Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The hot tub ❯ The Hot Tub ( Prologue )

WARNING: Rated for sex and language and all that other fun stuff. If you can't stand it, please, please, don't read it! This is not a dare, I mean it. I can be very overly descriptive.

GENERAL BACKGROUND: This piece is way out of context, but I think it can stand alone. It may or may not become part of a larger fic. Basically this scene takes place after the Duelist Kingdom Tournament. Maximilian Pegasus has his millennium eye back and Seto Kaiba has invited himself to his hated enemies castle to plot his revenge. If you remember, Pegasus had kidnaped Mokuba (Setos little brother) during the Duelist Kingdom and Seto was also trapped in a soul card when he lost a duel trying to rescue him. They were only freed when Yugi beat Pegasus in a duel. Kaiba is still rather pissed about that and wants to kick some pink velvet covered ass. After a day of being interrupted by Yugi and his gang who also decided to stop by for some dueling, Seto finally gets some time alone with the Master of Illusions. A lot of extra background stuff is hinted at vaguely, but don't worry about it. As most Yugi-oh fans will agree, the main point here is the hot tub!

~The Hot Tub~

Seto Kaiba sat down and leaned back against the grey granite railing. He stared up at the vast unfathomable night sky. The tiny stars above seemed only distant pin points of light in a black paper screen. The heavens were so perfect it would not have surprised him if they flickered and disappeared just like so many of the other illusions he had faced today.

The young CEO sighed and sucked back another gulp from the cold amber bottle in his hand. A cool night breeze ruffled through the chestnut fringe that shadowed his eyes.

"This stuff isn't half bad." Seto turned to his grey clad companion. He lazily stretched his long legs out in front of him.

"Yeah, they make good beer in Canada. Chef Henri imports the stuff for his cooking, he won't use anything else. Doesn't want to jinx his recipe." Robert answered him in his slow easy going southern style. He grinned amiably. In fact he never seemed to stop smiling even when he talked. The shorter young man was very pleased to share his poaching with Seto. His eager blue eyes were a shade lighter than the millionaire's but they held no sense of exclusion.

The mismatched pair were sitting on the flat stone roof top of one of the castle halls. Along the center of the space was a blue and mauve glass skylight that ran the length of the grand room below. The dark stained glass reflected the stars and the perfect moonless sky. All around the edge of the rooftop flowering vines twined their way around railings and intricate gothic foliate. At the opposite corner from where Seto and the stairwell were more blossoming shrubs and vines had been planted. There were uncomfortable looking stone benches and other carved ornaments around it. A small bower had been formed by the vegetation to shield that corner in darkness.

"So Robert, you work in the kitchen, right?" Seto asked casually. He might actually be able to get some useful information out of this naive little hick. He was very glad he had decided to take a walk and leave Mokuba playing video games with Yugi and his fan club.

"Ya huh. Sure I do. I worked hard for this internship. Chef Henri is one of the best you can study under! He's got so many awards I bet he can't count em all! It did sort a help that my big sis works here too. She must have put in a good word for me. It was a real lucky coincidence that Chef Henri got hired here and I got my internship just when I got kicked out of school. Wasn't my fault but I couldn't go back." Robert took a long drag from his own beer bottle. His smile never seemed to waver.

*A real lucky coincidence, or a way for Pegasus to control his sister...who might have wanted to leave with a few secrets at the time.* Seto thought to himself. He knew the way things worked when you had enough money to throw around.

"You must like it here then?" Robert nodded once and Seto continued. "What's the oddest thing you've ever had to make?"

"The oddest? Well, lobsters were a real challenge the first time, they're a lot bigger and wilder than craw dads ya know." Robert laughed a little, the alcohol slipping into his voice. "But the oddest got to be eels. Those things are slippery devils when they're in a bad mood! Can't hardly wrestle em into a pot! Once I got my hand bit! "

"You don't say." Seto nodded and plastered a fake smile on his face. He was hoping for something more outrageous like human blood or live octopus being ordered. There was nothing he could use for black mail there. "What does Mr. Pegasus like to eat? What's his favorite? I bet you're good at making it, aren't you?"

Robert started to giggle. He was laughing uncontrollably. Seto wondered just how many beers the guy had gone through.

"What? What's so funny?" Seto demanded.

"The Master! He always says, when I ask him..." Robert paused to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. "He always says his favorite's green eggs and ham!" Seto took the bottle away from Robert who had fallen over holding his sides.

"Oh he's a real comedian, he is. That's a good one. Green eggs and ham." Seto huffed to himself. He was not going to get anything useful out of this kid. Not even which dish he should try to poison if he could get to the kitchen.

Seto grudgingly admitted his admiration for Pegasus thoroughness. The man ran a tight ship. He left no loose ends anywhere. No sign of vulnerability. Nothing. He had been observing his enemy all day searching for a weakness but to no avail. All Seto had seen since he arrived were security cameras, guards, and more guards. Even Yugi and his friends were throwing themselves in front of Pegasus like human shields.

The man himself was colder and more resolute than ever. There was an aloof edge to the quips and humiliating banter between them as if Pegasus sensed the stakes were deadlier this time. Kaiba felt as though he were being baited like a cobra by a mongoose. Pegasus meant to stay just out of his reach. That arrogance and disrespect alone would have made Pegasus deserving of death if Seto had his way, never mind his other crimes.

"Robert William Harris!" A sharp female voice split the fragrant evening air.

The young man yelped and jumped to his feet beside Seto. A red haired woman with flames dancing in her hazel eyes was glaring at them both. She had just come up the stone stairs without either of them hearing her. An impressive feat once Seto noticed she was wearing a pair of grey pumps to match her short skirt and suit jacket.

"Linda! What are you doing here?" Robert scratched the back of his head groggily and grinned up at his sister. He took a quick glance back down at Seto who was holding two beer bottles. Seto quietly moved his own empty bottle onto its side behind his leg. He knew it was too late but Robert deserved that little consideration.

