Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Don't Wanna Say Goodbye ❯ Personal Assistant ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: xan_nova 
Seto needs time to think, should he stay with Joey or should he run.
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 01.13.2009 | Updated On: 01.14.2009 | Pages: 1 | Words: 7.2K | Visits: 247 | Status: Work In Progress
Seto needs time to think, should he stay with Joey or should he run.
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 01.13.2009 | Updated On: 01.14.2009 | Pages: 1 | Words: 7.2K | Visits: 247 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter two
Seto groaned, the dispiriting weather wasn’t going to turn pleasant any time soon but sitting in the car moping over Joey wasn’t going to fix anything either. The wet snow was starting to layer upon itself, turning the roads to slush and coating the wet vehicles in crystal. Seto hugged his ribs as he stared at his arms, even the color offended him. Who in their right mind would wear such a bright awful color in public? The yellow hurt his head and made his eyes feel as if they would catch fire. He closed his tired eyes as he snuggled into the fleece fighting with emotions that he had long ago tried attempted to never feel. He could see Joey in it, his golden hair pasted to his face while darting around the field and chasing the soccer ball.He breathed in the scent again, the lump in his throat tightening again at the perfumed mix of sweat, dirt, grass and Joey’s stinking cologne. “Damn you, just... damn you for always... no... I will be fine with out you. Joey was just a fling, just something to pass some time. I will O.D. myself on him, make it so I don’t want him any longer.” He looked out the window, steeling himself for the onslaught of coldness. He rushed out of the car and tried to get inside with out getting too wet.
Malls, it must have been a sadomasochist who invented the very concept, add in the foolish holiday Christmas and you had the image of hell. A worn out man in a Santa costume was ringing a bell, one of those trying to get money for orphans or widows or some such group of unfortunates. Seto smirked inwardly, pulling from his pocket some money and stuffed a large bill in the coin slot, ‘Santa’ smiled gratefully with red-rimmed eyes. ‘He will be in for a shock I bet. Probably thought it was a one or something.’ Seto shuffled into the crowd, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. She slumped as he walked, losing the proud and arrogant air about him, choosing rather to appear as a regular teen. Windows of shops were done up in gaudy displays with fake trees and presents. Cheesy, falsely happy Christmas jingles blared over loudspeakers only to get cut off in the middle by announcements of sales or lost children. The crowd pushed and shoved, it was like cattle on the way to the slaughter but the only thing that was being killed was credit cards. He sneered, he felt as if his head would explode from the sounds of shrill voices of children screaming at the top of their little lungs for everything they wanted and the mothers yelling for the kids to shut up. He didn’t know who to feel more sorry for. He was just thankful Mokie was never like that when he was little. The smell of Joey’s cologne wafted from the shirt to his nose again, groaning he knew if they would break up, he would miss that scent. “If I can’t forget you, I guess I better just keep a bottle of you around... to annoy me worse,” he muttered under his breath while following the river of human bodies past shops. He looked in the shops he passed, they didn’t look like places that would carry colognes. The people kept pushing along until he came to a dimly lit department store that looked higher quality as the others. He pulled free of the people and walked into the store. The lights shown down on clothes on cramped clothing racks, wrinkling and dusty as they were going out of fashion. He continued to the center of the shop where glass cases shown off garish colored make-up and half empty perfume bottles in every shade of the rainbow. He browsed the case of sprays, lifting a few to smell them while trying to remember the name of the one it was he needed. He sighed, his head hurting from the different scents. He saw the bottle of Compulsion and sniffed it. It started to bring tears to his eyes and he knew this was the one Joey tried to bathe himself in. Seto looked up and saw a pinched face old bat staring hatefully at him.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” She wrinkled her face up more, making her caked on makeup settle deeper into the lines on her face. She looked at the teen who didn’t seem to have much money and sneered. “I doubt you have the money for anything in here. It’s far too pricey for some one like you. Do I need to call security?” She spat out as he picked up a gift set and tucked it beneath his arm. He just stared at her for a few minutes while she twitched and jittered like a crack fiend that hungered for drugs. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of hundreds. He threw them at the woman, his eyes cold and hard as steel.
“Keep the change you hag, buy yourself some manners.” He walked out of the store, the gift-box cradled beneath his arm as he melted back into the crowd. The people continued their impression of slaughterhouse cattle as they wound their way through the booths and kiosks. He tried to ignore all the jostling bodies and packages but it was hard. Drawing in a deep breath, he tried to enjoy the better of the sparkling displays and faint strains of classical music, hoping to catch some of the joy associated with the season. Calling it a lost cause, he stopped at a jewelry kiosk.
An old middle eastern man kept trying to push Seto to buy some gaudy jewelry that was likely pot metal painted silver and gold. He kept politely refusing but the man would not get the hint. “Come on, buy a pretty necklace for your girlfriend it’s cheap, real gold. I even package it up nicely for you.” Seto tried to get away but the man grabbed hold of him. “Buy her anything, I give you half off.” Seto started to panic, wanting so badly to escape but there was no where to go. He finally broke and push the guy away, knocking him against the plexiglass of the case.
“Leave me alone you asshole, I am gay!” As soon as the words slipped from his lips, Seto clamped his hand over his mouth and darted through the crowd, looking for a bathroom. He ran into a stall and puked, his stomach dry heaved since there was no food or drink in it. He started to cry hard from the pain of his head and belly, most of all crying from the confusion he felt.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Joey leaned on the rusted railing of the balcony, staring dreamily at the rain as it dripped off the overhead canopy. The icy drops looked like shimmering jewels against the grey misty sky. Sighing he felt at peace, he had been looking forward to this weekend for a long while. They only where able to sneak out together on rare occasions. From behind him, he heard Seto curse as he whacked his hand with the hammer. Joey laughed and turned to go back inside to the shabby but warm apartment. Seto was shaking his hand and glared at the disarray that was supposed to become a bookcase.
“Tell me again why we didn’t buy the pre-made one and have it shipped?” Seto looked at Joey, a hint of scorn in his voice as the blonde picked up the hammer and effortlessly assembled the bookcase by himself. Seto got up off the ground and went to the freezer for an ice pack to put on his hand. Joey set the case up and started to load some of their books into it, filling up the empty spaces nicely. After loading up all the books, he joined Seto in the kitchen. The brunette was still pouting and glaring at the bookcase like he was going to huck it out the window.
“Why didn’t we just buy the over priced pre-made one? Because you wanted to be a manly man and build something with your own hands for once. I guess that proves I am the man in this household,” He joked as he hopped up on the counter and opened a bag of chips.”Plus Kaib, you wanted to know what it’s like to not have money, folks with no money have to put their shit together by themselves. Just be glad I didn’t say we would just use milk crates. That’s what I had back home.” He popped a chip into his mouth and held one out for Seto but with a quick smirk, Seto shoved him off the counter. Joey barely landed on his feet.
“Fine smart ass, and what should we do tonight king of slumming it, watch mold grow? That is not my idea of fun and going over the books again is very dull, you should leave work at work and me here.,” He collapsed back on the nice couch and kicked up his feet, keeping his azure eyes locked on Joey. He knew what he had in mind but just wanted to watch the puppy beg to get attention.Joey rolled up the bag and shifted his weight on his feet as he thought, playing into Seto’s whims. He really was smarter than he let on but Seto enjoyed the dumb blonde act a bit.
