on how to get the puppy and the dragon together?"

"Not really," she sighed, "They'd probably end up in a fist fight."

Duo smirked wickedly and suggested, "Why don't we strip them and lock them in the same room? I mean, with all that delectable skin around one of them's bound to try something."

Mai chuckled, "I think you may have something there, Duo."

Duo's mouth dropped open as he said, "You're not serious, Mai. I was kidding."

"No, but it gives me a great idea," Mai replied with a devious air.

Seto hadn't gotten back from his emergency call from Kaiba Corp. by the time Duo had returned to the mansion. So he spent the time playing with Mokuba, telling him about the Bugatti and the one that Seto had specifically ordered with his custom specifications, such as paint job and the like.

He ended up tucking Mokuba into bed, but instead of finishing up Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, he had begun to read Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere to the kid. He had thought about reading the Sandman comic series to him, but part of the fun of Sandman was reading it yourself and rereading it to get all the interesting quirks. And to drool at Desire a little more each time.

On the way to the kitchen to get a snack, Duo noticed that Seto was in his office. He also noticed that the computer wasn't on. Curious, Duo walked in, looming at the doorway, waiting for Seto to give him permission to enter. Like I was some sort of vampire, Duo thought wildly, smirking at the thought of himself in a full length opera cape and fangs.

Seto looked up from the paper on the desk. He motioned Duo in. Duo walked in and looked down at the desk.

There were drawings, each expertly and skillfully rendered. He picked them up and began to look through them. Several of the drawings were of a huge, armor-plated dragon fighting some sort of rather handsome wizard holding a staff. However, the rest were hands. Tiny, delicate hands with long fingers holding a hand of cards. Slender, feminine hands fussing with the tie on a school uniform. Thick, strong masculine hands with short, square nails curled into fists. Then, on a pad, there were Duo's hands. He looked down at his scarred, graceless hands and then at the drawing.

To Duo, his hands were rather ugly. Not his best feature, scarred and callused from being a mechanic and salvage person, they were rather ordinary compared to his hair or eyes. They were capable hands, getting him where he needed to be, doing what needed to be done. However, in the drawing, despite the scars and calluses, they were beautiful in their own distinct way.

Duo set the drawings down and said, "Those are good."

"Thank you," Seto said quietly, placing his charcoal pencil down on the pad.

Duo picked up the Dragon VS the Wizard sketch on the top. He said, "I take it this is your infamous dragon."

"One of them. He's fighting the Dark Magician, Yugi's favorite card," Seto explained.

Duo looked closer at the Dark Magician's staff and a broad smile grew across his features as he realized why the tip of the staff looked so damned familiar. He chortled, "Talk about a magic staff."

Seto blinked up at him in confusion and asked, "What?"

"Oh, come on, you mean you haven't noticed what his staff looks like?" Duo replied as he put the sketch down in front of Seto.

Seto shook his head and asked, "What are you talking about?"

Duo traced his finger around the staff's head in a slow, suggestive motion. He looked up at Seto impishly and asked, "Does this help?"

"No," Seto answered, leaning back in his chair in confusion.

Duo rolled his eyes and sighed, "I'm not going to lick the sketch."

"Why would you lick the . . ." Seto's eyes widened with realization, "It does look like . . ." He blushed a bit.

Duo snorted, "I don't think Yugi's noticed, has he?"

"Well, he hasn't been on that many dates with Anzu, but he can't stop playing the card," Seto replied as he studied the drawing.

Duo grinned and said, "Oh, I've never seen a pharaoh blush before. It'll be fun. We can tell him that the Dark Magician's staff looks like a . . ." He stopped as he looked at Seto's face.

Seto looked at him and asked, "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" Duo asked, perching himself on the desk to face Seto.

Seto leaned back in his chair and shook his head, "Never mind."

Duo reached out and cupped the side of Seto's face. The skin was surprisingly smooth, like silk, with a fine brush of hair against his fingertips. He moved his hand so that he was stroking the glossy strands of brown hair, enjoying its texture.

He tenderly asked, "What?"

Seto surprised him by turning into the caress. He murmured, "People notice you. They want you. You're easy to want."

"It's just superficial," Duo replied as he leaned closer.

Seto looked at him with those intense blue eyes. He gently grasped Duo's wrist and looked down. "Easy for you to say."

His blue eyes were hard as he spat, "Sounds like 'couch', doesn't it? That's all I am, a piece of furniture to lean on. Kaiba the amazing couch. No one ever wants me."

Duo coaxingly stroked Seto's hair, resting his hand on his slender neck. He moved closer, gently pressing on Seto's neck to make him look up. He cupped Seto's cheek with his other hand before moving it in the same way he had before, but keeping the gentle pressure on his neck, forcing him to make eye contact.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Duo scolded.