"What do you think I'm doing here! Why does my little brother have to be the densest tree in the forest! Dam it, the whole frickin island is laughing at you, you dolt! You're on every screen in the office!" She stormed over and grabbed Robert roughly by the ear.

"Ow! But Sis! What did I do?" He whined as the solidly built little woman began to drag him off.

"Don't you dare give me that! I find you up here drinking again and I'll have the Master ship you right back home! Why I let him talk me into bringing you here in the first place..."

"You don't mean that sis. I know you don't. We're family!" Robert tried to straighten up and twist away from her. For the first time his smile had wavered.

"Family my ass! You're an embarrassment to me! You always have been! You always pull crap like this and say it's not your fault." Linda threw him away from her and her glare hardened to a degree that made Seto think her face would crack. "Well here's a news flash boy, you're the one who's ruined your life and this is the last chance you're gonna get to fix it. Do you understand me?"

"But, but...I only..." Robert looked at her with large blue puppy eyes. His expression was not even fazing her. He gulped and looked around for help. Seto got to his feet and shook his head. He left the empty bottles against the railing. This was none of his business and Robert was on his own.

"Now now, Linda. Boys will be boys."The smooth words made both the siblings spin around. A veil of shadows was gently receding from a tall familiar silhouette.

Master Pegasus stepped away from the shadow portal as it closed on itself. There was little disturbance to the natural world from the magical gateway he had such tight control over it. If Seto didn't know shadow magic when he saw it he would almost guess Pegasus had come up the stairs like every one else and had simply been standing in a patch of darkness not caught by the flood lights.

"Oh, Master Pegasus! I'm sorry if we disturbed you. You didn't have to use a portal, you could have sent for us, we could have come to you. I'm really very sorry, we should not have been fighting. It won't happen again Sir." Linda immediately apologized. She had certainly seen the magic for what it was. Both of them had, and yet neither one was at all surprised. This immediately gave Seto a feeling of alarm. Pegasus was using his magic so regularly he did not even try to hide it from his staff. And they were not the least bit afraid of it.

"No it's quite alright. I was on my way here anyways." Pegasus walked over and put his white hand on Linda's shoulder. "You two really should try to appreciate each other more. Not all of us are so fortunate to have your closeness." He smiled kindly at the two of them. Their expressions instantly lightened and they regarded one another with new warmth.

"Yes, I'm sorry. You're right Master Pegasus." Linda realized her Masters loneliness for the first time, and also his wisdom. "I never should have been so angry, I didn't mean any of what I said Robert." Linda had a new softness on her sharp features and she reached out and took Roberts hand. Her brother smiled his usual smile. Pegasus moved back and leaned on his cane as they hugged. Linda gave Pegasus a questioning glance and he nodded once to her. Both of his employees turned away and left, going back down the staircase with the beginnings of happy chatter echoing.

Kaiba stared at Pegasus strangely for a moment. The man was wearing a long oriental style robe in red satin with a golden phoenix disk pattern embroidered over it. His feet were shielded only by plain reed woven sandals. The shoulder length tresses of his silvery hair were covering the gold of his left eye. He seemed a vision of self absorbed exotic vanity.

Yet the subtle manipulation of the two fighting siblings had Seto confused. He was sure Pegasus had done something to change their emotions. But why? Why did he care if those two servants quarreled? Why would Linda assume they had disturbed him and that Pegasus had come up here for them? There was something in this that Kaiba knew he was missing.

Pegasus didn't care if the boy stole a few beers. He shouldn't care that the staff were gossiping about it. Perhaps Linda was the key. She was part of the security team. One of the elite agents Pegasus always preferred to have on hand when he traveled. Seto had skimmed her file, she had been one of the agents in the cemetery who had held off his men. Pegasus must need her undistracted, for his own safety. Again Seto grudgingly admired the mans clever leadership abilities. Absently he wondered if a prize like Linda could be bought to work for him once he destroyed Pegasus.

"So if you didn't come up here to punish your employees, what do you want with me?" Seto stepped forward showing he was not at all intimidated by the seemingly benevolent display of power. The heartwarming scene had actually made him harden his resolve all the more. Pegasus had almost taken his brother from him. He deserved to die.

"Absolutely nothing." Pegasus answered him cooly with a flippant wave of his hand as he strolled right past Seto.

The lights in the opposite corner of the roof top sprang to life. Small paper lanterns of red and gold hung in the branches of perfumed rose bushes. The tea lights danced through the foliage like jeweled fairy suns causing the yellow and damask blossoms to glow. The holographic illusion of the stone rooftop slid back revealing the steaming froth of a large hot tub sunk down beneath the magical bower.

It made Seto shiver both with rage and apprehension. He wanted to turn on his heel and storm out after such an insult. But that would only mean Pegasus would win again. Seto thought Pegasus was the one intruding on him, but in truth it was the other way around. He smiled at this new thought. It was his turn to be the annoyance.

"So, this is where you go to hide after you loose a duel?" Seto called at Pegasus back as he followed closer. "Nice little fantasy world you've got here." He mocked in a taunting voice. He watched as Pegasus laid his cane flat and crouched down next to the luminous turquoise swirling waters. The man refused to answer him. It was a shocking first. Pegasus held out his hand to the air and a blue crystal bowl filled with potpourri instantly appeared in it.

"Sub space pockets you know." Pegasus replied absently as an explanation. He looked like some sort of richly adorned elven prince as he kneeled against the vapor. He cast out a few hand fulls of the sweet spicy herbs and dried flower petals into the water. He tilted his head curiously as he watched the colored bits spin around and slowly sink away. Seto couldn't help but take a heavy breath of the seductively fragrant brew. The bowl of herbs disappeared under a wave of smokey darkness.

