Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX

Chapter 2

Atticus Rhodes

Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who's the most gorgeous one of all?

Atticus grinned at himself in the mirror of his dorm room. He had just finished preening himself and making sure his hair was neat and tidy, and was quite satisfied with the result. He looked good.

He was getting ready to go and visit Zane Truesdale, a very good friend of his, in the hospital. He had been taken in the previous evening, and as far as Atticus was aware, kept company only by his brother. It wasn't that Atticus didn't like Syrus, it was just that Syrus was a timid little thing, more like a mouse than a cat, and Atticus thought Zane could use cheering up.

Of course, Atticus had deluded himself into thinking Zane - sick or not - would enjoy the company of the life of the party. It wasn't like Zane was into all that stuff, he was pretty expressionless and kept himself to himself, and with the added burden of being sick and having collapsed the previous night …

Well, Zane wasn't going to be too happy with Atticus' usual antics.

But that didn't mean the brunette wasn't going to try! If Zane was really going to tear him limb from limb, Syrus would be there to stop him.

He decided to take a leisurely stroll through the forest to the school. After all their cross-dimensional adventures, all the gang needed a little break and some light relief. For Atticus, that mean music, singing, partying. Secretly, he enjoyed long walks through the peaceful forest - not that he would ever admit to that, it would spoil his reputation as a party animal.

There were birds singing and the grass was emerald green, the thick clumps of plants and trees calm and steady. The forest seemed empty and it was very quiet, only the chirps of the birds flying above and the sound of his own footsteps disturbing the peaceful silence.

So it was only natural that Atticus should hear two familiar voices. From the way they were getting steadily louder, he could only imagine that he was getting closer to them as he walked.

To be honest, Atticus didn't want to run into them. Jesse was cool, sure. But Jaden?

Jaden had been great before they went to that other world. But now he barely wanted to talk to anyone, much less party or make fun of Atticus, or really do anything that he had beforehand. Atticus barely saw him, as he stayed cooped up in his room, not really seeing any of his friends.

At least this was proof he was out of that room. Maybe Jesse convinced him.

Of course, Atticus grinned at the thought, and suddenly hoped he would run into them. But maybe not point blank. He should hide.

Yeah, Atticus could picture himself as a ninja. Pity about the white coat edged with blue, he would have liked black. Still, nothing lessened his suddenly good mood as he scaled a nearby tree. The thick leaves would hide him as long as he didn't make any noise.

Their voices were steadily approaching, getting closer, obviously walking in his direction. Pressing himself closer to the trunk of the tree, Atticus hid his smile of glee.

He hoped to catch them doing something embarrassing, something that he could use as blackmail.

Of course, since he was the 'Master Of Love', he had his suspicions about Jaden and Jesse's relationship already. He had seen Jaden only once or twice since they returned from the other world, but he hadn't missed the fact that Jaden seemed genuinely happy with Jesse. Before that other world, before Yubel had interfered, Atticus had seen the smiles Jaden saved for the bluenette. He had seen Jaden sigh softly and stare when Jesse's back was turned. And Atticus had seen Jesse doing the same, particularly since they came back from Yubel's world. Jesse had missed Jaden, and kept trying to talk to him. Now, it seemed, it had worked.

The two came into view, walking extremely slowly. Their hands were linked together.

Hah! I knew it! I'm always right … how come nobody ever listens to me? Atticus thought to himself when he saw it.

He grinned and then moved to get a little closer - stepping on a twig in the process. He mentally slapped himself when he heard the snap of the wood.

Jaden suddenly stopped, while Jesse kept walking, causing their hands to separate. The bluenette stepped and turned back to look at the brunette, who was standing with a half-puzzled, half-amused expression on his face.

"Something up, Jay?" he asked, taking two steps closer to the other.

"I thought I heard …" the brunette said softly, then he shook his head. "I'm hearing things. Oh well."

The brunette reached forward to take Jesse's hand again, and the bluenette closed his fingers around Jaden's. The two simply stood there, smiling at each other. No words were really needed.

Atticus wished they would talk again. No, he wished they would start walking! He felt like he was going to sneeze, and he couldn't, or they'd know he was there!

Damn it, start walking, he thought. Hurry up!

Jaden grinned at the other and then started walking, his grip on Jesse's hand forcing the bluenette to move with him. As they walked, the two casually threw their arms over each other's shoulders.

Atticus allowed himself to sneeze, holding his nose so it wouldn't make a lot of noise. It worked, though it did make his ribs hurt a little.

Although Atticus thought he might have imagined it, he thought it saw Jaden give him the thumbs up, his arm still around Jesse, his back still turned. But Jaden never really was perfectly normal, and now nobody was really sure what to think.

How Jaden heard him, he didn't know.

But he was sure he had.

Atticus climbed out of the tree and continued his journey to the infirmary of Duel Academy to see the Truesdale brothers. He mentally debated whether or not he should tell everyone about it or throw the two a surprise party, but he decided against both.

It was their life, and he shouldn't interfere with anything like that. That was one lesson his sister had taught him!

So Atticus continued walking, wondering if anyone else knew about it, knowing he wouldn't say anything.

And when somebody told him the news, he would be able to stick out his tongue and tell them that he already knew.

He was looking forward to it already.


Please R&R