Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Chef Yami ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4

 

I sat in Seto's study, disinterestedly playing games on his computer, when I heard the sound of a car in the driveway. I jumped up and rushed to the door just as Seto climbed from the driver's seat of a tiny silver convertible. A hazy sunset softly lit the horizon, and a few stars twinkled in the darkening sky.

 

“Well, I said I'd be back before dark,” Seto grinned when he saw me standing in the doorway. Beaming, I ran over and hugged him tightly, smelling cinnamon as I buried my face happily in his shirt. Seto laughed his glorious laugh and gently hugged me back. “Were you that bored?” he teased.

 

“No. I visited Mokuba and brought him some food,” I replied into his shirt. Then I backed away, reddening slightly when I realized what I was doing. “Sorry. I was just happy to see you,” I mumbled.

 

“Of course you were,” Kaiba replied in his most arrogant tone. I scowled and aimed a punch at his arm, but once again he reflexively caught my hand. “I got you something,” he told me, as I tugged furiously at my captured arm.

 

“What is it?” I asked eagerly, forgetting my struggle. He let go of my hand and opened the trunk, and dug out a few bags from designer stores.

 

“You needed new clothes,” Seto replied. “I checked your sizes before I left…” He trailed off, watching me apprehensively as I opened the bags. He had bought me two pairs of black pants; a red short-sleeved shirt made of a silky material; another black sleeveless shirt, edged with silver; a black jacket; and a pair of black boots. The last bag held underwear, socks, and a pair of pajama pants exactly like Seto's, except about six inches shorter.

 

I smiled at that.

 

“I can get you something else if you don't like these, and I'll get you more clothes later, I just thought you needed some now,” Seto told me, sounding a little nervous. I dropped the bags and threw my arms around him, squeezing him tightly in a grateful hug.

 

“They're wonderful; thank you so much!” I cried. Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed him lightly on the cheek. Then I grabbed the bags again and dragged them up to my room, beaming. Seto really had good taste, even if he did seem to prefer black.

 

I had just finished hanging the clothes in my closet and removing the tags (Seto had spent a fortune, by the way, not that he'd miss it) when Seto knocked on my open door. “Come in- are you alright?” I interrupted myself, seeing his red face. “You look flushed.”

 

He nodded, and seemed to will the color from his cheeks. I'd like to learn that trick.

 

“Yami, I was wondering…that is to say, I thought maybe…” he gazed at me intently with his cerulean blue eyes and trailed off before he'd finished a coherent sentence.

 

“Huh?” I replied intelligently.

 

“Never mind,” Seto said quickly. He glanced around the room before returning his gaze to me. “Already put everything up?”

 

I nodded. “I'll wear them tomorrow, since it's already so late. What do you want for dinner? I'm sorry, I should've already started it, but I didn't know when you'd be home.” I strode over to where he stood in the doorway and leaned against the doorpost. Seto still watched me with his bright blue eyes and I shifted, starting to feel a little uncomfortable.

“Well? What do you want?” I questioned again.

 

He blinked and brushed an escaped hair from my shoulder. “I have a car now. Do you want to go out somewhere?”

 

I could feel my face light up and he smiled. “I changed my mind. I think I will wear something new tonight, after all,” I smirked, and pushed him out the door.

 

 

 

When I opened the bedroom door a few minutes later, wearing the red shirt and black jacket, Seto was still standing just outside my room, leaning against the wall. “You look nice,” he said, smirking at me. I blushed and aimed a punch at his shoulder, but he caught my hand again.

 

I should really stop trying to hit him.

 

Seto let go of my hand immediately (for which I was extremely grateful) and I followed him to the little silver car. “I don't know where I could take you; you're far more talented than any of the chefs around here,” Seto mused.

 

I rolled my eyes.

 

“I'll like anywhere you pick,” I muttered, not looking at him, though I still caught his brilliant white smile through the corner of my eye.