"Yeah, I've heard of those. They're a dime a dozen in the shadow realm. I'd have thought you could come up with a more impressive trick than that." Seto cautiously came closer. The cool night air made him shiver. He was tense with anticipation. He didn't know how long he could keep pushing Pegasus before he got a violent reaction out of him. He wanted Pegasus to get angry. He wanted him to become careless. But with a man this powerful, even a careless attack might be a little too much for him to stand. Still, Seto was in the mood for danger right now. He wanted to know how much Pegasus could do.

"It's a pleasant evening, yes?" Pegasus flatly ignored his challenge. It was the worst insult Kaiba had received to date from the man. His hate roared to full force.

"What the hell are you trying to pull?" Seto yelled at his enemies back."Why don't you face me!" He clearly meant it as a dare, a final confrontation. Kaiba wanted a fight.

"Oh, please forgive me!" Pegasus said as if he had been startled out of a daydream. "Where are my manners! Won't you join me, please? You do look awfully tense." He stood up and turned to smile at Kaiba. The soft glow of the tea lights and the stars could barely compete with the warmth of his expression as he held out his hand.

Setos eyes went wide and he took a few steps back. He had never in his life seen anyone look that innocent and sincere. The truth in it jolted him. That Pegasus could act a lie so well in every way possible. If he didn't know the man he would have believed him and trusted him with anything at that moment. Thank god he recognized the trap for what it was.

"Fuck you! I am not some stupid child you can lie to! I don't give a dam about your magic or your jokes. This isn't funny! I'm serious! I am here for revenge! "

"Of course you are. Had I but a way to repay you I would take it. But things being as they are..." Pegasus intoned gently. The warm expression on his features shifted into something like regret only sweeter and infinitely sadder.

"Stop mocking me! You're no man of honor no matter what you claim. If you were you would be dead by now." Seto came forward again and he stared into Pegasus with his glacier blue eyes. His hands hardened into fists and he was an inch away from striking the taller man. It could get him thrown off the island before he could kill him properly, but it would make him feel so good! If only Croquet hadn't taken his gun away! If only he weren't watching them right now with a sniper rifle. That paranoid old goat was the one thing standing between Seto and his vengeance.

"Kaiba, I'm tired of this. In fact, I'm just plain tired. You must be too." Pegasus rubbed the back of his neck and wrapped his arms around his chest. The night was chilling him.

Maximilian frowned a little as he looked Kaiba up and down. He clearly knew the homicidal thoughts running through the others head. Setos anger was wearing him out so badly that he could barely stand a moment more. There was nothing he could do to resolve this now.

He was badly tempted to go to Kaiba and take all his rage. To drink it in and heal it like some sort of vampire. He craved that pain more than anything else in life. It was hurting him now but if he could only get close enough he could fix it.

The anger was tempting him, beating into him more and more every second and he wanted it. He wanted it all. But Kaiba would never allow such a thing. Kaiba didn't want to be healed. It was a hopeless drain on them both right now and that was that. If Pegasus didn't sit down soon he knew he was going to fall over. It had been such a long day filled with so many hurtful emotions. It was a wonder he had been able to balance any of them out at all.

Pegasus turned his back on the blistering young man and his cold rage. He approached the heat of the lovely soothing water again. He paused to caress the soft blossom of a pale yellow rose at the frothing edge. The feeling of the real blossom beneath his fingers always settled his nerves. It convinced him that his lost love had been just as real and there was some comfort in that.

Seto watched Pegasus move away from him. A natural feeling of relief he couldn't help passed through him as if a predator had turned away in it's search for his hiding place. He was sure Pegasus had just looked into his thoughts. There was nothing he could do to prove it. It made him even more outraged. That the violation of his mind was something so common the man didn't even feel the need to comment on what he had found there. And Pegasus turned his back on him again! It was as if he had no fear at all! He was belittling Seto with every gesture he made! Kaibas anger rose ten fold inside him and he ground his teeth to keep from screaming his rage.

Miracle of all miracles, as Seto watched he saw Pegasus shudder and tilt to one side. The man quickly regained his composure with an elegant flip of his hair. For a moment Seto wondered if he had really seen what he had seen. Did Pegasus only trip on something? The young man didn't think so.

It was as if lightning suddenly struck Seto's brain. A dozen small reactions from the day came back to him. His careful study of his enemy had not been wasted after all. Kaiba immediately raised his anger around him again before Pegasus had any time to know he was on to him. Kaiba leveled all his frigid boiling anger at his enemy all at once. It was an experiment. It was risky. He stood there expecting nothing to happen but feeling like the whole world should explode before his fury.

Kaiba was as surprised as his enemy when he heard Pegasus gasp and watched the tall man crumple to the ground before him. Pegasus was down on his side and he turned over heavily onto his back. The cold dark stone of the rooftop set off the rich scarlet satin of his robe as his listless form was washed in the undulating light reflecting off the water.

Pegasus could sense Croquet near. A new sharper wave of anger was coming from his old friend and he quickly sent a message into his thoughts. He ordered Croquet to stand down. He told him firmly and with a feeling of pressure on the others mind to keep his reactions in check.

*Hold Croquet, hold. I may yet need you but do not interfere now.*

Seto was stunned at this sudden collapse. He could see the mans right hand tightly clenching the fabric over his heart. He watched in silent fascination as Pegasus breaths came in quick gasps from his parted lips. A few moments more and his Adams apple slowly moved up and down. He opened his eye and turned his head to look at Seto, his hand releasing from his chest.

The assassin slowly grinned down at his victim. It was a slow sweet smile and Kaiba savored the moment. At once any thoughts he had of killing Pegasus evaporated from him. This was so much better! This torture, this could keep Pegasus in agony for the rest of his life! And no one could ever stop him! No one could ever prove it. Kaibas hate was his weapon!

"Seto." The light airy voice. The voice of innocence and reason. The voice Kaiba hated above everything else in this world for falseness he couldn't expose. He stared cruelly down at Pegasus and let loose another volley of his anger. He projected his harsh emotion right at the other mans chest where he knew he could feel it. Pegasus was flawed. He was weak. The eye gave him the strength to read minds, and the magic of the shadow realm, but his heart was weak and open. It made him feel the pain of his victims.

