The Offer

Title: The Offer 8/9

Author: Puppys_Seahorse

Rating: NC-17

Pairing (s): Seto/Jounouchi Mokuba/Yugi

Beta: Mofaf1

Spoilers: Minor for Noa Arc

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or make any money or profit from this
work.

Summary: Seto believes Jounouchi left him for someone else. But he
discovers he was wrong and his lover had received an offer he
couldn't turn down.

Sorry for the long delay AFF. I waas working on my other story. Lol, don't ask. But I have about 38 pages complete and it's only half done. :)

Shelly


Chapter 8

That tenderness and love was tempered by pride and amusement over a week later as he watched the glaring blond poke his scrambled eggs as if they were something foul and disgusting. A mix of Japanese and English grumbles came pouring from the pouting lips.

As Seto admired the glow of Jounouchi’s golden hair in morning sunlight he wondered if he could ever get truly angry at his love again. He knew he was spoiling the other man shamelessly, letting him eat anywhere he pleased, such as this morning in the solarium, and shoving his Kaiba Corp responsibilities onto Mokuba’s shoulders so he could personally care for his love, but he couldn’t bear to be apart from Jounouchi for more than a few minutes. Every hour there was something new, some new word or gesture that brought back a flood of memories. He’d missed him more than he’d realized and now he was going to revel in the awakening of his soul mate.

Even at night it took all of his will to sleep alone in his own bed, and still he would get up several times just to make sure Jounouchi was actually home and safe. He was so damn happy to have him back and worried that something would go wrong. No, he resigned himself to the fact that he wouldn’t be getting angry or frustrated with Jounouchi for a long time. Someday yes, because make-up sex was great; but not any time in the near future.

"Damn it Kaiba, I want real food. Scrambled eggs that ain't even real eggs are gross. I want edible food." The growling complaint, so like many others in the past added shine to his happy heart.

Controlling the twitch of his lips, Seto explained carefully, "They are real eggs, just not cholesterol laden. And you can't handle a huge meal. Yesterday you threw up your 'real food' breakfast."

At the reminder Jounouchi slammed his fists on the table and shoved back his chair. "I don't want that crap." Before he could jump to his feet and storm away to do serious damage to his pillow Jounouchi found himself with a lap full of brunet. "Ah hell. Get off." But his arms tightened around the slim form pinning him down. He knew he was trapped and wasn't strong enough to dislodge the taller man, even if he had wanted to; which he didn't.

Soft lips kissed the sensitive side of his neck, nibbling softly at the tendon. "Eat Jounouchi. You need to get stronger. Your grandfather is coming for you. The lawyers have stalled him as long as they could and we’ve had two weeks, but they are out of options. The competency hearing will be in six days. You have to be strong and healthy. Eat please. If you keep it down I will ask the cook to make you a veggie omelet with real eggs." Another loving kiss and Seto moved back into his own chair.

Jounouchi grumbled and scooted back in to the table. Frowning he poked the eggs again. "Yeah, okay." Grudgingly he took a bite and chewed.

"Good puppy." Seto praised then laughed at the anger on his love's face.

"Hey, enough with the dog comments. That was Otogi's idea not yours. You only commented once or twice on that." Jounouchi grinned smugly when the blue-eyes watching him widened in realization. "Ha, gotcha. Yeah, I've remembered a few things. A lot really in th' scheme of things. Nothin’ recent. Nothin’ at all from when I was little or the last few years. It's weird." Weird was an understatement. For several days it had been like a fog had taken away his ability to think, but the last three the fog had been lifting. He was remembering flashes and whole sets of memories. They conflicted with some of the things he’d thought were memories before. But he was coping, and he’d learned to distinguish the real ones from the fake, most of the time anyway.

Elated, Seto leaned forward and swept Jounouchi in an awkward, over the table hug. "But it's fantastic. The doctor was honest with both of us the first day. He didn't know when or if your memories would return. For so much to come back so soon is a great sign."

As Jounouchi settled back into his chair he eyed the other man thoughtfully. "Yeah, I think so too." For a second he looked troubled then asked, "Hey Kaiba, I think I know why ya did all this. I mean, I kinda know. But I need ta talk to you about it for a minute. I have a problem, and you told me I could talk to you about anything right? To be honest?"

Heart beating with hope and expectation Seto nodded and leaned forward eagerly. "Yes, be as honest as you like."

"Well, I know ya rescued me because of Yugi askin’ ya." Seeing the denial start to form, Jounouchi hurriedly explained. "I mean I know what ya told me in New York about your lover, and I sorta remember that Yugi's the only guy you’ve ever paid any real attention to, and he was my best bud but” he worried his lip briefly and then blurted “I ain't changed my mind.” To buy a little time he took another bite of the eggs and swallowed. “I still think we should be together and I think that he's an idiot for letting his grandpa try to tell him he should marry Anzu. Don't get me wrong, I'll think he's even more of an idiot if he lets you go without a fight, but…" With a determined stare and a pointing fork he triumphantly made his declaration “I'm ready to put up the biggest fight ever seen just to get you for myself.”

Seto almost laughed. His puppy had put two-and-two together and gotten six. It took every ounce of self-control to keep from dissolving into laughter. "Yugi...what makes you think Yugi is my...Koibito?" To keep his laughter under control he lifted his coffee cup to his lips. He barely noticed the scald on his tongue.

