Coalescence

29) Jounouchi at Six O'Clock

Summary: Jounouchi and Kaiba have a discussion. Yugi overhears. It's outing time!


Seto only had half his mind on the novel he had open before him on his school desk that next morning; it was still about an hour before school would start. [Yami and I made love,] he recalled for the hundredth time, yet again remembering with pleasure and substantial warmth their lovemaking the evening before. [I feel so different... but in a good way. Satisfied... Kami-sama, but he's a potent lover! And I feel strong, too. I was able to allow him to fuck me... and we both enjoyed it a lot. Oh, I love him so much...]

Minutes later he was startled out of his reverie by the sound of boot clicks on the floor some distance behind him. Someone had entered the classroom. [Is it...? Maybe Yugi is going to let Yami greet me this morning again! Didtelltell him about it? I bet not... no details, anyway! Oh, if I could just see him... my Maju... but really, it could be anyone. I don't want to assume that just because Yugi came in that one day and it was Yami...]

He was too curious to wait, so he turned to look back toward the entrance where he'd heard the sound. Abruptly he blanched. It was Katsuya Jounouchi.

Jounouchi froze like a deer caught in headlights. "Er... ohayo, Kaiba," he hastily gasped. "Er, gomen ne, I didn't mean to disturb you..."

Seto's heart was still pounding. If he'd have assumed it was Yami, the situation could have gotten hugely embarrassing, if not downright ugly. He took a deep breath, dragging back together his composure with the other none the wiser. "Ohayo, Jounouchi," he murmured, inclining his head. "You're not disturbing me at all." He turned fully around in his seat as the other boy gingerly approached. "You're here early," he commented, hoping it wouldn't be taken to offense.

Jounouchi linked his fingbehibehind his neck, grinning nervously, feeling somewhat like a kitten daring to provoke a lion. "Yeah, I am, aren't I? How about that!" he managed to gasp as he wondered what the HELL he was thinking, approaching Seto Kaiba by himself... without the cushion of little Yugi to fend off the other's nasty wrath. [Oh, I'm toast...] In fact, he turned and glanced toward the door, wondering if it wasn't too late to bolt.

Guessing that the blond was actually looking for him, Seto noticed his indecisiveness and decided to press the issue. "Jounouchi, do sit down. I believe there's a lot we have to discuss."

"There is?" Jounouchi replied, his voice rising almost to a squeak. "Eh, what's that?" Gingerly he advanced and snagged a chair nearby, sitting on it backwards.

"Yugi Mutou, of course," Seto murmured. Though much about Katsuya Jounouchi had disgusted him at one time, long thought over the matter had eased his mind about this particular boy's presence in the circle of friends surrounding the light half of his beloved. Jounouchi was simply a fact of life, and he was not going to go away. Not that he and Seto could ever be good friends, but it was critical that they reach an understanding between them.

It was undeniable that Jounouchi, after all, had a good heart and meant well. And from what he'd heard, the boy had done remarkably well in the Duelist Kingdom finals against Yugi, giving his diminutive friend a good run for his money. But as a duelist, Jounouchi relied far too much on his uncanny luck... and the psychological boost from his friends. Seto just couldn't think of him being in the same league as Yugi and himself.

"Eh? What about Yugi Mutou?" Jounouchi countered, his hackles rising as he felt a fight coming on.

Seto remained typically unruffled, though he caught the glint in the other's eyes. "First of all, Jounouchi, I want you to know that I think very highly of Yugi, both as a duelist and as a person. I understand that you feel very protective of him as his friend. However, I want to assure you that I feel exactly as you do."

"You do?" Jounouchi straightened, surprised.

Just then Yugi arrived at the door to his classroom, intending on catching Seto early enough to be able to talk to him. But he froze when he heard Jounouchi's voice... and realized to whom his best friend was talking.

"Yugi is the first person to truly reach out to me in friendship," Seto explained solemnly, glancing aside. "He has taught me a lot and has done a great deal for me, both in rescuing my soul and that of my brother's from Pegasus's magic. That's been... sobering, and I've thought about that a lot. Believing in the magic was hard enough, I'll admit."

Jounouchi chuckled nervously, still uneasy talking to the CEO of Kaiba Corporation. "Yeah, all the magic stuff is just too weird, ne? But it's real, I guess. Go figure!" He laughed abruptly, but subsided, seeing that the serious Seto Kaiba wasn't exactly in a mood for humor. If he ever was. "So Yugi's like your first friend? Whoa..."

"Outside of my little brother... yes," Seto confirmed somberly. "And I am very aware of how much his friends mean to him. That's why I've tried... to be more... sociable. It doesn't come easy to me. Even as a businessman, I don't go in for schmoozing with vendors or other business associates, even my lawyers."