Joey twirled a strand of his golden hair around his finger, mimicking Mai when she was toying with some one, “Well I dunno, I dun have any money and I am not sure you’re the type of guy I want to be seen with. Normally I only go with guys that got tons of money and I don’t think you have enough to get with me.” Seto was laughing as Joey rolled his eyes and pretended to pop his imaginary gum. “Well I guess maybe we could go to dinner then dancing.” Joey was so into his pretending that he didn’t notice Seto get up off the couch until they were nose to nose, he couldn’t suppress the shiver that over took him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Morning came all too soon, especially when having a particularly great dream. Albeit, a dream he wouldn’t ever dare recite even to Yugi. His amber eyes scanned his room in a slight lost daze, the alarm clock flashed 12 and he started to panic, thinking he was late for school. He sat up and jumped out of bed before realizing school was out on break. He sat down again and sighed, slowly his mind put together the facts. He lain back on the bed, just listening to all the sounds around him. He couldn’t hear anything in the house except the hum of the refrigerator. That meant his father was out and that he had the house to himself for a while. He sat up again and spotted the folded up paper with the numbers on it. He read the numbers and wondered if he should actually call. There was a reason he was given them but what if it was all just a joke, he hated being made a fool of. Sighing, he went to the kitchen and picked up the phone to dial Seto’s cell phone. It went straight to voice mail and Joey hung it up. He had no clue as to what to say to a machine. He went to the fridge and pulled out the milk jug, taking a drink directly from the container. In the middle of a swallow, the phone rang. Joey half choked and answered the phone.
“Joey, is it you?” Seto sounded hurried and frazzled.... like the Seto he was used to. He answered that it was and listened to Seto barking out orders to him. He partially resented even calling if he was going to be bossed around. “Just get ready and wait out side, I am sending a driver to come get you. He will have a business suit for you to change into, I don’t care if it’s not your size or style, there is time to whine about that later. Just put it on, I will be waiting.” Before Joey could protest, Seto already hung up on him. Joey slammed down the phone and walked into the bathroom to take a quick shower, since he would be stuck in a monkey suit, he best look better than usual.
“Stupid conceited bastard, why should I help you with anything. You just better not be wasting my time or I will mess you up,” Joey muttered to himself as he gelled his hair into obedience, trying to look good but still tough. He looked in the mirror, giving his best tough guy look and found himself hoping Seto would be impressed. He went out and waited for his ride, wondering what in the hell was so important that he would have to wear a suit. After a few minutes a black limo pulled up and the chauffeur got out and opened the door. Joey climbed in and saw a suit fresh from the cleaners. The partition was closed between him and the front so he got changed in the back. The dress shirt was a little tight, must have been Seto’s. He fastened the buttons on the jacket and never felt more uncomfortable. He stared out the window until the car pulled up to Kaiba Corp. A foreboding sense washed over him but he got out of the car and went into the mammoth lobby. Everything was cold and harsh about this building, the walls and floors were all Italian marble and offered all the warmth and comfort of Antarctica in the dead of winter. An Elevator opened and revealed a hard ass Seto, back in his ways.
“About time you shown up, come on, I will show you around.” Seto took off at a quick pace, leaving the still confused blonde to follow him. “It seems that one of my underlings chose to steal from the company, not just money but ideas and plans as well. He was selling it all off piecemeal beneath my nose,” Seto scowled as they worked their way through the halls with offices and cubicles. Joey didn’t know what any of this had to do with him but just listened. “There was only one other person who got the grades I did in business, and he is standing beside me in my clothes.” Joey does his best to suppress a laugh. He looked at Seto and the hard ass was smirking, apparently trying not to laugh as well. Seto continued to show him the facilities and Joey took it all in with awe. He had dreamed of seeing this place first hand but never dreamt it was possible. He caught a glimpse of their reflections and stood entranced, they looked good together, stylish and powerful. He forced himself to start following Seto again and they got into an elevator. It was just them and Seto started to laugh a little, “You clean up pretty well, I couldn’t believe it was you when I got out of the elevator. How does the clothes fit?”
“Tight, didn’t realize you were smaller than me. I think your legs are longer though. Kaib, first of all, what the hell am I doing here?” Seto raised his hand to silence Joey as the elevator came to a stop, it was time to be back in their characters, the hard asses. The elevator opened to a empty conference room and Seto walked on until they got to his office door. Seto opened it and went in, relaxing in his chair after telling a lady that he was not to be disturbed for any reason at all. Joey looked around the spacious office, everything was so perfectly clean and in place. “Now will you tell me what is going on? It’s like you are trying to introduce me to my new job.” He sprawled out on a couch as he watched Seto.
“What, you want to stay a pizza boy all your life? I am offering you the position of a lifetime, I very much doubt that with your sparkling past you could get a job like I am offering,” He pulled out a drawer and removed a packet of papers. “I already filled them out, all you have to do is sign. Think about it Jounochi, you can make it big. You have the same hunger I have for business. Work with me and we can’t be stopped. The only part I didn’t fill out is your last name, do you want to go by your mother’s name, or your father’s.” He waved the documents like a toy, trying to tempt a eager pup. Joey sat up and looked hard at Seto, trying to read his face. He went over and took the documents from the smug teen’s hand. He read over them and smirked a little.
“What are the stipulations? Am I to keep everything hush-hush? I can’t get into anything illegal any more man so no fucking me around.” Seto raised his hands, a silent way to say no tricks were up his sleeves. Joey read every part of the papers very well, looking for any loopholes or tricks. Even though he was starting to like and trust Seto, he couldn’t be too careful. Everything looked legit, even Seto’s signature was at the bottom. He looked at the rich teen and they smiled at each other. “Good to do business with you, Mr. Kaiba. I am Jounochi Katsuya.” He finished filling out the papers, signing it using his mother’s maiden name. He handed the papers and pen back and straightened out his back.
“Welcome aboard, until later tonight, you will have to wear those clothes. We don’t have time right now to take you to get tailored. Still hard to believe that you could look so professional, just keep the cool demeanor and don’t be shooting off your mouth. I will train you in what you are supposed to be doing later. Just watch and learn until then. First of all I need you to run down to R&D and check over some of the concepts they are having, these old bastards keep thinking kids will play with just anything.” Joey smirked and nodded, taking the folder that rested on the desk marked R&D. He left the office and tried to remember the way back to the secret area. The tight shoes cramped his feet as he walked along the corridor, the tap of the heels echoing. He was finally here, in the one place he only had dreamed about working in.
He got to the heavy white doors and drew in a deep breath, putting on his game face. Pushing them open, he saw designers tinkering and working hard, trying to design the ‘Next Big Thing’. His amber eyes roamed the floor as he stood above the crowd before looking in the folder. After descending the stairs, he walked around, watching each group. Some were working on some great ideas so he didn’t bother them. He watched as one group worked with a computer that was controlling a pencil. The scientist that was hooked to the computer had his eyes covered and the pencil jumped, writing down his words as he spoke. He looked at the paper, only a few mistakes but it could be fixed. “Keep up the good work,” He whispered to one of the others as to not interfere with the recording. He patted the shoulder of the blindfolded one and wrote a fair review about it. He looked down the proposed projects and shook his head as he came to one. “You gotta be kidding me....” He briskly walked to where a panel of kids sat staring disinterested in what the researcher had to say. In front of them there was bowls of cereal but it looked like the kids were not pleased. “What’s going on here?”
The researcher turned and started to explain in the most banal tones. “This is Ancient Power Brain-eo’s, guaranteed to make kids smarter and parents happy. It’s all natural and completely nutritious.” While he rambled on, Joey took a bite of the cereal and proceeded to spit it out on the ground.“These kids don’t understand how good it is for them.”
