Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Behind Blue Eyes: Seto's Story ❯ Day Three: Beautiful When You Smile ( Chapter 13 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: kiokukaiba 
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 08.14.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 347 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 08.14.2007 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 347 | Status: Work In Progress
Behind Blue Eyes: Seto’s Story
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Disclaimer: Yuugiou belongs to creator Kazuki Takahashi. I’m not making money off this, but wouldn’t it kick ass if I could?
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Recap:
Can’t move. Can’t speak. Can’t think. Saki. Saki is here. Why are you looking at me like that? Why won’t you hold me, Saki? Hold me just like you used to. They won’t touch me if you’re with me. Protect me again. Protect me from them. Say such sweet things to me, just like you always did.
Saki, if I can’t have you, I don’t want anyone.
- - -
Something came between us. Something golden. . . Jounouchi? I could feel his hands pulling my face down to look at him. His eyes were so serious now. Why were they so serious? It was just Saki. Saki was wonderful, always so wonderful, and yet. . .
“Come on, Kaiba, let’s go to Yuugi’s place.” He smiled. To Yuugi’s place?
I looked above his head, over at Saki. Saki. . . who had betrayed me. Jounouchi, on the other hand, Jounouchi was only kind. Would he betray me too someday? I could only hope not. I couldn’t get attached to anyone ever again. I nodded in agreement with his wishes for now, turning towards his band of friends.
“Jou? Kaiba? Are you two coming or not?” Yuugi. . . heh, he was so short. Did he think he looked important with his hands on his hips?
“Yea, you lovebirds, let’s get going!” Honda was a dumbass. . . and yet I had forgotten Saki. I was absolutely not in love with that cur!
I shot the brunet a glare, “Lovebirds? Ha! That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” I rejoined their little group, Jounouchi follow me close at my heels. I did my best not to look at the one whose presence was absolute and ominous. Though I heard him speed away in his car, I could still feel him, his existence like a sheet of ice covering my entire chest. As long as he remained in my memory, he would be like a weight on my heart and on my soul, a permanent fixture in my mind.
Anzu dropped back to walk beside Jounouchi, obviously to be nosey, “Jou? Who was that guy that you and Kaiba were staring at?” It really wasn’t any of her business. I worried about what the blond would say to her.
“Not sure, but he was staring at us. . . you know how Kaiba is! You can’t stare him down like that and get away with it!”
I shook my head. Jounouchi Katsuya really was a dumbass.
“Oh, okay!” The ditz grinned, accepting such a lame and unreasonable excuse, and skipped back up to practically lean on the taller Yuugi.
This time the white-haired kid dropped back. What was his name again? What is Ryou? Anyways, he fell back in line much in the same manner as Anzu. “Who was that really?” His eyes narrowed. So he wasn’t as dense as the girl, what would Jounouchi say now? Surely he wouldn’t spill anything to this albino. “Did you pick a fight with someone again, Jounouchi?” He smirked. . . funny, I don’t ever remember seeing him smirk like that.
“Haha, uh, something like that. Se- er, Kaiba and I were at a karaoke bar and me and the waiter got into it. Haha!” He rubbed at the back of his head. What kind of stupid excuse was that? I rolled my eyes, folding my arms across my chest. If that boy believed something so stupid. . .
“How typical of you Jounouchi.” He smiled and left. Holy shit. You’ve got to be kidding me. No wonder they all had no problem hanging around the stupid blond. Then again, he was the one fooling them. . . so did that make him more intelligent? I had always thought it was the other way around.
- - -
I never thought I’d once again set foot inside the Kame Game shop. The last time I was here was the first time I was here. I had kidnaped Yuugi’s grandpa and. . . well, it’s embarrassing to think about.
“Grandpa? I’m home, and I brought my friends along! I hope you don’t mind!” Yuugi called out as we entered, the old man came into view through a doorway in back. I’m sure he’d have something to say about me being there with them.
“Ah, the usual crew I see.” He smiled, looking at each of them, until he came to me. He frowned then. “What is he doing here?” Well, that wasn’t as awful as I thought it’d be.
“You got a problem with him being here, gramps?” Jounouchi piped up quickly to come to my defense. He shouldn’t do that in front of his friends. They might suspect him of something weird. He must have realized this too, “Sorry, gramps, didn’t mean for it to come out that way.” Again, he rubbed the back of his head. Did it itch or something?
“That’s alright, Jounouchi, I know you didn’t mean any harm by it. I’m surprised to see that boy here.” He hobbled over and stood in front of me, smiling with that creepy smile of his, “It’s good to see that you’ve changed, Kaiba.” Changed? No, I haven’t changed, and I never would change. I am the way that I am for a good reason.
“I haven’t changed a bit, you senile old fool.” I glared. I could see the disappointment on their faces. That’s it, break their hopes, break them and watch them crumble and die. There was no hope for change. Change was bad. Change led to destruction. Jounouchi was waving his hands at me, trying to shut me up. Pfeh, like I’d let someone like him stop me, “I’m only here because a certain someone decided to drag me along.” I shot a glare at Jounouchi and closed my eyes. I didn’t really want to glare at him, I guess.
The taller Yuugi, Yami no Yuugi I guess, decided to interrupt, “How about we go on up to Yuugi’s room and settle down? I’m sure that everyone will feel better when we do.”
- - -
Yuugi’s room was like a child’s room. The colors were all bright, the walls dotted with various game posters. Every surface had some sort of figurine or stack of cards decorating it. He had white sheets on his bed, which reminded me of something you’d see in a female’s room. Basically, it was something you would see in a furniture ad for five-year olds. Did none of these dumbasses see that it clearly wasn’t a bedroom that a teenage boy should have?
