Bury It Deeper

 

Seto waited patiently for Jou to answer his knock. There was several heartbeats of time during which he worried that they had both been hurt worse than they seemed and they were passed out unable to come to the door. He decided to give it another thirty seconds before breaking in. On the twenty-sixth second the door opened slowly and Jou stared at him with wide, shadowed eyes. "Hey Kaiba. Yugi said ya were gonna be here but... I thought you might be too busy." Stepping back he motioned the brunet into the room.



"I finished up early." His keen eyes took in the new bruising. "What happened?" Gently, his fingers traced the angry marks on the blond's face.



"My last night of work at Boozee. Yugi wanted ta come too, ya know, for moral support. There was a frickin' bar fight. Yugi an' me got caught up is all. Yugi's in the shower washin' away beer and bar trash." Even if Seto hadn't known the truth, he wouldn't have believed the blond. His evasive eyes and fidgeting hands were a dead give-away.



Rather than confront him though, Seto wrapped him in a warm embrace and enjoying the freshly showered scent of Jou's hair and body. "As long as it's your last night and the damage is this slight I won't worry." Giving him a gentle squeeze, he pulled the blond over to the couch and asked softly, "Tell me about why you think we can't be together."



He was touched and a little amused when Jou tightened his hold for a few seconds before trying to push away. Of course Seto wouldn't allow it, but he was touched that Jounouchi made the effort. "Well about a year an' a half ago I... I... I... I needed money ta get me outta th' hellhole I was stuck in, ta pay for college an' stuff. I was workin' three jobs an' it just wasn't enough. So I gotta offer that was more 'n I'd make in ten years. Some rich guy wanted pictures of me 'cavortin' with some duel monsters. It was like a dream come true. With that kinda money I could go ta one job a day, buy dis place, go ta college and even get a car. I jumped at it. It wasn't like they were porn or anythin', but if dey come up, it'll ruin yer image. I mean yer all about kids and games an' the pictures are... not kiddy stuff."



"Hnn... What kind of pictures, if not porn?"



"I told ya. Just me 'cavortin'," Jou frowned "I'm usually wearing like shorts or pj bottoms, a couple times in th' buff. An' I pose with plushies or on a bed covered in blankets and sheets decorated with monsters. Dat's all. A kind of duel monsters Victoria Secret thing. But... but..."



"Pose how?" Seto was curious, and under it a possessiveness was growing. The pictures sounded too adorable. He would acquire them by any and all means.



"Just huggin' them or sittin' on them. They could be totally innocent or raunchy as hell dependin' on how ya think."



"Nothing overtly sexual? No genitals showing or sexual poses?"



"Fuck no. I don't do porn. It was just... just fun stuff ya know." He sighed and shook back his hair. "So ya see why I can't be with ya?"



Seto grinned and shook his head. "Not at all. Don't be dense. The pictures were taken when you were under-age. If someone published them, they would likely get slammed for kiddy porn or worse. If they are harmless then it could only help the sales of duel monsters. We might even do a lighter-themed calendar that highlight Duel Monster-themed plushies, bedding and pj's. We will just have to see. Take the poison out of the blackmail and you find yourself holding all the aces."



Jou looked at him through his bangs, eyes obscured and impossible to read. "Ya ain't disgusted with me for... for posin' like that?"



Seto allowed himself a mental eye roll before answering as honestly as he could without calling him an idiot. "I've done more than take harmless 'naughty' pictures to secure a safe place for myself and Mokuba. Do you think I'd be a hypocrite and look down on you? Your drive and determination to better yourself regardless of supposedly 'moral' issues tells me we have more in common than I thought." He sat back and tousled the slightly damp blond mop. "It is not important."



Jou stared at him, obviously weighing his words, before nodding slowly. "Okay, if ya say so." He forced a smile "So... ya got any plans for th' rest of th' night?"



Seto allowed a slow smile to curve his lips. "Sleeping with my lovers."



"Slee... Ah... Uhm... Ain't we moving kinda fast?" Jou swallowed nervously. Seto found it funny that the normally fearless 'godfather of duelling' was nervous.



"I said sleep, not sex," he clarified. "I don't think you trust me enough quite yet." Besides if he made love with them he might feel guilty about returning the package to them. Despite their growing relationship, or perhaps because of it, somehow it was becoming vital that they confide in him about the body. A test of faith or trust- something. This had happened too easily and nothing had ever been easy for him. "I have an overnight kit in the car." He shrugged slightly. "I planned on being asked to stay." Seeing Jou's narrowed eyes, he held up his hands in mock surrender. "Just in case; I like to be prepared."



