Title: The Boys of Summer - Ch. 2: One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)
Author: bnomiko
Rating: R
Pairing(s): Seto + Yami, Rafael + Valon + Amelda
Spoilers: none... takes place post-Orichalcos Doom arc
Warnings: swearing, sex toys
Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! is the creation of Kazuki Takahashi. "The Boys of Summer" is performed and recorded by Don Henley. " One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)" is performed and recorded by Bette Midler. This is a not-for-profit fanwork and I do not own any of these characters.
Summary: Sequel to "More Than Words" (can stand alone, but it makes more sense if read as a sequel). Yami and Seto attend some art festivals and go shopping during the second day of the vacation.
Status: 3 / 9
Archived at: http://www.phenixsol.com/Miko/FF/

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Author's Notes:

• Setup for this fic:

• AU... takes place sometime after Orichalcos Doom arc (fanfics are technically AU anyways *shrug*)
• Noa has been brought out of the virtual world, has a new body, and is living with Mokuba and Seto. The how and why isn't important.
• Yami has his own body and is separate from Yugi. The how and why isn't important.
• Ages of characters: Seto and Yami are 19, Noa is 14, Mokuba is 13 going on 14. For the three swordsmen of Doom, I'm putting Rafael at 25, Amelda at 21, Valon at 19.
• Both "Ryou" and "Bakura" throughout this story refers to Ryou Bakura, the hikari, and "Malik" refers to Malik Ishtar, the hikari.

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The Boys of Summer

Ch. 2: One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)

* * *

The following day, Seto was up again at the crack of dawn, but in a much better mood. He mused that sleeping for some 15 hours straight would have that sort of effect on anyone. Slipping himself out of bed quietly so as to not wake his still sleeping lover, he pulled on his robe and headed out to the balcony off the living area of their suite. The sun was already melting away the hazy morning mist, and the waves lazily crashed into the sand just beyond the hotel.

Yami's right about the view. This isn't bad. I need coffee.

Seto headed back in and peeked in on Yami. The ex-spirit was curled up under a mountain of sheets. Good. Maybe I can get some work done while I'm out. Satisfied that his boyfriend would continue to sleep for several more hours, the brunette quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a pine green long-sleeved shirt, grabbed his laptop and cellphone, and headed out to find a coffee shop.

* * *

Yami awoke to the aroma of coffee and the weight of Seto's body pressed against his back. The taller teen was running his fingers through ebony and crimson spikes of hair. "Mmm, morning, Kai-baby."

"Finally up, hmm?"

"Already got coffee?" Yami's nose wrinkled a little. He couldn't help but equate the aroma of coffee to his caffeine-addicted lover.

"Yeah." Seto paused to nuzzle Yami's neck. "And Rafael emailed me, said he's going to take the day off tomorrow and show us some place called the Getty Center. It's a museum or something. He also suggested we check out some of the local art festivals today, and recommended a place called Splashes for dinner."

Yami rubbed at his eyes. "Mmhmm... that sounds nice. Wait a minute." The shorter teen's brow furrowed in thought. "Coffee... computer... you've been working, haven't you?" He rolled over and squinted at his lover.

Yes. "No."

"Seto!"

"I just set up a meeting with Pegasus, okay? Like we agreed upon."

"Uh huh. And if I were to check your emails that's all I'd see?"

"Sure." Yami rolled out of bed and began stomping towards the other room. "God, Yami, don't have a fucking fit. I just... I couldn't help it, all right?"

"Vacation, Seto. Try looking it up in a dictionary!"

The older teen scowled. "What else was I supposed to do while you were sleeping? Watch TV? Twiddle my thumbs? Duel myself?"

Yami sighed. It was a stupid argument to get into. "Just... try waking me up next time. We can go for a walk on the beach or something. Okay?"

"A walk on the beach? How corny. This isn't one of those dime store romance novels."

"Okay... we can have wild, crazy, kinky sex until we wear out the mattress springs and are forced to use the sofa instead. Better?" He winked and Seto's eyebrow twitched. The taller duelist strode forward and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend.

"What a romantic. What would I do without you, Yami-kins?"

Uh, masturbate? A lot? Seto frowned and lightly whapped the back of Yami's head. Er, ouch?

You better get dressed before I take you up on your wild, crazy, kinky offer. Seto finished up the thought by nipping at Yami's ear.

Yami grinned and gasped, "Oh no! Baby, I don't remember where I put any of my clothing."

"Really? Too bad for you," said Seto, then he hauled the protesting shorter teen over his shoulder and carried him back to the bed.

* * *

By the time the two finally got dressed and ready to go, they decided to follow Rafael's advice and visit two of the local art festivals, Art-a-Fair and the Sawdust Festival. They were both located in Laguna Canyon, only a short drive from Main Beach, and were conveniently situated side-by-side. And Seto had already purchased tickets for the Pageant of the Masters across the street for later that evening, as well as made reservations for the recommended restaurant, so their day was set.

