Winding Road

 

*** 

 

Needing normalcy after the recent dramas, the next weeks they determined to settle into a normal rhythm.  Jou slid into Seto’s routine with ease.  He started his days with he and Vic driving Seto to work, then spent the day puttering around the mansion, a few hours working on tutoring Vic, much more challenging now that Vic had to learn Japanese writing.  Being fluent speaking didn’t mean being literate.

 

Evenings were spent watching movies, working out, playing games, or doing whatever they chose.  Twice a week the ‘family’ would come over for dinner.  After dinner was time to relax.  Vic still fell asleep cuddled between his dad and Seto, but instead of staying the night, the two would slip out to Seto’s room and explore the boundaries of ‘touching.’

 

Despite Jou’s willingness to try more Seto insisted that they stay to within that limitation.  Jou didn’t realize it, but Seto could read him like a book and every time he touched the blond’s muscular opening he went bow-taut, his body saying what Jou couldn’t – or wouldn’t. Jou might be mentally willing, but he was not ready or passionately eager.  Both of which Seto wanted more than he wanted to orgasm in those tight depths.  He also knew it was too soon for Jou to top him.  The slowly building control wasn’t enough – he knew from past experience to rush it would leave them both frustrated, achy and angry.  Seto decided to concentrate on building friendship and establishing trust.

 

So days, then weeks slipped by.  Gradually, without him noticing it, Jou thought less and less of past betrayals and more of the present.  Christmas was bright and warm, filled with laughter and family.  Whenever Jou would slip into a pensive or melancholy mood thinking of the past, one of his friends, Vic, or even Seto would pull him from his reverie.

 

Contentment bloomed and the darkness began to lift in Jou’s eyes.  Much to the relief of everyone who knew, the shadow rifts caused by the imbalance of light and dark calmed.  It didn’t – couldn’t – last long.  Seto didn’t want ‘content’ he wanted and needed more, much more.  A report from the investigator he had watching Mai spurred him into action.

 

“Hey Seto, I was just thinkin’ of bringin’ ya lunch.  Thought we’d...”

 

“Jou I don’t have a lot of time.  The jet’s being prepared as we speak.  Remember my blue suitcase?  The one I keep packed for emergency trips?”

 

“Yeah, sure.”  Seto’s urgency made him stiffen slightly.  “You want us at th’ airport?  It’ll take a couple minutes ta throw mine an’ Vic’s stuff together too but...”

 

“No.  You and Vic stay home.  There is a crisis I have to deal with.  I am flying to China to assess it.  I won’t have time and Vic’s better off at home.”

 

“Not go?”  That disconcerted Jou for a moment.  He and Vic hadn’t been separated from Seto for more than a few hours.  He didn’t realize it but a hint of sadness and panic touched his voice.

 

Seto closed his eyes and steeled his nerves.  He had to do this.  For weeks they’d been in a holding pattern.  Jou had drifting along, healing and coming to terms with his losses.  They’d grown closer and were now honestly friends.  But Seto wanted more.  He wanted the passionate lover he knew Jou truly was.  Sexually Jou was seeing him as a friendly outlet.  He refused to settle for that.  This trip would give Jou a chance to miss him and let the blond find the strength to stand for himself.  Hopefully it would light his fire as well.  “Not this time.  You said Vic was ready to enter school again.  I scheduled an appointment for later today.  Check his planner then get him enrolled and settled.  See you at the airport.”  Seto hung up the phone and looked across the room at Atemu.  “I hope you’re right.”

 

“He needs distance from you right now.”  Atemu repeated what he’d said earlier.  “He is becoming too dependent.  Last night at dinner he actually obeyed you when you told him he couldn’t have ice cream.”  The spike-haired lawyer sighed and rubbed his neck.  “That’s not the Jounouchi you need.  He’s hiding behind you, hiding from everything that’s happened.  He still gets sad when he thinks about the past, still yearning for the illusion of what he believed was.  He should be righteously angry.  He will need that anger very soon.  Mai’s plane lands in ten hours.  You know she’s coming for him.”

