Jou stood there gaping in shock.

50,000 yen? A week?

That can mean...the surgery.

"You also get benefits." the CEO continued as if luring the blonde to an already accepted position.

I can live?

I don't have to see my father again?

That's...everything!

Jou threw himself at Kaiba and cried softly into the brunette's shirt, murmuring "thank you" over and over again.

The blonde relaxed considerably when Kaiba wrapped his arms around him. They remained like that for ten minutes before the brunette pulled away and looked around the small studio apartment in disgust.

"Do you have any bags?" he asked suddenly.

"Wha-?"

"Bags. Things to move other things. How much do I need to dumb the conversation down for you, mutt?" the CEO hissed, glad that they were back in familiar territory, "You're expected to be at Kaiba Corp at 8 AM sharp tomorrow. You ride with me and there's no way in hell I am bringing my driver through this neighborhood. You move into the mansion tonight or there's no job for you."

"Oh, sure. I didn't think about that." Jou said, then grabbed his biggest bag and threw everything he owned into it. The whole process took him less than three minutes. When he turned to Kaiba with a smile and said they could go, the CEO looked taken aback.

"That's it? That's all you own?" the brunette asked with a raised eyebrow. Jou didn't catch onto Kaiba's concerned tone or his sad expression. The blonde just nodded before grabbing Kaiba's arm and half-dragging him outside. He couldn't help it. He was too excited. He couldn't wait for this day to end. He'd go to the doctor tomorrow, use that insurance thing and go from there. He'd have the surgery. He could do that now. He could live.

"So what are my hours?" he asked excitedly when he entered the car Kaiba had parked outside.

"It's simple. You work whenever I do." the CEO said, keeping his eyes on the road.

"And...what if I need a break?" the blonde asked quietly. He didn't want to anger Kaiba by asking for things already, but he really did need time to go to the doctor.

"Then you take a break whenever I do, but I'll tell you now that that will be infrequent."

"So, I am basically your slave. That ain't a problem. For all that money, I'd do anything." the blonde said more to himself than Kaiba. He could delay the doctor until the weekend, though he hoped Kaiba didn't work then as well. Soon, they were out of the car and in Jou's new room at the mansion.

"You're right across the hall from me. I am allowed to come to you at any time with a task but you are forbidden from going near mine or Mokuba's doors unless there is an emergency." the CEO said firmly as Jou surveyed the room in awe. It was huge! The bed was fluffy and the bathroom tiles were a shiny white and looked as if they were bought yesterday. Best of all, there wasn't even a particle of dust in the room or the adjoining bathroom. "You will eat in the cafeteria of Kaiba Corp with the other employees and are restricted from using our personal kitchen. If you get hungry at night, feel free to order something or ask the maids to bring food up to you."

With that Kaiba turned to leave the blonde alone in his room. There was something still nagging at Jou, though. He needed to get it off his chest before he started working for the brunette.

"Hey, Kaiba. Wait," he called out. The CEO stopped in front of the door but didn't turn around.

"I am sorry about before, about...er...crying on you and umm k-kissing you. It's been a bad day and I won't do any of that again, I swear. I know you just did it because you felt guilty about getting me fired and, hey, you made up for it by giving me this awesome job, so thanks! Can we just not bring it up again, ever?" the blonde said in one breath. It was already awkward enough as it is. He just wanted this over with. Of course, he didn't tell Kaiba the real reason behind his actions. He couldn't tell the brunette that kissing Kaiba had been on Jou's bucket list ever since he found out that he wouldn't afford the surgery. The brunette had captivated Jounouchi with how much he protected and cared for his brother during Duelist Kingdom and Jou couldn't get Kaiba off his mind ever since. Of course, the reasons that the blonde didn't make a move were plenty: 1) Kaiba acted like an absolute ass and the blonde couldn't handle a relationship with someone like that, 2) Jou was afraid he'd be rejected, 3) Jou was too busy working, then too busy being abused, then too busy plotting his death.

"Kaiba?" the blonde asked after a minute of complete silence. The brunette was still standing in the doorframe, saying nothing.

Kaiba gripped the doorknob tightly, gritting his teeth. Why did Jou have to phrase it like that?! 'I know you just did it because you felt guilty about getting me fired.' That left no room for arguments or responses. Jou didn't even ask if Kaiba felt something for him; he just declared that the brunette didn't and wasn't waiting for Kaiba's input. If the brunette said anything about the kiss now, he'd look like a fool.

"I didn't feel guilty," he said truthfully, but didn't elaborate, "You better do well at this job or you won't have anything to be thankful for come tomorrow night!"

With that, Kaiba closed the door and went looking for Mokuba. He'd have a field day when Kaiba told him what transpired between him and his puppy. But, first, Kaiba had to make a phone call. He reached into his pocket, flipped open his cell phone, and dialed the number for HR.

"Transfer my secretary to another department. Feel free to give her a pay raise if she starts asking questions. Also, put in the documents for a new hire. His name is Jounouchi Katsuya."