Kaiba laughed mercilessly as he watched Pegasus neck arch back and his passive face twisted with pain.

"Feel this you bastard!" Seto growled. His hate was a never ending ocean and he sent him wave after wave.

"No. Seto, please?" Kaiba saw him raise himself shaking with exhaustive effort onto his knees. Pegasus was begging him. A gold and scarlet draped emperor on his knees. The high and mighty Pegasus was begging for an end to his torment! At that moment Kaiba was drunk on power. So giddy with the thrill of victory he did not expect what happened next.

"Please...please let me help you?" Pegasus was on his feet too quickly. His hands gripped Kaibas shoulders as his gentle face peered down into his eyes. Cold blue steel met warm cinnamon spice and powerful gold. The millennium eye was not going to let its host be overwhelmed so easily. Kaiba barely caught the soothing tones of the deep voice in his ears before they were pressed into his mind as well. The close amber and citrus scent of Pegasus filled his awareness.

"No, no, I..." Setos voice cracked. He tried to turn away but the fathomless gaze held him. Even Mokuba could never look this pure! What the hell was this man? How could such evil be cloaked by such overwhelming empathy? Kaiba thought he should be afraid because he couldn't move yet nothing in his enemy felt threatening. In fact he had never felt such an illusion of safety and he let himself be fooled by it willingly. He wanted to seem brave.

*It was not your fault that Mokuba was taken by me. You know I meant no harm but I wounded you greatly. I will never ask for your forgiveness. But you must not let this anger for me consume your life. Mokuba does not admire Yugi more than you. You are his brother. That cannot be taken away. He loves you and you did not fail him. You tried your hardest. You gave everything for him. You did not fail. You have nothing to prove here. You have always had my respect.* The true words rang out in Kaibas mind. They belonged to his own heart as much as they belonged to Pegasus. He felt something shift in his core. The dark coal of his rage was lessening with every passing heart beat as his pulse thundered in his ears. The world seemed to drop away and all he could see was Pegasus.

The strong man stood tall against the night sky in a glowing robe of purest white and his hair was a long shimmering veil that danced out behind him. His hands were clasped together lightly as if in a casual sort of prayer yet his face wore an anxious pained expression, an expression of heart felt longing and concern. Kaiba wanted to look away. He wanted to strike the other and run. Instead he felt himself slipping nearer to him. He felt himself wanting to smooth away the worry from that beautiful timeless visage. He wanted to accept whatever this alluring white creature could give him. On a wild impulse he dared to reach out a hand to test the vision.

It was then that Kaiba felt the warmth and the lightness. It was so swift he barely noticed anything taking place. Reflexively he drew back as if some hidden trap had been sprung on him. He was aware of Pegasus hands on his shoulders again and the earthy scents of the rooftop garden around them. The other man was looking down into his face only inches away from him. How he hated Pegasus at that moment!

Kaiba tried to raise his anger again. He tried desperately to hate Pegasus. He reached down to the very depths of his heart and tried to find the hurt that was there. A small gasp caught in his throat. There was nothing there! He was empty! The memories were still intact. The pain of those moments this man had tortured him with were intact. That's all they were now, moments in the past. Events that had been acted out and accepted and forgiven. They gave no fuel to his fire now. The anger was dead to him. Pegasus had extinguished his only weapon!

"Thank-you." Pegasus spoke softly as he released his hold from Setos shoulders and from his mind. Kaiba shuddered and stumbled back from him, his blue eyes wide as if he beheld some hideous monster.

"What the hell are you! What did you do to me?" Seto yelled at him as he trembled in the shadowed night air. Pegasus turned his face away for a moment as he were considered it for himself.

"I am an artist. You know that." He spoke as if it was the simplest thing in the world, also the most secretive. Kaiba blinked at him. He had never thought of Pegasus as an artist. But the man was right. Nothing else could be more right and it seemed an honest revelation. "Sometimes, on nights like these, the human heart is my canvas."

"What did you do?" Kaiba prodded again with a hint of desperation and fear creeping into his voice.

"I showed you a picture of life. I reminded you what it is to live and create and of the things that you treasure most. I took your hate and your anger and I gave you light. I am a hikari after all." Pegasus smiled a small hopeful smile as if he wanted Kaiba to understand him.

He hoped Kaiba of all people would understand. The high priest in another life had chosen him because of his light and his open sensitive heart. Would Seto who used to be Seth remember him now? Would Seth remember how he slaughtered his Yami, his beautiful dark on the altar? Could he tell him what became of her soul?

"You're a light? I don't understand. Is this something to do with the shadow magic, with that eye you wear?" Kaiba shook his head and stared at Pegasus. The older man sighed and looked away. The Pharaoh had done a thorough job of sealing away Seths evil side along with his memories of the past.

"For each millennium item there is a dark soul and a light soul, both joined by the magic. Today you met Khary and Yami, the darker halves of Ryou and Yugis millennium items. In the past only the dark halves existed and they slept in their items until the day they were joined with their lights. Except for mine. My magic was the first. You don't remember it do you?"

"No. Why would I remember any of this nonsense? And I don't believe in any of this magic shit. It's all just science I haven't come up with an explanation for yet. Souls and magic and mind reading, it's all insane garbage you know."

"Yes. Yes, I suppose you're right. But I'd still take it over sanity any day." Pegasus gave an ironic smile and his gaze settled on the steaming hot tub. He was so cold and weary he couldn't resist it any longer. Seto had other injuries to his heart that needed repair but they could wait. The young man had lived with the deeper memories and pain for years. A few more minutes would not kill him and he could not direct that very personal pain at Pegasus. Kaiba was too used to hiding it. Nothing was going to get between Maximilian and that warm water.

"Well?" Pegasus paused and looked back over his shoulder at Seto.

"Well what?" Kaiba snapped irritably.

