Show Me the Meaning
By:
Setalina Muro
Summary: [For Yamiko Love is silly. Both simple and complex. It can drive a man insane or save him from insanity. Men have fought wars over less, but things become very simple when it is a man and a woman, because then, there is nothing else. SxP Opticshipping
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any places, people and/or other things you are familiar with from the show or anything else. The plot, however, is mine.
A/N: I'll leave a note afterwards. Do read. You've waited a whole five minutes from the interlude to read this. XD
Notes on the Story:
REMEMBER: Things are not always as they appear.
Chapter Two
A Dream Within a Dream
Shizuka awoke with a start, a myriad of greens decorating the room she was in. She sat up, a little groggily, trying to remember what she was dreaming….about…
Her brow knit. This room didn't look familiar. Did it? The room she was in before had pale hues of gold and crimson; a bouquet of roses; a silver-haired man?
Somehow she knew the vision that awaited her as she stumbled into the kitchen. The cabinets were a light oak and the counter a dark marble of deep green. At the rounded table, an obsidian haired man sat. He looked up as she clung to the doorway, a smile alighting on his face.
"Good morning, Shizuka-chan."
"W-where is my husband?" she asked. Was her husband the silver-haired man? She couldn't quite see his face anymore.
A perplexed look swept over the face of the man before her. "Well," he said, raising a dark eyebrow. "I gave you the ring three years ago, so I thought it was me."
"O…Otogi," she murmured, putting a hand to her head. Otogi…? Yes, that was right…wasn't it? But what about the other man…? "Just a dream."
Otogi stood up, his emerald eyes sparkling suddenly as a grin lit up his face. "You've married other men in your sleep, is that it, Shizuka?" he walked toward her, his hands sliding across her waist and pushing her against the wall as his lips met her neck. "We'll have to fix that, won't we?"
She gasped at the connection, her eyes widening. The familiarity in the embrace began to draw up other memories: a vague wedding, multiple company parties.
'Ah. That's right. Otogi is my husband.' Shizuka couldn't help but wonder who the other man was.
Her hands found his firm chest and pushed him away. "Otogi…was I drinking last night?"
"Yes." He smirked deviously and winked at her. "You drank Mai under the table. She was furious."
"My head hurts…" She touched her temples hesitantly, feeling them pulsating.
"You can sleep a little longer," Otogi offered. "We've got that party tonight, but you've got a few hours."
"Party," she repeated. "Right." She began to walk back toward the bedroom, but then stopped. "Otogi?"
"Yes?"
She bit her lip uncertainly, not facing him. "Have we ever…played in the snow?"
He gave her a strange look. "Shizuka, it's the middle of the summer. And the snow in Domino is filthy."
"Right…" she nodded, but the answer still left her somewhat cold.
The party was nothing out of the ordinary. Otogi entertained the young women and trophy brides of his business associates for most of it, while Shizuka flirted senselessly with the men when Otogi wasn't discussing 'pressing matters' with them. Despite the years of practice, she did not feel much into filling her role that night.
She sat at the bar instead, sipping a frothy drink, almost feeling…heartbroken? It was a preposterous idea, of course. Otogi had done nothing to her. She tried not to dwell on her dreams of late (she couldn't blame them of course. They were just dreams after all). But there was something about them….
"Ah, all alone again, I see, Ms. Shizuka."
It was not a voice that lacked familiarity with her, although why Otogi insisted on inviting him, she would never know.
Turning in the seat and smiling brilliantly, she took in the foppish pink outfit of one Seigfried Von Schroder.
"Seigfried," she said sweetly. "How lovely to see you."
He bowed slightly, his cotton-candy hair fluttering in the movement as he reached for her. "Dance with me?"
A trilling laugh escaped her throat. It was the high, false variety, rather like a bird's call, that rich women often mimicked to appear flirty. "Always, Seigfried," she purred.
He swept her away from the soothing alcohol, immediately encroaching on her personal space with his hands moving toward the lower portion of her back, and, smile as she may, she couldn't help the look of disgust that was in her honey-colored eyes.
"So," he began, as they picked up pace to a waltz. His sharp, German accent came through stronger as he raised his voice to be heard over the music. "When will you run away with me?"
Indignation burned across her face, but she smiled anyway and let a bubbling laugh escape her mouth. "My answer to you, as always, dear Seigfried, is I'm not bored of my husband yet."
