Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Pools of Glass ❯ Labour of Love ( Chapter 19 )

 

JG-chan: Okay everyone… BEFORE you start pelting your rotten tomatoes at me, give me a chance to explain XD I know its' been well over a year since I last updated this, but you must realize that I've been extremely busy with my job as well as other personal crises e_e It's not how I intended it to be at ALL… but here, without further ado, is the FINAL CHAPTER to this 2-and-a-half-years-in-the-making story!!

 

PS: I would like to personally thank Sugar_Shinimegami for motivating me to continue with this ^_^; Also, thanks to everyone else who has supported me and helped me with this! I owe you all much credit! ^__^ *glomps all readers*

 

 

Labour of Love

 

It took every last thread of strength Jou had left to open his sensitive eyes. The room that greeted him was vague, unfamiliar. The bed was different, the room much larger than his own, and he suddenly remembered, like a jolt of lightening hitting him, where he was.

A blurred recollection of last night's occurrences revolved in his mind, and it made Jou wonder what the day would bring now that it had all happened. Him and Kaiba. There was no going back, now. What's done is done, right? But there's got to be more to come. Jou groaned and rolled over, his legs cramping up, stomach churning at the smell of his own skin which exuded the potent stench of alcohol.

 

Judging from the stream of sunlight coming through the crack in the curtains, it was some time around noon. Jou rolled over and dug back deeper into the covers of Kaiba's bed, hurting with every move he made, the canopy above him spinning, whether he closed his eyes or not.

 

It was clear to Jou that Kaiba had left some time ago. His side of the bed had been made and everything on the beside table that had been there last night - such as one of his many sets of car keys - had been cleared, replaced with a half-filled glass of water. Jou propped himself up and reached for it, then noticed a small note underneath with his name on it. He carefully unfolded it.

 

"Jou, I have some urgent out-of-town business to attend. Help yourself to the house's amenities. We can talk later. Signed, KS."

 

Jou frowned and scrunched the note up. This was not what he had had in mind. What a jerk, he thought. "Later" to Kaiba could be in three months' time. Does he really have to be so vague? Ugh, why do I even care? What happened last night was just some dumb, drunken one-night stand, anyway. I can't keep expecting Kaiba to care about me... because he doesn't. That thought stuck to Jou like shit to a blanket.

 

Jou noticed his cell phone flashing green and blue on the floor next to his pile of clothes. He flipped it open, noticing two missed calls and three unread text messages. Shizuka and Honda had tried calling, and the messages were from Yuugi, Ryou and Malik. He decided to call Honda back - he needed desperately for someone to talk to about what had happened. The messages could wait til later.

 

"Moshi-moshi? Honda-kun speaking,"

 

"Hey, Honda. Jou here."

 

"Jou, hey! How are you, man? I was worried about you last night."

 

Jou sat up in bed, holding his stomach gingerly. "I'm feeling a little hung-over... Well, maybe more than just a little."

 

"Have you eaten? That's probably the best thing for you,"

 

"Food is kinda the last thing on my mind, right now. I need to talk to you about something. Are you at home?"

 

"Yeah,"

 

"Is Otogi there?"

 

"Nah, he left a while ago."

 

"Okay... give me an hour or so. I'll see you soon."

 

"Okay, ja." 

 

Miserably, Jou staggered out of bed and made his way to the ensuite and started up the shower. It was going to be a long day of not knowing until he heard from Kaiba again. That is, if he did.

 

***

 

"I hope he's okay. Why wouldn't he answer his phone? Do you think he had to go to hospital after we left?"

 

"He'll be fine, he would have been asleep, and no." Bakura replied to all three questions to his flustered light half. "Stop worrying about that mutt. You're still recovering yourself, remember."

 

"I know but... what happened to Jou last night was really scary."

 

"Kaiba had the best of the best looking after him, Ryou," Malik reassured, walking out of the kitchen. “Bakura's right, Ry. Stop worrying about him. We're gonna have a great day, today.”

 

“Have you told the others about it?” Marik asked, overhearing the conversation as he strode down the stairs.

 

“We've just got to get a hold of Jou, and then that's everyone. I left a message on Kaiba's voicemail.” Ryou replied. “What do we need to take?”