“No kid or adult in their right mind will eat this crap, no matter if you were giving it away for free. Kids don’t like hearing ‘healthy’ ‘nutritious’ or ‘all-natural’. They want stuff that tastes good and this tastes like crap.” The kid behind him nodded and he took the clipboard away to read the ingredient list, growing furious as his eyes flew over the list. “This is an outrage, wood shavings and artificial dyes? This isn’t even healthy for termites and vermin.” He thrust the clipboard into the researcher’s chest hard enough to knock him back. “I will make note of the fact you want to poison the consumers to Mr. Kaiba. Be glad if you don’t lose your job,” He leaned and put his hands on the table, looking at the kids. “Tell me, what would you like, just write down what ever pops in your mind or have them write it down. Help us make stuff you would want, no matter how silly you think it might be.” He straightened up and grabbed his folder and looked at the over-aged employees. “We expect results and there best be improvements or the soup kitchen will have a few more leaches at it’s doors.” He walked out after visiting the rest of the stations, giving pointers to a few and correcting minor drawbacks. Sighing he walked back into the elevator that would lead him back to the executive office. He leaned against the wall as the elevator rose. With his eyes closed, his mind recalled the night before, just hanging out and feeling like he belonged. Something troubled him though, if he became friends with Seto and Mokuba, would he have to give up the others? His eyebrows furrowed, he didn’t wish to sacrifice one friendship in order to gain a new one. The elevator stopped and chimed, signaling the arrival at the desired floor. He strode out of it and back into the office, watching Seto work before the ice blue eyes lifted to him again.
“So, was it as bad as I expected?” Seto set the pen aside and folded his hands together in front of him, the long slender fingers interlocked. Joey stared at them in amazement. There was nothing clumsy about the way the brunette moved, he was much like a perfectly poised cat that planned each move as to never be caught off guard. That was not to say he hadn’t seen Kaiba flustered and out of sorts. Maybe that is why Seto adored the game so much, it gave him an excuse to be normal. Seto cleared his throat, snapping Joey back to the present. “Tell me how it all went, after that we will see about getting some food.
Joey didn’t know whether to remain standing or sit in the office chair across the desk from the boss or go back to the couch. He looked around and caught sight of a smirk from Seto. He returned the smirk and sat on the edge of the couch while opening the folder. Seto leaned back in his chair, pleased to see Joey starting to act like he knew exactly what he was doing. “Alright, from what I seen, only a few have the right ideas and others, they seriously need to be recycled.” Seto laughed out loud at the statement, he thought that a few times s well. “There were some that really stood out to me though.” Joey read all the notations about the machine that would respond to all the spoken commands. Seto nodded while he listened, he was hoping that it would be possible to release such a machine for a fraction of what it appeared it was going to cost. Joey then moved on to other projects and Seto smiled as he listened to some of the clever ideas. Joey then pulled out a sheet and shook his head.”I wish I could have reported only good news but that’s why you hired me... did you know the morons are trying to pass pressed and formed wood shavings off as a nutritious cereal? I tasted it and I knew right off it was shit. So I looked at the ingredients. No way in hell would you let Mokie eat it much less try and pass it off as something for us to market. Foods is a near quick way to kill a company, you know that from marketing class. I asked the tester panel to tell us what they would like so that will give us a basis... even if all they come up with is candy.” He smiled and Seto shook his head in agreement. He read the rest of the failed or flawed ideas and felt his belly protesting at the lack of food. “Excuse my rude belly, I didn’t eat before you drug me out of bed..”
Seto raised his hand to silence Joey and pressed a button on the intercom, “Asuka, send my car around. I am going to be eating out of the office tonight and don’t disturb me unless it’s vital.” He released the button and stood up, re-fastening his jacket and looked pristine. He motioned for Joey to stand as well. “Well lets remedy your pangs and tight clothes. So, did you enjoy your first day of work or am I a slave driver?” He knew that answer though, the people in the picket-lines chanted it enough. “Weird, they will call me a slave driver and cruel yet they demand their jobs back, I must not be too bad.” The left the office and rode the elevator down to the lobby as to go to the car. The went out and got in the black limo and the door shut after them, the partition was open half way. “Take us to Old Hickory and close the partition.” The driver obliged and seto stretched out, his long legs straightened and his arms open. “Ugh.. That desk cramps me up, happens from sitting too much. Do you like steaks?”
Joey nodded and opened his jacket, breathing a sigh of release. “Ughh about time, I thought I was going to pass out.... or as Tea would say ‘I am getting the vapors Yugi’.” They both laughed at that, Tea was so annoying at times and so damn prissy. “Saddest fact is Yugi isn’t even all that interested in her any more. She clung to him too much. I will try not to drop anything on your suit, I can’t guarantee it though. I am very sloppy when I eat.” He looked around the limo again and lain on the seat, looking out the moon roof. “Seto, thanks man, I can’t express what it means that you are giving me this chance and there is no way I can repay you.” He tilted his head back and looked at Seto upside down.
“Don’t worry about it, just keep your nose clean and do your job well, that way you can keep your job for however long you like.” He watched Joey, his own mind working over time. He kept thinking about the dream that he had that night, he bit his bottom lip as he tried not to gasp from the memory of the sensations that forced him to take a frigid shower before work. Watching the blonde sprawled out, he was tempted to test to see if he would be shot down. Slowly he reached out a hand and brushed a strand of golden hair from the beautiful and impish face. Joey looked at him again, the movement messing the hair up again. “Sit up Joey, we are nearly there and you fucked your hair up.” He didn’t mean to sound so cold or harsh, it just slipped. Joey sat up and pushed his hair back but a few strands wanted to fall into his face again and again. “Forget about it., the more you play with it, the more it will oppose you.” Joey looked out the window and saw the white plantation like building they were approaching. The car pulled around and stopped in front of the doors. The teens got out of the car and went inside. The host saw Seto and led them to a more private section than the rest. They sat and looked over the menu. “Get us two Bistro Burgundy Beef dinners and a bottle of your best dry red wine if you would.” He took the menu from Joey and handed them to the waiter. The man walked off after jotting down the order.
“What if I don’t like that and aren’t we a little underage for wine?” Joey asked and watched Seto just shrug it off. Truth be told he didn’t know if he liked that kind of food. Seto unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap, Joey followed the brunette’s lead, doing the same. “So tell me, what exactly is my job description? I know I work for you and apparently I check on things for you. Am I just a gofer?” He was still a little confused, it was like he stepped out of a good dream and was still dreaming it. He suppressed a tremble, not knowing why the feeling of the long fingers on his face came back to his mind but he had to force it away. Two bowls of a chunky potato and cheese soup was set before them and Seto slowly ate at his before answering.
“First of all, you are my personal assistant. A good honest job in which you run where I need you to and be my second set of eyes. Secondly, you are my public relation liaison, I don’t know how to speak to the world without coming off cocky or like an asshole. Do you understand?” He took another bite of the soup, careful not to drip any and amusing himself with watching Joey, attempting to be as graceful. He opened the bottle of wine and poured a small amount into Joey’s glass first then his own. He set the bottle aside and raised his glass. Joey mimicked him before Seto spoke. “To a new friendship and partnership, may be continue to prosper and may you learn the ins and outs of becoming a business man.” He tapped their glasses together gently before taking a sip of the rich red fluid but his eyes remained locked on the younger teen. If being earnest equaled success, he was looking at a protege. Joey reminded him of himself when he was just learning. He blamed the heat filling his cheeks and belly on the wine, not wanting to think there was more to his interest in Jounochi than financial. The moment he was waiting for happened, a drip slipped from the spoon down Joey’s chin. An image flashed in Seto’s mind and he did his best to keep a straight face while it got wiped away.