Nodding, the blond tilted his chair forward, leaning precariously on it. "Yeah, I don't imagine they're much fun anyway," Jounouchi commented with a sigh. "Okay, I admit you've been trying. I'm the one who's been a shit... but if you do worry about the little guy like I do, you ought to understand why I've been such a bastard to you!"

/Yami,/ Yugi finally remembered to alert his partner. /Seto-kun and Jounouchi-kun are talking! You should listen in.../

//Aibou... yes, I will,// Yami returned promptly. //They're not fighting yet, I hope?//

/No.../

Seto gave an ironic snort. "Yes, under the circumstances I suppose I do understand," he replied. "And if you don't mind, let me remind you that not all that long ago... you stood in my shoes. You weren't always Yugi's friend, were you?"

Jounouchi's eyes bugged out; he hadn't realized Seto Kaiba had been aware enough of him or Yugi before the incident over the Blue Eyes White Dragon card to know about his friendship with Yugi... and before. But then he had to admit it was probably common knowledge in their school... common knowledge that Jounouchi and Honda used to be Yugi's chief pesterers. Until one day when Yugi had tried to defend them from an even bigger bully...

He swallowed carefully. [Damn, but the bastard's right,] Jounouchi thought. [Yugi won us over; stands to reason he could win even Seto Kaiba over... Eh, I shouldn't even be surprised...] Clearing his throat, he replied finally, "Yeah, you got me there, Kaiba. Okay, point taken! I guess I used to be a bastard to him... and if a jerk like me could reform, I suppose even a..."

He stopped, catching himself guiltily before he could say something to irk the other boy. Barking a short, ironic laugh, Jounouchi quickly said instead, "Heh, well, all water under the bridge, eh? You know, I actually think it's cool that you think so well of the little squirt..."

"He's not so little," Seto said abruptly, looking at nothing. "Only in size."

"Well, of course, man," Jounouchi started to say.

"He's as much a man as you or I," Seto continued, then added almost to himself, his voice growing quieter. "Maybe more..."

Listening at the door, Yugi gave a start at the words "as much a man"... and didn't hear the rest. /Yami...!/

//You see why I love him so much,// Yami commented silently.

"Er, yeah, I guess so," Jounouchi was saying, rubbing at the back of his neck, his nervousness returning. [Man, this guy is WAY too intense! He's just GOTTA lighten up!] "Say, just thought of somethin'... you know about Yugi's alter ego?"

It was Seto's turn to give a start. "You mean Yami?"

Yugi suppressed a gasp. /Yami, what if Jounouchi-kun suspects... do you think Seto-kun would admit to your relationship? Would he...?!/

//Easy, aibou,// Yami returned calmly. //Trust Seto. And I have no difficulties with Jounouchi knowing, as I know you don't... but this must be handled carefully, given Jou's volatile nature. And Seto's pride... I'm glad you're here...//

/Yeah, me, too, so I can pull them apart when they start fighting!/

Jounouchi nodded with a chuckle. "Eh, I shoulda known you'd know! Yeah, that dude... so, I guess you and he are, like, real good friends now or something?"

Seto's eyes widened. [Yami...] Then his eyes went a bit soft and distant. "You could say that," he murmured quietly.

[Whoa, that was SO not the reaction I was expecting,] Jounouchi thought, raising his eyebrows at him. [What's with HIM?] "Er, okay, I did say that... but you guys were, like, super hot rivals. I mean, you hated when he beat the pants off you that first time... okay, I know, water under the bridge, but still... I know you want to beat him bad, right?"

[Super hot... yep, he's that, all right,] Seto was thinking, his mind not entirely on the other's words. He shifted position in his chair. "It's not like you think, Jounouchi," he replied coolly. "I want to beat him at Duel Monsters, yes. But outside the dueling ring, I cherish..." He cle his his throat and chose another word. "I value his friendship. I think he understands me better than anyone ever has, even Mokuba." [And I value, oh, I cherish his love... he's transformed *me*, Seto Kaiba!]

Jounouchi was regarding the taller teen with narrowed eyes, sensing something unusual, though he couldn't figure out what. "Yeah... so it sounds like you're friends with Yugi now, but you've gotten really tight with his other self, the ancient spirit dude, eh? That's awesome... I mean, I guess that explains a lot how you've... changed. You know, we haven't seen Yami much - heck, we haven't seen him at all except when he was dueling - though I did get to talk to him on the phone a few nights ago. He seems so... old or something. No offense, I mean just like he's so mature... not like us crazy teenagers, ne?"

