Authors Note: The song that in this story is written by Seto Kaiba is named Echo and was written by Nicholle Anne Galyon, Jason Walker and sung by Jason Walker and I own nothing of it. I'm not sure if I got all the lyrics right since I found three different versions and I wasn't sure which one is correct, so I went with what I thought I heard at first because my friend thought it was the same.
Chapter 7
"What?" Kaiba asks right after picking up his ringing phone and having seen that it is Rolands number.
"It's so nice to hear that you have such great manners." Joey says ironically. "Dinner is nearly ready, so get over here."
"Didn't I say something about having Roland call me?" Kaiba asks.
"You did and guess what, I know that, you know that, but Roland doesn't know that." Joey says with a grin.
"You lied?" Kaiba replies surprised.
"Straight to his face and didn't even blush." Joey says sounding smug. "So are you coming or what?"
"How much time do I have?" Kaiba want's to know.
"20 minutes and if you're late," Joey threatens happily, "I'll give your portion to Roland."
"Don't you dare to give it to anyone but me." Kaiba grumbles. "I can't do anything about traffic and if I do happen to run late and find my food gone you're in trouble, understood?"
"Well then hurry." Joey says and just ends the call, still wondering why he is so happy about the fact that Kaiba might be in love with him, it's not even like he knows it for sure. Kaiba sure hasn't even hinted that he could possibly be in love with him and just like Kaiba might lie to Mokuba, he could have lied to Joey about not lying to the kid.
While cooking Joey thinks about it a little more. About the way Kaiba had acted around him the last few weeks. Kaiba had helped him after first refusing to do so. He had changed his mind when Joey had begged, telling him to get up more then once like he didn't want to see Joey that way. He had given him outfits that to be truthful really did look good on him. Even in the suit he looks rather well and considering what Nicky said to Shay, all that cost a fortune. On top of that Kaiba let him go see his friends after a while when Joey really did start to miss them a lot and after he promised to stay longer. Giving Kaiba some hope that Joey isn't just close to him because of that stupid deal and by now, Joey feels bad for even making that deal. It feels wrong that Kaiba has to do something to keep him close when he wants to be close to him anyway. And most of all, Joey thinks of what Kaiba said when straightening out his tie. Did he really think Joey cute when he was annoyed with this stupid tie? If yes, Joey must look similar at times when they fought since it is the same feeling. Joey wasn't even really annoyed about the tie but rather about Kaiba making him wear it.
Does Kaiba think him cute? Like some cute little girl? In the end Joey decides that he will just have to show that stuck up prick that he's most certainly not cute.
A little later Kaiba walks into the kitchen. Joey is so deep in thought that he doesn't even notice until a hand moves past him and puts the finger into the pudding Joey made for desert to try it. "Paws off." Joey says and slaps the hand before looking back and seeing that it's Kaiba who just grins and licks the finger.
"Definitely worth the punishment." Kaiba states before asking, "I'm five minutes late and the food isn't even ready. Did you lie to me too mutt?"
"I'm not as smart as you are and wasn't sure how long it would take so I tried to get you here five minutes sooner to make sure that I'm not five minutes before you can get here and spoil the food by keeping it warm for too long." Joey defends himself.
"And how am I supposed to believe you when you managed to lie to Roland?" Kaiba asks, "Usually he's better than any lie detector."
Joey just grins at him and says, "You can't, but I promise I'll never lie to you when it's important that I don't. Like if I promise you something. And now sit down. Dinner will be done in just a second."
"In that case I'm very curious how long a second will be." Kaiba replies and a few minutes later they're both sitting at the dinner table and eat a three course meal while Joey asks Kaiba about the parts of his day that he wasn't there. Especially how it went with Mokuba.
In return Kaiba asks a few more questions about what Joey did with his friends and later with Serenity, as well as how she is doing after the operation. Kaiba grins while he listens to Joey's complaints about having his friends see him in that stupid suit and how they made fun of his crocked tie.
Both guys enjoy the evening while Seto wonders why Joey's mood seems to be particularly good, especially considering that his friends seemed to have annoyed him a little about the suit but decides that it's just because Joey is happy to have seen them again, no matter what they say. Kaiba definitely doesn't consider that it could possibly have anything to do with him.
After the dinner is finished Kaiba gives a sigh and mumbles "I guess I have to get back to work a little."
"Again?" Joey whines, "You're always working! Can't you do something else for a change?"
"I have to get it finished and there really isn't anything else that I want to do anyway." Kaiba explains. "So unless you have a great suggestion what I could do, I will use my time meaningfully."
"What did you do when you were a kid?" Joey asks. "I mean, before you came to live here and had to learn so much that you forgot how to have fun?"
"I know how to have fun." Kaiba grumbles, "And I played silly kids games back then. The kind of games that even an oversize kid like you wouldn't find interesting anymore, like building a castle in a sandbox."
"I guess the oversize kid isn't an insult, considering that I do enjoy doing just that but usually at the beach rather than a tiny sandbox." Joey says with a sigh. "Did you never have any hobbies apart from dueling or working yourself to death?"
