17th March 2013
St. Patrick's day
At first Joey hasn't been sure if he should go to the party that Tristan wanted to have but by now he was slowly starting to get excited about it. Duke's birthday has been nice and the night out just with his friends was even better. It has been ages since he'd last seen Mai and even though she is gone again, Joey is starting to really get excited about going out again. He looks at the mirror after getting dressed. His hair is still slightly damp from the shower earlier and due to that not quite as wild as usually. It's nearly as smooth as Kaiba's and for a moment Joey wonders what he's doing right now. He hasn't heard anything from him since Duke's birthday party. With a sigh he notices that it shouldn't surprise him. Before he started to work for the jerk he sometimes hasn't heard anything for him for a month or longer and even then it was only from the news or from Serenity or Mokuba. Apart from their siblings´ wedding of course.
That had changed right at the start of this year. Joey saw him about once a week since he works for Kaiba. Sometimes a little less but not seeing him for over two weeks is starting to feel like a long time and Joey can't help but wonder if he's okay and what he's doing. Joey laughs about the last thought himself. At this time, Kaiba is most likely behind his desk typing good knows what on his laptop. Maybe V's around and annoying him a little in Joey's stead. Joey just has to like V since he's one of the few that dares to annoy Kaiba even though Joey isn't sure if it's always intentionally in his case.
Joey gives a sigh and is about to walk out of the door when he grabs the USB stick for Kaiba's game. Maybe he should return it before meeting his friends. It's already starting to get dark but knowing that workaholic, Joey assumes that he's probably still in his office anyway, at least it's worth a shot. Joey hopes that he can rub it into Kaiba's face the next time he starts about low expectations that he actually returned something in about half the time he was given. Joey starts to walk towards Kaiba corp.
Once he's in front of it he just looks up with a sigh. Kaiba will probably just say that it was easy to finish this early since he only gave him so much time because he doesn't have enough work for Joey. And at any rate, Joey knows that he's just making excuses to check on him and is sure that he shouldn't bother with that. He doesn't get himself why he wants to see that he's well. Of course he is, there isn't much that can stop that guy. Still Joey looks up at the only window in the building with the lights on with a smile. Once again it seems like Kaiba is the last one still in his office.
Joey grins for a moment and remembers the last time he stood in this place and looked up to the very same window. It was darker and colder and not just the weather, but his life had seemed that way too. Unlike that day, today is sunny and warm for the middle of March. He still has to wear a coat but it isn't even closed nor is it his warm winter coat. His life is nicer too. His fridge is full and Joey knows that he can even find some money if he looks into his wallet. Joey gives one more sigh. His life is still far from being perfect, but it is getting much better again and that will have to be enough for now.
Just when Joey wants to continue his way to the pub he sees someone standing in front of him. Joey stares at the brunet man with blue eyes who appeared while he had looked up. He's holding his breath when he starts to walk, pretending not to care and utterly failing in the attempt.
"Joey." The other says and receives a glare from the blond.
"What do you want?" Joey asks his ex-boyfriend. Why on earth does he have to run into him?
"I missed you." He replies, "And I mean, maybe it's fate that we meet here tonight."
"What do you mean?" Joey asks, trying to sound angry but actually feeling a slight bit of hope. He still missed him too. But after everything he doesn't just want to give in. "You cheated on me, so why should I take you back?"
"I thought, that maybe we could go and have a drink?" The other tries, "If you're busy tonight, we could meet up another night and talk for starters. Maybe we can give it another shot."
"I don't know." Joey replies, "Nothing has changed since the last time we saw each other. You cheated on me. How am I supposed to trust you again?"
"I know it will take time but I'm sure we can work it out." He doesn't seem willing to give up so easily and Joey has to admit that he is a little happy about it. "I love you Joey."
"And you honestly believe that Joey is dumb enough to just swallow that load of crap?" Another voice from behind Joey asks. Joey doesn't need to turn around to know that the light in Seto's office is out much earlier than it was the last time Joey had been standing here.
"Stay out of it jerk and leave Joey the hell alone." Joey's ex says looking at Kaiba, "I know you only torture him and that you two hate each other, so leave my Joey alone."
