Ten minutes earlier:
"But Seto, didn't you see the up-to-date report? They're not just blaming KaibaCorp anymore!"
"What?"
Mokuba quickly ran to the tv and changed the channel.
"In an update on the recent lead poisoning case, it's just been revealed that KaibaCorp was not the sole distributor of the now-confirmed tainted toys, nor are they exclusively responsible."
The head of the company nearly passed out as the reporter continued on.
"...it's been discovered that several other companies have been distributing toys made with the same contaminated materials, and seventeen more victims have been officially diagnosed with minor cases of lead poisoning. Authorities quickly linked the hazardous materials to a single manufacturing plant located in Hong Kong- it appears that none of the Japanese distributors were aware of the switch to dangerous materials, and will likely not be held responsible. Official inquiries will still be made, but-"
"See?" Mokuba pointed to the screen. "It was some greedy manufacturers- not us!"
The relieved executive nodded mindlessly. 'Still, that's distressing; what happened with those children...' Seto made a mental note to pay the hospital bills of those involved.
It would, of course, be an anonymous contribution. If Kaiba openly paid the hospitals, it would appear as though KaibaCorp was still somehow guilty, and the company would suffer. It was crucial for Seto Kaiba to keep up his 'wholly heartless' facade to ensure his company's strong reputation. In the business world, generosity meant weakness- it hinted at poor spending, irrational empathy, or even concealed guilt. But Seto donated numerous times in secret (out of his own pocket) to various causes he deemed worthy.
Mainly those for underprivileged children.
The relieved CEO began musing aloud. "I'll have to contact the heads of several local and government agencies- they'll need information on the tainted products. I want them to do a strong and thorough investigation."
"They won't be able to sweep this under the rug." Mokuba nodded. "They're gonna pay!"
Seto numbly agreed. He thought back on what Jou said- how it probably wasn't even his company's fault.
It hadn't really hit him before- he'd been too shocked- but Jou had been right. The loud duelist was far more keen than Kaiba had ever given him credit for (at least, prior to dating him). And the loyal pup had promised to stand by them and support them- even offering his home. The brunette gave a long-held sigh of relief.
He was thankful that they wouldn't have to take up his offer (he wasn't sure Mokuba could handle losing 90/100ths of his living space) but it had been well-meant.
It seemed like they were going to be fine.
"Hey, Seto? Where'd Jou go?"
...or so he'd thought.
Jou huffed as he walked down the streets of downtown Domino. He wasn't sure where he was going; and he really didn't care. All that mattered was clearing his head, 'cuz right now he was too peeved to think straight. He was struggling not to kick the random trash on the curb when he saw a familiar building.
He mumbled to himself as he saw the lit 'OPEN' sign. "What the hell... not like I'm doing anythin' else today." He shrugged and headed through the restaurant's doors.
Jou sat in his favorite booth, thinking about the last time he had eaten at Burger World. He'd been treating Mokuba after he got a perfect score on his math test. The kid was smart.
A few minutes later, Jou was wolfing down several burgers and drowning his sorrows with a large strawberry shake. He had just finished his fries when his phone began buzzing. He checked the ID.
'/Blue Dragon./'
The blonde ignored it and put the phone away. He just wanted to finish his junk food in peace.
The phone rang two more times before Jounouchi finished his meal. After paying the bill he stepped back outside- only to see a polished, jet-black limousine parked in front of the restaurant.
He held back a groan- there weren't many people who would pull up to a 'Burger World' restaurant in a danged limo.
Sure enough, one of the doors opened, and a familiar brunette gestured for him to get in. Jou huffed before grudgingly sulking his way over.
He slid into the luxury vehicle without a word. He made a point of ignoring the other teen- instead, he looked out the windows as downtown Domino passed by.
"Jou." Kaiba's voice was hardly full of concern; it sounded more like an order. It didn't help mollify the other teen.
"Jou, what's wrong?" Now the brunette sounded slightly upset.
Jou kept glaring out the window, but he replied in a terse tone.
"How'dja know I was at 'Burger World?' I never said you could track my phone."
Seto blinked at the rough response. "I didn't know where you were- you left without saying anything and you weren't answering your phone. I had it Geo-tagged in case of an emergency, and I decided this instance qualified."
The blonde tried- he really, really tried- but he couldn't stop himself from blowing up at those words.
"What the hell, Seto?! Whatever you might think, I'm not'ta damned object or a pet! You can't jus' go bugging my cell phone without telling me!"
