Author Note: This fic has been severely revamped from the original version. (which was written 8 years ago, so this note may not affect anyone reading it this time around, but just thought I'd mention)
Chapter One
"What am I doing here?" Jonouchi thought as he stood inside Seto Kaiba's study.
Jonouchi had the day off work and some spare cash and headed straight for the arcade. He probably should have put the money towards an emergency fund, but dammit if he wasn't going to relieve some stress. He could feel the buttons practically breaking while trying to beat the high score on a fighting game when a familiar voice called out to him. "You might as well give up, Jonouchi. That high score is mine."
He finished the last round and looked to see Mokuba leaning against the wall next to the game. "Hey, Mokuba. A guy can dream can't he?"
"Well, keep dreaming." He grinned smugly. The kid was taking after his older brother. Though, he wasn't much of a kid anymore. It looked like he hit a growth spurt in the last couple of years.
"So long time no see, huh?" Jonouchi realized that he and Mokuba never really talked before. There were always other people around and usually something life-threatening going on.
"Yeah, Seto and I have been pretty busy with Kaiba Corp stuff. I'd tell you more about it, but it's confidential." Mokuba looked like he was about to burst with pride. It shouldn't have been a surprise that he was working on things in the company – he was a smart kid – but still a kid.
"What have you been up to, Jonouchi?"
He shrugged. "You know. Working my butt off. Moved outta my dad's place and in with Honda."
"I don't see why you didn't go into professional dueling like Yugi. You got good enough for something like that."
He shrugged again. "Just didn't work out that way."
Mokuba let the conversation drop. "Well as long as you're happy, I guess."
"Yeah." Jonouchi leaned on the game, examining the instructions. "So, uh, nice weather we've been having."
Mokuba scoffed. "Jonouchi, I know we were never really close friends, but is the weather really the only thing you can think of to talk about?"
"I see you're still a brat."
"And you still couldn't think of a good insult if it hit you in the face." Mokuba looked around the arcade. "Come on. I've got way better games at home, including some that haven't been released yet. Think you're up for the challenge?"
Jonouchi grinned. "I never back down from a challenge. You're on, kid!"
They rode to the Kaiba mansion in a limo and Jonouchi couldn't help but shift around a bit. He wasn't used to this sort of luxury. It was nice, of course, but while laughing in the arcade with Mokuba, Jonouchi had forgotten that the kid was a billionaire. Jonouchi wasn't even a thousand-aire after all the bills were paid. Mokuba was perfectly comfortable with the situation, chatting about how he's gotten more work with Kaiba Corp now that he was getting older. ("I'm the same age as Seto was when he took over the company, after all.") Jonouchi talked about his job as custodian at a small office building. It wasn't the most glamorous work and didn't require being a genius, but he took pride in what he did and his co-workers were a great group of people.
The limo pulled up to the mansion and Jonouchi still couldn't believe the sheer size of the place. Mokuba was going on about how he had a couple games sent to him for beta testing because of his connections as Vice President of Kaiba Corp. Jonouchi couldn't help but laugh as the kid bragged.
They had been playing games for a couple hours when Jonouchi asked Mokuba to hit pause. "Hey, where's the bathroom? I've got about 100 gallons of soda in me."
"Third door on the right." Jonouchi walked out the door and down the hall counting the doors until he found the third one. He turned the handle and walked into the room. It was obvious from the bookshelves, desk, and lack of a toilet that this was not the bathroom.
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Kaiba barely looked up from his computer. "I don't appreciate people barging into my personal space and certainly not you."
"I- well, I got lost-"
"Jonouchi!" Mokuba came running into the room. "I meant to say the left. Third door on the left."
Kaiba sighed. "Just get out so I can work." They left the study and Mokuba closed the door behind them.
"I'm really sorry, Jonouchi. Big brother didn't seem too mad, at least."
"He seemed pretty pissed before you came in."
"He's just grumpy when he gets interrupted. Now hurry back so I can kick your ass some more."
The gaming continued and Jonouchi was no match for Mokuba. Jonouchi claimed it was because he had never played before and Mokuba had but the truth was the kid was just that good. Mokuba looked out the window at the setting sun and sighed.
"It's getting kind of late."
"Do you need me to leave?"
"Not if you don't have to."
"Nah. I don't have to work tomorrow either. I can stay up pretty late tonight."
Mokuba smiled. "Cool! I should see if you can stay over." He ran out of the room before Jonouchi could say anything. Sure it would be cool to stay up late, playing video games and binging on snack food, but the Kaiba mansion was sort of intimidating. Not to mention the other resident of the household. Jonouchi couldn't stand Kaiba.
"'Certainly not you.' Who does he think he is anyway?" Jonouchi much preferred the younger Kaiba for company. Mokuba could turn on the sarcasm sometimes, but he was more pleasant to deal with. Jonouchi sighed. Why did Kaiba always have to get to him so easily? One small comment and he couldn't stop thinking about it.
Mokuba returned. "Hey, he said yes! Of course, he said to not stay up too late but we all know sleepovers aren't for sleeping." He paused, catching sight of Jonouchi's sour expression. "You okay?"
Jonouchi quickly smiled and laughed. "It's nothing. Your brother just pisses me off, and you know me; I can't just let things go. It'll be fine. I won't be a grump. Let's play some more of these games. I'm sure I can beat you at something."
A light snoring came from the floor. Jonouchi felt a bit uncomfortable about taking the bed while Mokuba slept on the floor, and he was sure there were guestrooms, but it was nice to have the company and Mokuba had insisted. Unfortunately, even with laying in the most comfortable bed he'd ever experienced, he couldn't fall asleep. Insomnia was not usually a problem for him. Jonouchi could practically sleep on a bed of nails and not be disturbed. He got up and quietly left the room so as not to wake up Mokuba.
He walked down the hall to find the kitchen. Maybe a late night snack would put him more at ease. He noticed the door to the study was open and couldn't resist peaking inside. Kaiba was no longer at work. Maybe the guy had gone to sleep. Jonouchi snorted as he tried to imagine that. He forgot that Kaiba wasn't actually a robot, but it was still difficult to imagine him doing such human things as sleeping.
Jonouchi turned the corner and saw a light on coming from the kitchen. Peering into the doorway he saw Kaiba sitting at the island and drinking from a mug. Jonouchi could smell freshly brewed coffee and rolled his eyes. Of course Kaiba would drink coffee at two in the morning. So much for him being a normal human. Sighing, he entered the kitchen. He didn't want a confrontation, but he was still hungry.
Kaiba jumped, not expecting anyone. He quickly recovered and glared at Jonouchi. "What are you doing up?"
"I could ask you the same thing. Do you ever sleep?"
"Is there something you needed, or can I be left in peace?"
"I couldn't sleep and I got hungry. Sorry my existence annoys you so much."
"Whatever. Help yourself."
Jonouchi slammed his hand on the counter top. "Why do you have to be such a jerk to me? What did I ever do to you?"
"Don't take it too hard. Haven't you heard? I don't like anyone."
"Whatever." Jonouchi grabbed a bag of chips and began to eat. "I should at least thank you for letting me stay over."
"It's nothing. Mokuba's other friends never want to come here. I suppose they're afraid of me."
Jonouchi snorted. "You're not scary at all."
Kaiba rolled his eyes and got up. "I've got work to do. Get some sleep."
Jonouchi stared at the doorway. He just didn't get that guy.