Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

100 Puppies and Dragons	By : ReizOokami Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 8456 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or its characters and I make no money from the writing or posting of this story.

Chapter List
- 99
- 100
Endings

This is where I wind up all my loose endings. If there's one I didn't finish that you think I should have, HA. Too bad. :D Love you guys, but these were the only ones I felt needed more concrete endings.

Ending to theme 13: Running Away

Joey groaned and threw his arm over his eyes. "Please go away, Janie. Please, please, please go away."

The blonde woman raised an eyebrow and waved the phone. "Phone for ya."

"I'll call them back."

"Long distance."

The younger man paused. "…New York?" he asked hopefully. He'd been expecting a call from his sister, and Téa had said she'd be calling with the dates for one of her performances, too.

Janie pursed her lips and scowled. "Japan."

"Oh. I'll call them later. —JAPAN." Joey sat up and struggled out of his blankets for the phone. "Gimme!"

"I've been tryin' t' give it," she drawled, dropping the phone in his hand carelessly. "Breakfast in an hour."

The blond rolled his eyes and tsked before rubbing his face and holding the phone up to his ear. "Y'llo?

"…Did you just answer the phone with the word 'yellow?' Is that something Americans do now?"

Joey laughed at the honest confusion he heard in the brunet's voice. "Sorry. It's four in the mornin'. 'm not really ready for a conversation."

"Oh. I'm sorry. It's noon here. Should I call you later?"

"Nah, I'm up, I'm up," the blond muttered, walking over to look at himself in the mirror. He grimaced a little. "Jeez, I look terrible. No wonder Janie don't want me t' go see the horses before I shower. I look like death warmed over." He smiled a little as the brunet chuckled, then blinked slowly. "So why 're ya callin'? 's it the end of the month already?"

"No, I just thought I'd call to tell you that Mokuba's graduating in three weeks."

Joey smiled. "'m gonna be there."

"Are you sure?"

"'course I'm sure. I promised, didn't I?" the blond asked, even as he pulled the envelope he'd hidden in his drawer out. He smiled as he checked the graduation announcement, ticket to the event, and the ticket for a flight to Domino that Mokuba had sent him.

He wasn't sure how Mokuba had found out about his promise. He was certain that Seto wouldn't have said anything about it, because he wouldn't want his brother to know he was depending on something, especially something like the mutt coming back to Japan. He hadn't said anything, either; he wasn't in the habit of sharing his personal secrets with people, and if promising to kiss Seto Kaiba on the lips wasn't personal, he didn't know what was. Mokuba was clearly more devious than he'd dared to believe.

But that was okay. While he could have afforded buying the ticket back to Domino, he liked having the extra money for a down payment on an apartment until he found a job. He'd gotten a degree in mechanics while he'd been in America and he was ready to go back, fulfill his promise, and prove that his years away had been beneficial. It made him feel proud, and for some reason, he thought it quite possible that Seto might be proud of him, too.

"Joey? Are you still there?" Seto asked after an awkward pause.

"Oh, yeah! Sorry, I was distracted."

"Oh? By what?"

Joey smiled and leaned against the dresser. "Oh, just this picture of a really hot brunet."

"I'll have her shot."

The blond snorted. "I meant male."

"Him, then."

Joey twisted a lock of hair around his finger. "I'd be really upset if ya did that."

"…I suppose I could just break his knees or something."

"I don't think you'd be as sexy if ya crippled yourself, Kaiba."

He could almost hear the gears shifting in the brunet's head as he digested what had been said. "…You're looking at a picture of me?"

He chuckled. "Ya sound so hopeful, Kaiba."

"I'm just glad you're still showing interest in me even after being gone around those Americans for several years."

"Three years isn't several," the blond chuckled. "It's just a few."

"I've missed you."

Joey blushed a little and looked down at his feet, as if the brunet was actually there and looking at him. "…I miss ya, too," he replied after a moment. "'m gonna be back soon, Kaiba."

"I know. It's just… quiet here without your barking."

The younger man shrugged, refusing to rise to the bait. "I'm sure it is."

"I miss you snarling at me. At least I remember what you look like angry. Who knows how much those Americans have changed you."

"I'm not changed," Joey sighed, rolling his eyes. "I'm just older."

He heard crackling as the brunet sighed into the phone. "You can't tell, but I can. You're different. It's a good different, but… just… different."

The blond frowned worriedly. "So ya don't want me t' come back and give ya that kiss-?"

"You're coming and giving me that kiss. Period. I expect you here before Mokuba leaves for college."

Joey glanced down at the envelope and tucked the tickets and announcement back into it, frown fading slowly back into a smile. "Yeah? When's that gonna be?"

"September."

"I'm sure I'll be there by then. Listen, Kaiba, I just woke up, so I'm gonna take a shower and get some coffee."

"I thought you didn't like coffee."

"I don't," the blond replied shortly. "But it's four in the fuckin' mornin'."

He could almost hear Seto flinch. "…I'm sorry."

.-.-.-.-.-.

"Joey, I'm so glad you came!" Mokuba exclaimed, throwing his arms around the blond's shoulders.

Joey chuckled. "Ya sent me a ticket."

"I know, I was just… I expected to see you sitting next to Seto. You know, I gave the bodyguards notice that you were to be allowed to sit with him," the younger boy explained awkwardly. "Did they turn you away or something? Because I can get Seto to reprimand them or something—"

"This was your graduation, kid." The blond smiled and ruffled his hair. "I'm excited t' see your brother, but he came here for you, not me. I'm pretty sure that if I distracted him from ya, even though he'd be really happy, the little part of him that can't rationalize the fact that you're not his precious baby brother anymore will resent me."

"…Yeah, I guess I get that," Mokuba muttered thoughtfully. "So when are you going to see him then?"

"…I could take that house key off ya, since you're gonna be out partyin' with your friends," the older boy suggested innocently.

The smile on his face indicated he was anything but innocent, Mokuba decided, but he handed over his key and the codes that were necessary to get into the mansion.

.-.-.-.-.-.

Seto sighed and tugged at his tie as soon as he shut the door behind him, somewhat glad that Mokuba was going to parties instead of coming home. He hadn't gone to his own graduation, so he hadn't really thought about how stressful it would be.

And then a bunch of teenage girls had seen him when he'd gone to hug his brother goodbye, screamed, and mobbed him. When their families realized who they were screaming at, they tried to get to him too, to boast about their specific daughter. He'd dealt with it just long enough for Mokuba to escape before he ordered his bodyguards to get him out of there.

He was glad he hadn't bothered going to his graduation.

"Aw, don't take the tie off. It looks sexy on ya."

Seto flinched and turned sharply, reaching for the nearest panic button, but paused when he saw the blond leaning in the doorway to the living room. He couldn't help but pause to look him over, appreciating the way his bangs fell around his face instead of into it, and how he had the rest of his hair pulled back into a small ponytail. He was a couple of inches taller, more muscular.

But instead of complimenting him, like he knew he should, his brain shorted out in his hour of need and rebooted back to before the blond had left. "You can make even a dress shirt and tie look trashy, mutt."

Joey stared at him, raising an eyebrow as he crossed his arms, and opened his mouth. He closed it a second later, smiled in confusion, and tilted his head. "Really? That's how it's gonna go?"

Seto at least had the decency to look remorseful. "You surprised me and I panicked."

"So it's my fault?"

"…Yes."

Joey chuckled and walked over to him, reaching up to finish undoing his tie. He smoothed the brunet's shirt much like he had before he'd given him his promise, then looked up at him and smiled. "I think I promised ya somethin', Kaiba."

Seto swallowed thickly and slid his arms around the younger man's waist. "You did."

The blond went up on his toes to kiss his cheek. "There ya go."

The older man scowled. "No. That is not what you promised."

