Current mood:	sleepy
Current music:	Whoaaa-oh. All your cities lie in dust.
Entry tags:	series:guard dog

Argh. Yuugi turned emo. Sorry. Fortunatly, Mai makes up for it. YOU GO GIRL!

Continued from the four previous scenes

---

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”Leonhart!” Noa’s cheerful voice exclaimed, drawing Mokuba’s attention. He pushed his computer chair away from the desk, rolling behind Noa, kneeling on the chair as he draped himself over Noa’s chair and glancing over his shoulder. “Long time no see!”

”Hey.” The usually cheerful European’s smile wasn’t quite as bright as usual, the lines around his eyes somewhat pinched.

”You okay?” Mokuba questioned.

”Yeah.” Leonhart rubbed his forehead. “Kind of. Maybe. I might not be on for a while.”

”What happened?” Noa asked, his brows coming down. Noa talked to Leonhart a lot more than Mokuba did. “Your brother?”

”I caught an error in time to save the company quite a bit of money.” Leonhart gave them a wan smile. “Fortunately, the error was my brother’s.”

”And he grounded you for it?!” Noa exclaimed, annoyed. Mokuba raised an eyebrow, making a mental note to look into Schroider Corporation and how well the company was doing. ‘Niisama had once commented about buying it out, although Mokuba was pretty sure he’d been joking about it at the time. Kiaiba Corporation was doing extremely well in Japan and moderately well in the States, but if they could gain control of Schroider, they’d have an easier time breaking into Europe, where Schroider was currently ruling.

”I made him look bad.” Leonhart looked weary as he said it and Mokuba grimaced. It was strange, how similar their positions were, and how backwards at the same time. If, when, Mokuba caught a rare mistake of ‘Niisama, ‘Niisama was annoyed at himself, but pleased with Mokuba for backing him up. Why Siegfried would turn down such a valuable commodity boggled Mokuba. Not only did it not make sense on a brotherly level, it was bad business sense.

”You could always start your own business.” Noa offered with false cheerfulness. Mokuba smacked his shoulder.

”Idiot.” He scolded with a playful smirk. “If Leonhart’s leaving, Kaiba Corporation gets first dibs.”

”Oooh, yeah.” Noa grinned. “That offer still good?”

”Of course.” Mokuba said firmly, extending a hand towards the computer screen. “Come, Leonart. Join the dark side.” He intoned.

”That’s right.” Leonhart gave a small laugh. “You have cookies.”

”Yup.” Mokuba grinned, feeling brighter for making Leonhart laugh.

Leonhart sighed, looking at them with a fond smile. “I envy you two, sometimes.”

Noa glanced up at Mokuba, exchanging a look. “Ours is a bit of an odd situation.” Noa said carefully.

Mokuba nodded. “For one thing, usually our positions are reversed.” He said with a smile.

”I’m usually draped over Ototo.” Noa jerked a thumb in Mokuba direction with a small smile of his own.

Leonhart chuckled. “I’d almost pay to see that.” He said fondly, propping his head up with a hand, resting his elbow on the desk.

”Come out and visit us sometime.” Noa suggested, glancing back at Mokuba for confirmation. Mokuba nodded in agreement.

”Agreed.”

”I’ll keep that in mind-skktttt-“ The screen wavered, Leonhart’s voice becoming distorted.

”Leonhart?” Noa reached forward, tapping the screen. Mokuba had the feeling that wasn’t all Noa was doing as the picture snapped somewhat clear, horizontal lines of distortion running up the screen.

”Verdammt!” Leonhart spat, a long burst of static accompanying the curse, obscuring some words. “-caught on. I’ll see you later!” The pink haired boy’s image vanished, leaving a black screen. Noa sighed as he shut down the video window.

”He hacked into the Schroider Corporation network to talk to us.” Noa said, leaning back into the chair, tilting his head up to look at Mokuba with a worried expression.

”Things going that badly?” Mokuba’s eyebrows rose in surprise.

”For Schroider company?” Noa said darkly. “Possibly. The von Schroiders made some deals with Industrial Illusions several years back that has been keeping them afloat. But since Kaiba Corporation took over Industrial Illusions, the elder von Schroider has been making some risky manoeuvres to get out of the contracts with Industrial Illusions.”