"Are you going to come and relax or not?" Max slid off his sandals and held up the corner of his flowing robe. He dipped his toe in the water and made a little splash.

"You've got to be fucking joking! You really are insane aren't you?" The breeze blew defiantly through Setos long blue coat.

Pegasus winked his one eye and blew Seto a kiss. He turned his back on the young man yet again. By now he knew how much the gesture irked him. The slippery scarlet robe slid down off his shoulders and he tossed it over a low stone bench at the side.

Seto was practically sputtering with disbelief at that audacious display. Pegasus was teasing him! Pegasus was...he was...completely naked! For a split second Kaiba wondered if he would loose his sight. The night sky was dark and moonless but Pegasus smooth pale flesh seemed to make up for the missing planet.

The man shrugged his strong shoulders once, flexing the supple muscles of his back and tossing his straight silver mane of hair as if he were a wild stallion glad to be free of constraint. It was disturbing to Kaiba, to see the man as an actual man for once instead of an abstracted idea in his mind. There was no severe business suit, no strange costumes to distract him. Pegasus was not nearly as soft as he expected him to be. In fact, his muscular physique left Kaiba feeling extremely inadequate. It was like looking at a lean marble statue of Apollo chiseled with such fine definition even Michelangelo himself would be jealous.

Then Seto watched him move. Normally Pegasus appeared to be very graceful. He could swim through a crowd of people without even brushing one and his smallest gestures demanded blind devotion. Now, as Seto watched him slip soundlessly into the veil of steam and blend his elegant form with the color of the vapors his every movement seemed as fluid as the waist deep water. In fact after he had settled himself against the far wall of the basin there was little to separate him from the white foam and porcelain tiles. His hair floated out around his shoulders in elegant spirals. Something tingled hotly in Setos chest and spread lower. He had never beheld such frightening beauty.

Indeed, there was a disturbingly lethal quality to the other man. The sharp fierce build could deal more physical damage than Kaiba would ever have guessed him capable of. The lines were slender and strong. Yet there was not the overwhelming masculinity one would expect. Pegasus was not handsome. He was not manly. He was beyond any standard of male aesthetic. He was also beautiful in a way no woman could hope to achieve. He was simply Pegasus.

"Are you sure you don't wish to join me? It's good for you to relax once in a while. Don't worry, my little seahorse, I won't look." He closed his eye and leaned back against the rim of the hot tub with a wonderfully seductive sigh.

Setos resolve was wavering. It did look nice. The August night was getting cooler by the minute. Pegasus was not so brave that he was the only one who could strip down. Seto wanted to show the other man up. He knew Pegasus thought he would walk away. He wanted to walk away. He would rather eat live worms than get in a hot tub with his worst enemy. But it was a perfect hot tub, and Pegasus was daring him. And Pegasus was so perfect too...

"Don't worry about Mokuba, he's still playing with Ryou in the conservatory. You have plenty of time." Pegasus informed him with his eye still closed. He spoke as if he actually knew it as a fact. "Mokuba is winning right now, he's killed forty two zombies in this level of the game alone."

The information made Seto shiver. Pegasus did know exactly where his little brother was. He was reading the child's mind. Kaiba made his decision. He was not going to let this man and his displays of power shake him. He hastily began stripping off his clothes. At the very least he should keep close to Pegasus in case he tried anything. He was the type who would eventually boast about his plans. He was always talking a mile a minute putting on a show for attention. Here on the roof top he seemed in a strangely quiet mood and it made Kaiba all the more curious.

Seto fumbled with his boots and socks in his haste. He threw his long coat to one side and stripped off his navy dress shirt. He paused then, looking up at his adversary. Pegasus didn't move at all. If he had even smiled Kaiba would have grabbed his clothes and left. But Pegasus was as blissfully immobile as a statue while he basked in the warm steam. Seto undid his belt and stepped out of his slacks slowly, looking up warily several times. It would be too creepy to have Pegasus stare at him. Finally he was standing in his white silk boxers with the cool evening air fingering his legs.

With a last huff of contempt for his business rival Seto tossed his under ware aside too and immediately stepped into the hot turquoise water. His body was strong and naturally attractive. He was a young man in the tanned prime of his youth. Nineteen years old with a svelte well muscled figure. His slim hips made his modest shoulders look wider than they were. His stunning virtue could have escaped from a scene painted by Botticelli.

Seto breathed in the heady perfumed vapors of the mist. The shock of the heat was as wonderful as his anger had been. He sank down in the caressing waters and seated himself on Pegasus left. The water came up to his neck, nearly submerging his chin. He sat there glaring at the other man with his shining oceanic eyes a turmoil of bitter emotions and questions.

He wondered again what this creature called Pegasus was. Could he be artificial like Noah? His late foster father had created a son and lover for himself using Kaiba corp technology. This man here before him could be made by the same artificial process. Now that he was so close to Pegasus he could see the naked hairless chest rising and falling with each breath. The flaw of his single eye made him suddenly very human.

For a long while they both soaked in the silence of the late summer evening. The hum of cicadas droned off and on in the distance. So much time passed Kaiba began to wonder if Pegasus had fallen asleep. He also wondered if there was any point in trying to drown him. It really didn't seem to matter anymore.

"You know Seto. I used to think I knew you. When you were the champion and I was the creator." Seto flicked the damp bangs away from his forehead irascibly. Pegasus lazily turned his head towards him and opened his eye half way. "I realize now how little I wanted to understand. You showed me strength and I never looked beyond that. You were happy with your illusion so I let you keep it intact. But now..."

"Now, what?" Seto clipped off his words to show his impatience.

He still hated Pegasus. He hated that he was so powerless against him. He would always hate that feeling and the other would always remind him of his own short comings in comparison. At least with Yugi he could try to be on equal footing. He could try to win over him in duels. Pegasus had made it clear that dueling was meaningless to him now. In business he barely had a prayer of beating the man. Industrial Illusions was a multi national corporation with a sixty year history to it. Kaiba corp was not one fifth the size and had only gone over to the private sector from government research within the last ten years.