When he didn't get much of a response, Jounouchi relaxed. [At least he's not getting weird on me about his buddy,] he thought. [Heh, who'd have thought Kaiba would get to be best friends with that guy?!]

"Yes, he's very mature," Seto replied finally.

"Yeah... well, it must be tough 'cause he's got to share Yugi's body, yanno? Kind of a time-sharing thing. Must be irritating."

Suspicious that Jounouchi was beginning to guess, Seto straightened. "What do you mean?"

Jounouchi couldn't help flinching at the other's suddenly severe expression. [What did I say?] "Er, you know, buds like to hang out together, so Yugi'd have to switch to Yami for you two to... you know... do stuff you like to do together. Whatever it is... you like to do." [Geez, I sound so stupid... he's gonna hate me for this. But what the hell do he and Yami do anyway? Duel, I guess... or talk cards?]

/Jounouchi-kun talks too much,] Yugi worried.

//Jounouchi has no idea how close he is to the truth,// Yami commented, also concerned.

/Maybe I should interrupt?/

//Not just yet...//

Seto glanced beyond his companion just then, checking the doorway. To his wonder, he saw the shadow of a person standing there. From the shape, he guessed it was Yugi! [He's listening! I wonder... perhaps I should just tell the puppy about Yami and myself...] "Yes," he confirmed slowly, "getting together with him is difficult." He shifted position in his chair again, wondering how to say anymore... or if he should let sleeping dogs lie...

Jounouchi just blinked at him. [Geez, he seems sorta sad or something...] "Well, Yugi is a generous guy. I'm sure you guys will all work it out," he offered, unsure of what to say.

/I think I better get in there.../

//Aibou... yes.//

Seto nodded, then took a deep breath. "Jounouchi, there's something I want to tell you. I..."

"Jounouchi-kun! Kaiba-kun!" Yugi announced himself brightly, strolling into the classroom, the Puzzle jangling on its chain.

Both boys straightened abruptly. "Yugi!" Seto breathed, feeling his heart jump. "Er, Jounouchi and I were just..."

"Chatting..." Jounouchi finished, grinding his teeth in frustration. [Kaiba was about to tell me something BIG, I just know it. What the hell?]

"Yeah, I know, I've been eavesdropping," Yugi declared, then chuckled as the other two blanched. He turned to his chestnut-haired friend, smiling broadly. "Kaiba-kun, I think I'd better tell Jounouchi, don't you think?"

Seto's eyes widened. "Yugi!" he breathed, then gulped. "If you think that's best..."

"What is going ON around here?" Jounouchi exclaimed, standing abruptly. "Yugi, you're not keepin' secrets from your old buddy, are you?"

Yugi waved a hand at him airily. "Sit down, Jounouchi-kun, it's nothing to get all worked up about." When the blond plopped back into his chair, Yugi just beamed at him.

"O-kay," Jounouchi muttered, then straightened. "Oh, did you hire Yami for your project, too, Kaiba? Is that it?"

Yugi diverted his best friend's attention by clearing his throat loudly. "Ahem! No, that's not it." He took a deep breath, nodded to Seto whose eyes were still like saucers, then began.

"Jochi-chi-kun, I want you to know that what I'm about to tell you has my complete permission and approval... and that I've encouraged this," Yugi explained, his voice taking on a no-nonsense tone that surprised both boys. "I mean it, Jounouchi-kun, and you are NOT going to get all weird and ballistic on me because of it!"

Jounouchi was shaking his head, bewildered. "What IS it, already? Geez, Yug, you're majorly scaring me here! Just spit it out already!"

"You're not going to go ballistic?" Yugi asked firmly, almost glaring at his friend.

"Okay, okay, I'm not going to go ballistic!" Jounouchi declared anxiously. "Just put me out of my misery!"

Yugi subsided, but he remained wary. "Okay, here it is. Kaiba-kun and Yami-san... are dating."

Blink. Blink. Abruptly Jounouchi leaped on top of the nearest desk, his hands fisting in his hair. "Did you say DATING?" he screeched, his eyes popping out.

"JOUNOUCHI-KUN, get down!" Yugi shouted back, his own hands folded into fists. "Geez, I'm telling YOU, not the whole school!"

The sight of his diminutive friend furiously glaring at him, looking like he was ready to punch his lights out - and he believed he could, too - served to douse enough of the blond's fire to get him off the desk. "You... you said you approved..." he gasped. He hadn't looked at Kaiba yet. He wasn't sure he could.

