It's always been you.

Chapter four.

“Okay class, so as you all know, Domino High School is hosting it’s first ever school dance tomorrow and you are all expected to do your part in helping out or you won’t get any credit at all from me which will be a major downfall in your grades.” Most of the students groaned at Ms. Carson’s words. She was the only drama teacher at Domino High school who was actually serious about her work and took no thickheadedness from anyone.

Joey stared at her with a huge lopsided grin on his face. Aw jeez, it’s about time we have a school dance. I’m ready to show off my awesome moves, hehe..

“Psttt, Yugi, what do you think of this dance? He whispered to his friend.

“Sounds fun, we’re not about to miss it.” Yugi answered, shyly staring at his other half. Yami seemed disinterested with the whole idea but if Yugi wanted to go, then who was he to stop him?

While the teacher continued to ramble on about the dance and posted a sign up sheet on the chalkboard, for people who were going to help out with decorations and things like that.. Joey was scanning the room for Seto. His search was over when he spotted the brunette over in a corner; his gaze was fixated on his laptop, obviously working.

He’s been through a lot in his childhood… his stepfather was so hard of him. He barely had anytime to have fun at all.

Lena’s words hit Joey like a thunderbolt, his expression was that of a lost puppy…he was sad for Seto, at that moment he wanted nothing more than to see Seto smile… even if only for a mere second; it would’ve still been something. Unable to stop himself, he got up from his seat and walked over to the brunette. Ms. Carson was too busy with the dance and questions from the other students to notice.

Taking a seat, he hesitantly brushed a few locks of hair from Seto’s eyes. Seto was startled and immediately looked up. “What the hell do you think you’re doing touching me?!" He snapped, Joey wasn’t expecting this at all. They were supposed to have a civil conversation with eachother, wasn’t that the plan? He began to regret coming over here at all.

Yugi watched from a distance, wondering why his best friend was talking to Kaiba—he knew Joey had a thing for Kaiba for as long as he’d known Joey but... surely Joey would’ve gotten over it by now, right? WRONG… Joey would never get over the fact that he was crazily, head-over-heals in love with Seto and if Seto would just lighten up and give him a chance… life would be really beautiful.

“Sorry, my bad for caring about you.” Joey flushed and covered his mouth quickly, glancing away. He hadn’t meant to say that. “Uh.. eheheh… I meant to say—”

Seto lowered his face so Joey wouldn’t have to see the tiny blush in his cheeks… “Why would you care about m-me?” He honestly wanted that comment to be sarcastic but it was the complete opposite.

Joey sighed… “Maybe there’s something about you that amazes me so, in ways that I can’t understand?” Whatever self control Joey had before was gone. His heart had spoken just now.

Seto heard the words but pretended not to. “Stop being a weirdo and get back to your seat, puppy.”

“What did you just say?! You’re the flippin’ weirdo Kaiba! And for the fifteen hundredth time, I am not a god damned dog!” Joey stomped back to his seat and pouted for the rest of the class. That damn Kaiba thinks he’s so cool. He kept stealing tiny glances of Seto and he could’ve sworn that he saw Seto looking back a couple of times. It’s almost as if Seto couldn’t keep his eyes off him and he knew this because he couldn’t keep his eyes off Seto either.

Joey wanted to be brave and held eye contact with Seto for more than a minute. The look they shared was intense and strong enough to burn the building down. Their gaze was broken when the bell rung. Joey had English class next and so does Yugi along with Seto. Joey hurried to Yugi’s side so they could walk together.

Seto walked past them and purposely bumped into Joey. “Watch where you’re going, idiot!”

“Excuse me? You watch where you’re going Kaiba! You bumped into me on purpose!” Joey scoffed.

“I don’t have time for this.” Seto rolled his eyes and walked off to his next class.

“Good, ‘cause I don’t either.” Replied Joey, walking towards a fountain to drink some water.

After getting that drink of water, Joey and Yugi went to class and took their seats. The rest of the period went on with Ms. Airedale lecturing them about improving their writing skills and handing out some kind of paper. Joey knew he wasn’t good at writing but he’d try his best to pass this class.

