It was another day like any other for Jounouchi Katsuya. Meaning, in short it was still early and his day sucked. The only redeeming graces of his day were the fact that tomorrow was the start of winter break and he was on time. He wouldn't get detention for being late and he would have time away from the hell that was school. Everything else sucked.
It had started snowing the day before but unseasonably warm weather meant the snow was nothing more than the slushy shit that soaked through everything and made the days gray and miserable. Jou's shoes were already on their last leg but he had hopes they would make it past winter. That hope died a horrid death when his toe caught on a chunk of ice and the sole of his left shoe tore open. Ice and bitter cold water had rushed into fill the space while this other shoe sat in a small puddle absorbing the cold water leaving both of his feet wet and freezing. Not only that but the gas had been turned off so his shower that morning had been freezing as well. He tore open his shoe locker looking forward to putting on a dry pair of socks from the stash he had. He blinked at the nice boots sitting where he would normally put his worn-to-death sneakers. On top of the boots was a simple wrapped box.
Jou stood for a while staring at the foreign items in his locker. He then closed his locker to make sure he had the right one then his frown deepened as he realized he did in fact have the right locker. He reached for the box carefully removing it wondering what the hell was going on. The box was perfectly wrapped in pristine white paper. Each edge was perfectly strait. Around the box was tied a length of pale blue satin ribbon. Giving a small tug the ribbon fell away easily leaving nothing but the paper behind. Jou stashed the ribbon in the pocket of his too thin jacket that did little to keep out the cold as he tore into the paper growing more curious by the second. Inside of the paper was a wide flat box like the ones used in the really fancy clothing stores that people like him only ever saw in movies. He carefully opened the box then stared down at the thick brown wool coat that came with matching leather gloves, a hat, and a scarf. On top of all the items sat a pristine white envelope. Taking the envelope and removing the plain white card Jou read over what was inside.
To my beloved Jounouchi,
You may find it strange to read this in a note. I am in love with you. I have been for some time. I however lack the courage to tell you my feelings face to face so I shall remain in the shadows simply admiring you from afar. I caught sight of you yesterday on your way home from school. You looked so cold and my heart ached with the thought of you being in need or want of anything that I could possibly give.
Please accept the items I provided for you. I know you have a great deal of pride and will find it nearly impossible to take such gifts. Please know that these gifts are not given with pity but with a great deal of love. I had planned to start the gifts for you at Christmas but I could not wait and watch you suffer the cold.
Expect more gifts from me my beloved. I wish to shower you in all that I can give all the while gathering my courage to confess my feelings for you. I plan on confessing my heart to you in a little over a year's time on Christmas. I will slowly leave clues to my identity through each gift. If you find your self willing to accept in that time then I hope you will meet me face to face so I may confess my love. I will meet you under the clock in the park on Christmas Eve of next year at 11:59 so I can give you the last gift from this secret person and the fist Christmas gift as my self. I wish to give you a Christmas kiss. Should you decide you can not love me in that time you need not show up. After that I will brother you no more.
For now my beloved stay warm and enjoy the gifts. I will tell you my love that I am male. I hope that does not hinder you from finding it in your heart to love me in return if that is what your heart decides.
With all my love,
Your Secret Kiss
Reading the note over several times wondering who it could be Jou looked over the items. He was cold all of the time and the jacket and boots looked so warm. Smiling softly to himself Jou pulled out the jacket slipping it on and sinking into the warmth of it for a minuet. A scent lingered on the jacket. It was as if his admirer had sprayed the jacket with just a hint of cologne. It was a warm inviting, intoxicating scent that made Jou feel safe and aroused all at once. Sighing softly Jou then got on dry socks and his school shoes. He took his sneakers and his old battered jacket to the trash. He removed the long length of satin blue ribbon and stashed that and the note in his pants pocket. Jou suddenly felt giddy. There was someone out there who loved him. That thought alone made Jou's heart soar. The careful, thoughtful gifts warmed Jou's soul. In a year he would meet the one responsible for the gifts.
"Catch Mutt." A deep voice rang through the halls. Jou turned just in time to have a fluffy soft item hit him in the face. Jou caught the fluffy item as it bounced off his face into his waiting hands. He looked down at the rolled blanket in his hands. He then looked up at brunet walking toward him.
"What is this for Kaiba?" Jou asked glaring at the brunet. Kaiba had been making an effort to be friendly, however the blond still couldn't find it in himself to like the man.
