Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Amalgamation of the Lonely ❯ Chapter 2

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How the hell did he get himself into this?

 

“Thank you so much, Seto!!” the raven-haired child piped, happily skipping along side his ever so beloved big brother.

 

Oh yeah.

 

“I'll make it up to you, I swear!!”

 

Not that the smaller had any intent on doing so, because even if he had planned on something, the elder wouldn't have been happier unless it was taking back today.

 

“I'll clean my room and do all my homework and stay out of your way when you're working and not invite everyone over for a party and be good at the table and-”

 

“Mokuba.” The brunette would have rolled his eyes, but then again, he was Seto Kaiba…and Seto Kaiba did no such childish things. The boy looked up at his brother and smiled widely “You should be doing those things already.” The smaller pouted and then started rambling on about what he planned on playing in the arcade and how he bet that Kaiba wouldn't play against him because he would lose and went on and on about how great is was that Seto was actually outside.

 

Ah, yes, outside. Such a wonderful place it was too, all sunny and pretty, like those movies you always see where the birds are singing and people are going by, arm in arm and laughing gaily about whatnot and it's all just so perfect you want nothing more than to murder them all for having it all and then some.

 

In reality, it was hot and muggy out, the sun beating down on them through a thick haze. The blue-eyed teen could feel the damp air sticking to his skin; violet, silk shirt adhering to his flesh, and black pants definitely not helping the situation. He had already taken his jacket off, and was busy unbuttoning the collar of his shirt when he had to suddenly yank his little brother out of the street.

 

“Mother fucking bastard!! Can't you fucking watch where the fucking hell you're going!!” Kaiba screamed very loudly at the driver, pulling Mokuba flush against his leg, and glaring death upon the green vehicle.

 

The younger Kaiba looked up, more frightened by his brother's foul mouth than by almost getting run over by a huge SUV. “Uh…um, Seto?” his stormy eyes glanced carefully at the taller, face paling as he watched the brunette continue to swear under his breath, the slightest of twitches quirking his slender brow. “I'm ok, really…” Mokuba grabbed Kaiba's arm and tugged gently, getting the youth's attention and forcing a smile while nodding reassuringly. “He probably didn't see me…a-and I wasn't looking either, please, let's just go…”

 

Kaiba closed his eyes; he hadn't meant to explode like that, especially not in public, more importantly, in front of Mokuba. “I'm sorry, you're right, let's just go.” Cold and detached, the brunette held his little brother's hand and led him toward the arcade, blindly thinking to himself about ways to get that driver back, he had, after all, memorized the license plate.

 

`Let's see, maybe I should get the idiot arrested…and get his ass nice and raw in jail…' Kaiba smirked, snickering quietly to himself. He wasn't one for sexual perversions, but wishing horrible rape upon someone who had nearly killed his little brother was an exception, especially if the jackass was to be attacked by a huge, foul smelling, fat slob with three teeth to his name, now that would be entertaining…well, to hear about, definitely not to watch.

 

“Jou!!”

 

The suddenly happy cry of his brother snapped Kaiba out of his dark thoughts, cobalt coming to rest on the rather disheveled form of the blond. Kaiba kept his mouth shut for a moment, carefully looking over Jou's clothes and face.

 

He had always had his suspicions, always thought that the boy hid something from even his best friend, always believed that house was an unsafe hellhole that the blond couldn't seem to leave or talk about. Being honest to himself, for Kaiba found that he could only really trust himself, Mokuba second, the brunette could feel something inside him lurch whenever he thought about what possibly happened within those half supported walls of Jou's house. Note that it was a house, never a home, for a home was safe and comforting, a place one could crawl into and simply know everything would be all right. Kaiba had often wondered if the blond had such a place, a haven to walk into and feel no judgment. Sure, he had Yuugi's home, but with the shrimp worrying and bursting with ulcers over his friends, and Yami scrutinizing everything with that snobbish look, Kaiba doubted Jou could ever feel comfortable going there.

 

Kaiba felt the urgent tug at his hand and smaller fingers unlace themselves from his grip to allow the raven-haired child to run over to one of his friends. He watched, unconcerned, for the billionaire had learned over the past months that the pup really did care for Mokuba, and nearly smiled as he watched Jou pick the boy up and laugh as the small form chattered away about where he and his big brother were off too.

 

“Well, Mokuba, you haven't far to go.” The blond ruffled the dark hair and set the boy down, pointing toward the building two doors down “You guys are already here.”

 

“Seto!” Mokuba's eyes glittered as he looked over his shoulder, a smile spreading across the already ecstatic face “We're here!! Can I go in?! Please!!!” the boy began to jump about, pleading with the elder. Kaiba sighed heavily in exasperation and nodded, unable to help the smile that quirked at the corner of his mouth when Mokuba grinned and happily ran off and into the child infested arcade.

 

“Who woulda thought.” Jou laughed softly “Da great an' mighty Seto Kaiba, bought by a smile from a little kid.”