“Everyone is to work with a partner on this assignment. I’ll assign the partners. The assignment is due by the end of this week. If I get it later, then you’ll both have a zero. Is that clear?” Joey’s English teacher said.

“Do we really have to do this Ms. Airedale?” One girl spoke.

“I’m afraid you do, the details of the assignment are… you must each pick something or someone you cherish or love and write a one page paper on why you love them. Why they are so important to you. Can you live without them? What lengths would you go in order to protect them? Something like that. When you are finished writing about your person, you each get to let the other person see who you’ve written about and you discuss it among yourselves. When that’s over with, just staple the pages together and hand it in to me. It’s an easy enough assignment and I’m sure you all are gonna do great. You will be asked questions about each other’s persons so don’t just do it and not discuss it with your partner.”

Joey instantaneously thought about Seto. Someone I love, huh? He shook his head when he heard his name and Seto’s name being called.

“WHAT?! I don’t wanna work with this dog! You have to change my partner!” Seto shouted; fire in his eyes. The truth is, he was ecstatic about working with Joey but he wasn’t about to let everyone know that, especially Joey.

“What makes you think I wanna work with you too, ya big jerk?! Ms. Airedale, can you just give us both a different partner, before we kill eachother?!!”

“I’m sorry, Joey.. but my decision is final. The two of you will have to find some way to work out your personal issues and do a good job on this assignment.”

“Fine… whatever.” Joey sighed, dejectedly, glancing over at Seto. He could see Seto glaring at him, with a look on his face that said. ‘I’m gonna murder you.’

Joey winced and prayed to God that Seto was just kidding.. he wouldn’t actually murder me right? Heheh… eh.. then again, this is Kaiba we’re talking about. But what about.. Lena said… ugh my brain hurts.

The rest of the day went by fast and it was now lunch time. Joey and his friends were heading to the courtyard to eat lunch.

“Hey, does everyone already have an outfit for the dance or do we need to go shopping this afternoon? I have my old tux, I think it still fits me and besides I got work after school.” Joey said.

“You got a job?!” Yugi asked, surprised.

“Yeah, I was gonna tell you guys… It’s at Marilyn’s Diner, across the street from Kaiba Corp. It’s really nice place.”

“Great, the idiot gets a job and now he decides to tell us.” Bakura spoke.

“Shut up, I know I should’ve said something but I was at the Kaiba mansion all night on Sunday...”

“Ooh, getting frisky with your lover, I see. Where is Seto anyway?”

“Jeez Bakura, it’s not even like that. Mokuba wanted me to play video games with him, that’s all, I swear.”

“Yeah… I’m sure.”

Joey took a bite out of his riceball. “You know what; you are just so full of it, huh?”

“You know I am baby.” Bakura winked at Joey.

“Eww, don’t even go there.” Joey made a gagging sound and Ryou pushed Bakura off his lap.

“RYOU! What is with you?!?” Bakura shouted angrily, dusting himself off.

“What is with you?!? You keep acting like I don’t even exist; maybe it’s best if I didn’t exist at all. Maybe you’ll like that.”

“What are you saying?” Bakura blinked several times at his lover.

“I don’t know, I need some air.” Ryou got up and left without uttering another word to anyone. Why do I even put up with him?

“Great, look what you did! Go over there and apologize to him.” Joey lectured Bakura on his naiveness.

“Why should I?! I don’t know what his problem is but he needs to chill.”

“He loves you…”

“He’s acting more like a friend than a lover these days.”

“Maybe there’s something you’re just not doing right. Have you thought about that, smartass?”

“Look Joey, I really don’t feel the need to talk about this right now.”

“Okaay then, well I’m gonna go get a drink from one of the vending machines in the hallway. You guys want anything?” Joey announced and got up from his seat.”

“Oh, can you get me a sprite? Yami drank all my water that I bought this morning.” Yugi glared at Yami and Yami smiled back mischievously at him.

“Alright, be back in a few.”

The hallway was empty, just as Joey expected. Everyone’s probably in the cafeteria.

He walked up to one of the vending machines and got a vanilla coke for himself and a sprite for Yugi. As he was heading back to the group, he saw a guy with reddish-brownish hair carrying a box out of a classroom. The box appeared to be too heavy and Joey could only see the back of the guy’s head.