Smirking at the blond Seto set down his bag of goodies looking at Jou. "It is a Christmas gift." Seto said looking at the beautiful blond he was desperately in love with.
Sneering down at the blanket in his hands Jou looked back at the brunet. "I don't want your pity present Kaiba." He said tossing the blanket back at the brunet. He thought he saw a small flash of hurt in blue eyes but he doubted it from the robot.
Snarling softly shoving the blanket into the blond's chest with more force that was strictly necessary Seto glared at Jou darkly. "It is a gift for Christmas. There is not pity behind it. I have more in the bag for the others." He growled kicking lightly at the bag he had just set down.
Glancing down at the bag Jou saw it was in fact stuffed with very similar looking blankets. Jou looked back down at the one in his hand that had a picture of a Red-eyes Black Dragon in mid roar tied to it by a ribbon. "Oh. Thanks Kaiba. Why can't you give it to me at Yugi's Christmas party?" Jou asked frowning down at the blanket.
"I have eight hours in this hell hole before I will be swallowed up by Kaiba Corp for the next month or so to be thrust into a level of hell not even Dante could dream up all before midnight Christmas Eve where I am then free for two blissful days where I can eek out quality time with my little brother all before I once again am sucked back into the corporate hell that is my company. So sadly I will be unable to attend Yugi's Christmas party as much as I would love to come." Kaiba said meaning every word as depression he felt but kept well hidden tinged every breath with a small bit of dark desperation.
Oddly taken aback by the intensity of Seto Kaiba, Jou took a step back looking at the brunet who was suddenly much closer than he had been.
Taking a step back sighing Seto grabbed the bag at his feet. "Merry Christmas, Jou." Mumbling softly he stalked off.
Looking down at the oddly thoughtful gift Jou grinned. "THANKS KAIBA!" Jou yelled grinning at the brunet who gave him a wave then suddenly veered to corner a frightened looking Yugi handing him a blanket. Jou grinned as his best friend walked over to him a few short minuets later looking confused but smiling brightly. "What did Kaiba give you?" Jou asked peeking at the blanket. Yugi smiled showing him the blanket.
"It is Karibo! Isn't it cute? Yami got Dark Magician." Yugi said his bottom lip sticking out in a cute pout. Bright violet eyes lit up as Yugi cuddled the blanket close. "That is alright, I like this one. What did you get?" Yugi asked his best friend excitedly. Jou turned the little picture to him and he looked at the blanket eagerly. "Wow that is cool! I like that one a lot. Is that a new jacket? It is really nice." Yugi said excitedly hoping he would hear good news for his friend. A few months ago Jou had shown up at his house bruised and battered. For the first time ever his best friend really opened up about his father and his living conditions. Jou's father had come the next day looking beyond broken when he saw what he had done to his son. After that Jou had seemed to be doing better even if his friend didn't talk about it much.
Giving a small unsure smile Jou handed over the note to Yugi. He watched as big violet eyes scanned the note before his friend gave him a beaming smile. "That is amazing! Who do you think it might be?" Yugi asked taking Jou's hand and guiding his friend to class.
"I don't have a clue. I bet some one rich...or at least well off. I mean all the stuff was nice stuff. Is it sad I'm kind of excited for the end of next year where I can finally meet this person? I've never had anyone like me. Not like this at least. It makes me feel good about myself. I'll think about it and tell you any names I came up with. We have a year to figure it out."
Feeling his heart soar for his best friend Yugi smiled handing back the note. "I'm happy for you Jou. I hope it turns out well. Do you think it could be Kaiba?" Yugi asked feeling his hopes drop slightly. The person had money and knew Jou at least a little. Kaiba was the only one he could think of. He just didn't think Kaiba was a good match for his best friend.
Snorting softly Jou shook his head. "Kaiba is a robot. He could never do anything this romantic. Plus it's not like that ass has any feelings." Jou growled lowly. His best friend gave a giggle that made him smile slightly.
Yami had been waiting for his light when he saw Kaiba. The brunet had clearly spotted the two he himself had been waiting for because the brunet ducked into a hall safely out of sight just as his little light said the tall brunet's name. Jou's words drifted down the hall his dislike for Kaiba still well known. He watched the brunet for a second wondering how the mighty CEO would react to such words spoken about him. In the past the brunet would have made himself known and gotten into a fight with Jou. Kaiba had been trying if the gift in his hands was anything to go by. It was still hard to trust someone who had spurned their friendship so many times. When Jou claimed Kaiba had no feelings Yami saw the brunet wilt into himself. There was a moment, a flash, of intense pain and longing that was etched on every inch of the proud CEO. Then it was gone as was Kaiba. The moment left Yami wondering as he went to his light.