"I'm not yours." Joey points out angrily.
"Please Joey, just one more chance." The guy tries again, this time looking as begging as he can.
"Joey already was stupid enough to date someone as far beneath him as you are once." Kaiba points out from behind Joey, "I'm sure he learned from his mistake."
Now Joey does turn in surprise and stares at Kaiba who looks at Joey's ex with a look Joey knows but hasn't seen for a while. Joey hasn't even noticed that the way Kaiba looks at him changed until now. Now that Kaiba is using the same look for Joey's ex-boyfriend. A look that clearly says, 'You're not even worth the air you're breathing. Never mind having the honour to be in my presence.'
"That's not up to you." Joey hears his ex say and turns back to him. A slightly smug smile is starting to appear on Joey's lips as he notices the obvious intimidation on the face of his ex caused by Kaiba's glare.
"That's true enough, it really isn't any of his business who I date or don't date." Joey agrees before adding, "But it sure as hell isn't your business anymore either. If ya really wanted me back so much, why did ya never show up at my place? I bet your new lover just dumped ya because ya suck in bed. But whatever the reason, it's over and that´s it."
After that Joey turns back to look at Kaiba and says, "I've got something for you." He gets the USB stick out of his pocket and passes it to Kaiba, "I finished early and thought I´d drop it off while I pass here anyway."
"Thanks." Kaiba says averting his eyes towards Joey, who wonders since when Kaiba started to look like he might at least consider to have some respect for the slightly shorter blond duelist. "By the way, it seems like you're supposed to meet your friends somewhere. If you want I can offer you a ride."
"How did ya know?" Joey asks, ignoring the feeling like his ex must still be standing behind him and is glaring holes into his backside.
"The way you´re dressed clearly shows that you're on your way for a night out with your friends and you mentioned that you're passing here anyway and knowing you, you're probably running late after wasting your time with that waste of space you actually bothered to date for a while." Kaiba explained.
Joey looks at the time, "Oh no, I'm really going to be late again. And I honestly tried to be on time."
"Like I said," Kaiba offers again, "I can give you a ride."
"That's nice." Joey replies sceptically. Joey waits until they´re in the vehicle and the door is closed before Joey looks at his ex again and is sort of happy for the angry look on his face. He knows that it isn't exactly nice to reject him this harshly but after all the pain he has caused Joey he still feels it justified.
"Where to?" Kaiba asks after a moment.
Joey tells him the name of the Irish pub where he's supposed to meet the others and only after Kaiba has passed that information to the driver and the limousine is starting to leave does Joey dare to ask, "Why are ya doing this?"
"Why am I doing what?" Kaiba asks, holding his phone in his hand to check some things online with his phone.
"Why are ya being so nice to me all of a sudden?" Joey asks, "I mean, not just with giving me some work but also with the ride now and well, everything ya did so far?"
"I just thought that since you waste your time to return my USB stick the least I can do is giving you a ride to minimize the delay I caused you." Kaiba replies.
"You didn't cause the delay, he did. And by the way," Joey feels the heat rise to his cheeks, "Did you really mean what ya said?"
"Even though I have no idea if you're referring to the fact that I would consider it stupid to believe the crap that ignorant male produced or the fact that he is miles beneath you," Kaiba replies drily without showing any emotion on his face, "I meant everything I said out there."
"Thanks." Joey mumbles with a slight blush.
"Don't thank me." Kaiba insists, "It's only the truth."
"I'm surprised to hear it from you though." Joey replies. "Yugi and the rest sort of said the same after we broke up and they heard what he did. But I never thought that you consider anyone beneath me. I thought they're all just beneath you."
"Well, he clearly is beneath me since he's already beneath you." Kaiba points out. "But even though I don't have any high expectations from you considering the quality of your work, I do have one expectation that I usually wouldn't have. One that I hold above everything else and that's the reason I gave you the job."
Joey watches him for a moment and after noticing that he doesn't continue he asks, "And what expectation would that be?"
