Today was supposed to have been perfect. He had laid out all the candles across the table, polished the silver and gently folded the napkins. He had showered, shaved and dressed in his best attire. He had slaved for hours over the kitchen stove, slicing his fingers on several occasions and recovering only to burn them. This was supposed to have been the night, the perfect night. The night that he would remember forever. That she would remember forever. He had paid attention to ever single detail, making sure it was perfect. Nothing could have possibly gone wrong. But somehow, it did.

Jou smiled when the blond came through the door, her loose blouse falling gently over her breast, tucking neatly in at the waistline where her black pants began. He took her coat, sat her down and brought out a glass of wine. He'd poured it nervously, before brining out the Goat's Cheese Tart. Which she ate, and enjoyed. He served the Filet Mignon and Colcannon, he'd served the salads. Then finally, dessert had arrived, and nervously, he placed the chocolate basket in front of her. The raspberries piled inside and the sauce smeared across the plate. This was it. He was really going to do it.

"Mai…" The name had stuttered out, catching painfully in his throat. "I…I wanna ask you somethin'." The blond woman, stopped chewing, placed down her fork and swallowed.

"What is it Jou?" Her large brown eyes settled upon the boys and she reached across and took his fingers with a perfectly manicured hand and smiled.

"Well, we've been kinda seeing each other a while now." He scratched his head lightly, trying to take a steadying breath. "And none of the guys know…and I wanted to know…" Mai relaxed her hand, trying to the read the usually obvious blond boy. "Well, I guess what I'm trying to say is…"

"Yes?"

"Mai, I really like ya, and it's prom soon and I want ya to be my date." There was an awkward silence and the young woman bit her lip.

"Jou…I don't know."

"Please, Mai. I know there's an age difference but it feels so right to be with ya. I don't wanna hide it forever, there's nothin' wrong with us…with this!" his eyes widened as he begged for her acceptance, pleading as best he could with the woman opposite him.

"Jou, we've talked about this. It's in neither of our best interests for people to know right now. You're still in school and I'm starting a career. It's not healthy for people to know about this, about us."

"Who cares what they think!" Jou stood up, slamming his hands on the table, rattling the china. Mai looked away, trying her best to remain calm at the tearing boy across from her.

"Jou, please. You're seventeen. I'm twenty five this year. It doesn't matter how much we like each other, we're going to be judged at this stage, and it's not worth it for either of us. Listen, take someone else to prom, I don't mind who. Whoever makes you happy, I'm fine with it. We can celebrate our own way afterwards if that makes you feel any better."

"It doesn't." The blond wiped his nose across his sleeve and walked away from the table.

"Jou!" Mai stood up, the chair falling behind her as she did so. "Jou for god's sake don't be like this. It's a lovely sentiment but now is not the right time!"

"It's never the right fuckin' time!" Jou shouted back into the dining room as he stormed though the apartment and to his room. "It never fuckin' will be!" The door slammed and the brown eyed woman frowned. She muttered under her breath before blowing out the candles and collecting the plates, pushing them into the sink. As she ran the hot water she began to think back to a simpler time. Duellist Kingdom, Battle City. Everything was so much easier and everyone had been easy going. It had been nice weather and they had all been in their prime. She had hooked up with Jou between duels, and despite the nagging feeling that someone was onto them, nothing had ever been said. She delved her hands into the soapy water and began to lather the pottery in her hands. She missed those times. When the duels had ended, meeting up had become more and more difficult and Jou had grown more and more attached. She liked him, but he was still a kid. He had a lot to learn, a lot he needed to understand before they could go to the next level. But Jou didn't see it that way. He only saw the negatives, the shame. It hadn't been shame at all, just a difference in interests. But what did it matter? If this would be the only reaction she could ever get, why bother carrying on?

The two had a closeness she had never felt with someone before, and the fiery blond kid really did have some spunk, he matched her perfectly, but, with all of the problems and commotion, what good could really come from being with him? A young guy was exciting, but…not what she had expected. Sighing, she placed the dished on the draining board and continued to clean the table.

Jou sat in his room tearing at the homework on his desk. Suddenly the phone rung. He let it ring three times before he picked it up.

"Hello?" He paused for a moment, a thick foreign accent seeping through the line. The caller was male.

"Hello, is Mai there? It's Alois calling her back from last night. Just wanted to check up on things." There was a long pause and Jou dropped the phone. Alois? His heart began to pound. He'd never heard that name before and he could feel every fibre of his being detest the stranger. What had happened last night? He'd invited her over but she had been busy…busy with Alois? Jou felt his eyes burn and his blood boil. He stormed downstairs to the blond who was just finishing the cleaning,

"And who the fuck is Alois?" He shouted, the phone grasped firmly in his hand.

Hey

So it's been a while since I've done anything. So I'm trying some Het. So far anyway. I've been busy with work and my new book (which is being published. Message me for details. It's slightly delayed)

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this, I'm not sure where its going yet, so please R&R

Much love

AB

x