“What the hell kind of bedroom is this?” I couldn’t help but look absolutely disgusted. Honestly! Sure Yuugi looked like a ten year old, but he didn’t have to live like one too. “How old are you again, Mutou?”
“W-what’s wrong with my room, Kaiba? I think it’s cool.” He sounded like he would cry at any moment, his bottom lip quivering and his eyes watering up like a child. . . gee, how fitting.
“It’s awesome, Yuugi!” Jounouchi lied, trying to shut me up with pathetic warning glances.
“Whatever, morons.” I really didn’t feel like putting up with this today. . . or any day really. I had always thought that maybe it’d be nice to have a circle of friends. . . but an event such as this just reminds me why I never bothered to get friends after I murdered the one that kept me from getting any.
I sat at Yuugi’s desk and popped open my briefcase, pulling out my laptop and setting it up. Hey, if I’m going to have to waste away precious time by sitting in this daycare, I might as well do something constructive.
They all sat down on the floor. Oh, was it story time already? Haha. . . children.
“So what do you all think about the pool party this Saturday.” It was Jounouchi. I couldn’t help but stop typing for a moment when he mentioned the pool party. I had completely forgot about it. I began to type again, trying to ignore them, but still not able to drown them out.
“I think it’s awesome!” The girl all but yelled, “I love swimming! I heard there’s going to be hamburgers and hotdogs and all sorts of things there! It’s going to be fun!” She clasped her hands together as though to show some sort of ridiculous excitement. . . excited about food, eh? And I thought that Jounouchi was the only one that had a black hole for a stomach.
“I’m kind of nervous about it.” That voice, I think it was that Ryou boy. He sounded like such a pansy, really. “I’ll have to get more sun screen. I burn so easily, it’s awful!”
“You look damn good in those trunks, though.” The same voice, but deeper. What did they call him? Bakura? “And,” He began again, “Ryou has those new swimming trunks, you know the ones that are shorter? They’ve become quite popular among guys with nice legs.”
I couldn’t help but steal a glance down at them when he said that. A certain blond started to smirk. I made up my mind. They’re all gay. Not that I’m against homosexuality or anything. . . I have no reason to be, but. . . wow. Why was Anzu in their group then?
“Kaiba? What kind of trunks do you wear?” Was that Yami no Yuugi? That fucking-
“Yes, the priest’s legs would be displayed very nicely.” Bakura commented, chuckling like a damned pervert.
I spun around in Yuugi’s chair, seething. “I won’t be dressing out.” It took every ounce of strength to keep from yelling at them. . . or killing them. . . or both.
“You’re going to take a less-than-perfect grade?” Honda looked at me with mock disbelief, “That can’t be right. It’s just swimming trunks, what’s the big deal? Do you actually have a really ugly body and you won’t swim because you don’t want anyone to see it?” He started laughing and the others followed his lead. . . of course, he didn’t realize that he was right. My back was so marked up with hideous scars. . . but they could never know that.
“His body isn’t ugly!” The puppy snapped at them, and I think I smiled a little bit by mistake.
“How would you know?” Yuugi’s wide eyes opened to their full size and he grinned. . . since when was his mind in the gutter? “Have you seen it, Jou?”
“The fact of the matter is,” Jounouchi began, avoiding the question, “Seto’s body is just as good as anyone else’s, so leave him the hell alone about it. He just doesn’t want to go showing his body off to all the perverts in our school Ryou will probably have the same problem!”
Was he saying that Ryou looked just as good as me? Did he like Ryou? I gazed at the white-haired boy. He was decent looking, but. . . I didn’t look better? Jounouchi didn’t like me better? Wait, why do I give a damn whether he likes me or not? I don’t. . . do I?
“Hell no he won’t!” Bakura and Honda chimed in unison. It was obvious that they both had a thing for Ryou. That would be one scary threesome.
“I’ll kill anyone who so much as looks at my hikari with lust.” He glared daggers at Jounouchi’s ignorant friend. Hmm. . . I could probably get along alright with this Bakura fellow. He definitely seemed much more intelligent than the others. Perhaps he could make decent conversation.
“Anyways!” Yuugi needlessly yelled, “I was thinking about all of us getting together on Friday after school and going shopping! We can all get new suits!” He smiled.
“I’m game,” My current housemate agreed, turning to me, “How about you, Kaiba?”
“No way in hell, mutt.” I had begun working again when the albino and the brunet had started their death match.
“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun! You probably don’t own any swimming trunks anyways. We can get you some of those new kind that Bakura was talking about.”
I stopped typing, turning around to face him angrily. “You just want to stare at my legs, you fucking pervert.” Why was I flattered? “I said it once and I’ll say it one more time; no way in hell.” I resumed working yet again. They really were quite a distraction. It was nice having my back to them though because I wouldn’t have to stare at their annoying faces.
“Well,” It was Ryou again, and I could hear something that sounded like a zipper, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m going to work on my homework while we chat. I would like to get this done as soon as possible!” Oh. . . so I wouldn’t get to help Katsuya with his homework tonight. . .
“That’s a good idea!” Yuugi agreed. “I’ll go get us some snacks and drinks! I know all of you like soda, but what do you want to drink, Kaiba?”
I figured that they probably wouldn’t have any wine. . . not any that cost more than ten dollars, anyways. “Water will be fine.” I glanced over Yuugi for a short moment before returning to the more important task at hand. It was kind of nice that he offered me something to drink when it was clear that he didn’t appreciate my presence.