"I expect you to be loyal." Seto replies and after noticing the confused look on Joey's face he adds. "I don´t tend to trust people and I have very good reasons not to trust people easily, considering my position and the money involved in my business. The people that usually test my games are doing so in a highly secure area of Kaiba Crop. And no one leaves it without being swiped by security to ensure that no one is taking out any data. You're the only one with the permission to take it out, since no one will assume anyone to have that permission, so no one will try to steal something they don't think you can have."
"So you think my good point is that I'm to poor and stupid to have anyone think me worth the trouble to steal from me?" Joey asks confused.
"No." Kaiba replies with a smug grin. "Others aren't allowed because I'd fear that they sell the data as soon as they have it. But I trust you not to betray me in such a matter. The rest is just a nice side effect."
"You mean I could get money for that stuff?" Joey asks teasingly, "Could you return that stick for another few days?"
Kaiba just grins at him, "Tease all you want. I still trust you."
Joey is surprised but can't help but smile a little, "Thanks. I promise not to disappoint that trust."
"I know." Kaiba states drily before looking into Joey's eyes and saying, "And next time you date someone, make sure that he is worthy of your love and truly returns it. Because you deserve someone much better than the last one you had."
"I still never thought you would ever say something like that." Joey muses, looking at Kaiba with a happy smile. He isn't sure why, but it really feels good to hear Kaiba say something like that.
"By the way," Kaiba says shortly before they reach the pub. "Since you finished the assignment, do me a favour and stop by at my office on the 26th. I might have something for you then."
"Sure thing." Joey replies, "What time? After all I doubt ya want me to burst into a meeting."
"I'm quite sure V would keep you amused until I have time." Kaiba grumbles, "He seems to be rather fond of you."
"Yeah, he's funny." Joey grins.
"Anyway. Since you asked, you can stop by around 8 in the morning." Kaiba suggests.
"That early?" Joey says with a sigh.
"Don't you know? Only the early bird gets the worm." Kaiba smiles smugly while the limousine parks in front of the pub.
"Screw the worms. I want cheese." Joey replies and after a slightly confused look on Kaiba's face he adds, "Don't ya know? Only the second mouse gets the cheese."
Kaiba can't help but grin a little before he replies, "Just make sure to be on time for once, please."
"Sure, see ya then." Joey says while the door is opened by the driver and Joey leaves the limousine. He waves at the departing vehicle before going into the pub with his spirits higher than they've been in a long time.
Joey walks right over to Yugi, Tristan and Duke. "Don't tell me I'm late again." Joey cheers when he sits down with his friends.
"That depends on the point of view." Yugi grins, "Since you're always at least 15 minutes late, we didn't exactly think you'd show for another 10 minutes. So even though you're about 5 minutes late, for your standard, you're still early."
"Then let's say I'm early. Because that would be a first for me." Joey grins, knowing that it isn't completely true. He has been on time before, like at his father´s funeral or Serenity's wedding. He was on time on a lot of other occasions as well and he intended to make sure to be on time for the next meeting with Kaiba, just to prove to him that he can be on time.
"You look happy today." Yugi notices after awhile.
"I feel good too." Joey replies smiling. "But guess who I met." After that Joey tells them that he met his ex and how he tried to get him back. He left out how Kaiba had been present and that it were Kaiba's words that actually stopped Joey from giving him another chance and by now, Joey was already happy about it. Kaiba was right, if that guy cheated on him, than he wasn't worth the trouble.
Joey truly enjoys the rest of the night with his friends more than he thought possible during the start of the year. By the time he went home he was glad that Tristan had the idea to go there. It was the first time Joey saw Irish dancing live and the Irish music was nice too. But the best part still was just hanging out with his friends and for once actually believing that his life isn't just getting slightly better, but that it will be good again and that happier times are still waiting along the way.
Authors Note:
I want to thank Violet-Eclipse, Whatulookingat, Angel Dove1, theabridgedkuriboh and dancing elf for the review.
Hope you liked the chapter. I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little longer for the next one since I'm flying to Ireland for a week soon and can't update until I'm back. But I'll update twice in one week on the 26th (to find out if Joey can be on time and if the current peace an actually last) and the 31st (an Easter special that won't have all that much about Easter and mostly about Joey's work) to make up for the missing week. I wish you all a great time until then and I hope to find many reviews when I'm back from my beloved Ireland.