 

“Just food. The grounds already have barbecue's there.” Malik said, digging a whole lot of fresh meat and eggs out of the refrigerator.

 

“I hope Jou will be able to make it; it's such a nice day.” Ryou said a little sadly.

 

“Well then, let's not waste it.” Bakura said, jumping up off of the couch. “Let's head off.”

 

***

 

Jou arrived at Honda's complex a short while later; still feeling slightly drunk as he stood leaning against the doorframe and rang the bell. Honda greeted him in his usual attire and friendly Sunday manner, letting him. The two walked upstairs and Jou went out onto the balcony, taking a seat at the small set of table and chairs. The sun felt warm and soothing on his face. It was going to be a beautiful day - weather-wise.

 

“So, talk to me.” Honda said, handing Jou an ice cold Coke and taking a seat.

 

Jou cracked open his Coke. “I don't really know where to start,”

 

“Just spit it out, and we can go from there.” Honda shrugged.

 

Jou swallowed several ice cold gulps. “Last night, after everyone left… - and after a few drinks - I slept with Kaiba.”

 

Honda stared at him idly. “And then?”

 

Jou cocked an eyebrow. “And then… what? And then nothing. Aren't you like, shocked or anything?”

 

“I can't say I'm really all that surprised, Jounou.” Honda stated. “You've been keeping your relationship with Kaiba pretty discreet. We're all wondering what's going on between you two.”

 

“It started out by him teaching me math so I could pass my finals this year.” Jou muttered. “Then it kind of… escalated.”

 

“How do you feel about it?”

 

Jou sighed. “I don't know… After last night, I think I realized that I'm in over my head. I really like him… I want it to work, but I don't know how he feels. He wasn't even there when I woke up this morning.”

 

“Maybe he's just gone off to think about what happened.”

 

“The note he left said he had `urgent out-of-town business' to attend to.” Jou said, sipping his Coke. “What kind of a guy puts work before anything else?”

 

Honda stroked his chin. “Well you do kind of have to take into account that the guy is the world's richest teenager… His company outranks some of the best in the world.”

 

“I don't see how a relationship could work between us, anyway… Given that he's so caught up in his work all the time. And if not work, then school. He hardly has any time to himself.” Jou said. “Got any smokes?”

 

Honda knew Jou liked to smoke when he was stressed, never mind it being a bad habit. He handed the blonde a tailor-made and lit one up himself. “You gotta stop jumping to conclusions, man. When you next see him, set him straight... You never know; it might work."

 

"Fat chance, though." Jou muttered, inhaling deeply on his cigarette. "He told me he realised he was bisexual when he started having feelings for me... I think the same has happened to me. Do you think that's weird?"

 

Honda shook his head. "Not at all. The same thing happened with me and Otogi...kind of."

 

"I don't think you ever told me the full story," Jou said, hinting.

 

Honda blushed in vain. "You know that song we were practicing for a while there?"

 

"Yeah,"

 

"Well... Otogi wrote that...for me." Honda said. "I don't think he ever had any intention on me reading it, but I found it in one of his dressers,"

 

"Dude," Jou said, fascinated. "Really? I didn't think Otogi was that kind of guy. I mean, I guess I had my suspicions about him when he first came to Domino, but not like that."

 

Honda shrugged. "Well, despite a rocky start, we talked about it and decided to give it a try, and now we're happier than ever."

 

"So you think I should just do what you did?" Jou asked.

 

"I don't know," Honda said cautiously. "I mean... it's Kaiba we're talking about, here. He's not just your everyday teenager, like us, you know."

 

"Yeah, but he's not an alien either, Honda." Jou spat. "He may be different to the rest of us, in a way, but I think I have that to my advantage. He's mature... he might be able to handle this better than some of us."

 

"Well, everyone's different, I guess. But you seem to know him better than the rest of us, so do what you think is right." Honda replied. "I just don't want to see you get hurt, Jou. Especially after what happened with Bell." Honda immediately regretted mentioning her when he saw how Jounouchi flinched. "Sorry..."

 

"Nah, you're right." Jou said, recovering. "I'll never know until I try, right? It's nothing I can't handle." Jou wished he could really believe his words.