The remainder of the evening consisted of them munching, rather noisily, on pretzels and chips and whatnot while they did their homework and sipped soda. There were a few occasions where none of those idiots could figure out the answer to a problem. It was math, of course. I ended up getting down on the floor and crawling over to sit with them and show them how to solve the equation or whatever it happened to be.
By the time Jounouchi and I left, it was already after dark. I hated walking around in the dark, it just wasn’t safe these days. As we walked toward his apartment, I could feel eyes burning into me, and as I peered out of the corner of my eye I could see Jounouchi blatantly staring at me.
“I told you about staring at me, Jounouchi.”
“I told you about calling me by my last name, Seto.”
I let myself laugh a little bit, closing my eyes to try and force the laughter away just as quickly as it had come. I opened my eyes to what I thought was an illusion. . . I closed them and opened them. . . then repeated the process again. Still there. He was still there. No, it wasn’t him. . . someone that looked like him. Black hair. . . what color were those eyes? Gray? Surely not. . . that smile. . . his smile. . . Saki. Again, I felt myself unable to move, and breathing was becoming more and more difficult.
“Saki. . .” Did I say that? No, it was someone else. Whoever was with me. . . oh yes, Katsuya. Katsuya was with me. His voice sounded so powerful, “What the fuck do you want?! Why do you keep following us?!” He started to approach and I found myself struggling for air. I wanted to back away, but I couldn’t feel my legs. . . Jounouchi stepped in front of me, and suddenly I could breathe again.
Saki stopped his advance, blowing his hair out of those menacing gray eyes that I used to adore, “You know exactly what I want. . . or perhaps I should say ‘who’ I want.” He stopped grinning, “You need to back the fuck off of Seto, boy. You’re below him, you could never give him what he wants.”
Below me? No, there wasn’t a soul on this earth below my own. . . even Saki was better than me. As for what I want, I want only someone that love me for who I am, not what I have or how I look. I want someone that will be strong for me, so I no longer have to live in the lie that I’ve created. As far as I’m concerned, Jounouchi Katsuya is perfectly capable of all of the above.
“Oh?!” Jounouchi yelled, “And what, do tell, does he want?”
“He wants me, of course.” No! I don’t want him! Well. . . I do, but. . . I don’t want the person he has become. The monster he’s become.
“The hell he does! He wants nothing to do with you!” Saki began to move toward us again, but Katsuya stood his ground. He was so brave, so strong right now. For me. . . he was standing up for me. . . why?
“Is that what you think? Then tell me, boy, why is it that whenever I’m around, he becomes hypnotized by my presence? Why is it that he stares at me, watches me. . . he wants me, boy.” So close. Saki had come so close. He was taller than I remembered. He seemed like a giant now. Saki looked down at Jounouchi, those gray eyes silently threatening him.
“Because he’s afraid of you! You’d better back the fuck off, you son-of-a-bitch, or I’m gonna-”
“You’re gonna what?” Saki sneered, grabbing Katsuya by the arms and shoving him aside. My protector fell to the asphalt with a painful sound. . . now there was nothing between Saki and I. Could I run? Could I hide? No. . . my body still refused to respond.
“Jou. . . nou. . . chi. . .” Even speaking was difficult. I barely managed to turn my head upward enough to lock eyes with Saki. He wouldn’t hurt me again, would he? His hand rested on my cheek and his skin was just as soft as I remembered. . . so gentle. He tilted my head to the side and nuzzled my neck, nipping a bit at the skin. My heartbeat quickened and I shuttered slightly to his touch. I wanted to collapse. I could feel my eyes burning with tears that wanted to fall. . . why wasn’t Jounouchi stopping him?
“You still love me, don’t you Seto? I didn’t mean to hurt you, Seto. . . do you remember that, koi? Do you remember when I raped you?” He began to suck at my neck. I could only close my eyes and do nothing. . . do I remember? I relive the event nearly every night. . . every god-forsaken night. “You wouldn’t let me fuck you, not ever. . . you always said you didn’t like sex. . . you left me no choice.” He lapped up the tears that had begun streaking down my cheeks, “You’re pretty when you cry, Seto. . . so, so pretty. . .” I gasped in rigidly when I felt his free hand grab my crotch. No, not again!
“Saki, I told you, I’m really not ready for something like this. . . I really don’t like Sex.” He continued to advance, pressing me roughly against the wall. “Saki?” Still he didn’t acknowledge me. As a full-grown adult, he was much more powerful than me. Using his body as a weight, he held one hand over my crotch, his fingers moving expertly against my pants. “Stop it, Saki! I said no!” His mouth latched onto my own. . .
Saki fell to the sidewalk and Katsuya stood in his place, fist unclenching after making abrupt contact with the grown man’s face. “The name’s Jounouchi, you sick fuck! Don’t you ever fuck with Seto like this again!” He grabbed my hand, but I still couldn’t move. Warm tears kept parading down my cheeks. . . and that is all I could think to do. Even at that time those few years ago, all that I could manage to do was cry.
But Katsuya wouldn’t abandon me. I felt myself lifted and was then slung over his shoulder like some sort of luggage. He bolted away after picking up our bags.
- - -
By the time we had reached the apartment complex he had stopped running. He had amazing endurance, and I’m sure that carrying me the whole way wasn’t an easy task. He started the journey up the stairs.
“You can put me down now. . .” I felt like a burden.
“Nope, not until we get inside.”