He laughed and made to pull her (if possible) closer when a charming tenor voice cut in.
"May I steal her for this dance?"
Shizuka leapt at the chance and pulled away from Seigfried, trying to smile apologetically as she was swept into another man's arms. Needless to say, she failed miserably and merely smiled, noting with some satisfaction the pouting look that crossed his face.
"My-my, you looked uncomfortable, my dear," the man said, good-humoredly. "Does he make advances toward you often?"
This man was proper, she knew it instantly. His right hand rested against her waist while the other gently clasped her own, held out at shoulder height. Shizuka felt herself relax in his arms and a genuine smile spread over her face as she looked up to him.
She felt her heart stop suddenly as his profile became clear to her. A look of gasping shock lined her face. It was only his gentle hands that kept the rest of her in motion to the swinging beats of music as she stared stupidly at him.
His sweet smile slipped as well when he saw her face, his eyes clouding with confusion. Their movement slowed to a halt and he released her immediately, his right hand barely ghosting her delicate curves and he removed it.
"Is something the matter?" he asked, somewhat nervously.
Shizuka tore her startled gaze away, averting it immediately toward the floor as shame flushed her face. "No," she lied quickly, moving past him. "If you'll excuse me…"
He didn't follow immediately.
Shizuka stumbled to the bar, dazed, and murmured something to the bartender. He set to work, filling a small shot glass with a dark amber liquid. She threw down the drink, grimacing as she waited for it to calm her down.
She didn't dare to chance a glance at the man who had brought on the startling reaction. A different kind of familiarity rushed over her.
It felt like she knew every contour of the man's body, could judge even the slightest change of emotion on his half-hidden face. Hell, she would even swear she knew what lay beneath that curtain of silver hair…
Shizuka shivered.
He came over a moment later, guessing that Shizuka had composed herself. He kept a careful distance, sitting silently one stool away for a few moments before even looking at her.
"Are you alright?" he asked, taking a moment to slide a card to the bartender and murmur "If you please," in a soft undertone, before returning his attention to her.
Shizuka felt some of her edge come off at his mellow voice (or was it the alcohol?). A soft, apologetic smile spread over her face.
"Yes, I'm fine." She paused for a moment. "I'm sorry; I don't know exactly what that was about."
He nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on hers. There was something mesmerizing in his eyes, and it was only when the soft clink of a crystal wine glass was set between them that Shizuka was able to look away, a blush painting her pallid skin. Her eyes drifted across the counter top to idle on his long fingers, deftly slipping a bill to the attendant and curling comfortably around the crystal stem. In the glass was a ruby colored liquid.
"Pama," he said casually, noticing her eyeing his drink. "It's a pomegranate wine. Very sweet, actually." (Au1)
Shizuka's head tilted slightly. "You strike me as more of a White Zinfandel or Merlot type man."
He smirked. "I do enjoy Red Merlot," he said reminiscently. "But one must always toy with a variety of flavors."
She let the words fall and silence take their place, cautiously glancing at him through the corner of her eyes. Subconsciously, she was memorizing his details as he savored his drink.
He chuckled suddenly. "Otogi has my pity."
Shizuka was slightly taken aback, feeling her temper flare. Turning she glared at him while biting out the words: "Now why is that?"
A smile lingered on his face as he met her angry gaze. "Because I have never seen a more beautiful trophy wife," he said. "Or one whose talents are so wasted by playing the part."
A blush flared angrily on her face. "I am not a trophy wife."
"Or, might I add, one with such disdain for her title. Tell me, why did you marry Otogi, if not for this life?"
Her hand clenched by her side. "I would suggest you choose your words more carefully."
"Would you now?" he asked offhandedly, turning away from her. "Greetings, Otogi-boy. How are you?"
Shizuka felt her anger subside as Otogi came and strung an arm around her shoulder. "Pegasus, I'm glad you could come," Otogi responded. "You've been talking to Shizuka, I see. Isn't she charming? Shizuka, darling," he said, addressing her for the first time. "This is Pegasus Crawford, inventor of Duel Monsters and CEO of Industrial Illusions." He stressed it to her subtly, so that Pegasus might not pick up on it.