"Ah, so much anger for me still. If I didn't know better I would swear your darkness had never been banished at all."

"You're speaking of the Pharaoh, of the past. How much do you know?" Seto sat up a little straighter. He was suddenly curious. There was a tightness that spread across Pegasus face when he said the word "past". Maybe Pegasus had a few angst ridden skeletons in his closet. If he couldn't get something to black mail him with, then at least it would be worth it to know the man was not all perfect. He already expected he was partially nuts to believe in any of this magical previous life stuff.

"Inside my millennium item is a space I refer to as my soul chamber. Whenever I am joined with the eye I regain access to all the memories of my past lives."

"You've had more than one then?" Seto said mockingly. He let his hands float out in front of him in the white foam. He wiggled his fingers a little to create new ripples.

"Oh many more, yes. I'm addicted to life you know." Pegasus chuckled low in his throat as if Seto had somehow amused him.

"Sure." He answered flatly and he looked away up at the cool stars above them.

Pegasus ducked his head under the water. Kaiba continued to ignore him. A wave brushed up against Setos bare chest. When Pegasus rose up again with streams of water running over his soft skin and dripping from the golden rim of the millennium eye he was kneeling in front of Seto. He perched there on the ledge Seto was sitting on and he had his knees between the young mans legs. His hands were spread out on either side of the others chest gripping the deck so that he couldn't move away. Seto was breathing like a frightened rabbit and his eyes were shocked sapphire dinner plates. Pegasus made no move to touch him.

"Seto. I need to help you. I can sense you're falling apart inside and I won't be able to hold back much longer no matter how much you will resent me." Pegasus spoke plainly, gently.

The tone of his voice made Seto want to be sick. He knew what was coming next. He also knew he had no choice in the matter. He realized that at any time, no matter how safe he thought he was, this man could have taken him. Pegasus had magic, he had wealth, he had strength and influence on his side.

Perhaps tonight at this moment it was only a passing fancy because it was convenient? No, Kaiba knew this trap must have taken some complicated set up and preparation. Yes, he was sure of it. Even if he had not come into the hot tub tonight Pegasus would have taken him eventually. More forcefully. Mokuba may have even gotten hurt. Kaiba was glad it had happened this way because now no one would have to know. It was almost romantic the way Pegasus had taken the extra effort to set this up. It was by far the nicest place Seto could imagine for rape.

"Fine. Do it then. I know I'm no match for you here." Seto steeled himself against the other mans touch. He felt so warm in the hot tub, so wonderfully safe with Pegasus leaning over him. It was all an illusion. Pegasus was the master of illusions after all. Beautiful Pegasus who was going to hurt him the way only his foster father had ever hurt him. They were so alike, now that Seto thought of it. But his fathers hands had never been so soft...

*Seto.* Pegasus whispered into the young mans mind as he raised his palm and laid it against Kaiba's cheek. He could feel the others body straining for his touch and his mind locking up against it. *I'm not the jackal you think I am. I don't see weakness when I look at you. But I do see pain. The one thing I cannot stand is a soul in pain.*

Seto closed his eyes and braced himself for what would surely come next. There was no way in hell he was going to believe all the lies the man was telling him. It was all meaningless babble anyways. He didn't know what to expect from Pegasus. Whether it would be a violent assault or if the man would try to savor the act and draw it out as long as possible. He would prefer the first one. He was used to it and he wouldn't feel as guilty afterwards if he didn't enjoy it.

A long moment passed, and then another. Pegasus had not even touched him except for the hand on his face. Slowly Seto cracked his eyes open. The other had his eye closed and a soft glow lit the golden relic in his left eye socket. He was breathing rather quickly and a drop of either sweat or condensed steam ran down his fine roman nose. Seto just sat there wondering what the hell was going on. He figured he was in for a really weird lay.

*Oh hell, is he going to use magic for this too? What a freak! I should get the fuck out of here while I have the chance...except that he'll come after me and make a huge scene and everyone will find out and he'll get me anyways...Why doesn't he do something already?*

Seto was beginning to get anxious. He was also beginning to feel aroused. Being so close to the other man, breathing in the exotic scent of him, watching the water drip down the ridges of his torso and his thick eloquent arms as he leaned over him...If Pegasus didn't make a move soon, Seto was not sure if he could hold his own desire in check now that he was expecting the act.

Kaiba told himself he was not gay. He knew it. He loved women. He had several girlfriends every year. But beauty was beauty and sex was sex. And maybe it was meant as rape only because Pegasus didn't know how to ask. And maybe Seto could at least enjoy it a little this time. Maybe he could make it into something more.

*And Mokuba is fucking the queen of England right now!* He mentally admonished himself. *What the hell is Pegasus doing!?*

All at once Seto felt something snap inside of him. It felt like a heavy brick had been dropped inside his gut. He clutched his stomach with both his hands. He sucked in his breath and groaned leaning forward against Pegasus hard chest. He felt the strong arms wrap around him and they rocked him.

"Seto? Are you alright?" Pegasus asked cautiously. He tilted his head down and ran a hand through the damp silky nutmeg hair. Seto had his cheek against his chest and when he opened his eyes his lips were dangerously close to a rose pink nipple.

"What, what did you do?! What the hell did you do to me!" He demanded at once. He felt dizzy, euphoric, light. He had never felt so clear headed. He reached for emotions but he could hardly feel a thing. Had Pegasus drained him again?! Was he meant to be only an empty shell of a human being, like Noah?

"I took what you carry around every day with you. The black heaviness. The tears and wounds in your soul." Seto looked at him blankly. "I took your insecurities, your worry for Mokuba. And I gave you a way to accept it and move on. You did and now you're here." Still Seto did not seem to comprehend. He moved his hand up and down along Pegasus side marveling at the simple wonder of the flawless texture. "I took your pain."