"Well, I remember you were always challengin' him and stuff. You never said anythin' nice ta me but you seemed ta respect him from what I remember. And..." He bit his lip hard enough to draw blood “I saw him coming downstairs a couple of mornings ago. He was...uh...well he looked...uh..." he hunted for tactful words, and finding none blurted "he was limping and smiling and…he looked fucked hard and put away wet…and happy about it."

Hot coffee and fragile cup went flying from Seto's suddenly nerveless hands as he coughed and sputtered. Holy God, that was his Jounouchi all over. How had he ever lived without his incredible, brash honesty? While he struggled to breathe, Jounouchi was rushing into speech. Seto, still reeling with stunned humor, felt his happiness ratchet higher when the blond dropped all semblance of English and fell into the speech pattern that was uniquely his own.

"Didja think I wouldn't notice? Yer keepin' me at arms length, usin' the fact that I like ya ta get me ta do what you want, but I ain't dumb. If ya really wanted to be with me you woulda at least kissed me. But I ain't gonna let that stop me. I was mad at ya when I saw Yugi sneakin’ out but since ya weren’t committed to me yet I can't complain. But just so ya know, I'm not lettin' Yugi win. Startin' tonight I'm sleepin' in yer bed and the shrimp can find somewhere else. And since ya know my intentions ya better not go sneakin' off ta be with him. 'Cause if ya do I'm gonna pound the hell out of him then pound you through whatever horizontal surface is closest." Glaring fiercely he ate another bite of eggs and downed his milk, watching as Seto mopped up the spilt coffee.

A small puff of air and color flooded the thin cheeks. “’Sides, I remember wantin’ ta be with ya before. Not really thinkin’ it, but feelin’ like I wanted ya. I remember lookin’ at ya in gym class. Not a peek either, but really lookin’.” The colored ran down his cheeks and burned into his neck. “I…ya used ta have a white and blue towel with KC on it. I really remember wishin’ it would fall off.”

“Hnn…you never said anything. Maybe you did or didn’t but that doesn’t relate to what you said.” The brunet pointed out logically.

“Whatever. What it says is dat I wanted ya then and Yugi didn’t. I think he was involved with someone else.” Jounouchi frowned briefly as the memory danced tantalizingly out of reach. “I got prior dibs. Yer mine and he ain’t gettin’ ya. If ya let him inta yer bed again der’s gonna be a fight.”

Mess cleared, new cups on the table, and under control again, the pink tinged Seto couldn't resist teasing his lover. "Ego much? What makes you think you have any say in what or who I do?"

Uncertainty flickered across Jounouchi's eyes for a brief second before they hardened with purpose. "It ain't ego. It was right when ya kissed me and it gets righter every time ya touch me. And I ain't the only one that feels it. Ya got that stone face fer everyone else but I can see everything yer thinkin' and feelin’. Right now yer happy that I'm stakin' my claim. Yer also proud...and turned on. So pick at me all ya want, but I'm tellin' Yugi today that I'm movin' inta yer room tonight."

Seto was intrigued. Before he'd disappeared one of Jounouchi's chief complaints in their relationship was that he couldn't read Seto's moods. Now it seemed he'd acquired the ability. "So you know what I'm thinking and feeling? Then how could you mistake my relationship with Yugi? He is not my lover. Never has been, and never will be. He's much too candy and sweetness. I like the tang of salt and curry."

Jounouchi considered that for a moment and then nodded. "Fine then, you fucked him out of pity or boredom. Don't do it again." The blond warned brusquely then asked coolly, "Who is it then? I ain't gonna be accused of stealin’ ya by some stranger."
Seto shuddered involuntarily at the image of Yugi in his bed. "I don't pity fuck anyone. I don't like candy but my brother is addicted to it." He explained casually before giving the blond a very direct look "I haven't been with anyone since...since my lover left several months ago."

“Yugi and Mokuba?” Jounouchi was astounded. It was true Mokuba was spending all of his time at Kaiba Corp so Seto could care for him, but he’d never considered Mokuba and Yugi. In his mind Mokuba was still a cute little kid, maybe eleven years old at most. He barely remembered the black haired youth who had assisted him on the airplane. In fact that whole time was a blur to him. “How…how old is Mokuba now? Because if he’s as young as I remember Yugi is a pervert that needs ta be castrated.”

"He's eighteen. Of legal age, or so I'm reminded almost daily." Seto changed the subject and prompted "No comment about my celibacy?"

Jounouchi shrugged. "Got nothin' ta say except that it ends tonight." A totally hentai grin lit the delicate face. "I can see ya want to, and I can see yer worried. So I'll make a deal with ya. I eat all of my food, keep everything down, rest all day, and promise ta let ya do all the work, and then tonight you love me like ya mean it."

Seto could have cried and committed bloody murder in that second. Jounouchi was bargaining for his love. Something he hadn't had to ask or beg for since that first kiss. With one sentence 'like ya mean it' Jounouchi had managed what days of seeing his lover struggle with the physical and emotional pain of withdrawal and the sheer torture of not being able to do more than watch helplessly hadn't been able to do. The rage Seto kept tightly bottled churned and bubbled, threatening to break his restraint. "I always make love to you like I mean it Jounouchi." He whispered hoarsely, not realizing the slip he made.

Desperate to get his rage and pain back under control before it could upset his lover the tall brunet stood abruptly. "I have to go make a phone call. Finish all your breakfast. I will check the dishes so don't fake it. Just make sure you stick to our deal." Without glancing at his lover, he practically ran from the room.