Seto was surprised- he hadn't expected Jou to be so upset. He'd figured the teen just had a sudden craving for burgers after he left the office. But it seemed like this was something darker.
"Puppy, where is this coming from? What's going on?"
Warm tears began building in the other teen's eyes. "You don' trust me. You thought I'd leave you! You don' even know who I am! You never say 'I love you' an' you yelled at me when I tried to comfort you! An' you didn't even apologize after that!"
The young executive stared- when had those things started bothering Jou? He was starting to feel uneasy. The scandal from earlier today had been upsetting for everyone, yes; but had it really been that distressing for Jou?
"I nearly lost my company." Kaiba buried his nervousness under his stoic tone. "I think I deserved to be upset."
The blonde felt like he had shards of ice growing in his heart. And it hurt.
"Yeah, you deserved to be upset- but that doesn' mean you can take it out on me." Tears started coming from Jou's amber eyes. Thoughts of the past three months began spreading venomously through his mind- long nights at the office, virtually no time together, little-to-no affection or attention... he turned his head away.
He loved his boyfriend- more than anything- but he couldn't take his lifestyle.
"I'm sorry, moneybags; but I don't think I can do this."
The tall brunette froze, and his azure eyes widened. "What?"
"I know you're sayin' today was a really bad incident... but the thing is- life's full of this stressful crap. There's gonna be more days like today, an' I'm not gonna let you scream or insult me again. The way you handled this... tells me you think more of your business than you do 'bout me."
Kaiba nearly groaned. He still didn't see why his lover was so upset.
"You know how big the company is- if KaibaCorp went under, thousands of people would be out of a job. Don't be selfish."
"Selfish?!" Jou yelped in shock.
Oh, that was it. His face scrunched in fury as he all but screamed.
"I have been the mos' unselfish boyfriend on the planet! I don't complain about your long days, or how we never have 'real' dates in public, or how you can' even keep track of how long we've been dating!" The blonde seemed to be growing more and more frenzied. "And now you're actin' like I wanted things to fail! I wasn't tryin' to get people fired- I was tryin' to help you deal wit' it all so you could figure out somethin' that could help everybody! I was tryin' to support you an' give you ideas!"
Kaiba decided to wait for Jou to finish his rant before speaking.
Most of the energy seemed to finally drain from the other duelist, and he sighed dejectedly.
"Look, I know ya love Mokuba, an' I love that kid too; but when I mentioned takin' time off to spend with your loved ones, you didn' even think of me. You jus' insisted that it was an economic disaster, and I shouldn't worry about your brother. I don' even remember the last time we spent even an hour together." Jou bit his bottom lip sadly. "Jus' an hour."
The billionaire frowned. "And yet you're the one always pushing me to spend more time with Mokuba, always trying to get me to sleep earlier, always giving me space- Tell me, do you even want to spend time with me?"
Jou's mouth gaped open. He couldn't even take in what his boyfriend was saying.
'Not want to spend time with him?'
His stomach clenched as he shook his head. "You really think I don't? You really don' know why I do those things? An' what I want?" Jou's eyes were overflowing with clear, falling pain. "What am I to you, Seto? What do I mean to you? You keep tabs on me withou' askin' permission; you trust me wit' your home, but not your heart; and you don' even think about 'us' maybe bein' in a serious relationship."
Kaiba raised an eyebrow in faint incredulity. "We've only been dating for three months- do you expect me to say 'I love you' and make deep commitments?"
Jou felt his chest fully freeze. His heart stilled for one painful, prolonged moment. He still didn't know what Kaiba saw him as...
...but at least now he knew what he didn't.
The shine seemed to leave Jou's hickory-colored eyes, and he replied in a dead tone.
"It's been five months- almost half a year. An' no, I wasn't expectin' you to put me in your will or propose- I just thought that you'd have a' least given some thought to 'us'."
To Seto's shock, Jou opened the unlocked limo door and shifted towards it.
"Y'know I'm lookin' for more than a casual fling. So if that's all you're lookin' for... well, ya need to look someplace else. 'Cuz I ain't gonna fool myself with anything un-serious."
The blonde was now climbing out the door.
"I still wish ya the best of luck." The thin blonde stepped out of the limo. "Goodbye, Kaiba."
The billionaire was hurt when he realized Jou hadn't even used his first name. By the time he understood what Jou had said, he was too stunned to reply, and the door was shut with a decisive *thud*.
