Say it with Plushies

Title: Say it with Plushies 8/8

Author: Dark Temptations

Beta: Vash is my Angel

Rating: R

Summary: Joey is failing one of his classes, until he finds the inspiration he needs to pass it. But what is the source of his inspiration? Does it have anything to do with a certain sapphire-eyed brunette?

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Kaiba paced the length of the kitchen again, his eyes glancing up every few steps to the clock on the wall. It was ten minutes past seven. He paused in mid-step as a soft knock came on the door. For a moment the brunette just stared at it as though he didn't know what to do, then he strode forward, took a deep breath and opened it.

Joey stared at Kaiba in shock. He'd never seen the brunette dressed so casually before, but he had to admit that the creased jeans and white polo shirt suited him. He had to struggle to keep from whistling in appreciation, instead he decided to focus on something else instead. "Whoa... Kaiba? Since when do *you* answer doors?"

"Since I gave all my staff the night off." Kaiba stepped back, his eyes running over the blonde teen as Wheeler stepped inside. It had been almost a week since he'd seen him and he was shocked at how happy he was to have the other teen there. Even if Wheeler was his usual scruffy self, in faded jeans and denim jacket over a white T-shirt.

"You were that sure I'd be here?" Wheeler's unusually quiet voice made Kaiba arch an eyebrow.

"No. However I believe in planning for all contingencies." He closed the door and sighed. "Although I did not plan ahead for your bringing... a message." He warily eyed the box in the teen's hands.

Joey smirked, but there was a trace of uneasiness to the smile. "Yeah. I thought I'd bring it, just in case."

Kaiba nodded and gestured to the doorway. "I... We can discuss this in my library."

Joey shook his head. "Here's fine."

"So..." Kaiba turned away, not wanting Wheeler to see the expression he knew he would be unable to hide completely when he heard what he expected to hear. "You're not accepting my dare."

"I never said that."

Kaiba tensed in shock before whirling around. He stared at the blonde, hardly believing his ears.

Joey put the box down on the kitchen bench. "That last message you gave me... It meant you were double dog daring me about this, right?" At the brunette's nod, Joey fixed him with the serious look that he usually reserved for his duelling opponents. "I need to know the truth, Kaiba. Is that all this is to ya? A dare?"

"Truthfully, Wheeler... I don't know." Kaiba shook his head. "No. I do. I just..."

"Yeah. Ya know, but ya can't believe it, so ya don't want to admit it. Not even to yourself." Joey sighed softly and looked down at the floor, scuffing it with his sneaker. "I know the feelin'." He considered for a minute then gave a sharp nod as if he'd just decided something. He picked up the box again.

"I've got my answer for ya. But I need the plushie for it."

Kaiba hesitated. "It's... in my bedroom. I'll go... Wheeler! Where you do think you're going?"

Joey looked over his shoulder, already half out the door. "Up to your bedroom. That's where we were headin' anyway, right?" He smiled as Kaiba looked at him completely stunned.

"You're... sure about this?" The brunette took a step forward, then hesitated, obviously having a hard time believing that what he had been dreaming of for the past week or so was really about to happen.

"Yeah." Joey looked at Kaiba seriously. "Yeah, I am." His eyes locked with Kaiba's. "But you have to be sure too. 'Cause I don't know where this is headin', but I want it to be more than physical." He held out his hand.

Kaiba hesitated for a moment, then smiled and slipped his hand into Joey's. "Good. Because as pleasurable as the physical may be, I believe I like the idea of 'more' even better."

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The first light of dawn crept through the crack in the heavy drapes. The beam of light fell onto the couch where two figures lay together. It glinted off the golden hair of the uppermost form, while the dark hair of the one beneath remained in shadow. The two figures were still as they lay belly against belly, the shaft of the blonde inside the brunette. On the couch beside their hips, a single Duel Monster card lay face up. As the dawn gave way to the early morning, the beam of sunlight moved from golden hair to the silver lettering on the card.

'Invitation to a Dark Sleep.'

Sounds came from the massive bed in the middle of the room. The stirring of sheets was soon followed by a low moan and then another, followed by the husky chuckle of another voice. Then came the words, as they had come throughout the night, their tones soft and gentle instead of the bitter harshness that they were so used to using with each other.

"I love the way you feel within me, Joey."

"I love the way ya scream my name, Seto."

The two new lovers greeted the day as they had spent most of the night, enjoying the fulfilment of the promise made the evening before, when Joey Wheeler had lain his golden-haired plushie with Seto Kaiba's on the couch and accepted the invitation he'd been given.

end