Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Behind Blue Eyes ❯ Day Eight: Expectations ( Chapter 31 )

Behind Blue Eyes

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Thank you for 1,000+ reviews!

I really appreciate all of the reviews that you all have left for me to read and I love responding to the longer ones. Some of you have great questions that actually make me wonder sometimes! You all seem to remember a lot more than I do! It's kind of depressing, haha! Well here's another chapter! I wonder if I'll eventually hit 2,000? Please enjoy this new installment!

Disclaimer: Yugioh was created by Kazuki Takahashi, not me . . . surprised? Oh, and I don't own any of the various bands that I mentioned, nor do I own the song `Behind Blue Eyes'.

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Recap:

“Come on you guys!” Mokuba's voice crept into the room as he yelled from his place by the front door.

“We're on our way!” Seto called out to him, sliding from the desk and walking briskly out of the office. I had started to follow him, but he grabbed my arm and yanked on it until I was walking nextto him. “I never cared much for shadows.” He smirked and the two of us went to where Mokuba was waiting . . .

. . . hand in hand.

- - -

Riding in a limousine is infinitely better than riding in a taxi! We got to have our privacy and everything and I didn't have to hear Seto whine about how dirty it was. You could just look at Seto and tell that he was a prissy boy, but that's okay . . . I like that prissy boy.

“So where are we going first, oh fashionable one.” I teased Mokuba from across the limousine. Seto and I were seated on one side and Mokuba was on the other, facing us.

“Well I was thinking going to some of the places that sell clothes like Seto wears. You know, suits and stuff.”

Oh boy . . . “Uh, I don't know if that's a very good idea. I don't think I'd look right wearing some of the stuff your brother gets away with.”

“The stuff I get away with?” Seto narrowed his eyes, “What's that supposed to mean?”

“Leather pants.”

“So?”

“Do I really need to say anything else?” I grinned when he rolled his eyes.

Seto muttered something under his breath as he faced the window to his left.

“What was that?” I asked, cupping a hand around my ear.

“Nothing.”

“I dunno, Jou, maybe you'd look really sharp in dress clothes.” Mokuba rubbed at his chin thoughtfully as he studied me, “Those rags you're wearing now definitely fit your personality though.” He stuck his tongue out at me.

“Watch it, ya brat.” I warned, glaring. Surprisingly enough, Seto didn't reprimand me for calling his precious brother a brat. Considering the way Mokuba often acted, he probably got called worse things than that. “Anyways, what's the name of this place?”

“I have no idea what the name is.” Seto admitted, “I just told the driver to take us out to the mall. Since we're shopping for you, I didn't want to go anywhere too formal, but at the same time I don't want you in street clothes. I remembered that there is a place in the mall that sells some decent things. I went in there for a bit that first time that you and I went there, remember?”

Store in the mall . . . wait, the one that Saki works at? Is he insane? Has he forgotten? I told him, didn't I? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I told Seto that I had seen him in that store when we saw Saki at the karaoke bar! Though, since Saki showed up where Seto works just a while ago, he probably wouldn't be at the mall . . .

Why does Saki work there anyways? He's the son of the CEO of Kitamori Corporation, right? What the hell is he doing working at a clothing store in the mall? I don't get him at all!

Seto had gone back to looking out the window and I realized that Mokuba was staring at him. I watched as Mokuba slowly brought a hand up to the side of his own neck. He locked eyes with me and I shook my head in hopes of keeping him quiet. So he had noticed the sucker mark? I guess that Seto hadn't thought to hide it . . . wasn't he worried about what people would think?

I hesitantly tapped him on the shoulder and then pointed at my own neck when he turned to me. His eyes went wide for a second and his hand flew up to cover the mark.

“Shit . . . whatever. I don't care what people think about it.” He returned to looking out the window, but in his reflection I could clearly see the look of hurt on his face.

It might be a bad idea for me to bring a gun with me to see Saki tomorrow . . . wait, where did I put that gun that Seto gave me?