Jounouchi, eyes wide and shining, stared after him and then slowly a broad smile of pure joy lit his face with an almost heavenly glow. He turned to his plate and dug in with vigor. He’d made a deal with his Seto and he would keep it. He finished his plate and most of Seto's too when a cough brought his luminous gaze around. The doctor, holding another plate, and a stranger stood in the doorway. "Mr. Kaiba said you were to have a vegetable omelet. As I was on my way in I thought I'd bring it to you." Gesturing to the man behind him he said, "This is Saruki-sensei, he is another doctor. He will ask you questions and examine you. There will be three others here today as well."

Glow undiminished, Jou stood and bowed in greeting. "No problem. Seto explained that ya needed several expert opinions. Uh...do ya mind if I eat while ya ask questions?"

The other man returned the bow and smiled politely. "Not at all. The appetite of someone who has been so very ill is to be encouraged." The two doctors crossed and sat at the table. "Do you mind if we enjoy some of your coffee while we talk?" He gestured to the almost full carafe on the table.

Jounouchi looked up at them with eyes that seemed to glow. He gestured to the empty cups on the table. "Help yourself. I'm gonna eat. I need ta get my strength back."

"Please enjoy yourself. Why don't we start with what you remember? What is your name?"

"I have two names. An American and a Japanese name. I remember that, although I have been told that too. My American name is Joseph Wheeler. My Japanese name is Jounouchi Katsuya. I have passports in both names."

"Ah, and when is your birthday?"

"I...uhm...I really don't know if I know that from memories or if I have seen it on my passports so that ain't a good question."

"All right. Do you remember your family?"

"Yeah, kinda in flashes. I remember my mom and dad and my little sis, Shizuka."

"Good, good, what about friends?"

"Some, I mean I remember from high school and stuff. I...not so much anyone recent, but..." a hint of defensiveness crept into his voice.

"That's understandable. Don't worry we are not being judgmental. Just ascertaining your status to see where we need to go from here." The doctor reassured.

Jounouchi nodded, some of the glow diminishing. "Okay. Ya have more questions?"

"Yes. Now what do you remember of your time with your grandfather?"

Jounouchi's brow furrowed in thought. "I remember bein' watched all the time. It was creepy. And the nurse, I know he used to restrain me to force me to take the medicine. Becca, She's a girl my grandfather wanted me to marry. She and dear old granddad were in a clinch. She was jackin' him off and he was playing hockey with her tonsils."

The doctor was red-faced but managed to keep his composure. "Is that all you remember?" He carefully set his cup of excellent coffee down.

"No, I remember going to another place, like a private hospital, they would tie me down and play like home movies all the time. It drove me nuts, sometimes. It got to the point that I didn't know if the stuff that happened was on the TV or if it really happened to me.

The doctors shared a horror filled glance. Brain washing was ugly. And the fact that this golden young man was sitting here so obviously on the mend was a huge testament to the strength of Jounouchi Katsuya's will. "And Kaiba-sama, what do you remember about him?"

Jounouchi's eyes flared golden bright. "I know I love him. I remembered that before I remembered anything else about him or me. When we met in New York he...drew me. He felt right, like I should be with him. I trust him more than I trust anyone else on earth. Even when I was in the middle of withdrawal he could reach me. What do I know or remember about him? That’s simple. He is my soul mate."

Both doctors sat back at his vehemence. After a long pause Saruki-sensei said faintly "Well, that is wonderful. But, I need specifics. What do you remember about him?"

"We went to school together and had gym together. I remember his towel. Or wishin’ it would fall off ta be more accurate. But we fought like cats and dogs. He plays a mean game of Duel Monsters. He is the head of a multi-national corporation." Jounouchi stopped for a second as he realized, for the first time, that Kaiba Seto, head of Kaiba Corporation, was acting as his personal nursemaid. Gratitude and humility flooded him, as well as the desire to pay his lover back for his care. Tonight he was going to show Seto all of his gratitude and love.

“Is that all?” The doctor brought him out of his angst.

“He has a little brother he would die for. He…” Jou’s brow creased again. “He flies and he…” An image of Seto, eyes closed in ecstasy as he savored a chocolate dipped strawberry formed in his mind. “He likes chocolate dipped strawberries.”

The doctor blinked at that. “Are you sure you remember that? Or is it something you know from your time here?”

A soft voice from the door answered for him. “The only time we’ve had chocolate dipped strawberries was over a year ago.” Gracefully the tall brunet, leading three other men, crossed the room. “These are Doctors Aruki, Katore, and Minori. They are here to examine Jounouchi as well. They are part of the court ordered team.”

Jounouchi stared at the tall brunet he’d realized was his lover, his breath whooshed out and his heart began to pound with excitement. The blue eyes, inscrutable to everyone else were open for him to read and he recognized what he should have seen all along. Deep, unconditional love and pain held in check by sheer will. “Seto.”

Misunderstanding the wide-eyed look as agitation he moved to soothe and protect. “It’s all right Jounouchi. I’m here with you and I won’t let anything happen to you. They won’t hurt you.” Carefully he placed his hand on the trembling shoulder. “Relax.”

Still breathless and shaken at the beauty of his lover and the boundless love blazing in the deep blue eyes, he reached up and touched his fingertips to the back of Seto’s hand. “I…all right. But stay with me? I…don’t trust doctors.”

