Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Coalescence ❯ The Date, Part 1: Explanations ( Chapter 7 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

7) The Date, Part 1: Explanations

Summary: Seto chats with his brother as he readies for his date; Yami meets Seto for their date and they proceed to a restaurant.



Seto Kaiba did not feel quite so cool when six o'clock neared. Mokuba, hovering as he finished dressing, couldn't keep a silly grin off his face, much to his big brother's consternation.

"Mokuba, really..." Seto breathed, sighing with frustration.

"Hey, Seto," Mokuba chirped, determined to be relentless in bugging his brother, "if you and Yugi get married, do you think he would adopt me?"

"Mokuba!" Seto exploded. "This is a *date*! Stop talking nonsense!"

Mokuba just laughed, not in the least deterred. "Is he coming in? I have to tell him a few things so he doesn't get in trouble with you."

Seto scowled at his audacious little brother. "You will do nothing of the sort! You're being a pest now. Get out of here!"

Mokuba subsided, though he was still smiling. "Nii-sama, I'm glad you're going to date Yugi, even if he is a shrimp."

"Mokuba..." Seto growled warningly.

"No, I mean it. He'll be good for you. He's a nice guy, Seto. And a good friend."

Seto peered down at the boy with the large mop of black hair. "Do I look all right?" he said instead of responding to the boy's words.

Mokuba winked up at his tall sibling. "Hey, you're my brother, you're Seto Kaiba, and that means you're hot stuff!"

"Yeah, I suppose you're right..." Seto murmured, then straightened abruptly when the intercom sounded.

"Master Kaiba, the car has returned," the doorman announced when he pressed the button.

"I'll be right down." To preserve the illusion that Yami was taking him on a date and not the other way around, Seto had sent his limo to pick up Yami, then it would come back to pick him up. [He's here...]

Checking in a mirror to be sure his clothes and hair were impeccable - they were - he departed his room, his brother on his heels. "Mokuba, you are not to stay up past ten p.m.," he instructed his sibling who scampered to keep up with his long strides.

"But I want to know how the date went," Mokuba whined, pouting.

"You can hear what I'm willing to share with you tomorrow. A date is a personal thing; I don't plan on giving many details."

"O-kay..."

At the door, he gave Mokuba a quick thumbs-up, then departed his mansion. To his surprise, Yami got out of the car as he reached it, purportedly to greet him and allow him to enter the car first. "Good evening, Seto," the ancient spirit greeted him with a smooth little smile.

Yami looked... hot. Seto took in his appearance, his mouth going dry. Yami wore a tight, sleeveless white mesh shirt, black leather pants, and a longish, sleeveless black vest. And his usual buckled belts and collar, including a buckled band around his left upper arm. Short black boots. Blinking, Seto realized belatedly that he wore black eyeliner around his eyes. [So... fucking... hot...]

"Yami," Seto breathed, looking down into those deep violet orbs. "You look really good."

Yami was appraising his date's appearance as well, evidently pleased by what he saw. Seto was wearing a deep blue silk shirt - the top two buttons unbuttoned - tucked into tight black pants that rode rather low on his hips. He wore short black boots as well, though a bit more stylish and expensive. To Yami's surprise, Seto wore a single gold earring dangling from his left ear. An ankh.

"I like the earring," he murmured as he gestured for Seto to precede him into the back seat of the limo. "And you look really good, too."

Seto touched the earring self-consciously. He'd only gotten it today, but he thought it suited him well, and he liked that it was a touch of something Egyptian that he could wear. "Thanks," he murmured as he settled in the car.

Once Yami sat beside him and the car took off again, Seto realized he felt somewhat surreal. [I'm going on a *date* with Yami,] he thought, gazing at nothing for a moment. [This is my car and I've sat back here hundreds of times, but this is so very different this time...]

"Seto?" a deep, gentle voice broke into his reverie.

"Sorry," Seto hastily replied as he shook off the strange feeling and turned a little to face his companion. "So, where are we going for dinner?"

"You'll see," Yami responded. He'd already instructed the driver. Curious, he looked at his date more closely. "Seto, I've something to confess to you," he added.

"What's that?" Seto asked, startled.

Yami smiled a bit sadly. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to rely on you a lot for what will seem very common things on this date," he explained. "Yugi's told me a little, but he doesn't exactly have experience to draw upon himself, so... I just don't want to embarrass you too badly, Seto."

Seto frowned, not entirely sure he understood. "Didn't you date... before? I mean, I don't know when that was, but..."

"I have very little knowledge of my past," Yami murmured quietly, looking away abruptly. "I know only that I must have lived in ancient Egypt and that I might have been a person of some importance. I do not believe I ever did anything like this before. I very likely wasn't free to go where I pleased. I cannot be sure, but it seems like if I wanted something... or someone... I had but to ask. Yugi's world is very strange to me." He glanced back a bit shyly. "Fortunately I do have Yugi's experiences to draw upon to a small degree. But, as I said, that doesn't extend to dating."