”Anything to spit on ‘Niisama’s face.” Mokuba growled.

”Apparently.” Noa agreed, running a hand through his short hair. “Leonhart’s aware of it, of course. But there’s not much he can do with Seigfried’s locking him out of the running of the company.”

”And everything else from the looks of it.” Mokuba spared a brief thought of thanks for the amount of freedom he had. Public school may sound like a lot of freedom, but he’d met some of those ‘rich private school’ kids and didn’t think he’d do so well with the strict rule system. At least Domino High had a somewhat relaxed uniform code.

Noa nodded, looking tired as well. “I hope he’ll be okay.”

”He’s clever.” Mokuba patted his other brother. “And he knows we’re here. He’ll be fine.”

”Yeah.” Noa sighed, changing the windows on the screen with a wave of his hand. “I hope so.”



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+++


Seto sighed, wishing he was back in Japan. Preferably Domino City, but just Japan would do. He was tired of the dry desert air, the constant chatter in English around him and the constant handshaking and shoulder patting. For a culture that generally demanded more personal space than normal, they were a touchy-feely group. He wished he had been able to wear his usual outfit with the large spiked shoulders instead of a suit, but they had insisted on it being a ‘Black Tie Affair’.

One of these days, he was merely going to add a tie to his usual attire, just to see the reactions he got.

He made a mental note to mention that to Mokuba, his brother would probably be amused by it. On second thought, probably not a good idea. Mokuba would probably insist on it and the tabloids would never let him live it down.

But save for some minor paperwork in the morning, it was done. Industrial Illusions was now part of ‘Kaiba Corporation L.L.C.’. Making Kaiba Corporation a ‘limited liability company’ made things a bit simpler when it came to taxes and people attempting to shift the blame towards him. It was all politics in the end. But it those politics that were what the party was for. He should be excited about it, about the up coming tournament to celebrate, but mostly he just wanted it done, over with, and to be home with his family.

Someone bumped into his back, almost causing him to stumble forward. Wonderful. Another stumbling drunk socialite. “Ah! Sorry!” A feminine voice squeaked.

Wait… He turned around, catching sight of a huge mane of blonde hair. “Kujaku?” He inquired. “Kujaku Mai?”

”Kaiba?” She flipped her hair back over her shoulder and revealing her large violet eyes. She stared at him for a moment then laughed, a lovely energetic sound after all the strained polite titters he’d heard this evening. Even more lovelier was the fact she switched over to Japanese. English occasionally contained pratfalls, especially when one did not use it regularly. “I didn’t recognise you in a suit!”

”Quite alright.” He deadpanned. “I didn’t recognise you without the bustiere.” Indeed, she was wearing a classic ‘little black dress’, cut low at the back and high at the thigh. However, unlike some of the women at the party, Kujaku had both the figure and class to pull the outfit off without looking tawdry as well.

She gawked at him, one hand quickly covering her mouth as her cheeks turned red. For a moment, he was afraid he was about to be slapped. Then he realised the reason for her expression as little giggles began to escape her control. “I’d forgotten you had a sense of humour!” She patted him soundly on the back, hard enough he wondered if he’d have bruises in the morning. “Katsuya’s company been good for you.”

”Indeed.” Seto agreed, grateful he had enough control not to blush as he remembered the private showing Yuugi had made him privy to. “What brings you here today, Kujaku?”

She flipped her hair back over her shoulder in an idle gesture. ”Boredom, primarily.” She drawled tiredly. “After travelling amongst the upper echelons for a while, one occasionally is sent invites for gatherings that aren’t focused on Duelling. I had a free night and an invitation, so here I am. And you?”

”Business.” He inclined his head towards his fellow businessmen, chatting amongst themselves. While the celebration was for Kaiba Corporation, there was also a distinctively lack of duellists among the suits. Also boring. “Unfortunately.”

”Hm.” She made a disdainful noise through her nose. “What do ya say we ditch this party and catch up on old news?” She asked, tilting her head towards the exit in a playful invitation to flee.

”Kujaku-san,” Seto drawled, drawing himself up to his full height with a great deal of dignity. “Are you suggesting that leave this fine celebration to go off and -gossip- like old women about card games?”

”Well, if you aren’t interested…” She said, waving it off.