School ended with out a hitch, Jou was feeling great. He bundled himself up in his new jack, hat, scarf, gloves, and boots. He stuffed the blanket from Kaiba into his bag then stepped out into the snow with a smile until an icy gust of wind slapped him in the face. He shivered pulling the collar up about his neck when a sleek black limo pulled up in front of him. The window rolled down and bright blue eyes met his. "Want a ride?" Kaiba asked him smoothly. Jou was tempted to say no but another gust of wind slammed against him. He gave a nod scrambling to get into the warmth the limo had to offer.
"New jacket?" Kaiba asked looking the blond over.
Touching the note in his pocket Jou gave a nod glaring at the brunet across from him.
"Looks nice." Seto said gently turning away to gaze at the snowy landscape as it passed by. "Your father used to work in the medical research field right?" Seto asked not daring to look at the blond.
Narrowing his eyes Jou glared at the brunet across from him as the limo drove through the slushy streets. "Yeah. Why?" Jou asked cautiously.
"I am buying out a small company for a friend of mine. It is a medical research company that has fallen on some hard times. They do good work. My friend is looking for people that have a back ground in medical research. I thought if your father was interested he could apply. That is all." Looking out at nothing Seto whispered softly.
"Ain't no one is gonna hire my dad. The last company sacked him because they were going under. Then my mom left with Shizuka. My dad turned ta drinking. He's been clean for a couple of months now. If he gets his hopes up and they get crushed he'd turn back to the bottle. I ain't telling him about it." Jou snarled out. He had just gotten his dad back; he was fighting to keep him sober. He wasn't going to lose his dad to the bottle again. He couldn't do it. His anger flared as he watched the calm brunet who had everything while he had nothing except for his father. "You may have everyone else fooled Kaiba but you don't fool me. You may have won over Yugi and all the others with your sudden nice guy act and all your gifts but I know you. I know that deep down you ain't nothing but a stone cold asshole who is doing all of this for some kind of twisted kicks you can't get any other way. Just go to hell Kaiba." Growling lowly Jou slid out of the car before it even rolled to a complete stop in front of his building.
Swallowing back the hurt he felt Seto got out of the car following the blond up to his apartment. He knocked on the door and it was opened by a man that was the spitting image of the pissed teen that had just left. The man gave him a small smile looking confused. "Katsuya is in his room. He didn't tell me he was havin' friends over. He ain't ever brought friends here before." The man said in a rough voice. The voice was rough and tired but the look the man wore was pleased.
Looking at the man Seto looked past the man at the small dingy cold apartment. "I am here to see you as a matter of fact. Here." Seto said handing over a slip of paper to the man before him that outlined the job his friend was hiring for along with his card.
Taking the sheet the elder Jounouchi paused at the card that he held in his hand. He then looked to the young man before him. "Why you doing this?" He asked the young rich man even he had heard of. Everyone in Domino knew the name Seto Kaiba. "People like you don't give a shit about people like me." Feeling his temper rise he growled at the young brunet before him making the resemblance his son had to him even stronger. He paused slightly as he saw a flash of bone deep hurt and gnawing loneliness in startling blue eyes.
"Jou, is my...friend." Seto stated a small pause between his words as he considered for a second how he should classify the blond that seemed to hate him with all of his being. "I just thought I would inform you of the job. If you apply or not that is none of my business. Whether or not you get the job is not up to me it is up to the owner of the company. As a friend to your son I thought I could at least inform you of the opportunity given your previous work experience. Nothing more, nothing less." Seto said his voice as chilling as the very winter air they stood in. The man before him gave him a small nod. "The web address for the application is at the bottom. Please consider applying." Seto said stiffly giving the man a small nod as he turned heading back to his car.
Looking down at the card wondering about the young man who had given him the paper and his son the elder Jounouchi looked at the pamphlet. He missed his old job. He missed doing something he enjoyed. He hadn't been the best father as of late. His son had been supporting his sorry drunken ass for years. If he got this job he and Katsuya may actually have the chance for a better life. He may actually be the kind of father his son deserved. Deciding to go to the library and apply the next day the elder Jounouchi watched the sleek black limo drive off. He closed to the door with a smile deciding to keep this from his son until he got the job.