 

“Yes.”  Seto pinched the bridge of his nose.  “I think he should be warned.”

 

“No.  He needs to deal with this alone, without hiding behind you.”

 

“I’m not going to China.  I’m staying right here.”

 

“Of course.  Just don’t be a handy shield.  He’s healed enough that he should be able to deal with her easily.  Vic – Vic will be at Marik’s.  She won’t get near him.  My word Seto.”

 

“You’d better keep my son safe.”  He smirked “It will help you practice for the one Anzu’s having.”

 

Atemu grinned and shook his head “Two.  Fraternal twins.  Same mother different fathers – not that it matters – we will both be daddy.”

 

“Busy.”  Seto bit back his questions and his jealousy.  He had a son, he didn’t want more.  And if he did there were plenty he could adopt.

 

“Always.”

 

“I was referring to Anzu.”  He ducked when a paperweight whizzed by his head.  “Let’s get to the airport.”

 

In Atemu’s car Seto picked up the topic again.  “Any word from Honda or Otogi?”

 

“Not a sound.  I checked with my sources though.  Honda was suspended for two days just after the incident.”

 

“So he admitted that it was his fault.”  Seto speculated.

 

“Probably the video had audio.  I am surprised you didn’t get a letter of apology.”

 

“They probably didn’t want to stir me up.  Let sleeping dragon’s lie.”

 

“Most likely.”  He pinched his lip thoughtfully.  “Kisara is still in jail.  Attempting to bribe the cops with sex was dumb, even for her.”

 

“She thinks she’s irresistible.”

 

“Probably because she once bagged the number one bachelor in Japan and number four bachelor in the world.”

 

“Rub it in.”

 

“Oh I will.”

 

“Never doubted it.”

 

“He beat us here?”  Seto was honestly impressed.  “How did he do that?”

 

“He was a NASCAR driver and you have to ask that?”  Atemu stepped out and waved “You made good time Jou!”

 

Jou, leaning against the Audi straightened and reached down to grab the blue suitcase.  Vic clambered out of the back of the car a rucksack on his back.  “Seto!  Dad says you’re going to China.  I wanna go.  And Dad too.”

 

A spurt of anger flared inside Seto.  He didn’t appreciate this kind of manipulation.  “Sorry Vic, no.  And don’t argue because I’m not changing my mind.  You have to start school and I have to work.  So no.”

 

“Aww...”  The little boy’s face fell, expression almost an exact image of Jou’s.

 

“But you can come kiss me goodbye.”  He smiled and held out his arms.  Like a shot the ten year old flew into them.  Although Seto was loving and supportive he rarely allowed physical signs affection.  It wasn’t that he pushed anyone away – he just had big boundaries. Both Jou and Vic, voraciously affectionate, had learned to take the opportunities offered.

 

A warm, peppermint scented kiss later and a whispered “I’ll miss you.”  Made Seto smile and ruffle the shaggy mop of hair that had settled somewhere between dusty blond and auburn.  “Have your dad get your hair styled.  When we get back I’ll take you guys out to dinner at Ginza Sky Lounge.”

 

“Oh cool.  Hurry home!  I like to watch when it moves.”

 

He moved to take his case from the pouting blond.  “Hnn...”  He glared down at Jou letting him see his displeasure at the attempted manipulation.  “Don’t use him to get your way.  It pisses me off.”

 

Anger flickered in the golden eyes and he snarled low.  “He was with me when you called.  I told him and he wanted ta ask.  I let him come ta say goodbye.  I wouldn’t ever... I hated it when Mai did it!”

 

Damn, he’d really screwed up.  Of course Jou wouldn’t use Vic that way.  “All right.  I’m sorry.”  He gave his lover a crooked smile.  “I misread you.”

 

“Damn right ya did.  I ain’t like dat.  Ya said no so ya gotta reason.”