Yugi's tense voice interrupted, "You're taking us for granted already?"



Seto reacted by stiffening slightly for just a split second before shaking his head and giving them both a rueful smile. "Definitely need to work on trust issues. I'm called away on business frequently. I always pack one, if not two, days worth of clothes and sundries in my cars. I hate using generic courtesy soap and relying on the dry cleaning at hotels. I've never had a good experience."



Yugi's tension melted. "Oh," he mumbled softly. "Yeah, trust issues are going to be a problem for a while."



Seto released his cradling hold on Jou, snuggling the blond into his right side and half-turned, holding one arm out so Yugi could cuddle into his left side. "Nothing we can't work on."



Yugi's lips curved up at the corners minutely before tucking into the offered embrace. To Seto there was something tired and infinitely sad about that tiny movement. It tugged at a corner of his heart. Almost against his will, he asked, "Are you guys all right? You both are so bruised and... sad looking. Should I contact my doctor and have him come over?"



Yugi declined to answer, only turning his face into Seto's shoulder. Jou shook his head slightly. "We're just kinda tired. Nothin' but bruises." Jou pulled away from the comforting warmth. "Let's get Yugi ta bed. I'll wait till yer ready. I wanna talk to ya about somethin'."



Seto, finding his arm empty of it's bundle, wrapped it around Yugi, who immediately snuggled tighter against him, practically crawling onto his lap. Lifting his brows slightly at the strangely heartwarming action, he nodded, his heart skipping a beat. Perhaps Jou was going to confide the murders to him. As graceful as possible under the circumstances, with Yugi more or less cradled on his lap, he rose and carried his light - too light - lover into Jou's bedroom.



He was surprised to find a huge, at least king sized, hard-sided water bed complete with mirrored headboard and small posts. "A water bed?"



Yugi wriggled and Seto obligingly set him on his feet. "It's heated and everything. I don't think I've ever slept so well in my life as I did last night." The fact that he'd been drugged by 'tea' the last time he'd slept on the bed not withstanding. Yugi didn't know he'd been drugged.



Seto nodded and tested the mattress with a curious poke. He blinked slightly when a sloshing wave crossed the bed and then came back at him. Instantly, his mind filled with images of exactly what that kind of wave action could do. "Hmmm and to think I never even considered a water bed. I can definitely see the... advantages and potential." He tossed back the comforter, blanket and top sheet and motioned Yugi in. "You lay down and get it warm for us. We'll be in soon."



Yugi, eyes drooping from the painkiller Jou had insisted he take not to mention the relief from the constant stress of having to hide a dead body, plus the trauma of being attacked and almost sold to a Yakuza lord, slipped into the bed, his eyes closing even as his spiked-hair fanned out on the pillow beneath him. "G'night."



Unable to resist temptation, Seto gently stroked his fingers through through the golden bangs, careful not to touch the bruised face or tug his hair. "Good night. We'll be in soon," he repeated. He allowed himself one last caress when Yugi turned into his hand like a child seeking the warmth and comfort of a parent's touch.



Shaking off the odd tenderness, he felt, Seto withdrew his hand and silently glided from the room. He was aware of Jou staying long enough to adjust the blankets over the smaller man before following. "I'll get my things and be right back." Just to be a devil - and because it was true - he sighed. "Guess you haven't had a chance to stock your pantry yet? I have been too busy to eat and I'm hungry."



At Jou's wide-eyes and hapless sputters, he shrugged and took out his phone. "No worries I'll get something delivered. There are a few all night places that are quite palatable. I'll get you something too because I hate to eat alone." Not the truth, but not a lie either. If he had a choice he'd rather eat with Jou than eat alone. Hitting number six on speed dial, he ordered his regular and a curry and rice for Jou. On impulse he added a few more things that could be stored in the fridge for breakfast or late night snacking. One never knew when one might need quick energy.



When Seto shut the door behind him, Jou sighed and stretched. He couldn't help, but feel anxious. They'd dumped the body in the trash and gotten back to the bar when Hiata's guys had grabbed them. The jerks had literally ripped them out of their street clothes and forced them to parade around in those stupid costumes. He'd fought them off as best he could, but in the end he couldn't beat all five of them, even with Yugi's help.



He wished he could feel bad about the man he was almost sure he'd killed. But it had been him or them and he wasn't going down without a fight. If he was gonna die he'd take as many of them with him as possible. Only thing that had stopped him was the gun to Yugi's head. He'd risk himself, but he wouldn't risk his dear friend.