- - -

The three of us were dropped off at the door. It was at this moment that I felt really weird. Seto was still in his suit from when he paid a visit to Kaiba Corp. and Mokuba was wearing clothes that probably cost ten times as much as mine. I felt really plain . . . then again, I wasn't the one that was standing out in a place like this. Mall rats don't wear suits, ties, and designer clothes.

The mall was busy but that was to be expected on a Saturday evening. We had to wade through the crowd of noisy kids and slow old people before finally arriving at the store of Seto's choice.

“Aren't places like this usually really expensive?” I wandered in. I don't like the smell of stores like this. Do you know what I'm talking about? It's like . . . some really weird smell coming from the clothes or something. Seto would probably just give me a look if I told him that.

Kind of like he's doing right now.

“Expensive?” He raised a brow, “Have you forgotten who you're talking to?”

“Okay, moneybags, I meant expensive for the average Joe.”

“You mean the average Jou.” Mokuba snickered . . . we both ignored him.

“I wouldn't know.” Seto started inspecting some of the suits.

“Yeah, yeah, keep bragging rich boy.” Of course Seto wouldn't know what it was like to be unable to afford the luxuries he's become so accustomed to. Were his original parents well-off too? If I can remember, I'll ask him when we're alone tonight.

He held a dark grey suit up to me, squinting his eyes a bit as he looked from the suit and then to my face. Was he seriously going to dress me in a suit? Seriously?

He put the suit back, frowning, and then pulled out a black one. He repeated the same process, “Black is a good color on you, Katsuya. Your hair and your eyes are bright, bold colors, so the black complements them very well.”

“I didn't know you were such an expert on fashion.” I laughed. It just didn't sound right for Seto to be talking about an outfit complementing my hair and eyes.

“Tch. Whatever. What size dress pants do you wear?”

“Are dress pants sizes different from regular pants sizes?” This is getting way too complicated.

He just stared at me for moment, his lips parting just a bit as his brows furrowed, “I hope you're joking. Have you never worn a suit?”

“Uh, I don't think I have. I've never had any occasion to wear one.”

“You've never been to a wedding or a graduation ceremony or maybe even a school dance?” I can't even describe the look on his face. His expression was a mix between horror and confusion.

“None of the above.” I shrugged. Was it really that much of a big deal? I'm not really close to my relatives, so I don't get wedding invites. The same goes for graduations. As for school dances, well . . . those really aren't my thing . . . okay, okay! I admit it! No one has ever asked me to a dance! The girls always say I'm never serious enough and that I goof off too much. I think the only female that ever liked me was Kujaku Mai, but . . . I guess I don't really feel the same way about her. That should've been a sign, right? Mai is a beautiful woman, a real bombshell . . . but I just couldn't see her as anything more than my friend.

“I'll bring you along with me to some of the events I have to attend for business. They're supposed to be for networking and whatnot . . . I think it's just an excuse for wealthy people to get together and flaunt their paychecks.” He rolled his eyes.

“I thought you were worried about people thinking we're a couple.” Didn't we have a conversation like that before? I'm pretty sure Seto was really worried about the media finding out or something.

His only response was to growl.

“Seriously, Seto?” Mokuba butted in, hands on his hips with one brow arched significantly higher than the other, “You turned the biggest military arms corporation into a gaming company, and you're worried about what people will say about you and Jou being together? Really?”

The kid has a point. I vaguely remember hearing about the switch on the news or something. Like I've said before, I'm not big on news and companies, but I remember hearing about a military corporation becoming a corporation for gaming technology. I'm pretty sure I thought it was badass . . . but that's coming from a teenage boy.

“Mokuba, go get someone over here to measure Jou for a suit.”

Looks like Seto's going to ignore the topic altogether. Mokuba huffed, but did as he was told.

- - -

I may have the hots for a guy, but getting measured for a suit is fucking awkward. His hands got way too close to my crotch and there was more touching involved than I was prepared for. I caught Seto smirking at my reactions, too! That bastard . . . I'm sure he's even more uncomfortable than I am when he gets this done.

“Why don't you measure him too?” I asked half-jokingly when the man finished up with me.