Though I couldn’t see anything (my face was practically right up against Jounouchi’s back), I could hear a door open. “Is that you, Katsuya?” Oh shit. . . it was that dirty-minded old woman. “Oooh! I see! You and your boy are going to play tonight! How wonderful! You’ll have to tell me all about it!” The door clicked shut.
“She’s fucking insane.” I mumbled to Jounouchi’s back.
“It feels good when you talk against my back.” I punched his shoulder blade, but was happy that he had such a playful attitude all the time. . . it really eased my tension.
Jounouchi managed to unlock and open his apartment door one-handed and finally dropped me off onto his couch, setting our bags down next to the couch. He went back to lock the door, “Why didn’t you move?”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Jounouchi, let it go.”
“You need to talk about it! Forgetting about it isn’t going to make it-”
“I said let it go!” I glared, my whole face twisting into an angry expression.
“I helped you!” He reminded me. He must have thought that I was angry at him.
“Please, please let it go. . . I’ll do anything if you just let it go. . .” I covered my face with my hands. Today had been a terrible day. Wasn’t my begging enough? I said ‘please’. . .
“Anything?” I looked up at him to catch a mischievous grin that had come across his lips. I regretted saying that. “I want a hug.” Okay, I don’t think that anyone saw that coming, certainly not me. Perhaps money or a favor. . . but a hug?
“A hug?”
“Yes.” He got down on his knees so that he was at my level, and then crawled over. I opened my legs so that he could get close enough, and once his stomach was against the bottom cushion, I wrapped my arms uneasily around him and he did the same to me. I couldn’t help but squeeze him tightly. I hadn’t really been hugged by anyone but Mokuba and Saki. . . I think that my original parents used to hug me, but I couldn’t remember those days. He was so warm and I was a bit sad when we finally pulled away from each other. “What wasn’t so bad, was it?” He asked, still in the same spot.
I blushed a little and tried not to look at him. “Whatever.” I glanced down at his hands, which he had laid on my thighs. I really didn’t like them there, “Do you mind?”
“Not one bit.” He smiled at his own humor and hugged me once more. I made little noises to act like I didn’t want it, but. . . I really did want it with all of my heart.
He finally stood up, heading for the kitchen. I figured that he was about to make dinner for us. My night wasn’t so bad after all.
“Katsuya. . .”
“Yeah?” He glanced back at me over his shoulder.
“Thanks. . .” I graced him with one of my rare smiles.
“No need to thank me. That smile is worth it. . . you know,” He faced away from me, “Saki was right when he said you were pretty when you cry, but. . . you’re beautiful when you smile.” With that, he retreated into the kitchen.
I stood from the couch. Worth it for my smile? Beautiful when I smile? For my smile. . . he wanted me to smile. He didn’t protect me because he thought it would lead to sex or money or favors. . . he saved me because he wanted me to be happy. . .
I found him pulling a glass dish from the cabinet above the sink. I snuck up behind him, snaking my arms around his waist. He jumped a bit, looking over his shoulder.
“Seto?”
“What you said. . . really nice. . . so . . . I’m giving you a hug. . . to thank you. . .” I backed off, taking a seat at the kitchen table. He probably thought that I was weird. “What’s for dinner?” I asked, changing the topic of the conversation.
“Pork tenderloin marinated in a special seasoning and baked in the oven.” He popped the dish into the oven and set the timer, glancing at the clock, “We probably won’t be eating until about 10:30. . . sorry.”
“It’s not a problem. I usually don’t eat dinner.” I sighed, not willing to think about how things usually are, “You’re a good cook, Katsuya.” I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as he sat down across from me, “I don’t cook a whole lot, so I’m not that great at it. . . but I guess you cook for yourself a lot, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do, heh. I like cooking though.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have any alcohol in here, would you?” I slapped my forehead and then looked shamefully down at the table. His father was an awful alcoholic, of course they had alcohol, “Forget I asked. . . I just have a craving for some Chardonnay.” And I did. . . I had an enormous craving, in fact.
“You aren’t old enough to drink.” He informed me, as though I didn’t know.
“I usually have my employees buy it for me.”
“You shouldn’t drink.”
“I know. . . but I do. I’m not an alcoholic, I just like it sometimes. Cleans out the system, you know?”
“I’ll never drink.” He put his head down on the table and my hand instinctively began running through his messy blond hair. “Drunks disgust me.” He muttered.
“Drunks disgust me too, but I don’t get drunk. When you come over to my place, I’ll give you some of the finest wine in the world. You won’t know what to do with yourself!” I tried to sound wild and carefree like he always did, in hopes that it would cheer him up. Our eyes met.
“Seto?”
“I’m still going to have to get used to you calling me that. . . yes?”
“Do you consider me your friend?” He sat back up in his chair and I bit my bottom lip. A friend? I haven’t had friends in a very long time. . . what could I say to him?
“You’re someone who I am living with for two weeks. . . someone who I don’t mindwith for two weeks.” The table was suddenly very interesting. . . at least until my blush subsided. I wasn’t used to saying such nice things.
We sat around for a bit, chatting idly about the goings-on at Yuugi’s house and even spoke about certain movies. . . I lectured him about how he should read more. This went on for awhile until the buzzer on the oven went off. He served it up for me, acting like a housewife would, and I complimented him on how good the food was. . . a treat for my puppy, heh.
“Well, that was good. . . shall we head to bed now?” He winked at me and I turned away.
“Uh, yeah, I guess so. . .” I eyed him suspiciously, searching for some ulterior motive. “Don’t get your hopes up, I’m still going to change in the bathroom.”
“Aww! You’re no fun!” He joked, smiling that large, warm smile at me before retreating down the hallway toward his bedroom. . .