The Yakuza boss was new, one he hadn't ever seen before, and Jou had thought he'd seen them all. But that guy had obviously been high up, higher than anyone down on his end of town had been known to run with. Did those guys even run? Jou didn't know and he didn't know what had saved them. The Yakuza boss had been apologetic, even writing off the loss of his own man as expected. He'd been concerned for them, seeing to their safety, assuring them that there would be no fallout. Hell his men had even returned Otogi's car to the storage garage, parking it inside out of public eye.



It was confusing and scary as hell. And that last bit, if he ever found himself alone or needing a job? What the hell had that been about? The guy sounded like he wanted to hit on him, but didn't want to upset him. Yeah the guy had said something about him and Yugi being famous and being a fan or whatever, but since when did Yakuza let shit like that interfere with family business?



Once they were home and safe, he'd tended to Yugi's bruises and gave him some of his special tea and a pain killer which he swallowed with no demur. While his friend washed the pill down with tea and relaxed, Jou had decided to take a shower. When he got out, he noticed Yugi was still wide awake and tense as a piano wire. Hoping hot water and getting the smell of the alley and bar off him would help him, Jou shooed Yugi off to the shower, careful to leave the door open in case the tea, painkiller, tension and shock caught up to the smaller man all at once and he needed help. To give himself something to do, he decided to change the sheets and make his bed while Yugi showered. He was just spreading the comforter when Seto arrived.



Seto was another issue he was uncertain about. Not his own feelings because those had been set in stone for years. No, it was as if he were missing something obvious. As if he should be asking questions, but he couldn't seem to get his brain to spit out the questions much less comprehend the answers. Besides Seto was the only bright spot in this entire fiasco of a week.



He gave the brunet a genuine smile when he came back in. It gave him a little glow when he didn't even knock. He felt at home enough to walk in. "Yer gonna hafta wait about an hour before you can take a shower.”



“That’s fine, I’d rather shower after eating anyway.” He gave the blond a direct look as he placed his bag next to the hall entry. “You had something you wanted to talk about?”



“Yeah. C’mon in and sit down. Kick off yer shoes and coat. Get comfy, yanno? Mi castle es su castle,” Jou mangled the saying deliberately, hoping to get a smile. He was rewarded with an eye roll.



“Always the clown. But I appreciate the sentiment.” Seto did just as suggested, kicking off his shoes and hanging up his coat. With a sigh, he sank down on the soft cushions. Jou sank to the floor and leaned half against the couch, half against his leg. Seto’s hand found its way to Jou’s soft, still damp golden hair. “What’s up?" After years of living with Mokuba's long mass, his fingers automatically began to comb and fluff, drying and de-tangling at the same time.



Jou sighed and leaned into his touch. "I wanna talk to ya about Yugi."



"Yugi?" Seto was startled and a bit wary. Was his blond going to say he didn't want to include Yugi? Was he going to say he preferred Yugi? Was he going to confess that Yugi killed...



"Yeah. See... I think... I mean... I know he loved Atemu, but... I can't help thinkin' about what he said, about th' way Atemu treated him. I... Yugi thinks they were soul mates, but... but...they weren't! No way would a soul mate treat him like dat - no way would he leave him - I don't think he could." Jou shook his head violently and glared up at him in clear challenge, ready to defend his next statement. "I don't think so at all. Soul mates don't need other people either. Yugi loved Anzu, but Atemu... I think he needed her because Yugi loved her."



"So you're saying we're not soul mates?" Okay off topic, but for some reason that was the only thing that came to Seto’s mind.



"No I think we are. 'Cause you and me are different and our feelings for each other are complicated. We both may need Yugi for th' same reason. I love him an' that's besides finding him hot as hell. He balances me 'cause he calms me down. I know I ain't th' most stable. In return, I give him confidence. You... You balance me in another way. Yer like... a stone I grind against. Ya make me sharper and stronger. Ya challenge me ta grow."



"Hnnn and how does that effect me?" Jou was surprising him with his insight. He really wanted to know what else the blond knew.



"See I thought about that a lot. How I could be of value to ya. First, I'll tell ya about Yugi and you. He challenges you like you challenge me. I thought Atemu was your true challenge, but every time it was Yugi that beat ya, his strength and his ability to believe in ya. He gives you... challenge and hope." Jou grinned at the wide-eyed look he was receiving. "Don't deny it 'cause I gotcha all figured out ya know. Now me an' you, dat is different. I give you happiness, laughter. Even when yer laughing at me or poking fun, yer happy. Yer not the nicest guy in the world and I give you an outlet to poke fun, not just at me, but at yourself and yer own meanness. Ya know I give as good as I get an' I won't hold a grudge. Besides, I understand ya in ways Yugi never could. We've both seen and done bad shit and we both know it. I don't condemn ya and ya know I've got yer back." His small grin faltered and he reached up to trace Seto's cheek. "We both give ya someone to trust - someone ya can be human with - weak with and strong for. You've had Mokuba for that, but you know he is a dragon too an' won't let you get away with protectin' him like a chick." A sly glance upwards, filled with teasing made Seto bite back a grin. "I'll let ya protect my ass as long as I'm protecin' yers. Yugi... I get th' feelin' he's gonna need both of us protectin' him."