“I don't think so.” Seto waved the man away after throwing me a glare. “I get measured about twice a year. Needless to say, I only ever grow in height.” He took the paper from my hands that had my measurements written on it. “I order my clothing online, usually from overseas. I have a tailor that will come to my house and make any changes necessary.”

“Weren't you just rolling your eyes at the thought of people flaunting their money?”

“Shut up, mutt.” He flicked my nose. “Mokuba, see these numbers here?” He pointed to a section of the paper in his hand, “Find some nice pants with those numbers on the tag, preferably black or khaki. Jou, you and I are going to look for a nice jacket, shirt, and tie. Actually, we'll get several dress shirts and ties.” He smiled, obviously pleased.

Was Seto actually having fun doing this? I was bored out of my mind! Happy about cleaning me up . . . buying me clothes . . . when I think about it that way, I guess it makes me a little happy, too.

We went around from rack to rack, checking out the different colors and materials. Seto kept throwing greens and browns at me, saying that `earth tones' looked good on me . . . whatever the hell that means. Right now, Seto couldn't pass for a straight man even if he wanted to.

“I've got some!” Mokuba came to us in a half-run, his arms full of partially-folded pants.

“Damn, how many did you get?” I eyed the pile, worried that Seto was going to make me try all of them on.

“I dunno. Seto said get pants so I got pants.”

“Fair enough.” I ran a hand through my hair. Seto and I already had our arms loaded with shirts and ties. Seto was holding one black suit jacket.

“Did you want to bother trying them on?” Seto nodded toward a dressing room on the other side of the store.

“Not in particular.” Try all of this shit on? We'd be here forever! They matched the measurements on the paper, right? They should fit! If they don't fit, we can just bring them back . . . and then Seto can give up on making me look like I'm worth something. I grew up in poverty. Someone like me isn't supposed to wear stuff like this . . .

“Then let's go pay for everything.” Seto started off toward the checkout counter.

That's when it hit me: I never once looked at a price tag. I always look at prices when I go shopping! Seto and Mokuba had picked out pretty much everything, so I never really got a chance to see.

I tilted my head to peek at a tag on one of the shirts I was holding.

“Fifty dollars?!?!?!” I didn't realize I had screamed that out loud until everyone, including Seto and Mokuba, was staring at me and the surrounding murmur of other shoppers fell into silence. “Sorry.” I muttered sheepishly, bowing my head so I couldn't see anyone.

Everyone resumed what they were previously doing.

“What's the problem, Jou?” Mokuba was standing to my right as we waited in line. “How much do you usually spend on shirts?”

“Well all I've ever really bought are t-shirts, so . . . I dunno, five bucks?”

“Wow.” Seto's eyes were about as big as I've ever seen them. I know that I should be kind of insulted right now, but his reactions are just so damn cute!

When it was our turn we piled all articles of clothing onto the counter, bewildering the poor guy at the register. I watched in horror as the total in the bottom right of the screen went up and up and up . . . endlessly, so it seemed. When the suit jacket went through and added one-hundred fifty dollars, I suddenly got a choking feeling. How could anyone bring themselves to pay that much for a damn jacket? Even if you have a ton of money, doesn't that feel like a total waste?

“Holy shit . . .” I whispered to myself, but Seto, Mokuba, and the guy at the counter all stole a glance at me.

“I'll buy you a nicer suit somewhere else, Jou.”

“That's definitely not necessary.” Nicer? Was he obsessed with spending money or something?

We left the store with several large bags. Well, let me correct that. Mokuba and I had several large bags; Seto wasn't carrying a damn thing other than his ego. Come to think of it, whenever Mokuba was with him, it was Mokuba carrying Seto's silver briefcase too!

The mall was still a crowded mess and I looked at Seto's face as we wound our way through. I expected an expression of disgust or annoyance, but I was completely creeped-out to find a very slight smile on his lips. Why the hell was he smiling? When Kaiba Seto smiles for no apparent reason, someone is about to be miserable.

“Where are we going now, Seto?” Mokuba asked his older brother once we reached a small clearing. Heh, clearing . . . you would think we were in the woods or something.