She extended a hand to him, smiling sweetly. "He rescued me from Seigfried but didn't give me his name. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Crawford."
There was a spark of dry tinder in the air as he reached for her hand. "The pleasure is mine," he said, momentarily brushing his lips across the back of it.
Shizuka felt something unnerving shoot through her. "Otogi, will you join us for a drink?" she twittered nervously.
"Sorry, darling, I can't," he said absently, depositing a sloppy kiss on her cheek. "If you'll excuse me, Pegasus, I have other guests to attend to. Perhaps later?"
Pegasus smiled. "That's quite alright, Otogi-boy. It's important to be a good host."
Otogi smirked and vanished into the crowd, leaving Shizuka and Pegasus alone in an awkward silence.
"I'm sorry," she blurted out. "If I'd have know-"
"If you had known, I would have been talking to a woman just like all the rest of them: preoccupied with enhancing their husband's image instead of being themselves." He laughed softly. "I shouldn't have antagonized you," he said, smiling apologetically.
"No, I shouldn't have lost my temper, Mr. Crawford. I just-"
He laid a finger across her lips suddenly. "Shizuka, if I wanted your prim and proper antics, I would have told you who I was. I want to talk to Shizuka, not Otogi Ryujii's wife."
Shizuka stared at him for a moment, nothing the sincerity in his gaze, before nodding. She decided to ignore the feeling that had raced through her when he took her hand.
"Alright," she replied. "Ask me a question then. An absurd question."
His brow rose slightly to accompany the smile that slid over his face. "Absurd as in 'would you prefer to eat your bananas microwave or frozen?' absurd or…?"
She let out a small giggle. "In bread," she confirmed. "But I really hate bananas so…."
"I prefer apples," he said, signaling the barkeep for another glass of pomegranate wine. Shizuka nodded at him to bring a second glass as well as she fired off a question.
"Why wine?" she asked.
"Because it's a respectable drink," he answered. "You never hear about people being 'boozed and dined'. Although I'm sure it's happened," he added.
Shizuka laughed and picked up her wine, bringing it to her lips as Pegasus asked another question. She smiled and opened her mouth to answer…
The session lasted until the party began to clear out. Once or twice, they rose from their seats at the bar to take a few moments on the dance floor, but at last, the evening was dwindling to a close.
"Last question," Pegasus said. "And it's your turn."
She bit her bottom lips contemplatively, trying to think of something she really wanted to know. In the process of the night, Shizuka had found out Pegasus was allergic to sea food, could speak French, and had a secret fetish for earlobes. In return, Pegasus learned Shizuka loved stargazing because she had been blind for so long, was ticklish on the backside of her knees, and found happy trails to be the most attractive feature on a man. (Au2)
She looked out toward the dispersing crowd, her brow still furrowed in concentration. She saw Otogi saying goodbye to several women, gradually moving toward them.
"Snow," she said, turning back to Pegasus. "Would you ever play in the snow?"
She watched his face carefully, impatiently awaiting the answer. Otogi drew nearer.
"Of course," he answered, standing up. Then he leaned down close to her ear as if whispering a secret. "But only with you," he breathed.
He rose to his full height, smiling secretively at her before turning and making his way gracefully out the door.
Shizuka awoke the next morning in a fairer mood then she could remember ever being in.
Otogi raised a brow as she triumphantly planted a round white plate in front of him. There were eggs cooked sunny side up, bacon and toast.
"Breakfast…" Otogi said skeptically, poking at the gooey yellow center.
"Yup," she chirped.
"But…this is American food," Otogi replied. "I didn't even know you could cook."
"Pegasus was telling me about it last night so I thought I'd try it."
The obsidian haired man perked up at the mention of the CEO. "You were getting along then?"
Shizuka smiled softly for a moment reminiscently and nodded. "After a little rough water, yes."
Suddenly the phone rang and Shizuka alighted from her seat to answer it. Otogi eyed her as she went through the door before quietly leaning off his chair to dump the 'breakfast' into the garbage can…
"Hello?"
"Good morning, my dear," an all too familiar voice spoke through the receiver.
An easy smile slid over her face. "Hello, Pegasus," she said affectionately. "How are you?"
"I'd be considerably better," he replied. "If you would join me for lunch."
"Hmm. I'd love that, but you've forgotten about Otogi."