 

“I do, and it’s a good one.”  The fire in Jou was intoxicating.  He hadn’t seen it in a while and it burned away his doubt.  Jou was strong enough to handle what was coming.  Before he could change his mind he bent and kissed the snarling, angry lips, drawing away quickly. “I’ll miss you too.  Try to miss me a little okay?  And take care of my guys – both of them or I’ll have to kick your ass.”  Snatching his case he turned away and strode to the hangar.  Jou’s loud, blustery voice reached him just as he entered the doors.

 

“Yo Kaiba!  More than a little!  Already!”  A tiny, smug smile curved his lips and a curl of happiness warmed the pit of Seto’s belly.  Jou was strong enough.  He would face Mai and come through on the other side whole and strong, with his fire burning brightly again. Dreading the separation, he boarded his jet and waited for the crew to go through the take off procedures.  He wasn’t going to china, but he was flying to Tokyo.  He’d use the Udjat to return to Atemu’s house after they landed.

 

As he watched Seto’s plane take off the day was suddenly flat to Jou.  He had his small list of chores, enrolling Vic in his new school and touring the premises, and now he had to finds a decent hair stylist for Vic.  Running his fingers through his hair he realized he was getting pretty shaggy too.  He’d probably get one too.  Before starting the car he glanced at his son.  “So, ya ready to go see yer new school?  Remember, yer name here is Kaiba Van, but ya can tell ‘em ta call ya Vic or Kaiba.”

 

“Yeah Dad, I got it.  Seto said it was to protect me but I’m kinda glad because I don’t want his name – Valon’s not Seto’s.  I’m kinda... well I like your name but... I...”

 

 

“Good.”  Jou ignored the pang.  He told himself that no matter what people called him Vic would always be his boy, but it still hurt.  “Now I got your paperwork and stuff in the glove box, and they are expectin’ us in an hour but we can always show up early, catch ‘em off guard.”

 

“Okay.”  Vic smiled and fastened his seatbelt.  “Lets roll.”

 

Jou fastened his own seatbelt and started the car.  Turning on the GPS he gave their destination and pulled out of the parking lot.  One last look in the mirror at Seto’s jet disappearing in the distance and he turned his attention to his day.

 

The headmaster was only slightly surprised that they were early.  “Of course it is no problem Jounouchi-san.  I am only sorry that Kaiba-san could not be here to tour the facility himself.”  The question was implied ‘Where is Kaiba-san that he cannot be bothered with his son’s education?’ And Jou heard it loud and clear.

 

“He was called to China to deal with an emergency.  We’ve just come from the airport.  Kaiba-sama wanted to say goodbye to his son and wish him well today.”

 

“I see.”  And he did.  An international crisis was more important than his son’s schooling.  He supposed it couldn’t be helped, but he hoped Kaiba-san didn’t make a habit of it.  “If you will follow me I will take you on a tour of the grounds and facility.  Also I will introduce Kaiba-kun to his sensei and his sempai.”

 

“Sempai?”  Jou was vaguely confused.

 

“All new students at our school are assigned a Senpai to guide and mentor them.  They mentor and train as needed.  Only the top students are chosen of course, and compatible backgrounds are a factor as well.”

 

“I see.”  Jou thought that was pretty cool.  “Tell me about his Sempai then.  Kaiba-sama will want to know.”

 

“Kaiba-kun’s background, living in England and having only one parent was a challenge, but I believe we found just the perfect Sempai.  Her name is Crawford, Cyndia and she is twelve years old.”

 

Jou blinked and scratched his neck uncomfortably.  That name was familiar.  He couldn’t place it until the headmaster elaborated.  “Her father is also a familiar figure in the gaming world, Pegasus Crawford, founder of Industrial Illusions.”

 

The blond gasped and paled, automatically reaching out to pull Vic to his side.  “Pegasus has a daughter?  Here?”

 

“We are pleased to have her.  She is a charming young lady and her father is quite devoted.  He retired from an active role in his company when she was a newborn.”  The headmaster beamed “He raises her himself, spends as much time as possible rearing her.  He recognized her need for socialization five years ago and brought her to us but they are still very close.”

