Fall of the Dice

12: Hit Control/C to draw your sword, Shift/F for a magic potion

Morning found the two cuddled together on the porch swing, wrapped in a large blanket and sleeping soundly.
Kaiba stood at the door and watched the pair rub the sleep out of their eyes and begin to stir.
Ryuuji shifted his shift and pulled free of the cover just before Jou woke up and watched him make his way past the waiting CEO and into the house.
“I hope you slept well, Seto.” He said as he passed. “I did.” He finished.
Kaiba watched silently and then turned to the blond.
“What did you do last night?” he asked.
“Nothin. We just talked, for hours. It was a very enlightening evening. Even if I don’t get chosen, I think I got to see what really makes Ryu special. I won’t ever take him for granted again. You know, there is more to him than meets the eye. He’s not just a businessman, or a cross-dressing hottie. He’s a lot of fun and he has some interesting ideas. Try not to forget that, okay?” Jou said as he folded up the blanket and placed it on a nearby table.
Kaiba watched him and wondered at the shared information.
“Why would you tell me that?” he asked.
“Cause, Ryu deserves the best. IF you are going to be that, you have to know things. I don’t care if I lose as much as if Ryu gets what he deserves. Do you think you can understand that? I want Ryu to be happy, that’s all that matters. And if telling you that helps, that’s what I am going to do.” Jou said standing up to his long time rival. “You are a great guy, Kaiba Seto. But, you can be an ass and I don’t want Ryu to pick you before you understand that I won’t sit around and let you treat him like you did me. He can’t take it like I can.”
“I told you I was sorry. Are you ever going to get over it?” Seto asked.
“Nope. I plan to haunt you after I die. You left me sitting there. Don’t try to forget That. It hurt and I don’t want anyone else to feel that way. Got it?” Jou said facing the brunet squarely on the porch.
“I got it. I won’t do it, again. I didn’t know you were, um that far into it, you know. It wasn’t intentional.” Kaiba added.
“Yeah, well your sexy ass does that to a guy. So, watch for the signs. If I ever hear that you rushed off to work and left Ryu sitting there like that, to finish off what you started, I will personally cut off your Little Dragon, got it?” Jou whispered menacingly, “And I don’t care if Kaiba Corp. is about to fall into the ocean, understand?” he promised.
Kaiba swallowed at the mention of Jou’s secret title to his equipment. He may have been a little too generous to the other teen in their short-lived physical relationship, and now would have to live with certain things.
“Right. You aren’t going to tell Ryuuji about that name, are you?” he asked, attempting to sound nonchalant.
“I might. Let’s just see who wins this little competition, Seto-kun.” and with that Jou moved past the stoic brunet.
Well, Kaiba had a few little secrets of his own that the Dice Master might find a little interesting should the blond take his heart.
Seto had some plans to make yet.

That night as Jou and Honda played cards in Jou's room, Kaiba took Ryuuji to the city for a night of clubbing.
Ryuuji looked great in the black mesh shirt with a black tank top over it and a short dark green skirt with three layers of ruffles. The black stockings came just below the skirt and you could see the garters holding them up as the ruffles shifted around.
His hair was down and curled around his shoulders like waves of black ink.
Kaiba wore his tight black leather pants and a deep blue satin shirt opened to two buttons from the collar on Jou's advice and a single chain of gold with a serpent dangling from it exposed on his chest.
His short boots went great with the knee high ones that Ryuuji wore and in that way they made the perfect couple.
Jou gave them the “be home early, kids”, speech at the base of the stairs as Honda watched and shook his head.
“Stop humoring him, Ryuuji. Tell him to stuff it and have a good time.” He said as Ryu kissed Jou on the cheek at the door and then winked at Honda from the top step of the porch.
Honda turned to Jou and the blond took immediate notice of the other’s expression.
“What is it, Hond?” he asked.
“Why can’t I want him to lose, Jou? I am supposed to be in this to win, and yet I see that,” he said indicating the retreating SUV, “and I can’t help but hope that Ryuuji has a great time and I know that Kaiba can give it to him.”
“I know. Come on, let’s go play cards. They make a great pair, and we can’t help but see it, too. Ryuuji is gonna have a tough time when this week is over.” Jou said leading his friend up the stairs.