 

Kaiba half glared at the blond, crossing his arms and ready to retort with a dog joke, when he noticed the other had a nasty cut on his cheek. “There's a drug store across the street.” He dryly stated, not wanting to seem concerned, even if there was a slight, tiny chance that he was…a lot…

 

Jou raised his brow in question “Erm…that's nice…” he scratched his head in confusion, cocking it to one side and regarding the brunette curiously.

 

The CEO shook his head in irritation, “For your face, Pup.” Kaiba airily motioned at the other youth's cheek, surprised when Jou jerked away even though they were a few feet apart. “I could get you something to bandage that up, I'm sure they have a washroom too.”

 

Hazel eyes cast themselves upon the ground; Jou idly fingered his cheek and regarded the smudge of blood left on his fingertips. He shifted his backpack, slung lazily over one shoulder, and scraped his foot across the sidewalk. “It's not so bad, I'll live.” He suddenly became very aware about what he must have looked like; tattered jeans, wrinkled, beer-stained shirt, tousled hair, blood and tears drying everywhere, and reeking of alcohol and defeat. What Jou didn't understand was why Kaiba had brought up his injury rather than chastise the blond for his appearance.

 

“Obviously.” The brunette snapped lightly, taking a step closer and eyeing the cut, seeing something embedded at the corner. “But it's dirty and should be cleaned and treated properly.” He nodded, taking a few graceful strides toward the street and pharmacy before stopping and looking back almost with boredom. “Coming?”

 

Jou shifted uneasily, putting more weight on one foot than the other and winced just slightly so that anyone could have missed it, that is unless you were Kaiba, watching with such intensity, the blond might as well have screamed bloody murder because the billionaire saw the other's pain and winced deep within himself. “I…thanks, erm, Kaiba…but I'm already late an' I don't wanna worry Yug any more than I hafta…”

 

“So rather than walk in later, you're going to worry that half sized, multicolored starfish by walking in now with a gash on your pathetic puppy face?” Kaiba growled, crossing his arms and glaring at the other boy in irritation, how could Jou be so stupid? Didn't he understand that his friends cared? That they worried sometimes? That he meant more to them than family? That Jou was just so unknowingly important to their lives, he would rather chance the loss of his company than see the puppy hurt?…

 

The faintest of blushes painted itself across Kaiba's nose and cheeks, had he said `he'? As in hinting that perhaps, Kaiba cared about what happened to the blond? Well, he didn't not care…because Jou cared about Mokuba and Mokuba was happy whenever the dumb blond gave the smaller treats or simply ruffled his hair, and anyone who cared about Mokuba was on Kaiba's good side.

 

Then again…

 

Then again? Why the hell was he trying to find himself guilty?!

 

No one said you were guilty of anything, but do continue, Seto Kaiba, silently arguing with yourself and knowing deep down inside something wants to bubble up and spill out, and what a better opportunity than when your prey was injured and weary and just begging to be taken care of?

 

Shut up.

 

At some point, Kaiba and Jou had walked across the street and bought some sterilizers and bandages, the blond hiding his injury with the aid of his mop of hair and keeping to one of the back aisles. Kaiba pitied…wait, pitied? He felt bad, certainly, anyone should, but not…what the hell…he'd argue with himself again later…Kaiba pitied the youth and led him to the washroom, even held the door open, because, you know, he was just naturally polite and Jou needed all the help he could get…yes.

 

Jou looked wearily at Kaiba, unable to read the stoic expression and wondering lightly why the CEO had blushed earlier, not that the blond cared…or anything…no…he just wanted to find out what had made the icy youth embarrassed, after all, what could be better than blackmailing Seto Kaiba?

 

Seto Kaiba…

 

The hazel-eyed boy stopped mid step, eyes widening and mouth hanging open “Huh?!” he hadn't really just thought that…had he?!

 

The brunette, lost in his own arguable thoughts about a certain puppy, didn't notice the other had paused, and ran smack into the blond. And what a show it was then, one yelped and reeled forward, the other grunted and regained his balance only to have his shoulder grabbed by the falling other, and in the effort of trying to regain footing, ended up pulling the taller down and upon himself.

 

Kaiba's eyes were shut, he wasn't sure why, maybe he thought something awful would have happened if he actually looked at where he was falling. It might have helped the other way though, yeah. His elbow throbbed and a sharp pain jolted up his knees, he growled at his clumsiness and opened his eyes, feeling his face light up as he stared into the hazel gazing right back.

 

Jou was pinned beneath Kaiba, at first he had panicked, terrible memories flooding his mind before he realized Kaiba, *Kaiba* was on top of him. Well, more than just on top of him, they were in a rather compromising position, and would have received some very entertaining comments if anyone were to have walked in on them.

