A Year With You

Jou groaned turning away from the glaring sun and reaching for his lover. His hand hit cool sheets so he started to feel around searching for his wayward dragon. He peeked his eyes open as his search came up empty. He stared at the empty spot next to him then looked around the room. There were no sound coming from the bathroom, and Seto wasn’t at his desk clacking away at the computer. He looked into the bright morning and smiled. It was graduation day! He hopped out of bed and pulled on his red robe and headed down the stairs in search of his lost love.

Seto inhaled the morning air feeling the warm sunshine on his face. The morning was warm and the sweet smells of spring rain still lingered on the air. It was the perfect day for graduation. He wasn’t ready. He didn’t want things to change. He wanted Jou and Mokuba with him forever. Sadly they were both leaving him. Mokuba was moving to Europe in two weeks and Jou was moving out a few weeks after that. He would be alone. “Hay Dragon guess what. After today we will no longer see the dreaded halls of high school!” He sighed heavily wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of his life in high school with his puppy. “Yeah I’ll just be seeing a lot more of my office.” He mumbled slightly.

Jou frowned and wrapped his arms around Seto. His lover seemed depressed. He nibbled at the nape of Seto’s neck. “What’s wrong dragon?” His lover chuckled softly. He cocked his head trying to get into his lover’s mind. “Seto don’t be sad. We have our whole lives ahead of us! It’s a brand new start.” His lover didn’t turn he just kept watching the garden. “For you maybe. I know what’s going to happen to me.” He smiled kissing the soft neck again. “What’s that?” He bounced slightly trying to get his lover excited. “Kaiba Corp will control my life until I retire or die. You will eventually leave just like Mokuba and every one else so I will be alone to suffer in my silent miserable life.” Jou rolled his eyes and nipped at his lover’s ear. “What makes you think I’ll leave you?” His lover shrugged and glanced back at him. “You already are.” In that moment he saw just how insecure his lover was. “Well I wasn’t going to tell you this until the day I moved but I found an apartment with some help from Chisa and Kentaro. It is one of the buildings owned by Kaiba Corp and it is a block away from your office. I can drop by anytime you want. You can drop by any time I want. I just need to know I can make it on my own. Plus I would never leave you. I love you and you mean the world to me. I can‘t think of any one better suited for me than you.” His lover gave him a small smile.

Seto looked over the garden for a while longer then glanced at his lover. Jou was grinning at him like a fool. “You’ll find some one better.” His lover snorted. He smirked looking out over the garden. “Never. I mean who will I fight with? Who will laugh at my lame jokes? Who will cuddle me close and kiss me just right? No one kisses like you do and I’ll never leave because I love the way you kiss me. I love the way you hold me. I love the way you scold me. I love the way…” Seto put his hand over Jou’s mouth and smiled at his lover. “Alright stop before this turns into some bad country music song.” Jou grinned and kissed him deeply. “Cheer up dragon because according to my clock we can get a quickie in before breakfast.” Seto rolled his eyes and turned back to the garden. “I’m not in the mood Jou.”

Jou looked at Seto back for a long while and sighed. His dragon was really depressed and there was nothing worse than a depressed dragon. “Seto, I love you.” His lover must have heard something in his voice because Seto turned pulling his chin up. “I love you too Jou. I have complete faith that you will do just fine on your own. I’m just worried that you might not want to come back. I’m worried that Mokuba will never talk to me again because he’ll realize what a terrible person I am. I’m afraid you will find some one who is so mush better for you. You deserve better and I would never stop you if you found it. I’m afraid of being alone Jou. You and Mokuba may be ready to leave me but I’m not ready for you to leave. I’ve never been alone, I’ve always had Mokuba. I’ve always had some one to worry about. Worrying about some one else keeps my monsters away. Who will keep them away if I’m the only one here?” Jou opened his mouth but closed it unsure of how to respond. “I can stay.” He said softly.

Seto looked into those deep gold eyes and sighed deeply. He wanted Jou to stay but more than that he wanted Jou happy. “No. You would be miserable. Maybe we should use you moving out as a trial separation. Try to find some one better Jou. Find some one who you will never want to live without. I’m not sure I can do this any more.” He turned and headed down the stairs going to the garden leaving his puppy to think things over. It was for the best. Jou was never meant for him in the first place.

Jou stood watching his lover’s back fade into the bushes. He seriously wanted to smack the hell out of Seto. For being brilliant, Seto sure could be dense some days. He couldn’t live with out Seto. It was why he moved a block away form Kaiba Corp. He just needed to know he could live with out Seto’s money. He went after his lover so they could talk but a strong hand grabbed his arm. He looked at Isono who silently shook his head. “Leave him for a bit. He needs to be alone so he’ll realize he’s not alone.” Jou blinked but nodded and headed to his room to take a shower.