”I believe the American phrase is-” He said, then switched from Japanese to English: “-Your place or mine?”

She stared at him for a minute, her mouth partly open. Kujaku carefully blinked, like she was verifying that she was awake, then her lips curled up into a playful smile. “Mine’s on the other side of the city.” She said, eyelashes lowering in an almost coquettish look that would have had him recoiling had it been almost anyone else.

”Next floor down.” He said, offering her his arm. His then, it was closer. “Shall we?”

”Certainly.” She wrapped her deceptively delicate looking arm through his, gesturing grandly towards the doors with a cat-like grin on her face.

A much more welcoming way to celebrate, indeed.

+++
+++

Yuugi’s mobile ran, distracting him from the video game Mokuba and Jounouchi were playing. It involved some catchy music and rolling objects into a ball, including the occasional screaming twitching person. He and Noa had dibs on the next round.

”Be right back.” He said, excusing himself from the entertainment room and disappearing into the much quieter hallway. He flipped open the phone. “Moshi Moshi.”

Kaiba’s three-dimensional torso appeared on the screen, Yuugi automatically moving so Kaiba was level. “Hi.” Yuugi said with a grin, relaxing slightly. Kaiba looked tired, he noted with a bit of worry. He did some mental conversions in his head for time zones. It was late afternoon here, which meant that it was really really early in the morning there.

”Good evening.” Kaiba gave him a small smile of his own. “Are Mokuba and Katsuya nearby?”

”In the other room.” He motioned behind him. “Homework’s done, so it’s video game time.”

”Of course.” Kaiba acknowledged tiredly. “If you could pass on the messages after we’re done, I’d appreciate it.”

”Certainly.” Yuugi nodded, leaning against the wall and making himself comfortable. “What’s up?”

”I ran into Kujaku during tonight’s celebratory part and we left. Together.” Kaiba said, giving him a fierce look, as if willing to Yuugi to understand what he was saying under the words. “We were up late, talking. She’s currently asleep.”

The camera moved, walls of a hotel room blurring past. Kaiba had the rights and access to Pegasus’ old quarters in Las Vegas, but Yuugi could kind of understood why Kaiba hadn’t stayed there instead. Kaiba’s memories of the former eccentric business man were not… kind. And from what he’d seen, filled with Funny Bunny artwork. No, he understood why Kaiba was in a hotel.

The camera stopped on Mai, dressed in one of Kaiba’s business shirts, one bare leg left uncovered by the blanket wrapped around her as she slept on the sofa. Yuugi stifled a small laugh. Count on Kaiba to make the lady sleep on the sofa instead of offering her the bed.

”The sofa does fold out into a bed, but she didn’t want to bother with it.” Kaiba informed him with a dry tone, the camera view blurring back to Kaiba’s face. The background blurred, Kaiba walking back into the other room.

Yuugi frowned slightly, a stray thought hitting. “This is going to cause talk, isn’t it?” He said slowly. Kaiba was frequently in the spotlight, attracting attention where ever he went. His leaving the party with Mai was bound to cause a bit of a stir, then add that several people would see and swear that they saw Mai leaving Kaiba’s hotel room the next morning was just going to encourage it.

”Yes.” Kaiba said wearily as he sank onto the bed. “I had not initially planned it, but it could work in our favour. If people are busy speculating about the relationship between Kujaku and myself, it could cover for any slips on my part.”

Yuugi felt a bit of jealousy rise in his throat. He didn’t -want- to share Kaiba with anyone other than Jounouchi, even with a friend like Mai. It wasn’t -fair-.

Jounouchi had warned him about this, that a relationship with Kaiba wasn’t going to be easy because of who he was, and the public spotlight. And while he didn’t mind the relationship being a secret, he still didn’t like some aspects of having to deal with the public limelight.

”Yuugi.” Kaiba’s rumbling voice drew his attention back to the conversation. “We talked.” He said sincerely. “That is all. We did not even get around to a duel.”

”I know.” He said, wishing he could touch Kaiba, wrap his arms around Kaiba’s tall body and just hold on for a while. “I trust you.” He didn’t doubt Kaiba in the least. Kaiba was a strange person, but he was fiercely honourable. And Kaiba wouldn’t cheat on him and Jounouchi with anyone. And Yuugi was pleased that Kaiba had found a friend in Mai.