. . . and this time, it was I who followed at his heels.
- - -
- - -
Disclaimer: Yuugiou belongs to creator Kazuki Takahashi. I’m not making money off this, but wouldn’t it kick ass if I could?
- - -
Recap:
Can’t move. Can’t speak. Can’t think. Saki. Saki is here. Why are you looking at me like that? Why won’t you hold me, Saki? Hold me just like you used to. They won’t touch me if you’re with me. Protect me again. Protect me from them. Say such sweet things to me, just like you always did.
Saki, if I can’t have you, I don’t want anyone.
- - -
Something came between us. Something golden. . . Jounouchi? I could feel his hands pulling my face down to look at him. His eyes were so serious now. Why were they so serious? It was just Saki. Saki was wonderful, always so wonderful, and yet. . .
“Come on, Kaiba, let’s go to Yuugi’s place.” He smiled. To Yuugi’s place?
I looked above his head, over at Saki. Saki. . . who had betrayed me. Jounouchi, on the other hand, Jounouchi was only kind. Would he betray me too someday? I could only hope not. I couldn’t get attached to anyone ever again. I nodded in agreement with his wishes for now, turning towards his band of friends.
“Jou? Kaiba? Are you two coming or not?” Yuugi. . . heh, he was so short. Did he think he looked important with his hands on his hips?
“Yea, you lovebirds, let’s get going!” Honda was a dumbass. . . and yet I had forgotten Saki. I was absolutely not in love with that cur!
I shot the brunet a glare, “Lovebirds? Ha! That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” I rejoined their little group, Jounouchi follow me close at my heels. I did my best not to look at the one whose presence was absolute and ominous. Though I heard him speed away in his car, I could still feel him, his existence like a sheet of ice covering my entire chest. As long as he remained in my memory, he would be like a weight on my heart and on my soul, a permanent fixture in my mind.
Anzu dropped back to walk beside Jounouchi, obviously to be nosey, “Jou? Who was that guy that you and Kaiba were staring at?” It really wasn’t any of her business. I worried about what the blond would say to her.
“Not sure, but he was staring at us. . . you know how Kaiba is! You can’t stare him down like that and get away with it!”
I shook my head. Jounouchi Katsuya really was a dumbass.
“Oh, okay!” The ditz grinned, accepting such a lame and unreasonable excuse, and skipped back up to practically lean on the taller Yuugi.
This time the white-haired kid dropped back. What was his name again? What is Ryou? Anyways, he fell back in line much in the same manner as Anzu. “Who was that really?” His eyes narrowed. So he wasn’t as dense as the girl, what would Jounouchi say now? Surely he wouldn’t spill anything to this albino. “Did you pick a fight with someone again, Jounouchi?” He smirked. . . funny, I don’t ever remember seeing him smirk like that.
“Haha, uh, something like that. Se- er, Kaiba and I were at a karaoke bar and me and the waiter got into it. Haha!” He rubbed at the back of his head. What kind of stupid excuse was that? I rolled my eyes, folding my arms across my chest. If that boy believed something so stupid. . .
“How typical of you Jounouchi.” He smiled and left. Holy shit. You’ve got to be kidding me. No wonder they all had no problem hanging around the stupid blond. Then again, he was the one fooling them. . . so did that make him more intelligent? I had always thought it was the other way around.
- - -
I never thought I’d once again set foot inside the Kame Game shop. The last time I was here was the first time I was here. I had kidnaped Yuugi’s grandpa and. . . well, it’s embarrassing to think about.
“Grandpa? I’m home, and I brought my friends along! I hope you don’t mind!” Yuugi called out as we entered, the old man came into view through a doorway in back. I’m sure he’d have something to say about me being there with them.
“Ah, the usual crew I see.” He smiled, looking at each of them, until he came to me. He frowned then. “What is he doing here?” Well, that wasn’t as awful as I thought it’d be.
“You got a problem with him being here, gramps?” Jounouchi piped up quickly to come to my defense. He shouldn’t do that in front of his friends. They might suspect him of something weird. He must have realized this too, “Sorry, gramps, didn’t mean for it to come out that way.” Again, he rubbed the back of his head. Did it itch or something?
“That’s alright, Jounouchi, I know you didn’t mean any harm by it. I’m surprised to see that boy here.” He hobbled over and stood in front of me, smiling with that creepy smile of his, “It’s good to see that you’ve changed, Kaiba.” Changed? No, I haven’t changed, and I never would change. I am the way that I am for a good reason.
“I haven’t changed a bit, you senile old fool.” I glared. I could see the disappointment on their faces. That’s it, break their hopes, break them and watch them crumble and die. There was no hope for change. Change was bad. Change led to destruction. Jounouchi was waving his hands at me, trying to shut me up. Pfeh, like I’d let someone like him stop me, “I’m only here because a certain someone decided to drag me along.” I shot a glare at Jounouchi and closed my eyes. I didn’t really want to glare at him, I guess.
The taller Yuugi, Yami no Yuugi I guess, decided to interrupt, “How about we go on up to Yuugi’s room and settle down? I’m sure that everyone will feel better when we do.”
- - -
Yuugi’s room was like a child’s room. The colors were all bright, the walls dotted with various game posters. Every surface had some sort of figurine or stack of cards decorating it. He had white sheets on his bed, which reminded me of something you’d see in a female’s room. Basically, it was something you would see in a furniture ad for five-year olds. Did none of these dumbasses see that it clearly wasn’t a bedroom that a teenage boy should have?