 

“Retired?”  Jou was staggered.  He’d never heard that Pegasus retired.  He couldn’t feel bad for it, the soul-stealing psycho freak shouldn’t be in charge of a popsicle stand, much less a multi-national company, and that went double for him being in charge of a kid.  And if it was true he didn’t want that kid around Vic.  He wasn’t going to take any chances of the apple not falling far from the freaky tree.  “Never mind.  I don’t care.  I doubt Kaiba-sama would like Kaiba-kun around Pegasus’ child.  They ain’t known for bein’ good friends.”

 

The headmasters’ head came up proudly and he looked down his nose at the person he considered nothing more than a servant.  “Contact your employer if you must, but unless I hear that directly from Kaiba-san the arrangement will not change.”

 

Jou flipped out his phone and dialed Seto’s number.  The brunet answered on the third ring.  “Miss me already?”  There was a thread of laughter and something deeper in his smooth voice.

 

“Yeah, but that ain’t why I’m callin’.  We’re at th’ school an’ the headmaster says he’s hooked Vi..Van up with a Sempai ta show him around an’ stuff.

 

“I was aware of the practice.  It’s one of the reasons why I chose the school.  Why?  Is there some problem?”

 

“Well they wanna hook Van up with Pegasus’ kid.”

 

“Cyndia!  Perfect.  I’d hoped they would.  She’s a lovely girl with good manners and smart as her father.”  Seto’s voice was alight with approval.

 

Jou’s jaw dropped “Kaiba – hello – Pegasus – remember?  Bad guy?”

 

“All behind him.  I took over I.I. almost eight years ago.  It started to flounder after Pegasus retired to raise his daughter.  He still consults for me occasionally.”

 

“Uh... so ... yer good with this?  With...”

 

“It will be fine.  Vic will get along well with Cyndia.”

 

“Kaiba...”  Doubt still showed on Jou’s face, mixing with suspicion.

 

“Trust me.”  Seto’s voice was soft and a little husky, the tone intimate, as if they were still in bed coming down from heated touches.

 

Grudgingly Jou agreed.  “Fine.  But...”

 

“No buts.  Unqualified.”  Taking a big chance Seto whispered softly “I’ve not let you down yet have I?”

 

Jou could feel his face starting to burn.  Okay so what that the headmaster couldn’t hear, Vic couldn’t hear.  They were there - in the room. It seemed illicit and thrilling to hear that voice outside of the bedroom.  “No...”  He husked.  Clearing his throat he tried again.  “No, you haven’t.  Okay, I... Okay.”

 

Seto closed the phone quietly.  Jou looked at the headmaster.  “I s’pose it will be okay.  But I wanna meet her too.”

 

“Of course.  I’m glad your employer was able to calm your concerns.”  The man smirked condescendingly at Jou’s seeming change of attitude.  It was obvious the he thought Jou was an employee who had been put in his place.  It irked the blond enough to make him want to punch the asshole, but a small cough from Vic, probably because he recognized that his dad’s temper was about to detonate, made him firmly reign in his anger.  He was too grateful for the reminder to be resentful and it never occurred to him that it was a habit Seto had developed and Vic was copying.

 

The headmaster looked down at the boy.  “Are you getting a cold Kaiba-kun?”

 

“No.  Just a tickle.”  Vic grinned up at the man.

 

“Good.  Shall we tour?  Feel free to ask any questions you like, young man.”  The comment was directed to Vic and Jou had to bite his tongue to keep from snarling at the headmaster.  Acting like he wasn’t Vic’s dad was going to make him pop a vessel, he just knew it.  But if it kept his boy safe then he’d do what was necessary – even pop a vessel.

 

Vic smiled up at the teacher and then glanced at his dad, noting the red face and helpless fury in his eyes.  “I think I better explain somethin’ to you before you get into trouble, Sensei.  Kaiba Seto is my adopted father, but Jounouchi Katsuya is my dad.   They are together like any other parents would be.”

 

The headmaster’s eyes went wide and dark color ran up his face.  “Kaiba-kun, I’m sure you might feel that way, but you are too young to understand what you are saying.”