Seto said nothing, but his blue eyes widened as tension spread throughout his body. Duo could feel it brewing underneath his fingertips, a hard, vibrating thing. He moved his fingers gingerly from Seto's face and neck down to his wooden shoulders. He then slid his leg down from the table and placed his foot on the swivel mechanism on the chair. With a practiced motion, he spun the chair and pulled it closer to him.

"What the hell are you doing?" Seto spat, twisting around and looking up at him furiously. He started to move his hands up toward where Duo's were resting on his shoulders. He was almost shaking with tension now.

Duo leaned forward over the back of the chair so that their faces were inches apart. He started kneading the taunt muscles he found in a slow, soothing motion. He answered, keeping his voice at a breathy whisper, "Getting you to relax. You're way too tense, Seto."

He kneaded harder, working the knots out of Seto's shoulders. As he worked, Duo asked, keeping his mouth at Seto's ear, "What were you talking about?"

Seto groaned as his body loosened up a tiny bit. He answered, "You were with me yesterday. You heard everything I said."

"Maybe I forgot," Duo replied, moving his hands to Seto's shoulder blades, gently pressing on them to make him move forward, "Maybe you need to say the words for yourself. Maybe I need to hear you say them again, now that you're not drunk."

Seto groaned, "You're talking in riddles."

"Death's prerogative," Duo retorted with a grin, "I'm allowed to do that. Actually, people worry if I don't."

Seto was still for countless moments. Duo leaned closer, working out the taut muscles, then running his thumbs down both sides of Seto's spine. Seto leaned some more and Duo rested his face on Seto's shoulder, breathing on the other boy's neck. He took a deep breath and inhaled Seto's scent.

The other teen smelled like mint and something stronger, tangier. Spicy. On a second whiff Duo realized it was tea tree oil, probably from either the soap or shampoo that Seto used. He smelled clean, natural, not artificial.

Seto shuddered when Duo blew on his ear. Duo whispered, "Tell me."

"No one wants me. No one will want me. I'm 'damaged goods'. No one ever wanted me," Seto confessed, leaning his head back to rest it on Duo's shoulder. "No one ever notices me."

Duo ran his hands back up to Seto's shoulders and gripped them lightly. He gently demanded, "Stand up." He rose as Seto did, keeping his grip on the taller boy's shoulders.

"I want to show you something," Duo explained, guiding the taller boy out of the office and into the hallway, right to a huge guilt-framed mirror.

He pushed Seto in front of the mirror and stood a little behind him. He pointed to the mirror and asked, "What do you see?"

"You and me in the reflection," Seto answered dryly.

Duo chuckled and shook his head. He replied, "Nope, that's not what I see."

"Then what do you see then?" Seto asked scathingly, defensively.

Duo took a step back, leaving only Seto reflected in the mirror. He answered, "I well, I see someone with gorgeous blue eyes. Maybe a little skinny, but if he took better care of himself, he'd have one hell of a body. I see a fine bone structure in the face, a face that could be very expressive if given half a chance."

Seto snorted, "Looks. How superficial. I want to be wanted because of me, and that's impossible."

Duo snorted, "I didn't say that I was finished, yet, did I?"

"No," Seto replied cautiously, turning back to the mirror.

"Okay, I also see a guy who's stubborn, determined. A real fighter, someone who'd be one hell of a warrior if he'd give it half a chance. I see someone who has a keen intellect and a real gift for creating things. I see a clever wit there, someone who could banter with the best of them. I also see someone who has a very caring side, someone who's willing to do anything for those he loves. I see someone that, despite the hard work, would be worth loving."

Blue eyes met violet in the mirror. Seto turned back to his reflection as he looked at himself thoughtfully. He reached out and tentatively touched the image before him. He jerked his hand away as if he had been burned and looked away.

"No one else has noticed. I guess the human race isn't as perceptive as you, Duo," Seto stated scathingly.

Duo laughed and retorted, "Wrong and wrong again, Blue Eyes. Fuck, I met Yugi and his pals and well . . ."

He waited until Seto looked back at him. He placed his hands on his hips as he continued, "Yami no Yugi got all possessive. Creaking leather and everything once he realized who I was and who brought me here. I think he would have sent my happy ass to the Shadow Realm, if he could. He was jealous as hell, Seto. Then, there was Jonouchi. Despite the fact that he insulted you at every turn, he didn't like me staying at your place. At all. Hell, even Mai wanted to fuck you at one time."

"He hates me," Seto retorted, clenching his fists.

Duo laughed and explained, "Seto, let me tell you something. You don't get that much hate without passion, heat. He's frustrated, Blue Eyes. He doesn't think a smart guy like you would go for a son of a bitch like him. So, it's easier to get in your face and shout at you, to, well, get in your face."

Seto looked at him in confusion. He then looked at the mirror's reflection with a puzzled expression. Duo smiled up at him and reached up to push his hair out of his eyes.

"Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to take a shower and go to bed. Nighty night," Duo chirped cheerfully as he ran off, leaving Seto alone.

I think I've finally gotten somewhere.