"Hmm?" Joey giggled as the brunet glared at him and leaned up to brush their lips together. "So picky."

"I'm not picky. If I was, I'd point out that you promised to be back before Mokuba graduated."

The blond hummed. "I was back before Mokuba graduated. I just didn't see you until after."

Seto opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Joey grinned mischievously. "And ya said that it was okay if I got here after his graduation, as long as it was before he left for college. And ya know what? It's before!"

"…See? You're changed," the brunet stated, scowling. "It's not bad, but I can't rile you up anymore." He narrowed his eyes. "And I don't like that smile on your face. It makes me think you're planning something."

The younger man shrugged. "Maybe I am plannin' somethin'. Hey, Kaiba, I noticed one of your cars has this weird squealin' sound when ya gun it. Mind if I fix that for ya?"

"When were you behind the wheel of one of my cars?" Seto asked in affront.

"You were takin' too long t' get here," Joey replied, smiling. "'sides, I can fix that. Ya wanna know what I was plannin'?"

The brunet sighed and rolled his eyes before looking back down at him. "…Yes, why not."

"I was plannin' on pullin' ya into the livin' room with me t' drink some booze and talk about where we go from here. We didn't talk about anything farther than the kiss." He smiled and kissed the older man again gently to hopefully sell his point.

Seto sighed again. "…Alright. You do have a point. …Please don't touch my cars without me there anymore, please." He paused. "Which car was squealing?"

Joey chuckled and began pulling him toward the living room. "Come on, Kaiba. Let's go sit and talk." He squeaked as the brunet suddenly mashed their mouths together, mewling in surprise as the other man's tongue immediately swiped his own. "Mm!"

Seto bit his bottom lip gently and pulled, then released it to begin kissing his jaw. "I've been waiting to kiss you like that for years."

The blond blushed and touched his lips with his fingers in almost confusion before he smiled and looked up at him. "Wow. If you'd kissed me like that before I left, I probably wouldn't have gone."

"It's a good thing I didn't then, isn't it?" the older man replied. "After all, even though I've hated it, I think it was good for you." He nuzzled the blond's neck and sighed. "Alright. Let's go talk."

Joey smiled. "Yeah, okay."

Ending to Theme 17: Vengeance

Joey trilled quietly as he felt someone petting his tail feathers and yawned. "Hmm…" He gasped as he was suddenly yanked up into a sitting position and immediately reached up to grab his attacker, but then the brunet began sucking on his tongue and pawing between his legs, and the familiarity of his touch and his scent and his kiss made him relax. "Mm…"

Seto broke the kiss and instead nipped at his throat. "Good morning, my pretty peacock."

"Uhn… g'mornin'." The blond squirmed a little. "Too early for sex, S'to."

The phoenix sighed and cupped his cheeks to give him one last kiss on the lips before he leaned back, smiling. "I know. It's just that that's the only way I can wake you up without you being a grump or trying to kill me."

"Mm." Joey yawned, then smiled. "Sorry. –You got your fancy shit on," he commented, tilting his head as he reached out to run his hands over the smooth silk. He giggled quietly. "I like silk."

"I'll have some silk ribbons delivered this week and we can have some fun before bed then," Seto replied. He stood, smoothing a wrinkle out of his pants, then looked back at him. "I'm going to go do some business with the people that inherited the Lector estate. Will you be here when I get back?"

The blond tilted his head. "I might be conductin' some business with a mafia boss."

Seto tilted his head and held his fist up, extending his thumb and index finger in the universal symbol of 'gun.' When the younger boy only smiled at him, refusing to confirm or deny, he sighed. "You don't have to do this anymore, Joey."

Joey shrugged and looked away from him. "Seto, this is what I do. It's what I've been doin' for years."

The brunet frowned as he stood from the bed, tail spread out as he carefully brushed it out with his fingers. "Don't you ever want to retire?"

"Of course. I'll want children someday, and I can't have them while I'm… in this current occupation," the peacock replied after a moment, accent disappearing from his speech. "But I do enjoy putting people in their places after all they've done to hurt other people. You can't be upset with me for that. My sister and I helped you."

"Yes, and I'm the greediest phoenix on this side of the planet so I don't want you helping anyone else. They may fall in love with you just like I did and I don't want to share," the older boy replied, scowling. "You may have plenty of love to go around, but I want to keep it all to myself."

Joey sighed and rolled his eyes. "Seto, you know that's not what I set out to do. People just… like me."

"They should stop it. You're mine," the brunet hissed. He huffed when the peacock only rolled his eyes and reached out to grab his chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Joey, you know how I feel about this. I don't like knowing you may not come back to me because something goes wrong while you're off… working." He sighed when the blond jerked his gaze away and let his hand fall to his side. "If you want a child, fine. Stop what you're doing, and we'll have a child. I can take care of us. But don't make me wonder whether or not you're going to come back anymore."

Joey clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, scowling. "So you're sayin' that if I'm not ready t' stop what I'm doin', don't come back at all?"

Seto opened his mouth, a frustrated denial already on the tip of his tongue because he didn't want to drive the blond away. But he sighed, because he knew he just couldn't do it anymore, even though he really wanted to. "Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying." He saw the stricken expression on the peacock's face and turned quickly, because he knew he'd lose his resolve if he saw him cry. Instead, he walked over to the mirror to straighten imaginary wrinkles before he began toward the door. "So I'll see you later. –Or I won't. It's your decision."

He made it to the bottom of the stairs before he heard the slap of bare feet on marble and began to turn, but then he felt hands gripping the back of his shirt tightly. He paused and tilted his head, raising an eyebrow as the blond's hands slid down his back to hesitantly grasp his white tail. Waiting for the blond to speak, he finally turned his head the smallest bit to peek over his shoulder, frowning when he saw the younger man's brows furrowed together and his gaze directed at his tail—though he knew if his tail hadn't been in the way, Joey would have been staring at his feet.

Joey bit his bottom lip and swallowed. "…I… I promised this to a very good friend, Seto. But if… if stopping is what it's gonna take to keep you, I… I can stop after this job. I'll do somethin' else." He looked up at him and swallowed again. "I… I wanna have children with you. I wanna have eggs with you." His breath hitched as the brunet turned to face him. "I wanna have sex with ya and lay our eggs."

Seto blinked. "…Right now?"

The blond slapped his arm and scowled. "No, not right now! I meant forever! –Well, not lay your eggs forever, I don't want that many kids, but—" He bit his bottom lip again and blushed when the older boy's face seemed to brighten as he smiled, and his eyes began to glow with ethereal light that he rarely saw. "…Yeah. I'll stop after this job. T' be with you." He gasped as he was pulled up against the brunet's body in a tight hug and hid his face in his shoulder.

"You have no idea how happy that makes me, Joey. I just want to keep you safe," the phoenix murmured, nuzzling his throat. "I love you. I want to take care of you. …You arouse my nesting instincts. I just want to build a nest and keep you in it until we have a chirping chick."

Joey blushed and nuzzled his neck a little. "You'd need t' use some of your magic. I'm a peacock, remember, not a peahen."

"I'll look it up when I get back. I love you and expect you home by tomorrow at the latest," Seto purred, nipping his ear, before he stepped back. "I have to go now. But we'll talk tomorrow, okay?"

The blond smiled and nodded. "Okay." He let his eyes flutter closed as the older boy kissed him lightly and sighed, then smiled and watched him walk out. "Hmmm." He reached back to comb his feathers thoughtfully, then giggled and scampered back up to their room. The sooner he did this last job, the sooner he could see Seto smile at him like that again.

.-.-.-.-.-.