“Ugh, I am so clumsy. I am just glad I didn’t get any on your suit. It looks worth more than my life,” Joey laughed a little while wiping the soup from his chin and setting the napkin aside. “I sorta feel out of place eating with you at someplace like this.” He watched Seto’s amused expression and wondered inwardly what Seto was thinking. The brunette was hard to read, normally he always had a cold exterior up and seemed unemotional. He returned to eating his soup in silence, trying not to spill more and look like an idiot again. Seto finished before him and was picking at a roll, tearing off bits and eating it slowly. Joey pushed his bowl aside and looked at the indoor garden that was illuminated with soft lighting. It would be a gorgeous place for a date but was wasted on a business dinner. His attention was broke by the waiter returning with the sliced steak and vegetables before removing the empty bowls. “Thank you,” he said as the waiter left and waited for a moment, smelling the rich scent of the hot food. “This looks utterly amazing.”
Seto half chuckled at Joey’s statement and forked a piece of the juicy meat, dipped it into the thick burgundy sauce and ate it, letting the flavors melt over his tongue. After chewing and swallowing, he smiled. “This is how I want you to start living. Only take in the best of everything and never sell yourself short.” Joey’s eyes were closed, savoring the flavor himself, lost in the absolute bliss that was his meal. Seto knew what Joey was thinking, he felt that way too the first time he had it. He still got that way when he ate it. He didn’t need to speak at the moment, he was entranced with the beauty of the blonde taking in life. Joey opened his eyes and looked at the plate in awe. “They marinate it in wine then cook it, they make the sauce from the same wine so it carries the flavor. Perfect isn’t it?” Seto smiled, taking a sip of his wine again after whispering to Joey. The restaurant never gave him trouble about being underage and ordering drinks. He had to entertain adults and drinking a Pepsi would seem childish. He owned the place anyhow and they all knew if they questioned him, they would be out of a job. Seto watched as his guest enjoyed the meal and wine, slowly enjoying it himself. “I love this place, great for business meetings and personal dates.” He made note of Joey’s slight look of disappointment, inwardly smiling. “What’s wrong, you look upset all the sudden.”
Joey tried to regain his composure again, “I was just thinking of my sister, I was wondering how she was.” He was clearly lying and Seto saw right through it but said nothing. Seto left him alone about it so they could finish their meal in peace. Joey’s cheeks were hot, ‘Who did he take on a date? Does this mean he is taken? Damn you Joey, of course he is taken you moron, no one that good looking is ever alone.’ Joey set his fork down and stared out at the gardens again, watching a water fountain spray water colored by lights. He felt eyes bore into him and turned to see he was right, the icy blue orbs stared into him, trying to read the truth. He resumed eating and faked a smile, “If I am only to take in the best, then why do you order pizza from Pizza Cabin? I thought you would order gourmet pizza from some place I can’t pronounce.” His words came out sharper than he intended for them to be. Seto didn’t seem to notice the barb. Joey finished the last of his food and stared at Seto intensely.
“Why? I like their pizza the best. No other reason than that. It’s not overly greasy despite the pepperoni and sausage on it. The crust is tender but not soggy or too hard. It’s never burnt, I just like it.” Seto laughed out loud, he never thought he would ever debate why he loved a certain pizza place more than another. “By the way, you left your hat at my place, you will have to fight Mokuba to get it back though. He has it set in his mind that you left it there for him as a gift.” Joey smiled finally, it was a much better look than him scowling. “So, what are you going to do about your job at the pizza place? I will need you on call at all hours and I can’t have you exhausted at work. You are now reflecting my company.” The waiter brought the bill and Seto payed it and stood. “That reminds me, you need your own clothes, clearly you don’t have enough money yet to pay for them yourself but leave it up to me this time. Now let’s get you outfitted.” Joey rose, not having a chance to argue. The car was there waiting for them and they got in. Seto gave instructions to the driver and they left.
“Well I guess then I will have to quit there then. The manager was talking about closing down anyways. He said he was getting too old to be working and he couldn’t afford it anymore with big chains popping up everywhere.” Seto looked upset when he was informed of it. “But no worries, I know how to make the pizzas now. I started out cooking before he needed a driver. I have to admit, I will miss getting to take home the ‘mistakes’.” They continued to laugh and talk until they got to the tailor. Jou felt embarrassed as a team of people scuttled around him while he stood on a short pedestal with out any clothes except his briefs. Seto lounged in an over-sized chair, saying yes or no to certain fabrics or patterns that kept getting tossed on Jou. “Seto, I didn’t know I would have to be a dressmaker’s dummy in order to ger dressed, it’s drafty in here!” Seto smirked and shook his head as Joey grimaced at a hideous pattern with garish colors. “Hell no.”
“Well you need clothes that fit you in every way and you can’t buy those off a rack at some discount market., it has to be made with your measurements.” He waved off some more that were trying to dress the pup in pink polyester. Joey groaned and stared at the sky, letting the tailors fuss and fight over every detail. Hours seemed to had pass before Seto and the fitters agreed on anything. Joey’s legs hurt from standing still and had more than a few pin pricks on his arms, chest and legs where in the rush he was poked with a pin or 20. The crew left the teens alone and Joey sat down finally. “They will be back right away, they just have to sew it all together. Need something to drink, water or a coke?” Joey nodded and asked for water as he rubbed the back of his calves. “I hate to get fitted as well but it has to happen.” He handed the bottle of water to Joey and smiled inwardly, remarking to himself how great Joey really looked with out clothes. He had one of those all over golden tans, a true golden boy. There was a few sparse hairs on his belly below his navel and they were the same shade as the golden mop on his head. “So you’re a natural blonde.” As soon as to words slipped from his lips, Seto wished to swallow them back. He covered his mouth as Joey choked on his drink and blushed. Joey’s golden eyes looked to the embarrassed blue ones and it felt like time stopped.
“Yes... I am...” Joey’s words were merely a whisper, knowing now where Seto was staring. He didn’t know whether to get self conscience or to be flattered. He no longer felt cold but hot all over. He shifted nervously and tore his eyes away from Seto. ‘Oh god, he has been watching me... did he actually say what I thought he said?’ He placed his hands in his lap, trying to keep calm and cool over the situation. They didn’t speak to each other any more, just sat silent, waiting for Joey to receive his clothes. Time drug on and it was getting very late, no sound in the room except the ticking of the clock and the sound of passing cars. Joey was about to say something to break the silence but the tailors returned, demanding him to try the clothes on. He rose and pulled on the clothes, realizing Seto was no longer looking at him and was off in his own world. Joey looked himself over, the clothes looked good on him. “What do you think? Do they look okay on me?” He turned around so Seto could look him over but was answered only by Seto asking the price and paying.
“Come on, it’s getting late. No time for fashion show. We will pick up the rest of the suits in a few days.” Seto walked out of the shop, leaving Joey standing stunned. He thanked the tailors before rushing out to join his boss. He climbed into the car and looked at Seto who seemed perturbed as he glared out the window. Joey had no clue what to say or think but this silence was deafening. The car rolled along the highway, neither of the passengers speaking until the car stopped again outside Joey’s rundown apartment complex. “I will call you in a few days, thanks for the hard work.” The car door opened and Joey got out. He turned and looked at the solemn teen before walking off. He had no clue what he done that pissed Seto off so badly but he didn’t like it. He went into his apartment and the car pulled away. Seto rubbed his head and sighed at the pain of the stress headache. ‘I have to give him time, you probably freaked him out with the whole “Natural Blonde” line. What are you trying to do, get a quick lay?’ He clenched his fist as the car carried him away home.