“Well I was thinking about going to an electronics store to get Jou a laptop and then perhaps hitting a phone store . . . but you know how much I hate going around and shopping. I think we can just order those things online and have everything delivered to us.” He turned to me, “Is that okay with you, Jou?” The look on his face told me that his decision was final, regardless of whether or not it was okay with me.

Buy me a laptop and a cell phone? “You really don't have to buy me all of this stuff, Seto . . .” I actually felt kind of embarrassed. I like when people buy me food and stuff, but when they start buying things like clothes and electronics for me, I feel pathetic. I remember once when Yuugi bought me a couple of t-shirts for my birthday one year. I know it was my birthday and it's only normal for my friends to buy me gifts, but the fact that it was clothing just really bothered me. I don't like when people feel the need to buy me things that are usually necessities. Laptops and cell phones aren't really necessities (though they probably are for Seto), but still . . .

“What's the matter?” Seto folded his arms.

“You just don't need to keep buying me things. I can earn that stuff on my own.”

“So that's what your pouting is all about.” He started walking again and Mokuba and I followed. “Maybe I want to spoil you.”

“Yeah!” Mokuba chimed in, “Good boyfriends usually like spoiling their girlfriends.”

Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah! “Hey now! What makes you think that I'm the female in this relationship?” Seriously? Me? I think that if Seto and I ever get around to having sex, I'll be the one topping him. Wasn't Mokuba watching us out the window earlier when we were in the hot tub?

“You're shorter so you're the girl.” Mokuba shrugged, “That's how it usually is in gay relationships.”

“How it usually is?” Seto shot him a look, “And just how, dare I ask, do you know how things usually are in gay relationships?”

“I've got some female friends at school that are yaoi fangirls; they feel the need to tell me everything about it.”

Saying that Seto looked disturbed would be more than an understatement. “While I'm looking for laptops and cell phones for Katsuya, I think I'll look for a home school teacher for you, Mokuba.”

“Noooooooooo Seto!” He grabbed onto his brother's arm, tugging playfully like a child.

“Hey Seto?” I was on Seto's other side.

“Yeah?”

“Why did you decide to go to public school after Gozaburo died? Couldn't you have just continued your private tutoring?”

“That's a good question . . .” Mokuba nodded at me and then looked back up at his unresponsive brother, “Well, Seto?”

The brunet only shrugged, smiling just a little, “Who knows?”

Who knows? That smile tells me that he definitely knows. Man, just another thing to add to my list of questions! There are so many things that Seto hasn't told me about himself that I haven't really asked about. I can't help but feel a little bit excited to know that there are so many things I'm going to learn about him since I'll be living with him from now on.

Living with Kaiba Seto . . . I never thought I'd utter those words! Not in a million years! Seto and I were at each others' throats! I mean sure, I thought he was hot as hell, but I wasn't romantically interested in him! I still get pissed off at myself when I think about the day that our project was announced. All I could think about was how I was going to fuck his brains out. The only thing separating me and Saki is the fact that I didn't actually do it. That's not to say that I didn't try. I don't think I could have gone through with it. I may have the sexual urges of a typical teenage guy, but I also have feelings. If I had raped Seto, I never would have let myself live it down.

Apparently while I was busy getting lost in my own head, Seto called the driver to come and pick us up and he was promptly waiting for us when we exited the mall. Getting picked up at the door . . . it's like I'm living in some kind of fairy tale. I'm the hopeless, poor main character and Seto is the charming prince that . . .

I glanced up at the bored expression on Seto's face as he sat down beside me in the limousine.

Well, maybe he isn't always so charming . . . but he's more than good enough for me.

“Hey Jou, what kind of music do you listen to?” Mokuba tilted his head with curiosity, fidgeting in his seat. When he does things like that he reminds me of how he was when I first met him. He's changed a little bit in personality, but deep down he's still the same Kaiba Mokuba.

(AN: Ignoring season zero.)

What kind of music do I listen to? “Uhhh, pretty much whatever sounds good. I'm not too picky.”

“Even country?” He scrunched up his face.

I sucked air through my teeth, “Wellllllll, maybe not country.”

“Seto doesn't really listen to anything at all; he's lame!” He stuck his tongue out at Seto, who ignored him completely.