“What the hell kind of bedroom is this?” I couldn’t help but look absolutely disgusted. Honestly! Sure Yuugi looked like a ten year old, but he didn’t have to live like one too. “How old are you again, Mutou?”
“W-what’s wrong with my room, Kaiba? I think it’s cool.” He sounded like he would cry at any moment, his bottom lip quivering and his eyes watering up like a child. . . gee, how fitting.
“It’s awesome, Yuugi!” Jounouchi lied, trying to shut me up with pathetic warning glances.
“Whatever, morons.” I really didn’t feel like putting up with this today. . . or any day really. I had always thought that maybe it’d be nice to have a circle of friends. . . but an event such as this just reminds me why I never bothered to get friends after I murdered the one that kept me from getting any.
I sat at Yuugi’s desk and popped open my briefcase, pulling out my laptop and setting it up. Hey, if I’m going to have to waste away precious time by sitting in this daycare, I might as well do something constructive.
They all sat down on the floor. Oh, was it story time already? Haha. . . children.
“So what do you all think about the pool party this Saturday.” It was Jounouchi. I couldn’t help but stop typing for a moment when he mentioned the pool party. I had completely forgot about it. I began to type again, trying to ignore them, but still not able to drown them out.
“I think it’s awesome!” The girl all but yelled, “I love swimming! I heard there’s going to be hamburgers and hotdogs and all sorts of things there! It’s going to be fun!” She clasped her hands together as though to show some sort of ridiculous excitement. . . excited about food, eh? And I thought that Jounouchi was the only one that had a black hole for a stomach.
“I’m kind of nervous about it.” That voice, I think it was that Ryou boy. He sounded like such a pansy, really. “I’ll have to get more sun screen. I burn so easily, it’s awful!”
“You look damn good in those trunks, though.” The same voice, but deeper. What did they call him? Bakura? “And,” He began again, “Ryou has those new swimming trunks, you know the ones that are shorter? They’ve become quite popular among guys with nice legs.”
I couldn’t help but steal a glance down at them when he said that. A certain blond started to smirk. I made up my mind. They’re all gay. Not that I’m against homosexuality or anything. . . I have no reason to be, but. . . wow. Why was Anzu in their group then?
“Kaiba? What kind of trunks do you wear?” Was that Yami no Yuugi? That fucking-
“Yes, the priest’s legs would be displayed very nicely.” Bakura commented, chuckling like a damned pervert.
I spun around in Yuugi’s chair, seething. “I won’t be dressing out.” It took every ounce of strength to keep from yelling at them. . . or killing them. . . or both.
“You’re going to take a less-than-perfect grade?” Honda looked at me with mock disbelief, “That can’t be right. It’s just swimming trunks, what’s the big deal? Do you actually have a really ugly body and you won’t swim because you don’t want anyone to see it?” He started laughing and the others followed his lead. . . of course, he didn’t realize that he was right. My back was so marked up with hideous scars. . . but they could never know that.
“His body isn’t ugly!” The puppy snapped at them, and I think I smiled a little bit by mistake.
“How would you know?” Yuugi’s wide eyes opened to their full size and he grinned. . . since when was his mind in the gutter? “Have you seen it, Jou?”
“The fact of the matter is,” Jounouchi began, avoiding the question, “Seto’s body is just as good as anyone else’s, so leave him the hell alone about it. He just doesn’t want to go showing his body off to all the perverts in our school Ryou will probably have the same problem!”
Was he saying that Ryou looked just as good as me? Did he like Ryou? I gazed at the white-haired boy. He was decent looking, but. . . I didn’t look better? Jounouchi didn’t like me better? Wait, why do I give a damn whether he likes me or not? I don’t. . . do I?
“Hell no he won’t!” Bakura and Honda chimed in unison. It was obvious that they both had a thing for Ryou. That would be one scary threesome.
“I’ll kill anyone who so much as looks at my hikari with lust.” He glared daggers at Jounouchi’s ignorant friend. Hmm. . . I could probably get along alright with this Bakura fellow. He definitely seemed much more intelligent than the others. Perhaps he could make decent conversation.
“Anyways!” Yuugi needlessly yelled, “I was thinking about all of us getting together on Friday after school and going shopping! We can all get new suits!” He smiled.
“I’m game,” My current housemate agreed, turning to me, “How about you, Kaiba?”
“No way in hell, mutt.” I had begun working again when the albino and the brunet had started their death match.
“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun! You probably don’t own any swimming trunks anyways. We can get you some of those new kind that Bakura was talking about.”
I stopped typing, turning around to face him angrily. “You just want to stare at my legs, you fucking pervert.” Why was I flattered? “I said it once and I’ll say it one more time; no way in hell.” I resumed working yet again. They really were quite a distraction. It was nice having my back to them though because I wouldn’t have to stare at their annoying faces.
“Well,” It was Ryou again, and I could hear something that sounded like a zipper, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m going to work on my homework while we chat. I would like to get this done as soon as possible!” Oh. . . so I wouldn’t get to help Katsuya with his homework tonight. . .
“That’s a good idea!” Yuugi agreed. “I’ll go get us some snacks and drinks! I know all of you like soda, but what do you want to drink, Kaiba?”
I figured that they probably wouldn’t have any wine. . . not any that cost more than ten dollars, anyways. “Water will be fine.” I glanced over Yuugi for a short moment before returning to the more important task at hand. It was kind of nice that he offered me something to drink when it was clear that he didn’t appreciate my presence.