Seto grumbled as the door to his room slammed open and sat up, opening his mouth to remind the blond that the walls didn't exactly appreciate in value every time a door slammed into them, but frowned when he saw the figure he assumed was Joey just leaning in the doorway. He reached out to turn on the lamp beside the bed and let out a startled screech when he saw blood dripping from a wound on his side.

Joey whimpered as the brunet scooped him up and carried him to the bed, turning his head away as the older boy gently pried his hands from his side. "Seto-!"

"Let me go get some—No, this is too deep. Didn't hit anything important, though." Seto frowned and looked around for something for the blond to bite on, then sighed. "Bite my hand."

"But Seto, I—"

"I have to burn it closed. Bite my hand. It'll hurt." He waited for the blond to hesitantly close his teeth on his hand before he shoved his fingers into the wound and sent them aflame. He only flinched a little when the blond suddenly bit down harder, instead concentrating on the smell and sound of burnt flesh. "—There, I think that's done." Pulling his hand away, he stroked the blond's tearstained cheek, frowning. "Something went wrong?"

"No, everything went right," Joey whimpered. "I got the job finished, and everything was okay, but then my friend—he said it was time for me t' retire, and I remember wondering how he knew, but then he just stabbed me, and—" The blond's face relaxed into a frightening sort of calm. "I killed his competition, and now he's on top. I have one more job to finish before I retire, Seto."

Seto tilted his head, then nodded. "I understand. …We should probably have a doctor look at this." He cupped the blond's cheek and sighed as he saw the bruise blackening around his eye, then paused thoughtfully. "…Joey."

"Hmm?" the blond hummed, looking up at him inquisitively. "Yeah?"

"…Let me take care of him," the phoenix suggested. "You said this was your last job, and then we could talk about eggs. Don't give him the satisfaction of your attention. Let me handle him." He grinned, a dangerous expression that the blond had to admit both scared him and turned him on. "I'll crush him, but I won't kill him. That's far worse than death."

Joey frowned. "And just let him get away with—"

"At least until we've had an egg," Seto cut in smoothly. "Let him get powerful. Let him get comfortable. Then we'll rip the rug out from under him."

The blond blinked at him for a moment, then smiled. "Seto, you're a connivin' bastard. I like it." He flinched when he reached up to hug him and clapped a hand over his wound. "Ngh."

"Well, you're stuck with me, so even if you didn't, you'd have to learn to like it. Stop moving." The phoenix leaned down to kiss him lightly. "Sleep. I'll take you to the hospital after you get some rest, and then we'll talk about eggs and your… friend more, later."

Joey smiled again and sighed. "Okay, Seto. –Seto, how big are eggs s'posed t' be?"

Seto paused. "…Yes, I think we'll have to talk about this a lot more."

"Is that your way of sayin' ya don't know or ya know I won't like it?"

The brunet's head dropped in frustration. "It's my way of saying I know you won't like what I do know about it."

"…Okay. Well, I'm just gonna take a nap before ya take me t' the doctor. We'll talk about it after I'm doped on pain meds, okay? I won't be able t' hurt ya as bad then," the peacock replied, patting his hand comfortingly.

Seto sighed. He supposed it was the best they could do under the circumstances.

At least if Joey immediately went after his dick, he had some hope of fighting him off if he was doped. He wondered how he could convince the doctors to give Joey a strong prescription.

But then Joey was snoring quietly, so he tucked him in, figuring that things would work out in the end.

Ending to Theme 54: Health and Healing (M)

Seto purred, a feeling he had taken for granted and had really missed while he'd been a bird. He spread his wings and leapt into the air, enjoying the feeling of wind and sun on his scales. He'd never let his curiosity get the better of him again; if a witch was going to curse him, he'd eat her first. It was great to be in his real body again. He'd have to find a pretty trinket from his hoard for Joey, to thank him for everything.

Remembering the blond that had broken his curse for him, he turned, spreading his wings to land where he'd last seen him. He tapped down lightly and looked around for him. He knew he was a sight behold, so he wouldn't be surprised if the human had run away.

He frowned when he saw the blond had fainted, then shrugged slightly. It had been quite a powerful curse, and Joey was just a human, so if he had been knocked out, it wasn't that surprising. He curled his claws beneath the human and purred, lifting him up gently and letting his tongue out to taste the air, just in case he was truly hurt.

He licked his lips as he felt the flesh give under his claws, remembering just how delicate the human body was. He remembered the last human he'd eaten and wondered if Joey would be tougher because he was more muscular. He was certain the blond would at least taste better; that last human had been awful. Well, he at least deserved at least a little something for being so patient. Just an arm. –A leg, maybe! And if he tasted good enough, he'd just—

Seto immediately turned and bashed his skull into the nearest tree, growling quietly. Joey had broken his curse! Why was he planning on eating him already?

Forcing himself into his humanoid form, he immediately felt his desire to eat the blond fade, especially when he felt how thin and frail he was in his arms. Joey was still recovering from his own curse, and he'd just gone and freed Seto from his. He felt much too light and delicate for a human. He could probably still crush him even in his human form.

Seto blinked as he took in the blond's face, suddenly appreciating just how beautiful it was. In his raven form, he hadn't cared, and as a dragon, he'd only wanted to eat him, but in his human form… He sort of wanted to bruise those pouted lips until they were plump and red, and he wanted to put dark purple marks all over his throat and thighs. He wanted to spread the blond's thighs, pound between them violently as the human whimpered and squirmed.

He wanted to fuck him until the blond was too spent to move, then nuzzle him and pet him until he slept, planning to repeat the cycle later.

Seto blinked again, frowning, then let out a disgusted snort. This was a human. Humans were food, and if they weren't food, they were pests. But he's pretty, a voice in the back of his mind argued. He's begging to be claimed and kept. The brunet hissed. You could stay between his thighs for hours.

It had been a while since he'd…

Joey turned his head and whimpered. "Ngh…"

Seto jumped, then looked around awkwardly to reorient himself. Spying the blond's small house, he walked over to it. 'How could I even think of taking advantage of him in this state?' He yelped as his wings slammed into the doorway on either side and flinched, then huffed and tucked them closer to his body to navigate the human's home without making a complete mess of things.

Once he had the blond stripped (he was so warm already that he felt bad even pulling the blankets over him) and tucked in bed, he dragged a chair over and sat down, feeling obligated to watch the younger boy. Joey had been sick and cursed and beaten up. He was just repaying his debt. Yeah, that was it—Joey had done so much for him, he obviously had to do something to try and repay him. Like watch over him as he slept.

'…I'd make an awful human.' Seto grimaced. 'All I think about is how I can take advantage of him.' He sighed, then frowned, resting his arms on the bed and leaning his chin on his arms. 'Well. I'm a dragon, after all. I'm not meant to be a human. Though I suppose wanting to fuck is a step up from wanting to eat. Ugh.'

He sighed again and reached out to stroke the blond's cheek with the back of his hand, then played with his hair lightly. He couldn't help a smile when the human only sighed and leaned closer to it.

.-.-.-.-.-.

Seto sat up straight as Joey began to stir, then smiled. "How are you feeling?"

Joey blinked up at him blearily, then huffed. "'s not fair."

The brunet frowned. "…What."

"It's not fair." The younger boy threw his arm over his eyes and sighed. "You were so handsome as a bird, and now you're so handsome as a human. I bet you'regorgeous as a dragon. It's not fair."

Seto blinked.

Joey sighed again and lifted his arm to peer up at him tiredly. "…Uh. I feel like my head got stepped on by a…well. A dragon."

"I did not step on you," Seto hissed, scowling.

The blond sighed. "I guess I believe ya. But ya did grow pretty fast. Last thing I saw before I passed out was… you, I guess."

The brunet tilted his head, frowning, then reached out to dig his hand into the younger boy's hair. "I don't feel any bumps or cuts. You seemed healthy enough when I squeezed you."