 

Seto drove in silence for a few minutes while I hummed to myself under my breath. “How about something simple, then?” he asked, glancing over at me.

 

“What? Oh, sure,” I replied, slightly surprised by his sudden question.

 

“Good. Wait here,” he said. Seto parked the car in front of a brightly lit Mom & Pop style restaurant and climbed out of the little convertible. I started to follow him, but he motioned me to stay seated with an impatient wave of his hand. He disappeared into the quaint little restaurant, styled to look like a log cabin.

 

“Why is he making me sit in the car? I would've liked to eat there,” I grumbled to no one. I watched a couple saunter to the door, arms wrapped around each other's waists, and sighed. Crossing my arms and sulking, I stared at the door until Seto came back.

 

“What were you doing, Kaiba?” I grumbled as he leaned over the passenger side door.

 

He winked at me and grabbed the keys from the ignition, then opened my door and gestured for me to follow him. I climbed out of the car, scowling, and Seto shut the car door and wrapped his arm around my waist. I blushed, remembering the couple. “No need to get so upset, Yami,” he snickered. “I just needed to arrange something.”

 

“I'm not upset,” I replied distantly. His arm was very warm. Seto grinned down at me and removed his arm, pushing the restaurant door open. An old, bent man hovered by the door with a pair of menus.

 

“Mr. Kaiba, right this way,” he said politely, and led us through the bright, crowded restaurant. Seto and I had to dodge people and trays until we crossed the room and exited through a door in the back. The old man stopped on a wooden porch outside, open to the stars. A table for two had been set up, lit only by two kerosene lamps hanging on the outside wall of the restaurant. Trees encircled the lawn, halted in their procession only by a tiny pond directly in front of the porch. Moonlight reflected on the water, and my breath hitched at the beautiful scene.

 

“I thought it would be nicer to eat out here,” Seto breathed in my ear. The old man had disappeared.

 

“It's wonderful,” I whispered, walking to the porch railing and leaning over it to see the water. “Thank you.” I turned to look at Seto, who was silently observing me under his thick brown bangs. He smiled slightly and pulled out a chair, motioning for me to sit. I gingerly obeyed, and he pushed the chair under the table, letting his fingers linger against my shoulders for a moment.

 

Seto sat across from me at the table and picked up a menu. “This isn't a fancy restaurant, but I like it. I came here a few times before you moved in,” he explained.

 

“`Chicken and dumplings'… `Country-fried steak'… This really is a simple restaurant,” I remarked, smiling.

 

“Yes, they do live up to their image,” Seto said dryly. “The chicken pot pie is my favorite,” he added, glancing up at me. He kept his eyes on me for a long time, until I shifted nervously under his scrutiny.

“Well, that sounds fine to me,” I finally said. Seto nodded and snapped his fingers, and waiter appeared out of nowhere, carrying glasses of tea. He grabbed our menus and disappeared, giving a slight bow.

 

“That was odd,” I remarked, staring after the man. Seto snickered. “Well he just came from nowh…” I began.

 

The waiter appeared again, cutting me off. He placed our food in front of us and disappeared again with another bow. “Okay, that was really odd,” I commented, staring at my plate. “How did they make that so fast?”

 

Seto flicked a piece of ice at me, and it caught in my hair. “Just eat it,” he ordered shortly. I glared at him and dug through my thick hair for the ice. It melted before I could find it and a trickle of water ran down the side of my face. Seto burst into his genuine laugh, and I forgave him immediately, smiling happily at him.

 

I turned my attention to my plate and carefully tasted the food; the crust was a little too flaky, but overall it wasn't that bad. “Well, what do you think?” Seto asked curiously.

 

“It's wonderful,” I assured him. He grinned proudly, and I smiled to myself.