Pegasus moved away from Seto suddenly. He sat on the opposite side of the water. He leaned his head way back and spread his arms out over the edge of the tub. Everything was silent except for the bubbling of the waters. Seto didn't know what to think but he was slowly becoming grateful for the new feeling. It made him want to smile for no reason at all.

"Pegasus?" Seto said in a dead whisper. The man made a small light noise between a groan and a sigh. He looked completely exhausted. Completely vulnerable. Seto realized he had been all along.

"Pegasus? I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything." He whispered. Seto paused for a few long seconds and watched him breath. The steam in front of his mouth barely wavered.

"Pegasus, are you alright?" He asked with the first sign of concern he had ever shown for his enemy. He did not receive an answer. He waited a while longer, but like an impatient child he couldn't hold back. A new clean energy was bubbling up inside him.

"Are you alright? You don't look too good." He pushed his way through the water and closed half the distance between them. His waves lapped up against the pale chest. He didn't really want to go any closer, but then again, maybe he should. He still hated Pegasus, but Pegasus was very beautiful. And Pegasus had not tried to rape him after all which meant that maybe they could have a little fun.

"I told you..." Pegasus opened his eye and looked over at his one time protege. He put his hand to his forehead in a dramatic motion Seto had never seen outside of soap operas but it seemed entirely natural on Pegasus. He sighed and gave up his irritated tone. "No, no I'm never alright. Not since you...You're the one who gave me the eye Seth. I know you don't remember, but I do."

After spending so much time delving into the young mans mind and soul he knew there was not a shred of ancient Egypt left there. His last hope of finding his lost Dark was gone. But aside from that he had a very satisfying accomplishment behind him. Seto Kaiba was whole in mind and heart and spirit. There would be no more over protectiveness for Mokuba, no more arguments and defensive blocking when ever anyone mentioned his father or anything related to his past and the death of his real parents. All his sensitive buttons had been turned off. He had come to terms with it all and he didn't even realize it had happened.

"You hate me then? Is that it? Is that why you enjoy humiliating me? Is that why you won't touch me?" That last part slipped out and Kaiba swore to himself. Pegasus didn't even move. There was no reaction on his face.

"No. I don't believe I'm capable of that anymore. Of hate. You've done a fine job of humiliating yourself on your own. You're as proud and stubborn as your dragons Kaiba. As for the other... I won't touch you because I know about your foster father."

"You know?" Kaiba spat at him. The usual rage was absent and he was able to think clearly on the subject for the first time. A new strength was there instead."You think I'm tainted, not good enough! Is that it! How long have you...fuck! You mind reading bastard! I hate you!"

"And yet you're getting harder for me by the second dear Kaiba boy." Pegasus fell back into his usual mocking tone. He hoped it would stop the other mans desires. He was too tired for love making at the moment and he certainly was not attracted to Kaiba. He didn't even lift his head to talk to the man.

"Maybe I am. What are you gonna do about it?" Seto was grinning impishly at him. Pegasus was not going to get any peace tonight. He would have to take the lead before Kaiba did.

"I'll make love to you if it's what you need, but I don't know...I don't really want..." He leaned forward slightly as if he were too weary to find any more words.

"It's ok. I'm not gay, not really. But the way you look, the closeness I feel... You make me feel safe Pegasus. I've never felt such security and trust. I hate you but I trust you and I do want you very badly." Setos own honesty surprised him as his eyes roamed over the others firm body. The torrid water was making him feel flushed and ardent. The same effect was not possible in Pegasus. His flesh seemed so icy.

"Oh there you are Seto! I've been waiting years to finally hear from you! All our conversations until now have been so guarded ." Pegasus smiled warmly. "You're truly wonderful, you know that?" His voice held the glory of seduction yet he made no move towards Seto.

"For all your crimes Pegasus, I think the worst is your beauty." Seto pouted and glared. His enemy laughed at him, a deep sultry laugh.

"Alright Seto. You know flattery gets you everywhere with me. We've danced enough tonight." Pegasus gave in and reached out his arms. Seto floated himself right into them. He found himself sitting beside Pegasus up on the water covered ledge.

"Don't think about love and sex. Think about pleasure. Let me give you that. Let me give you the thing you deny yourself most." Pegasus spun Kaiba around to face the wall. He moved his hands slowly onto Kaibas shoulders and began a deep massage. The other folded his arms on the deck and sighed. He put his head down but raised it again as a thought popped into his mind automatically.

"But..."

"Shhhh. Mokuba is safe with me. You're safe with me. I give you my word, I swear it on my very soul. Let go of your worry. Close your eyes and know this bliss." Pegasus whispered tenderly and continued to deepen the massage.

His powerful fingers swirled and kneading over the pliant young flesh. Seto was soon dizzy with the heat. No one had ever touched him like this before, the sensation was deliciously pleasurable and he let it overwhelm everything else. The intimacy of Pegasus cool jade smooth skin against his own was taking over.

Pegasus moved one hand down and trailed his digits lightly over Setos flat stomach. He dipped lower for an instant and then moved upwards again. Setos hips twitched under the water and he groaned disappointedly.

"Oh, oh god where did you learn this you evil cock tease?" Seto growled. He relaxed completely and lay his head back on Pegasus shoulder. He listened to the mans low laughter. It was a fantastic sound that made everything vibrate with warmth.

"My dark taught it to me."He mumbled as he arched his neck down and began kissing the salty condensation off Setos throat. The heart wrenching irony of the situation was not lost on Pegasus as he serviced the man who had destroyed his soul mate with the very tricks she had been so fond of.

He licked and nibbled as his hands found his nipples and pressed harder. Seto turned his face and their lips met in a viciously desperate kiss. Kaiba wanted more.

"Lower, please. You can't leave me like this." Seto ached painfully for him.

He pushed himself away from Pegasus and sank down on the bench on his back. The warm water lapped around his ears. His hard body was ghostly beneath the waves like a star shrouded corpse.

