Talyak: Total set up. Lol Just wait until you read what I have in store next.
Sky-kaijou: Thanks!
Kittona: If you thought that was super cute, wait until you read what I have in store for this new chapter.
Staravia2.0: Here is my new update! Sorry for the lengthy wait.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It had only been a week and a half since his date with Kaiba. Joey glanced up from his math notes to stare at the back of Kaiba's head. It had been a shocker to find out his kid brother had set them up, but Joey had decided to take it in stride. He was still surprised Kaiba had taken him up on his challenge.
The bell ringing jerked him violently out of his thoughts. His heart beating mad, Joey took a deep breath and started packing his things away. He was standing up when Yugi approached him.
"Is everything okay, Joey?" Yugi asked.
Joey nodded.
"Yea. Yea, I'm good, Yug'. Why ya ask?" Joey asked.
Yugi frowned.
"You looked like you were staring at Kaiba. Are you sure something isn't bothering you?" Yugi questioned.
Joey shook his head.
"Nah, I'm good. Jus' thinkin' about somethin'. Nothin' fer ya to worry 'bout," Joey replied.
Yugi wasn't sure if he should believe his best friend, but chose not to voice his doubts.
"Okay. I'll see you at lunch, then," Yugi said.
The rest of the morning was spent the same as Math class. Joey tried, but failed several times to get Kaiba's attention during English class. Finally, the lunch bell rang. Joey lost Kaiba in the chaos of students. Thankfully, he knew where he could find the taller male. On Wednesday's, he tended to eat outside and away from everyone else.
As he approached the table Kaiba chose for that day, Joey felt his heart pounding in his ears. His hands got sweaty and he wrung his hands together. His voice froze in his throat when he stopped at the table and Kaiba's gaze lifted to him. Kaiba gave him a neutral look of 'What do you want'?
"Hi," was all Joey could manage.
Kaiba let a small smile sneak onto his face. The kind that knew that wasn't what Joey had meant to say.
"Hi," he repeated back.
Joey took a deep breath and exhaled. That seemed to help re-find his courage.
"I had a good time at the fair," Joey said.
Kaiba's grin grew a little more as he set his pen down to give Joey his full attention.
"I did as well," Kaiba replied.
Joey grew hopeful with that response.
"I was just wunderin' if…youwantedtogooutonFriday."
He could see the gears running in Kaiba's head as he processed Joey's rush of words. Finally, the answer came.
"No."
That dropped the wind out of Joey's sails. It had been a long shot, but he understood. He stepped back from the table.
"Yea, yea, I understand. You know, prob'ly bes' with me workin' fer ya and all. Ferget I asked," Joey said, turning and walking away.
"Joey!"
Joey stopped dead. Had Kaiba just said his name? His first name? Without stumbling over it? He turned around to see a smirking CEO. He did!
The CEO beckoned him back and gestured for him to sit down across from him. Joey swung his legs over and sat down on the bench. Seto crossed his arms in front of them and leaned forward on him. Joey mirrored him.
"You did not give me ample time to finish what I was going to say. I'm not available Friday, but I am free this weekend," Seto explained softly.
Joey let out a big sigh of relief, earning him a small chuckle from Seto.
"As for the absurd crap fest you just spewed…I don't give a flying fuck what others think. My personal life is exactly that. Personal. And if we want to discuss technicalities, yes, you work for Kaiba Corp. However, you work for Hawk's Department."
Joey nodded. He was shocked to have heard the other male curse, but he understood the male's opinions on his dating and Joey working for him. They sat and talked while having lunch, hamming out the details of their next date. Unknown to them, Joey's friends stood inside the cafeteria staring out the window.
"I'm confused," Ryou said.
Yugi nodded. "Me too."
Yami tilted his head to the side while Tristan's jaw hung openly. Duke was openly smirking. He chuckled.
"Well, that explains a lot," he said.
All their heads snapped to the side to look at him. Tristan's jaw clicked shut before he jerked his head to the side.
"What are you talking about?" he demanded.
Duke crossed his arms and turned away to walk off. Tristan, wanting an answer, darted after him.
"Wait! Duke! What do you mean?!"
/…/
When Joey had said he wasn't good at bowling, Seto thought he might be exaggerating. After watching Joey throw the ball a few times, he realized the other male may haven't warned him enough. He winced as Joey rubbed his wrist.
"I warned ya I'm not good," Joey said with a sad smile.
Seto made an hmm sound in the back of his throat as he stood.
"On your next turn, I'll watch you better and see if I can help, okay?" Seto asked.
Joey nodded. He sat down and watched as Seto bowled. The taller male had a wicked curve when he threw the ball. He only left a single pin standing. Joey muffled a chuckle at the annoyed look the CEO shot the pin. The second throw ensured that pin didn't remain standing.
They had agreed on good frames, they did a sideways fist bump and this was no different. This time, when Joey stepped up to grab his ball, Seto stood and watched him carefully. He was surprised by what he discovered watching the male closely with his throw. Luckily, it was an easy fix.
