Chapter 7: A Triumphant Grin

Roxy sighed, and stood up straight again so she could do the usual gesture with her hands. "Jay this is Yami. Yami, meet my lovely friend Jay." She enunciated the word 'lovely' to warn Jay to act as such.

Jay raised his eyebrows and stepped back in mock horror. "I'm just a friend?!" he said. Yami furrowed his eyebrows, looking between the two with a confused expression.

"Best friend, whatever," Roxy waved a dismissive hand at him. "You're not less annoying either way." Jay grinned at her. He knew she was only joking, they were basically brother and sister, they loved each other but acted as if they hated each other. Quite an interesting display.

Yami relaxed again, "It's nice to meet you," he said politely, extending out his hand.

Jay happily shook his hand, giving Yami a smile that looked like it bordered on seedy. "It's my pleasure," he said seductively.

Yami then looked slightly uncomfortable. "Jay, stop it!" Roxy snapped, trying not to smile as it was quite amusing.

"Aw, can't I have a bit of fun?" he asked playfully.

"No," Roxy said, "I can't have you creeping out my customers or there will be none left!" Roxy then turned to Yami with a sigh. "Sorry about that, he's gay," she explained. "And he has a boyfriend!" she turned back to Jay with an accusing look at the end of her sentence.

Jay put his arms up in defense, "It was just a bit of fun!" he said with an innocent grin.

Yami chuckled, "I see why you didn't want him to come over," he said with an amused smile.

"Oh that's not the half of it," Jay said with a mischievous grin.

"Oh no please-" Roxy cut off when she realised somebody was waiting to be served. "Behave or I will smack you so hard you'll be seeing stars," she warned, before walking back to the center of the bar to serve. She had a few customers that needed new drinks and such, so it was a couple of minutes before she returned to Yami and Jay, who seemed to be having a decent conversation, and Jay had pulled up a bar stool. When she came back, Jay looked like he was trying to hide something.

"Jay, what did you-" she started to say, suspicious of his body language.

"Nothing! I didn't do anything!" he said. He then looked down to his lap, "Well, that's not entirely true..."

That's when Yami piped up, a grin on his face. "Jay was just telling me about the time you fell in the lake at the botanical gardens."

Roxy's face paled, "Jay, you didn't!" she fumed. This event that they were talking about, was back a few months ago, her and Jay had been wandering through the Domino Botanical Gardens, and Roxy had been in a very jumpy and alive mood, having lots of energy from drinking 3 cups of coffee that morning. In a random burst of energy, she had started running ahead in front. Jay had called out to her, warning her not to run into the lake that was ahead, but she hadn't heard him. The lake, having still water in it, had gained a layer of green algae that at first glance could be easily mistaken for grass. And so, Roxy ran straight for it without realising. As soon as her foot hit the water she let out a shriek as she fell in, algae and lake water splashing everywhere. Jay couldn't hold in his laughter as Roxy pulled herself out of the lake, now dripping wet and looking incredibly embarrassed. Jay wasn't the only one laughing either, the gardens were full of people who had stopped to watch the ditzy girl run straight into the lake, and she was now the center of their gaze as they all chuckled, giggled or full out laughed at her. She could easily say it was probably the most embarrassing thing she'd ever done.

Roxy's cheeks turned red, "That's it!" she said, picking up her tea towel, "I think it's time for you to leave," she said to Jay, flicking the towel in his direction.

"What, already?" he said, sounding like he much would like to stay.

"Yes, now shoo!" she said, flicking the towel at him more aggressively this time. "And don't think my threat from before is going to go un-dealt," she warned.

"Alright, fine," he said, holding his arms up in defense. He turned to Yami, "It was nice meeting you," he said, sounding normal this time. "You're very attractive by the way-"

"Jay!" Roxy said, "Go!" She pointed towards the door and Jay just grinned, before slowly turning and wandering over to the door. Just as he reached the door, he turned and winked at her, before soon disappearing from sight. "I am going to murder that man one day," Roxy muttered, rubbing her temples. She then realised Yami was still sitting there, an amused expression on his face. "I'm sorry about him," she said.

"No, that's quite alright," he said, shifting in his seat. He had a very smug smile on his face.

"I did tell him not to be creepy," she said apologetically.

"No, I'm glad he voiced his thoughts," Yami said, "It's a great compliment hearing that a man thinks I'm attractive," he grinned. Roxy questioned him, and he explained how it always feels better to be complimented by the same sex than the opposite. She hadn't thought about it, but assumed it would probably be true had the same happened to her.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better he was practically drooling over you," Roxy said with a laugh.

Yami chuckled, idly running his index finger along the top of his glass. It was the only drink he had ordered all night, and he'd barely had a few sips. It had been similar previous nights also. Roxy noticed that his motives towards coming here must have changed from drinking alcohol to being sociable. Yami then looked up again, an amused smirk on his face. "Now you can't possibly say that I'm still a stranger," he said to her with a charming smile.

Roxy pursed her lips, staring at him closely. It took her a moment or two, but she eventually answered, "No, you're not." She then continued to wipe down the bar top.

Yami's charming smile didn't disappear, "how about I try this again then," he said, leaning forwards and resting his elbows on the bar. "Would you like to join me when your shift finishes?" he asked, looking up at her with those gorgeous eyes.

Roxy stopped wiping the bench, and looked across the bar at him. Since her last boyfriend, she had told herself that she wasn't going to date or have anything to do with guys for a very long time, and she hadn't. She still didn't think she was ready to throw herself into dating again, though Jay was always pestering her to give it a go. She weighed up the idea in her head. There was no doubt she was attracted to him. He was gorgeous, charming, and gave Roxy a sense of comfort she hadn't felt in a long time. What harm could one night do?

"Alright," she said with a smile, "I'll take you up on that offer, under one condition."

Yami smiled triumphantly, "and what would that be?" he asked.

"You do not bring up the event that Jay so foolishly spilled," she said, crossing her arms. having him know about it was embarrassing enough, him bringing it up would just be even worse.

"That's a fair deal," he nodded, that charming smile on his face again. "It's a date then."


tada! and so it begins ;)

Actually, i'm curious. I already know how this story is going to end, but I'm interested to know who you all are rooting for. Do you want Roxy to end up with Seto or Yami?

Of course you won't find out until it happens, but it would be interesting to know your thoughts. You may also have a better idea once certain events have occured... hehe XD

anyway i hope you liked the chapter, I'm going to have lots of fun writing the next few!

PharaohsThrone :)