So, I noticed that a couple of people were wondering what question Judai had wanted to ask Jesse in the last chapter. I mentioned this in replies (and it's on my profile) but I thought I'd make an announcement now: FEAR NOT, MY LOVELY READERS! ALL SHALL BE REVEALED…IN THE SISTER STORY!

Or…would it be brother story? Ah what the hell, I say it's a sister story!

It will be titled "Star-Crossed," and it will be published after this is finished. It's basically what happened in this story, except now you get to read what happened on Judai's end! *dramatically:* See exactly what Judai was thinking on the bus! Find out more about his home life than you ever wanted to know! Experience what it is like to be an alien on this strange and marvelous world…!

:is slapped: OKAY, FINE I'M DONE! But yeah, it's gonna match up chapter to chapter...really you could read them side by side if you wanted to.

To the Anonymous reviewer: AH, YES! YOU GOT IT RIGHT!

In chapter three I mentioned that Jesse's favorite animals were insects, this is in reference to the manga- he first meets Judai/Jaden because he's hunting for a rare beetle, or something.

Also, Anonymous-san, I wanted to thank you for the butterfly net. It came in handy when I captured…

MISAKI TAKAHASHI! :unveils Misaki, who is sitting patiently behind a curtain.

Angel: *attacks Misaki and huggles him:

Misaki: Erm, this isn't even my fandom…

Angel: Hush up! I have kidnapped you!

Misaki: But what about Usagi-san?

Angel: Your sexy seme-god? Eh, he gets you on the weekdays from now on. I get you Friday night to Monday morning.

Anywho, This is a fun chapter, I like it! So now I say, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, E.T. by Katy Perry, or the character from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel monsters that I shamelessly inserted into this story. This fiction contains language and sensitive material. Beware Ye Virgin-Eyed People.

Chapter Four- Closer

Eventually Jesse had to leave. It was getting dark and cold, and there was the matter of his pets to deal with.

"How are you getting home?" Judai asked as Jesse stood up. At once, Jesse felt ten degrees colder, literally and figuratively- at least when he'd been sitting with Judai he'd been warm, and the absence of the heat somehow made him depressed.

"I'm taking the bus," Jesse said absently, checking to see that he still had his metro card.

"The bus? Well that doesn't sound like fun. Do you want a ride?"

Jesse stared blankly at Judai. A ride?

"With who?"

Judai laughed. "Me, of course!" He grabbed Jesse's hand and started walking. "Come on, my car's this way."

"Whoa!" Jesse cried, yanking Judai to a stop, but not letting go of his hand. "I didn't say yes!"

"Okay," Judai said. "So say it now."

'Jeez.'

"Maybe I don't feel like it," Jesse said stubbornly.

Judai grinned smugly. "I think you do want a ride."

"Oh?" Jesse asked. "And what makes you think that?"

"One- you're still holding my hand."

Judai tightened his grip.

"Two, you're shivering, and I don't think you want to wait for the bus in this weather."

Judai stepped closer- they were two inches away from each other. Jesse felt his heart speed up.

"Three," his whispered, and Jesse could feel the heat from Judai's breath on his face. "You haven't walked away from me yet."

For a second, Jesse thought that Judai might try to kiss him. He waited, but neither of them moved. Jesse sighed, trying to act like he wasn't ready to jump out of his skin.

"Fine, will you give me a ride home?"

Judai let go of Jesse's hand and wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

"Absolutely."

Jesse leaned into Judai as they walked. He would never say it out loud, but he really liked the fact that Judai kept holding him…like he was trying to hold onto Jesse…like he was afraid that Jesse would try to run away.

'And, in a way,' Jesse thought to himself as they came to the parking lot, 'If he doesn't want me to leave him, then that means that he won't try to leave me.' Because, why would anyone try to keep someone by their side only to leave them in the end?

'Which means…'

Jesse was on the verge of some very important realization, when he was shocked out of his thought by the object in front of him.

"This is your car?"

Judai grinned sheepishly. "Yeah."

Jesse didn't know much about cars, but he knew that this one was expensive. Very expensive. It was sleek and looked incredibly fast, and though the streetlights made the color look off, Jesse could tell that it was bright yellow. He snuck a glance at the emblem on the front and felt his jaw drop. It was a Jaguar.

"I can't believe nobody stole it," Jesse finally muttered.

"Nobody would dare," Judai said. Jesse cast him a questioning glance. Had that been a threat? But Judai was smiling, and he didn't look the least bit threatening.