After a glare from Kaiba about the working him self to death he says, "I like music. But I doubt that you'd like my favourite kind of music."
"What kind of music is it?" Joey asks excited to have found something else that he might be able to use to distract Kaiba from work, since Joey thinks that even if Kaiba really does enjoy his work, the amount of time he's putting into it can't be healthy for him and he needs something else to do "And do you play any instruments?"
"I mostly like classical music but I'm not opposed any kind of music and enjoy rap, pop, soul or even dance, techno, rock music and anything else really." Kaiba replies, "And yes, I can play the piano but don't really find the time to do so."
"Do it now." Joey says, so excited that he's getting jumpy. "I would love to hear you play something for me so please, please, please play for me."
Kaiba watches the excitement in Joey's eyes and how he's nearly jumping up and down, unable to stand still. With a sigh he says, "Fine but only one song and then I'll work, understood?"
"Yes." Joey grins already planning to ask for more once the first one is over.
Joey follows Kaiba towards a room that has multiple instruments in it, including a white grand piano. Kaiba sits down at it and asks, "Any requests?"
"Nope." Joey says and looks around the room at the other instruments. Everything looks a little dusty and Joey is sure that it would look a lot worse if the maids wouldn't clean in here every now and then. "Just play whatever you like best."
Joey listens to the classical piece Kaiba plays, not knowing what it is but liking it. It sounds a little sad but is calming and relaxing. After a while Joey sits down at the piano bench next to Kaiba and looks at him while he plays, clearly not needing to look at any notes since there aren't any around to look at. "It was beautiful." Joey states after Kaiba stops. "Do you know just that one without notes or more?"
"I know a few of my favorites by heart." Kaiba replies, "There should be notes around for some more though."
"Can you sing?" Joey asks, surprising Kaiba. "I mean if you wanted to could you play and sing some song along? I'm just asking because when you speak you have such a nice voice that I wondered a few times already if you could sing too because I bet it sounds great."
"Didn't we agree on one song and then work?" Kaiba ask with a gentle smile.
"No you decided on that and asked if I understood." Joey grins, "And I do understand it, but I never said that I liked it and wouldn't try to get more out of you."
"Cheeky little brat." Kaiba teases him, still smiling. "I don't know if I can sing. No one ever heard me try."
"Did you try?" Joey asks, "I mean, when no one was around?"
Kaiba looks thoughtfully like he isn't sure if he should answer that question honestly but then says, "One song, yes. But not often and I doubt that it's any good."
"What song?" Joey asks.
"You can't know it." Seto replies.
"How can you be so sure about it?" Joey wants to know.
"Because I wrote it." Seto says looking into Joey's eyes, "And I never meant for anyone to hear it and I doubt that I have any talent in songwriting."
"May I hear it?" Joey asks tenderly, "I promise I won't laugh and I won't talk about it to anyone."
Kaiba looks at him for a moment before asking, "How do I know that you're not lying to me again?"
"I told you that I wouldn't lie to you if I promise something, didn't I?" Joey asks with a pout.
"And how do I know that you didn't lie then?" Kaiba asks grinning a little. He knows that Joey would never break a promise and that it isn't a lie but he needs some time to consider this.
"Because you know me." Joey says and the pout is replaced with a gentle smile proving Seto that Joey truly means what he said.
"Only if you promise me one more thing," Kaiba says looking right into Joey's eyes. "You never talk about it to anyone, myself included. I wrote it after Mokuba had left here and was," It's quiet for a moment and Joey notices how Kaiba looks away and blushes a tiny bit before finishing that sentence, "I was thinking about you."
Joey doesn't like having to promise this, since he might regret it and wish to talk to Kaiba about it later but he fears that he won't get to hear it at all if he doesn't promise it and he really does want to know this song now. Especially after what Kaiba just said about it. "I promise." And his voice makes clear that he intents to keep it, no matter how much he may want to talk about it later, "I swear it will be like I never heard it."
Kaiba looks straight to the piano keys, takes a deep breath before he starts to play the first notes of the song and after a few notes he starts to sing:
"Hello, hello
Anybody out there?
Cause I don't hear a sound
Alone, alone
I don't really know where the world is but I miss it now
I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name
Like a fool at the top of my lungs
Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright
But it's never enough
Cause my echo, echo
Is the only voice coming back
Shadow, shadow
Is the only friend that I have
Listen, listen
I would take a whisper if that's all you had to give
But it isn't, isn't
You could come and save me and try to chase the crazy right out of my head
I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name
Like a fool at the top of my lungs
Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright
But it's never enough
Cause my echo, echo
Is the only voice coming back
Shadow, shadow
Is the only friend that I have
I don't wanna be an island
I just wanna feel alive and
Get to see your face again
I don't wanna be an island
I just wanna feel alive and
Get to see your face again
But 'til then
Just my echo, my shadow
You're my only friend and I'm
I'm out on the edge and I'm screaming my name
Like a fool at the top of my lungs
Sometimes when I close my eyes I pretend I'm alright
But it's never enough
Cause my echo, echo
Oh my shadow, shadow
Hello, hello
Anybody out there?"