But it still didn’t stop him from worrying sometimes.

”Have you mentioned it to Mai?” He asked instead, wondering what the brassy blonde had to say about it.

”She thinks it’s hysterical.” Kaiba said with a touch of dry humour. “Especially considering she’s dating Katsuya’s sister. But in exchange, I’m giving her a lift back to Japan, she has decided she’s homesick.”

Yuugi laughed a little at that. Mai always did have a bit of an opportunistic streak in her.

”We should be home by dinner tomorrow.” Kaiba said, his image reaching forward and tracing the air in front of him. Running his fingertips along his projected face, Yuugi realised with a sharp pang. Kaiba missed them too.

”I’ll tell the others.” Yuugi smiled, feeling better. This bond between them was too new, he wished Kaiba hadn’t had to leave.

”Thank you.” Kaiba said quietly.

They lapsed into silence, the air comfortable between them. “I… should go.” Kaiba finally said. “I should sleep if I wish to finish the paperwork in the morning so we may leave at a reasonable time.”

”Okay.” Yuugi touched Kaiba’s tired image, wishing again that he could actually feel him. “We’ll see you when you get home.”

”Yes.” Kaiba looked a bit better for that. “I’ll see you then.”

”Oyasumi.” Yuugi wished him a good night as the image faded and disappeared. He shut the phone with a small click, leaning against the door a little while longer, trying to get his confused thoughts into some sort of order.

Finally, he gave up and walked back in, finding them still at the video game. He walked over next to Jounouchi and leaned against him, one arm draped over the blond’s shoulders. Jounouchi glanced up at him. “Everything okay?”

”Yeah.” Yuugi said, his voice calmer than expected. “That was Kaiba, he ran into Mai at a party. They’ll be back around supper time tomorrow.”

”Cool!” Mokuba cheered, something going ‘crunch’ under his large messy ball.

”Hey, Noa.” Jounouchi tossed his controller up in the air at the green-haired boy. “Take over.”

Noa looked confused for a second, but caught the controller and took Jounouchi’s place with a cheerful predatory look that no doubt bode ill for Mokuba. ”Okay!”

”Thanks.” Jounouchi rose, tugging Yuugi out of the room. “We’ll be back in a second.” He called over his shoulder. The teenagers ignored him, caught up in their game. Yuugi followed him out into the hallway, Jounouchi wrapping his arms around Yuugi. Yuugi wrapped his arms around Jounouchi’s solid waist, hugging him back.

”Okay, so what’s up?” Jounouchi asked quietly, running a hand through Yuugi’s spiky hair.

”Mai’s spending the night in Kaiba’s hotel room. On the sofa.” Yuugi said, leaning against his best friend. “They left the party together.”

”Which means the tabloids will be all over it.” Jounouchi nodded. “That should keep them busy fer the next month or so.”

That was right, Jounouchi was used to this sort of thing after a these past few years with Kaiba. “Does this ever get easier?” Yuugi asked. “Having to hide all the time?”

”You’re a celebrity too, y’know.” Jounouchi said playfully. Yuugi snorted. Yes, on the Duelling circuits. While the duelling community was always growing, it wasn’t exactly -everywhere-. He had some scraps of anonymity. Kaiba had -none-.

Jounouchi sighed. “I wish I could say that it does, but I don’t think really ever does.” He said tiredly. “The real stuff, the precious stuff, hasta stay hidden or it’s used as a weakness. How many times has Mokuba been kidnapped or Kaiba Corporation taken over to be used against Seto? How many times were we were used against you in Battle City? Or you were used against your Other Self?”

”Jounouchi…” He trailed off, his eyes closed tightly. Too many times. Jounouchi and Anzu in the hands of an insane Malik, Honda being taken over by the Big 5, himself being used as a counter for the final duel against Bakura, parts of himself flying off as his Other Self lost points. He could go on, before and after Battle City, but the point was made.

Friendship was what made Yuugi strong, strong enough to fight. But it was a two way street, those same bonds that made him strong made him weak to those same people. Weak to their hurts, weak when they hurt him.

”For what it’s worth…” Jounouchi said tentatively. “I think it’s worth it. In the end, I mean. ‘The returning investments outweigh the expenditures’ and all that.”