“Well some people only like music that they can relate to.” I tried to make an excuse for him but . . . Seto could probably relate to most of the songs out there. He's been through so much in his life. He really has it a lot rougher than people think. I always thought he was so lucky to be rich and famous, but now that I know what he went through to get where he is, I don't think he's lucky at all. People always think Seto is such a bad person . . . hell, even I thought he was the biggest dick in Domino City! In the end, Seto has a heart just like anyone else.

“No one knows what it's like

to be the bad man,

to be the sad man

behind blue eyes.”

Yeah! That song fits him perfectly! “Hey Seto, have you ever heard of a song called `Behind Blue Eyes'?”

“Like Mokuba said, I don't listen to much music.”

“But you haven't even heard of it? It was originally done by a band called `The Who' and was later remade by the band `Limp Bizkit'.” Finally! I have finally found something that I know more about than Seto does!

His eyes went wide and his brows furrowed, “Limp Biscuit? What the hell kind of name is that?”

Mokuba erupted into laughter and I couldn't help but snicker a little bit myself. Seto really is clueless, isn't he? “There are worse names out there than that.”

“Worse than Limp Biscuit?”

“Ever heard of the Butthole Surfers?”

He stared at me for a long moment as if he expected me to burst out into laughter and say I was joking. “Shut the hell up.” He huffed, looking out his window again.

“I'm serious! We can look it up when we get home!”

- - -

When I showed the Seto the band I was referring to, he simply got up from his computer chair and left the room while Mokuba and I nearly fell over with laughter.

Seto immediately had housekeepers take the new clothes so they could remove the tags and have them washed. I never tried them on, so I hope they fit! You can't return them after removing the tags and washing them, can you? Not that Seto cares either way. He's kind of careless with his money; isn't that how the wealthy go broke?

On a lighter note, Seto gave in and let us order Pizza Hut for dinner! It helped to have Mokuba as my ally as the two of us practically begged the brunet. Some day I'd like to see Seto in street clothes, kicked back on a couch with a game controller in one hand and a slice of pizza in the other. For some reason when I imagine him like that, he's wearing a baseball hat . . . sideways. That's a little too much, even for my imagination.

Seto had his driver go and pick up the pizza. Can you imagine if he had asked for delivery? I'd like to be a fly on the wall when the delivery boy was told to go to the Kaiba mansion! I wonder if Seto tips well . . . did he tip well at that restaurant we went to? Can't remember. Either way, Seto isn't the type to give big tips to cute girls or anything. In fact, he's the type that would stiff an airhead just because they're an airhead.

We sat at Seto's ridiculously fancy dining table in his ridiculously fancy dining room eating pizza on his ridiculously fancy plates. “Have you ever thought about grilling out and eating outside by your pool?” I bit off enough to stuff my mouth, chewing like I hadn't eaten in weeks. Man, there is just nothing like a fresh take-out pizza.

“That would be so much fun!” Mokuba grinned at me from his place across the table. “We should so do that, Seto!”

Seto put down his knife and fork and-

Oh yeah! I forgot to mention that! Mr. Priss was eating his pizza with a knife and a fork! I wanted to slap the utensils out of his hands, but that could result in a fork to the face for me.

Seto put down his knife and fork and wiped at the corners of his lips with his cloth napkin, “If I told you I have no idea how to work a grill, would you believe me?”

I studied his face for a minute while I worked on swallowing my bite of pizza, “Yeah.” I admitted. Seto didn't know how to use a grill? Not at all surprising. I wouldn't be surprised if Seto didn't even know how to work a vacuum cleaner or use a broom and dustpan. I don't know the full details of Seto's original family, but I don't think he's used to doing those types of things for himself.

“Well at least you're honest.” He huffed, picking up his silverware again.

Mokuba, was eating his pizza with his hands, just as it was meant to be eaten. At least Mokuba acts like a normal teenage boy.

“You're shorter so you're the girl. That's how it usually is in gay relationships.”

I take that back.