Swallowing back the urge to kiss the too-smart blond silly, Seto rolled his eyes. "Yeah right, me weak? Give me a break. Is that all you are good for?"



"Well there is somethin' else." Jou grinned cheekily, eyes sparkling mischievously. "We both want ta do ya 'til ya cry uncle then do ya again just ta teach ya a lesson."



"What lesson would that be?" He smirked, rising as the doorbell rang.  Politely and quickly, he took the food and shut the door, locking it.



Taking the curry smelling container, Jou waited politely for Seto to seat himself with his container before opening his own then he waited and with perfect timing he drawled, "Teachin' ya th' difference between fuckin' a whore an' makin' love with someone special." He barely stifled his chuckle as Seto choked on his beef slice.



When the brunet got his wheezing under control, he lifted an eyebrow and snorted. "Want to bet who cries uncle first?"



For a few seconds, Seto thought Jou would take the bait then abruptly the light of challenge faded and was replaced by a look of sexual heat and submission that his cock, usually very controlled, jumped to attention. "Oh hell! No..."



The molten honey-gold deepened with invitation as pink colored his cheeks. "I've wanted ya for so long I'll probably cum just lookin' at ya th' first time. But ya don't hafta worry about it. I'm kinda... well... I can usually get it up a lot. Usually four or more times a night." The pink deepened to rose when Jou confessed, "I don't have th' nightsticks you an' Yugi sport. I'm just average size. But I got a lot of energy."



That made the attentive member in his pants twitch despite the mental image of Hiata with a nightstick shoved up his ass. Carefully, Seto placed his chopsticks in his container of food and set it on the floor. "Energy is good. I've always noticed your mouth is very energetic," he rasped softly as he took Jou's container of curry from him. "Come up here show me some of that energy."



Jou didn't waste time on a token protest. He wanted to kiss Seto, had wanted to forever. And it wasn't like he was totally inexperienced; he'd done his fair share of kissing and heavy petting. His partners had even claimed they orgasmed just from the way he kissed, using his tongue to simulate sexual dominance, then sucking on their tongues in a pulsing rhythm, and using his whole body to share warmth and pleasure. Plus there was that extra 'special' something he was sure Seto didn't know a thing about. So yeah he might be a virgin, but he damn well knew how to kiss. Maybe if he impressed Seto enough, Seto would let him kiss and suck more than just his mouth...



Knowing how enthusiastic Jou always seemed to be about everything, Seto envisioned him diving in for some sloppy, deep French kisses. Instead, much to Seto’s surprise and pleasure, Jou cuddled in close and slowly began kissing him with not just his mouth, but with his whole body. The blonde’s top leg wrapped loosely around Seto’s and he began moving it slowly up and down his thigh. Jou’s hand gently massaged Seto’s chest and shoulder through his shirt. The other arm wrapped around the brunet and pulled him close with his thumb caressing one side of his neck while Jou lightly nipped then soothed the other side several times before his lips began working their way up to suckle on his earlobe. If Seto didn’t know better, he’d swear Jou was growling softly the entire time. The vibrations, ever so slight as they were, seemed to add to the full body experience of the kiss.



Seto’s eyes fluttered shut almost as soon as Jou began, a soft moan escaping from deep in the brunet’s throat. The wanton sensations unexpectedly overloaded his senses from every direction all at once. He’d never imagined a kiss anything like this coming from an experienced lover much less from a virgin like Jounouchi proclaimed to be. The gentle leg and shoulder massage caused him to relax more than he normally found himself able to do. It relaxed him and aroused anticipation of how those firm, but gentle fingers could stimulate him in places other than where they were currently touching.



After several seconds of suckling on his earlobe, Seto felt delicate kisses making a slow journey to his waiting lips. At the same time the massage gave way to feathery touches that began moving toward the buttons of his shirt. When Jou’s lips reached Seto’s mouth, the blond lightly licked the full lips before gently opening his mouth and lightly raking his teeth across them. He licked them again and put a bit more pressure into his kiss. By this time his fingers had found their way inside Seto’s shirt and had begun their assault on his bare, silken flesh.