Seto groaned, the dispiriting weather wasn’t going to turn pleasant any time soon but sitting in the car moping over Joey wasn’t going to fix anything either. The wet snow was starting to layer upon itself, turning the roads to slush and coating the wet vehicles in crystal. Seto hugged his ribs as he stared at his arms, even the color offended him. Who in their right mind would wear such a bright awful color in public? The yellow hurt his head and made his eyes feel as if they would catch fire. He closed his tired eyes as he snuggled into the fleece fighting with emotions that he had long ago tried attempted to never feel. He could see Joey in it, his golden hair pasted to his face while darting around the field and chasing the soccer ball.He breathed in the scent again, the lump in his throat tightening again at the perfumed mix of sweat, dirt, grass and Joey’s stinking cologne. “Damn you, just... damn you for always... no... I will be fine with out you. Joey was just a fling, just something to pass some time. I will O.D. myself on him, make it so I don’t want him any longer.” He looked out the window, steeling himself for the onslaught of coldness. He rushed out of the car and tried to get inside with out getting too wet.
Malls, it must have been a sadomasochist who invented the very concept, add in the foolish holiday Christmas and you had the image of hell. A worn out man in a Santa costume was ringing a bell, one of those trying to get money for orphans or widows or some such group of unfortunates. Seto smirked inwardly, pulling from his pocket some money and stuffed a large bill in the coin slot, ‘Santa’ smiled gratefully with red-rimmed eyes. ‘He will be in for a shock I bet. Probably thought it was a one or something.’ Seto shuffled into the crowd, shoving his hands into the pockets of his pants. She slumped as he walked, losing the proud and arrogant air about him, choosing rather to appear as a regular teen. Windows of shops were done up in gaudy displays with fake trees and presents. Cheesy, falsely happy Christmas jingles blared over loudspeakers only to get cut off in the middle by announcements of sales or lost children. The crowd pushed and shoved, it was like cattle on the way to the slaughter but the only thing that was being killed was credit cards. He sneered, he felt as if his head would explode from the sounds of shrill voices of children screaming at the top of their little lungs for everything they wanted and the mothers yelling for the kids to shut up. He didn’t know who to feel more sorry for. He was just thankful Mokie was never like that when he was little. The smell of Joey’s cologne wafted from the shirt to his nose again, groaning he knew if they would break up, he would miss that scent. “If I can’t forget you, I guess I better just keep a bottle of you around... to annoy me worse,” he muttered under his breath while following the river of human bodies past shops. He looked in the shops he passed, they didn’t look like places that would carry colognes. The people kept pushing along until he came to a dimly lit department store that looked higher quality as the others. He pulled free of the people and walked into the store. The lights shown down on clothes on cramped clothing racks, wrinkling and dusty as they were going out of fashion. He continued to the center of the shop where glass cases shown off garish colored make-up and half empty perfume bottles in every shade of the rainbow. He browsed the case of sprays, lifting a few to smell them while trying to remember the name of the one it was he needed. He sighed, his head hurting from the different scents. He saw the bottle of Compulsion and sniffed it. It started to bring tears to his eyes and he knew this was the one Joey tried to bathe himself in. Seto looked up and saw a pinched face old bat staring hatefully at him.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” She wrinkled her face up more, making her caked on makeup settle deeper into the lines on her face. She looked at the teen who didn’t seem to have much money and sneered. “I doubt you have the money for anything in here. It’s far too pricey for some one like you. Do I need to call security?” She spat out as he picked up a gift set and tucked it beneath his arm. He just stared at her for a few minutes while she twitched and jittered like a crack fiend that hungered for drugs. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of hundreds. He threw them at the woman, his eyes cold and hard as steel.
“Keep the change you hag, buy yourself some manners.” He walked out of the store, the gift-box cradled beneath his arm as he melted back into the crowd. The people continued their impression of slaughterhouse cattle as they wound their way through the booths and kiosks. He tried to ignore all the jostling bodies and packages but it was hard. Drawing in a deep breath, he tried to enjoy the better of the sparkling displays and faint strains of classical music, hoping to catch some of the joy associated with the season. Calling it a lost cause, he stopped at a jewelry kiosk.
An old middle eastern man kept trying to push Seto to buy some gaudy jewelry that was likely pot metal painted silver and gold. He kept politely refusing but the man would not get the hint. “Come on, buy a pretty necklace for your girlfriend it’s cheap, real gold. I even package it up nicely for you.” Seto tried to get away but the man grabbed hold of him. “Buy her anything, I give you half off.” Seto started to panic, wanting so badly to escape but there was no where to go. He finally broke and push the guy away, knocking him against the plexiglass of the case.
“Leave me alone you asshole, I am gay!” As soon as the words slipped from his lips, Seto clamped his hand over his mouth and darted through the crowd, looking for a bathroom. He ran into a stall and puked, his stomach dry heaved since there was no food or drink in it. He started to cry hard from the pain of his head and belly, most of all crying from the confusion he felt.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Joey leaned on the rusted railing of the balcony, staring dreamily at the rain as it dripped off the overhead canopy. The icy drops looked like shimmering jewels against the grey misty sky. Sighing he felt at peace, he had been looking forward to this weekend for a long while. They only where able to sneak out together on rare occasions. From behind him, he heard Seto curse as he whacked his hand with the hammer. Joey laughed and turned to go back inside to the shabby but warm apartment. Seto was shaking his hand and glared at the disarray that was supposed to become a bookcase.
“Tell me again why we didn’t buy the pre-made one and have it shipped?” Seto looked at Joey, a hint of scorn in his voice as the blonde picked up the hammer and effortlessly assembled the bookcase by himself. Seto got up off the ground and went to the freezer for an ice pack to put on his hand. Joey set the case up and started to load some of their books into it, filling up the empty spaces nicely. After loading up all the books, he joined Seto in the kitchen. The brunette was still pouting and glaring at the bookcase like he was going to huck it out the window.
“Why didn’t we just buy the over priced pre-made one? Because you wanted to be a manly man and build something with your own hands for once. I guess that proves I am the man in this household,” He joked as he hopped up on the counter and opened a bag of chips.”Plus Kaib, you wanted to know what it’s like to not have money, folks with no money have to put their shit together by themselves. Just be glad I didn’t say we would just use milk crates. That’s what I had back home.” He popped a chip into his mouth and held one out for Seto but with a quick smirk, Seto shoved him off the counter. Joey barely landed on his feet.
“Fine smart ass, and what should we do tonight king of slumming it, watch mold grow? That is not my idea of fun and going over the books again is very dull, you should leave work at work and me here.,” He collapsed back on the nice couch and kicked up his feet, keeping his azure eyes locked on Joey. He knew what he had in mind but just wanted to watch the puppy beg to get attention.Joey rolled up the bag and shifted his weight on his feet as he thought, playing into Seto’s whims. He really was smarter than he let on but Seto enjoyed the dumb blonde act a bit.