“Hey there, you need some help?”

The guy turned around and a huge grin spread out on his face when he realized who it was that spoke to him.

“Joey—”

“Chris!? What are you doing here, man?” Joey opened his vanilla coke and drank a mouthful of it.

“My mom’s in charge of all the food for the dance and since I have this week off from school, she asked me if I’d help out. These are just plastic plates and cups and some napkins. I’m supposed to take it to the gym, you know where that is?” Chris replied.

Joey shook his head, and left the drinks on one of the desks in the classroom while Chris walked outside with the box. “Follow me. Is your mom cooking the food?” Joey asked and grabbed one side of the box.

“Yeah, she’s a retired chef but she still cooks and caters for important events and stuff like that. Besides, she and Ms. Carson are friends.”

“Ah, I see. No wonder.”

The boys carried the box to the gym and left it on a table with all the sodas and snacks. The gym was decorated with huge bows and lots of colorful balloons, candles, bright lights, etc.

“Wow…” Joey and Chris stared at the gym in awe. It was a sight to behold. “Is anyone there?” They were interrupted by a female voice.

“Oh, shit.. okay, don’t panic. We’ll just say we brought the box and were just leaving.”
Chris told Joey who looked like he was about to have a panic attack.

“Sure thing, dude.”

The double doors to the gym opened and Ms. Carson walked in. “What are you boys doing here, nobody’s supposed to be here before the dance. Don’t you have a class?”

“Sorry Miss, we had to bring this box down.” Chris pointed to the box… “It has plastic plates and cups along with some napkins. We were just leaving.”

“Hold on a sec, aren’t you… Carmen’s son?” Carson squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look at Chris’s face.

“Yes, my school is out right now and my mom asked me to help out with the dance.”

“Well in that case, you can do whatever you want son. Tell her I will come by and see her this afternoon. I need to make sure all the food’s cooked and ready for tomorrow.”

“Okay, Ms. Carson.”

“Later boys.” Carson exited the gym, leaving a relieved Joey and Chris inside.

“You weren’t kidding when you said she and your mom were friends.”

“Nope.”

“So, um... what are you gonna do now? Going back home or—”

“Well, we could go find a seat out in the courtyard and sit and talk for a while.. i-if you want to that is...” Chris hoped that Joey wouldn’t notice the nervousness in his voice.

“Oh, I don’t know. I kinda gotta take this sprite back to Yugi.. but—”

“You don’t have to if you’d rather…” He trailed off, looking away from Joey.

“Chris, I want to okay? I’ll take the sprite to Yugi and meet you under the big sakura blossom tree.”

“Okaay.. are you sure though.. I mean...”

“I’m sure.” Joey grabbed the sprite and his vanilla coke from the desk and ran off to find his friends.

---

“Where is Joey, he’s taking an awful lot of time.” Yugi complained to his Yami. Yami caressed his cheek and smiled lovingly at him. “There he comes now", he said, pointing to Joey who was running towards them, sweating and out of breath.

“Here’s your Sprite Yugi, sorry I took so long. I was talking with Chris; he works at Marilyn’s Diner too.”

“Ah, does he go to this school?”

“No, he goes to Claysville High, he says his mom’s in charge of the food for the dance. She’s a retired chef.” Said Joey, handing Yugi his sprite.

“Do you know the guy?” Yugi asked, a bit concerned.

“Of course Yugi, don’t worry. He seems nice enough to me, he hadn’t given me any bad vibes yet, if he does, I’ll let you know.”

“I’m just looking out for my friend.” Yugi complained, taking a sip of his sprite.

“I know, but you don’t have to. I can take care of myself.” Joey responded, grinning at Yugi.

“I believe you.”

“Alright, so about the dance…”

“Anzu’s already bought her dress a few days ago. You know her, forever the perfectionist. Everything has to be done a week before the supposed time.” Joey and Yugi both chuckled at that.

“You guys ARE aware that I can here you…” Anzu said, finishing off the last of her home-cooked fries. She never ate those other ones; it always has to be home-made.

“Hahaha, you know we love you Anzu, don’t get all serious.” Joey jumped in.

