One Night in Bangkok

One Night in Bangkok - Chapter Three - Pride


* * *
One Night in Bangkok
by Edmondia Dantes
 

Disclaimer: Characters you recognize aren't mine. Steal my plot and I eat your soul. 

* * *
Chapter Three - Pride
* * *
-11:05 p.m.-
 You could only spend so much time winning money off of hopeless alcoholics. 
So he'd brougis pis pair of tourists to another venue, a bit more refined
and a bit more dangerous, but disguised as a run-down grocery store on
a filthy back street hidden well into the shadows cast by the towering
skyscrapers.
 Yami hid a smug smile when Yugi took his arm, glancing around at his
neon-lit surroundings with wary caution.  Take care in the darkness...
and how had he learned of such things?  And why did that thought make
bile rise in his throat and cause his fists to clench?
 A soft nuzzle brushed against his shoulder, unconscious but sweet. 
His anger was gone, dispelled with only the simplest of touches. 
Silksoft skin, clean and smooth and smelling faintly of peaches. 
Heh.  Yugi used girly shampoo.  But still...
 Delicious.
 Am I the leader? he asked silently, amused, sending an inquiring
glance towards his slightly smaller counterpart.
 Equally amused amethyst eyes flashed his way, and he couldn't help but
wonder if Yugi knew what he was thinking.  But Yugi only giggled and
slid closer to his side, arm slipping down his side to latch firmly onto
his waist.
 Or do I belong to you? he wondered as they swept ithe the second
club of the night, Jounouchi trailing silently behind them.
 Why don't you find out? he seemed to tease silently, eyes brighter
than the outside glow.
 In the darkness of the entrance, hidden by shadows so familiar as to
be the shredded souls of the damned, no one could see the predatory hunger
of his smile.
 * * *
 Yugi felt his eyes widen as they slipped through the low-slung entryway. 
This place was far more sumptuous than the last.  The lighting was,
as always, a low butter yellow, casting the dark wood of the bars and lounges
into a rich, glowing warmth.  The men here were all dressed in rumpled
suits, and dark-eyed waitresses served drinks to those that reclined on
the low sofas scattered around the large room.
 And the women.
 Women, breathtakingly beautiful women, clad in shimmering silks and
tight leather all around, hanging over smug businessmen and dancing on
the floor with their chosen partners.  Not just women - here and there
lay beautiful doe-eyed boys tangled in the grasp of older lovers.
 A brothel?  A nightclub?  Both?
 Yugi flushed and pressed unconsciously closer to Yami.
 Now he felt like a child.
 "Why so shy?"  Warm breath tickled his ear, soft and erotic and
tasting of honey.
 Yugi glanced over, saw the soft smirk on his lips, and shivered.
 What are we doing here?  You know it's you I want... you and
only you.  I'm not sharing you.  Not tonight.  Not ever.
 Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Jounouchi's appreciative glance
at his surroundings.  He should probably close his mouth - the slackjawed
look didn't go very far towards impressing... er... ladies of the night.
 So that's why we're here?  Entertainment for us all.  Been
here often, have you?  Dragged some other innocent here - or did you
play with those whose affections are for sale?
 The arm around his waist tightened, a slim hand slipping down his back
only to settle comfortably in his back pocket.  He stiffened, but
couldn't object - it would be far too dangerous to lose him in a place
like this.  So many willing lovers... any would find a night with
this creature a prize.  And he's my prize.  I won him. 
These people - they might be beautiful, but he's too brilliant for them. 
He's too brilliant for anyone...
 A soft, experimental squeeze coaxed a short gasp past his lips. 
Except... he wants me.  And what does that say about me? 
I'm not half so bold or daring... and wasn't it strange how he could
claim his own innocence when the touch of a boy who was little more than
a stranger sent chills down his spine and heat swirling in his stomach?
 Beside him, Yami threw back his head and laughed, all velvet and chocolate
and decadence, gold and ruby and deepest ebony.
 The hunger-shrouded gazes that fell upon them gleamed with desire, whether
for himself or his companion, he was uncertain.  But no... you
can't touch us tonight.
 Yugi rubbed himself deraterately against Yami, glaring down the envious
eyes of the others, pressing heavily against his darkling's soft, insistent
attentions, delicate half-caresses and lingering touches that made his
stomach melt.  Another arm slipped around him, tight and unquestionably
possessive, the other boy clinging so closely to him that they were almost
stumbling over each other as they sauntered slowly through the room.