“I’m not going to leave you.” He reassured gently. “We will all go up to my room. It’s private so you can be examined discreetly, and there is a small sitting room where they can ask their questions.

Jounouchi tolerated the four hours of examination calmly, or almost. Whenever he would start to spiral out of control, Seto would brush his hair or touch his hand and the calm would return. The doctors took note of the very interesting phenomenon. They had been hired by the court to assess Jounouchi's physical and mental status and their findings would be crucial in deciding the young man's future. This interaction with Seto, the gentle calming with a simple touch was positive and encouraging. It made a strong statement of what was best for Jounouchi Katsuya.

Finally they were gone and Jounouchi sighed in relief. "I'm hungry again. How about some lunch?" He turned and curled into Seto’s side resting his head on the brunet’s silk covered chest.

"Miso? And maybe odango?" Seto suggested, anticipating the fireworks, and the pleasure of soothing and coaxing his love. If he got lucky maybe he could feed Jounouchi. He found he enjoyed this small act. It allowed him to feel he was personally helping his love regain his health and vitality.

"Nah...how about...odin? Doesn't that sound good?" Seeing the slight curl of distaste on Seto's lips he laughed. "Ya don't like odin. Okay miso and odango. But can I get some onigiri too? I'm gettin' kinda tired of soupy stuff."

Ruffling the blond hair affectionately, Seto nodded. “Okay. I’m sure the cook will have some.” He didn’t mention she’d started making it just that morning on the off chance that Jounouchi would want some. She knew that the blond loved it as a quick snack and now that he was on the mend, he would soon be up for a quickie. Mentally he snickered at his unintentionally hentai thoughts.

Jou saw the amusement immediately. “What’s so funny?”

The hidden laughter deepened and tiny laugh lines crinkled the corners of the blue eyes. “Why do you think I’m laughing?”

“Because I can see yer about ta pop a gut. Now tell me what’s so funny.” Jounouchi was getting defensive. He was sure whatever was tickling Seto was about him.

The brunet couldn’t control his chuckles at the surly tone. “I was just thinking you wanted a quick snack and that you were always up for a quickie.” He broke down into snorting, rollicking laughter.

Maybe it was because Jounouchi had acted more like himself than he had in all the time they’d been together since he’d gotten home, or maybe it was the sharing of memories, or the warm trust and love that the blond unconditionally gave. Maybe it was all of those things combined, but suddenly, in the midst of his laughter, all of the tension seemed to gather, his pain, his fear, his loneliness pressed against his barriers, demanding some form of release. He’d been strong and controlled for so long, since Jounouchi had disappeared really. It was too much. The laughter and relief weakened his control and the bands holding the emotions deep inside shattered and with a pained moan; they burst free, changing his laughter to deep painful sobs.

Jounouchi stared at his love in surprise. He’d never seen Seto laugh so hard. Even as he watched the laugher changed, became hard and wrenched. Breath crowing, chest heaving and tears streaming down his face. “Seto.” He whispered, and reached out to catch the shaking brunet in his arms. “Seto, it’s okay.”

As the suddenly sobbing brunet attempted to pull away, Jou tightened his grip. “Stay where ya are. Ya been holdin’ me all along, now let me hold you. I guess I just figured ya didn’t need any support, but, ya been feelin’ it all along huh?”

A snuffling nod against his chest answered his question. “Ya shoulda told me we were lovers. It woulda made me happy and I coulda…coulda…helped ya out; been there for ya.”

A hiccough and slight negative shake told the story “I know the doctors said ya couldn’t tell me nothin’ but ya shoulda told me that.” Jou stroked the silky brunet hair. “But I get it. Now just get it all outta yer system and then we’ll talk okay?”

Jou cradled Seto for almost a whole minute before the brunet regained control and moved away slightly. “I’m sorry.” The mortified man mumbled.

“Fer what? Actin’ human? Get over it. Ya needed ta vent. And since I’m yer partner I’m th’ one ya should be ventin’ too.”

“Hnn…what makes you think you are my partner?”

“Well, besides the way I feel? The way ya rescued me? Or the way ya take care of me? I remember ya eatin’ chocolate dipped strawberries, and not wearin’ any clothes. Ya said it was over a year ago and since ya told me ya were with yer lover in that time. It makes sense.”

“You really remember that?” Absurdly Seto was touched. That had been one of his most cherished memories. They had celebrated their first Christmas together with the strawberries.

“Yeah. I got a picture in my head of you layin’ back on a shiny red blanket holding a strawberry by da stem, and takin’ a bite. Ya looked like ya were in heaven.”

“Hmm…and that makes you think we’re lovers?” The memory flashed vividly in Seto’s mind. It hadn’t been the strawberry that had sent him to heaven.

“Well that an’ my position. See yer layin’ back an’ I’m lookin’ up at yer face…and I can jus’ see yer belly button. So…my…mouth is…” Giving the brunet an impish look, he slid to his knees and assumed a similar position, his mouth right over the zipper of Seto’s pants. “Right about here.”

A hard pulse behind the zipper made Jou smile. “Yep, so, I can tell yer interested, and ya said I’m always up for a quickie. Why don’t we go inta the bedroom and…”

“And nothing. Lunch time. You have to keep down your food all day to get to that.” When the blond pouted he added in a softer, more teasing voice “I have a surprise for you after lunch.”