Anzu giggled a little and shook her head. “Yeah, yeah. What about you Yugi? I haven’t heard you mention anything about what you’re going to wear.”

Yugi smiled.. “Yami gave me a brand new tux for my birthday a few months back and I think I’ll wear that.”

“Okay!” Joey grinned. “I think I better get back to Chris, he’s waiting for me under the Sakura Blossom tree. He’s probably wondering where I am by now.”

“Bye Joey, talk to yah later!” Yugi and Anzu yelled after him.

By the time Joey reached the tree, Chris was no where in sight. Where could he have gone?

“Hey there…” A deep voice said, Joey spun around to see Chris standing there. A bored look in his face.

“Gosh, don’t do that! You scared me.”

“Haha sorry, I was coming to look for you since you took so long.”

“You don’t have to look anymore… I got so got up in talking to my friends but I’m here now.” Joey reassured him.

“Don’t worry about it.” Chris smiled a weak smile.

“You okay?” Joey asked.

“Y-Yeah.. I’m fine. Soo... do you have a date to the dance yet? All the girls are probably hoping you’ll ask them.”

“Heheh, I haven’t really thought about it. I was just gonna go with Yugi and the guys. Why?”

“No reason.” Chris was fidgeting a lot. Something was obviously bothering him. Two girls passed by and waved at Joey, Joey waved back and shrug it off but Chris’s eyes never left him. They kept staring at Joey as if Joey was a prized possession and he’d be stolen the second he decided to take his eyes of him.. it all just seemed so childish.

Joey turned a bit red when he realized he was being stared at. “A-Ahem… so…” He took a seat under the tree and tried his best to avoid Chris’s gaze.

Chris sat down next to him. “I was thinking… if you wanted to… we could maybe, we could go to the dance together? As friends of course, because that’s what we are, right?” Chris asked with uncertainty in his voice.

Is this guy for real?!! “Sure, Chris. I’d like that. We could all go together, I’m sure the others won’t mind and yes, we are friends.” Joey said coolly. Does… does he like me? Nah, he hardly seems like the type of guy who.. but then again.. he does stutter most of the time when he’s around me. And why would he want to go to the dance with me? If asking me to the dance wasn’t a date then I don’t know what is… I don’t even know him that well. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to just go to the dance with him. If I find out he’s a spy from outerspace then those aliens are in for it.. heheh… I swear if he tries anything funny.. he better not hurt Kai.. wait.. not the time and place to be thinking about HIM.

“Earth to JOEY!”

“H-h-huh?!? Aw man, sorry I spaced out for a second. Say.. the bell’s about to ring….” As soon as he said it, the bell rang.

“So I’ll come pick you up for the dance tomorrow?” Chris asked, as he walked Joey to his next class.

“Uh, yeahh.. I should be Yugi’s. You know where he lives right?”

Chris nodded. He really wanted to go to the dance with Joey alone but Joey insisted on going with his friends too. So much for that plan… he thought.

“Are you going home now?” Joey asked.

“Yep. I’ll see you at work, okay?” Chris pulled Joey into a hug that lasted quite a while.

“See yah.” Joey waved to him and walked into his classroom. Kaiba was already sitting in his seat and he saw the whole exchange in the hallway between Joey and Chris. He shrugged it off as nothing and focused his mind on what the teacher was teaching.

Joey took his usual seat next to Yugi. “Hey….”

“Hey Joey, so that was Chris huh?” Yugi whispered back to his friend.

“Yeah, is it okay if he comes to the dance with us? He really wants to.”

“Sure Joey, I don’t see how that’s a problem.” Yugi smiled.

“I suggest you two shut your mouths, you’re giving me a major headache.” Seto complained and whispered loud enough for the whole class to hear.

“Mr. Kaiba, is something the matter?” Ms. Sammie asked, turning her gaze to Seto.

“No.”

“Good, now pay attention.”

Kaiba rolled his eyes to the heavens. Who does this bitch think she is? My mother? Yeah right!

Joey and Yugi snickered at him. “Mutt, we need to work on our assignment for English. You need to come by the mansion today after school. There’s no way I’m going to your house.”

“And what’s wrong with my house, rich boy?” Joey smirked.