“Don't worry, Seto! I'll be happy to show you how to use a grill. I'm pretty good at cooking burgers and steaks and stuff. My friends and I grill out over at Honda's place all the time.” Yeah! I could cook dinner or lunch for Seto sometime! It's the least I could do. I may not be able to take him to fancy restaurants or buy him nice clothes and gadgets, but I can at least do a little bit of cooking! Though, he'd probably rather have the food prepared by his chefs.

“I'd like that a lot.” Seto smiled and then continued eating.

He'd like it . . . a lot. I felt my pulse quicken. Oh man, I can see it now . . . peeking around Seto as I stand behind him and hold his wrists to show him how to turn the food and stuff. I guess I would have to show him how to turn the grill on and turn up the heat and whatnot. Oh, I'd turn up the heat alright.

“You okay, Jou?” Mokuba tilted his head, his brows furrowed with concern.

Shit, I hope the expression on my face wasn't too weird! Seto looked more frightened than concerned. Guess it was pretty weird, then.

“Yeah, I'm fine!”

“Hey big bro, why did you buy Jou all of those clothes anyway? Is it some creepy fetish that you have?” The runt was grinning from ear to ear.

Seto started blushing, “That's not it at all. Jou is going to be living with us from now on and I'd like it if he dressed better.”

“Wait, what?” Mokuba looked from Seto, to me, then back to Seto. “Jou is going to be living with us?”

“I didn't tell you that already?”

“No.”

“Oh . . . hey Mokuba?”

“Yeah Seto?”

“Jou is going to be living with us.” He popped another bit of pizza into his mouth before smirking at his younger brother.

“Awesome! I get another big brother!” Mokuba cheered.

“Actually,” I corrected, “It will be like getting a dad; Seto can be like your mom and I'll be like your dad.”

I was going to give Mokuba a grin, but was torn from my thoughts by the sound of choking. I turned to see Seto grabbing at his own throat.

“Hang on, Seto!” I grabbed his arm and pulled him from his chair. Standing behind him, I wrapped my arms just beneath his ribs and performed the Heimlich maneuver. Much to my relief, the offending chunk of food came out and hit the wall where it bounced off and landed on the floor.

Everyone in the room was gasping for air: Seto because he actually needed it, and Mokuba and I because we were holding our breath with worry.

“Is everything okay in here?” That woman from before came in . . . what was her name? Asato Miyu? I stepped away from Seto so that she hopefully wouldn't get the wrong idea about what just happened.

“Yup! Jou saved Seto's life!” Mokuba exclaimed, clapping his hands. He turned to me, “I guess that I was wrong earlier, Jou! You are the boyfriend and Seto is the girlfriend.” He folded his arms and nodded while inspecting his brother, who was glaring daggers at me.

“Mokuba, if you're finished eating please go and do as I asked.” He never once took his eyes off of me. I guess that Miyu sensed the tension because she disappeared just as quickly as she had appeared.

“But Seto, today is Saturday! There's no one at the school right now!”

“And what did I tell you to do if there wasn't anyone there?”

“. . . e-mail my teachers.”

“Please do as you're asked.”

“Yes, Seto.” Mokuba slid from his chair and left the room, leaving his plate behind.

“Jounouchi.”

Last name?

“Y-yeah?” What was with that look on his face? Why was he so pissed off?

“Finish your dinner and meet me in my bedroom.” He left just like the other two.

He hadn't even finished eating! What did I say that got him so pissed off? Hell, he almost choked on his damn food! Was it because I jokingly said I'd be like Mokuba's dad and Seto would be like his mom? Mokuba was talking about gay relationships earlier and Mokuba was already aware that something was going on between the two of us, so why would that irritate him?

I didn't feel hungry anymore.

- - -

I passed Mokuba's room and he had his door shut. I could hear the faint sound of computer keys clicking. I guess that he was doing what Seto told him to do. Seto could be really strict with Mokuba when he had to. I wonder how Seto acted around Mokuba when Gozaburo was still alive.

I entered Seto's bedroom and closed the door behind me. Whatever it is that Seto wants to talk about, it's obviously something that he wanted to discuss in the privacy of his own bedroom. I had expected to see him maybe sitting on his bed or leaning against the wall, waiting for me. Instead I saw him lying on his back in his bed, his arms stretched out in either direction as he simply stared upward.

