"So where am I staying?" asked Jou, climbing into the car seat opposite Kaiba.
"With me."
"Sorry?"
"You'll be staying at Kaiba Mansion."
"But, well, I'm sure Jared and I can sort out a hote-"
"No need. Your rooms have already been prepared, and I've had one converted into a studio for you to work in. We've had a good choice of materials shipped in from abroad, so you can take your pick, and request any more if you need them, we've had top-notch textile equipment ordered and I can easily employ seamstresses if you need them."
"Oh. Right. Well, actually I prefer to work on the clothes myself, no offence to your seamstresses."
"As you wish. Home, please." He addressed the chauffeur, who nodded and started the car.
Jou ran a hand through his hair. Well, he couldn't escape now. As long as Kaiba kept to himself and didn't antagonise him at every possible moment, perhaps he could survive this. And besides, Kaiba wasn't acting half as bad as he'd remembered, with the exception of the nicknames. Perhaps he'd matured a little.
Jou glanced up, to see Kaiba tapping at a laptop that had just appeared. He took some time to regard his old nemesis. Although he still remained as good-looking (and aware of it) as before, the dark circles under his eyes had widened, and he looked more exhausted. He was looking a lot skinnier, and his brown hair was messier than the neat style he'd sported so confidently before. However, it wasn't unattractive. If anything his flaws endeared him more to Jou. Not that he'd ever admit it.
Kaiba looked up.
"See something you like, Pup?"
Jou rolled his eyes, and turned to look out of the window, although he could still feel Kaiba's calculating gaze on him for a good few seconds before he finally turned back to his computer. Even so, a slight blush adorned his cheeks. He frowned. Why was he reacting like this? Kaiba had never made him nervous before.
The limo pulled up in front of the impressive Kaiba Mansion, Jou remembered walking past it several times, years before, and glaring. Jou climbed out of the limo, to be beckoned in by a butler who even bowed as they entered the mansion. The entrance hall was the size of a small building, with doors to connecting rooms placed along the walls right down to the opposite end. Jared appeared from a door on the left, looking very relieved when he saw Jou.
"I've set up your rooms on the first floor, if you'd care to show them, Larson." Kaiba remarked, removing his coat and handing it to a maid, whilst gesturing at the butler who'd let them in.
"Yes, Mr. Kaiba. Sirs, if you could follow me." Larson inclined his head towards the large staircase at the end of the hall.
Jou walked up the stairs behind him, closely followed by Jared, who was clearly a little intimidated by the vast mansion.
"Are you alright, J?" Jou asked, concernedly.
"Oh gosh yes, I'm sorry if I seem a little jittery. But isn't it just...wonderful?"
"Excessive is the word I'd use." Jou made sure not to talk too loudly, in case Larson overheard.
They walked down a red corridor, with doors on all sides and lamps patterning both walls. They continued past several pairs of doors until they reached the end, where a large pair of silver double doors loomed over them.
"These doors lead to Master Kaiba's suite. I would ask that you do not disturb the Master without permission, he is very busy."
Jou made an effort not to smirk, and instead nodded respectfully.
"This, however, is your suite and your secretary's" Larson gestured to the room directly on the left of the double doors, and the one next to it.
"We're...right next to him?"
"Yes, the other rooms are unfortunately in maintenance. Oh, except for your studio, that's on the ground floor. I believe the master wanted to show you that himself."
"Wait, Master? So he hasn't found himself a wife yet?" Jou asked, jokily.
"No, sir. Mr. Kaiba shows no interest in the subject."
"Oh, and what about Mokuba?" Jou remembered how close the two brothers had been. How old was Mokie now – seventeen, eighteen?
"Master Mokuba left for university several months ago, sir. To tell you the truth, Master Seto hasn't been the same since."
"Oh, really? How?"
"It's really not my business to tell, sir. I must attend to the kitchens, please make yourselves at home and let me know if you need anything."
And with that, Larson left, his leather shoes clacking on the spotless floor.
Jounouchi rolled his eyes at Jared, and walked into the room directly next to Kaiba's suite. Or, more adequately named: 'rooms'. When the Butler had said a suite, he'd meant a suite.
A huge king-sized bed sat temptingly in the corner, whilst a television and fireplace adorned the opposite walls. Another door led to a study, with a desk, and Jou noticed, several fashion-related books lying on the bookcases. Another room held a bath, a shower, a toilet, in flawless polished silver. Jou let out a long whistle as he looked over his accommodation.