Seto strolled slowly around his garden and almost leaped from his skin when some one jumped out of the bushes. The man who jumped out at him had mangy blond hair and golden brown eyes. He saw pieces of the man he loved in the man before him. That meant that the man before him was Jou’s father. “Ah, sorry to disturb ya, Kaiba-san but I wanted to see my son graduate. Jou’s all I got left. I know I’m not a great father but I don’t want my boy to hate me. Can ya help?” He looked the man over for a long time judging him to be the same size as one of his security guards. Thinking of which where were they? Just then his security team came from the bushes and looked at the man the looked at him. “If this man meant me harm I would have been dead before you idiots even showed up. Lucky for you this is one of my guests. Take him into the pool house get him showered, shaved, changed, and cleaned. Then take him to the graduation arena. Don’t tell Jou I want it to be a surprise. As for you Jounouchi-san if you want a relationship with your son I suggest you get sober and stop gambling.” The man looked at him and smiled holding out a small box. Inside the box was a pin that said ‘six months clean and sober.’ He nodded and turned heading to the house.

Jou pounced on Seto as he strolled through the door. He frantically looked his lover over and sighed in relief when he saw all was as it should be. “I heard there was an intruder in the garden. Are you ok?” Seto nodded slowly and smiled. “It was me.” He chuckled and kissed his lover deeply loving the feel of Seto. “I’m not going to beak up with you. I’m also not going to let you break up with me. I can’t live with out you Seto. If I could I would move further than a block from where you spend most of your time. I can’t live with out you but I need to live with out your money.” His lover kissed him softly and sighed. “Fine. You’ll just have to bring me lunch every day. Then I get to spend the nights on the weekends or on the days I work really late.”

Jou grinned and kissed Seto deeply nibbling at warm soft lips. He could easily see Seto staying five out of the seven days. “Sounds perfect. Then we can fool around in you office and see how your desk at Kaiba Corp holds up.” Seto laughed softly and kissed the top of his head. “Jou I love you.” He snuggled into his warm lover and sighed. “I love you too.” He stood there as Seto tenderly kissed him and realized his lover was warmer than normal. He looked into blue eyes that were glassy and Seto’s skin was abnormally pale. “Are you feeling ok dragon? You seem to have a bit of a fever.” His lover shrugged and sighed. “I’ll be fine. Let’s go get ready.”

~~~

Seto walked up to the pulpit to give the closing speech. He looked over the faces of all his classmates his eyes lingering on Jou who smiled brightly. “As I look out today I can say, we did it.” The crowd cheered and he smiled slightly. “Now we must move up and move one with our lives as we move to the future. We are all capable of great things and I know we will all do our best to achieve our dreams. This is not a goodbye but a new form of hello. I wish you all the best of luck. Now lets get the hell out of here.” There was another cheer as hats were thrown in the air. He calmly walked of the stage and sank down to the floor as soon as he was out of sight. His head was pounding and he felt the need to throw up. “Mr. Kaiba are you ok?” A soft voice asked and he looked up at his math teacher. A cool and was pressed to his head and he leaned into it with out thinking. “My goodness you are burning up. Do you need me to call a doctor?” He shook his head regretting the action. “No just go get my brother. He has my security guards with him. They will help me to the car.” The lady nodded and marched off. He pressed his head into his hands and tried to calm the pounding in the back of his scull. “Seto?” His brother’s voice cracked slightly as he was tackled in a hug. “I’m fine Mokuba. I just need some help to the car.” Two strong arms grabbed him and pulled him up. He gripped on to Isono and nodded.

Jou eyes flicked to the stage as he chatted with his friends. He was concerned that his lover hadn’t yet shown up. “Katsuya?” He turned and blinked at his old man who stood calmly facing him. “Dad? You came? Why?” His father shrugged but silently handed him a small box wrapped messily with plain paper. He opened the box and looked at the pin then up at his father. “I heard what you did for me. I’ve been getting help. I’m so proud of you. You are such a good boy. I know I’m not the best father ever but I wanted to see my boy walk across that stage and get his diploma.” Tears filled his eyes and he gripped his father in a tight hug. “Thanks Dad.” His dad smiled and pounded him on the back. “DADDY!” His sister squealed and hugged their father tightly. He saw his dad blink and smile hugging Shizuka close. “Daddy I’m happy to see you.” He smiled at his mom who nodded and shrugged. He held up the pin to her and she gave a soft sigh. Things were going to be better this time Jou could feel it.

Mokuba sat with Seto gently stroking chocolate colored bangs from a sweaty brow. His brother’s head was in his lap. He sighed softly not sure what to do. Seto had rarely even been sick or sick enough to show it. His brother had always taken care of him he just wished he could remember what to do to take care of his brother. “Isono go tell Jou where we are. Seto are we still having the party or are we going to postpone?” His brother looked up at him and smiled softly. “We’ll have the party. So many of Jou’s friends are leaving in a few days. Jou needs this. I can go lay down in my room while you guys have fun.” He nodded and looked at the security guard who left silently. He shook his head knowing Seto would have done the same for him. He leaned down and hugged his brother tightly. “I’m going to miss you Seto.” His brother kissed his head softly and smiled. “I’m going to miss you too. Don’t worry I’m sure I can find time to come visit.” He nodded and leaned back. Things were changing so fast.

Jou looked up as Isono loomed over him and he grinned. The man’s face didn’t change and he blinked. “So where is my dragon? Is he ready to go? We’ve been waiting for him.” The security guard pulled him off to the side and looked him over. “Kaiba-sama wasn’t feeling well so he is lying down in the car. He still wants to have the party and he is ready to go when ever you are.” Jou nodded and stood heading back to his friends. “Well are we ready to party?” Every one nodded and headed over with their parents getting ready to go. Jou rushed off to be with his poor dragon.

Mokuba jumped as the limo door was yanked open but he smiled at Jou. His brother’s lover was hardly in the car but already fussing. Seto and Jou were a good match. All he wanted was for his brother to be happy and safe. He felt more at ease knowing that Seto was in Jou’s capable hands.

Seto blinked and smiled at his puppy as cool hands pressed to his face. He sighed softly and his lover huffed. “Seto you are burning up. Oh dragon why didn’t you tell any one you weren’t feeling good? You said you would be fine when I noticed it this morning. This is not fine Seto.” He smiled softly and his lover started digging though the small fridge. A cold bottle of water was pressed to his head while he was forced to sit up. Jou gave him more water and he took small sips. “I’m fine puppy.” His lover growled and pouted softly.