Seto felt a deep twinge in his heart, a feeling of empathy for the spirit. He, too, had anything he wanted, though of course in this day and age, that did not automatically extend to "anyone"... and he also couldn't exactly go anywhere he wanted at any time, having responsibilities to his brother and his company which came first. "I haven't dated much either," he admitted. "But I suppose I do know more of this culture than you might." Then he frowned a little. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Seto."

"Do you read Yugi's thoughts? And... is he..."

Yami quickly spoke up to allay his date's concerns. "When dueling, Yugi and I become one blended mind. That is the only time we both know each other's thoughts. Otherwise, I can hear his thoughts but he cannot hear mine, although he possibly can sense strong emotions from me. He does not generally feel anything from me. I seem to have rather strong mental defenses. So, no, he is unaware of anything I'm doing."

[Fascinating,] Seto thought, still considering how surreal this whole situation was, especially with these reminders of Yugi's dual nature. "Where is he now?"

"In his soul room," Yami replied. "Physically, of course, he is right here, though the body we share has taken on my particular manifestation while I am dominant. As if I was in a duel, I suppose."

[This *is* Yugi's body,] Seto realized. [Astounding...] Then he glanced down and noticed something very odd. "Yami... the Puzzle... where is it?"

"Hmmm? Oh, of course..." Yami gave him a quick smile. "A little deft magical spell of mine which I very recently discovered." He slipped a chain out from under the white shirt... with a tiny triangle on one end that looked like a flat representation of the Millennium Puzzle. "The Puzzle has both a standard form and a miniature form. I learned how to transform it, which really is very similar to how I transform into the manifestation you see before you. You must admit, it's rather heavy and also draws attention to itself. When not dueling, I can keep it in this form. Otherwise, it must be in its standard form in order to lend me sufficient power.

Seto almost asked to hold it, when he caught himself, understanding belatedly that the spirit would not want to be parted from it. Should not be... [They have a link of sorts... and I must respect that...]

"So," Seto breathed, "the Puzzle is the source of your magical power. And it helps you win duels, too?"

Yami frowned a little. "It is the receptacle of magical power which allows me to manifest myself in this reality. I doubt it has anything to do with my winning duels, except of course that it allows me to bear the environment of the Shadow Realm... and read the souls of my opponents to a certain extent. Not thoughts or the mind... just the soul or the heart."

"Like you did with me," Seto murmured in a small voice, awed.

Yami nodded, serious, as he gazed into the deep blue eyes of the other young man. "Yes. I knew then that you were not a bad person, Seto, that you truly did not mean any real harm to Yugi's grandfather."

Seto felt his throat grow tight. "You knew... then?" he gasped, then tore his eyes away. Now, because of how he'd come to feel about Yami and even about Yugi, that memory brought him only pain. And no little dismay, for Mokuba had had to witness that selfish act. [Some role model I was...]

He jumped when he felt a hand covering his. "Seto," Yami murmured gently as he turned his gaze back, wondering, "everyone has a dark side, even if just within their own mind. By the power of my Millennium Puzzle, I broke your dark side's control over your mind. Pegasus had been able to encapsulate that darkness into an alternate form of you, if you recall. I broke that, too. Now you are whole, free to manage control over yourself again. Though you're still driven by your desire to fight and win." Yami couldn't hold back a wry smirk. "As am I. We're quite the pair, you and I, Seto."

Seto turned over his hand to take Yami's in his. "I've never... really thanked you for that," he murmured, looking down at their clasped hands. "I don't even know how to begin to thank you."

Yami squeezed the hand in his warmly, smiling. "I'm sure you'll find a way someday!"

Breathing a deep sigh, Seto returned the squeeze. "You always speak so frankly, don't you? I like to think of myself as a confident person, but I'm not always so. You always have your act together, it seems. I... admire you for that."

Yami's lips parted in surprise at the unexpected compliment. "Thank you, Seto," he murmured, then did something unexpected in turn. He lifted the back of his companion's hand to his lips, placing a reverent kiss there while Seto fairly froze, his heart nearly stopping.

Then, all too quickly, Yami released his hand altogether and sat back. "We're here," he said, gesturing out the window.

[Breathe... that's it...] Seto told himself, his heart still hammering in his chest as he exited the limo with Yami at his side.





A couple minutes later, they were seated at a table, perusing their menus. Or at least Yami had his menu in front of him and his eyes were mostly focused on it. [Why did I do that?] he wondered, thinking about his little action in the car. [That's not what I wanted to do. I wanted to pull him into my arms and kiss him. I care for him, I know it now. And he has changed so much, just as I'd hoped. He's much more humble and less egocentric. Or maybe it's just that he really likes me and doesn't want to mess up... but I think he's changed anyway. I wonder where this is all going... I wonder if I can really have a relationship with him... if Yugi...]

"Yami," Seto murmured, breaking into the shorter man's reverie. "Are you ready to order?" He'd been relieved to see that they'd come to a good restaurant, someplace nice yet not terribly expensive. The food was supposed to be good here, too. Seto wondered who'd recommended it.