 Mine for tonight... all mine.  You can't have him.
 And you can't have me.
 He'd kill you first.
 I know he would.
 When they tumbled to a stop at the bar, he was flushed with heat and
desire, and warm and distracted by the press of the slim body at his side.
 And when he leaned away to fetch his drink, the pang of loss he felt
burned like a mortal wound.
 Pouting unhappily, he reached out and caught Yami's slender arm between
his fingertips - and when Yami turned back to him with a mischievous glint
in his slanted eyes, Yugi found himself nearly swept onto his lap again
as he leaagaiagainst a bar stool and raised some small round snack to his
lips.
 His mouth fell open in surprise, and Yami, a soft smirk toying at his
lips, fed it to him delicately - but something flickered in his expression
when Yugi took a long moment to suck the sticky sauce off of his fingertips.
 "It's sweet," he breathed, pulling away gently, licking his lips to
savor the taste of his skin, "Very sweet."
 Yami's eyes darkened as alluringly as the soft tones of his voice. 
"You're so much sweeter, my little hikari."  So much sweeter...
 Hikari?  Suddenly embarrassed, Yugi ducked his head shyly,
staring down at heavy gold and black leather.  Oh God, I haven't
even known him for three hours and I've already got a pet name.
 He tried to repress the little thrill that ran down his spine, but it
didn't work.
 Behind them, Jounouchi snorted into his drink and turned away, attention
caught by a flash of swirling lavender.
 Yami sipped his drink slowly, one arm supporting Yugi, deliberate ruby
staring thoughtfully at the gleaming puzzle that dangled around his neck.
 Yugi watched and blushed as the people danced - it wasn't dancing, it
was... making out in public, it was slow groping to music, it was...
 It was something he would very much like to do with his darkling.
 After all, if angels can dance... why not demons?
 He reached up to caress his puzzle - but his hand landed on Yami's instead.
 * * *
-11:20 p.m.-
 Katsuya Jounouchi dropped his drink and his jaw at the same time.
 Perhaps he was going mad.  That creature certainly couldn't be
human - could positively not be of this world.  No earthly being could
be so captivating.
 No woman could be so alluring.
 A sultry smile and a cascade of honey hair as she danced, teasing and
flirting, but never staying long enough for a touch.
 She was a goddess.
 Jounouchi felt his heart stop as she twirled by in a flash of lavender
and perfume, sending a teasing wink in his direction.
 Beautiful like a heart attack, breathng lng like a car wreck, ravishing
as a thunderstorm.
 And then she was gone, quick as an illusion or a mirage or fleeting
madness, and he knew he had to find her again.
 So maybe running around interrogating a bunch of people who didn't speak
Japanese wasn't the best way to go about things, but after being slapped
seven times and punched once in the gut, he finally managed to corner a
tight-lipped dancer who spoke enough of his language to be intelligible.
 "Who is she?"
 A blank, beautiful look from a pale woman with a face like a mask.
 He gestured to where she had been.
 The rosebud mouth turned in distaste, forming foreign syllables that
rolled awkwardly off her pink tongue.  "Ma... Mai.  Kujaku."
 He blinked as he tried to wade through the thick accent and barely concealed
disgust.  Did she say Mai Kujaku?
 The dark-eyed woman was gone before he could check.
 But he had a name now - and it was perfect.
 Jounouchi straightened from his customary slouch, ran a hand through
his unruly hair, and set out to find his cloistered goddess.
 Ow.  He rubbed at his reddened jaw gingerly.  I
hope this doesn't bruise...
 * * *
-11:36 p.m.-
 Three fucking hours she'd been dancing, and what did she have to show
for it? hinghing!
 Fucking managers.  "No, Mai, no money for you tonight.  You
helped Anzu leave with that Chinese man, no, you stay and work off her
debt."
 Her ankles killed, her head ached, and a distinct urge to mercilessly
slaughter whomever she next encountered was rising in her chest.
 Fucking.  Managers.  Argh.  Kill.  Die. 
Die.  Die.
 A soft, inquiring knock on the door.
 Oh, hell no.
 She looked up from unrolling her stockings, incensed, and hurled the
nearest shoe at the door.  "Go to hell!"
 The door opened, and instead of her manager, the flying shoe hit a young
man smack in the face.
 "Ack!"
 Thud.
 Killing customers.  That was bad, wasn't it?  "Oops."
