Jou Cool

Title: Jou Cool

Author: Puppys_seahorse

Betas: Maggiemay, Kschur, Mofaf1, Wicabeth

Genre: Drama/Dark Fairytale

Rating: Adult+ For violence, swearing and sexual situations

Spoilers: None

Summary: Jounouchi is a homophobic ex-gang leader trying to go straight. Seto twists that ALL to hell.

A/N: I wrote this hoping to enter it into a contest on ADL. But I think I will give up on that idea. No new contests in the offing and nobody responds to my questions about contests. Enjoy all.

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Kaiba Seto glanced at his watch for the third time in five minutes. It was past nine and there was no sign of his ‘surprise’ guest. Otogi and the homophobic brunet had arrived almost half an hour ago. So far his friend hadn’t been able to coax the other teen out of the corner he was huddled in, but he’d bet on Otogi any day of the week. If Honda had even a spark of interest the black-haired siren would coax it out.

He sighed and checked his watch again. Otogi must have been wrong about Jounouchi being the brunet’s friend. Or maybe the blond had decided to kill any attraction to guys with some willing girl. Whatever the case he couldn’t continue to hover in the shadows of the landing and watch for someone who may never arrive. He was host and had to start acting like it. Besides, the whole point of the party was to forget the sexy blond who’d stolen and broken his heart before they’d even met.

He could still remember it as if it had just happened. The months between might not have even happened, so fresh was his pain. Fuck it had hurt worse than anything he could remember. He’d been in his limo, steeling his nerves to face the student body of the public high school his lawyer had chosen for him when a flash of gold had caught his eye. He’d turned instinctively to look and seen the golden blond teen grab the short and sassy, surprisingly wanton, Moutou Yugi in a familiar way. Seto knew from his bodyguard and friend Yami that Yugi was far from the childish innocent he resembled. He also knew that Yami considered it the luckiest day of his life when they’d found each other on an Egyptian Archeology dig. That familiarity had disturbed him. Something deep inside had shouted that the blond was his and that he shouldn’t be touching anyone else. Then the gorgeous blond had turned and grabbed Otogi Ryuugi, one of his oldest friends and fiercest business rivals. Even as the two spoke intimately, Seto was in motion. The gorgeous blond was going to acknowledge him and his rights over him. He would see to it that the boy would not touch anyone but Kaiba Seto intimately ever again.

His heart had shattered when, from less than a meter away, he’d heard the homophobic hate spewing from his dream’s mouth. And when the blond had crashed into him, it had taken all of his will not to swing out and strike, to inflict a small amount of the pain he felt on the idiot who had just broken his heart.

He had taken great delight in doing little things to humiliate and anger the blond. Tripping him, moving his things around, and later, beating him up with an ease that surprised him. According to all his research, Jounouchi Katsuya should have been lethally dangerous. It had taken Kaiba less than a month to strip him of his ‘cool’ reputation and turn him into a laughing stock. But that was fair, because it had taken the blond less than a minute to break his heart. This party was supposed to mark the beginning of healing for Seto.

But if Otogi had been right and Jounouchi had shown up then the emotions he’d glimpsed had truly been hunger, he may have owed the blond an apology. It was hard enough to realize you were gay when you are ten years old and relatively innocent sexually, but he could imagine how hard it was to realize it at almost sixteen with an active sex life and varied history. Harder still for a guy who’d been raised on the streets, a tough whose very life had depended on his strength and masculine posturing.

Giving up he glanced one last time down at the mix of dancing men, smiling slightly when he noticed that Otogi had finally gotten his target to sit on the couch, before turning a wistful blue gaze to the door. If only…

As he started to step from the shadows a familiar flash of gold caught his eyes, and like a moth drawn to a flame his gaze focused on the figure of Jounouchi. He was standing by the balcony doors staring at the dance floor with an expression impossible to read. Idly Kaiba wondered when and how he’d gotten in because he’d been watching the door since the first guest had arrived and hadn’t seen him.

One part of him wanted to rush down and welcome the blond into his home, another part, the cautious wounded part told him to wait. He heeded the warning and simply stood and stared, drinking in the wind ruffled golden hair, dark red polo shirt, and black leather pants.