Joey twirled a strand of his golden hair around his finger, mimicking Mai when she was toying with some one, “Well I dunno, I dun have any money and I am not sure you’re the type of guy I want to be seen with. Normally I only go with guys that got tons of money and I don’t think you have enough to get with me.” Seto was laughing as Joey rolled his eyes and pretended to pop his imaginary gum. “Well I guess maybe we could go to dinner then dancing.” Joey was so into his pretending that he didn’t notice Seto get up off the couch until they were nose to nose, he couldn’t suppress the shiver that over took him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Morning came all too soon, especially when having a particularly great dream. Albeit, a dream he wouldn’t ever dare recite even to Yugi. His amber eyes scanned his room in a slight lost daze, the alarm clock flashed 12 and he started to panic, thinking he was late for school. He sat up and jumped out of bed before realizing school was out on break. He sat down again and sighed, slowly his mind put together the facts. He lain back on the bed, just listening to all the sounds around him. He couldn’t hear anything in the house except the hum of the refrigerator. That meant his father was out and that he had the house to himself for a while. He sat up again and spotted the folded up paper with the numbers on it. He read the numbers and wondered if he should actually call. There was a reason he was given them but what if it was all just a joke, he hated being made a fool of. Sighing, he went to the kitchen and picked up the phone to dial Seto’s cell phone. It went straight to voice mail and Joey hung it up. He had no clue as to what to say to a machine. He went to the fridge and pulled out the milk jug, taking a drink directly from the container. In the middle of a swallow, the phone rang. Joey half choked and answered the phone.
“Joey, is it you?” Seto sounded hurried and frazzled.... like the Seto he was used to. He answered that it was and listened to Seto barking out orders to him. He partially resented even calling if he was going to be bossed around. “Just get ready and wait out side, I am sending a driver to come get you. He will have a business suit for you to change into, I don’t care if it’s not your size or style, there is time to whine about that later. Just put it on, I will be waiting.” Before Joey could protest, Seto already hung up on him. Joey slammed down the phone and walked into the bathroom to take a quick shower, since he would be stuck in a monkey suit, he best look better than usual.
“Stupid conceited bastard, why should I help you with anything. You just better not be wasting my time or I will mess you up,” Joey muttered to himself as he gelled his hair into obedience, trying to look good but still tough. He looked in the mirror, giving his best tough guy look and found himself hoping Seto would be impressed. He went out and waited for his ride, wondering what in the hell was so important that he would have to wear a suit. After a few minutes a black limo pulled up and the chauffeur got out and opened the door. Joey climbed in and saw a suit fresh from the cleaners. The partition was closed between him and the front so he got changed in the back. The dress shirt was a little tight, must have been Seto’s. He fastened the buttons on the jacket and never felt more uncomfortable. He stared out the window until the car pulled up to Kaiba Corp. A foreboding sense washed over him but he got out of the car and went into the mammoth lobby. Everything was cold and harsh about this building, the walls and floors were all Italian marble and offered all the warmth and comfort of Antarctica in the dead of winter. An Elevator opened and revealed a hard ass Seto, back in his ways.
“About time you shown up, come on, I will show you around.” Seto took off at a quick pace, leaving the still confused blonde to follow him. “It seems that one of my underlings chose to steal from the company, not just money but ideas and plans as well. He was selling it all off piecemeal beneath my nose,” Seto scowled as they worked their way through the halls with offices and cubicles. Joey didn’t know what any of this had to do with him but just listened. “There was only one other person who got the grades I did in business, and he is standing beside me in my clothes.” Joey does his best to suppress a laugh. He looked at Seto and the hard ass was smirking, apparently trying not to laugh as well. Seto continued to show him the facilities and Joey took it all in with awe. He had dreamed of seeing this place first hand but never dreamt it was possible. He caught a glimpse of their reflections and stood entranced, they looked good together, stylish and powerful. He forced himself to start following Seto again and they got into an elevator. It was just them and Seto started to laugh a little, “You clean up pretty well, I couldn’t believe it was you when I got out of the elevator. How does the clothes fit?”
“Tight, didn’t realize you were smaller than me. I think your legs are longer though. Kaib, first of all, what the hell am I doing here?” Seto raised his hand to silence Joey as the elevator came to a stop, it was time to be back in their characters, the hard asses. The elevator opened to a empty conference room and Seto walked on until they got to his office door. Seto opened it and went in, relaxing in his chair after telling a lady that he was not to be disturbed for any reason at all. Joey looked around the spacious office, everything was so perfectly clean and in place. “Now will you tell me what is going on? It’s like you are trying to introduce me to my new job.” He sprawled out on a couch as he watched Seto.
“What, you want to stay a pizza boy all your life? I am offering you the position of a lifetime, I very much doubt that with your sparkling past you could get a job like I am offering,” He pulled out a drawer and removed a packet of papers. “I already filled them out, all you have to do is sign. Think about it Jounochi, you can make it big. You have the same hunger I have for business. Work with me and we can’t be stopped. The only part I didn’t fill out is your last name, do you want to go by your mother’s name, or your father’s.” He waved the documents like a toy, trying to tempt a eager pup. Joey sat up and looked hard at Seto, trying to read his face. He went over and took the documents from the smug teen’s hand. He read over them and smirked a little.
“What are the stipulations? Am I to keep everything hush-hush? I can’t get into anything illegal any more man so no fucking me around.” Seto raised his hands, a silent way to say no tricks were up his sleeves. Joey read every part of the papers very well, looking for any loopholes or tricks. Even though he was starting to like and trust Seto, he couldn’t be too careful. Everything looked legit, even Seto’s signature was at the bottom. He looked at the rich teen and they smiled at each other. “Good to do business with you, Mr. Kaiba. I am Jounochi Katsuya.” He finished filling out the papers, signing it using his mother’s maiden name. He handed the papers and pen back and straightened out his back.
“Welcome aboard, until later tonight, you will have to wear those clothes. We don’t have time right now to take you to get tailored. Still hard to believe that you could look so professional, just keep the cool demeanor and don’t be shooting off your mouth. I will train you in what you are supposed to be doing later. Just watch and learn until then. First of all I need you to run down to R&D and check over some of the concepts they are having, these old bastards keep thinking kids will play with just anything.” Joey smirked and nodded, taking the folder that rested on the desk marked R&D. He left the office and tried to remember the way back to the secret area. The tight shoes cramped his feet as he walked along the corridor, the tap of the heels echoing. He was finally here, in the one place he only had dreamed about working in.
He got to the heavy white doors and drew in a deep breath, putting on his game face. Pushing them open, he saw designers tinkering and working hard, trying to design the ‘Next Big Thing’. His amber eyes roamed the floor as he stood above the crowd before looking in the folder. After descending the stairs, he walked around, watching each group. Some were working on some great ideas so he didn’t bother them. He watched as one group worked with a computer that was controlling a pencil. The scientist that was hooked to the computer had his eyes covered and the pencil jumped, writing down his words as he spoke. He looked at the paper, only a few mistakes but it could be fixed. “Keep up the good work,” He whispered to one of the others as to not interfere with the recording. He patted the shoulder of the blindfolded one and wrote a fair review about it. He looked down the proposed projects and shook his head as he came to one. “You gotta be kidding me....” He briskly walked to where a panel of kids sat staring disinterested in what the researcher had to say. In front of them there was bowls of cereal but it looked like the kids were not pleased. “What’s going on here?”
The researcher turned and started to explain in the most banal tones. “This is Ancient Power Brain-eo’s, guaranteed to make kids smarter and parents happy. It’s all natural and completely nutritious.” While he rambled on, Joey took a bite of the cereal and proceeded to spit it out on the ground.“These kids don’t understand how good it is for them.”