 

We ate in silence for a few minutes until I had eaten all that I could and pushed the plate away. I glanced at Seto, who was still busy with his meal, and I stood slowly and walked to the porch railing. I watched the moonlight rippling on the water and sighed. This place was so beautiful; Seto's house was, too. A part of me wouldn't mind staying here forever, holed up with Seto in the quiet woods, but I had a feeling that I was running out of time. Mokuba and Seto were moving back to Domino in less than three weeks, and I would have to face Yugi-tachi again. If Yugi still hadn't come back…

 

“What's wrong?” Seto asked, leaning against the railing beside me. I quietly observed the moonlight glowing across his face.

 

“Did you mean it when you said that I could come back with you? When you leave here, I mean?” I asked cautiously.

 

“Why would you think I didn't?” He placed a hand on top of mine where it rested against the railing and twined our fingers together. We silently watched the scenery for a moment.

 

“I don't know, I guess I'm just scared. What if Yugi is still gone when you go back to Domino? I'll have to face Yugi-tachi someday, and if you're not there, I'll… Well, I don't know if I could do it.” I turned my face away from him.

 

Seto released my fingers and ran his slender hand through my long blonde bangs. “I'll be there,” he replied simply. I looked into his face once more, and something in his bright blue eyes made my breath hitch. He leaned forward, barely an inch from me, and I tilted my face toward his. Seto was going to kiss me…

 

The thought raced through my head, and my heart pounded audibly, but I didn't pull away. I slipped my eyes shut, waiting for the pressure of his lips against mine. I wanted him to kiss me. Why hadn't this occurred to me before? A small smile worked its way to my face as I stood in that long, heart-stopping moment.

 

Seto kissed my forehead.

 

I wrenched open my eyes in disbelief, but Seto had moved back to the table, conversing with the waiter who had once again appeared. “You didn't want dessert, did you?” Seto called. I shook my head slowly, and Seto nodded, handing the waiter some money. “Well, come on then,” Seto said to me.

 

I just stared at him, mouth agape. He sighed and stalked over to me, grabbing my hand. “Yami, come on! We can't stay here all night; other people will want to use this table,” he groaned, tugging on my hand.

 

I slipped from his grasp and dazedly walked through the restaurant, avoiding his gaze. Could I have been wrong? That was all I needed, to realize my feelings for the guy only to be rejected. Hesitantly I chanced a look at his face as we stepped outside once more. Seto grinned at me and slid an arm around my waist as we walked to the car, and I offered him a small smile and leaned against his side.

 

 

Once we got home, I bounded up the stairs to change clothes (the new clothes were still a little itchy) calling over my shoulder, “Thanks for dinner, Seto! It was fun.”

 

“That's it? That's no way to thank a person for a nice dinner,” he teased, languidly following me up the stairs.

 

I paused at the door to my room. “You're right,” I mused thoughtfully, tapping my index finger against my chin. “Next time I make you one you'll have to think of something better.” I stuck my tongue out at him childishly and slammed the bedroom door behind me. I could still hear his laughter through the heavy wood.

 

A few minutes later I padded downstairs, barefoot and in my new pajamas. I settled on the couch, wrapping up in a blanket, and turned on the news; and Seto soon joined me, sipping on a can of soda. “Hey, where did you get that?” I asked, suddenly feeling parched. “I didn't know we had any soda.”

 

“I keep some in a fridge in my room, where Mokuba can't get to them, but this is the last one anyway,” he replied. I smiled widely at him and scooted closer. “No,” he snapped, holding it away from me.

 

“Please? Can I just have a sip?” I begged, snuggling into his side. Seto grinned and put his arm around me, but shook his head. I stretched upward and planted a smacking kiss on his cheek. “Please?”

 

Well, even if that didn't work, I still got to kiss him. This was fun.

 

“Oh, for heaven's sake, just take it,” he sighed, and handed me the can. I beamed and kissed his cheek again. He grumbled under his breath, but I noticed the smile tugging at his lips. I snuggled closer against his side.

 

We watched the news in silence after that, until the usual incompetent chef made his appearance. I gave an audible groan, and Seto poked me in the nose with the hand that had been previously draped over my collarbone. “Want me to change the channel?” he asked teasingly.