Seto found himself unable to resist the softly murmured invitation when Jou reached his lips. A light pinch to his bare and sensitive nipple added to the incentive to open his mouth so that Jou’s tongue could begin a slow and thorough exploration. Seto could feel himself on the verge of coming and, except for the rubbing of his thigh by Jou’s leg, Jou hadn’t even begun to make the journey below his waist. It was his turn to growl, in protest, when the blond slowly tapered off the movements and contact, sliding away to rest back on the floor.



When he'd gathered enough of his brain cells to think, the only thought in Seto’s brain was how to get them both naked and horizontal as fast as possible. "Jounouchi..." He rasped, already reaching for the blond, only to find him moving out of his reach. "Come back."



"Nah, a kiss is as far as it goes. I agree with what ya said earlier. We got trust issues. Besides, Yugi would be hurt if we went farther without him." Jou picked up one of the iced drinks Seto had ordered with the food and handed it to him. "Cool your jets Blue Eyes. If yer good I'll even give ya a full out Jounouchi Special," the blond actually had the nerve to tease.



"Oh? What would that be?"  He wondered as he turned sideways and put his legs up on the couch, leaning back on the arm.  If it was better than that kiss, horizontal was a good position.



"Well..."



Yugi's voice interrupted unexpectedly. "You don't know? How out of it were you in school? Even I'd heard of the 'Jounouchi Special.'" Yugi grinned and crossed to plunk down on the couch - even though it was currently occupied by a reclining Kaiba. The result was Yugi's cute butt sitting on Seto's hard abs. "It's supposed to be a kiss that can make ya come without any other kind of touching." Yugi gave the blond sitting next to the couch at his feet a teasing look. "He's been stingy and has never shared it with me. But I remember one time these girls came up to him and told him to prove it. He left with them and when he came back they were following him like mice after cheese. Later they said he had them shivering and moaning in less than five minutes." Yugi beamed proudly "It was a legend that raised Jou's status as much as being a duel monsters champion."

ah well



Jou sighed and leaned his head back so it rested on Seto's upper thigh, next to Yugi's rump. "Yer forgetting something. Don't ya remember what one of th' girls said? That I kinda growled and it made her all hot and bothered, like I was some kind of wild beast... And she was in Otogi's fanclub. 'Cause of that I ended up in a dog suit and called mutt more times than I want ta remember." With an indignant finger, he poked Seto's leg. "Even by you." Glowering up at the blue-eyes, he threatened, "I oughtta not kiss ya til ya apologize for callin' me that."



Seto hiked an eyebrow at that very real threat, but chose to let it go. Jounouchi loved him and would be unable to follow through with it. "I wondered where the dog suit idea came from. At the time I thought Otogi was straight, and puppies and masters are very standard in the gay world. You have to admit, you have some very canine-like qualities." The blistering glares from both of his lovers made him add hastily, "Loyal, caring, friendly, loving, smart, playful... Need I go on?"



Jou's glare faded, but a flicker of mischief mixed with venom flickered in his eyes for a moment before he shrugged. "Pulled that one out yer ass. Just for that... I'll demonstrate for ya." Seeing the brunet shift in anticipation, Jou shook his head. "With Yugi."



A frisson raced through Yugi, making him jerk upright and his eyes widen as his cheeks flooded with color. Confusion and undeniable interest made his eyes wide and vaguely stunned as he looked at Jou. "J...Jou... you... I … uhm..." He couldn't form a sentence to save his life. It seemed his body had self-preservation abilities though because his stomach let out a huge rumble. His cheeks flushed and he ducked his head in embarrassment only to look up when Jou protested, "Don't look at me, Kaiba."



"I didn't say anything." The brunet shrugged. "But maybe you should eat instead of worrying about giving someone a 'special."



"Look you..."



"It was me. I mean... I smelled the food and got up. I'm really hungry." Yugi interceded before they could argue more. "I'm sorry. I just..."



Jou was already on the move, retrieving one of the 'extra' containers Seto had ordered. A quick look inside and he grinned. "Lion's Head okay Yugi?"



"Yeah great." He smiled gratefully when Jou handed him the container.



Seto shifted slightly to pick up his own food. Yugi didn't take it as a hint though. It was obvious Seto didn't want him to move.



"It might be spicy Yugi. The chef is from the Chongqing region." He warned.



"Really? I've always wanted to try some of the regional stuff. I've had some from Wuhan and Shanghai, but never Chongqing."



Jou looked up at them both, his eyes smiling. "Well if it's th' same chef ya got nothin' ta worry about. This is th' best curry I've ever ate."



"Mmmhmmm this Ginger Beef with vegetables is one of my favorites." Seto gave them a small smile. "Just the right amount of spice. The chef is the only true Master Chinese Chef in Domino."