Joey smiled when Seto stepped up to him. The taller male explained the problem he was having. Joey was grasping the ball with the wrong fingers. He had been using his thumb, pointer, and middle finger whereas his fingers needed to be thumb, middle, and ring. Luckily, the ball he was using still fit his fingers.
The second throw was extraordinarily better as it sailed straight down the lane and took out some pins. Seto smiled at how bright Joey's face lit up. Joey surprised him when he pulled him into a hug. He whispered a quiet "Thank you" before letting go. Even after Joey had stepped away, Seto still felt the warmth from the hug.
It left his body tingling in a good way. They practically had the bowling alley to themselves. It allowed them to enjoy their date. Seto enjoyed sharing his bowling expertise with Joey, giving him tips here and there. Seto's phone didn't go off once and Joey had left his back at the apartment.
After enjoying a few rounds of bowling, they grabbed lunch. The original plan had been for the date to only be bowling and lunch. However, the two were having such a good time that they continued spending time together. Somehow, their date ended with them in the park.
A string quintet was playing from a small pavilion. Couples were spread out across the park sitting and listening to them. Seto and Joey were no different. They sat under a tree nearby which allowed Joey to hear the music better.
With his back resting against a tree, Seto sat with one leg stretched out and the other propped up. Joey sat in the open space in front of him with his legs laying straight out. He leaned slightly on Seto's propped leg. One hand lay in the grass beside him. His other hand was being held by Seto's hand in his lap.
The string quintet played song after song, gently filling the air with beautiful music. There was a gentle breeze drifting through the park so Joey didn't think anything of it when he felt something on the back of his neck. He sighed. It was such a nice day he never wanted it to end.
After the breeze had died down, Joey felt something against the back of his neck. He realized it wasn't a breeze but felt like someone touching him. Since there was no one else near them, that left only one culprit. Turning his head around, Joey raised an eyebrow at Seto in question. Seto raised an eyebrow in return along with a small not-so-innocent smile.
Joey smiled. He scooted back, closing the short distance between them. The hand released his in favor of an arm wrapping around him. Joey leaned back against Seto's chest, enjoying the warmth from the arm curled around his middle. This time, when the soft touch came, it was the unmistakable warmth of a kiss pressed just under his ear.
His face warmed like the piece of skin where the kiss had been placed. He hugged the arm close and in return Seto hugged him up against his body. They sat in companionable silence. They enjoyed the tranquil feeling in the air and the closeness together.
Later, as he was lying down for the night, Joey still had that warm feeling surrounding him. It was nice and helped him to drift off to sleep. He had no idea his date was feeling the same way as he laid down for the evening.
/…/
Joey and Seto had only been dating for a month when it happened. Seto wasn't surprised when he was approached by Yugi at lunch. Joey's ragtag team of friends had known since the first date. He sometimes sat with them at lunch with Joey, but mostly kept to himself during those times.
"Joey's not here today, Kaiba," Yugi said, wringing his hands out.
Seto had been late to school that morning. He had suspected as much when he sat alone at their usual table.
"I'm aware of that, Yugi," Seto replied.
Yugi gulped.
"Umm…when did you talk to Joey last?" Yugi asked.
Seto had to take a moment to process Yugi's question. He had been scheduled with business meetings all weekend long so Joey had joined him and Mokuba for dinner at the house late Wednesday afternoon. Joey had been scheduled for work yesterday so he had planned to meet him for dinner, but Hawk had informed him the male had called out sick.
"It's almost been a week." Pause. "Why do you ask?"
Yugi looked to be on the verge of a breakdown. That immediately put Seto on alert. He set down what he was doing and turned his full attention to the shorter youth.
"What is it, Yugi?"
"I got a call from Serenity last night. Their…their dad passed away on Saturday. Serenity hasn't talked to Joey since Saturday and I couldn't reach him last night or this morning."
Seto had flown up from the table at the mention of Joey's father. He checked himself out so fast the paper was probably still burning from his signature. He tried calling Joey, but it kept going straight to voicemail. He probably blew through a few red lights between the school and the apartment complex, but he paid it no mind.
Seto raced up the stairs to Joey's apartment. He rapped on the door sharply. He had hoped Joey would answer but had anticipated him not answering. Seto yanked his keys out and sorted directly to his apartment complex master key.
Upon entering the apartment, Seto had enough sense to lock the door behind him before searching for Joey. He found Joey curled up in his bed with his head buried in his pillow and his body wracked with shakes. There were no words Seto could offer, not that he thought Joey would really hear them right now.
Instead he offered what comfort he could by crawling onto the bed and pulling Joey into his arms. Joey either recognized the arms that held him or didn't care. He almost immediately rolled over, shoving his tear-streaked face into Seto's chest. One arm held Joey close while the other drew upwards so Seto could run a soft hand through Joey's hair.
Seto didn't know how long Joey had been crying, but it wasn't long before the blonde had cried himself to sleep. Seto didn't care how long he was going to stay. He was going to be here when Joey woke up. Even if the blonde didn't really want him there, he would be there.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Author's Note: I hope this didn't seem rushed. I'm 21 chapters in now and wanted to pick up the story a little bit.