"Well, it's not like— …When you… squeezed me?" Joey asked quietly.

"…Well, I was feeling a little hungry, and clearly you were the easiest prey around, so—" the dragon began awkwardly.

"So your only conclusion was t' eat me," the blond whispered, frowning. "You were gonna—"

"No, no, no," Seto cut in quickly. "I didn't eat you. I wasn't going to. I just thought about it. –Look, I didn't even bruise you!" He smiled awkwardly. "I mean, look, I was so careful with you—"

Joey narrowed his eyes. "Ya already told me about how ya hate bruised food when I tried t' give ya one of the old fruits my friend gave me as a bird."

"…But that's different!" The brunet laughed nervously. "You're a human, not a plant!"

The younger boy scowled. "No. It's not."

Seto frowned. "…I turned into a human so I wouldn't eat you, though…"

"Yes. Thank you for not eatin' me," the blond drawled, glaring at him. "Even though it's clear that the only reason ya didn't was because ya actually knew me and even that may not have stopped ya except for the fact that now you're in my debt."

"…I would have only eaten an arm. Or a leg. Maybe the leg. Or both." He flinched when the blond glared at him and slid out of his seat, hiding from view on the floor. "Sorry."

"…Whatever. I broke your curse, and that was all ya wanted from me, so why don't ya just go? Ya didn't eat me, so we can call it even." Joey rolled onto his side and frowned. "'sides, ya always told me that humans are pests. 'm surprised ya even stuck around."

Seto blinked, then sat up and frowned. "You cared for me for several days, Joey. Bringing you into your home and putting you to bed is not nearly enough to make up for the time you spent on me, especially with the physical exertion of breaking my curse." He paused as he remembered the blond's face, flushed and exhausted-looking as he ripped the black magic from his aura and cleansed it with his own.

Seeing him sweaty and exhausted, but looking so pleased… He could easily help the blond recreate that expression and—

"GAAAAH!"

Joey stared with wide eyes as the brunet immediately turned and bashed his head against the wall. "Seto, what the fuck-!" He reached out to grab his shoulders before he could try and hurt himself again. "Seto, what are ya doin'!"

Seto let out an embarrassed roar. "All I can think about is fucking you!"

The blond blinked, then blushed and drew his hands back quickly. "You… That's what ya…" He gulped and bit his bottom lip. "…I think I almost like ya wantin' t' eat me better."

"I could still eat you in this form. In fact, I still want to," the dragon replied. "Except not to consume you. To fu—"

Joey squealed and covered his mouth, blush darkening.

Seto stared back at him and, because his mouth was covered, merely whined earnestly. His brows furrowed together slightly as he whined again.

The blond looked away, then bit his bottom lip and looked back up at him, uncovering his mouth and instead letting his hands drift in further to cup his cheeks. "…That's not a very romantic suggestion, Seto."

"I—" The dragon paused, frowning. "…I would… like to kiss you, at least."

"…Okay," Joey whispered, smiling nervously.

Seto reached out to touch his cheek, hesitating, then leaned in and carefully pressed their lips together. He slid his hand into the human's hair and sighed, nibbling the blond's lower lip gently before crawling onto the bed. He leaned him down onto the bed and crawled over him, tail twisting around to curl under the blankets.

Joey gasped as the brunet's tail slid the blankets down and flinched as the cool air immediately rushed in to meet his warm skin. "Uhn-!" He broke the kiss and mewled, squirming embarrassedly. "Set'—ya took my clothes off—"

"You were so hot," the brunet whined. "Humans aren't supposed to be that hot. I wanted to help you cool down." He laid his hand on the blond's hip. "But now I'm just heating you back up…"

"I'm a human and you're just gonna eat me when you're done—" Joey began frantically, but was silenced when the brunet kissed him again. He moaned and turned his head away, arching his hips arching his back a little. "Seto, this isn't gonna work—"

Seto snarled. "I'll make it work."

Joey whimpered and lifted his legs to wrap them around the brunet's waist. "Seto, some point you're gonna slip up and I'll be gone in one bite-!"

"I'd at least make it two bites," the dragon muttered, carefully wedging the tip of his tail in the blond's entrance. "But I'll make this work. I will."

"Uhn!" The human gasped and bit his bottom lip again as the brunet's tail carefully wriggled around and the sharp tip brushed against something that made him see stars. "Seto!" He reached up to clutch at the brunet's wings as the older boy ground their hips together, moaning loudly as his bare cock rubbed against the brunet's cloth-covered one. "Seto, Seto, Seto!"

Seto growled and bit the blond's throat lightly, sharp teeth leaving little nicks on skin as the hands grasping his wings clenched them tighter. "Joey-!"

"Seto! Seto! Seto!" Joey screamed as he came, scrabbling wildly at his scaled shoulders until he came down from his high, chest heaving. "Seto… Uh…" He peeled open his eyes he hadn't realized he'd closed and sighed as the brunet began licking him clean. "…This isn't gonna work," he whispered tiredly.

The brunet growled. "Yes it will."

"You're not gonna be in this form all the time. You're gonna change back into a dragon. You're gonna eat me," Joey whispered, frowning. "Seto, ya already told me that ya wanted t' eat me. Just stop. This isn't gonna—"

"YES IT WILL!" Seto roared angrily, then whined and nuzzled against the blond's neck. "It will. I'll even stay in this form forever if I have to. –I can have that witch curse me back into a bird. You fed me, healed me, put up with me, broke my curse—please don't make me leave."

Joey turned his head away and sighed. "…Seto…"

Seto sat up straight and whined. "Then I'll become a human and you won't have to worry about it!"

"You'd never be happy like that. I know it. Seto, just face it—this isn't going to work." The blond reached up to cup his cheek. "It won't. Seto, if it's just sex, we can do it a few times and then ya can go back," he offered, frowning. "I mean, if that's all—"

The brunet whined, unable to explain that it wasn't all. He had to repay him somehow, had to get out of his debt. But there was also something inside him that told him that he needed to keep this human as his—not because he was special as a Curse Breaker and not because he considered him attractive, but because this human wasmeant to be his. To love, to provide for, to cuddle, to make love to—he just wanted to mark the blond as his and keep him whether he agreed or not.

Seto whined again, paused, then let out a snarl and stood. "I'll be back."

Joey sat up a little and fought a wave of dizziness. "Nn—I'll just—make sure t' have lube next time so you're not—" He mewed in confusion as he was eased back down into a laying position and the blankets pulled up over him. "Seto?"

Seto cupped his cheek gently. "Rest. I pushed you too hard to break my curse. If you don't rest, you'll get sick, and it would be my fault. Just lie here and rest." He brushed the blond's hair out of his eyes, trailed his claws over his cheek gently, then turned and left the small house.

Joey frowned as he watched the shutters rattle as the dragon outside took flight, assuming that he'd changed back into his dragon form. He tried to sit up again, but he had to admit he was tired and perhaps Seto was right. He had been weak when he'd broken his curse and he really should rest. So, sighing, he turned onto his side and curled up for a nap.

.-.-.-.-.-.

Seto curled up behind the blond and began to purr, smiling as the human cuddled up against his rumbling chest. "Mine."

"Mm… 'm not yers." Joey scowled a little and huffed. "'sides, ya left for half a week and ya just crawl into bed with me. Didn't win ya any points."

"Not interested in points." The brunet purred and pushed him onto his back so he could crawl on top of him, settling between his legs. "Look what I got."

The human scowled. "Psh. Ya got a tattoo on your chest. Big fuckin' deal. Doesn't make me wanna—"

"It's a curse-mark, not a tattoo," Seto deadpanned.

Joey frowned, immediately concerned. "That witch find out I broke your curse and slap ya with another one? I'm still too weak t' break another one, but I can try—"

"No," the brunet snarled, then dipped his head to begin making hickeys on his throat. "This one stays."