“Look I want to get a good grade on this assignment and I’ll drag you to the mansion if I have to. Is that clear?

“You’re such a meanie.”

“Funny, I thought you loved it.”

“Who would?”

“YOU.”

“Pig.”

“Puppy dog.”

“That’s it! I’m done being nice to you two, detention after school. No excuses! You can work on your homework or assignments to pass the time. I’ve put up with your nonsense for long enough. I’m not about to do that anymore.”

Joey looked at her with pleading eyes… please.. I can’t afford to have detention. I have a job to go to after school.

“You’ve got to be kidding, I didn’t even do anything. It was all the mutt’s fault. Why can’t you give him detention? I need to be home, I’ve got a lot of work to do.”

“I have a job too you know!” Joey glared at him.

Seto remembered now.. the conversation he and Chris had. Joey was working as a waiter at Marilyn’s Diner.

“I’m sorry boys, it can’t be helped. It’s only an hour; it’ll be over before you know it.” Sammie told them.

“Says you.” Mumbled Seto, who folded his arms and stared straight ahead at nothing in particular.

Joey sulked and held his face in his palms.” Great, now I’m gonna miss the first day of my job, all because of you Kaiba!”

“Like I care, you fool. I’m gonna miss the most important meeting of the year at Kaiba Corp. Why don’t you just die? My life would be hell of a lot better.” Kaiba responded and regretted his words as soon as they left his mouth.

Joey didn’t say anything after that. Seto kept peeking at him out of the corner of his eye.

“You okay Joey?” Yugi nudged Joey in the shoulder.

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine, heh.”

Yugi glared and narrowed his eyes at Seto. Damn you Kaiba, you’re always hurting Joey without even knowing it!

---

The last bell had rung for the day and Joey was walking towards the detention room. It was a small room all the way on the other side of the building; he’d never been in it before.

His first thought was to knock on the door but as he was about to, the door opened and he was face to face with Seto. “Hey Kaiba, fancy meeting you here.” Joey said in a monotonous tone and walked past Seto.. he sat down at a random desk and pulled out his ipod. I can’t believe I’m stuck here with him, that jerk… god; he looks so fucking awesome in blue.

“Hello Mr. Wheeler.” Said the teacher; he was an old man with a beard and big reading glasses. “I’m supposed to be in a meeting right now. The meeting will be three hours. You and Mr. Kaiba are to leave at 6:05 p.m. Don’t make a sound while I’m gone.” With that, the teacher walked out the door and locked it behind him.

I love you I hate you; I just can’t live without you… I left my head around your heart. Why would you tear my world apart? Always, always, always… I see the blood over your hands. Does it make you feel more like a man? Was it all just a part of your plan?

It was as if the song was meant for him and Seto... the lyrics were just so deep.. Joey continued listening to the song until it ended. He hadn’t spoken another word to Seto.. but he knew they needed to start the English assignment. Wait… don’t we have to write about our own person and then when we’re finished, staple the two pages together? It all made sense. He was going to do his part and hand the paper over to Seto when he was finished. I don’t want to talk to him right now.

Seto was engrossed in whatever he was doing on his laptop, not paying attention to Joey who was sitting a few seats away from him. It was getting pretty late and thunderclouds had already begun appearing. The wind blew heavily and a tree branch accidentally fell and slammed right into the window closest to Joey’s seat.

“AHH!!!” Joey screamed. “K-Kaiba what was that?” Joey got up and looked outside. Everything was pitch black and the rain pelted down from the sky in little drops but the drops soon got bigger. Joey could see a little boy, riding his bike as fast as he can. He seemed to be around 13 and was carrying some sort of bag, it was too blurry and Joey couldn’t be sure. The boy’s bike stumbled over a few pebbles and the boy fell face down. Joey was about to go down and help him but he noticed the boy got up as quickly as he fell and was soon out of sight.

“How should I know, you idiot? Maybe it was a jack-hammered, chainsaw freak trying to break in.” Seto spoke, angrily.

“Eee, you better pray you’re wrong. I’m not falling victim to some psycho. I’m leaving. I don’t care what that teacher said. Tell him I was feeling sick… or something.” Joey hurried out the classroom and was yanked back in by Seto’s hands.