Was that an invitation?

No, no, no! I've got to stop thinking things like that!

“Are you okay?” I asked, slowly inching my way over to him until I was beside the bed. I kneeled down and grabbed his right hand with both of mine.

“What are your intentions?” He turned his head toward me, a calm expression on his face.

“My intentions?” Does he mean right now? What is he talking about?

“What are you expecting from our relationship?”

Every time he looks me in the eyes, I feel nervous or anxious. My pulse picks up and my thoughts get scrambled. I've said this a million times, but I'll say it again: Seto has the type of eyes that look right through a person. This question . . . is it a trick question? I feel bad for being suspicious, but I can't help but wonder. “I don't know how to answer that.” Too much pressure!

His lips formed a frown, “What is that supposed to mean?” Dammit! What could I possibly say to him that would be satisfying?

“I mean exactly what I said!” I held his hand tighter, “I don't know what kind of answer you want from me. I freak out every time you ask me things because I'm worried that I'll answer the wrong way and you'll hate me or be cold to me again like you used to be.” Just be honest like he was earlier, “You're finally opening up to me and I'd like to keep it that way.”

“I never meant to make you nervous . . .” He faced upward again, looking even more depressed than he looked a moment ago.

Dammit! Can't I say anything right? “You asked me what I'm expecting from this relationship . . .”

“You don't have to answer, Katsuya.” Again he faced me.

“I think that I want . . . I want . . .”

“Katsuya, you don't have to an-”

“Just shut up for a minute, would ya?!” Ah, shit, “Sorry, I don't mean it like that. I want to answer your question as best as I can, okay? Just give me a second to get my thoughts together. You said it's bad to speak without thinking, right?” I gave him a sheepish smile.

What do I want in this relationship? I wanted to say `you' but then he might take that the wrong way. I mean, I definitely want to make love to him, but that's not the only thing I want . . . what do I want? What am I expecting? “I could say some mushy stuff, I guess, like I want to wake up next to you every morning or I want to kiss you goodnight before I fall asleep every night, but . . . that's not what I want to say.”

He laughed a little and graced me with a partial smile. It eased my nerves a bit. “In the end,” I continued, “I don't really care what happens. I'll do anything or go anywhere, as long as you're there too. What made you ask me that, anyhow?”

He just lay there staring at me with his eyes open wide. His lips were parted slightly and I watched as his chest rose and fell slowly with each breath. Did he even hear me? He looked really spaced-out . . . but damn is he beautiful. “Seto?”

“Oh, uh, yes?” He blinked a few times, sitting up and sliding backward until his back was against the headboard.

“Heh, and you said that I zone out a lot. I asked you what made you ask me that question.” I stood up and then sat next to him in the bed. I still held his right hand in my left.

“It's just that you always make such perverted comments and then this afternoon when we were in the hot tub . . .”

“I like to joke around, and that time in the hot tub I wasn't the only one acting that way.” Was he trying to imply that I was forcing myself on him? I may have been a bit out of it because of how steamy the situation was getting, but I wasn't to the point of hallucination!

He blushed, “I guess that I was getting a little caught up in the moment . . . but in the end, I don't think I would have done anything more than that.” He pursed his lips. Knowing Seto, he was probably remembering what he had done and, sadly, he was probably regretting his actions. I admit he wasn't acting like himself in the hot tub. He sat on my lap all on his own! That's not like Seto at all. “I think that it started out as a playful joke and turned into more than I bargained for.”

A joke? That makes more sense. “You mean you were teasing me.” I poked his nose and the two of us started laughing together. He really is so cute.

“Teasing, huh?” Seto leaned over and put his head on my shoulder, “I don't really mean to be that way. Saki said I always teased him and that I was cruel for doing it. He said that's why he . . .”

“He's a creepy, psychotic, fuckhead that just needs to go slide down the sharp edge of a fifty-foot razorblade into an Olympic-size pool of lemon juice so he can die from blood loss while in complete agony.” At some point during my miniature rant I let go of Seto's hand and clenched both of my own hands into fists, shaking them in front of me.