 

“I’m not too young.  They sleep in the same bed, they kiss and hug, and they...they are together.  That’s the same as my mom and dad from before used to do.”  He shook his head “No that’s not right ‘cause my mom and dad were never like they are.  Mom used to complain and dad would do what she wanted but they din’t really talk.”

 

The headmaster blushed and shot Jou a quick glance.  Jou smiled coolly.  No way was he going to discuss his relationship with Seto with the jerk.  “The tour?  Oh and uniforms? Kaiba-sama said in his notes that you had a tailor on premises and Van’s uniforms would be ready today before we left?”

 

Not sure how to interpret the look, but something, perhaps the way the blond’s eyes changed slightly when he said Kaiba-sama, confirmed what the boy had said.  This man was Kaiba Seto’s lover and if he wanted to keep his new and very prestigious student then the headmaster knew he’d better do some fence mending.  “Yes, that’s correct Jounouchi-san.  Would you like for Pegasus-chan to join us?  You can meet her and form your own opinion.”  He offered the olive branch on impulse.

 

“That’ll fine.”  Jou nodded and accepted the peace offering.  This guy was gonna be part of Vic’s life so it’s best he didn’t start off by kicking his ass.

 

With a hidden sigh of relief the headmasters started on the typical new student tour.

 

***

 

Vic was getting his hair styled, Jou was waiting at a small table sipping coffee and trying to decide if he wanted a whole new look, when a shadow fell across his table.  Curious Jou glanced up.  Instant fury lit his eyes.  Honda held up his hands in surrender before Jou could attack.  “Easy, I’m not here to fight.  I just want to talk.”

 

When Jou just continued to glare silent death at him, Honda sighed and sat in the chair across from him.  “You have a right to be angry, but hear me out first okay?”

 

“Fuck off.”

 

“Jou, I’ve never asked you for anything, not in all the times we hung out, not in all the times I saved your ass.  I’m asking for this one time, just listen.”

 

Rage for his friend and the helpless kid Honda had abandoned battled with old ties and loyalty.  Grudgingly, not giving a centimeter, Jou nodded.  “Fine, ya got five minutes.”

 

“I didn’t know she was pregnant.”  He went right to the heart of the matter.

 

“Didn’t know or didn’t want to know?”  Jou fired back.

 

“I... I don’t know.  Both I guess.”  Honda looked down at the table.  “You have to understand how it was.  She and I were both at the same legal office interning.  It was cool, we were friends and we hung out all the time.  We were both really busy and I kept putting off Otogi’s business dinners and stuff with excuses of work.  It was only kinda the truth.  I was embarrassed and ashamed about being in a gay relationship.  I didn’t want my bosses knowing I was with a guy.  Then someone at the office told Otogi that me and Anzu were together.  It was a lie but Otogi believed them.”  Honda shook his head slightly.  “That’s not true.  He didn’t believe them until I gave him reason to think it was true.  Otogi asked me to invite her over, wanted to hang with us, you know, just be friends.  But I was stupid and told him no, made up lame ass excuses.  Dumb as it sounds I wasn’t comfortable about being in a gay relationship.  I didn’t want anyone to see me... like that.  It’s so stupid and wrong.  Then when Otogi told guy that we were together, the guy came to me.  I denied it.  I will regret it forever but I denied being with Ryugi.”

 

“You denied you were lovers?”  Jou was blown away by that. 

 

“I... I was ashamed.  I could see it in his eyes.  If I admitted to being with Otogi it would have... He would have... looked down on me.”  Honda lowered his head.  “I told him Anzu and I were together, had been since high school and that we fucked like bunnies every time we got the chance.”  His voice lowered slightly “I even said that Otogi might look like a girl but he sure couldn’t fuck like one.  And then I...”  His breath caught “I made a remark about letting Otogi blow me, but for the real thing I’d go to Anzu.”

 

“And of course this guy brought that back to Otogi.”  Disgust made Jou’s voice cold.