"Well, don't just stare, get in!" Judai told him, holding the door open.

Jesse really wanted to see this car in the daylight, because he was sure it would be incredible. The interior was all black leather, and it still smelled new. It was equipped with a GPS

"Exactly what kind of car is this?" Jesse asked as Judai slid into the driver's seat.

"It's a 2011 XKR175 Coupe."

"Ah."

Judai shot him a grin as he turned the key. "You have no idea what I just said, do you?"

"None at all," Jesse admitted.

Judai put the car in gear and pulled out of the parking lot. "Well, it's really fast car- 510 horse power and Zero-to-Sixty in 4.6 seconds, and it was a limited release."

Judai paused; they'd made it out of the parking lot and had stopped at a red light.

"So, what did you say your address was, again?"

"I didn't."

The ride was far too short for Jesse's liking.

"Thanks for the ride."

"No problem."

Silence.

Jesse had his hand on the seatbelt, but he didn't release it. He wasn't looking at Judai, instead kept his eyes on the gear shift. Judai- for his part- had his hands clamped on the steering wheel and was staring straight ahead.

'It feels way too tense in here,' Jesse observed. Just then he was struck by a sudden thought.

"Hey, if you-"

"Do you want-"

They'd spoken at the same time.

At once the tension evaporated and they both started laughing.

"Do you want to come upstairs?"

It took Jesse a second to realize that the words had come out of his own mouth.

"Seriously?" Judai sounded surprised, but also happy.

"Uh, yeah… I mean, as long as you don't mind the dog…or cats."

"Not at all," Judai said excitedly.

Jesse franticly tried to remember if the apartment was clean, and was relieved when he remembered that he'd vacuumed the other day and he had indeed washed the dishes that morning. Judai parked the car and on the way to the elevator, he turned to Jesse and asked,

"So, what were you going to ask me in the car?"

"Oh," Jesse was brought back to his previous train of thought. He narrowed his eyes and poked Judai in the arm.

"If you've got a car like that, why were you taking the bus to school?"

Judai sighed. "It's all my brother's fault," he grumbled. "It was due for inspection and he forgot to write down when the appointment was and I missed it, so I had to get another one; that was the only day the mechanics had an opening."

The first part of that statement shocked Jesse to the core.

"You have a brother?" He cried.

The elevator door opened and they stepped out into the hallway. Jesse fumbled with his keys, trying to imagine what Judai's brother could possibly be like.

"Yeah, I didn't get to tell you about that, did I? Well, actually-"

At that point Jesse finally got the door open, and what Judai had been about to say was lost as a reddish-brown furball named Ruby came barreling towards the door. Jesse flung himself in front of Judai and caught Ruby as she launched herself at him.

"Augh- Ruby!"

Jesse shoved her off of him. "Cut that out!" He scolded. Ruby barked and proceeded to chase her tail.

Jesse sighed. "Sorry about her," he said as they made their way inside. "She's only about a year old, so she's still pretty excitable."

"That's alright," Judai told him. He knelt down and stroked Ruby's head. She licked his face and he laughed.

"Hey girl," he said in that voice that people only use when they talk to dogs… or babies. Jesse was thrilled that Ruby seemed to like him. Speaking of which…

"Watch out for the cats," Jesse warned as he went into the kitchen. "They kind of… well they're a little wary around strangers." He poured some food into the assorted animal dishes.

"Are you thirsty or anything?" He called towards the living room. "I've got soda…"

"Sounds good!" Judai yelled back.

Jesse put the food down and got two soda's out of the fridge. When he walked back into the living room, he was shocked to find both Amethyst and Topaz sitting on the couch next to Judai, vying for his attention.

"Whoa."

Judai looked up at him. "Sorry?"

"They've never warmed up to anyone that fast before," Jesse told him as he handed one of the cans to Judai. "Are you like, an animal whisperer or something?"

Judai laughed. "No, but I do have a dog of my own at home, and I've always loved cats…I can't have one though, my brother's allergic."

Speaking of brothers…

"So, what's he like? Your brother, I mean," Jesse asked casually as he sat down on the other end of the couch. Amethyst broke away from Judai and pranced over to him, rubbing her face under his chin. Jesse scratched her ears.

"I don't have any food, girl. Your dinner is in the kitchen," he told her, and she took off. He heard Judai laugh again and glanced at him. Topaz was still sitting in his lap.

"Are you an animal whisperer?" Judai teased. "Because it seems like she really understands you."

Jesse waved the statement off. "The only words she understands are 'food' and 'kitchen'. She won't even respond to her name most of the time."