He was by no means the only one to notice the sexy blond. In fact almost every head had turned to look. Of course some of his guests recognized him and moved away fearfully, but some stared with openly lustful looks. One of the bolder men, Ryou approached and gestured towards the dance floor with a charming smile. For a second the golden eyes flamed with rage and then cooled abruptly as the blond nodded hesitantly. It was the first time that he’d ever seen any kind of uncertainty in the blond. The knowledgeable watchers caught the insecurity as well, Seto could feel the heightened interest in the blond, and he saw the sharks start to swim in that direction. Malik and Marik were always hunting fresh meat.

Jounouchi stepped in through the glass doors and looked around. His wary gaze took in every corner of the room careful not to linger too long on any one place. The dance floor was busy with gyrating couples, couches, chairs and benches had been setup in groupings for anyone who wanted to take a break, club lights flashed in time to a contagious beat. Along one side of the room tables of finger foods and a bar with two bartenders were open to anyone who wanted to eat. He recognized a few familiar faces, but most of them turned away discreetly at his glance. He was feeling distinctly uncomfortable and ready to bolt when a soft voice asked, “Would you care to dance? My boyfriend doesn’t like to dance much and I…”

For a second Jounouchi almost punched the small white-haired boy’s lights out for daring to even suggest that they should dance, then common sense returned. He was here to learn if he was truly gay or whatever. It wasn’t this guy’s fault that he looked nothing like the guy he wanted to be with. With a nod he accepted the invitation and followed the other out onto the dance floor. A movement at the top of the stairs caught his attention. To hide the direction of his gaze he shook his hair into his eyes and let his eyes travel to the shadowy figure. His breath caught at the tall slim figure draped in shadows barely discernable to him. Before he could positively identify the familiar form the man stepped back and shadows completely obscured him.

As the white haired teen began to gyrate to the heavy beat, he smiled at his partner and said loudly “I’m Ryou. My boyfriend is Bakura. He’s over on the couch next to Otogi and his date.”

Pretending interest Jounouchi smiled. “I’m Jounouchi.” Gesturing around at the people, food, drinks, and DJ, he observed, “Throws a great party huh?” He started to follow the smaller teen’s dance moves.

“Yeah, always does although his parties aren’t usually this crowded. Usually it’s just the eight of us plus whoever Otogi is dating, but Otogi decided to go all out for our dear host. We’ve all been worried about him. It’s not easy for him to fall for anyone, but to fall for a homophobic straight that broke his heart had to be the worst.” Sadness clouded the bright eyes. “I hope he finds someone.” With a cheeky grin, Ryou teased, “Maybe he will have better luck with a different blond. Maybe a newcomer can get his attention and convince him to come downstairs.”

“You said he is a blond...the one he fell for I mean." a hint of realization sparking in Jounouchi’s eyes.

“Yeah at his school.” Ryou shimmied slightly. “But he’s a real straight. A homophobic one at that. Broke his heart. He’s been torturing the blond bimbo ever since.”

The facts began to add up and he felt like he was on the verge of winning a jackpot. He glanced around the room, taking in details of the décor underlying the party decorations, looking for a clue to confirm his hopeful suspicions. Ryou’s voice brought him back.
“So are you here with anyone?”

His answer was preempted by a familiar spiky haired youth dancing up to him. “Jounouchi! I never expected to see you here. But I’m glad you finally decided to come out of the closet. I was growing worried about you. You seemed so angry all the time.” With a sweet smile the child-like teen danced away calling back “Save me a dance.”

Ryou laughed “Yugi is always so friendly. I can’t believe most people consider him shy. Our boyfriends work together for Kaiba Corporation. But you never answered. Are you here with someone?”

“I have a friend here but I’m hopin’ ta find someone special.” Jounouchi confessed as his hair obscured eyes sought the top of the stairs. The shadow-man had moved forward again and the angle of the head was perfect for watching the dance floor. If he was right about the mystery host then maybe he could do something to entice the other teen down to dance with him. Maybe he could end all of this uncertainty with the guy who was causing it.