Jou, not ready to give up on his idea blew hotly across the zipper. “Are ya sure. I really feel good and…”

Seto’s body hardened further and throbbed. Jou didn’t know how many times that offer had distracted him in the past, and just how close he was to giving in. It was up to him to be sensible. Besides the ‘surprise’ was going to take a lot of energy. With a sigh he gripped his lover’s blond hair tight, pressing him into his arousal for a few heartbeats before gently moving him away. “Keep your bargain and tonight we will make up for lost time. Now we eat lunch. I’ll call down to the kitchen and ask the staff to serve it up here.”

After a comfortably large lunch filled with playful innuendos and shared nibbles, Jounouchi sat back with a sigh and smiled happily. “You know, it’s a good thing we got the Yugi thing sorted out this morning because he should be here later and I woulda had ta get in his face.”

“Hmmm…I would have liked to have seen that Pup.” Seto countered lazily, running his hands through shorn golden hair.

“Yeah, I’ll bet.” A mischievous sidelong glance prodded the brunet hopefully “My surprise?”

“Yes, it should be ready.” Seto got to his feet and turned to offer his hand to the fragile looking blond. “I know you made it here from the solarium, but we are going quite a bit further. Hold my hand and if you get tired let me know. We can rest or I can carry you.”

“I think I should get mad at ya fer babyin’ me, but I won’t ‘cause I really want ya ta hold me.”

“Well, I’m not superman so I can’t carry you the entire way. There are too many stairs and I don’t want to drop you. Just tell me if you get tired.”

“All right. So where we goin’?”

“Sub-basement three. Yugi and Mokuba have been working on your surprise all morning.” Seto may have said he wasn’t superman, but the strength in the arm that pulled Jounouchi close, wrapping around his slender waist felt strong as steel. Nestling close, ecstatic at the feel of his tall lover holding him close, he allowed himself to be led away.

The normally fifteen minute trek lasted closer to an hour and Jounouchi learned a hard lesson about his lover’s care of him. Seto could and would override Jounouchi in his quest to protect the blond. Whenever Jounouchi had gotten breathless or started to sweat with effort, Seto would sit down wherever they were and wait for his breathing to ease. A few times, rather than stop in the middle of a stairway or high traffic area, he’d scooped the blond up and carried him to a safer area.

The protectiveness made Jounouchi feel warm, cherished, and totally loved. He also knew if it continued for a long period it would piss him off. But for now he'd let it go. He needed the support and Seto needed to care for him. He took advantage of the closeness to make playful protests and cop feels of the oh-so-fine ass. Once he managed to get an oh-so-quick feel of the magnificent package hidden by the dastardly zipper. The last maneuver almost caused his lover to drop him in the middle of a stairway so he didn't try it again. He was reveling in the freedom of being Seto’s lover. He couldn’t wait for tonight.

Despite his happiness and curiosity Jounouchi was relieved when they finally reached their destination. All the care and time had helped, but he was aware of a fine tremor of exhaustion running through his body. He didn’t know how he was going to make it back up to their room, much less with enough energy to enjoy his promised reward for good behavior.

Seto stopped and stared at the door, automatically supporting Jounouchi’s slight weight. He wanted to explain and at the same time wanted to pick up his lover and go back upstairs. But they had to do this. There was no choice. “Puppy, you know I love you right? That I’d never do anything to hurt you?”

“Yeah, I do. What’s goin’ on Ka…Seto? Why the dumb questions?” Jounouchi was concerned at the worry and doubt he saw on the other’s face.

“Because I’m…I…” Uncharacteristically the normally decisive brunet hesitated, then turned and hugged him fiercely. “I can’t risk it happening again. I can’t risk losing you, or you being hurt again. I…I haven’t told you everything because…because…the doctors said not to, but mostly because I didn’t want you to think about anything but getting well.”

Voice muffled by the tight hold, Jounouchi returned the embrace. “I’m right here. Nothing’s gonna happen. We go to court in a few days then it will be all over.” The blond tilted his head and dropped soothing kisses along his lover’s neck.

The tight grip became almost bruising. “No.” The tall CEO sighed and loosened his hold. “I know the type of man Joseph Wheeler is. Even if we win the court case, and that is not assured, he will continue to try. It’s his life remember. He won’t give up. He will never leave us in peace.” Grimly, implacably, he stated, “We have to end it permanently.”

Not shocked because some part of him had already told him the truth, Jounouchi nodded. “Yeah, I know. I just need a little more time ta get stronger. I’m gonna do it Seto. Not you. I owe him for stealin’ me…us…and I ain’t gonna let him get away with it.”

“I know you very well, Puppy. I know you need to do this. I’ve setup a way for you to…pay him back. You are strong enough already. That’s what your surprise is, the method. And I have a plan…” Turning the knob, he opened the door to a large room. The walls were stone grey, the floor marble white. Yugi and Mokuba were seated at a large console. Placed in a row were several long silver cylinders. The cylinders each had a clear glass ‘window’ and inside he could see a strange helmet and several tubes and wires.

Jounouchi looked around and instinctively backed up. He had an unconscious horror of those strange silvery containers. He didn’t realize it but his face had lost all color and his breathing changed to rapid and shallow pants as he started to back out the door, his fear palpable.