But Yami was infinitely happier about the fact that Seto was holding onto his hand as they strolled through Art-a-Fair, then headed to the Sawdust Festival. They browsed the various stalls of artwork and shared a burrito and ice cream for lunch. The anniversary really did us a world of good. Great Amun, I guess I really owe Yugi, Mokuba, Noa and the others. The memories of their anniversay made him smile. "Kai-baby, you think we could find anything here for Yugi and the others?"

Seto was examining a large sculpture of an unicorn made from a mix of metal objects. "Hmm? Eh, whatever you want. Hey, who runs this booth?" A man raised his hand and stepped out from behind the counter. "You do custom work?"

"Sure do. Whatcha lookin' for?"

"Can you do a dragon? A really large dragon?"

Blue eyes, Kai-baby?

Am I that obvious? Seto replied dryly.

Yami projected his smile into Seto's mind even as his lover began conversing with the sculptor. I'm going to look around for a little bit.

All right. I'll let you know when I'm done. Might take a little time though. He began to fish out his Duel Monsters deck from his pocket.

Yami wandered off and began picking out a few things for Yugi-tachi. He found a small Impressionistic painting of a ballerina for Anzu, a crochet purse for Shizuka, a black Hawaiian shirt with a motorcycle print for Honda and another Hawaiian shirt, this time red with dice and other gambling paraphernalia, for Otogi. And for himself, a gold ear cuff shaped into an ankh.

By the time Seto tracked him down, Yami was in the process of getting a henna tattoo done around his ankle. The brunette did a double take at the design... his lover was getting the kanji for 'Kaiba Seto' drawn on his ankle. "You like?"

"You just can't resist putting my mark all over yourself, hmm?" said Seto, tapping the nameplate on Yami's collar, then sliding his hand possessively over the shorter duelist's left shoulder blade. Yami grinned at the show of affection, his eyes blazing.

The mehndi artist working on the design looked up and beamed at them. "Oh, so you're the boyfriend. You're so handsome... I'm jealous! You two are just too cute with the matching belt buckle and collar thingie..." she cooed.

Seto, do NOT snarl, growl, threaten or yell at her, Yami quickly told his boyfriend.

The young billionaire's lips were already curled back by this point, but instead of pressing the issue he stomped off to inspect the neighboring booths. At the next stall down, brightly painted cars cut out of wooden planks were displayed, and Seto took one down off the wall and scrutinized it. "Yami. Doesn't this look like the Mutt's shitmobile?"

Yami turned his head, frowning at Seto's choice of wording. "Yeah, I guess it does. What was it again?"

"An El Camino. Let's get this." Yami's brows shot up. What?

Seto gave him an amused smile. Would you rather I get something dog related?

The mehndi artist suddenly slapped Yami on the calf. "Okay, all done!" she announced cheerfully. Seto scowled darkly at her while Yami thanked her and picked up all the things he had chosen for his friends thus far.

He showed all the items to Seto and asked, "But what should I get Yugi? And we still have Malik, Bakura, Mai, Noa and Mokuba on the list."

The taller duelist shrugged. "Let me worry about my brothers. I don't care what you get Mai. And I already have something in mind for Malik and Bakura."

"Oh really? Hmm... you think Yugi would wear a necklace?" Yami walked over to a display of silver necklaces, and began chuckling at designs. Each necklace featured a tiny silver plate in the center with different words engraved into it.

Seto leaned against Yami and peered over his shoulder. "How should I know? He's your aibou."

"Kai-baby... help me find one that describes Yugi. Let's see... 'Dreamer,' 'Luv to Shop,' 'Sweetie Pie,' 'Awesome'..."

"Oh, 'Sweetie Pie' does it for me. Or is there one that says 'Shrimp' or 'Runt?'"

"Kaiba." Yami narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend.

"Hn. Fine. How about 'Light?'" Seto reached out and snagged a necklace, dangling it in front of Yami.

"Wow. That's perfect, don't you think? Or... how about a bracelet instead?" He held up a bronze cuff bracelet made to resemble a thick, flat, knotted cord.

"Or how about both?"

"Aww, Kai-baby, you're being so generous today!" Yami rubbed up against Seto's arm like a satisfied cat.

Seto quirked a lopsided smile in response and drew his boyfriend up against his body. "Sure, whatever. Are we done here? I have a sorta surprise for you."

* * *

Yami dug through the bags holding their purchases while Seto cruised down Pacific Coast Highway in their rental car, a dark purple Prowler roadster. "Well, at least that takes care of most of Yugi-tachi. So where are we going, anyways?"