Pegasus laughed softly. "Not at all. In fact, go tell him that Pegasus Crawford has invited the two of you to a meal. He'll refuse."
"And how do you know that?" Shizuka asked, intrigued.
"I'll place a wager on it."
"Fine," she hissed, putting a hand over the receiver and leaning into the kitchen. "Otogi?"
"Yeah?"
"Pegasus Crawford just invited us to lunch this afternoon. Are you available?"
Otogi's brow furrowed. "Is that him on the phone now?"
"Yes," Shizuka answered, slightly puzzled by his tone.
"May I?" he asked, reaching for the phone.
Skeptically she handed it to him.
"Pegasus?" he asked. "Yes. Nice to hear from you too. Good, good. Oh, really? That sounds lovely, but I'm afraid I can't…Shizuka? Of course. I'm sure she'd enjoy that. Three-o-clock? Yes. Of course. She'll be there. Yes. You too. Yes. Goodbye."
"Otogi," she said cautiously as he set the phone down. "You aren't doing anything this afternoon."
"No," he answered, smiling slyly.
"So why…?"
"Just a little business planning," he answered, patting her shoulders. Shizuka eyed him dubiously as he continued. "Wear something…pretty."
She felt overdressed, simple as that. Otogi had eyed her appreciatively as she climbed out of the car, admiring the look of her creamy white legs against the pale pink fabric of her dress. It hugged her curves gently, the halter-styled top leaving her shoulders bare. The seam at her waist was traced with a thin silver chord and shimmering chandelier earrings hung from her ears. The only part of the outfit Otogi had not approved of were the shoes. She was adamant that, despite the fact that Pegasus was nearly a foot taller than her, she would not wear heels. Otogi was put out, but not deterred. He adorned her face with make-up. Shizuka had begun to feel more and more like he was a homosexual friend helping her get ready for a date rather than her husband.
The maître d' seated her immediately and proceeded to make small talk with her until Pegasus arrived. He was wearing a brown leisure suit which made Shizuka feel less like a solo act with her flashy outfit. He kissed the back of her hand before taking his seat. She had to ignore the strange tumult of emotion that flooded her suddenly.
They ate in relative quiet until Shizuka set her fork down.
"Okay," she began. "I have to ask. How did you know what Otogi would say?"
Pegasus smiled vaguely. "I just understand Otogi's drive for business."
Shizuka's brow furrowed. "He made the same kind of comment." She was slightly annoyed by his evasiveness.
"What it means is this, Shizuka," Pegasus continued, noting her agitation with an endearing smile. "Dear Otogi-boy believes that were I to cultivate a less than…appropriate relationship with his spouse, I would owe him some benefit as collateral. Most likely a seat near Kaiba Corporations in meetings and stock gratification. Those types of things." Somehow he managed to mingle his casual tone with a hint of disgust.
The young auburn-haired woman was beyond revulsion.
"He…he's using me as business security hoping that you'll…you'll seduce me?" she cried, outraged. "Does he want me to have an affair? Why that miserable…conniving….I…I…" She stopped, putting a hand to her head.
"Now, Shizuka, I'm certain—"
"Excuse me," she interceded, standing up and storming out of the restaurant.
Pegasus let out a small sigh, closing his eyes for a moment before looking after her, a small smile on his face. He stood and promptly removed a few large bills from his pocket to give to the maitre'd as he left.
He set out at a brisk pace after her, watching her flowing hair dart through the crowds of people. It was some time before he caught up to her, barely stopping her as she walked headlong into a busy intersection. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back quickly, arms wrapping around her protectively as a motorist sped past, horn blaring angrily.
She clung to him, her small form shaking in his sturdy arms. He led her across the street, steering her in some direction she wasn't registering in her haze. It wasn't until the ground began to shift beneath her feet that she even looked up. They were walking on sand now. Shizuka realized how startlingly close it was to sunset.
Cautiously, Pegasus removed his arms from around her and stepped back. She, in turn, pried her stiff fingers from his shirt, still shocked at how long they'd walked. She stared out across the sea for a moment before turning to find Pegasus comfortably sprawled across the sand, his jacket next to him. He gestured at it, inviting her to sit beside him.
"Let's watch the sun set," he suggested.
A small smile graced her face as she sat down delicately, fanning her dress about her. She pulled her knees against her chest and sighed.