 

Honda cast him a doubtful look. "If you say so."

 

There was a long silence as Jou looked to the ground, gathering his thoughts and finishing off his Coke and cigarette. He didn't really know what to do in the meantime - whether to call Kaiba or let him call him back. It's the only thing he could think about at this point in time - if he didn't hear from Kaiba he was going to go nuts. If I leave it til tomorrow then it won't seem so desperate... Jou thought. But then he might think that I don't care, when I do! He's the only thing I do care about right now. Damn... this bites ass.

 

"Are you going to the barbeque?" Honda asked.

 

"Err...no? What barbeque?" Jou asked.

 

"Ryou and Malik have gone to Lake Kizaki for the day," Honda said. "They've invited everyone, including you."

 

Jou remembered the unread text messages on his phone. "Oh, right. Uh... well yeah, I guess I'll go. Are you?"

 

"Yeah. You can come with me, if you want. I'm meeting Otogi there."

 

"Sure..." Jou said, somewhat distracted. "Is-"

 

"Yes, they invited Kaiba, too." Honda interrupted.

 

Jou flushed. "He probably won't come."

 

"Try not to worry about it," Honda said, patting Jou's shoulder. "If he doesn't come then you have a whole day to relax in the sun and cure your hangover without worrying about him."

 

Jou deadpanned. "You are being sarcastic, right?"

 

Honda laughed. "Sorry, dude. But, you know, it might help... a bit."

 

Jou sighed, frustrated. He decided to change the subject. "So, shouldn't we be going? It takes about forty minutes to get to Lake Kizaki from the city."

 

"Yeah, you're right. I'll just grab some beers and stuff and we'll go."

 

Jou cringed at the thought of consuming more alcohol. But then again, maybe drowning himself into a drunken stupor once again would cure the constant ache for a certain cobalt-eyed CEO that had superseded him.

***

The day had become progressively warmer and being stuffed inside a protective leather motorbike jacket and helmet did not give Jou the greatest peace of mind. The twists and turns of the country roads along with the heat was making him feel somewhat queasy. He just hoped the trip would be well worth it - and that he made it there without throwing up all over himself and Honda, causing a potentially fatal accident in the process.

Finally the two boys passed through the small lakeside town of Onachi City and found the rest of the group down by the lake shore. Sweating bullets, Jou and Honda jumped off the bike and tore off their jackets and helmets, panting like rabid lunatics. In due course, Honda dramatically mock-collapsed and lay spread-eagle on the ground panting while Jou proceeded to vomit all over the camp site grounds - and then collapse next to Honda.

"Um... dare I ask?" Yuugi stepped up to them cautiously.

"Rough ride was it, boys?" Anzu joined Yuugi's side, staring down at them.

"Remind me never, ever to go on a motorbike hung-over." Jou said, managing to sit up.

"Oh, Jounouchi!" Ryou came bounding over, decked out in a baseball cap and smelling strongly of coconut-scented sunscreen. "Are you alright?!"

"Don't panic, Ryou. Just a little motion-sickness, is all." Jou reassured, getting to his feet. "I'm fine."

Shizuka was the next to confront Jou. "Why didn't you return my call, Katsuya?" she asked angrily. "I was worried sick about what happened to you last night!"

"Man, today just is not my day, is it?" Jou laughed, looking at Honda.

Jou was proved wrong, though, as he started to enjoy himself as the day progressed. Ryou and Malik had cooked up some wonderful food on the barbeque grill which, followed by yet another chilled Coke, settled Jou's stomach - he was starting to feel a bit more back to normal. Honda and Otogi were the first ones to go for a swim in the chilly waters of Lake Kizaki, but it was a refreshing change after the sweltering late afternoon heat. Everyone seemed to be in some sort of activity, but Jou was happy to just sit back in the shade watching them.

Maybe this is all I really needed to take my mind off things... Jou thought. Once I get back to school I'll have to front up to Kaiba anyway. Honda was right - everything will be okay. I gotta stop being so paranoid...

"Hey, Jou," it was Malik.

Jou looked up from his spot in the grass. "What's up, Malik?" it was rare that Malik and Jou talked just for the sake of talking.