The human blinked and looked at him in confusion. "You… wanna keep this curse?"

"The witch cursed me because she was bored, and I allowed it because I was bored—thinking it wouldn't have any affect. I believed she wasn't powerful enough. In any case," Seto explained, leaning back. "I went back to her and asked her to curse me again."

Joey scowled. "Well I hope ya don't expect me t' take care of this one, too-!" Despite his words, he reached up to gently place his hand over the curse mark, to try and get a feel of just how powerful it was.

Seto grabbed his hand and purred louder. "I don't want you to. She's cursed me to hate the taste of human flesh."

"Well I can still— …What?" The blond looked up at him and swallowed nervously in disbelief. "You… Ya let her curse ya so ya don't… wanna eat me?"

The dragon continued to purr. "I'll be honest. I still want to eat you in the filthiest of ways." He pet between the blond's legs when he only blinked in response. "I'll be gentle."

Joey sat up swiftly. "You let her curse ya so ya can't eat me." He blushed as he realized that the curse obviously extended to other humans, but that was still a huge step, considering that Seto had actually enjoyed eating humans and often commented on whether or not someone would taste good whenever Joey took a break at the tavern.

Seto's purr faded awkwardly when the response he received was far from the happy-horny-sex he'd been expecting. "…Joey? Aren't you pleased?"

The blond blushed and traced his fingers over the curse mark gently, following the black and red lines over his shoulders and wrapping his arms around his neck. "…Ya gave up eatin' your favorite food for me, Seto. Why wouldn't I be pleased?" he whispered, tears forming in his eyes.

The dragon whined. "Then why are you crying?"

"…'cause I'm happy," Joey replied quietly, leaning up to kiss his cheek. "'m cryin' 'cause I'm happy, Seto. That means so much t' me."

Seto frowned. He didn't understand why he would cry if he was happy. He whined again, then buried his face in the blond's neck, nipping and sucking gently. "Will you be mine now, Joey? Now that I can't eat you?" He sighed quietly as the younger boy held him tighter. "Please?"

Joey dug a hand into his hair as he leaned back to look at him, smiling through his tears. "Okay. Yeah, I will. I'll be yours."

The dragon smiled and licked the blond's bottom lip gently. "Mine… Finally mine…"

The younger boy mewled and held him closer. "Mm… Like that… Mine…"

Seto paused, then began to purr. "Yours… I like it too."

"Nyee!" Joey giggled and nuzzled his neck. "Show me how much ya like it."

There was the happy-horny-sex he'd been expecting. Seto was only too happy to oblige.

Ending to Theme 70: Bitter Silence

Seto rubbed his hands together and grinned, licking his lips in anticipation. It had been quite some time he'd had fresh meat, and the deer demon in front of him looked ripe for the killing, wounded and bellowing in pain in front of him. He leaned down, ready to pounce on it and rip it to shreds.

He heard a whistling sound and blinked, but then a black-tan-gold blur slammed down in front of him, right on the deer demon and ripping its throat out. His jaw fell open in shock before he was filled with rage. He stood and roared. "THAT WAS MINE!"

Joey turned to look at him in surprise, then blinked and glanced down at the deer carcass. "…Wanna share?"

"NO, I DO NOT WANT TO SHARE, BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE MINE!" the brunet roared.

"…You're bein' incredibly selfish about his, ya know. There's enough here for both of us, and I don't—"

"There is not nearly enough here for both of us," Seto hissed angrily. "There is barely enough there to be enough for just me." Hooked his tail around the blond's waist and tossed him aside. "Move it."

Joey squawked as he landed face-first in the mud, then sat up in disgruntlement. "That hurt! –And now I'm dirty!" He let out an angry screech when he saw the brunet already stuffing his face with meat. "And now you're eatin' my deer!"

Seto was on him in a flash, roaring angrily. "IT WAS MINE AND YOU STOLE IT."

The blond flinched, suddenly feeling as if it would be better to agree with him. "Oh."

"STOP BOTHERING ME AND LET ME EAT!"

"Okay." He watched the other demon immediately return to eating and flinched again. "…You're not even gonna let me have a bite?" When the brunet turned and roared at him wordlessly, he frowned and sat back. "…Not even a nibble?" He yelped as the brunet promptly turned and threw a leg at him. "BWAH!"

"LET ME EAT IN PEACE!" Seto snarled, then turned and began stuffing his face as quickly as possible. The sooner he ate, the sooner he could leave.

Joey, however, was much better at inhaling his food, so he sat and waited patiently for the brunet to finish eating.

Seto grumbled, turned, and began walking away, tail lashing angrily. "Leave me alone."

The blond began following him, frowning. "But Seto, ya brought me back for a reason. Ya made me this for a reason. Why won't ya just tell me why?"

The dragon-demon rolled his eyes and sighed angrily. "Because the idea of speaking with you rationally fills me with such rage that I want to kill you, which would make pouring my magic and soul into you a waste."

Joey dashed up beside him and whined. "But Seto, I didn't know what would happen when I stabbed ya, and ya scared me! What'd ya want me t' do? Ya always said ya hated floor mats!"

"You're damn right," the brunet snarled, before he turned and glared at him. "And you should have known. It's one of the first things you're taught before summoning. To hurt or kill the demon you summoned, you use a piece of the animal the demon takes after. That's simple summoning knowledge!" When the blond only blinked at him, he scowled. "You didn't think I was a dragon-demon, did you?"

The younger boy blushed and bit his bottom lip. "It's just, dragon-demons are so rare, I never expected t' be able t' summon one. I thought maybe you were a lizard or somethin'."

"I allowed you to summon me because I was bored and humans are more fun to fuck," Seto stated shortly. "You're no longer a human and so I no longer find the idea of fucking you appealing. I don't even like you. Please leave me alone and go find someone else to sate you."

Joey frowned as the brunet turned and began walking away, wings wilting awkwardly as he asked, "Then why did ya save me?"

Seto froze and looked down at his feet, gripping his hands into tight fists. "…It was an awful moment of weakness. I remembered the pain of the last human I lost and did not want to feel it again." He huffed. "If I'd known you'd be this bothersome, though, I might have dealt with it."

He stiffened as the blond slid his arms around his waist and pressed up against his side with a whine, rolling his eyes in annoyance as the younger boy's wings fluttered. "But ya must feel somethin' for me. Ya coulda done this for any of the other humans, but I'm the first one. Why?"

Seto looked down at his feet and sighed. "…Something about you. Something about the way you looked at me just told me that you… you'd survive. That you'd fit in as a dragon-demon—especially when I saw your wings." He turned to look at the blond and began to smile. "Joey, I did that with you because—"

Joey looked up at him so earnestly that it almost hurt to return his gaze. "Yeah?"

"…Because I…" Seto saw the row of fading hickeys on the blond's neck and frowned. He'd been trying to ignore them, because he knew that winged demons were amorous and he'd been neglecting him, but suddenly he saw them with such clarity that his heart ached. "…Never mind," he sighed, pulling away from him and beginning to walk away.

The blond frowned, tears forming in his eyes. "You… ya won't even… but Seto-!" He whimpered, wings wilting again, then began to sob. "Seto ya haven't talked t' me in weeks and I'm so horny and everyone says it's 'cause I have wings but I don't wanna have sex with anyone else I only wanna have sex with you and I'm hungry and I'm tired and I wanna just curl up with ya and just sit even though I'd really like sex and I'd settle for a kiss and a nibble on your ear and Seto all I really wanna do is hug ya I feel so awful will ya just tell me what I hafta do t' stop feelin' this way!"