"Speaking of names, this one is Topaz right?"

"Yep. Now, quit avoiding the question. It's still my turn, you know."

Judai sighed. "So it is."

He paused, an intense look on his face. Jesse wondered what he was thinking about.

"If it's a sensitive subject, you don't have to tell me," Jesse said, wondering if perhaps Judai didn't get along with his brother.

"No, that's not it. It's just… well," Topaz scooted off of his lap and Judai moved closer to Jesse. "It's kind of a long story."

"If you don't mind talking about it, I don't mind hearing about it," Jesse told him, and Judai leaned back, cracking open the soda and taking a quick sip.

"Okay then. Well, his name is Yubel, he's a novelist, he's allergic to cats, he doesn't have a girlfriend… he's a pretty nice guy I guess…also, we're not actually related; his parents adopted me. I don't know much about my biological parents."

"Oh," Jesse said softly. "Um…" He wasn't quite sure what to say, but Judai held up a hand.

"Don't worry, it's really not a big deal. I was still a baby when I was adopted, so it's not like I remember it anyway."

"Okay," Jesse said, but he still felt awkward. "So, do you live with your adoptive parents too, or just your brother?"

"Just my brother," Judai said casually. "My adoptive parents work a lot, and they're barely home. That's why when he moved here, I asked to come along. He's kind of been responsible for me my entire life- he practically raised me."

"It sounds like you guys get along really well," Jesse said.

"Yeah, well it would seem that way, wouldn't it? But the truth is he annoys the crap out of me. He's just so…" he seemed to be struggling to find the right words. "He's always getting in my space, and it's like I never have a private thought around him."

"Really?" Jesse asked. "How's that?"

"Um, well you know…" Once again Judai couldn't seem to find the words he wanted, but something clicked in Jesse's mind.

"Oh! I get it!"

"You do?" Judai asked.

"Yeah, he's one of those people that's really good at guessing what you're thinking about, right? Like he can read minds."

Judai laughed. "Yeah, you got it. He always seems to know what I'm thinking about."

Jesse gave him a sympathetic look. "Well, that does seem like it could get annoying, but it's probably just because he knows you so well."

Judai nodded in agreement.

"So, how old is he?"

"He's twenty nine- twelve years older than me."

Jesse hadn't expected such a big age difference. "How long was he living with your parents for, if he just moved two years ago?"

"Oh, he moved out when he was eighteen, he just moved next door. Actually," Judai said thought fully, "I kind of moved with him then, too. I basically lived over there for most of my life."

Judai got very quiet then, and Jesse realized that he was deep in thought. He waited a few minutes before speaking up again.

"So, what did your parents do that kept them so busy?"

Judai jerked his gaze back to Jesse, and with relief Jesse noticed that he didn't seem quite as melancholy as he had a few minutes ago.

"They're ambassadors."

"Seriously?" He'd heard of ambassadors, but they always seemed like celebrities to Jesse- untouchable, far away… people you read about in the news and textbooks and the like, but never expected to meet in real life.

"You bet," Judai said proudly. "They're the ones who bought me the car, by the way; it was a birthday present."

"Well, I kind of figured that you didn't pay for it," Jesse teased.

"You know," Judai said suddenly, "I've never talked to anyone about my family before."

Judging from the speculations he'd heard from Chazz, Jesse had kind of figured that that had been the case. He supposed now that it was kind of funny that he'd only known Judai for a few days, and he knew more about him than the rest of the school combined.

'No,' he corrected himself. 'It's special. He told me all of this because…'

"So why did you tell me?" Jesse asked. Once again, he found his hand captive in Judai's. Though, Judai's hand was colder now… too cold, in Jesse's opinion. He grabbed Judai's hand in both of his and lifted it up.

"Jeez, how cold was that soda?" he asked, momentarily thrown off. "Your hand is freezing!"

He rubbed his hands across Judai's skin, trying to warm it up.

"Because I lo-"

Jesse stopped dead as Judai broke off the sentence.

"What?" he asked softly, not daring to meet Judai's gaze. His heart was racing for the umpteenth time that day, and this time he knew that he was nervous.

Judai freed his hand and lifted it to Jesse's face. He hesitated a moment, then brushed his fingers through Jesse's hair. The motion was so soothing that Jesse felt his heart rate calm down, and he looked up and into Judai's face.

Three inches. That was how far away they were. For the second time that day, Jesse felt like Judai would kiss him. Instead he pulled away, but he kept his fingers in Jesse's hair, gently brushing it back, over and over again.