"Yes, I approved... I approve!" Yugi countered severely. He glanced over at Seto then, noting the taller boy had frozen. [It'll be okay, Seto-kun,] he thought quickly. [I'll get him through this, I promise!] Turning back to Jounouchi, he continued before the other could speak. "There's so much more to all of this than you know, Jounouchi-kun! You promised you wouldn't go ballistic on me!"

Jounouchi shied away from the wrath of his small friend. "Er... ah..."

Seto spoke up finally. "He's why I've changed... but Yugi is right. There is a lot going on, and as his best friend, he of course wants you to know about it. Yami and I have been given some new cards that are from the... future."

Jounouchi shook his head. "Eh? Cards? What do cards have t wit with your dating?"

"It's not that, Jounouchi," Seto sighed. "Well, we were dating before the cards..."

"Eh? How long has this been going on?" Jounouchi's voice began to grow shrill again.

Yugi glanced at the clock. In less than twenty minutes, other students were bound to start coming in. Now that they'd set themselves on this course - namely, involving Yugi's support team in the upcoming campaign against the Rare Card Hunters... and probably the mind-controller - it was critical they get Jounouchi in on this first... and fast.

"Never mind that... listen, Jounouchi-kun, you have to accept that Yami-san and Kaiba-kun are together. I want Yami-san to be happy, ne? And who am I to complain if he wants to be with Kaiba-kun? Besides, don't you agree that Kaiba-kun has become a... much nicer person? Isn't that a good thing?" Yugi blushed, saying all that in front of Seto. "They're really good together!"

"Well, when ya put it like that..." Jounouchi scowled at Seto for a moment, then subsided. "Kaiba, I'd put my fist in your face and threaten you to within an inch of your life if you hurt either of them, but that'd just piss Yugi off all the more... and obviously he's happy with this, so..." Sheepishly, he rubbed at the back of his neck. "Damn, you guys just freak me out..."

"So I take it we're not going to have a fight over this?" Seto asked a bit archly, still tense.

"Nah, no fight. Man, I never would have pegged you of all people for gay... eh, not that I pegged you for anything..." Jounouchi giggled maniacally for a moment, then swiped at his nose. "Okay, okay, I'll manage to wrap my brain around this somehow! But, one more thing, Kaiba...."

Minutely relaxing, Seto inquired, "What's that?"

"So are you going to sit there and tell me you didn't offer Yugi that job because you're dating his other self, ne?"

Seto tensed up again. "We've had this conversation... the two are unrelated."

"Jounouchi-kun, I believe him!" Yugi piped up. "So are you going to get off *that* kick yet?"

"Eh, okay... geesh! Somebody shoulda told me when I got out of bed this morning that my world was going to turn upside down today!"

"There's so much more to tell you, too," Yugi went on, exchanging a relieved glance with Seto. "We have to tell you about the tournament and the Rare Card Hunters and the new dangers..."

"Whoa, hold on a sec - new tournament?"

Seto explained, "Two rare, one-of-a-kind, very powerfull Mol Monsters cards have been stolen by a group of Rare Card Hunters. I'm hosting a tournament in town starting next week to attract them in order to try to get those cards back or at least away from them." He drew out the set of new cards that he now kept in his jacket's breast pocket, protected in card sleeves. "This... is one of three Egyptian God cards - Obelisk the Tormentor, the Power of the God Set. I was given this by the owner of the cards to use to try to defeat any Rare Card Hunters in duels in this tournament." He showed Jounouchi the blue card displaying the massive blue god beast.

"Wow, God cards, eh?" Jounouchi was careful not to try to touch it, knowing Kaiba would probably rip his arm off if he touched *any* of his cards. "So this is a kind of a detective project, huh? Cool..."

"Not cool," Yugi spoke up earnestly. "Jounouchi, we believe that the person who controlled Bandit Keith and stole my Puzzle may be related to these Rare Card Hunters! This is going to be very dangerous!"

"Eww, that mind control stuff sounds scary," Jounouchi muttered, recalling Yugi's story about what happened with Bandit Keith after the "fortune teller" stole the Puzzle. "Sounds like stuff Pegasus might have done."

"It could be related to more Millennium Items, too," Yugi went on. "Which makes it all the more dangerous. Jounouchi-kun, we have reason to believe that more than just minds could be at risk... or souls... These Rare Card Hunters may even kill to get what they want."

Jounouchi shook his head, impressed. "More dangers! So, what's the plan?"

Seto and Yugi exchanged a glance again. It had been tough for a while, but it seemed that the big blond was finally on their side... and at least marginally accepting of Seto and Yami's relationship.

There was about fifteen minutes before the usual trickle of students arriving would begin. Taking a deep breath, Seto began to explain.


Tbc