 

“He didn’t’ have to bring it far.”  Honda flinched under the chill.  “I tried to laugh it off, to Otogi, say the guy was just a nosy asshole but Otogi... Otogi had been there, just the other side of the cubicle.  He heard every hurtful thing I said, every cruel lie that I spoke – and he believed them.”  Honda drew a ragged breath “He believed them.”  He gulped hard.  “He was in so much pain.  He was crying as if the world had ended – it had – I was just too stupid to realize I’d pushed the button.”

 

“Tossed your worthless ass out didn’t he?  And you turned to Anzu.”

 

“Yes.  It was the worst time of my life.  In the end I begged Otogi to take me back, after he showed up at a club Anzu and I were at.”  He swallowed hard.  “He paid me back for the pain.  He was obviously fucking his date – practically screwing him on the dance floor.  He was shameless and completely open.  As I watched I knew that if I was ever going to have a chance I was going to have to accept who I was, who we were together.  No more shame or denial.  That night I went home with Anzu and got drunk.  I woke up in the morning knowing I’d had sex with her.  I lied and told her I didn’t remember, I do.  It was so different, so... wrong.  I... I called Otogi and he... he was with his fuck toy.  A while later he showed up.”

 

“Yeah so you just went with him and dumped Anzu.”

 

“He made it a part of taking me back.  No more denial, no more shame, no more Anzu.  We were openly together or we weren’t together at all.  Anzu and anyone associated with her had to go.  If I couldn’t agree then... then I couldn’t be with Otogi.”  He choked to a stop. “I didn’t hesitate.  I wanted him so badly I thought I would die without him.”

 

“So just like that you gave us all up.”  Jou nodded as if he understood completely.  “You know what? I didn’t think I could get more pissed than I already was.  I was wrong.”

 

“It wasn’t easy Jou and I’ve missed you all so much, and now, I have a daughter.  Jou that’s incredible.  I’d given up all hope of being a dad, but I am one.”

 

“Ya ain’t no dad.  Yer a sperm donor.”

 

“I... I know.  But that’s why I stopped to talk to you.  I... I want to meet with Anzu and... my daughter.”

 

“Ya don’t even know her name do ya?  Too bad for ya, friend.”  He spat the last word coldly, belying it’s meaning.  “I know what a bad dad can do to a kid an’ I know that sometimes not havin’ one is better than havin’ one.  She’s a good kid an’ yer an asshole.”

 

“Jou I was wrong.  I admit it, and I want to know her.  Please, will you ask Anzu to call me?  If I give you my cell phone will you ask her to call?”

 

"Ya got a lot of nerve askin’ me that.  If th' kid wasn't watchin' I'd beat ya to a pulp."  Jou snarled, then with a quick flick of his wrist he dumped the steaming coffee cup in Honda's lap.  "But that will do.  If ya bug me again I'll rip yer nuts off and shove 'em down yer throat, 'cause sure as fuck they're wasted on you."

 

Face twisted in agony, Honda stood and grabbed the miniscule napkin from the table, dabbing at the still steaming stain across his crotch and thighs.  "Fuck Jou..."  He moaned.  "Just think about it, put yourself in my position.  You kissed Kaiba at Prom.  How would you have reacted, felt, if someone called you a fag or looked down at you for that?  How would you feel if you didn't get a job or promotion because of the prejudice?"

 

Jou blinked and stared, his breath leaving him in a whoosh.  Earlier he'd had the opportunity to confirm his and Seto's relationship to the headmaster, and instead he'd held his tongue.  At the time he'd thought it wasn't the man's business, but now he wondered.  Had stayed silent because he was ashamed?  Guilty?  He didn't know, but now wasn't the time to think about it.  "If ya love someone, then ya love them no matter what.  If you loved Otogi as much as you say it wouldn't have mattered.  I think ya love yerself more then anyone."  His words were low and mean.  "When things got hot for you with Otogi ya bailed ta Anzu.  When things got hot for ya with Anzu ya bailed back ta Otogi."

 

“Jou you weren’t here, you don’t know.  It wasn’t... I... it was all a big mistake.”