~~~

The party was in full swing but all Jou could think of was his sick dragon. He had Seto in cool cloths under loads of blankets with a cool damp rag on his head. He looked at all his friends having fun and saying their goodbyes. So many were leaving. Ryou and Bakura were moving to England. Mokuba, Nagi and his sister were off to a school in Switzerland. Yami and Yugi were off to Egypt with Malik, Marik, Isis, and Odin. Anzu was off to New York for dance. Mai was off to Australia to be with Valon. Otogi and Honda were leaving for a school in Tokyo. He would be lonely. “Jou how is Seto?” Yami asked softly. He looked at the ancient spirit and frowned. “Yugi showed you?” He asked and the other nodded. There was no need to elaborate. “Yes. I have treated Kaiba very poorly and for that I am sorry. I would very much like to make amends with him. I owe him that much at the very least.” He smiled brightly glad that Yami and Seto might be able to get along. “I’m not sure how happy he’ll be to see you. He’s not in a great mood today. I think he caught the flu.” Yami sighed deeply but smiled. “Well why not go up and try and talk him into coming down at least to open gifts. Then we’ll all go on our way.

Seto lay with Mokuba snuggled close and he sighed softly. His brother hadn’t done this in a while and he had missed it. “Seto I want to thank you for taking care of me all these years. I’m so happy you found some one to take care of you for once. I’m going to miss you.” He smiled and lazily pushed mounds of black hair from a handsome face. Mokuba had lost much of his child like looks and in there place were the blossoming looks of a man. “Mokie, I’ll miss you too. Don’t worry though little brother I own my own jet so if you ever need me all you have to do is call and I’ll be there in fourteen hours or so.” Mokuba laughed softly and sighed deeply. “So I take it that you are not moving to the U.S. to start up another division of Kaiba Corp.” Seto lay there quietly for a while not speaking. “I can’t leave Jou.” Mokuba patted his brother’s head and nodded. “I know.”