The lavender-eyed Egyptian took a seat next to Jou at the base of a thick sakura tree trunk. "Beer?" he asked, handing Jou one.

Jou's stomach literally recoiled. "No thanks, Malik." He politely declined.

Malik shrugged and cracked one open for himself. "You've been pretty distant today; is something wrong?"

Jou was quiet, wondering how to approach Malik's bold question. "Ever had the feeling of not knowing? Kinda like being held in suspense?"

"Yeah... Sort of like waiting for test results?"

"Yeah, similar to that." Jou said. "Well, that's kind of how I'm feeling right now."

"Mind if I ask why?"

Jou sipped on his Coke. He wasn't sure if he could trust Malik enough to tell him. "Just... someone I got involved with. I'm waiting for them to call," He knew it sounded lame, but it was believable.

"Ah, I know that feeling," Malik said. "And you don't really know what to say to them when they call anyway, right?"

"Something like that."

Jou and Malik gazed out to their friends splashing about in the sparkling lake. Just when Jou was about to go and join them, a dull rumble sounding from the hills became louder and sent Jou's spine tingling. The source of the sound eventually showed itself as a sleek dark green Bentley Hunaudieres rolled into the parking lot in the distance. Jou remembered the first day Kaiba had picked him up in it, and just about fainted as realisation set in.

"Who the hell is that?" Malik remarked, obvious envy in his voice. "Nice car."

His answer spoke for itself as Kaiba emerged from the driver's side door and alarmed the car. Jou didn't know what to feel - thrilled that Kaiba had actually made an effort to come; terrified at what he might have come for; and completely flustered as to what might be said - he hadn't even thought about what he might say to Kaiba when they next spoke to each other. Jou's heart leapt into his throat as Kaiba walked closer. He was wearing faded denim jeans and a loose-fitting white shirt, half tucked in at the front. Jou found himself fixated.

"Hey, Kaiba. Nice to see you showed," Malik said, somewhat mockingly.

Kaiba did not falter. "Actually, it's Jounouchi I came to see."

Malik stared blankly at the both of them for a few moments, before shrugging and heading off toward the lake without a word. Jounouchi promptly got to his feet on Malik's hasty exit, his palms becoming clammy, heart beating faster than ever.

"I didn't think you'd come," Jou mumbled.

"Oh, I always come," Kaiba smirked. "You of all people should know that."

Blood immediately rushed to Jou's face. "You... wanna go somewhere a bit more private?"

Kaiba nodded. "Let's walk," he said, walking past Jou and further up the stony beach.

Jou followed behind him, trying to ignore the others gawking at them. Amidst the jaw-dropped faces of his friends was Honda smiling at him. Jou winked back and joined Kaiba's side. Together they hiked up a rocky terrace and sat down on a boulder which overlooked the lake and was out of sight of the others. It was a truly spectacular view. Jou knew Kaiba wasn't particularly one for nature, but at least he thought it was beautiful.

"I'm sorry I had to leave so early this morning," Kaiba said, looking out over the lush green landscape.

"Gotta do what you gotta do," Jou shrugged. "It would have been nice to wake up next to you, though."

"I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."

Again, Jou thought. Does this mean he wants to see me again? "Kaiba... just because I was drunk last night doesn't mean I didn't mean what I said."

"I was afraid of that," Kaiba said. "I meant what I said, too."

Jou decided to take the plunge and ask the question he'd most been wanting to ask. "So, what now?"

"Well... I want to try a relationship, but it would be difficult. There's a lot at stake."

"Your reputation," Jou said, glumly, realizing that Kaiba coming out as bisexual or gay would spark rumours worldwide. They'd be in the eye of the tabloids for months.

"And the future of KaibaCorp." Kaiba added.

"But you're the Chief Executive; they have nothing on you." Jou said. "Does it really matter what anyone else thinks?"

"No, it's not so much me that I'm worried about," Kaiba said. "It's you... and Mokuba. Once it hits the news, we're going to be flavour of the month, and I wouldn't want to put that pressure on you. I'm not really sure about Mokuba, either... What kind of a role model would I be to him?"

Jou blinked. None of these thoughts had occurred to him until now. "I didn't realise this could be so complicated..."