"Thank you for the food Ka... Seto." Yugi mumbled around a bite of meatball. "The spice is perfect."



They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, with Jou finishing his meal first and setting aside his empty container. Seto finished next and Jou took the container, carrying them out to the kitchen. While Yugi finished eating, Jou decided to make small talk.



"So, the new foundation get poured on yer house today?"



"No. That was one of the things that hampered my day. Some miscreant, probably the same one who torched the old place, dug a pit in the packed ground. It almost looked like a grave. The hole had to be filled in and the ground repacked. I've decided to station guards out there." He exhaled sharply, knowing this was going to make them jump a bit. "When I get my hands on the loser messing with my home, I'm going to..." He trailed off, and growled low. Seeing Yugi lay down his chopsticks, looking rather sick, he shrugged. "Probably just ignore it." He sighed ruefully. "The second part of it is that when the crew was filling in the hole they found a layer of soft rock that had been undetected. If I had built on the foundation as it was the whole structure would have failed during construction. They are adding hardening compounds to the ground to make it stable for development."



Sick look fading, Yugi took a small bite of his food. "So it was a good thing? The vandalism then?"



"Yes." Seto hid a slight grin when Yugi gave a very audible sigh of relief and tucked back into his meal. He settled more comfortably. "Jou told me you guys were in a bar fight." Letting his eyes linger on the bruise on the side of Yugi's face, he asked softly, "Want to talk about it?"



Yugi flinched slightly from his look and dropped his eyes. "I... uhm... I'd rather eat." He sent Jou an appealing look. "But Jou can tell you."



The blond sighed and shrugged. "Not a lot to it. We were workin'; takin' out th' trash. When we got back inside some Burakumin punks were bustin' up th' place. It was rough, but nothin' we couldn't handle. We got out as soon as we could, but as ya can see we both took a couple hits. Dat's all."



"Hnn..." Seto was actually impressed. It was a lie and the truth very skillfully blended. "You didn't enjoy it, did you? Some people do. Once in a while I like to spar, but..."



"Are ya nuts? Sparrin' is good, but this was a brawl with people gettin' really hurt. 'Sides, Yugi ain't cut out for that kinda thing." Jou sighed and gave up a few details. "One guy slammed somethin' inta Yugi's face an' I had ta lay him out with a head butt. Guess it's a good thing I gotta hard head." He laughed, but it had an undertone of bitterness and a strange hint of hysteria.



Remembering what the Yakuza lord had said about Jou killing someone, Seto reached out and tenderly stroked his cheek. "Yeah, a damn good thing."



Jou gave him a curious look, but was forestalled from asking by a large belch from Yugi. "Whoa Dude! That's gotta be at least a six."



Yugi, knowing a red herring when he heard one, laughed back at him. "Nah, more like an eight."



Jou stood up and offered him a hand, pulling him to his feet. Without waiting a beat, he reached down for Seto. "You guys go brush your teeth an' get into bed. I'll put th' food away for tomorrow and be there in a minute." Giving them a playfully stern, lecherous look, he ordered, "No fun stuff without me."



Seto, still holding one hand, and Yugi, still holding the other, shared a look then acted as one. Seto with an eye roll and Yugi with an adorable pout. "Awww..."



"Want some help?" Seto asked, hesitating for just a moment.



"Nah, it's okay. I'll be in just about th' time you an' Yugi finish' in th' bathroom." He bit his lip and confessed. "I don't like sharin'."



Seto chuckled softly. "I think sharing some things is going to be... fantastic." Poking the blond lightly in the side, he walked away. "But tooth brushes and washcloths are not quite what I mean." With a sway calculated to get Jou thinking of what exactly he did mean, the taller man strolled into the hall.



Jou found them standing awkwardly by the bed. It was something he'd never thought he'd see - Kaiba Seto looking awkward. "Get in Kaiba. Yugi sleeps on the right and I sleep on the left. That leaves you to take the center." He grinned and playfully shoved the tall brunet, sending him tumbling onto the water bed with a muffled sploosh. Yugi, awkwardness falling away, dove in next to him, sending the still sprawling brunet on another ride of waves before latching on and burying his head onto Seto's chest.



Jou waited a few minutes for the waters to calm and Seto to right himself before carefully crawling in next to him. Cuddling close, he rested his head on Seto's chest, his face buried in Yugi's soft, sweet-smelling hair. "Night Seto, Night Yugi."



Yugi's mumbled "Night" and Seto's grumbled "Nnn..." were the last things Jou heard as he relaxed into sleep. He certainly didn't notice when Seto's arms left them briefly so he could tap his watch and he didn't budge an inch when a low thud signaled the return of the package.