"Isn't it wonderful? Mine's slightly smaller, but the bed is just as big!" cried Jared, sounding very much in awe of his surroundings. Jou chuckled, and ruffled the younger man's hair, and explored his room a little further. There were pictures of the Kaiba brothers sitting innocently on the desk in the study. Perhaps this had been Mokuba's room.
Thinking about what Larson had just said, Jou walked to sit down on the bed, running a hand through his hair. So perhaps that was why Kaiba was looking less secure. He felt a pang of sympathy for the man. Despite his irritating manner and self-righteous attitude, he had been incredibly generous to them. And with the loss of his brother, he probably didn't need a hard time.
"Hey – you should see your studio, Jou. It's even more impressive than this!" cried Jared enthusiastically from the doorway.
"Is that even possible?"
Jou suppressed his anxieties, smiled, and followed Jared down the corridor.
---
Jared hadn't been lying.
The room was huge, covering almost the same area as a small house. Inside were lines upon lines of manikins, and even more textile books. What was most impressive was the wall of material hanging up on the opposite wall. Jou could scarcely speak, with all this choice he was in textile heaven. Tables of expensive-looking jewels lay in the middle of the room, and several desks with sewing machines leaned against the opposite wall. In the middle of the room there were several huge tables, on which lay everything Jou could possibly need to make any piece of clothing he desired.
"Never seen anything like it, have you Mutt?" drawled a voice behind him.
Even Kaiba couldn't ruin his mood right now.
"It's fantastic, Kaiba."
"Oh?" The CEO sounded genuinely taken aback, even pleased. Jou felt a little better in himself, although he wasn't sure why.
"When do I get started?" he ventured, enthusiastically.
"Well, it's past your bedtime, so not until the morning."
"And there I thought we might be civil." Jou scoffed, throwing Kaiba a reproachful look. The CEO merely smiled. Something in his expression made Jou's heart rate rise a little. He frowned, and turned away from Kaiba, to gaze instead at the huge selection of materials.
"Well, I'm going to bed. I imagine you'll be jetlagged, and you'll definitely be needing your beauty sleep, Mutt."
Even now, the brunette still persisted on being unbearable. Although it was probably to be expected, Jou knew he'd be putting up with the man's attitude for weeks, maybe even months. The thought of it seemed somewhat less repulsive than it had before. And he wasn't sure why.
"Oh, give it a rest, Kaiba." Jou said.
"Now, now, Pup. Sweet dreams." And with that, Kaiba strode majestically out of the room.
"Sir, how do you know him? If you don't mind my asking?" Jared ventured, somewhat timidly.
"Oh, we were at school together." Jou replied, walking over to one of the windows to try and glimpse what he could of Kaiba's gardens.
"Were you...well. You know?" Jared hesitated.
"Sorry?" Jou turned to look at his secretary. Jared was blushing wildly.
"Well, um. I mean, like, together?"
"What?!" Jou cried "What made you think that?!"
"Oh gosh, I'm sorry Katsuya, I never meant to insinuate anything!" Jared looked positively horrified. "No, I was just wondering about the nicknames..."
Jou burst out laughing, catching the other man off guard.
"Are you kidding? Kaiba and me? We were at each other's necks for years!" Jou laughed. "He calls me Pup because he thinks it irritates me. Which it still kinda does, regrettably."
"Oh! Bit eccentric for a grown man." Remarked Jared, running a hand through his hair embarrassedly. "So you don't swing that way, Sir?"
Jou stopped laughing. "Uh, well, I don't..." Thinking about it, he hadn't really enjoyed any of his relationships with women, all one of them. Mai had put him off them. But then again, he'd never really consciously had feelings for a man either. Well, perhaps he'd found some men attractive, sure. Like Ka...Wait, what?
"Are you alright, Sir?"
Jou realised he'd been frowning, and schooled his expression.
"Oh, yes, no I'm fine. I'm knackered actually. I think I may head upstairs - I'll catch you in the morning, Jared."
He was hoping Jared would take his lead and not revert back to the previous topic of conversation.
"Oh no! I'm coming with you sir. There's no way I'm being left alone in this house – I'll get lost!"
Jou smirked, beckoned, and took one last look at his studio, before turning and heading once again up the staircase, Jared following obediently behind him.