Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Broken Hearts ❯ Mishaps and Cold Shoulders ( Chapter 8 )

Broken Hearts

Chapter 8: Mishaps, and Cold Shoulders

Anubis_Himura

“Actually there is something to say. I think we should talk about what happened and what it means.”

“What did happen Kaiba?” Joey asked, trying to keep cool.

“You know perfectly well what happened.”

“I’m not sure that I do.” Joey debated back. “We kissed. I know that. But really, what does that mean?”

“I’m not sure Joey. What do you want it to mean?”

“I don’t know.” Joey said, and then quickly added. “It can’t mean anything.”

“Can’t?”

“Yes. It can’t. Tristan . . .”

“I understand.” Kaiba picked up his pencil and began looking through his notes.

“So that’s it?”

“I believe so.”

“End of conversation.” Joey didn’t fully understand why he was getting upset at Kaiba. He just knew that Kaiba’s lack of confrontation and jealousy was angering him.

“Well obviously Tristan is significantly more important. I accept that.” He said calmly, but his voice held a hidden bitterness.

Joey smiled to himself, and picked up his pencil. “Could you pass that book?”

**

Days melted together from there. It seemed that days that weren’t filled with working on homework, were filled with trying to convince friends to stay friends.

“Yugi what’s up?” Joey asked, stuffing his math book into his locker and digging around for his other notebook.

“What do you mean?” Yugi asked distractedly playing with the zipper of his jacket.

“Well, all during Geo. You were acting all silent. Even when teach called on ya.” Yugi shrugged. “That, and I haven’t seen you hanging out with Tea lately.”

“Yeah. Tea’s . . .” As though on cue Tea walked up. She smiled pleasantly and continued on her way.

“Not even a ‘hello’?” Joey yelled after her.

“Hello.” She threw back, not stopping.

“What’s her issue?” Joey looked at Yugi who shrugged again. “I’ve never seen you this upset Yugi. What’s happening?”

“She’s mad at me.”

“Why?” Yugi shrugged again. “Stop shrugging.” Joey said.

“Sorry.” Yugi seemed to open up once they started to class. “I was over at her house and she was all distracted with work. I asked her why she asked me over if she didn’t want to hang out and she jumped down my throat. She said ‘why do you come over to study if you don’t want to study?’. So I left. Then this morning she was like ‘I don’t think we’re working out Yug. Maybe we should take a break’. I haven’t talked to her since.”

“Oh man.” Joey stopped outside his classroom. “That sucks Yugi I’m sorry.”

“It’s cool. She’ll get over it. I hope.” Yugi smiled and waved. “I got to go.”

“All right. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Want to go to the pizza joint after school?”

“I can’t. Kaiba and I have to work on a project. But, maybe like . . . Sunday?”

“That’s like six days.”

“I know. I’m sorry. It’s just that Kaiba really wants to finish up this project. And most of the early weekend will be spent working on catching Alexial up.”

“Sunday’s cool.” Yugi waved and started walking. “Bye.”

“Bye Yug.”

**

“So I hear you’re busy for the next week.” Tristan came up to Joey after school.

Joey waved to Seth, signaling he was on his way. “Yeah. Sorry. It’s that stupid assignment for History.”

“Right.” Tristan hugged Joey and sighed. “I’ll see you later then.”

“Okay.” Joey started to walk to the car. “We’re going to the pizza shop though on Sunday. You should come.”

“Sure.” Tristan winked and walked on his way.

Joey got into the car with Seth and his fake smile died. “I hate this.” He said to Seth.

Seth rose the privacy window and looked at Joey, as though asking him to spill his guts.

“It’s just that, I feel so guilty.” He admitted. “Tristan’s my best friend, and I love him but . . .”

“But your overwhelming desire to be with Seto, who seems to have an attraction to you, is getting the better of you and your emotions don’t know quite what to do.”

“You’re good.” Joey sat back, rubbing his hand through his hair.

“I’ve been observing.” He admitted. “What will you do? Pursue the love you have felt for years? Or play it safe and loyal, sticking with Tristan?”

“I don’t know. I mean, I don’t want to just stay with Tristan because I should. But he’s my best friend, I don’t want to ruin that. I just . . . I want . . . I don’t even know what I want.”

“I cannot help you. But I can say this, if you’ll take my advice.”

“Advise away.”

“I believe that if you stay with Tristan, and discover you cannot contain your feelings for Seto any longer, then it will only be harder in the long run for you, Tristan and Seto.” Seth smiled faintly.