"Jounouchi... I don't know if you want this as bad as I do, but we can make it work. It will just be difficult for a while."

"What do you think Bell would have wanted?"

"You really want to know what I think?" Kaiba asked, turning to look at him.

"Yeah,"

"I think she's the one that brought us together."

Another new thought that hadn't occurred to Jou. "Really?"

"Think about it - if you had never got detention, you wouldn't have met her; you wouldn't have found out that I was trying to pursue her, then we wouldn't have started fighting over her. She was our only common ground before... the accident." Kaiba said quietly. "I guess it was in fate's plan."

"I didn't think you believed in it." Jou said.

"The Battle City Tournament made me believe, if nothing else." Kaiba replied. "I think Bell would have wanted this - she hated seeing us fight, I remember that."

Jou smiled, remembering the punch-up they had had in the school cafeteria, and how upset Bell had been afterward. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I just feel kind of... I don't know, bad."

"Well don't," Kaiba said, touching Jou's face.

Actions speak louder than words... Jou thought as he put his hand around the back of Kaiba's head and leant in to kiss him. The same electrical sparks ignited within Jou just like last night, and he thought that he could probably get addicted to the feeling. Kaiba was such a good kisser; he was good at everything. But before Jou could once again get carried away, he had a million other things to ask.

"What about school?"

Kaiba frowned. "What about school?"

"Everyone knows how Yumachi-sensei is against bi's and gays... And everyone in school knows that we hated each other - it would just be too much for them if they found out we were seeing each other." Jou mumbled.

"No-one has to know," Kaiba said. "We'll just keep it on the low."

"What if people start asking questions?"

"I'm helping you with your math, aren't I?" Kaiba replied. "That's not exactly the whole truth, but it's not lying, either."

Jou smiled - he had forgotten how sly Kaiba could be. "Don't you think this whole thing is a little ironic?"

"In a way," Kaiba replied. "It's your usual story of two people covering up their true feelings for each other by... doing the opposite." he blushed at that.

"I'm glad that's changed, now." Jou said. "There is one person that I've told, though..."

Kaiba looked startled. "Who?"

"Honda," Jou said. "But he won't tell anyone, don't worry. He's good at keeping secrets."

"Maybe we should keep it secret for a while, anyway." Kaiba said. "It might just be easier."

"So, does that mean you're still gonna pick fights with me in the caf'?" Jou asked, laughing.

"No, I'll just ignore you like I usually do."

Jou had to laugh at that. Now that they had had this discussion, he felt contented, satisfied. All his worries - well, maybe not all - were put at ease for now. He was still concerned as to how his family - i.e. Shizuka - would feel about this. It was such a big new thing for him to deal with, but he was excited about it. He tried to remember when Ryou and Malik started seeing each other; they worked together, for a start. That's obviously how they met, but what was everyone's reactions when they started dating? Well, for one, Ryou's father lived in England and his mother was dead, and Malik's parents were also deceased, so they didn't have to worry about their family's thoughts. But Malik has a sister... I wonder what her reaction was. Jou wondered.

“What are you doing tonight?” Jou asked.

 

“Preparing for the math test tomorrow,” Kaiba replied.

 

Jou blanched. “Math… test?”

 

Kaiba grinned forebodingly. “I can help you with it; but whether we actually get any studying done is an entirely different kettle of fish.”

 

Jou shrugged. “Ball in your court, let's go.”

 

Kaiba and Jou got to their feet and walked - hand-in-hand - back down the rocky track to the lakeside. Everybody seemed to be busy packing up for the day, so Jou mentioned to Kaiba that it was probably an appropriate time to slip away, anyway. As Jou walked to the car, watching the sun setting in the west, highlighting the sky brilliantly with sultry streaks of gold, pink and lavender, he figured his life had never been better. As the final year of school approached an end, he felt both scared and excited to what the future - hopefully with Kaiba in it - could bring. Guess I'll just have to wait and see, eh Bell?

 

* * * END

 

JG-chan: Thanks to everyone who read this ^^ I hope you liked it… I know it probably started off pretty crappy (seeing as I was 16 or 17 when I started it and at an amateur level of writing O.o) but I hope you're not disappointed with the end. Let me hear your thoughts! Ja for now!! ^0^