 

“Yeah, an’ ya made another one talkin’ ta me about it.  When ya lose a child ya know just how precious and irreplaceable they are and ya get fuckin’ pissed when worthless bastards mistreat them.”

 

Honda’s eyes softened.  “Jou I’m sorry.  You’re right, I shouldn’t have brought this to you.”  He stopped dabbing at his lap with the disintegrated napkin.  “I’ll talk to Yugi.  He knows her best.  Maybe he will...”

 

Jou laughed shortly.  “Yeah buddy, good luck with that.”  Anzu, looking almost as sweet and loving as she had when she was sixteen, with a shyly beaming Yugi and a smug Atemu at her side, had announced they were expecting at dinner the previous night.  Not just expecting – but twins.  Yeah he could see Honda getting exactly what he deserved if he upset Anzu in any way.

 

Vic, remarkably restrained, walked up to the table and smiled.  “Jounouchi-san, the stylist will see you know.”  His blue eyes were full of anxious hope and  Jou knew that he was waiting for Jou’s verdict.

 

“Wow, look at you!  Who knew under that shaggy mop you had eyes?”  Jou grinned and teased.  “Your dad’s gonna love it.  You look great.”  He nodded briefly to Honda “Excuse me.  My turn.”  Dismissing his old friend, he turned and stood.  “I ain’t decided yet.  Should I get some color?”

 

“Se... Dad likes you blond so you...”  Was the last thing heard as they walked towards the waiting stylist.

 

Otogi chose that moment to slide into the recently vacated chair.  “Couldn’t stay away could you?”

 

Honda looked up to meet his lover’s furious green eyes.  “I was waiting for you, he was here.  What was I supposed to do?  Ignore him?”

 

“Yes, that was exactly what you swore to do.”

 

“C’mon Otogi, that was years ago.  I admit you had reason for Anzu then, but not once with Jou - never with anyone since.  Stop acting like this.  Jou is your friend too.  They all are.”

 

“Friends don’t fuck.  You fucked Anzu.  I won’t play second fiddle to her.”

 

Honda closed his eyes and sighed.  “Otogi, Anzu had a baby.”

 

Green eyes went glacial.  “And this concerns us how?”

 

“My baby Otogi.”

 

“Again, it concerns us how?”

 

“I have a daughter.  Otogi you know I wanted children.  We’ve discussed adoption.  I have a daughter ‘Togi.  I want to get to know her, be part of her life.”

 

For a moment Otogi looked stricken, then he nodded coldly.  “I knew you’d choose her over me.”

 

“I’m not choosing Anzu over you.  But I want to know my daughter.  I can’t believe Anzu didn’t tell me she...”  Abruptly he broke off.  He’d been trained to observe expressions as a police officer.  For an instant he read something in Otogi’s face he couldn’t bear if it were true.  “She tried?”

 

“What do you mean?”  Otogi flicked his hair back.  “This is not the place for this discussion.  Let’s go home.”

 

Evasion.  Honda’s stomach was sinking like lead.  If Anzu had tried to tell him and Otogi intercepted the message... sickness bubbled and nausea clawed up his throat.  “Answer me Otogi.  Did Anzu try to contact me all those years ago?  Did she say anything about being pregnant?”

 

“Really!  Who remembers?  It’s possible I suppose.”  Otogi stood and turned to the exit.  “Coming darling?”

 

Breath catching in his lungs Honda followed his lover, his soul mate, his betrayer.  Out of habit Otogi had taken the passenger seat.  Honda climbed in to the driver’s seat.  Instead of starting the car he rasped “Tell me.”

 

Otogi glanced at his lover and swallowed hard.  He hadn’t considered this scenario.  He hadn’t thought Honda would ever find out about Anzu and the little bastard, he’d done his best to frighten them away.  Threats had worked wonders and the bitch had disappeared for years.  Now she was back, bastard in tow, and she was after his lover.  “Tell you what?”  He stalled.

 

“Answer my question honestly.  Did you know Anzu had my daughter?  Did she try to contact me and you stop it?”

 

“That’s two questions.”