 A muffled groan erupted from the figure sprawled out on her dressing
room floor.  "Ow."
 She poked him with a foot.
 He rolled over, rubbing his head, and looked up at her with a playful
smile, honey eyes sparkling with mischief.  "Hey," he greeted cheerfully,
waving up at her.
 Japanese?  He sure didn't look it - but then again, neither did
she.  And it was a nice change from the clunky tongue she'd never
been able to make sound natural.
 She ran her eyes appraisingly across him, and felt a small, delighted
smile tug at her lips.
 Hm.  This wasn't one of those rich bastards - she doubted he was
even a customer.  His eyes were much too innocent.  He didn't
look like the type who even carried the kind of cash she usually demanded. 
But he was pretty cute... pretty young, judging by the eager way he ran
his eyes over her figure.  No subtlety, but damn, his eyes were gentle. 
"Hey," she answeredkindkind, relieved to be speaking her native language
again.  It had been a long two years here.
 He sat up, offering her shoe, accompanied by a dashing smile. 
Rather bemused, she accepted it.
 "I'm Katsuya."
 First name only?  How strange...  "Mai."  She offered
her hand.
 "Pleased ta meet ya, Mai," he said softly, and kissed her fingertips
as though she were a lady and not just another call girl.
 Very cute.  you young.  And very, very sweet.
 She felt that silly grin get bigger.  Okay, now she was officially
insane.  "Likewise."
 "So, Mai... if you're done for the night, do you wanna get a drink?"
he grinned impishly.
 She really should kick him out.  Or at least demand payment upfront.
 She did neither.  Instead, she offered him a hand up, slightly
surprised by how quickly he bounced to his feet.  "I'd be delighted,"
she purred, and held back a gleeful laugh when he flushed.
 He stood and fidgeted shyly when she changed into her favorite (and
extremely comfortable) boots, and blinked in surprise when she exchanged
her delicate bracelets and rings for fingerless gloves - but seemed quite
pleased with the change from ephemeral beauty to everyday goddess.
 "Well?" she asked when finished, tossing her head proudly.  It's
not silk and jewels, kid, so are you gonna stay or run?
 She looked up into a wide-eyed gaze.  "...I think I love you,"
he murmured, a dazed grin on his face.
 Mai blinked.  Little impulsive, aren't you?  "You're
not the first one to say so, kid."
 He held open the door like a gentleman, beaming.  "But I bet ya
I'm the first one to mean it."
 Much to her own surprise, she blushed.
 lunglung a casual, comfortable arm around her waist and laughed like
sunshine and summer.
 And Mai Kujaku, for the first time in several years that had dragged
on like eternity, giggled in sheer delight.
 * * *
-11:43 p.m.-
 "Dance with me."
 Yami blinked, certain he hadn't heard right.  He looked down into
a brilliant grin and a shining pair of eyes and smiled indulgently. 
What had happened to his shrinking violet?  He had been sond pnd pink
for the entirety of their... rather unconventional entrance.  Now? 
The flush had faded from his cheeks, but his lips were rosy and parted,
and his expression bright and sly.
 "What?"
 "Dance with me," Yugi repeated patiently, plucking the drink from his
hand and setting it on the counter, staring up at him challengingly, a
hint of mockery glimmering in the impish tilt of his head.
 Dance?  With Yugi?
 Yugi flashed him a coy smile and wrapped his arm casually around his
waist, sliding his free hand flirtatiously up his chest, pausing to linger
at the puzzle before dancing his way up the chain.  A delicate finger
tapped his lips, and he nipped at the slim digit, a bit disappointed when
Yugi pulled his hand away with a soft 'tsk' of displeasure, a soft, chastising
admonishment, reprimanding him for his teasin&nbs I'll let you play with me... but only as long as I can play with
you, Yugi murmured without speaking, dark lashes thickly shading the
smoldering heat lurking in the deep amethyst of his gaze.
 Hmm.  A game?  To dance with his gorgeous Yugi all wrapped
up in leather and clutched tight in his arms?
 I can manage that, he thought wickedly, and let Yugi drag him
out to the dance floor.
 Everything to win and nothing to lose.
 Holy Ra, but he was perfect.
 * * *
-11:50 p.m.-
 Maybe dancing hadn't been such a good idea.  The place specialized
in sultry music, and he had his arms wrapped around a strong chest and
his face buried against Yami's neck.  His hormones were going absolutely
crazy.