“Where do you think you’re going? It’s raining out there in buckets.”

“I’m going to Yugi’s! There’s no way I’m staying here.”

“Are you scared Wheeler?” Seto smirked. “I’m sure it was a branch or something that hit the window, sheesh.”

“Not taking any chances. When you’re tied to a chair in an old abandoned house, you’ll regret not listening to me.”

Seto sighed and gave in. “Fine, but you’re coming with me in my limo.”

“Fine, can we just go?!”

“Alright.” Seto grabbed Joey’s hand and they strolled down the hallway, reaching a stairway. As they walked down the stairs… they heard a noise. It sounded like a banging.

Joey didn’t realize he was clinging tightly to Seto, so tight that his fingernails dug a tiny hole in Seto’s shirt, right at the shoulder. Seto felt safe and comforting, he didn’t want to let go.

Seto blinked and tried to keep his cool… I wish he didn’t do that. He’s making it hard to be mad at him. He’s so cute when he’s all scared and vulnerable though… I could crush him right here… no, stop this madness, be gentle with him.

“Puppy… get a grip. It was just the wind; there is no psycho out there. And even if there was, I’d never let anything happen to you.” Seto lowered his tone and spoke in a soft voice which he rarely did.

Joey closed his eyes and registered Seto’s words… it was the sweetest thing Seto had ever said to him. He slowly let go of Seto, his face blushing scarlet.. stop blushing.. he’s gonna notice if he hasn’t already… ugh…

“Ahem.. yeahh.. w-we should get going. What time is it?” Joey desperately tried to change the subject and the mood.

“It’s 6:30.” Seto replied. They reached the first floor and soon enough they were outside, standing next to Seto’s black stretch limo. It was big enough to fit fifty people. The rain had slowed down a bit but not by much. Seto and Joey were both soaked from head to toe.

Joey looked at Seto, his hair was all wet and he brought a hand through it to sweep it all back. Joey bit his lip as he felt something stir in his pants, right below the belt area. Mmm… he looks so delectable.. I just wanna.. ugh... Joey’s eyes began roaming all over Seto’s body…

“Stop gawking at me and get in the freaking limo.” Seto scolded him.

“I-I.. wasn’t gawking.. at you!” Joey defended as he opened the limo door and climbed in.

“Sure, you weren’t.” Seto replied, opening the other side of the limo. His foot got stuck a bit as he tried to get in… before he knew it, his butt hit the ground and his designer suit was ruined. “Great, freaking fantastic!! Can this night get any worst?!!” He didn’t make any attempt to stand up; he just sat there infront of his limo, while the rain poured down on him.

Joey was trying not to laugh but it impossible! “HAHAHA, Kaiba are you okayyy?!?!”

“Do I look okay, you fool?!?!?! Kaiba screeched at him.

“Heheh, noo.. aren’t you gonna get up?” Joey said, getting out of the limo.

“Here, take my hand.” Kaiba looked at the offered hand but didn’t take it.

“Jesus! It’s just a hand, it’s not gonna kill ya!”

Seto finally took Joey’s hand and Joey pulled him up from the ground. “Thanks.” Seto said flatly.”

“No prob… so uhh… do you wanna play in the rain for a while?” Joey grinned.

“You’re insane.. do you want to get pneumonia?”

“I wouldn’t mind ...just as long as I got to spend some time with you...” It was barely a mumble.

“What was that?” Seto questioned him.

“Nothing… tag you’re it!” Joey shoved Seto a little and ran off towards the courtyard.

“Joey! I am not playing tag with you in this weather! Or any weather for that matter. Get your butt over here. We’re going home!”

“I’m not going with you Seto; you have to catch me first!” Joey shouted from afar.

He wants to play tag, huh? Fine, I’ll play his little game! “Alright, I’m coming to get you!” Seto called out, running after Joey. He saw Joey’s figure run behind a tree and he tried to mirror the movement.

“Hah.. I gotcha…” Seto grabbed Joey’s hand. “We’re going home now!”

“W-Whoa, I think you’ve got the wrong person, dude." The figure said and pulled away… Seto took a closer look at the person’s face and it wasn’t Joey at all. It looked like, “Chris? What are you doing here man?” Kaiba asked, suspicious of Chris. Why would Chris be doing here, at this hour in this weather?