Once the song is over it's quiet again in the room. Joey just stares at Kaiba unable to believe that he really let him hear such a song but now absolutely certain that it's true and that Kaiba does love him. If he really wrote something like that thinking about him, it must mean that he does. That he was thinking about him at all after Mokuba had left and they had that fight already talks for itself but this song. Joey looks at him for a moment truly regretting that he had promised not to talk to him about it. He really wants to right now, but then again, he doesn't really know what to say either.
"It's time for me to get my work done." Kaiba says after staring at the keys for a while and stands up to leave without even looking at Joey.
He already opens the door to his luckily sound prove music room that Gozaburo had created before Kaiba ever entered this place, when Joey says something he hadn't expected. He'd been sure that Joey would say something about the song, no matter the promise. Or that he'd at least start to look at him with pity in his eyes and Kaiba had decided to kick him out if that happens, even before he decided to let Joey look that far past his mask and hear that song. But he had not expected to hear Joey's happy voice asking, "Can you teach me that?" Kaiba looks back at him and sees Joey's face alight with excitement, "I mean to play the piano and write songs and all that? Mostly playing the piano, I think I wanna try the rest on my own once I can nail this thing."
Kaiba looks at the blond and temporarily considers that he's even more stupid than he thought and simply didn't get the meaning of the song but decides that Joey is rather stronger than he thought and can keep his promise to pretend that he never heard it in the first place.
"I fear I lack the time." Kaiba replies, "But if you really intent to stay after those three months I will hire someone to teach you. You will have to stay though since I doubt that you'll learn it with what little time you would have left otherwise."
"But it's pointless if you don't teach me yourself." Joey states and Kaiba looks surprised until Joey adds, "I mean, I don't just want to learn to play this, I want to do something with you." Joey grins about the look on Kaiba's face and hopes that doing something together will help Kaiba to feel less lonely, "Now, do I have to kneel in front of you and beg until you get all softy on me again or will you just give up and teach me a little every evening after dinner?"
Kaiba chuckles a little before saying, "Three nights, and you have to quit pestering me about working too much during the other evenings. Now I've got to work to make sure I've got time to teach you a little tomorrow night." After that he leaves to go to the desk in his room.
Joey looks after him and gives him a head start before running after him and jumping on his back about half way to his room. He moves his arms around Kaiba's neck and his legs around his waist before saying, "Thanks but I can't promise not to pester you a little. You work too much, you know?"
"Get off of me mutt." Kaiba says with a grin. "You're a grown man, so you certainly don't need a piggyback ride from me."
"But it's fun." Joey says and grins, not even thinking about letting go while Kaiba starts to walk again.
Once they reach Seto's room, Seto walks towards his bed and turns around before grabbing one of Joey's arms and legs to untangle him a little and then shake him off. Joey lands softly on Kaiba's bed before Kaiba says, "Stay and be quiet...if you even know what that word means."
"How about you try saying please?" Joey asks, "In case you didn't notice, it works wonders when I say please to you, so it might work the other way around too."
Seto just sits down at his desk and hopes that Joey has enough of annoying him for one night, because he isn't sure how much more of this he can take, no matter how much he likes the guy. It seems like he's in luck though because Joey is quiet for a while and after a moment he walks towards a bookshelf in Seto's room and picks out a book, much to Seto's surprise since usually he only plays one of Seto's games. After picking it out Joey walks over to Kaiba who mentally prepares himself for the next discussion with this bothersome mutt but Joey just silently sits down on the floor next to Kaiba before saying, "I guess I will eventually have to break a promise I made you." Kaiba freezes, certain that he's going to start to talk about the song in a moment but Joey once again surprises him by saying, "I promised I'd stay after the three months until you tell me to get the hell out of here. That I wouldn't leave you until you told me to, but now I won't."
"Then there is no point to even start teaching you anything." Kaiba nearly growls wondering why Joey suddenly wants to get away again and since he does, why does he sit so close with that damn book?
"You misunderstood." Joey says calmly, "I mean that I won't leave ,no matter what. Even if you want me to go, I'll still try to stay close to you." And while saying that Joey leans his head against Seto's leg and starts to read the book while Seto moves one hand to pat that blond mop of hair that is leaning against his leg. In the last moment he stops himself, telling himself to not let his hopes get up since it's pointless anyway. Joey is simply trying to be a good friend and be there for him, now that he must know how lonely he was before Joey came and helped him make up with Mokuba. And with yet another sigh he just continues to work without saying anything about it. And without having touched that soft looking blond hair.
Authors Note: Thanks to Cascade00, BlackButlerQueen666 and noffermans for already having written a review. (I know more might still have reviewed the last if this one hadn't been up already) But even though it's only been a few hours since the last update...Someone faved it again and I have another follower. I'm soo happy
Next chapter is the very last one so they'll be together before that one ends.