 Yugi sighed softly, swaying easily to the beat, feeling far more comfortable
than he should.  Slender hands wandered over his back and through
his hair, distracting and warm, and he could feel a steady heartbeat against
his chest.
 Yami... he thought blissfully, shifting closer to that slim form,
Yami, I don't know anything about you, but I think I'm falling in love
with you.  Well... at the very least, I'm falling in lust.  And
here I thought I was straight... mmm... doesn't matter, does it? 
Not when I have you all to myself... even if it's only tonight, I'll have
you, won't I?  At least once in my life... at least once I'll have
someone to love.  Even if you only want my body, it doesn't matter,
because I'll have yours as well.  But somehow... it'll never be enough. 
Because I already want you for forever... but I can make do with just tonight.
 The other's head dipped, and Yugi held his breath as Yami nuzzled his
hair affectionately.  He smelled of spice and autumn and desert, like
heat and gold and the rising sun.  Enticing, exotic, and thrilling
- just like him.
 He shivered as warm lips ghosted over his ear.  God, do you
even know what you do to me?
 Yugi blinked as slender arms tightened possessively around his waist,
one hand sliding up his back to settle in his hair.  He pulled back
a little, staring with some surprise into dark, brilliant crimson. 
And tell me, hell's forgotten child - do you want me as much as I want
you?
 "Yugi..." Yami whispered, seeming to savor the sound of his name. 
He could taste his breath now, soft and warm against his face.  So
very very close to this familiar stranger...
 He let his eyes flutter shut as he leaned upwards to claim his first
kiss, heart in his throat and trembling.
 Slam.  Thud.  A scream.
 "EVERYBODY FREEZE!"
 Yugi blinked and jerked violently back from Yami, eyes flying open.
 Police.  Pouring in through the doors, guns drawn.
 Chaos.
 Screaming, running, half-dressed women and the men in their rumpled
suits, drinks flung backwards in the faces of the law enforcement as they
fled.  crowcrowd moved as one - and Yami grabbed his hand and yanked
him along with the flow.
 Funny, Yugi thought dazedly through the scramble of bodies and
the press of the crowd, I didn't expect my first date to be busted
up by the cops.
 ...but Yami?
 He frowned and tried not to trip over an upturned couch.
 ...then again, why should he be surprised?  It was Yami. 
The strangers in the darkness - weren't they mostmost dangerous ones of
all?
 Dangerous?
 Thick swirling ebony sparking with ruby and gold.  Oh, yes, this
boy was dangerous.  But... to him?
 Darkness.
 Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful darkness.
 They ducked out a side exit and darted down a ht oht of stairs, dodging
bodies and staggering drunks and women clutching closed half-torn robes
and dropping silk and jewels as they fled.
 Though their owners were squished between the walls and each other and
the crushing rush of people, the twin puzzles that hung like shattered
heaven from their necks never lost their unearthly shine.
 * * *
-12:02 am-
 They spilled out of the back entrance and into the street like torn
silk and splashed by, sy, scattering and fleeing every which way into the
safety of the darkness and the havens of a thousand crumbling corners that
opened only for their children.
 Jounouchi held onto Mai's hand and prayed that Yugi had made it out
of there in one piece.
 But going back inside to check would be suicide.
 "Katsuya?"
 He bit his lip, but looked at her with a smile.  "Yugi will be
all right.  But right now... we better get out of here!"
 She smiled, and the world was beautiful.  "So where are we going?"
 He considered for a moment.  Why not crown the fallen princess? 
"Know the Banyan Tree Hotel?"
 She blinked at him in consternated surprise.  "Doesn't everyone?"
 He gave her a brash grin.  "'S my hotel.  Wanna come?"
 She tossed back her magnificent hair and laughed.  "How'd a punk
kid like you get in there?"
 He blushed and toed the ground shyly.  "I got connections. 
So... you coming?"  And he gave her a bashful look from under his
bangs.
 Please, God, he prayed fervently, let her come with me.
 When she beamed, her eyes sparkled like raewelewels.  "Hell yes!"
 God, I love you!
 Hand in hand they raced off into the protective cover of the steamy
night.
 Jounouchi found, to his annoyance, that he couldn't get his stupid grin
unstuck from his face.
 Mai tossed him a flirty wink and pressed a kiss against his cheek, and
right then he knew he was doomed.
 I swear I'm gonna marry this girl some day, he thought blissfully,
and his stupid grin got even bigger.
 * * * 

AN: *giggle*