”Okay, now I know that you’ve been hanging out with Kaiba -way- too much.” Yuugi snickered, lifting his head from Jounouchi’s shirt to look at the blond. Jounouchi’s tail thumped against his legs a few times as he grinned. The grin faded as Jounouchi’s expression turned serious.

”You okay, Yuugi?” He asked, running a hand down Yuugi’s cheek in an oddly gentle gesture. “I mean, y’gonna be okay? A relationship between two people’s hard enough, but it’s three and we’re all guys. And then there’s the business thing and the celebrity thing and the duelling thing. This ain’t gonna be easy.”

”I know.” He wrapped his hand around Jounouchi’s, holding Jounouchi’s warm hand against his cheek. They’d already done the easy part, falling in love with each other. … Or falling in lust. Sometimes he wasn’t sure on Kaiba’s part, but he could work with lust. “And I’m not giving up. I just…” He trailed off, mentally stumbling to find the words.

”Yeah.” Jounouchi nodded. “It’s weird and it’s crazy and sometimes throws ya fer a loop. Gets me too sometimes.”

”I’d never guess.” Yuugi said honestly. Jounouchi seemed to carry himself with such an assured air. He dropped his head back down, his ear pressed against Jounouchi’s ribcage, listening to the precious sound of his best friend’s heart.

His Other Self had had no heartbeat. Even in their Soul Room, he had no heartbeat. Millennia ago, his heart had beat its last beat.

Jounouchi and Kaiba… Their hearts still beat. So did his. So did Mokuba’s. Not Noa’s though.

This world of Kaiba’s… was strange. He’d circled the edges of it for years, but walking into it, even with his eyes open and anticipating, was a shock. They’d just barely gotten their feet together, -gotten- together, and already it almost felt like things were falling out of his control, much less his understanding.

He was going to have to work on that. Learn this new world. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, rely on his friends to protect him from this.

”Better?” Jounouchi asked, hands still petting Yuugi’s hair.

Yuugi nodded, rubbing his cheek against the soft material of Jounouchi’s shirt, more because he liked the feeling than anything else. “Thanks.”

”Welcome.” He chuckled fondly. “Had a few moments like that myself. Mokuba helped. Noa too. Speakin’ of which, should go check on ‘em.”

”Yeah.” He agreed, unwrapping one arm around Jounouchi’s waist, but not stepping away. Jounouchi caught the hint and they moved towards the other room together.

Kaiba’s world was new and strange, but there were always rules that had to be obeyed.

And once he knew the rules, well, Yuugi wasn’t the so-called ‘King of Games’ for nothing.

+++
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Arms wrapped around him, hands pressed against his chest and stomach. Jounouchi checked his instinctual reaction to elbow the unfamiliar person pressing against his back as he heard a sultry voice purr: “I want pictures.”

He grinned, continuing running the last of tonight’s dishes under the faucet. “Hi, Mai.” Yuugi had warned him that his ‘Sister-In-Law’ was stopping by for a visit, but wasn’t sure on exactly when. “I take it Seto’s up checking on Mokuba and Yuugi? And what is it that y’want pictures of exactly?”

”My little boy is growing up!” She squealed, reaching up and ruffling the top of his head. “And managed to snag not only -one-, but TWO good looking hunks!”

”… And you want pictures of the three of us.” He drawled.

”Without clothing preferable, but I’ll go for ‘partly’ if I can get it.” Mai cheerfully agreed.

”Okay….” Jounouchi turned off the water and shook off his wet hands, Mai releasing him and backing up a step to avoid the water splatter. “Why?” He didn’t think she was the blackmailing sort.

He got a blank look in response.

”Katsuya….” Mai slowly, dangerously, raised an eyebrow. “Do I need to go get you a mirror and we have the ‘I am not worthless mongrel’ talk -again-?”

Jounouchi backed up a step, his ears going back against his skull. “Ah… No.” He -really- didn’t need another ‘pep talk’ from Mai. He was still ringing from the one she’d given him when she found out about his mutation. “We’re pretty. Got it.”

”Good boy.” She smirked, crossing her arms under her cleavage, causing it to pop slightly.

He briefly rolled his eyes. “Long trip, Mai?”

