Seto woke to the sound of a phone ringing and automatically wondered why there was yellow fluff in his face.

The owner of the fluff let out a low moan of frustration and slammed his hand over the phone ringing and vibrating on the elder's nightstand and slid his finger across the touchscreen. "'Llo?"

There was a higher-pitched voice on the other end, and as Joey brightened a bit and starting chatting with the newly-engaged Duel King, Seto realized that they were as tangled up as two people could be with clothes on, Joey's legs wound with his and his arms-traitorous things!-wrapped around the blond's waist tightly, holding him to his chest.

"Yeah, congratulations! I knew he was gonna-Seto told me." There was a sound of confusion, and Joey laughed. "No, no, he's not upset about it-I think he kinda agrees that it's time." Honey eyes slid up to meet sapphire, and he asked, "Don't you?" "Yes. I was tired of the worry-I don't like when my brother is unhappy."

…This brought on a nearly panicked reaction from Yugi, and Joey rolled his eyes, smiling a little. "No, I just stayed over. He didn't want me walking home in the cold or some shit, and I didn't feel like leaving him alone on Christmas. You know me, I'm a giver." Seto rolled his eyes at this, though still mortified-shit, what if he found out it hadn't been…?-and Joey laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Well, happy belated Christmas. Go do whatever it is fiancées do the day after Christmas, alright? Love you, chibi-otouto. Bye."

He put his phone back on the nightstand and lay his head back down on Seto's chest, nuzzling closer and seeming more than content to go back to sleep. Stupid as it was, Seto couldn't bring himself to mind either, and he joined him, moving his arms from Joey's waist to around his shoulders, one hand going up to tangle in his hair once he was sure the other was asleep.

And maybe it was his imagination, but he swore he saw him smile.

When they finally pulled themselves from bed, the awkwardness was back. At least, for Seto it was. Joey, however…

"Hey, can I borrow some clothes?"

"Why can't you just stay up here while I throw them in the wash?""I wanna make breakfast, that's why. Goddamn, Kaiba, do you ever eat in private?"Oh, Gods, he wanted to fatten him up! Diffuse! Diffuse!

"I do, actually. I'll make-""No! I crashed here last night, I'm making breakfast. Get me some clothes, get your ass back in bed, and let me feed you, alright? I'm trying to be nice."

Well, shit. That's what made him fall for him last time. Shit.

"No, really, I can-"

There was fire in Joey's eyes.

"Get. Me. Clothes. NOW. Then. Get. Back. In. BED before I kick your ASS!"

…he had no desire to be beaten the shit out of on the day after Christmas. He may wipe the floor with Joey while dueling, but he knew the other had been a yakuza and was not taking his chances in a fist fight.

"…"

He went to the closet and grabbed one of the biggest shirts he had, remembering somehow that the other preferred to wear only a large teeshirt and his boxers to cook.

Obviously, Joey was surprised at this, but tugged the shirt over his head and grinned when the hem hit just below his boxers' hems.

"Thanks."

And as he walked off, Seto tried to tell himself he wasn't admiring the other's legs or the way he looked in his clothes.

When breakfast was done with, Joey left. Seto knew he would, but he found himself wishing he wouldn't, though he didn't try to stop him. He was flashed a smile and thanked, and when Joey looked up at him with that expression it made him want to kiss him til he was dazed, throw him over his shoulder, run back up to his room and-

…and he didn't know after that. He wanted sex, yes-he'd been celibate since refusing the other merely because no one else could arouse him anymore-but… He didn't. Not just sex. And it confused him as much as it had when he'd gotten so angry at the other for making him feel so much.

Because that's what his blowup had been. Not hate. Not disdain. Confusion. And fear. And…

And as much as it still pained him to know, love.

And he'd thrown his chance away years ago.

…This is entirely guesswork. I can write Joey well because I am coming from his viewpoint. I cannot write Seto well because I'm not from his.

I am hoping to write a chapter every day though I won't be able to post them that way (I'll post all I have written whenever I get the chance). These will be unbeta-ed. They may or may not end happily depending on what happens in my life. Some of these instances will happen, though most (especially the happy ones) will be made up, or dreams I've had.

Thank you for reading my soul. Thank you for letting me get this out the way I need to, and giving me such kind reactions.

Thank you.

~Mel