 

“Answer me Otogi.”  Honda had a death grip on the wheel.  “Tell me the truth.  If you don’t I will ask Anzu.”

 

“How do you even know the child’s yours?”  Otogi went on the offensive.

 

“I”ve seen the girl.  I pulled Jounouchi over for a routine stop – he was babysitting and mentioned that the girl was Anzu’s.  She’s the right age and more, she looks just like my mother.  So answer me Otogi.”

 

“I didn’t know the child was a girl.  When she came to see you she was only a few weeks along.”  Otogi shrugged.  “I told her to get lost.  We were happy and didn’t want her around.”

 

“You...” The breath was driven from Honda’s lungs.  “You didn’t ever tell me.  You just told her to leave?”  Aghast he asked “How could you do that?  She was pregnant with my child.”

 

“She was trying to take you from me.  I couldn’t allow that.”

 

Something in Otogi’s tone, some smug knowledge made Honda’s nerves twinge.  “No... what did you do?  I can hear it in your voice.  You did something... what did you do?”

 

“Of course, I took the steps needed to ensure our new relationship stayed solid.  I sent her away and warned her to stay away – forever.  She would go to Yugi of course.  And I knew if she went to Yugi he would pester us so I called Yugi and told him she was engaged to someone else.  Then I monitored their calls and intercepted any to each other. It was easy, just a simple wire tap.”

 

“You intercepted their calls?”  The illegality aside, it was just wrong, totally and utterly wrong.  Otogi had isolated Anzu completely.  “What did you do to make her run.”

 

“I told her that if she bothered us again I would make sure everyone in the business community knew what a whore she was, and I would take all of my business away from anyone who hired her.”

 

Shock held him immobile for a full minute before he wheezed “Tell me you’re kidding.”

 

“Of course I’m not.  I told you, I was doing it to protect us.”  Otogi huffed out a small breath.  “Lets forget all this and get on with our life.  So she had a little bastard.  It doesn’t matter to us at all.”

 

“It doesn’t?”  Honda felt as if the world was falling away from him.  The person he thought he knew better than he knew himself, the one he thought knew him just as well, had denied him something he wanted almost as much as he wanted air.  To make it worse he’d hurt not one but two of their friends, invaded their privacy, and broken the law to do it.

 

“Of course not.  I’ll forgive the slip today as I can see how it happened, but in the future you will not talk to them at all.”

 

“No.”

 

“Good, let’s go home.  I’ll make a good dinner and we can...”

 

“No.”

 

“No?  You’d rather go out?”

 

“No.  I don’t want to go out.  I mean no, I won’t avoid anyone again.  Least of all Jou or Anzu.  I... I’m going to see Anzu.  I’m going to ask her to let me be part of my daughter’s life.”

 

Otogi felt as if he’d been stabbed with a shard of ice.  Desperately he rallied.  “You promised...”

 

“I thought you knew me, loved me.”  Honda’s voice was ragged.  “I thought you would get over your jealousy and we would all be friends again.  It was a mistake – a drunken mistake.  You know that.  She was innocent of everything.  You knew that, I told you that.  But you still... you hurt her.  Worse, you kept me from my daughter – my daughter.  You don’t know me and you don’t love me.  As someone very wise just pointed out to me – you only love yourself.” Handing Otogi the keys to the car he opened the door and stepped out.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“For a walk... I need to think.”  Deaf to Otogi’s voice he stepped away from the car and in a few steps he disappeared into the throng of people on the sidewalk.

 

*** 

Thank you all for the reviews.  Sorry for the delay.  My son was home on leave.  He's just back from an overseas deployment.  He's on his way back now, but we had a great visit.

 

Mulle, I am sorry I forget which story you wanted posted next.  If you could remind me?  Or perhaps I should just post my latest?  Let me know.    *glomps*  Oh by the way, I think I'll make that a standard reviewer reward! A reviewer picks which of my stories they want to be posted - old or new.  I get a lot of request for the Love, Lies, and Lipstick trilogy, but also my first story - Roses... or my second story Dance With Me.  Ugh....  Ah well we shall see... glomps.