“Uh… I came to bring some supplies for the dance tomorrow. What are you doing here, Kaiba? Have you seen Joey? He’s supposed to be at work today, it was his first day but he didn’t show up at all.”

“Joey and I got detention and… it’s a long story. He ran off and I’m sort of looking for him.”

“I really have to go, but I hope you find him soon, it would be a shame if you didn’t.” Chris said quickly and ran in the opposite direction. He looks uneasy, for some reason. I wonder if he’s up to anything.. Seto thought.

There was a rumbling sound in one of the bushes, a couple feet away from where Seto was standing. He walked over to check it out as the sound got louder. This night is getting stranger and stranger by the second. “Is anyway there?” Seto called out but no answer.

“Joey?” Seto carefully and stealthily moved closer to the bush, when something suddenly grabbed his hand which caused him to scream involuntarily.

“Haha, gotcha!” Joey leapt from the bushes, bursting with laughter. “Jeez, you were pretty scared there, Kaiba!”

“You’ll pay for that, mutt.” Kaiba scoffed and began walking back to his limo. He was drenched completely from the rain and he lifted his inside shirt a bit to squeeze some of the water off. “Lighten up Kaiba, it was a joke.” Joey laughed and walked alongside Seto.

“I don’t care what it was, don’t do it again. We’re going home now.”

“What if I don’t want to go home?” Joey grinned and flicked Seto’s hair playfully.

“Urghhh.. that’s it! I’ve had enough of your nonsense!” Seto made a gesture to grab Joey but as he was about to.. they both slipped and fell into a muddy puddle. Joey landing on top of Seto, of course. No one made any sudden movement at all; the only things that could be heard were the howling of the wind and the splashing of the rain. Butterflies were going crazy inside of Joey.. omigod… h-he’s.. I’m on top of him… what do I do? What do I do? Lord help me.

You could see the darkened blush on both of their faces. Seto was struggling with the thoughts in his head. He didn’t expect this was gonna happen at all. It felt strangely satisfying, though… “G-Get off me, you idiot!” He managed to say as Joey stumbled to his feet and balanced himself on one of the benches in the courtyard.

He finally sat down and stared up at the black sky, he could see only a few tiny stars. The rain had completely stopped but the cool breeze stayed.

Seto got up quickly and yanked Joey up by his wrist. “Ow, Kaiba! Let go, where are we going?”

“We’re going home, you ass. Quit whining.”

“Well you’re hurting my wrist, let go, dummy!” Joey yanked his hand away and strolled towards the limo; he opened the door cautiously and got in.

Seto grumbled.. why me? Opening the other side of the limo, he climbed in and sat down in the opposite direction. It’s been a long night. He got detention, had to babysit a certain puppy, fell in a mud puddle with that same puppy and now his limo seats were going to be messed up. And what’s worst was that he got the creepy vibe that there was someone lurking around out there, somewhere. Meeting Chris earlier didn’t help either; he chose not to mention any of this to the pup because he already knew how that’s going to turn out.

“Why the long face, Kaiba? What’s got you so worried?” Joey said, quietly… trying not to reveal too much about his feelings for the brunette.

“Pff, none of your business.” Seto refused to say another word to Joey for the rest of the ride.

Joey’s rested his face in his palm and stared out the window. His heart was on cloud nine the whole time he was in the limo with Seto, but his mind told him… it wasn’t real. He’ll never feel that way about you, doofus. Look at him, he’s so perfect… sigh. His throat was itching him, and he coughed once or twice but it was getting worst.

Seto growled and was getting annoyed with all the coughing. “K-Kaiba? Do you have.. cough.. any.. cough anything to drink in cough here?”

“There’s a mini fridge in the corner, help yourself.” Seto folded his arms.

Joey grinned and flung open the fridge’s door, he grabbed the first thing he saw which was a water bottle and gobbled almost all the water down.

“Phew, boy! That feels good, thanks Se- I meant… Kaiba.” Whoa.. was I about to call him by his first name? That’s freaky; Kaiba would’ve probably smacked me upside the head. Gotta be more careful.

