To Fall in Love

Chapter: 2
Pairing: Setoxpriest or priestxSeto. I'm not sure which but either works for me.
Rating: R
Warning: some unintentional angst, fluff, romance, some light sexual scenes at the end and OOC-ness probably.
Disclaimer: Yu-gi-oh is the property of Kazuki Takahashi, Shueisha, and Konami Japan. I do not own the series nor the characters.


The first word that flashed through his mind at the offer was 'cop'? Wary and more than a little tense, he checked for every movement from Seth who, at any time, might pull out a handcuff, snap it on his wrists and drag his ass outside. They came to the agreement of $300 for the twenty four hours -- actually, he gave the price and Seth just briefly agreed. Seth asked him few simple questions like his name, his age and favorite drinks without prying into his past or information about other prostitutes or his other clients. It was not until they left together for Seth's apartment that he decided to put aside any suspicion of Seth's identity.

The sky was dark outside, the winds blowing strong on the flaps of their coats. He followed Seth as he was expected, focusing his eyes on the other's back. There was not much he could tell from this man -- so elegant and graceful, totally different from his other customers -- and for once, he was surprised to realize that he wanted to know more about this stranger. It was true that no one ever booked him for a whole day before but his curiosity was strong despite his attempt to subdue it. The unknown was in front. He might not know what to expect but he knew he'd rather go five rounds with the same man than five different people. Still, that wasn't totally a very comfortable thought. It made him chill inside even and sent little bumps all over his skin.

Seth had stopped and turned back, looking at him from under his bangs. He stopped also, started as the other took off his scarf and wrapped it snugly around his neck.

"You're cold."

"Am... I?" He asked, teeth chattering a little. He hadn't been aware of his physical response the way he had stopped to care for the wellness of his being.

"Yes, you are."

Seth looked apprehensive at him for a moment and asked him to speed up for their destination was around the corner. He provided none comment, unconsciously rubbing his fingers against the incredibly soft material and pulling it up his chin.

They didn't stop walking. Before long, they reached the apartment complex where they went through a security gate to get into the building and took the elevator to the fifth floor. The hallway was faintly lighted. Seth's apartment was at the corner where it was the darkest. Uncomfortable at the dark, he looked down at his hands as Seth unlocked the door and went inside. As the light from inside flooded out, he lifted his head a little but didn't move -- he was having a second thought about the deal, unsure whether it was hell or heaven waiting for him.

"Come inside, Seto. It'll make you warmer," Seth said. The lure of warmth seduced him to gingerly step through the door. It was not until he'd changed into slippers and given Seth his coat and scarf to hang on the hanger that he could have a good look at his surrounding.

He was standing in a small living room. The cream and blue color scheme gave it a sense of calmness and peace. Pushed against a wall was a full-length matching color sofa accompanied by a glass coffee table on which sat a stylish table lamp and a small decoration pot of white lilies. There were a television and a bookshelf as well as a separate reading armchair and matching reading table by the window, closed at this moment by a heavy curtain draped over a rod which enhanced the beauty of the room. Seth gave him a short tour of his apartment. Then, they went to the bedroom where Seth let him inspect the place himself to go through his closet and drawers. Left alone now, briefly perhaps but probably not long, he felt the discomfort come back in full, the harmony design around him doing nothing to ease the knot in his stomach -- rising to his heart now, gripping there just tight enough to hasten his heartbeats without hurting.

What would this stranger want him to do? Hand job, blowjob or... He shook his head. Why did his mind wander too much when normally, it wouldn't give more than fifteen seconds to the matter. Yes, Seth was gorgeous and charming. There was no denial in this and he was sure that no one would mind sleeping with the other but again, that was where the crux of his problem lay. He wasn't supposed to think he would... perhaps... try to enjoy it just a bit with this stranger. The idea was ludicrous and out of the norms for him which when he thought over unnerved him.

Sending a look at the slender back, he swallowed a bit and walked to the queen-sized bed where upon he sat, waiting, absently caressing the silky sheet. In an attempt to calm his mind, he glanced sideway and that was how he noticed a large frame on the wall -- a beautiful portrayal of a white dragon, its wings spread wide, tail coiling around a person standing in the middle of a ruined temple or what that looked like it for the destruction left few remnants save for broken stumps of pillars and chunks of stones. He'd seen this scene somewhere before and the person dressed in purple robe...

The closing of the closet brought him out of his stream of thoughts, arising the earlier emotions inside. He hold his breath when Seth walked toward him but the other just drop a towel, sleep tee and pants into his hands and told him.

"Go and take a shower. I'll be in the kitchen, making something for dinner."

Both surprised and embarrassed, he blushed and mumbled his gratitude as the other gave him a contagious smile, so strangely warm and gentle.

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After setting the water to the right temperature, Seto let the showerhead spray water onto his naked body and soaked his hair. Seth's shampoo was silky and fragrant with the essence of green tea while the soap was a unique blend of spices, rare woods and amber. Very fitting for someone like Seth, he thought, indulging in the luxurious feeling of hot water that relaxed his sore muscles and joints. Cleaning himself totally, he scrubbed hard at places where the dirty hands of his earlier client had lingered until he was satisfied.

When he stepped out of the shower, he turned on the shower fan to free the fog before walking out and closing the partition door behind him. The dark bruises on his body showed more without the fog. He resorted to avoid looking at his body as he dried himself and his hair. He caught his face in the mirror above the sink and paused to examine it. It didn't really change much over the years. His pale skin and thin face intensified the Prussian color of his eyes, giving him a deceiving youthful appearance, his chin lacking the squareness from that of a man, not helping to ease his slight feminine looks.