"Um..." Yami glanced over the menu. "I think so. But to be sure, let me tell you what I want, and you tell me if that's appropriate. I have never been in a restaurant before."

[Whoa...] "Sure, be glad to," Seto replied, smiling a little. But the smile faded when Yami proceeded to name dish after dish on the menu. "Um..."

Yami looked bewildered. "Something wrong?"

Seto had to grin at the spirit. "Either you're that hungry, or you're planning to take the excess home to feed Yugi for the coming week, I take it," he commented.

"Too much food?" Yami frowned.

"Yes. Each selection is a full meal, you see. You pick an entree - some meat dish, usually, and there's usually potatoes or some other side dish or two that goes with it. The portions are often pretty big, so one entree is plenty."

"Oh." Yami had surmised that the selections were items of a banquet feast. But now that he looked over at the tables surrounding them where diners were already eating, he saw that each person simply had one large plate of food and one or two little dishes. And, indeed, each had only one kind of "entree" on their plate. "That makes it harder to decide. Hmmm..."

"Take your time," Seto murmured, watching him with pleasure. [So powerful yet so innocent... damn, something about that combination I find absolutely deadly. If he kisses my hand again, I may have to get majorly physical with him...]

Yami glanced up to catch the expression on his date's face, and pulled a wry smile. "You're enjoying teaching me, aren't you?"

"It has its attractions," Seto replied, matching the other's smirk for once. "Maybe I could order for you this time?"

The implication, of course, was that this was only their *first* date. Yami's smiled broadened. "I would like that, Seto, thank you. Perhaps I should have allowed you the lead this first time."

Seto found himself actually grinning. "You're doing fine. I've been enjoying your 'lead', actually. Though I suspect during the meal itself I might need to serve as your guide." He cocked his head at him, curious. "Let me guess; when it's time to eat, Yugi takes charge of that."

Yami sighed. "Actually, yes. I've watched him, of course, but I suspect that doing isn't the same as watching. Just don't tease me too much, please."

Seto's grin widened. When the waiter returned, he ordered the same for both of them: leg of lamb with mint sauce, mashed potatoes, and a salad.




Aside from a little mishap with a glass of soda - Yami got bubbles up his nose - and a bit of confusion regarding utensils - as it was a Western style restaurant - dinner was a success. Indeed the portions were plentiful, though both teenagers decided they wanted dessert as well.

Seto ordered flourless chocolate cake with raspberry sauce for them both. When Yami took the first bite, a stunned look passed over his face.

"Good, I hope? It's my favorite," Seto commented, wondering if they'd finally come to something the spirit didn't like.

"I've never tasted anything like this in my life, I am sure," Yami replied, staring at the cake. "It's... wonderful." He glanced up and smiled. "Everything was wonderful, Seto. I especially enjoyed the lamb. I think that must have been a favorite of mine from... before. Yugi doesn't like lamb, I know."

Seto smiled, pleased that his choice had been a good one. "It can be an acquired taste." He nodded to indicate the cake. "When Yugi eats, do you taste the food as well?"

Yami shook his head. "I usually don't pay attention, but I don't believe so. I share his thoughts, not all his sensations." He smirked suddenly. "Not that such a thing is impossible. After all, there are probably still powers of the Puzzle I haven't discovered yet."

"I wonder..." Seto said abruptly, then shook his head.

"What is it?"

"Nothing..." A stray thought had occurred to Seto, but he dismissed it. [I wondered if the Puzzle could be made to allow Yami to take on his own form separate from Yugi. How did Pegasus... hmmm...] He thought of the "dark" Kaiba that Yugi had defeated on Duelist Island.

Yami nodded and went back to his cake, allowing the other boy his thoughtful moment. [He's more relaxed now, but still given to brooding a bit, it seems. What's he thinking?]

"You wouldn't have come across chocolate in ancient Egypt," Seto murmured a moment later, still looking reflective. "The Mayan Empire of Central America discovered the cacao beans it's made from in the rainforests some 2000 years ago It wasn't even introduced to Europe until less than five hundred years ago."

"It's remarkable," Yami commented. Then he thought of something. "Seto, do you truly not mind that I'm essentially a reincarnated spirit from thousands of years ago? While going out in public and doing normal things anyone would do is odd for me, it must be strange for you as well."

Seto was surprised at the question, but he didn't have to think about how to answer. "The only strange thing is that you're Yugi Mutou as well... the body before me, I mean. Otherwise, you're a real person no matter what your origin or state of life. You *are* alive, Yami. Attraction between two people doesn't ultimately care about matters like age or gender, not really." He sighed and looked down at his hands folded before him on the table. "Most people put me on edge, Yami. You... don't. I don't care about the rest."

Yami felt curiously warm at the other's words. [I wish...]

Seto wanted to sink into his chair, his heart aching. [I wish...]

Just then the waiter appeared with their tab. Seto gave a credit card to him, not even looking at the bill.