“No kid or adult in their right mind will eat this crap, no matter if you were giving it away for free. Kids don’t like hearing ‘healthy’ ‘nutritious’ or ‘all-natural’. They want stuff that tastes good and this tastes like crap.” The kid behind him nodded and he took the clipboard away to read the ingredient list, growing furious as his eyes flew over the list. “This is an outrage, wood shavings and artificial dyes? This isn’t even healthy for termites and vermin.” He thrust the clipboard into the researcher’s chest hard enough to knock him back. “I will make note of the fact you want to poison the consumers to Mr. Kaiba. Be glad if you don’t lose your job,” He leaned and put his hands on the table, looking at the kids. “Tell me, what would you like, just write down what ever pops in your mind or have them write it down. Help us make stuff you would want, no matter how silly you think it might be.” He straightened up and grabbed his folder and looked at the over-aged employees. “We expect results and there best be improvements or the soup kitchen will have a few more leaches at it’s doors.” He walked out after visiting the rest of the stations, giving pointers to a few and correcting minor drawbacks. Sighing he walked back into the elevator that would lead him back to the executive office. He leaned against the wall as the elevator rose. With his eyes closed, his mind recalled the night before, just hanging out and feeling like he belonged. Something troubled him though, if he became friends with Seto and Mokuba, would he have to give up the others? His eyebrows furrowed, he didn’t wish to sacrifice one friendship in order to gain a new one. The elevator stopped and chimed, signaling the arrival at the desired floor. He strode out of it and back into the office, watching Seto work before the ice blue eyes lifted to him again.
“So, was it as bad as I expected?” Seto set the pen aside and folded his hands together in front of him, the long slender fingers interlocked. Joey stared at them in amazement. There was nothing clumsy about the way the brunette moved, he was much like a perfectly poised cat that planned each move as to never be caught off guard. That was not to say he hadn’t seen Kaiba flustered and out of sorts. Maybe that is why Seto adored the game so much, it gave him an excuse to be normal. Seto cleared his throat, snapping Joey back to the present. “Tell me how it all went, after that we will see about getting some food.
Joey didn’t know whether to remain standing or sit in the office chair across the desk from the boss or go back to the couch. He looked around and caught sight of a smirk from Seto. He returned the smirk and sat on the edge of the couch while opening the folder. Seto leaned back in his chair, pleased to see Joey starting to act like he knew exactly what he was doing. “Alright, from what I seen, only a few have the right ideas and others, they seriously need to be recycled.” Seto laughed out loud at the statement, he thought that a few times s well. “There were some that really stood out to me though.” Joey read all the notations about the machine that would respond to all the spoken commands. Seto nodded while he listened, he was hoping that it would be possible to release such a machine for a fraction of what it appeared it was going to cost. Joey then moved on to other projects and Seto smiled as he listened to some of the clever ideas. Joey then pulled out a sheet and shook his head.”I wish I could have reported only good news but that’s why you hired me... did you know the morons are trying to pass pressed and formed wood shavings off as a nutritious cereal? I tasted it and I knew right off it was shit. So I looked at the ingredients. No way in hell would you let Mokie eat it much less try and pass it off as something for us to market. Foods is a near quick way to kill a company, you know that from marketing class. I asked the tester panel to tell us what they would like so that will give us a basis... even if all they come up with is candy.” He smiled and Seto shook his head in agreement. He read the rest of the failed or flawed ideas and felt his belly protesting at the lack of food. “Excuse my rude belly, I didn’t eat before you drug me out of bed..”
Seto raised his hand to silence Joey and pressed a button on the intercom, “Asuka, send my car around. I am going to be eating out of the office tonight and don’t disturb me unless it’s vital.” He released the button and stood up, re-fastening his jacket and looked pristine. He motioned for Joey to stand as well. “Well lets remedy your pangs and tight clothes. So, did you enjoy your first day of work or am I a slave driver?” He knew that answer though, the people in the picket-lines chanted it enough. “Weird, they will call me a slave driver and cruel yet they demand their jobs back, I must not be too bad.” The left the office and rode the elevator down to the lobby as to go to the car. The went out and got in the black limo and the door shut after them, the partition was open half way. “Take us to Old Hickory and close the partition.” The driver obliged and seto stretched out, his long legs straightened and his arms open. “Ugh.. That desk cramps me up, happens from sitting too much. Do you like steaks?”
Joey nodded and opened his jacket, breathing a sigh of release. “Ughh about time, I thought I was going to pass out.... or as Tea would say ‘I am getting the vapors Yugi’.” They both laughed at that, Tea was so annoying at times and so damn prissy. “Saddest fact is Yugi isn’t even all that interested in her any more. She clung to him too much. I will try not to drop anything on your suit, I can’t guarantee it though. I am very sloppy when I eat.” He looked around the limo again and lain on the seat, looking out the moon roof. “Seto, thanks man, I can’t express what it means that you are giving me this chance and there is no way I can repay you.” He tilted his head back and looked at Seto upside down.
“Don’t worry about it, just keep your nose clean and do your job well, that way you can keep your job for however long you like.” He watched Joey, his own mind working over time. He kept thinking about the dream that he had that night, he bit his bottom lip as he tried not to gasp from the memory of the sensations that forced him to take a frigid shower before work. Watching the blonde sprawled out, he was tempted to test to see if he would be shot down. Slowly he reached out a hand and brushed a strand of golden hair from the beautiful and impish face. Joey looked at him again, the movement messing the hair up again. “Sit up Joey, we are nearly there and you fucked your hair up.” He didn’t mean to sound so cold or harsh, it just slipped. Joey sat up and pushed his hair back but a few strands wanted to fall into his face again and again. “Forget about it., the more you play with it, the more it will oppose you.” Joey looked out the window and saw the white plantation like building they were approaching. The car pulled around and stopped in front of the doors. The teens got out of the car and went inside. The host saw Seto and led them to a more private section than the rest. They sat and looked over the menu. “Get us two Bistro Burgundy Beef dinners and a bottle of your best dry red wine if you would.” He took the menu from Joey and handed them to the waiter. The man walked off after jotting down the order.
“What if I don’t like that and aren’t we a little underage for wine?” Joey asked and watched Seto just shrug it off. Truth be told he didn’t know if he liked that kind of food. Seto unfolded his napkin and placed it in his lap, Joey followed the brunette’s lead, doing the same. “So tell me, what exactly is my job description? I know I work for you and apparently I check on things for you. Am I just a gofer?” He was still a little confused, it was like he stepped out of a good dream and was still dreaming it. He suppressed a tremble, not knowing why the feeling of the long fingers on his face came back to his mind but he had to force it away. Two bowls of a chunky potato and cheese soup was set before them and Seto slowly ate at his before answering.
“First of all, you are my personal assistant. A good honest job in which you run where I need you to and be my second set of eyes. Secondly, you are my public relation liaison, I don’t know how to speak to the world without coming off cocky or like an asshole. Do you understand?” He took another bite of the soup, careful not to drip any and amusing himself with watching Joey, attempting to be as graceful. He opened the bottle of wine and poured a small amount into Joey’s glass first then his own. He set the bottle aside and raised his glass. Joey mimicked him before Seto spoke. “To a new friendship and partnership, may be continue to prosper and may you learn the ins and outs of becoming a business man.” He tapped their glasses together gently before taking a sip of the rich red fluid but his eyes remained locked on the younger teen. If being earnest equaled success, he was looking at a protege. Joey reminded him of himself when he was just learning. He blamed the heat filling his cheeks and belly on the wine, not wanting to think there was more to his interest in Jounochi than financial. The moment he was waiting for happened, a drip slipped from the spoon down Joey’s chin. An image flashed in Seto’s mind and he did his best to keep a straight face while it got wiped away.