He closed his eyes and focused on the beat. It was a well-guarded secret that he loved music. He loved the way it moved in the air, moved through him, made his body part of it. It was like a drug he couldn’t resist. The heavy drum and techno music pulsed around him and he absorbed it like a flower absorbing the heat of the sun, moving with it instinctively; swaying and twisting, deliberately infusing his movements with all the grace and supple eroticism of an animal seeking its mate. The beat grew in pitch and speed and his movements kept pace, becoming more erotic and untamed.

The crowd of dancers parted and formed a circle to watch the beautiful blond’s body bend and arch in a rhythm and invitation as old as time. He seemed to flow perfectly, his body balanced and graceful, demanding and submissive all at the same time. Many of the watcher’s hands dropped low to cover their reaction to the unrestrained display.

Ryou was shocked at the transformation of the uncertain first-timer into a siren. It had been almost instant, as if the youth and uncertainty had been a mask ripped away in an instant, and this pulsing, graceful, sexy man was the true person the mask had hidden. A thrill of unease traced down his spine as he realized that the blond had attracted an audience. If Bakura saw this display there would be hell to pay. Bakura allowed Ryou to dance with others, but only dance. If his lover felt the other guy was trying to lure him into bed the golden blond would get hurt and Kaiba would never forgive a scene at one of his parties. The white-haired teen reached out to tap the blond, tell him that he was leaving the dance floor when a strong tanned hand grabbed his, stopping him from touching the oblivious teen. “You weren’t thinking of touching him were you?” His lover’s voice murmured in his ear. The low tone didn’t disguise the dangerous pitch.

He shook his head frantically. “No…no…not at all. I was just going to tell him I was leaving the dance floor.”

“Good choice, Lover.” Bakura whispered as he caught Ryou close in a punishing kiss.

The DJ, sensing the tension, abruptly ended the music. Deprived of his muse, Jounouchi opened his eyes to see what looked like brothers kissing directly in front of him. With a barely stifled gag and disgusted expression, the blond turned and stalked angrily from the dance floor and out the balcony doors he’d come through. He didn’t notice the tall figure -already halfway down the stairs - rush out the door after him. Grossed beyond belief, he ran down a stone path and into a darkened gazebo. With a moan of disgust directed at his own stupidity, Jounouchi sank onto one of the night obscured benches.

He barely stopped himself from knocking the hell out of someone when a stranger loomed up out of the darkness and half-whispered. "Why are you here?" It was obviously not a question about why he was in the Gazebo. No, it was about why he was at the party at all. At this second Jounouchi didn’t really know.

"Wha' business is it of yers?" Jounouchi challenged.

"Everything that happens here is my business. It's obvious you don't belong. You can't even look at guys kissing on the dance floor without getting upset. If you don't like gays you shouldn't have come here." The soft half-whisper explained.

"Upset? Look ya..." Jou broke off, realizing who he was talking too for the first time. The host, the shadow at the top of the stairs, and possibly the answer to his questions was standing right in front of him. "It ain't yer business." He prevaricated.

"I'm the host here. This party is a mixer for homosexual males and attendance is by invitation only. I didn't invite you. That makes you a crasher." Seto contradicted, still using the soft voice, but it didn’t disguise the note of arrogance in his voice.

Even in a half whisper he’d recognize that ego anywhere. "I didn't crash! I gotta invitation." Jounouchi snarled then sighed, deciding to play out this game a little. He didn’t understand why Kaiba was treating him like a stranger but maybe he could find a way to use it to his advantage. "My friend gave it to me. Said to use it ta get my head on straight. And I wasn’t upset about th’ kissin’ and gropin’ guys on th’ dance floor. It was seein’ th’ twins go at it like that. I mean, I think I can handle guys, but brothers? No way. That’s just sick.”

"Your head on straight? Straight isn’t what this party is about. We, all of us here are gay or bi-sexual. And if you are talking about Ryou and Bakura, they are not brothers. Bakura is from Egypt and Ryou from England." Kaiba hesitated a second and added “Yugi and Yami, Malik and Marik also bear resemblance to each other, but are not related. There are no incestuous couples here. My party organizer knows it is unacceptable in my eyes. I have a little brother to protect.” The tight knot in Seto’s chest loosened. It hadn’t been because they were men.