The remainder of the evening consisted of them munching, rather noisily, on pretzels and chips and whatnot while they did their homework and sipped soda. There were a few occasions where none of those idiots could figure out the answer to a problem. It was math, of course. I ended up getting down on the floor and crawling over to sit with them and show them how to solve the equation or whatever it happened to be.
By the time Jounouchi and I left, it was already after dark. I hated walking around in the dark, it just wasn’t safe these days. As we walked toward his apartment, I could feel eyes burning into me, and as I peered out of the corner of my eye I could see Jounouchi blatantly staring at me.
“I told you about staring at me, Jounouchi.”
“I told you about calling me by my last name, Seto.”
I let myself laugh a little bit, closing my eyes to try and force the laughter away just as quickly as it had come. I opened my eyes to what I thought was an illusion. . . I closed them and opened them. . . then repeated the process again. Still there. He was still there. No, it wasn’t him. . . someone that looked like him. Black hair. . . what color were those eyes? Gray? Surely not. . . that smile. . . his smile. . . Saki. Again, I felt myself unable to move, and breathing was becoming more and more difficult.
“Saki. . .” Did I say that? No, it was someone else. Whoever was with me. . . oh yes, Katsuya. Katsuya was with me. His voice sounded so powerful, “What the fuck do you want?! Why do you keep following us?!” He started to approach and I found myself struggling for air. I wanted to back away, but I couldn’t feel my legs. . . Jounouchi stepped in front of me, and suddenly I could breathe again.
Saki stopped his advance, blowing his hair out of those menacing gray eyes that I used to adore, “You know exactly what I want. . . or perhaps I should say ‘who’ I want.” He stopped grinning, “You need to back the fuck off of Seto, boy. You’re below him, you could never give him what he wants.”
Below me? No, there wasn’t a soul on this earth below my own. . . even Saki was better than me. As for what I want, I want only someone that love me for who I am, not what I have or how I look. I want someone that will be strong for me, so I no longer have to live in the lie that I’ve created. As far as I’m concerned, Jounouchi Katsuya is perfectly capable of all of the above.
“Oh?!” Jounouchi yelled, “And what, do tell, does he want?”
“He wants me, of course.” No! I don’t want him! Well. . . I do, but. . . I don’t want the person he has become. The monster he’s become.
“The hell he does! He wants nothing to do with you!” Saki began to move toward us again, but Katsuya stood his ground. He was so brave, so strong right now. For me. . . he was standing up for me. . . why?
“Is that what you think? Then tell me, boy, why is it that whenever I’m around, he becomes hypnotized by my presence? Why is it that he stares at me, watches me. . . he wants me, boy.” So close. Saki had come so close. He was taller than I remembered. He seemed like a giant now. Saki looked down at Jounouchi, those gray eyes silently threatening him.
“Because he’s afraid of you! You’d better back the fuck off, you son-of-a-bitch, or I’m gonna-”
“You’re gonna what?” Saki sneered, grabbing Katsuya by the arms and shoving him aside. My protector fell to the asphalt with a painful sound. . . now there was nothing between Saki and I. Could I run? Could I hide? No. . . my body still refused to respond.
“Jou. . . nou. . . chi. . .” Even speaking was difficult. I barely managed to turn my head upward enough to lock eyes with Saki. He wouldn’t hurt me again, would he? His hand rested on my cheek and his skin was just as soft as I remembered. . . so gentle. He tilted my head to the side and nuzzled my neck, nipping a bit at the skin. My heartbeat quickened and I shuttered slightly to his touch. I wanted to collapse. I could feel my eyes burning with tears that wanted to fall. . . why wasn’t Jounouchi stopping him?
“You still love me, don’t you Seto? I didn’t mean to hurt you, Seto. . . do you remember that, koi? Do you remember when I raped you?” He began to suck at my neck. I could only close my eyes and do nothing. . . do I remember? I relive the event nearly every night. . . every god-forsaken night. “You wouldn’t let me fuck you, not ever. . . you always said you didn’t like sex. . . you left me no choice.” He lapped up the tears that had begun streaking down my cheeks, “You’re pretty when you cry, Seto. . . so, so pretty. . .” I gasped in rigidly when I felt his free hand grab my crotch. No, not again!
“Saki, I told you, I’m really not ready for something like this. . . I really don’t like Sex.” He continued to advance, pressing me roughly against the wall. “Saki?” Still he didn’t acknowledge me. As a full-grown adult, he was much more powerful than me. Using his body as a weight, he held one hand over my crotch, his fingers moving expertly against my pants. “Stop it, Saki! I said no!” His mouth latched onto my own. . .
Saki fell to the sidewalk and Katsuya stood in his place, fist unclenching after making abrupt contact with the grown man’s face. “The name’s Jounouchi, you sick fuck! Don’t you ever fuck with Seto like this again!” He grabbed my hand, but I still couldn’t move. Warm tears kept parading down my cheeks. . . and that is all I could think to do. Even at that time those few years ago, all that I could manage to do was cry.
But Katsuya wouldn’t abandon me. I felt myself lifted and was then slung over his shoulder like some sort of luggage. He bolted away after picking up our bags.
- - -
By the time we had reached the apartment complex he had stopped running. He had amazing endurance, and I’m sure that carrying me the whole way wasn’t an easy task. He started the journey up the stairs.
“You can put me down now. . .” I felt like a burden.
“Nope, not until we get inside.”
Though I couldn’t see anything (my face was practically right up against Jounouchi’s back), I could hear a door open. “Is that you, Katsuya?” Oh shit. . . it was that dirty-minded old woman. “Oooh! I see! You and your boy are going to play tonight! How wonderful! You’ll have to tell me all about it!” The door clicked shut.