"I don't understand," she mumbled softly. "Am I really only a bargaining chip?"
"Of course not," her companion replied. "He must love you on some level. You're a very easy woman to love, Shizuka. Your beauty is just an additional benefit." His hand reached out, almost hesitantly to stroke her fiery hair. His fingers combed through it gently and she turned to look at him, nearly melting inside from his touch. She noticed a faint blush painting his sharp features and her hand rose to cover his.
"What is it?" she breathed.
"Telles jolies oreilles," he responded softly. (Au3)
Her smile was reminiscent and she closed her eyes. "Sure, say something I can't understood."
She opened her eyes to find him leaning closer to her, and she didn't flinch away, even as he buried his face into her neck.
"Such pretty ears," he whispered to her, his lips grazing the base of them. A prolonged shudder erupted across her body, breath hitching and orbs closing in euphoria.
After a difficult breath, her eyes fluttered open, and she pushed him back gently, standing up. She moved to stare out into the coasting waves again. The sun was a swollen yellow globe against the sky, outlined with a red glow. As she stared at it, she heard Pegasus rise to his feet and shuffle across the sand to stand beside her. (Au4)
Gently, he touched the small of her back. "I would like to kiss you, Shizuka," he confided, his gaze locked on the horizon.
She took a few steps back, staring at him.
"But I'm married," she choked out.
"I understand that," he answered, turning to meet her uncertain gaze. "And that is why I am asking you: Would you like me to kiss you?"
"But your company…"
"My company be damned."
Shizuka waited for something inside her to reject the idea; some support for her feeble attempts to deter the feelings. But there were spiraling inside her, and nothing came to prompt her toward wrong or right.
Either desire spoke stronger, or her conscious didn't speak at all.
She took a step toward him again, her right hand rising to meet his halfway. His fingers curled around her quivering appendage and pulled her closer. He laid her palm across his chest and, even over the thunder of her own pulse, she felt the even, frantic flutter of his heartbeat.
His other hand rested on her waist, gently coaxing her nearer. He gazed deeply into her eyes for a long time before he began to lean down toward her. Her breathing was hallow, and when he captured her lips, her head spun.
She melted against him, her left hand clenching his shirt.
The contact was subtle, a long, single, immobile kiss. As the sun submerged on the horizon, a small, simple star emerged from the ever-deepening shades of blue.
It was…perfect. And it felt right.
And suddenly, as they stood there, Shizuka realized the only thing she was really regretting was that she had not taken Otogi's advice and worn the high heels….
To Be Continued…
Au 1: I have no idea what this tastes like, actually. And I was in no mood to attempt a raid on my mother's wine to try.
Au 2: Weird things to learn in a question game, eh? Earlobe fetish…don't even ask. I was laughing and laughing when I wrote (and frankly I believe I'll laugh every time I read it forever). My friend told me I was weird. And as for happy trails….Google it.(Google 'happy trails on guys') I'm not explaining it. But I think they're hot. ; D
Au 3: Tis French. You'll see what it means in a few moments.
Au 4: Song for the moment is 'Iris' by the Goo Goo Dolls. I'm actually considering making up a soundtrack for this story.
A/N: 'Warning: This chapter contains copious amounts of Duke Devil. He's very pretty. See how pretty he is. I want to run my fingers through his hair. And I'm just an alliteration of the author's twisted humor.'
Bow chicka bow bow.
(cough) ANYWAY!! Abridged reference. Sorry couldn't help myself.
So there you have the second chapter, edited by Storm Dewleaf (Thank you Stormy!!). I suppose I finally found the point of the story: firstly to pay tribute to Yamiko, but secondly, to have something just plain fluffy.
Hope you enjoyed. Please review.
This chapter was…odd…Sorry. It'll be explained in a bit. Also, if you're bored, go read 'Blood Canvas'.
As I thought about it, I really should have updated 'From Mortal Lips' on the Fourth of July, seeing as how it deals with the American Revolution buuuut…ooops. OH well.
Projects:
1) 'Eternal Obsession, an Endless Flight'
2) a timeline of my exploits on FFN (because I'm a nerd)
3) Destroying the evil bug Queen Insectia and her scourge of minions currently infesting my backyard
Next Chapter Title: 'And What Becomes of the Dreams of Yesterday's Past?'