Seto allowed himself the indulgence of laying quietly and simply enjoying the feel of holding Jou - and surprisingly Yugi - next to him. Not that he regretted the decision to become involved with both of them. It had taken some mental calisthenics, but he'd wrapped his brain around having not just one 'relationship', but two. He was slightly disappointed that this solution hadn't come to him sooner. True he'd thought the blond was straight and the midget androgynous, but still, this was such a perfect solution.



He was also slightly pissed that they didn't confide in him about the body. They had to trust him. He knew himself well enough to know if they didn't confide in him he'd always feel left out, as if Jou and Yug shared a bond he couldn't share. He'd feel... second best. He would not settle for second from anyone ever.



His anger aside, he also knew that they had trust issues. Most of them stemmed from his own actions so he shouldn't blame them. He shouldn't, but he did. Not entirely, but just enough to make him feel less than an idiot. He was human and allowed to be irrational at times, but not an idiotic human. And this kind of situation was new enough that a little irrationality was a rational thing.



A soft groan pulled him from his hamster-wheel type thoughts and brought his attention back to the men snuggling into either side of him. Sleep blurred words, clearly audible, from the snoozing blond made him snicker. "Uhmmm smells good. Sausage good... mmmm..."



Hiking an eyebrow, he decided Jou was either dreaming of breakfast or having a very interesting dream. He didn't have long to wait. "My sausages... love my sausages... I got room for two. It might hurt, but so... sooo goooood..."



He stifled an outright chuckle at that. Probably still dreaming about breakfast, but if taken in the right context, completely perverted. Even though the comments didn't involve him, he couldn't help it when his body stirred, hardening slightly.



Seto was distracted when Yugi suddenly mumbled, "...Deeper... gotta go deeper. It's so hard." The slight hardness of his cock became more pronounced when Yugi suddenly pressed against him forcefully.



Biting the inside of his cheek to stop his laughter - and distract from his growing erection - Seto closed his eyes and resolved to ignore them so he could sleep. Unfortunately for his intentions, he found that Jou and Yugi both talked non-stop in their sleep. Everything from 'sausage' and 'deeper' to 'blue rabbits' and 'tea trays' entertained him, keeping him awake through the night. Although he missed the sleep, he enjoyed himself thoroughly. He now had ammunition for full teasing assaults that with luck and skillful word play, would have him tackled and 'teased' in return. Something he'd always wanted to experience.



Just before sunrise Jounouchi's tone became disgruntled and his nose scrunched up. 'Stinks' was what he said before bolting upright. Seto, who became aware of a very slight smell of trash only when the blond said something, quickly closed his eyes and feigned sleep. He had a very good idea what was defrosting and starting to smell. He had to give credit to the other man. The scent was so faint that it could easily have been from a passing waste disposal truck.



He cracked his eye open just a bit to watch the blond, amused by the disgusted, scrunch-face he was making. His amusement only lasted a few seconds as the cute face disappeared and a determined look took it's place as he slid carefully from the bed and strode from the room. It appeared Jounouchi didn't like the smell of garbage in his house.



From a very hastily stifled shriek and loud thud, Seto guessed Jou had found the package. A quick peek at Yugi told him that the smaller man hadn't moved an eyelash. He peeked at the door just in time to see Jou's golden head retreating. He'd obviously checked on them to make sure his yell hadn't woken them.



A few moments later the soft sound of cloth dragging on wood - obviously Jou moving the body using a rug or blanket - followed by a few thumps, the rustle of plastic bags and the sound of running water, let Seto track what Jou was obviously doing.



In a surprisingly short amount of time, Jou was back in the shower, washing off what had to be the smells of death and garbage. Seto reflected that by this time Jou was probably getting pretty good at putting the body into the freezer. When the blond eased in beside him again, he whispered, "Hope you share."



Jou started violently, sitting up so abruptly that he sent the bed sloshing with enough force to jostle Yugi awake. "Huh? What?" Amethyst eyes blinked sleepily, a confused frown creasing his face. Confusion gave way to fear as he saw the panicked expression on Jou's face. "What's wrong?"



Jou forced himself to calm down. No easy feat since his father's body had returned and Seto had scared the daylights out of him. "N... Nothing. I just... I just had ta shower an' I didn't know Seto was awake. When he spoke he startled me."



"Oh." Yugi blinked at him curiously before settling back on Seto's chest. "Why did you have to shower?"



Seto chuckled. "That's what I was asking. Whatever dream that was hot enough to make him shower, I hope he shares it." A teasing grin flashed across the normally austere face. "I hope you will share about the sausages... How two might hurt, but you could handle it."