"No shit? So it’s an accident they look alike. Okay I can handle that.” Jounouchi bit his lip and decided to play further. If Kaiba didn’t go for the twincest thing then he was okay. After a moment’s hesitation he admitted softly, “Yeah...well...look, I've...it ain't yer business, but I'll tell ya so you'll let me stay ‘til I figure it out. See, I’ve liked doin’ girls since I knew what pussy was. I don’t mean ta offend ya, but I’ve been with a lot and never had a complaint. But a while ago I met a guy who makes me feel different and I dream about him and me doing stuff I normally do with chicks."

"Sex?" Inside Seto could feel hope begin to spring and happiness start to bubble. He knew better than to assume the blond meant himself, but if Jounouchi could feel interest in one guy, he could feel it in another.

"Sorta, but its more than that. He pisses me off like nobody can, but at the same time, even when we're yellin' and fightin’ I get a hard-on like I ain't never had for no piece." Embarrassed he turned to look into up into the sky. The clouds were clearing and starlight was peeking through. It wouldn’t be long until the full moon was shining through.

"How is that more than sex?" If that was all it was, then Seto knew he’d have no trouble winning over the blond. It would just take patience.

"Well, like I said, I've gotten laid more times than I can remember, and I don't ever remember feelin' like this about anyone. I mean yeah I wanna fuck him until we both pass out, but I wanna...wanna get ta know him. It's like there’s this part of me that knows him already and wants ta be with him. I...in one of my dreams he fucked me...and believe me I ain't never took it up da ass for no one, but it felt...right ta have him inside me. As right as it felt fer me ta be inside him. That’s why I’m here."

"So...you are physically and spiritually attracted to him. Interesting." And potentially fatal to his own plans for the blond if he wasn’t the guy in question.

"Yeah, it's gotten so bad I don't want to do girls. I ain’t been able ta touch one since I first saw him. Don't get me wrong, I can still get it up, but I don't want ta with a regular piece. And when I jack off all I think about is him."

"Have you talked to him about it?" Seto managed to keep his voice an even. This was incredible. The blond mutt was actually pining for some lucky guy. The eternal straight, with more female conquests than any other was so hot for a guy that he didn’t want girls and what was more, he was admitting it and willing to try. It must be love.

"Are ya nuts? Hell no. First off, I'm pretty sure he's straight. I mean he's got hotties all over him. Besides, we fight all th' time. And he..." The blond head, barely discernable in the starlight, lowered. "don't like me at all. He calls me idiot, mutt, haafa, and a ton of other things.”

Seto's breath caught. He’d wondered, hoped, and prayed, but now he knew he didn’t need any of those things. Jounouchi was talking about him. He was the only one brave enough to say those things to the blond's face. A rush of triumph flowed through him. He had been right that first day. They belonged together. It had simply taken Jounouchi longer to figure it out. He could make allowances for that, after all he was a genius while Jounouchi wasn’t.

Jounouchi felt a chill race through him. He hadn’t meant to blurt all that out and he could almost feel the ego of Kaiba swell. He’d practically shouted who he wanted to be with and it was making the asshole puff up like a damn balloon. He couldn’t have that. No way was he gonna be some kinda weak slut, begging for attention from Kaiba Seto. He hastily tried to gain back ground. "So ya see why I gotta be here? I just gotta get my head back on straight. Maybe if I try out one of the guys here it’ll cure me. I'm sure I'll get grossed if anyone tries to touch me." He shuddered at the thought of one of the guys who’d eyed him on the way to the dance floor touching him. He felt the tall body next to him stiffen and almost smiled. He’d noticed Kaiba was a possessive bastard and that was bound to get to him.

Seto stifled his automatic, violent protest. Jounouchi obviously hadn't recognized him yet and with luck and a little planning he could show him that ‘gay’ wasn’t so bad before the blond discovered the truth. Afterwards they could cuddle and work it all out. But first he wanted to stop the reckless boy from taking another lover just to get rid of his ‘gay feelings.’

