Kitty-G: How was Kaiba supposed to know his staff would pack the notebook with his school work? And would you want to see your crush after all that? Follow up: Yeah, Yugi was Mokuba's rock and shelter while Seto was sick, but it's completely platonic.
Dear Guest: Thank you for your lovely words. Confused and confusing? Yes, I guess he is. No longer controlled and closed, more open and spontaneous. Hm. Maybe next, I'll post a story about Jou being the confused, confusing partner. Thanks for the idea.
Chapter 51, Piece 51 * * * * * * * *
"Jounouchi-san? Jounouchi-san?" Jounouchi opened his eyes to a woman in a white dress. "It's time to take your medicine." She offered him two pills and a cup of water.
It took him a moment to focus all the way, but he sat up and took the offer. "Right. Thanks."
The surgery had apparently gone well. Once they released him from recovery, he would be free to go home.
"Do you feel up to seeing visitors?" The nurse asked.
"Uh, yeah. Sure." Jounouchi ran his uninjured hand through his hair. "Who?"
"Your brother and your boss."
"My what? Oh." He chuckled. "Yeah, I can see them."
She left and moments later Yugi and Honda appeared.
"Are you Jounouchi or am I Honda?" Jou snickered.
"I had to say something. They weren't gonna let me in."
"It's cool. Bro."
"So how are you?" Yugi asked. "I guess we didn't realize with everything going on that you'd hurt yourself."
"I didn't even feel it, tell you the truth. Kaiba noticed it was swelling and suggested we get it looked at. Where is he anyway?"
"Mokie-kun took him home. He was a bit frazzled."
"He was a lot frazzled, if you ask me." Honda remarked. "I thought he was gonna cry for a minute there."
Jounouchi found himself nodding. "He gets like that. Too much stress."
"Mokie was afraid he'd have an episode last night. Was it bad?"
"Eh. Just...weird." Jou found himself smiling as the picture of the vulnerable, quivering man popped into his mind. "Kinda cute, actually. He's not so bad when he's all needy and clingy."
"Needy?" Yugi and Honda exchanged a look. "Clingy?"
Ok, Readers, thanks for sticking with me. If you comment, check back in 24 hours. I will reload the next chapter with a response (unless it's this one, in which case I will reload this.) I will be at Katsucon in cold National Harbor for Valentine's Day, so expect a new story to start some time in late February. See you all then! SJ