Seto looked up and locked eyes with Joey, he glanced away when realization hit him. Joey was about to call him Seto instead of Kaiba.

A faint hint of red appeared on Seto’s face but he turned his face away from the light and rested it on the seat, facing the window.

“You alright, d-did you want some water too?” Joey asked, not sure if he should’ve said anything or not.

“I’m fine, mutt.” Seto replied. Why are you being so sweet? Stop it… I might just…

“Argh… do you always have to start with the name calling?” Joey growled and twitched one of his eyebrow.

Seto didn’t say anything. “Answer me now, Kaiba!”

“What do you want me to say? Jeez.. stop being a whiny baby.. already… if there’s one thing I hate, it’s whiny babies.”

“O-oh..” Joey simply replied, he put the bottle back in the fridge and sat down again. A single tear fell from his eye but he managed to wipe it off. He couldn’t afford to break down in Seto’s limo.. in front of Seto himself. It would be complete humiliation.

The mutt is so quiet you’d think he wasn’t here at all. “Joey…” Seto called out.

“My house is the next one on this block.” Joey said with no emotion at all. “You can just drop me off right here, I’ll just walk.”

“Nonsense, it’s just one more house.”

The limo stopped right in front of Joey’s house but Joey had a horrified look in his eyes when he saw his dad on the porch. His dad saw the car, opened the door and went inside. A loud crash was heard from inside the house, and Joey got more squeamish. He hadn’t moved an inch, it’s almost like he was afraid to. He just sat there, looking pale and frightened.

“Roland, take us to the mansion.” Seto told his driver.

“W-w-what…? Joey seemed to have finally come back to his senses.

“I’m not letting you go in there, whether you like it or not, you’re coming to the mansion and spending the night there.” Seto had seen the look in Joey’s eyes and it crushed his heart to see Joey so afraid of his own father. It reminded him of his own father Gozaburo Kaiba. The man was a total snake who liked to see other people suffer.

“B-but…”

“No buts, Joey.”

Seto had called him Joey and that reassured him a little. He smiled and closed his eyes. Thanks, Seto… I swear I’ll get out of your sight the first thing tomorrow.

The limo reached the mansion after an hour passed. Mokuba was at the gate, waiting for his big brother. “Seto— Joey… what are you doing here?”

“What do you think I’m doing? I’m spending the night, your brother was feeling alone and he wanted some company. Tell him Kai-” Seto pinched Joey’s left ear.

“Ow! What was that for, richboy!?”

“For not knowing when to shut up.” Seto replied and stalked inside the mansion. The only thing he wanted right now was a hot bath.

“Don’t worry, he’ll come around.” Mokuba chirped happily and dragged Joey inside.

“You can take a shower in my bathroom, it’s down the hall.”

“Thanks, Mokuba. Heheh.. you’re a lifesaver.”

Mokuba giggled, “oh I don’t know about that…”

“Come on, you—” Joey was cut off by another voice. It sounded just like Mokuba’s but slightly different.

“Mokie, you said it would only take you a few minutes. I’ve been waiting forever.” A red-headed boy, the same age as Mokuba, stood in the stairway, looking down at Joey and Mokuba.

“Sorry, Jason, I’m coming! Uh, this is my friend Joey. Say hi."

Jason smiled and said hi to Joey. Joey returned the friendly greeting and walked off towards the bathroom to take a much needed shower.

Mokuba ran up the stairs and bumped into his friend. “Oops, sorry there.. heheh.. did you win the game?”

Jason flushed and shook his head. “Yep, it’s pretty easy if you ask me. I could beat it in my sleep.”

“Oh, really...” Mokuba smirked. “Hey, I feel like some ice cream. Do you want some? We have a lot in the refrigerator.”

“Mmkay, hurry back. I don’t want to have to miss you again.”

“Don’t worry, you won’t have to.” Mokuba winked and proceeded to get the ice cream.

Jason smiled and leaned back against the bean bag chair. He’s such a darling... ain’t he?

Author’s note: I didn’t want to leave it there but it was getting too long for its own good. You’ll just have to wait patiently for the next chapter. I don’t have it written yet, so it might take some time. Plus I have school to focus on too… Dxx