"Hn." Seto seemed to be looking for a certain address, but refused to reveal what exactly it was that he was searching for.

"Are we actually looking for some place in particular?"

Seto suddenly broke into a brilliant grin. "Found it!" He pointed at a storefront, which was half-visible from the highway.

The crimson-eyed duelist blinked. "Kai-baby, that's an adult shop."

"I know. Surprise. We owe Malik and Bakura a proper thank you, don't you think?"

Yami laughed. "I see... well, I have to agree with you on that one. Let's go!"

* * *

"Heh. Check this out, Yami." Seto removed a box from the upper shelf and handed it to the shorter teen.

"'Twice as Titan' vibrating dong. Holy shit, Seto, this thing is huge!" The shaft looked to be at least as thick as his wrist. Yami gaped at the box until Seto took it away from him.

"No, I won't buy you one. But it's perfect for those two dweebs." His eyes lit up in amusement. "What else should we get? Go look for a penis enlargement pump or something."

"By Ra!" Yami couldn't help but laugh. He loved Seto's wicked sense of humor. "Hmm... how about this, the 'Seven Gates of Heck' cock and ball restraint?" He held up a package containing a strip of leather attached to seven metal rings.

"Hn. I guess that'll do as well, though I doubt either one of those guys would know what the hell it is." He took the package and tossed it in the basket and continued browsing. Yami followed close behind, though he was more interested in finding things for his own use. "You think they'd have a use for a rectal speculum?"

"Baby, they won't have a use for any of this. You're just being mean."

The brunette shrugged. "Gee, you figured me out. Yes or no on the speculum?"

"Yes, of course. Oooh, let's get this for me." Yami practically shoved the clear cylindrical display box into Seto's face.

"Another butt plug?"

Yami pouted playfully. "I love them. This one has a red crystal in the base, see? It matches my eyes. And we can see if there's a blue one for you too."

Seto chuckled. "Yami, you're insane. You're like a kid in a... hmm..."

"Toy store?" The shorter teen grinned evilly and began rooting through the boxes until he found one with a blue crystal base. Both plugs went into the basket.

"I'm still looking for a pump. Where the fuck did they put those?"

"Uh, sirs? Do you need some help?" asked an employee who emerged from the back room.

"Penis enlargement pumps..." Seto began saying, then he blanched and quickly added, "Not for me, of course."

"Oh, of course," said the man. "They're here at the back wall." Seto wandered over to the section that the man had indicated.

He doesn't believe you, Kai-baby.

Guess not. The young billionaire reached out and snagged a smoky gray model which came with a video instruction guide. "Anything or anyone else we need to shop for?"

"Uh... not really. There's Mai still, but we're not going to get her something from here."

"Why not?" Then Seto's face broke out in a grin so wide that Yami was almost startled at the sight. "I know what to get her," he said, and began marching back to the section of the store that had ball restraints and cock rings. "I know I saw... aha!"

"Err... it's a leather cock harness with a leash. What's Mai going to do with... oh no! Seto Kaiba, you wouldn't!"

The brunette ignored him. "Do you see anything else dog related? Other than collars, cause that's your thing." He raised his voice and called out, "Hey, guy who works here, anything dog related that's not a collar?"

"Uh... 'I Rub My Doggie?' It's a vibrator." The man walked over to the other side of the store, picked up a cellophane bagged item, and showed it to Seto and Yami.

"Aww, it's cute!" Yami exclaimed with a laugh. His boyfriend rolled his eyes.

"It's pretty easy to use. Stick in the battery, squeeze the head, and away it goes," the employee explained. Seto just snatched the bag from the man's hand and examined it more closely.

"Yeah yeah. I don't care how it works. At least it sorta looks like the Mutt, except I always thought of him more as a Golden Retriever rather than whatever this is supposed to be. Oh well, good enough. This takes Mai off the list."

"Seto, they're not even... I mean..." Yami couldn't stop laughing.

"They both need to get a clue. And that's precisely what I'm doing."

I thought it was Noa, Mokuba and Yugi's job to play matchmaker.

* * *

After heading back to the hotel to drop off their purchases for the day, Yami and Seto changed into matching dupioni silk suits and drove a few miles south to Splashes at the Surf & Sand Resort for an early dinner.

"Wow," was all Yami could say as they were led to a table directly in front of a huge open window overlooking a stretch of beach with waves breaking furiously on the rocks. He could actually taste the salt in the breeze and feel the light spray of sea mist on his skin. "Rafael has great taste."

"Hn. Apparently he's the only one... Valon would rather barbecue, and Amelda prefers little cafes and such."

"So you were paying attention during brunch!"

The brunette snorted. "Of course. Don't ever underestimate me, Yami."