Seto’s heart broke at the frightened confusion in Jounouchi’s face and movements. He’d never seen that look before and it shook him to the core to see it now. “Jounouchi…” He breathed hoarsely, reaching to catch the retreating body.

Mokuba saw what was happening and tried to defuse the situation. “Well, hell Jounouchi, Yugi and I worked all morning on your surprise and you take one look and take off? No thanks or nothing? Not even going to try it? Did you miss lunch or something? Because if you did, too bad. We worked hard on this.” The ebony-haired teen deliberately made his tone playfully scolding, lightening the moment.

Seto flashed his brother a grateful look and grabbed Jounouchi's ass with both hands. "No, he's just anxious to get back upstairs. He's been groping my ass and dick the entire trip. That's what took us so long. He kept trying to drag me off into closets to ravage me." Sighing dramatically, Seto added in his best super-hero voice "But I resisted. We have a mission."

Jounouchi chuckled and straightened his slightly cringing body, rubbing against Seto deliberately. “Yeah, he did,” quickly snaking out a hand and grabbing a handful of cheek to help take his mind off of the momentary terror he had felt when the door had opened. Turn about was fair play. Bravely he stepped into the room and forced himself to look around. The first thing he saw was Mokuba. “Holy shit. Ya grew up. Ya shoulda stopped by ta visit me.” Then looked around sheepishly “Uh, guys, I don’t remember what these things are, but they scare th’ hell outta me. So, why don’tcha explain?”

Seto nodded, and keeping his hand on Jounouchi’s fine butt, started. “These are Virtual Reality Pods. They are…were…for uploading people into games. I discontinued the line. They are no longer used because they were too dangerous.”

“Dangerous how?” But Jounouchi knew…knew in a way he couldn’t explain, and it made dread bloom deep in his belly and sweat break out on his brow.

“Because, an upload like this takes the person outside the body. While they are gone, it is empty, leaving the body open to invasion. We…all of us…almost lost ourselves because of my father and step-brother. We escaped but I decided it was too dangerous to exist.” The CEO turned away slightly and ducked his head. “Some of the technology must have made its way to your grandfather’s company though because he developed it to a certain extent. He didn’t know everything but he knew enough to be able to download one personality on top of another if they had similar brain patterns, such as found in families. He never figured out how to completely upload the original and leave the body in tact. That’s why he used drugs, brainwashing, and hypnosis on you.”

Wide golden eyes stared in shocked comprehension. “Oh fuck, but you perfected it didn’t you?”

Seto held his gaze steadily. “No. It was my father, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t help.”

Uncanny knowledge darkened gold to brown. “Yeah, but he couldn’t do it without you.” He looked at the silvery pods again. “So you’re going to upload us into the computer and let me kick the shit out of him?”

“No.” Seto’s eyes were calm and absolutely certain. “You aren’t uploading. I am.”

The blond erupted like Vesuvius. “No fucking way. You are not doin’ it Seto. It’s me.”

Unmovable as a mountain, Seto corrected, “Yes fucking way. But you’re right I am not doing it. You are. You are going to be at the console controlling everything. It will be done to your specifications. You will control everything from setup to clothes. All you Jounouchi.”

“Fuck no it ain’t. I ain’t hidin’ behind some damn computer while you take da risks.”

“There are no risks to me, but Jounouchi think. Your brain is still dealing with withdrawal. You have chemical imbalances that are just returning to normal. Uploading you could cause seizures or worse. I won’t risk you.

Jou was shaking his head adamantly. “No. I won’t let you…” He trailed off as Seto held out a small remote control. “What’s dat?”

“They are due to land in three hours. A failure of the fuel cooling unit will force them to land at the same airstrip you did. They will be taken from the plane and brought here.
It is the control for the instrument failure. The black button causes it to fail safely and we continue with the plan. The white button causes a catastrophic failure and the plane explodes mid-air.” As if handing over a remote control for a television, Seto placed it in Jou’s hand. “You decide. But if you don’t push a button within the next three hours the aircraft will explode upon landing.”

Jou took the small device, staring into the implacable blue eyes of his lover. “Ya gotta be fucking kidding?” He breathed.

“Not at all.” Ruthless determination shone in the diamond hard gaze. “He won’t get another chance to hurt you or take you from me..”

Jounouchi wanted to yell at the brunet that he wasn’t being fair, that he wasn’t really giving him a choice, but some part of him, perhaps the forgotten part, was telling him that he was being given a choice and that leaving the decision up to him had cost Seto a great deal in pain and pride. “Well shit.” Carefully he pressed the black button and then set the controller on the console. “Show me.”

Seto nodded and gestured for Yugi and Mokuba to move. “Sit down. The right side controllers are primarily buttons. They change the background such as indoor, outdoor, buildings, furniture, rain or shine, day or night. Left side controls are a little more complicated as they control computer based characteristics and characters such as clothing, jewelry, any physical ailments, and things like that. The front panel controls interaction of all characters, computer based, and human.”

With ease of long practice Seto’s hands danced over the controls. On the huge screen a large meadow filled with flowers and grass appeared. Above it a cloudless blue sky with a bright sun shone down on the meadow. The sounds of twittering birds and subtle rustling of a breeze wafted over the speakers.

Jounouchi blinked and stared. It looked so realistic. Seto grinned at his look and tapped a few more controls. A small yip came through the speakers closely followed by a tumbling golden puppy chasing a butterfly across the screen.