His finger reached up to slowly trace his reflection in the mirror. He forced himself to smile a little and was startled to realize how much he looked like Seth.

Nonsense. Absurd.

He dismissed the idea and put on the clean clothes before going outside.

As expected, he found Seth in the kitchen by the stoves stirring something in a skillet. Before he could think of what to do without feeling awkward, Seth called him over.

"Seto, don't just stand there. Lend me a hand with the salad here."

Fortunately, his little knowledge of cooking covered salad making although he was sure that Seth would instruct him otherwise. He washed and put radicchio into a bowl, chopped cheese into strips and place on top. Then, in another bowl, he made dressing with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. At last, he combined the dressing and salad, sprayed some mint and put the bowl on the table next an oval dish of sliced bread.

By the time he finished setting up the table with two sets of plates and utensils, napkins and glasses, Seth had taken mushrooms out of the oven and transferred them to a dish. A few more minutes later, Seth was done with the peppered chicken and served it together with the stuffed porcini mushrooms.

The food aroma was delicious. His stomach gave some loud noise which caused the heat rise to his face. Seth gave him an understanding smile and gestured him to sit down.

"It's been a long day. I rarely have guests here so it's nice to have you here. Just eat as much as you like." He stopped, checked the refrigerator and turned back, the smile had yet left his eyes. "Do you want white or red wine?"

"Red wine is best for this Italian menu."

"Just what I thought."

Seth poured the wine into the two glasses, passed him one and sat down on the opposite chair. They looked at each other for a minute and sipped the wine before the meal. The mushrooms tasted wonderful on his tongue, the other dish just as delightful. He didn't remember what was the last time he'd eaten but it did feel like a long time. They enjoyed the food together in pleasant silence until they were full. Then, he helped Seth clearing the table and doing the dishes.

After the meal, Seth went into the bathroom for a shower. He wandered a bit in the bedroom to look at the picture again and eventually decided to go outside to watch television. Sinking in the fluffy sofa and cushioned by soft pillows, suddenly he felt a deep exhaustion as if all the anguish and misery over the years were releasing their hold on him. He was tired but very content and slightly happy even.

The scenes on the TV floated by his eyes but didn't stay long enough for his mind to take in and form solid ideas. He was nearly dosing off when Seth went out and led him to the bathroom where he was given him a toothbrush, identical to Seth's in style and color. Brushing his teeth without looking at his reflection, he rinsed his mouth with water and set his toothbrush next its partner. When he went out at last, the television was off, everywhere dark save for a shaft of light under the bedroom's door.

Walking inside and closing the door gently behind, Seto found that the latter was already in bed perhaps waiting for him. The table lamp on the nightstand cast golden light over him, surprisingly soothing to his traitorous mind. He looked down at the covered form on the bed, pondering if he could just turn back and run away from it all--

Run away into the unforgiving night and back to the stifling air of the bar where he would sit at his favorite chair and wait for any stranger who came to his table for a quick fuck. But he had grown to like this cozy place and its owner who had treated him with anything but gentleness and kindness. Now it was no longer the issue of whether he was paid or not because more than anything, he realized that he wanted to do it, wanting to make the night memorable for Seth so that when they parted, there would be no more regret.

Keeping his breath steady, he slipped out of his clothes -- shaking a bit as the warm materials slithered off his body -- and pulled the comforter slightly back to get under.

A hand trailed along Seth's bare arm down to wrap around his hand, he draped his naked body against the other's back. The reactions he got were unexpected -- Seth tensed visibly through the separated fabric between them, head turning back to stare at him.

He pushed on the round shoulders until the other down lay flat on his back, climbed on top and looked down. From this position, Seth was a sight to see -- russet hair spreading around his face revealing the smooth forehead, golden skin glowing in the light and lustrous lips parting slightly in question.

"What are you doing?"

His heart ached suddenly. The whole thing felt very... very wrong but if he stopped right now, he didn't think he could carry himself through the aftermath --

What was him but a street whore who had nothing but his body to offer? Existing because he was wanted and desired--

False belief revealed itself, leaving behind the fact in its wake. He was but a used ragged doll unloved, discarded and abhorred even--

"I'm giving you the service you pay for," he said eventually, kissing those beautiful blue eyes, willing them to close so that he could not see the shock and dismay inside but they opened wide at him when his lips left, speechless.

Not wasting more words, Seto slide down the taut body and within seconds had his mouth around Seth. The brunet gave a startled cry, hands grabbing his head on instinct but he didn't stop, putting all of his skills with his teeth, tongue, lips and hands to work the other up. Soon the hands in his hair soon loosen its tight hold and massaged his scalp gently. At last, Seth tensed and threw his head back but Seto didn't pull back, swallowing as the other came in his mouth.

Afterward, he lay down next Seth and pull the comforter back over them both, wiping the sweat off Seth's brow with the back of his hand.

What had happened could not be changed. If Seth was displeased with him, they would terminate their contract in the morning. For now... he briefly considered of spending the night on the sofa outside but his limbs refused to move, sleep catching up to him quickly, hanging heavily on his eyelids. He sighed and snuggled close unconsciously to the warm body next him, allowing himself to drift into sleep.


A/N 2:

Please excuse this poorly written chapter. I am awfully and terribly uncomfortable with S/S love scenes.

If you read this chapter, it means you scroll down to the end at least so please review.