Jou turned dark red as the images of his dream last night, him sitting at a table with a sexy Seto plate laden with two of the largest sausages he'd ever seen - larger than any roll of salami - were offered to him. He didn't need to be a dreamologist to know what that dream meant. He'd used a fork that shone with bright amethyst gems suspiciously like Yugi's eyes to dig in to the best meat he'd ever tasted. His faced turned nearly purple and he began to sputter as he fought for air. He couldn't believe... Hey wait a minute how did Seto...? Allowing his mind to distract and save him he pounced on a salient fact. "How da heck did ya know about m'dream Kaiba?"



Eyes twinkling, Seto gave him a smug, know-it-all smile. The same smile that used to drive Jounouchi crazy in high school. "You both talk in your sleep." Eyes wickedly dancing, he looked down at Yugi. "As interesting as the sausage is, I can't wait to hear about your 'deeper, harder' dream."



Yugi went from normal to nuclear red in less than a second. Jounouchi, his mind ticking over the situation, decided drastic measures were called for. Uncaring of the mini-tsunami he created he slid out of bed. "Okay you are having way too much fun. We've all agreed to work on trust issues. If we get into 'that' kinda talk when we're in bed we’re gonna... go further than we agreed. So! You! Kaiba Seto, get yer fine ass outta my bed, go down to th' bakey and get more doughnuts an' coffee. Yugi an' me are gonna work on tryin' ta stop blushin'. Don't even try with th' chibi-eyes. Yer th' one who woke us all up an’ now ya can take yer punishment." Yugi slid out of bed at the first urging. Seto simply lay back and crossed his arms behind his head looking stubborn.



Jou glowered at the taller male before shrugging slightly. "Fine, if ya wanna stay in bed alone then Yugi and me'll go inta th' other room and eat leftovers." He spun on his bare foot only to find himself jerked backwards off his feet and back onto the bed.



"You sure you don't want to share?" It sounded like a come-on, but it wasn't. Seto wanted him to tell him about the body in the freezer.



The odd intensity in Seto's eyes made Jou wonder if the brunet wasn't talking about something besides a naughty dream. But how could that be? Shrugging off the odd impression, he shook his head. "Nah, yer the one who said it. Trust issues."



Angry at the rebuff, the lack of trust, Seto rolled out of the bed and came to his feet. "Fine, have it your way. Doughnuts and coffee since that's all you trust me for." Dressing quickly, he stormed out of the house. Yugi had tried to stop him, but Jou had cut his best friend off. They needed to talk without Seto around.



***** *waves to readers* If you all are wondering, I didn't edit out my AN's on the last two chapters. Nope - Apollo the AFF owner did. Seems I incited a flame war. Strange as only one person, my sister Shelly (AKA Puppys_Seahorse), was the only one I saw who addressed the issue at all. Oh well whatever. I'll follow my sister's advice and ignore them. So, on to shout outs:  

​Mofaf1 - glompfuzzles - I love you. Simple as that.

​Catti-dono: Joo are awesome!

​Fathomlessnight: I am glad you are enjoying the story. I don't generaly like threesomes either but that is the way this one rolled out.

​Mulle: Thank you for the review. I am happy you are enjoying the fic. TBH it is not one of my best efforts as I don't normally right threesomes, but yeah they are hot together. He really really is going to let them live their own lives. He wants lovers not puppets. And he LIKES the shorts - in his bedroom. Of course he will take care of them behind the scenes but... yeah illusions of freedom. They did dump the body... but like a bad penny it keeps turning up. Oh and yes it's supposed to be a dark comedy/porn story but try as I might I couldn't find a genre heading to fit it. If you know of one let me know Okay?

​Dragonlady222: Thank you for the Review! Something about Kitty!Yugi always make me smile. And well, really, what gay boi in YGO wouldn't enjoy waking with a face full of Yugi crotch?

​Tellnoone_noonetells: Actually it isn't creepy. It gave me the warm fuzzles to know someone remembers my efforts in the past. And you are correct I've never written a threesome before. I have written a poly-amoury between Seto/Jou and Atemu/Yugi. Winner Take All. Glad you are enjoying the story. TBH I do not like it over much. I actually trashed it and was convinced to post it anyway mofaf1. If you were familiar with my postings here on AFF - Did I ever post Invitation To Darkness and Crystal Darkness? Or did I post K.A.T.S or Winding Road?  I don't remember.  If you do, please let me know.  If I didn't I will post them as I get time.  For your help I'll even let you choose which first. ​

Thanks again.    ​Maggiemay