Seto turned toward him in surprise, then whined quietly as he watched the blond scrub at his eyes even as tears continued to roll down his cheeks. He stepped up to him and cupped his cheeks with a soothing coo, leaning in to kiss his bottom lip a few times lightly. "Stop crying. You're fine."

"'m tired an' 'm hungry an' 'm horny—" Joey began, hiccupping, but the brunet moved his kisses to the corner of his mouth, and he slowly found himself being calmed down. "Seto…"

"You're grumpy," the older boy explained quietly. "You're still just a child in demon standards. You need a nap and maybe another snack and you'll feel better."

The blond whined loudly. "But I'm not a kid I'm an adult I was almost a full-fledged summoner when ya turned me!"

"You're a child here," Seto stated firmly, scooping the blond into his arms and carrying him back to his den. "You'll still be a child for several decades. Come on. Let's go put you to bed."

Joey whined again and hid his face in the brunet's neck. "…C'n I have a glass of water?"

Seto blinked, then chuckled quietly and patted his back. "I'll see if I can find something to use as a glass."

.-.-.-.-.-.

Seto tucked the blond underneath some thick furs and stroked his cheek, then sighed and sat down beside him, frowning. "If I'd known this would lead to me becoming your nanny, I would have just left you to be grumpy."

Joey mewed, frowning. "Cup o' water?"

"Hmm? It's by your pillow."

"Oh." Joey reached out for the leaf that had been wrapped around into a cup, sipping from the edge of it, then turned and curled up against the brunet's back. "Sleep with meeee."

Seto rolled his eyes and sighed. "It's a nap. I'm too old for naps."

The blond purred. "We could turn it into somethin' else."

"No. You're grumpy when you're tired. Go to sleep."

Joey frowned and pulled on his arm. "Seto?"

"What?" The brunet turned back to him and raised an eyebrow, frowning as well. "Another cup of water?" When the younger boy shook his head and hid his face beneath the furs, he sighed. "What is it, Joey?"

"…You were gonna tell me why ya turned me, but I did somethin' that made ya mad. Are ya still mad? Will ya tell me?" He ducked further under the furs. "Please? I just wanna get ya t' forgive me. What do I hafta do for that t' happen?"

Seto frowned and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "…I was upset because of the hickeys on your neck. I was going to tell you that the only reason the change worked was because you're meant to be my mate, but when I saw that you'd been marked my another demon's mouth, I just… I just wanted to…"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Waitaminute! What hickeys are ya talkin' about? the blond cut in, scowling, and sat up.

The brunet scowled. "The ones on your neck. I just said that. GAH!" He grabbed the back of his head and turned to glare at him in confusion. "The fuck was that for!"

"THOSE WEREN'T HICKEYS THOSE WERE MOSQUITO BITES!" Joey roared, glaring at him, then sobbed and pulled the furs over his head. "You think I'd just sleep with anyone, don't ya! But most humans don't—most humans like one partner at a time—and I don't know anyone here except you and I'd never sleep with someone I didn't know-! I don't know what all of those demons could do t' me—they coulda ripped me apart or had tentacles or somethin' gross—" He sobbed again. "I know ya hate me for stabbin' ya but thinkin' I'd just sleep with anybody I came across-?"

Seto frowned. "We have mosquitoes here?" He flinched as the blond wailed and reached out to place his hands where he figured the other demon's shoulders were beneath the furs. "That was not the only thing I heard of your speech. I just hadn't realized that there were mosquitoes dumb enough to try and feed off of powerful demons."

Joey poked his head out and sniffled, eyes red and swollen and cheeks damp. "…I'm a powerful demon?"

"Of course you are," the brunet huffed, scowling. "All dragon-demons are. Just because you're a child doesn't mean you aren't powerful."

"I AM NOT A CHILD!" the younger boy roared angrily, cheeks flushing further.

Seto raised an eyebrow and tilted his head skeptically.

Joey glanced away from him after a moment, then huddled back under the furs. "…'nother cup o' water?"

The brunet snorted and reached out to grab the leaf that served as his cup. "Here, finish this cup first."

The younger boy poked out of the furs just long enough to drink the rest of the water in the cup before disappearing again, tail lashing in embarrassment. Seto chuckled as he retrieved another cup of water for him before setting it beside the quivering lump of furs and setting his hand on it gently. "I'm sorry. I had no right to assume you'd just go and sleep with the nearest warm body. However, you have to admit that I had a right to be angry for being stabbed."

Joey sniffled and somehow made his nodding visible from beneath the furs. "Yeah." He bit his bottom lip and peeked out from under the fur. "I'm so sorry about that, Seto. I just… I was just so scared and confused. An' ya wouldn't take no for an answer, wouldn't even lemme ask any questions. I just grabbed what I could t' make ya stop so I could figure out what was goin' on."

Seto tilted his head, frowning. "I'm not going to apologize for scaring you. I told you what I would do the moment you made a mistake in your symbols and I am not sorry for keeping my word—and I am certainly not sorry for scaring you in the process." He turned to look down at the blond and sighed. "I hope you're not waiting for an apology, because I promise now that I will never feel the need to apologize. I wasn't wrong."

"…I figured, yeah," the blond whispered, then reached out to slide his fingers over the tiers of the older boy's tail. "…Sleep with me," he ordered after a moment, looking up at him.

Seto turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow, opening his mouth to state that he was no longer a child and napping now would ruin his sleeping routine, but after a moment, he lifted the furs and slid under them as well. Settling against the blond's smaller body, he buried his face in the younger demon's hair and sighed. "Mmm…"

"Seto, I missed ya." Joey hugged him tightly and hooked a leg over his hip, pressing up against him. "Even when I was with ya, you didn't want me near ya. I missed ya so much." He cuddled closer and cooed. "Ya don't hafta forgive me yet. And I'm not askin' ya t' apologize. Just… just please say you'll forgive me eventually, and try t' not hold my fear against me. Just 'cause I summoned ya all the time didn't mean I wasn't terrified of ya whenever ya showed up."

The brunet glanced down at him and frowned. He'd sounded so… sad. It almost made him feel guilty. "I've forgiven you," he stated after a moment, kissing his temple lightly. "I may still be angry that you didn't know what would happen, but I do forgive you. I just… I'm angry about almost losing you, I suppose. You scared me. I don't like being scared. I hate that you have that power over me."

Joey nuzzled his chest. "I'm sorry. …Would it have been better if I—"

"No," Seto cut in swiftly. "…No. Let's not think about that. You're here and you're mine, and that's all that matters now," Seto whispered, curling his tail around the blond's and kissing him lightly. "If you ever suggest that again after all of the trouble I went through, I'll be forced to spank you. With my tail. And my tail hurts more than my hand." He waited for an indignant rebuttal, but when he only received a long, low hum, he glanced down and smiled when he saw the blond dozing on his chest. "Hmm. Don't argue being about being a child anymore. You're exhausted."

Joey hummed again and kissed the skin beneath his lips lightly. "Hmmm."

"Have a good nap, Joey," the brunet sighed, kissing his temple again before settling in for a long wait. He wasn't going to nap, but he had to admit he was quite comfortable. He didn't mind waiting as long as it was like this. Especially when Joey would wake up just long enough to kiss him before dozing back off.

Ending to Theme 75: Shadows (M)

"Ungh…!" Joey gasped and gripped the blankets in his hands tightly, nails digging through them and into his palms as he felt a hot tongue running over the inside of his calf. "Please—please, Seto—my priest, please—"

Seto purred and trailed the tip of his finger over the length of the blond's cock, smirking as the younger boy whimpered and arched his hips up. "Quite an experience, isn't it, being unable to see?"

"Setooo!" The dancer sobbed and tugged at the silk tying his hands to the bed. "Please, I just—I'm going to—" He screamed and jerked his hips up as he came. "Seto!"