Jou paused at the door hearing the end of the conversation. He loved Seto dearly for not wanting to leave him yet it hurt to know that his lover was being held back. He sighed heavily and knocked on the door slapping on a smile. “Hay babe how you feelin’?” His lover smiled softly and held out a hand. He went over and kissed the still slightly warm forehead. “Still a little bit of a fever but it seems to have gone down a bit. So my beautiful dragon I was wondering if you were up for opening some graduation gifts with the rest of us. We’ll hang on the couch so you don’t have to move.” His lover stared at him with intense blue eyes then held up both arms like a small child. “Carry me.” He grinned and scooped up his lover kissing him soundly. He then carried his precious sick dragon down the stairs to share in the gifts.

~~~
Seto watched silently as every one got together with their families and were given gifts. Yugi’s parents, along with Ryou’s parents had come in special. Marik had his sister and Odin. Jou had his mother, father and sister. Otogi, Honda, and Anzu also had their parents as well. It was heart breaking knowing he was what he had. Mokuba was his life but things were very different when you were the one being cared for instead of doing the caring.

Seth strode silently down the hall. He shouldn’t been in his light’s house but he could not stay away. He needed to see that the one he had hurt badly in a past life was finally happy. He saw that Seto was happy. However a lingering darkness called to him so he went. He paused at the door staring at it then opened it slowly. Pain and suffering screamed though the room, it was so intense it almost choked him. Then a small glimmer of fading dieing light flickered before him and he looked at the image of his young light. “Who are you?” He knelt coming eye to eye with the fading light. “I am some one who loves you. I’m here to take you so you can be with your parents.” The boy’s eyes filled with hope and the light started to glow. It faded almost as quickly. “They will not want me. Seto let me die and I am dirty.” He shook his head and felt the deep longing that Seto had kept even from himself along with so many other things. “Oh no my young one. Seto kept you safe so that you may live, just as he kept Mokuba safe so that he may live. Seto was the one who died. You are not dirty my sweet child and I can promise that your parents want you more than anything. Will you come see them with me?” The little ghost, the phantom of all Seto had given up looked around the room then at him. “What will happen to Seto?” He smiled and took a small warm hand. “He will live.” The boy shook his head and tears filled blue eyes. “He will be alone if I leave.” He sighed deeply and touched the child’s cheek. The boy was Seto yet he was not Seto. It was odd. “He needs to be alone. He needs to live for himself and no one else.” The boy thought it over and nodded bright gold light flaring like a beacon of hope. “Take me to Mommy and Daddy I miss them.” He nodded and took the child’s hand hoping a small part of his light would find happiness.

Jou flopped in Seto’s lap and kissed his lover soundly. “How ya feeling Dragon?” His lover shrugged slightly and he saw the glimmer of tears in blue eyes. He looked around the room at all the parents happy with their kids then looked at his lover. Seto’s parents had been taken from him when he was young and Seto had in turn become a parent. There was no one there for his love. Mokuba was there but he knew it wasn’t the same. Jou sighed unsure of what to say so he pressed his head to that of his lover. “Thanks for inviting my dad. I needed to see him.” His lover smiled and kissed him softly. “Seto!” His lover looked up as Chisa and Kentaro walked though the door. “Hay honey. We had a small emergency right after graduation. I’m so proud of you.” Chisa gave Seto a tight hug smiling brightly. His lover smiled and hugged the lady back. “What was the emergency? Is everything ok?” The lady looked at her husband and smiled. “Well I’ve been dieing to tell you but I wanted to know for sure. I’m pregnant! There was some spotting so we rushed to the doctor but everything was just fine.”

Seto stared at his sectary then looked at his good friend who was blushing softly. He hugged Chisa tightly laughing happily. “Oh that’s great! I’m so happy for you.” The lady smiled and tenderly placed a hand on her lower belly. “I want you to be the baby’s godfather. I want you always to be a part of this baby’s life because you are like a little brother to me Seto.” Seto touched his chest feeling warm and fuzzy. “Chisa I would be honored.” The lady smiled and hugged him tightly then thrust a gift to his chest. He happily opened it and looked at the beautiful picture frame with an empty spot. “I was hoping we could get a picture of every one and their families to put in there. I was also hoping maybe Kentaro and I could stand in as a small part of your family.” Seto nodded feeling oddly touched then smiled. “Let’s go to the garden.”

Jou grabbed his lover’s hand as every one headed outside for pictures. He kissed Seto softly smiling and handing over a small box. Seto opened it and looked at the key that sat on top. “It’s a key to my apartment. I want you over any time you want to be there.” Seto looked at him for a long time then kissed him deeply. “I got you a little something too.” He took the envelope that Seto handed him and opened it up. In side were two tickets to a hot springs for the weekend. A whole weekend alone with Seto in a Yukata was a dream come true. “This is great Seto thank you.” His lover looked at him for a while so he checked the envelope again. Inside were keys to the house and another key. He picked up the second key looking it over for a while. “I’ll show you what it is to once the pictures are all done.” He nodded and headed outside with his lover.

They all stood together friends and family alike. Seto’s security team decided they were Seto’s family so they were in a few of the pictures as well. Every ones favorite picture was just of all the friends. Jou, Seto, Yugi, Yami, Bakura, Ryou, Honda, Otogi, Malik, Marik, Mai, Anzu, Valon, Mokuba, Shizuka and the most recent addition of Nagi all stood smiling knowing this was the last time they would have together for a while. It was a happy day. Even if Seto ended up giving every one the flu.