"I can't let you use one of my friends for something like that. You could hurt his feelings very easily. But I do understand your dilemma. I will help you with your experiment." That sounded reasonable, even noble.

"Help me? How? Why?" Jounouchi stifled a chuckle. He’d wondered what Kaiba would do to stop him. If it was Kaiba and the feelings mutual, the brunet would do everything in his power to stop him from going to someone else. The sacrifice routine was a good ploy. He almost wanted to compliment the brunet on it.

"Yes help you. Maybe we should try a simple kiss. If you're grossed then you have your answer. And as to why, let's just say I don't want any of my friends to get hurt." Hurt, because if the blond’s reaction didn’t hurt their feelings then Seto’s anger at anyone touching Jounouchi would.

"A kiss?" Jounouchi hesitated a moment as if unsure. Mentally he was rubbing his hands with glee. Yes! This would great. He’d get over his obsession with the brunet and know one hundred per cent that he was straight. Kaiba Seto wouldn’t be able to mess with his heads, either of them, again. "Okay. But what's in it for you?"

"I told you. But, if you want another reason, it's because I saw you dance earlier. I find you incredibly sexy. If you enjoy the kiss then I'd like to explore some more."

"More?" Jounouchi didn't believe he'd actually enjoy the kiss. In fact he was almost sure of it. It was just a mental aberration after all. He deliberately forgot his desire to suck Kaiba off. "How much more?"

"As much as you'll allow. We can go as far as you like. Fast or slow. It will be your choice.” But Seto knew that once he got his hands on the blond he wouldn’t let go until Jounouchi was satisfied and happy to be his. It was a lie, but he considered the ends justified the means.

"It don't bug ya that I'm stuck on another guy?" He deliberately needled the other teen.

"Hmmm... I think my ego can handle it. It's all speculation right now. You might not like the kiss."

"Yeah, but...well its weird kissin' someone I ain't never seen." But he didn't move away when the dark shrouded body shifted closer.

"Close your eyes and pretend I'm the guy you like. All cats are grey in the dark." Strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him close enough to feel the other man's warmth and catch a whiff of a familiar scent.

"What cologne is dat?" Now that the moment was here, his heart was pounding uncomfortably and chills of fear and excitement raced through his veins. The scent offered a distraction as he automatically tilted his face up to Kaiba’s.

Mentally Seto berated himself for stupidity. He and Jounouchi had been close enough during their many fights for the blond to recognize his personally blended scent. But before he could answer the blond breathed deep, sighed and nestled close. "Don't matter. It just reminds me of him. So kiss me already."

He couldn’t let the opportunity pass. Seto used his lips to explore the soft cheek to find his way to Jounouchi's mouth. Gently at first he captured the soft lips in a warm kiss. When the blond didn't pull back right away, he deepened his possession and moaned softly in appreciation at the warm sweet taste of the blond. He lifted his lips slightly and asked “Okay?”

The fear Jounouchi felt was gone. “Yeah…better than okay.” Warmth and rightness had flowed from the gentle contact. Without thought he leaned closer and offered his lips again.

Tossing caution to the wind, Seto lowered his lips and covered Jou’s in a searing kiss that left no doubt as to his passion or needs. Determined, he plunged his tongue deep, staking his claim and possession. Eagerly he engaged his love’s tongue in a heated duel that asked for and gave no quarter.

Jounouchi was sure his brain had melted and was leaking out his ears. The gentle warmth was gone and in its place was fiery conflagration that threatened to burn him alive. Some distant part of him knew that if he hadn’t responded to the kiss he could have faked his way out of this situation but that part of him could barely be heard over the crackle of flames that devoured all of his ideas about himself and his sexuality, leaving him with ashes and emptiness. He tore his lips away and began to shake his head from side to side in rejection.

The two kisses, one simple and chaste and the other more arousing than any he’d ever experienced opened a whole new world at the price of his old one. As his world collapsed and reformed he groaned “Oh fuck. I ... No, I can't be ... but ..." his mind reeling with the final collapse of his old world into smoldering ashes. With a soft sob of realization and denial he breathed "I ... I …am…gay…” And as suddenly as it came the heat faded leaving him cold and shaking.