Pegasus loved the look of it. The colors from the water and the underwater lights reflected blue and mauve and gold. Seto expected the other to press onto him right away, but Pegasus merely gazed at him appreciatively. Seto reached up and pulled Pegasus down by his shoulder. They met in a gentle kiss that deepened and Pegasus moved his hands exactly where Seto craved them.

Pegasus felt oddly cold inside. He was not aroused in the least by this action. It seemed only academic to him. Like something out of a painting he was studying. After becoming so intimately acquainted with Kaiba on every other level this seemed like only a trifle, a mere token before they parted. After all he had already serviced the mans heart and soul and mind. In a way this would tie it all together more soundly. There was no passion in this for Pegasus. Not even physical lust. But the need was there in the other and he had already committed himself to answering it. He knew exactly how to meet Kaibas arousal.

Maximilian leaned over the younger man, one leg kneeling on the ledge, the other straight down on the bottom of the basin to avoid crushing the lovely thighs he was straddling. Seto supported his head above water with one arm out behind him while the other wrapped tightly around the cool muscles of Pegasus back. He was drunk on the feeling of silky skin under his fingers. Seto crushed him closer as their hot lips met again.

Blue eyes closed in surrender, after one last begging glance. He arched his body against him, groaning for more contact. The other did not disappoint.

Pegasus let him explore his mouth with his anxious tongue while he started to massage Setos inner thighs. The skin was on fire beneath his touch. He tickled the roof of Setos mouth with his tongue sending a shiver up his spine. Pegasus hands were so light and dextrous that Seto didn't even realize his length was being stroked until the waves of pleasure started building one upon another. The subtleness made his brain tingle with expectation. His breaths came in delighted gasps. He knew there was a reason he let this man live!

He pressed deeper into the sweet hollow of Pegasus mouth and flexed his hand over the strength of his broad back. The heat rose in his blood until he could barely stand it and the jets under the water bore into his ribs.

Seto opened his eyes and looked at the other man while they kissed. His amber brown eye was closed under dark velvet lashes and his face held such a distant peaceful quality. The way the steam dripped from his shining star bright hair and ran down over his temple and high fine cheekbones. There was something oddly familiar about the man. About Setos pyretic desire for him. He craved Pegasus touch the same way he craved the power of the dragons. His beloved Blue Eyed Whites. The image of the dragon excited him more. Pegasus was his dragon tonight.

Setos pleasure was so exalted and tight inside him he knew he was about to break. Pegasus had found the perfect rhythm. It thundered through his arching frame like the heart beat of a giant beast.

Just before Seto found his release to the building fires Pegasus deftly slid two fingers into his opening. Seto didn't feel a thing, he didn't notice at all through his shuddering exhilaration, until Pegasus pressed against exactly the right spot.

Seto yelled his name.

"Master Pegasus!"

He called him Master and for the first time Seto wanted it to be true. He wanted this man in his life. He wanted to be owned by respect for the other. It didn't have to be a fight, he could give in and trust him the way he did now. He could accept his help the way he accepted his hands and never think about the shadow of betrayal.

Again and again the rewarding rhythm washed steadily into Seto. It was pressuring around him and inside him at the same divine instant. Pegasus had held him down for more. He couldn't think, couldn't see. It was all so perfect, so much pleasure and light and beauty it overwhelmed him. It wouldn't stop. It was as deep and unending as the sky above them and Pegasus would never let him fall from those stars. They held each other sweetly with their lips.

Seto was teetering on the edge of his release, painfully, blissfully, hopelessly lost under Pegasus expert touch. He thought he had reached his climax when he was entered and this was something that came after to draw it out. He couldn't tell because everything here was hot and wet. He knew that's what Pegasus was doing. This could have been over in a minute but he kept it going forever. He wasn't sure how much he could take but he hungered for more!

Setos heart was pounding in his mouth as Pegasus broke away from the kiss. They must be almost done.

That's when Pegasus let him have it. Everything was hard and fast and right. It roared into him like a tsunami of flames. Seto could not have been more surprised if one of his dear Blue Eyes had turned on him. He screamed and gasped and screamed again and all the stars were gone.

Everything flashed red then white.

He saw the heat of a blazing desert sun and the slick waters around him became silken sand. A dizzy desert of fiery sensation that went on and on without end. It wouldn't end! This was better than pleasure, better than pain, beyond anything he had ever felt before! It totally consumed him. It didn't stop! It should have stopped but it only mounted in intensity again and again and again!

Pegasus kept it building a dozen times over. He was spreading his fingers inside Seto and kneading his prostate, matching the quick tightening strokes to his member as he squeezed everything out of him. Maximilian knew the proper nerves to hit to keep the young man at his peak. It was simple enough without magic or mental tricks. Life times of experience had taught him that much and more. Setos eyes had rolled back and he released until there was nothing left and kept on going cleanly. Pegasus watched Setos mind and his emotions closely. He would give this one all he could tolerate, but no more.

Seto thought he was going to die or was dead already. It was beyond anything he could stand to feel. He was so high and his body burned away far below him. He was still gasping with airless screams. He threw his head back and collapsed blindly under the deafening water but was lifted up away from it. His heart felt like it would explode from his chest.

Slowly, tenderly, the desert flames subsided. The frothing waters returned and became warm against his skin as his body cooled. He was desperate for air as he lay against the refreshing cold damp chest. Gentle arms enveloped him and his limp head was cradled on Pegasus shoulder. He felt fingers dance through his sweaty hair. The small tingling feeling was pure and wonderful.

*Pegasus was right. He is an artist. Those hands...oh god!* Seto licked his salty swollen lips. The world was spinning dangerously.

"Did that feel good?" Small simple words. Kaiba didn't grasp them with his euphoria hazed mind. He recognized the music of concern in the deep verdant voice.

"I hate you." He mumbled reflexively.

"I know." Pegasus laughed softly.

Seto smiled and dropped into sleep.