The brunet purred again and settled himself beside him, reaching up to pull the silk ribbon from around his eyes. "You lasted longer this time. I'm proud of you."

"Hhh… No wonder everyone never lasted long while I was ridin' 'em…" He sighed and let his eyes flutter shut. "Seto… How long are ya gonna keep me? I thought you and the Pharaoh would be leavin' in a couple days. How long have ya kept me in here, anyway?"

"It's only been a day." Seto traced his fingers down the blond's side, pushing the swatch of satin from his body and admiring the younger boy's nude form. "Hmm… I bet I could tie your ankles over your head and it wouldn't hurt. If only all concubines could be as skilled as you."

Joey blinked and peeled his eyes open. "Hmm? No. What?" He looked up at the brunet and frowned. "I'm not a concubine. I'm a dancer. I only have sex with the important visitors that show interest in me. …Like you. You're my first lover in quite some time."

The priest blinked in surprise, then grinned—a somewhat scary expression on him, he'd been told. "Is that so?"

"Um… Yes? Eek!" The blond yelped as he was dragged onto the older boy's lap and blushed as he felt the priest's hard cock between his cheeks. "Don't ya ever gettired?" he complained, but laid his head on the brunet's shoulder and shifted into the most accommodating position he could. "Mm, put it in."

Seto cupped his cheek to kiss him lightly. "As you wish."

.-.-.-.-.-.

"You don't have to wear that anymore," Seto stated, despite knowing that he was engaging in a losing battle.

Joey had been too afraid to show his face to anyone else after years of hiding it that as soon as Seto had opened the door to lead him out of the bedroom, it was back in place. Of course, he'd later learned that it would have been hell if he'd exited without it, simply because his master didn't want anyone to see his face. He just didn't know why the blond insisted on still wearing it even though he'd been paid for and would be set free as soon as they returned to the palace.

Joey peered up at him, eyelashes fluttering up at him sweetly. "If you say so, my Priest."

Seto grunted in annoyance and kicked his horse to trot up by his cousin. "That boy's impossible."

"…You know that fair-haired people burn more easily, right?" Atem asked after a moment. "I was told he was rarely even allowed outside the confines of the man's home. He earned the privilege to go into the garden if he particularly pleased one of the guests."

The brunet stared at him for a moment. "Burns more easily?"

"He's pale," the pharaoh deadpanned.

"…I just keep getting so distracted by his eyes fluttering at me that I forget he's not Egyptian."

"Think with your brain and not your penis," Atem suggested. "That might help."

Seto glared at him. "It's difficult when he looks up at me like he wants to ride me instead of his horse."

The younger man smiled. "Look at the bright side! He probably does."

Seto looked back at the blond and swallowed thickly as the younger boy returned his gaze heatedly and slid his hands between his legs. He couldn't see what his hands were doing, as the horse's head was in the way, but the way the dancer arched his back and sighed, he could only assume they were doing something that he wanted in on.

He wondered if buying the blond with the intent to make him his lover had been a good idea. While he'd fallen in love with his innocence to the world outside of his country, Joey had been so cute when he'd worried about being ugly that it had really sealed the note.

He just hadn't realized how pleased Joey would be with him. Or how much of a tease.

What had he gotten himself into?

Ending to Theme 90: Nowhere and Nothing (M)

Seto sat up and sighed, leaning his elbows on his knees for a moment. "Shit."

The younger man sleeping beside him stirred, looking up at him blearily in concern. "Seto? Ya alright?"

"No. No, I'm not," the brunet muttered, frowning. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed again.

Joey sat up and reached into the drawer of the bedside table, pulling out a paper and some tobacco. "'nother flashback? You should see someone about 'em. –I know, ya don't wanna talk about it—" He licked the paper and folded it shut, then turned to offer it to him. "Tell me if ya need another one, 'kay?" He lit the tip of the cigarette with a short flash of fire from the tip of his finger. "'nd we need more tobacco if you're gonna smoke like this every—MM!" He gasped as the brunet grabbed his hair and yanked him into a kiss, reaching up to grab his shoulders, then mewed as he was pressed down back down on the bed. "Mn…"

Seto broke the kiss and leaned back, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Hmm. Not a flashback. Just a nightmare."

Joey blinked slowly. "…Oh?"

"Dreamt that I watched you and Mokuba go up in flames right in front of me. There wasn't even ash left. There was nothing." Seto took one last drag of the cigarette, crushed the remains in his hand, and dropped them into an ashtray. He crawled on top of the blond and kissed him again lightly.

Joey sighed and dug his fingers into the brunet's hair before hesitantly asking, "Like the others did, on that battlefield?"

Seto stared at the ugly pink flower on the pillowcase right next to the blond's ear, focusing on it rather than the memories of screams and blood and the smell of burnt flesh. "…Yes."

"…We're okay, Seto. We're at peace now," the younger man whispered, frowning. "I was only gone for a few months. I didn't even see any battle. 'nd Mokuba's still too young. We're okay, Seto."

The brunet sighed quietly. "…I was so angry when you had to leave. I didn't want you to get hurt like I did. I was afraid I'd never see you again."

"But ya did." Joey lifted his hand to run it through the older man's hair. "'m here. Seto." He hooked one of legs around the brunet's waist and leaned up to kiss him lightly. "I'm okay."

Seto leaned his forehead against the blond's shoulder and sighed. "…I'm going to go see a doctor tomorrow. I can't do this anymore. I can't put you through this anymore."

The younger man frowned in concern. "Huh?"

"You shouldn't have to put up with all of this. You shouldn't wake up whenever I have a nightmare or flashback just to make and light a cigarette for me because I'm still shaking from adrenaline," the brunet muttered, frowning. "You don't deserve this. And neither do I."

Joey blinked, brows furrowing together slowly. "Seto, I don't mind. I—"

"Yes you do," Seto cut in. "You mind, but you put up with it because you love me." He cupped the blond's cheek. "I hate this, Joey. I hate knowing that you're afraid for my health, but resigned that you can't force me to help myself. I feel awful, making you feel that way. I want to get better, so I stop waking up like this. …I want to get better, so I don't worry you anymore."

The blond bit his bottom lip and whimpered, glancing away from him quickly. "Seto, that means so much t' me. I didn't wanna push ya, but this is gonna help so much." He sniffed and looked back up at him. "I'm so glad."

The older man leaned down to kiss him and nipped his earlobe lightly. "I'll talk to a doctor tomorrow."

.-.-.-.-.-.

Joey frowned as he felt Seto sit up beside him and sighed. It had been a couple of weeks since Seto had last had a nightmare, so he'd foolishly hoped he was better, even though he knew it was a process and that just because he had good days now didn't mean he would no longer have any bad. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he reached toward the drawer that held the cigarette papers and tobacco.

He mewed in surprise as the brunet grabbed his wrist and tugged him over so he was flat on his back, suddenly fearful that the older man was having a flashback and hadn't realized he was home and safe. "Seto, wai—" He squeaked as the brunet spread his legs. "Hey-!" He grabbed his shoulders and squirmed a little, yelping as the older man thrust into him. "Seto!"

Seto leaned his face into the blond's neck and sighed. "Not a nightmare this time."

"Oh…!" Joey tossed his head back and squealed as the brunet pushed his thighs up, pressing his legs between their chests. "Seto! Ah-!" He opened his mouth to ask what the hell he was doing, just pouncing on him in the middle of the night, but then the older man's mouth was on his and he was suddenly too distracted by the tongue wrestling with his own to speak.

Seto reached between them to gently grasp his erection and began to stroke it in time with his thrusts, breaking the kiss as the younger man threw his head back to groan loudly. "Know what I dreamed?"

"Was it fuckin' me-?" the blond asked breathlessly. He arched his back and whimpered. "Oh, Seto-! 'm gonna come!"