"I told you about my family," Judai said slowly, "Because you're important to me."

"Important how?" Jesse asked.

Judai's eyes flickered over Jesse's face, and Jesse kept very still. He felt like if he moved, then the moment would be lost.

"You…" Judai began. "I may not have known you for very long, but I already know that you're special. I've never met anyone like you before, and all I know is that I don't want to lose you."

Jesse held Judai's gaze for a while; he searched his eyes, his face…looking for anything that suggested that Judai was not being one hundred percent truthful. He found nothing, and that alone amazed him.

Jesse fell forward, wrapping his arms around Judai's waist and resting his chin on Judai's shoulder.

"You," he said softly, "Are like no one I've ever met."

Judai's hands wound around him and tugged him closer. "And?"

Jesse smiled. "I like it."

Once again time got away from them, and it was soon ten thirty.

"I really have to go," Judai muttered, but at the same time he tightened his grip on Jesse's waist. Jesse lightly pinched his hand.

"Ow."

"Crybaby."

"Jesse, you meanie," Judai pouted. "Take that back."

Jesse laughed and twisted around in Judai's arms. "Make me," he dared.

Judai grinned mischievously, pout disappearing. "You sure you want me to do that?"

Jesse kept the grin on his face, though he felt a little nervous. "I'd like to see you tr- AH!"

He twisted out of Judai's arms and leapt up, holding his sides. "Judai!"

Judai was doubled over laughing. "So," he said between laughs, "You are ticklish."

Jesse felt his cheeks burn. "No," he snapped, backing away. "I'm not."

Judai stood up, a positively evil look on his face. "Oh really?" He made to grab Jesse, but he managed to dodge just in time and run behind the couch. "What are you running for?" Judai asked. "If you weren't ticklish, then you'd let me…"

Jesse grabbed a previously sleeping Amethyst off the back of the couch and held her in front of him. "Get back!" he said threateningly. "I warn you, she's crabby when she wakes up!" And indeed, the cat did have a crabby air about her.

Judai sighed in defeat. "Fine, I surrender. For now."

Jesse put Amethyst back on the couch and she curled up again, flicking Jesse's arm with her tail.

"Sorry, girly," he said softly, scratching her ears. "It's all Judai's fault."

"Oh sure," Judai said as he tugged on his jacket. "Blame me. It's actually your fault."

"How do you figure?" Jesse asked as he walked out from behind the couch.

"You called me a crybaby, so I tickled you."

Jesse rolled his eyes. "Alright, I's sorry I called you a crybaby."

They were standing in front of the door now. Jesse unlocked it and pulled it open for Judai. "So, do you forgive me?"

Judai pretended to think it over. "Yes, I forgive you."

"Wonderful."

Judai stepped over the threshold, but then turned back. Their eyes locked and in that moment Jesse swore that his mind had gone absolutely blank- he didn't think about what he was doing, he just…did it.

His eyes slid shut about the same time that he felt Judai's breath on his face.

The kiss was so quick, it barely lasted more than a second. It was like a peck, but it sent a rush of heat through Jesse's entire body and sent his heart racing. Even as they pulled apart, Jesse knew that it was too fast. His mind cleared, but he could only think one thing.

'Not enough.'

He opened his eyes to find Judai once again three inches from his face. Jesse saw the look in Judai's eyes and recognized it at once- it was the same look from the bus. The look that said, "I'm going to devour you." Once again it sent a thrill through him; not as soon as he saw it, the look was gone.

"Did you want a ride to school on Monday?" Judai asked him. He sounded breathless.

"Sure," Jesse responded, although he was sure that he'd told Jim that they would be taking the bus together all year.

"See you then," Judai said backing away. "Goodnight."

"'Night," Jesse echoed.

He watched Judai walk down the hall and waited until the elevator doors had closed behind him before shutting the door. He fell against the wall and slid down.

'Talk about an amazing kiss,' Jesse thought to himself. He raised a hand to his lips and realized that he was grinning like an idiot. Sure, he'd been kissed before, but none of them had been like this. This was amazing and…

'I'm falling for him,' Jesse realized with a jolt. 'I'm falling for him and I'm falling hard.'

:is too busy cuddling Misaki to speak:

Misaki: Um, yeah. She wants reviews.

Angel: AND SHE WANTS THEM NOW!

PS- I feel I should mention that I don't own Misaki Takahashi… he belongs to Junjou Romantica, which I recommend all yaoi fans go watch/read.