“Hey…dat’s cute.” Jounouchi laughed as, with a few discreet clicks, the puppy barked and began to chase his tail.

“Yes, Puppy, he is. You practice playing with him while we upload. I will talk you through everything as we go. Don’t freak out, but I will be talking to you from inside the game. I’m perfectly safe. Have fun and play all you like, you can’t hurt us.” Seto hesitated briefly and cautioned, “Just don’t try to open the pod while we are in the game and if something happens to the computer push the blue button on the wall. It is a failsafe.”

The blond grinned and nodded, and then a thought occurred to him. “But…then if I can’t hurt you what are we going to do to grandfather?”

Seto gave him a steady look and reassured “I will explain it further once you know how to work the controls.” With a warm look, Seto stood and crossed to a pod. Yugi and Mokuba, standing close together, copied the move. “The controls are picture labeled. You won’t have any problem figuring them out. If you have a question just ask me. Speak into the microphone and I will hear you.” With a quick nod he opened the pod and slid in.

Jounouchi didn’t want to watch as the lid lowered over Seto. It looked too much like some kind of freaky casket. He turned his gaze back to the puppy still manically chasing its tail. Hesitantly he tapped a button and the puppy sat down with a small yip. Intrigued, he tried another button, and a hovering butterfly fluttered upward. Using a small joystick he guided the butterfly down, this time to alight on the blinking and fidgeting puppy’s nose.

The pup moved on its own, standing up and shaking its head and sneezing. “Gyah…I didn’t tell the dog ta do dat.”

A warm chuckle came over the speaker. “All characters have a set of responses to given situations and stimuli.” Seto walked onto the screen and sat down next to the pup, shooing the butterfly away.

“Oh.” He thought about that for a second. “So, I gotta say, ya look real good on there. Almost as good as in real life.”

“Thank you.” The tone was very dry. “So, try changing it from day to night. Look at the left panel and you should…good job.” The scene had changed from bright blue skies and sunlight to a star studded, moonlit night.

Mokuba and Yugi, holding hands and whispering, strolled up to where Seto sat petting the puppy. “Hey Jou.” Yugi waved and Mokuba nodded. “So what should we do?”

“Just walk around while I change the environment I guess. Let me get used ta people in there and you guys can tell me what happens okay?”

“Sure, no problem.” Mokuba smiled and tugged his lover down the hill. “Let’s go that way.”

Jounouchi showed his old gaming skills by mastering the environment controls in less than fifteen minutes. In that time the uploaded young men experienced everything from snow in the desert to raging rivers that turned to a free fall from high cliffs. Balmy breezes and hurricane force winds. Cityscapes and dark forests merged with strange, unfathomable places that mixed reality to whatever fantasy the blond decided.

Panting and breathless, Seto crawled up into the odd tree house that seemed to have grown directly out of the massive oak supporting it. Next to him the puppy barked happily. “Shit. How did you get up here?”

The puppy grinned. Yes grinned. Jounouchi must be playing with the character controls. Then it turned and looked over its shoulder at the long vine bridge Jounouchi must have constructed. “Damn, you give the dog a bridge but not me? I thought you loved me.”

“I do. And it ain’t my fault ya don’t look around and just go straight ahead. If ya’d looked you’da seen I made several short cuts just for ya. Besides I like ta see ya all hot and sweaty. I want ya ta take off some of them clothes.”

“Hnn…if you want them gone you just have to use the controls. Click on my character then select what you want me in from the list.” He could almost see the golden eyes of his lover light up and the hentai grin that the other would be wearing. Sure enough there was a slight breeze and suddenly he was dressed in nothing more than his silky boxers.

“Jounouchi!” He yelped sharply. A snicker answered him. Then another breeze and he found himself in a cute brown puppy costume. “Mutt!”

Another shimmer and he found himself dressed in a flirty-Marilyn Monroe-esque white halter dress with the skirt floating upwards. He instinctively assumed the classic pose of holding the skirt down to protect his modesty. It seems his boxers had been replaced with…air.

"Damn it Mutt. I am going to...” His voice was drowned by a mischievous giggle and the dress disappeared, along with his legs. Suddenly he was a merman, with a long tail and fins, with a simple rope of shells draped around his neck.

“Eeeeek…You are dead meat you…” Seto shrieked as the merman tail disappeared, to be replaced with chaps and a vest. In his hand was a lariat. “A Cowboy?” Then the humor caught up to him. “You want me to ride you?”

Unnoticed by Seto, Mokuba and Yugi had entered the scene. “Seto?” His brother called hesitantly.

“Yes?”

“Well…since those chaps are backless and you aren’t wearing anything under them, I don’t think you riding him is what he’s thinking.”

Jounouchi’s laughter died abruptly when Yugi teasingly whistled low. “Nice ass Seto.”

Instantly Seto was shrouded in a long black djellaba and Yugi was standing on the other side of a foot thick brick wall that had suddenly sprung up.

Yugi shook his head and looked at the mile high wall in shock. “Uh, Jounouchi, I was joking. Mokuba would gut me if I weren’t.” The wall didn’t move. “Really. I like my lovers shorter and…softer.”

“Yeah, well ya better ‘cause if ya don’t I’ll have ta beat yer ass.” The wall disappeared.

Seto chuckled softly. “May I have my clothes back now? This is overkill.”