“Geez Jou, tell us how you really feel!” Mokuba approached the bed.

Okay, that kid needs to stay at a friend's house until he's old enough to live on his own.

The weight of Seto's head disappeared from my shoulder, “Did you email your teachers?”

Mokuba sighed, folded his arms, and rolled his eyes, “Yes mother.” He shot Seto a glare.

Ohhhhhhh shit.

“Excuse me?” Seto was not amused.

“I'm just kidding!” Mokuba laughed nervously, rubbing at the back of his head. “Learn to take a joke, bro! Hey, maybe now that Jou is around you'll stop acting like such an old man!”

“I don't act like an old man.” Seto glared.

“Whatever. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I did like you told me to, so you can stop pestering me about it.”

“Now you need to go to bed.”

“What? Seto, I'm thirteen years old already! Besides, it's Saturday! No school tomorrow!” He clasped his hands together in front of his chest and gave Seto the best puppy eyes he could muster . . . and damn were they convincing. “Pleaaaaaaase, Seto?”

I heard a defeated sound from Seto, “Fine, do whatever. Just don't come back in here unless it's an emergency, okay?”

“Oh.” Mokuba narrowed his eyes and raised both eyebrows. He completed this look with a creepy smirk, “I see. I'll leave you two alone. Hey Jou?”

“Yeah?” I have a feeling I'm going to regret responding to this kid.

“Make sure you use a condom and be careful with my brother; he is very thin and fragile.”

A pillow was launched in Mokuba's direction, thrown by Seto of course, but Mokuba had already retreated and shut the door behind him.

“I swear. Where does he learn things like that?” Seto rubbed at his face.

I tried to will away the blush I could feel forming on my face. “He's thirteen.” Really, that's the best excuse there is. When I was his age I was learning all sorts of perverted stuff. I guess it's not something that Seto really wants to think about, but that's how it is. I almost asked him what he knew about that sort of thing when he was Mokuba's age, just to get him to see things from Mokuba's point of view, but then I remembered . . . when Seto was thirteen, he was getting a physical lesson in things like that.

“I'm going to change and go to bed. I know it isn't very late, but it's been a long day and I'm exhausted.”

“What will you do tomorrow when I'm at Kitamori Corporation?” Was it a bad idea to bring that up?

He froze in his steps on the way to his closet, “I really don't want you to go there.”

“But I'm going anyway. Besides, aren't you more afraid of what Saki might do if I don't go?”

He went into his closet and then returned with a fresh pair of pajamas . . . scratch that. He had two pairs. “They washed yours and put them in here too. I don't get it. They threw your swimming trunks on my bed, but hung these up? They really must be stupid.” He tossed my pajamas at me, “To answer your question, I guess I'll just go to work in the morning and take Mokuba with me.”

“That's probably best.” I stood up from the bed and unfolded my pajamas. “I guess I'll just change out here while you change in the bathroom.”

“Um . . .” Seto grabbed my wrist and gave it a light tug. He was biting his lower lip as he did so.

I couldn't help but laugh, “What are you doing?” There's no way that he's asking me to come change with him. There is absolutely no way, not in a million years.

“Um . . . you said that you didn't mind doing anything as long as I'm there, right? Well . . . I'm changing in here, so . . .” He released my arm, “You know what? You're right. I'm being really weird right now, sorry.”

“Woah, woah, woah! Hey now, don't go changing your mind so quickly! I, Jounouchi Katsuya, would be honored to change in the bathroom with you.” I ran to the doorway of the bathroom, “After you.”

Seto smiled and punched my arm as he passed me, “I love you, you damn pervert.”

- - -

Finally day eight has ended! What? You expected me to describe that scene? Nahhh, nothing great happened. They just changed innocently (probably a few bits of perversion from Jou) and went to bed. What you all really want to read is day nine, right? You know, the confrontation between Saki and Jou? Yeah . . . it's going to be so much fun to write! Oh but first, BBESS 31 has to be written and posted.

Happy belated fourth of July to all of my fellow Americans!