 

The brunette's knees were on either side of Jou's waist, straddling the boy with some rather intimate contact, one arm on the ground beside the blonde's head, and the other cupping Jou's hair in an effort to keep the youth's head from cracking wide open on the tiled floor. Their faces were centimeters apart, and when Kaiba opened his brilliant blue eyes, it became very clear to Jou just how close they really were. Another soft, complimenting blush crept upon the brunette's face, but Jou could have cared less because at the moment he felt as though he should have dunked his head in a bucket of ice.

 

Kaiba's lips parted just slightly, as though he were going to say something, the words dying on his tongue immediately when the blonde's breath hitched and deepened. Did the pup know just how, how simply enticing he looked like that?! Wide hazel eyes, deep scarlet across his face, breath erratic, and body beneath his own.

 

Jou didn't know what to do, what could he do?! Kaiba's rich cologne filled the blonde's head, the soft brush of silk tickled his chest, and his hormones were simply having a field day when he realized moving would cause friction in the best of places. This was, at best, awkward and humiliating. He had to get Kaiba off before the CEO found out just how un-horrible this was for Jou, and if the current direction of his blood was correct, then it had to be relatively soon.

 

`Oh no.' sapphire eyes widened as Kaiba felt his nether regions burn and pulse. This was not good, the pup wasn't exactly a genius, but he didn't have to be in order to know why the brunette's pants now felt a few sizes too small. He had to get up, get off, roll away, smirk, laugh, feign indifference, do anything but what he currently felt like doing…but Jou's lips were just so inviting, begging to be tasted and-…screw it, this was his one and only chance to kiss Jou and he wasn't about to blow it off! If the pup didn't exactly appreciate it, well…Kaiba could always say he slipped, because silk is just so traction less on tiled floors.

 

The blonde's head went very light as he watched Kaiba's eyes droop to a half lidded state, deep brown strands of hair hanging as the CEO tipped his face and slowly brought Jou's head up. `Holy shit…he's going to…he's gonna…' the blond felt numb with apprehension as he watched Kaiba get closer, heart racing when he felt the other's warmth radiating from his lips and chest and-

 

An ear splitting scream jerked both teens to attention, Kaiba jumped clear off of Jou and smacked his head against the sink, Jou felt his heart burst with fright and he stared after the woman, who screamed about how there should be a law against unisex bathrooms as she shakily made her way out of the drug store.

 

They sat there for a moment, breathing heavily and refusing to look at one another. Kaiba cleared his throat quietly and stood slowly, rubbing the back of his head and suddenly remembering the pain in his elbow and knees too. He should say something, he knew that much, but what to say evaded his mind. Kaiba had been the one who would have initiated the kiss, and now he didn't know whether or not Jou would have enjoyed it…and yet another reason to despise women was added to his list. He cleared his throat again and looked toward Jou, watching as the boy sat and fingered his shirt while leaning against the bathroom stall.

 

“I…we should clean your face up, Pup.” It came out softer than usual, the pet name that is. When usually Kaiba used it to irritate the blond to no end, this time it escaped him in an almost pained manner, like something precious and delicate was wrapped around the word. Jou nodded and stood, silently making his way toward Kaiba and keeping his head down, eyes locked on the floor even as he hopped onto the sink. The brunette took the boy's backpack and placed it on the ground, opening the alcohol; Kaiba gently took the other's chin and tilted Jou's face up.

 

The blonde's expression was heart wrenching; sad, hazel eyes stared up at Kaiba, gold strands of hair hung everywhere, and the half clotted gash on the once tear streaked cheek made the boy look more pathetic than even the CEO could have imagined. Kaiba did his best to avoid the sorrowful gaze, mentally flinching with apologies as the other winced, the alcohol penetrating the skin and cleaning up the almost infected site. He gently cleaned the wound and the rest of Jou's face, getting a wrinkled nose in distaste from the blond as Kaiba treated the boy like a child, chastising the pup for getting himself scraped up.

 

After placing the bandage over the cut, Kaiba stepped back and looked approvingly at the blond, smiling as watched the boy grumble and comb his hair back with slender fingers. “Jeez, Kaiba, what are ya? My mother or sometin'?” Jou grinned, carefully touching the bandage and looking himself over in the mirror, the billionaire did a great job really, must have been the practice with Mokuba.

 

The brunette's eyes flashed with hope, maybe not all was lost. “No…” he smoothly picked up the other's backpack and handed it to the blond, not letting go when the other grabbed it. The confused hazel looked up at Kaiba “I'm your friend.” There, he said it. His heart was jumping around erratically and Kaiba was sure he was about to have a heart attack or faint at least, but instead their eyes remained locked for a moment longer and Kaiba nodded in airy reassurance and walked to the door, stepping out of the washroom he looked back and held the door open. “I think you've worried the twerp for long enough, let's go…Jou.”

 

The blond looked utterly dumbfounded at the brunette's change of attitude and the use of his actual name. He nodded slowly and hopped off the sink, slinging his backpack on and eyeing the genuine smile on Kaiba's face as he slipped past the tall CEO.

 

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