Yami's eyes glittered in the late afternoon sunlight. "Believe me, I never have, and I never will," he stated softly, slipping Seto an enigmatic smile.

Seto stared at his boyfriend. He suddenly became keenly aware of the rush of waves on the beach below, and the sound of his heart as it began beating again. Yami sure knew how to pick his moments and from the look on his face, he knew it. Fumbling for words, the young billionaire scowled and forced himself to look down at his menu instead, his face flushing slightly. Let's see... Confit of Veal, Horseradish Encrusted Ahi, Roasted Chicken Pot au Feu... God, stop staring at me, Yami!

Across the table, the shorter teen was still smiling. Seto didn't realize how attractive he was when he was flustered; Yami just couldn't resist knocking him off balance at least once a day. But he had no intention of keeping the older duelist on edge for too long. "Today was nice, wasn't it? When was the last time you had such a relaxing day?"

Blue eyes flickered up. "Give it a rest, Yami. I'm fine with my work schedule."

"I know your company means a lot to you. And I don't mind the hours you keep. But once in a while you need a break like this."

"Hmph. The next thing you'll suggest is that we invest in some beachfront property," said Seto dismissively. Yami suddenly gave him the biggest shit-eating grin. "Uh..."

"That's a great idea, Kai-baby!" Amused crimson eyes met stormy blue ones. "Oh come on, it is! And next time we can bring Yugi-tachi with us."

Seto's cheeks paled. "No!"

"At least think about it."

"There is *nothing* to think about."

Yami began to pout, then thought better of it and ended up drumming his fingers on the tabletop. "I'll change your mind before this day is through."

"Heh. I'll give you an eternity to try... it's not going to happen."

"I see." Yami said neutrally, though Seto's choice of the word "eternity" made him a bit giddy. Shifting attention from the topic for a moment, he bounced in his seat and asked, "So, are you looking forward to tonight?"

"Sure..." Why is he suddenly acting like a rabbit?

"I need to break you out of your habit of responding with things like 'hn,' 'sure,' and 'whatever.' Now, are you looking forward..."

"Yes, I'm looking forward to this Pageant of the Masters thing. Is that better, oh great Pharaoh?" Boing boing goes the Yami-bunny. Pharaoh Bunny-kins... ha. Seto shook his head; he really had to stop equating his lover to various cute and cuddly woodland creatures.

Yami's eyes crinkled at the corners, blonde bangs swaying becomingly in the breeze. "Yes."

"Huh?" Yes? Yes what? "Uh... yeah..." He totally lost his train of thought. What was more disturbing was that the crimson-eyed teen just grinned knowingly at him.

"Now, about that vacation house..."

Did I NOT just get through saying no to his stupid idea? He opened his mouth to make a snappy comeback when Yami suddenly turned his gaze out to the ocean and for a moment, the fading summer sun and blue ocean were reflected in his eyes as the sea breeze ruffled the spikes of his tri-colored hair. The brunette just gaped at the surreal scene. Uhh... damn. Maybe a beach house wouldn't be so bad after all. I certainly can't complain about the view.

Yami turned back to face his lover and winked. Thank you, Baby.

* * *

TBC

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Additional Author's Notes (regarding how this chapter came up):

• This chapter is dedicated to KnY's Dragon... thanks for letting me bounce ideas off of you! The doggie vibe is for you *mwah* ^_~
• Yes, the cruelty! I hadn't planned on a lemon for this chapter so I didn't write out the morning bedroom scene. Use your imaginations :)
• Re: Laguna Beach art festivals. I've never been to Art-a-Fair, but from what I understand it's similar to Sawdust. All the things I've described (or variations thereof) are sold at one or the other.
• For the purposes of the fic I simply made up an adult store shop. The toys featured in this fic are all real and came from a mishmash of online shops, namely Blowfish, Good Vibrations, and Kitten's Toy Room, with the exception of the "I Rub My Doggie." I made that up just to suit the story (there's Duckie, Fishie and Wormie versions, but no Doggie).
• I'm trying not to obsess over where and when Yami and Seto eat, but I had to include Splashes somewhere in the story and it fit well here. During the day, you can eat on a patio which is literally a few feet from the sand, and at night, you dine indoors. In some sections they open the French windows and yes, you can actually feel the sea spray even if you're sitting in the back of the room. But realistically, they usually have a reservation list two weeks out... obviously I ignored that little issue for the story.
• Re: Pageant of the Masters. I've never had a chance to see this, so I pretty much just mentioned it because it's an important festival in Laguna Beach. What it is is a stage show which uses real people in makeup and costume on a large stage with a backdrop to temporarily recreate famous paintings and works of art.
• Eww... what a sappy ending to this chapter. But Yami certainly is gifted in the art of manipulation, isn't he?

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June 14, 2005