Joey sighed heavily. He agreed with Seth, but at the same time . . . “I just can’t leave Tristan. It would kill him, and me.”

“But would it kill you now? Or later?”

“Both.”

“I’m sorry to come to such an abrupt end to this conversation; but, we have arrived at home.” Seth said as the car stopped.

“Right. I guess I’ll have to figure this out on my own.”

“I’m sorry Sir.”

“It’s cool Seth. You tried. This is just one of those things I have to figure out.”

“Of course.”
**

Joey threw the Nerf in the air and caught it, just so he could toss it up again. Finally the deafening silence got to him. He dropped his chair back onto four legs and leaned over the table to Seto.

“Kaiba, we’ve been done with the project for like two days. Why do you still want us to meet everyday after school?” Joey knew the answer to this question, he just wanted to make sure he was right.

“We are suppose to be verifying our information.” Kaiba said shortly.

“You just like spending your afternoons with me.” Joey said, more cockily than he meant to.

“Am I so transparent?” Kaiba said mockingly.

“Shut up.” Joey rolled his eyes.

“Nice comeback. I’m hurt.” Kaiba rolled his eyes.

“You actually have a sense of humour. It’s dry, but it’s there.”

“Yes. And the true nature is revealed.”

The pair sat in silence for a long time. Joey continued to toss his nerf football in the air, and Seto pretended to do work. From time to time they caught each others eyes and looked away hurriedly. They stayed that way for the better part of the hour, until finally Joey stood up.

“I can’t take it.” He said.

“Take what?” Kaiba asked calmly.

“This tension. This . . . whatever. It’s too much. I can’t handle it.”

“Tension? Are you sure you’re not creating the tension? Is it all in your own mind?”

“Stop it! I know you feel it too! It’s . . .” he searched for the right words, “got to stop.” He whispered.

“I’m sorry.” Kaiba stood up. “I have been inducing a particular tension. I apologize for the inappropriateness of it.”

“Don’t be so formal Seto.” Joey realized he had called Kaiba by his first name, and didn’t really mind the mistake. He was rather happy with it.

“Okay then Joey. I will try to be less formal and act more like a teenager.” Kaiba said.

“First off teen’s don’t talk to like that. Such a long response isn’t necessary, just say ‘aight’ or ‘I won’t’. No need for a prolonged response.”

“Awight.” Kaiba said awkwardly.

“You really aren’t that used to this are you?”

“Not particularly, no.”

“A simple ‘no’ works. And when you say ‘aight’ try not to make it so whiny. It’s ‘aight’ not ‘awwwight’.”

“Aight.” Kaiba said smoothly.

“Great. Now lets work on your posture.” Joey said.

“What is the problem with my posture?” Kaiba asked.

“First off, your standing like your in a business meeting. No one here cares if your back is straight. Slouch a bit, and roll the shoulders.” Joey stood in a ‘gangster’ pose and pulled on his hoodie.

“Like this?” Kaiba hunched over a bit and rolled his shoulders up toward his ears.

“You look like my grandmother.” Joey rolled his eyes.

He went over to Kaiba and adjusted his posture. After a few adjustments Kaiba looked more like a teenager. “Nice.” Joey said.

"Aight. May I be a teenager now?" Seto caught the look that Joey was giving him and corrected himself. "Is this cool?"

"Awesome." Joey smirked.

Seto smirked back. He liked being relaxed and slouching was a freedom he hadn't realized was so wonderful.

Joey stared at Seto. He was slouched toward the back of the chair, his right arm draped over it, his left in his lap. His hair was slightly messed up; Joey thought that disheveled hair would help make him look more like a teenager if it was so. Joey unconsciously bit his lip as he realized how cute Seto looked.

Kaiba's smirk grew as he realized that Joey was staring at him. Joey blushed slightly as he looked away.

"Seth." Kaiba called. Seth came in carrying a tray of drinks. "Thank you Seth." He said.

"You are quite welcome Sir." Seth winked to Joey and backed out of the room.

Joey shook his head. "That mans crazy." he muttered.

"I'm quite fond of Seth." Kaiba said.

"He's a cool guy. Just crazy." Joey stretched as he stood up. "I'm going to my room." he announced.

"But the project." Kaiba stood up too.

"We aren't even doing anything." Joey complained. "I'm gonna give Trist a call."

Kaiba’s fists clenched involuntarily and he nodded, leaving the room before Joey could.

'That guy has issues.' Joey thought as he picked up his things and went back to his room.

**


Eh, kind of short. I love you guys!! Thanks for dealing with me! I'm SO SLOW!!! Please keep dealing with me!!! love loveanubis