"Good. Do it." The older man smirked as the fire mage screeched and arched back, body shaking as he reached his climax. He grunted as the blond's body tightened around him and thrust into him a few more times before reaching his own, hands clamping down on his hips tightly. "Damn. How do you always get so tight?"

"Hhh…" Joey mewed again as the brunet let his legs fall back onto the bed, lifting an arm to cover his eyes as he panted. "Seto, what was that?"

Seto kissed his throat gently and settled more firmly between his legs. "I just had the most wonderful dream."

The blond hummed, still somewhat lost in afterglow. "Yeah? What was it about?"

Seto reached over to his own bedside table and pulled out a velvet covered box. "I dreamt that I asked you to accept this, and you said yes."

Joey blinked slowly and sat up a little, looking at the box, then gasped and looked up at the brunet in surprise. "Really?" He smiled. "Really?"

"I've put off asking, because I didn't want to trap you with someone who had nightmares and flashbacks every night," the brunet replied quietly. "The doctor says I'm making great progress. I'm getting better. I thought, if I keep getting better, I won't be such a horrible person to be married to."

The younger man opened his mouth, closed it, then sobbed, eyes filling with tears. "Seto…"

Seto frowned. "Is that a no?"

Joey threw an arm around his neck and offered his other hand out, allowing the brunet to slip the ring onto his finger. Once the ring was on, he slid his other arm around his neck and held him tightly. "Seto, I love you!"

The brunet blinked. "…So that's a yes?"

"Of course it's a yes! I wouldn't put up with this long if I didn't wanna be with ya forever!" the younger man exclaimed, hugging him even tighter. "Ooh, Seto, this makes me so happy!" He gasped and leaned back. "Seto, I don't have a ring for you!"

Seto raised an eyebrow. "You don't have money to buy a ring for me. I figured I'd buy my own." When the blond scowled, he sighed. "You could make that breakfast pie for the next few weeks. I'd accept that as an acceptable engagement present."

Joey stared. "…Ya mean the quiche?"

"Um. Yeah, I guess. If that's what you call the breakfast pie," the brunet replied, shrugging.

The blond scowled. "I don't understand why ya like it so much. It's really not that special."

Seto smiled. "It's a pie crust filled with fluffy eggs, cheese, and vegetables. What isn't special about it?"

"…You're stupid," Joey stated bluntly. He cupped the brunet's cheek and managed a small smile of his own. "But I guess all that crazy had t' go somewhere, huh? And I guess… 'breakfast pie' isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Seto kissed him lightly. "I'm glad you can embrace this quirk. It's much better than flashbacks, right?"

The blond smiled and kissed him back, a little less chastely, but not a full on open-mouthed kiss. "I'll take a food obsession over flashbacks, any day."

"Good. …Then you wouldn't mind baking a triple chocolate cake for dessert after supper tomorrow either?"

Joey smacked his shoulder but began to laugh anyway.

Ending to Theme 91: Answers

Seto bit his bottom lip to choke back a sob and dug his hands into the mud, muscles straining as he forced his beautiful white tail to split in half. Once he'd split it all the way up to his pelvic bone, he groaned and began shaping the two halves into legs. He tried to think back to what he'd felt before, each muscle and bone—even the strange 'knees' that Joey insisted humans had to have. Shaking with exertion, he choked back a scream of agony as he his scales fell away and were replaced by smooth, fragile skin.

There was a short moment where he wondered if it was worth all of this pain. He couldn't imagine why he was doing this, why he was putting himself through this torture.

Then he remembered.

Joey crying, saying he wasn't going to be able to come to the docks anymore. Joey sobbing that he was so sorry, that he couldn't become a Mer, that he wished he could but he had too many responsibilities as a human. Joey explaining that his mother was finally getting custody of him and he'd have to move in with her on the other side of the city, nowhere near any water to visit him.

Joey kissing him and telling him that tomorrow would be the last night he'd see him. Ever.

Seto let out a roar of pain and punched the mud beneath him angrily.

.-.-.-.-.-.

"Seto?" Joey frowned and leaned over the edge of the dock. "Seto? I—I know you're angry with me, but please come out so I can say goodbye. Please." His eyes filled with tears. "Don't make me leave like this. Please."

A moment later a hand broke the water and scrabbled wildly at the dock, nails digging into the wood and scratching frantically.

Thinking maybe it was a human and that was the reason Seto wasn't there (Seto was a strong swimmer, so this couldn't possibly be him), Joey reached out to grab the wrist and drag the person onto the dock.

When the brunet he dragged onto the wood expelled a mouthful of water and began coughing, he let go of him and stumbled backward, landing on his ass and staring at the other person in confusion. It looked like Seto. He sort of sounded like Seto as he gasped out curses and coughed. But it couldn't be Seto. He had legs. Seto had a beautiful white tail.

The other boy sat up, panting, then ran a hand through his hair to get it out of his face. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. –Well no wonder ya almost drowned!" Joey exclaimed angrily when he watched the brunet drag up a large, heavy-looking bag out of the water as well. He stood up and stomped his foot. "Just what sort of idiot are y—"

"Well you can't expect me to subsist off of nothing," the other boy spat, scowling, and sat back.

The blond blushed and screeched, "WHY ARE YOU NAKED!"

"Because Mers don't wear clothes, idiot. I don't see why humans wear them. They get in the way," the brunet grumbled, spreading his legs out in front of him. He gazed at them a moment, then looked back up at the blond. "You might have to let me feel your legs again. I'm not sure I made mine correctly."

Joey stared. "…Seto?"

"Who else would swim in this forsaken filth?" Seto snarled, then reached into the bag and pulled out what the blond could only assume were pants. He managed to get his feet into them before he looked back up at the other boy, frowning when he saw his shocked expression. "…Isn't this what you wanted? You were adamant that you would not become a Mer, but you didn't want to leave me. Now we can be together."

"But I'm movin' in with my ma and I don't think she'll let me just drag in some former-fish guy!" the blond exclaimed helplessly.

"I'm not a fish guy," the Mer huffed, glaring at him. "I'm your lover."

"…You're my what now? When did that happen?" Joey glared at him sternly. "That's a pretty big assumption, asshole."

"It's not an assumption. It's a fact. You're mine. I have made this change for you." Seto paused. "…Even if you reject me completely, I don't think I have the strength to change back."

The blond tried to stay offended, to stay angry, but eventually sighed and sat down in front of him. "…Ya can't change back now?"

"It was awful. I wanted to die halfway through the change," the Mer replied honestly. "But I didn't. Because I wanted to be with my Other Half."

Joey blushed and bit his bottom lip. "…'nd that's me."

"Yes." Seto opened the bag again and pulled out a handful of pearls. "I collected these. I'm told they're rare and expensive, because they're natural." He looked up at the human and smiled awkwardly. "Of course, if it's not enough, I could always make more."

The blond raised an eyebrow. "And how would ya make more?"

"…It's probably better if I don't explain it."

Joey stared. "…Yeah, it probably is."

"…So. Do you think your mother will like me if we tell her I'm rich?"

The younger boy buried his face in hands, torn between laughing and sighing in frustration.

Seto frowned. "From what I've heard, humans like rich people. Isn't that a point in my favor?"

"Oh, just… Oh, you're impossible," the blond muttered viciously, then stood. "Come on. We have a lot t' talk about and we're not gonna get done before the cops take their rounds here." He offered the Mer his hand, grumbling again when they realized that he'd have to be carried; even if his legs had been created perfectly, he had very little strength in them.

At least he'd been able to watch Seto face plant, though. That had almost been worth the awkward situation he would soon have to deal with when his mother came to pick him up and found he had a rich boyfriend he'd never mentioned to bring along, too.
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100 Puppies and Dragons