Seto heard the tortured whisper with triumph, but that faded as the smaller body beside him began to shake. Jounouchi had liked the kisses and it had rocked his world. But his love needn’t worry. Seto would be here for him. They’d face the problems together. “It’s all right. You’re probably bi-sexual, not gay. We can work through this together. Just take a deep breath and calm down.”

A broken laugh made Jounouchi shake harder. “All right? Are ya outta yer mind? It’ll never be all right again. Do ya know what I used ta do ta fags in th’ gang? Do ya? An’ wha’ I’ve done to ‘em at school? Fucking mother fucker. I can’t be…how come I never knew before? How come I ain’t never wanted any guy before? And why just this one? No piece of ass has ever tied me up like this and I’ve wanted plenty. But now it’s all on one guy. I don’t understand.”

Seto reached out to hold the blond close only to grab empty air as Jounouchi bounded to his feet to avoid his touch. Stung, he snapped, “The answer to that is in front of your nose. It’s because you’ve never cared about any of the girls. They weren’t even people to you. You obviously don’t even respect them.”

“Shut up! Ya don’t know a damn thing about me.” But he felt the truth of that statement reverberate through him. Desperately he tried to deny it.

“If you’d cared for even one, you wouldn’t call them pieces of ass.” The brunet hammered at him, trying to break through.

“Fuck, just shut up.” Jounouchi did not want to hear this. His world was burned to ashes. He couldn’t handle any more changes. He didn’t know who he was anymore. Nothing made sense.

“If they were people to you, you’d remember at least one of their names and faces. You don’t do you?”

“Ya don’t know nothin’, of course I do…” But try as he might, he couldn’t bring even one to mind. All he saw was deep blue eyes and rich sable hair.

“If you respected them you would…” A hard fist to his gut ended his indictment.

“Shut up, shut the fuck up. I had it all…I had respect, I had money, I had power, and I gave it up for a girl. My little sister, Shizuka. So don’t tell me I don’t care about anyone. I do. You don’t know shit, Kaiba.”

Holding his middle, Seto gasped painfully “You recognized me. That’s more proof. You know it is. Is there any other guy you’d recognize from a touch?”

“Bastard. I gave it up, I gave up everythin’. I won’t give this up too. I won’t…won’t…”

“You aren’t giving anything up. You’re growing and gaining more than you can imagine. Please let me talk to you. You must know I want to be with you too.” The tall brunet tried to reassure the panicking teen.

It backfired in an unexpected and painful way. Jounouchi, in full flight or fight mode attacked. “What the fuck? You wanna be my bitch? What makes you think I’ll give a shit about you any more than I gave a shit about them?”

Ignoring the pain of that verbal punch Seto tried to reason with Jounouchi. “It’s not the same and you know it. This is not about family or girls or anything else. You may love your little sister, but you were never in love with any of the girls you slept with. And that’s what’s different, that’s why you can’t see anyone else, why you know it’s me. You’re in love with me. Jounouchi please let me help you.”

A harsh bark of laughter mixed with a choked sob punctuated his voice “Fuck you, I ain’t stupid. Don’tcha think I know that?” the words were a howl. “Why th’ hell do you think I’m here? What do you think this is about? I wanted to kill it. It’s like a living thing that’s eatin’ every part of me. I don’t wanna love a guy, hell I don’t wanna love anyone because when I do they leave me or use me. Th’ last person I loved fucking sold me. I won’t let ya use me and I won’t…can’t…when ya leave I can’t…Ya weren’t s’posed ta be here. Ya weren’t s’posed ta…ta…” He slammed his fist into the wooden post next to Kaiba’s head. “I can’t even hit ya decently. Fuck oh fuck now what?” Despair was making him break down.

“Supposed to want you? Love you? It’s too late. It was the minute I saw you. Jounouchi come sit down and let me…” But he was speaking to the breeze.

“Why…why…do I have to love you…?” Jounouchi’s heartbroken voice faded in the distance as he whirled and ran towards the gates and away from the music, food, people, and most of all, the truth waiting for him in dark blue eyes.