“Ugh, I am so clumsy. I am just glad I didn’t get any on your suit. It looks worth more than my life,” Joey laughed a little while wiping the soup from his chin and setting the napkin aside. “I sorta feel out of place eating with you at someplace like this.” He watched Seto’s amused expression and wondered inwardly what Seto was thinking. The brunette was hard to read, normally he always had a cold exterior up and seemed unemotional. He returned to eating his soup in silence, trying not to spill more and look like an idiot again. Seto finished before him and was picking at a roll, tearing off bits and eating it slowly. Joey pushed his bowl aside and looked at the indoor garden that was illuminated with soft lighting. It would be a gorgeous place for a date but was wasted on a business dinner. His attention was broke by the waiter returning with the sliced steak and vegetables before removing the empty bowls. “Thank you,” he said as the waiter left and waited for a moment, smelling the rich scent of the hot food. “This looks utterly amazing.”
Seto half chuckled at Joey’s statement and forked a piece of the juicy meat, dipped it into the thick burgundy sauce and ate it, letting the flavors melt over his tongue. After chewing and swallowing, he smiled. “This is how I want you to start living. Only take in the best of everything and never sell yourself short.” Joey’s eyes were closed, savoring the flavor himself, lost in the absolute bliss that was his meal. Seto knew what Joey was thinking, he felt that way too the first time he had it. He still got that way when he ate it. He didn’t need to speak at the moment, he was entranced with the beauty of the blonde taking in life. Joey opened his eyes and looked at the plate in awe. “They marinate it in wine then cook it, they make the sauce from the same wine so it carries the flavor. Perfect isn’t it?” Seto smiled, taking a sip of his wine again after whispering to Joey. The restaurant never gave him trouble about being underage and ordering drinks. He had to entertain adults and drinking a Pepsi would seem childish. He owned the place anyhow and they all knew if they questioned him, they would be out of a job. Seto watched as his guest enjoyed the meal and wine, slowly enjoying it himself. “I love this place, great for business meetings and personal dates.” He made note of Joey’s slight look of disappointment, inwardly smiling. “What’s wrong, you look upset all the sudden.”
Joey tried to regain his composure again, “I was just thinking of my sister, I was wondering how she was.” He was clearly lying and Seto saw right through it but said nothing. Seto left him alone about it so they could finish their meal in peace. Joey’s cheeks were hot, ‘Who did he take on a date? Does this mean he is taken? Damn you Joey, of course he is taken you moron, no one that good looking is ever alone.’ Joey set his fork down and stared out at the gardens again, watching a water fountain spray water colored by lights. He felt eyes bore into him and turned to see he was right, the icy blue orbs stared into him, trying to read the truth. He resumed eating and faked a smile, “If I am only to take in the best, then why do you order pizza from Pizza Cabin? I thought you would order gourmet pizza from some place I can’t pronounce.” His words came out sharper than he intended for them to be. Seto didn’t seem to notice the barb. Joey finished the last of his food and stared at Seto intensely.
“Why? I like their pizza the best. No other reason than that. It’s not overly greasy despite the pepperoni and sausage on it. The crust is tender but not soggy or too hard. It’s never burnt, I just like it.” Seto laughed out loud, he never thought he would ever debate why he loved a certain pizza place more than another. “By the way, you left your hat at my place, you will have to fight Mokuba to get it back though. He has it set in his mind that you left it there for him as a gift.” Joey smiled finally, it was a much better look than him scowling. “So, what are you going to do about your job at the pizza place? I will need you on call at all hours and I can’t have you exhausted at work. You are now reflecting my company.” The waiter brought the bill and Seto payed it and stood. “That reminds me, you need your own clothes, clearly you don’t have enough money yet to pay for them yourself but leave it up to me this time. Now let’s get you outfitted.” Joey rose, not having a chance to argue. The car was there waiting for them and they got in. Seto gave instructions to the driver and they left.
“Well I guess then I will have to quit there then. The manager was talking about closing down anyways. He said he was getting too old to be working and he couldn’t afford it anymore with big chains popping up everywhere.” Seto looked upset when he was informed of it. “But no worries, I know how to make the pizzas now. I started out cooking before he needed a driver. I have to admit, I will miss getting to take home the ‘mistakes’.” They continued to laugh and talk until they got to the tailor. Jou felt embarrassed as a team of people scuttled around him while he stood on a short pedestal with out any clothes except his briefs. Seto lounged in an over-sized chair, saying yes or no to certain fabrics or patterns that kept getting tossed on Jou. “Seto, I didn’t know I would have to be a dressmaker’s dummy in order to ger dressed, it’s drafty in here!” Seto smirked and shook his head as Joey grimaced at a hideous pattern with garish colors. “Hell no.”
“Well you need clothes that fit you in every way and you can’t buy those off a rack at some discount market., it has to be made with your measurements.” He waved off some more that were trying to dress the pup in pink polyester. Joey groaned and stared at the sky, letting the tailors fuss and fight over every detail. Hours seemed to had pass before Seto and the fitters agreed on anything. Joey’s legs hurt from standing still and had more than a few pin pricks on his arms, chest and legs where in the rush he was poked with a pin or 20. The crew left the teens alone and Joey sat down finally. “They will be back right away, they just have to sew it all together. Need something to drink, water or a coke?” Joey nodded and asked for water as he rubbed the back of his calves. “I hate to get fitted as well but it has to happen.” He handed the bottle of water to Joey and smiled inwardly, remarking to himself how great Joey really looked with out clothes. He had one of those all over golden tans, a true golden boy. There was a few sparse hairs on his belly below his navel and they were the same shade as the golden mop on his head. “So you’re a natural blonde.” As soon as to words slipped from his lips, Seto wished to swallow them back. He covered his mouth as Joey choked on his drink and blushed. Joey’s golden eyes looked to the embarrassed blue ones and it felt like time stopped.
“Yes... I am...” Joey’s words were merely a whisper, knowing now where Seto was staring. He didn’t know whether to get self conscience or to be flattered. He no longer felt cold but hot all over. He shifted nervously and tore his eyes away from Seto. ‘Oh god, he has been watching me... did he actually say what I thought he said?’ He placed his hands in his lap, trying to keep calm and cool over the situation. They didn’t speak to each other any more, just sat silent, waiting for Joey to receive his clothes. Time drug on and it was getting very late, no sound in the room except the ticking of the clock and the sound of passing cars. Joey was about to say something to break the silence but the tailors returned, demanding him to try the clothes on. He rose and pulled on the clothes, realizing Seto was no longer looking at him and was off in his own world. Joey looked himself over, the clothes looked good on him. “What do you think? Do they look okay on me?” He turned around so Seto could look him over but was answered only by Seto asking the price and paying.
“Come on, it’s getting late. No time for fashion show. We will pick up the rest of the suits in a few days.” Seto walked out of the shop, leaving Joey standing stunned. He thanked the tailors before rushing out to join his boss. He climbed into the car and looked at Seto who seemed perturbed as he glared out the window. Joey had no clue what to say or think but this silence was deafening. The car rolled along the highway, neither of the passengers speaking until the car stopped again outside Joey’s rundown apartment complex. “I will call you in a few days, thanks for the hard work.” The car door opened and Joey got out. He turned and looked at the solemn teen before walking off. He had no clue what he done that pissed Seto off so badly but he didn’t like it. He went into his apartment and the car pulled away. Seto rubbed his head and sighed at the pain of the stress headache. ‘I have to give him time, you probably freaked him out with the whole “Natural Blonde” line. What are you trying to do, get a quick lay?’ He clenched his fist as the car carried him away home.