”Like you wouldn’t believe.” She said tiredly, tossing her long hair over her shoulder. “C’mon. I’d like to say ‘Hi’ to your other halves before I hit the sack.”

”Yeah.” Jounouchi nodded. It was 12 hours from Los Angeles to Tokyo, not including customs. Unless Seto had decided to fly one of his Dragon Jets, in which case it took less time, but was no less wearing. “C’mon, I think there’s still a guest room set up fer ya.”

”Bless you.” Mai sighed in relief. “I- EEP!”

He saw her pitch forward out of the corner of his eyes and automatically reached out to try to catch her. Unfortunately, his own feet slipped on what was likely to be the same puddle of water that caused her to fall and he fell backwards, still trying to catch Mai.

::WHUMP!::

“I-ite-ite-te…” Jounouchi hissed from the floor, finding himself with a lap full of Mai. Ow, bad ow. “You okay?” He asked, raising his hips to shift his tail out of the weird angle it was laying at under his butt. Much better. Fortunately it didn’t feel like anything else was injured other than his pride.

”Yeah, I’m fine.” Mai flipped her hair out of her face, one hand on his chest for balance. He belatedly realised that she was straddling him, her short skirt riding up high enough that he could see that her panties were some sort of pastel colour today. Not that he was trying to look. Really. It was just sort of -there- and as a member of Security, he was trained to notice these little details. Honest. “Thanks for the catch.”

”No problem.” He grinned. All part of a day’s work. Jounouchi’s grin faded as he noticed the string that held Mai’s bustiere closed was starting to fray at a rapid rate. “Uh, Mai-“

The string snapped. Jounouchi flinched at the noise, holding his hands up to block any flying projectiles and found himself with a twin handful of soft curvy flesh.

Jounouchi blinked.

Mai blinked.

They both stared.

Which, of course, was the perfect moment for Seto and Yuugi to walk into the kitchen, Mokuba and Noa on their heels.

An uncomfortable silence followed.

”This… Really isn’t what it looks like.” Mai offered, her cheeks darkening. What it looked like was something straight out of one of Jounouchi’s old porno collection. Bustiere included.

”Jounouchi?” Seto said in a slow, low tone.

Jounouchi tilted his head to look at his lovers. “Breast. Boobs. Ever.” He said frankly.

Yuugi made a sporfling sound, then covered his mouth and turned away to laugh. Seto didn’t look nearly as amused as he blocked his younger brother’s view of the kitchen.

”I think he meant ‘Best’.” Mai said dryly, raising an eyebrow at him. Jounouchi shrugged, still not moving his hands. He’d always been a bit of a breast man, even if his lovers didn’t have them.

”Don’t worry.” Yuugi informed Seto seriously. “I think yours are better.” And thus proving that dating Anzu had been a -total- fluke because there was NO way that Kaiba Seto had a better chest than any hot chick. Legs, totally. Ass, maybe. Chest, no.

”Mokuba, eyes the other direction. Noa, same with you.” Seto ordered. “Yuugi, if you’d be so kind to loan Kujaku-san the use of your coat?”

”Right.” Yuugi said with muted mischief, peeling off his jacket and walking forward.

”Aww.” Mokuba sulked, his dark head turned the other direction. “I’m old enough to watch porn. Why do I have to turn my back?”

”Because there are some breasts that you’re still not old enough for.” Seto said gravely, not even bothering to attempt playing the gentleman card. Yuugi giggled, placing his jacket backwards over Mai’s shoulders to cover her front.

Jounouchi gave the soft globes that were resting perfectly in his hands a reluctant farewell pat before removing them. Mai gave him a scowl and suspicious glare. “Sorry. I know they belong to my sister and all, but they’re still damn nice.” Jounouchi said with a sheepish grin.

The glare turned mutinous as Mai stood up with a great deal of dignity. Yuugi and Seto grabbed his wrists, cutting any retort she had short. “Mokuba, Noa, if you would kindly arrange for a room for Kujaku to stay in for the night before you see yourselves bed.” Seto said seriously. “Katsuya, Yuugi and I will be indisposed. We have some… Obedience Training to attend to.”

Jounouchi –should- have been afraid. Really he should have been. Or possibly annoyed at the terminology used. But he couldn’t help the ‘I’m gonna get laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaid’ grin on his face a he was dragged out the kitchen door.

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