 

“Yes, please,” I sighed. “I don't know what I did with the remote, though.”

 

“I have it. And I was just teasing; I think I'd like to watch this guy.”

 

I scowled and tossed the empty soda can at his head. It missed by about three feet. “Great shot,” he scoffed. I just frowned and rested my head back against his shoulder. Why did I like him, anyway?

 

The television chef announced that he would be preparing Cajun food. I twitched, not liking where this was heading. He then proceeded to botch a pot of gumbo, pouring in enough hot sauce to burn someone's nose hair. After a couple of minutes, I reluctantly crawled from under Seto's arm and stomped up the stairs.

 

“Where are you going?” Seto called after me.

 

“I can't take any more of that,” I grumbled, still stomping as hard as I could.

 

Seto laughed heartily. “Come back, please! I was just teasing you!” he shouted from the couch.

 

“I think I'll stay up here, thanks!” I snapped, and slammed the bedroom door behind me.

 

I paced across the floor angrily. Why did I like Seto? He was always teasing and mocking me. Plus he probably couldn't care less about me; he tended to think of people as lower than scum. Except for me, that is… He'd said that he didn't have friends- but he treated me like a friend. Seto took me in when he found me lost and covered in mud. He held me when I cried and let me kiss him…

 

But he was still an arrogant jerk.

 

I turned off the lights, sighing, and flopped face down on the soft bed, half hoping to smother myself with the thick pillows. Then a quiet knock sounded on the door. “What do you want, Kaiba?” I muttered through the pillows.

 

I heard the door open and a moment later the bed sank slightly beside me. Seto ran his fingers gently through my hair and I buried my face deeper in the pillows. “Yami? Why are you so angry with me? What did I do?” he asked, pulling his hand away.

 

“Nothing,” I mumbled.

 

“Huh?”

 

“NOTHING!” I shouted.

 

“What? I don't understand,” Seto said slowly. I rolled over and gazed up into his brilliant eyes, which were now blinking in confusion.

 

“Nothing. You didn't do anything,” I sighed. I couldn't tell him why I was really upset. “I…I was just frustrated with that stupid chef.” I sat up, gesticulating wildly, and swung my legs over the bed so I was beside Seto. “He is so incompetent; he might as well have put crawfish or alligator meat in his gumbo like real Cajuns do. It'll taste just as horrible. But Cajuns could actually cook, so their crawfish actually tasted decent, unlike his…”

 

Seto suddenly leaned forward and kissed the tip of my nose. “There. That's all I wanted. I like hearing you rant at the television. I'm sorry I got you so upset,” he said.

 

“Kaiba, you are absolutely insane,” I informed him with the air of a long-suffering saint. I crawled back onto the bed and pulled the covers over me, turning my back to him.

 

“Now you're mad at me again,” Seto said, sounding offended.

 

“Go away, Kaiba,” I muttered.

 

“I think I'll stay right here, thanks,” he replied mockingly, echoing my earlier statement.

 

“Fine, stay there. I don't care,” I grumbled, though my eyes widened and my heart thudded at the insinuation.

 

He slid into the bed beside me and stretched out on his back, and my breath hitched as I tried to calm my speeding heart. The man I loved was lying in bed with me. Wait, loved?

 

Oh no. I think my problems just multiplied.

 

I groaned and Seto sighed. “Yami, I said I was sorry. I just think you're funny when you're mad- well, except when you're mad at me. Will you please just forgive me already?” he asked impatiently. I felt his fingers slide soothingly through my hair, and I gulped. I rolled over onto my other side, so that I faced him, and his hand slid to my cheek.

 

“I'm not mad at you,” I murmured. Then I took a deep breath, summoning my courage, and slid closer to him. I rested my head on his chest and stretched an arm across his stomach, silently praying for him not to pull away.

 

He merely rested an arm on my back. I fell asleep smiling.