“She’s fucking insane.” I mumbled to Jounouchi’s back.
“It feels good when you talk against my back.” I punched his shoulder blade, but was happy that he had such a playful attitude all the time. . . it really eased my tension.
Jounouchi managed to unlock and open his apartment door one-handed and finally dropped me off onto his couch, setting our bags down next to the couch. He went back to lock the door, “Why didn’t you move?”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Jounouchi, let it go.”
“You need to talk about it! Forgetting about it isn’t going to make it-”
“I said let it go!” I glared, my whole face twisting into an angry expression.
“I helped you!” He reminded me. He must have thought that I was angry at him.
“Please, please let it go. . . I’ll do anything if you just let it go. . .” I covered my face with my hands. Today had been a terrible day. Wasn’t my begging enough? I said ‘please’. . .
“Anything?” I looked up at him to catch a mischievous grin that had come across his lips. I regretted saying that. “I want a hug.” Okay, I don’t think that anyone saw that coming, certainly not me. Perhaps money or a favor. . . but a hug?
“A hug?”
“Yes.” He got down on his knees so that he was at my level, and then crawled over. I opened my legs so that he could get close enough, and once his stomach was against the bottom cushion, I wrapped my arms uneasily around him and he did the same to me. I couldn’t help but squeeze him tightly. I hadn’t really been hugged by anyone but Mokuba and Saki. . . I think that my original parents used to hug me, but I couldn’t remember those days. He was so warm and I was a bit sad when we finally pulled away from each other. “What wasn’t so bad, was it?” He asked, still in the same spot.
I blushed a little and tried not to look at him. “Whatever.” I glanced down at his hands, which he had laid on my thighs. I really didn’t like them there, “Do you mind?”
“Not one bit.” He smiled at his own humor and hugged me once more. I made little noises to act like I didn’t want it, but. . . I really did want it with all of my heart.
He finally stood up, heading for the kitchen. I figured that he was about to make dinner for us. My night wasn’t so bad after all.
“Katsuya. . .”
“Yeah?” He glanced back at me over his shoulder.
“Thanks. . .” I graced him with one of my rare smiles.
“No need to thank me. That smile is worth it. . . you know,” He faced away from me, “Saki was right when he said you were pretty when you cry, but. . . you’re beautiful when you smile.” With that, he retreated into the kitchen.
I stood from the couch. Worth it for my smile? Beautiful when I smile? For my smile. . . he wanted me to smile. He didn’t protect me because he thought it would lead to sex or money or favors. . . he saved me because he wanted me to be happy. . .
I found him pulling a glass dish from the cabinet above the sink. I snuck up behind him, snaking my arms around his waist. He jumped a bit, looking over his shoulder.
“Seto?”
“What you said. . . really nice. . . so . . . I’m giving you a hug. . . to thank you. . .” I backed off, taking a seat at the kitchen table. He probably thought that I was weird. “What’s for dinner?” I asked, changing the topic of the conversation.
“Pork tenderloin marinated in a special seasoning and baked in the oven.” He popped the dish into the oven and set the timer, glancing at the clock, “We probably won’t be eating until about 10:30. . . sorry.”
“It’s not a problem. I usually don’t eat dinner.” I sighed, not willing to think about how things usually are, “You’re a good cook, Katsuya.” I couldn’t help but chuckle a bit as he sat down across from me, “I don’t cook a whole lot, so I’m not that great at it. . . but I guess you cook for yourself a lot, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I do, heh. I like cooking though.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have any alcohol in here, would you?” I slapped my forehead and then looked shamefully down at the table. His father was an awful alcoholic, of course they had alcohol, “Forget I asked. . . I just have a craving for some Chardonnay.” And I did. . . I had an enormous craving, in fact.
“You aren’t old enough to drink.” He informed me, as though I didn’t know.
“I usually have my employees buy it for me.”
“You shouldn’t drink.”
“I know. . . but I do. I’m not an alcoholic, I just like it sometimes. Cleans out the system, you know?”
“I’ll never drink.” He put his head down on the table and my hand instinctively began running through his messy blond hair. “Drunks disgust me.” He muttered.
“Drunks disgust me too, but I don’t get drunk. When you come over to my place, I’ll give you some of the finest wine in the world. You won’t know what to do with yourself!” I tried to sound wild and carefree like he always did, in hopes that it would cheer him up. Our eyes met.
“Seto?”
“I’m still going to have to get used to you calling me that. . . yes?”
“Do you consider me your friend?” He sat back up in his chair and I bit my bottom lip. A friend? I haven’t had friends in a very long time. . . what could I say to him?
“You’re someone who I am living with for two weeks. . . someone who I don’t mindwith for two weeks.” The table was suddenly very interesting. . . at least until my blush subsided. I wasn’t used to saying such nice things.
We sat around for a bit, chatting idly about the goings-on at Yuugi’s house and even spoke about certain movies. . . I lectured him about how he should read more. This went on for awhile until the buzzer on the oven went off. He served it up for me, acting like a housewife would, and I complimented him on how good the food was. . . a treat for my puppy, heh.
“Well, that was good. . . shall we head to bed now?” He winked at me and I turned away.
“Uh, yeah, I guess so. . .” I eyed him suspiciously, searching for some ulterior motive. “Don’t get your hopes up, I’m still going to change in the bathroom.”
“Aww! You’re no fun!” He joked, smiling that large, warm smile at me before retreating down the hallway toward his bedroom. . .
. . . and this time, it was I who followed at his heels.
- - -