Kaiba opened the door to the SUV and led the dazzling long-haired beauty up to the doors of the club, handing a bill to the doorman who took one look into his hand and made a wide path for the CEO and his pretty date.
The club was loud and dark and the air was fused with excitement and lust.
Ryuuji turned a smile toward the taller brunet and leaned in to whisper loudly.
“This place reminds me of Carnival at Mardi Gras. Have you ever been to Louisiana?” Kaiba shook his head and watched the Dice Master’s eyes twinkle. “It’s fused with sex. Like this.” Otogi said, waving an arm around the room.
Kaiba smiled and nodded in return, “Then, someday, maybe you’ll show it to me. I have some vacation time earned up.”
Ryuuji barked out a laugh. “As if you would take that much time away from Kaiba tower, much less the corporation. Come on, let’s have fun while you are away from the office.” He said, pulling the other behind him onto the dance floor, “Tell me that you can dance.” Ryuuji said in a questioning tone.
“Of course, I can dance.” Kaiba responded. “I spend a lot of time seducing potential business deals. I had to learn this technique for negotiations. Now, how about you?” he asked.
“I do it for the fun. I hate business sex. Oh, nothing personal.” Ryuuji added when Kaiba frowned at him.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Seto said.
Ryuuji eyed him suspiciously before backing into an open area and beginning to move his hips in time to the rhythm of the music, undulating in perfect harmony and rolling his body in an erotic sway that began to attract attention from those close by. Kaiba had begun to move in counterpart to the Dice Master and soon they had joined in a dance that made Swayze/Grey fans swoon.
The room was warm and the movements took their toll on the two, who lasted three dances before stepping out of the press of the crowd and off to an open table to have drinks.
Kaiba flagged a waitress who took their orders and headed off to have them filled, Kaiba leaned on his elbows and looked across at his date. “Tell me, have you made any decisions?” he asked, and Ryuuji looked up quickly.
“No. Why do you ask?” he said.
“Just something Jounouchi said. I got the impression you had told him something, last night?” he needled.
“No. We just talked. I did tell him that I was having trouble making a decision. And I am. You are all so wonderful. How would you decide?” Ryuuji asked.
“Me?” Kaiba asked.
“Yes. If you had to choose between the three of you, who would you pick? Honestly.” Ryuuji added.
“Hmmm, I should just say ‘me’. But I can’t.” Kaiba began, staring at the table. “If I had to choose, I think I would pick the one who is the most honest, and open with his feelings. That is what is important in a relationship. That is what I see in you, what attracts me. So, I guess that’s the one I would choose.” Kaiba mused out loud.
“I think I know who you are thinking of. I won’t say anything, I promise. But, if you hate him so much, why do you know this about him?” Ryuuji asked.
“Because it’s what he has that I don’t. That’s why I hate him. He is an idiot and a simpleton, but he has the ability to share his feelings and that’s worth more than all the book learning and deviousness that I have and the sexy, worldly nature that Jou has. Those things are fine for dating, but for a relationship, Honesty is what makes it something to treasure.” Kaiba answered as the drinks arrived.
Ryuuji sipped at his as he watched the CEO contemplate his own words.
“Let’s dance some more.” Ryuuji said, putting down the cup and pulling the other to his feet.
The song was slow and Kaiba took Ryuuji in his arms, pulling him close and twirling to the soft beat. Ryuuji rested his head against the taller shoulder and let out a sigh.
“You know there is also passion,” Kaiba began. Ryuuji looked up. “A lover should have passion. That you could get in overload from Jounouchi. I know from experience that his passion is not limited to his dueling or fights with me. Yes, that would be a good choice, also.”
“You spent a lot of time with him, didn’t you?” Ryuuji asked.
“Not that much. It was over before there was any need for celebrations. I ruined it.” Kaiba said.
“I never thought I’d hear you admit to a failure.” Ryuuji said, tilting his head.
“I don’t think I ever have. I didn’t fail. I let it go. I wanted more and I didn’t think he was it. I let myself ruin it.” Kaiba said. “I’m not sure whether or not I regret it now. But, after this week, I am glad that I was free. If not, this would never have happened.”
“Yes, I wouldn’t have gotten to know you three so well.” Ryuuji added. “Seto, why are you trying to talk me out of you?”
“I-I’m not. I just wanted to answer you truthfully. That’s who I’d pick if it were my choice.” Kaiba said, not looking his partner in the face.
“I think you would have just as much trouble choosing as I do. And I think you wouldn’t discount yourself so fast. But, for now, let’s just enjoy the evening.


:::Anyone frustrated by this yet???:::

Just two more chapters and an epilogue to go.
I have just published a short story under the original category that is a brief jaunt into the world of my first novel. If anyone is interested, it is called Above My Love and you can find it on my author page or under Original/science fiction. I hope you all enjoy, it is just a bit of a teaser that wasn't long enough to make a sequel out of, though I may end up publishing it with others if I write them as Short Stories.