There was a long pause while Jounouchi considered his options, then Seto felt the shimmer and glanced down. “Puppy…” A form fitting dark blue shirt hugged every inch of his chest and abdomen ending just above his naval. Tight, tight, creamy leather pants, slung almost indecently low, clung faithfully to every inch of his lower waist, hips and legs. Black platform ankle boots raised him another three inches.

“It looks good on ya. Ya look hot so stop bein’ such a stick.” Jounouchi scolded softly.

“Yeah, big brother it does. I never expected to see you wear something so…” Mokuba trailed off, not wanting to use the words hot or sexy. Saying either about his brother didn’t seem right.

“Hot.” Yugi said softly. “He looks hot. You have great taste Jounouchi.”

“Yeah, I think so too.” An evil laugh echoed around them as the possessive blond made a quick change. “That’s why I ain’t trustin’ ya.”

Yugi looked down at himself and gasped in shock. A dark red leotard covered him from head to foot, and gleaming around his waist was a black leather and gold chain belt that had a gold mesh panel that flapped down over his groin and between his legs to fasten in the back. A ruffling of hair at his head brought his hand up to explore the small pointed protuberances on the side of his head. “Horns? And what kind of belt is this?”

“Yer a horny devil, and now ya have a chastity belt ta make sure ya don’t get any ideas about getting’ horny with anyone.” Jou sounded smugly amused.

Mokuba was laughing at his lover. “Don’t worry baby. I’ll help you out of it.” He stepped up behind his boyfriend. His laughter died when he saw the heavy duty padlock securing the chain. “Well damn. Jounouchi that’s not funny.”

“Funny’s got nothin’ ta do with it. It stays on that horny devil until ya get outta there. And you, I remember you as a sweet little angel. That horny dog ain’t gonna corrupt ya. And just so ya keep it in yer head…” There was a shimmering breeze and Mokuba found himself wearing an all encompassing white robe. A golden halo shimmered above his head and his back sprouted large, white, feathery wings.

Mokuba tried to lift the offending robe over his head, but no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t find the end. “Damn it, how long did you make this thing Jounouchi?”

“It’s infinite. I added that little infinite tag to the robe so…it has no end.”

Seto chuckled. “Great job. You’re figuring it out. Now let’s work on the scenario. Puppy, the CD in the tower is the background and characters. Hit the upload button. It’s the one with the up arrow directly under…”

“Yeah, yeah, I see it.” The blond pushed the button after a few seconds the scene on the screen changed.

“Good, read the text file as it scrolls. We will wait for you, and then practice in the created realm. It’s important we act as if this is reality.”

As he read the scenario, his heart caught and his breath came in rapid pants. “Seto…this…can we do it?”

“Yes. We just need to practice. They should be arriving in a few hours. Plenty of time.”

The blond eyed his sexy lover on the screen with a scowl. “Easy for you to say. Not all of us are electronics genius’s ya know.”

“This is designed so that a four year old could run it. Stop whining.”

“Four year old?! Ya jerk are ya calling me dumber than a four year old?”

“You’re doing well so far. At least a ten year old’s intelligence.” Seto conceded with a teasing smile.

“Well my belly’s growlin’. I’m hungry.”

“Call up to the kitchen and have something brought down. Onigiri or something. Have them take the elevator.”

“Elevator?” Jou sputtered. “What elevator? You made me walk.”

Seto laughed in genuine happiness. His pup was back in fighting form. “I wanted you too tired to run away.”

Outraged, Jounouchi’s hands went to the controls. In the time it took him to press two buttons Seto was the proud owner of a set of kitten ears and long fluffy tail. “Bad kitty. Yer too mean ta be a dog. Schemin’ like a cat.”

“Damn, if you wanted to play animal games you should have waited until tonight. Get some food and let’s get to work.” With a twitch of his tail, he laid his ears back and hissed slightly in annoyance as three thin whiskers sprouted on each of his cheeks.

The reminder of tonight made Jounouchi smile as he picked up the previously unnoticed house phone and punched in the extension for the kitchen. After ordering down some odin and onigiri he sat back at the consoles and took away Seto’s feline traits then he began to practice the shifts he would need. After a few mistakes, such as upside down rooms and a few unexpected responses from the ‘computer’ characters, he felt comfortable enough to control with one hand while eating with the other. Although for some odd reason Seto would randomly develop a tail or ears. Jou always claimed they were mistakes but it was obvious from the occasional purring comments that Jounouchi was having fun.

An hour later he began to hope he could pull this off. Two hours later he was sure of it. "Seto, Mokuba, Yugi, I think I got this down. Can we stop now?"

"I agree. And you've had it for the last forty minutes, you just wanted to put more kitty ears on me. Fun is fun, but yes, we need to download and exit. They should be landing any time." Seto smiled proudly and said clearly "End Session, Kaiba Seto."

Mokuba glared down in frustration at the lock he'd been trying to pick when not busy with the various scenarios and sighed "Yeah fine. End Session Kaiba Mokuba."

Yugi, finding himself alone, looked up and said softly "Jounouchi...I'm glad you're back. I've missed you."

"Yeah, well...ah...okay." The blond did not know what to say. It seemed being in V.R. Made Yugi very brave.

"I mean it. And I know this won't make sense to you, but...I'm sorry too. End Session Moutou Yugi."

Jounouchi puzzled over that for a moment then set it aside to ponder later. "End Session, Jounouchi Katsuya."

Forty miles away, high in the sky an over temperature light began to flash.