The Pharaoh swatted Kaiba's hand away from his collar. "Kaiba… you are a hopeless fool who knows only hate and spite," the Pharaoh said as he lifted his hand and pointed at Kaiba's chest. "Your possessiveness resembles that of a child. If you continue to belittle Joey and berate Yugi, I will no longer settle for just beating you in cards." His eyes were as unwavering as the feelings conveyed in his voice.

Kaiba endeavored to regain his composure. He knew that if he lashed out again after hearing those words, he would have certainly lost. "Oh don't patronize me, you talk as if card games mean little to you Yugi." His satirically mocking voice was clear and sharp." Can you honestly say that after everything that has happened?" Kaiba searched the Pharaoh's expression. "What could you possibly wish to accomplish without card games? It's all you have. And you sure as hell can't stop playing until you've tasted defeat at MY hands!"

The Pharaoh then crossed his arms and spared Joey a glance. "I think my friends are far more precious than a duel of wits. It's because of them I can play freely and confidently."

Kaiba scoffed at the mere mention of "friends." "Woah, don't sell yourself short, playing house with those losers could only serve to hold you back." Kaiba looked back towards Joey to search his expression as he retorted to Yugi's nonsense.

The hell? Yer still sayin' that? Joey thought to himself.

"Kaiba, I respect you because of your dedication to your brother and duel monsters, but If you continue to demean Joey," Yugi threw out an arm dramatically, "then I will treat him as MORE than a friend!" The Pharaoh then stared intently at Kaiba, as if waiting for Kaiba to accept his challenge.

Kaiba took a deep breath, "You wouldn't dare!"

The mood was interrupted.

"Wait wait wait. You guys are talkin' like I'm not here." Joey could no longer be a bystander after hearing such a dramatic confession. He frazzled his hair as he lowered his head and shook it side to side in frustration. "But you are – No, we are – Arrgh!" He knew he would be a coward and a terrible friend if he did not face both Kaiba's and the Pharaoh's feelings head-on. Despite the fact, he could not seem to find the right words.

"Come on Joey! Tell him that you only love my brother!" Mokuba also could not stand to be on the sidelines any longer. He threw himself off the couch and shoved Joey. "I know my brother can be pretty mean, but.." He turned to his brother with a lot of emotion before finishing his sentence. "He has changed, he has warmed up to you, even if just a little. He doesn't really look down on you as much as he pretends to." It was obvious from his expression that he was also having a hard time finding the right words. He found himself thinking very carefully about his next words.

Kaiba did not need Mokuba to fight his battles for him, no matter how endearing his attempt to protect his big brother was. "Mokuba." Kaiba glanced down at Mokuba.

By merely speaking his name, Mokuba understood what Kaiba was thinking and withheld from interfering any further.

Joey took this chance to turn his attentions back to the Pharaoh. He walked to the Pharaoh and placed his hand on his arm. "Ya really mean what ya said earlier? I mean, you never really seemed interested in anyone. I thought you were as pure as a monk." Joey chuckled a little at his own joke to lighten the atmosphere. "I mean, we are friends, right?"

The Pharaoh then took Joey by the arm, pulling him in close. He caught Joey off guard, then slid his free hand up Joey's waist. "I know you know what I meant." He kissed Joey without warning.

Mokuba covered his eyes in embarrassment.

Kaiba's fists shook with rage. He did not intervene out of consideration of what he could do to either Joey or Yugi if he gave in to his rage. Any further provocation could cause him to do something unthinkable, considering their unavoidable history.

Joey struggled out of the Pharaoh's embrace, only managing to pull away from the kiss and put a little space between them. The Pharaoh's hold on him still firm, he shouted. "Sh*t! What's with you guys an' kissin' me outta nowhere! I ain't some woman in a drama!" His face was beet red as he covered his mouth.

The Pharaoh laughed, then while kissing the hand covering Joey's mouth, "That is all. I'll let you go for now," he said as he released him, leaving the usual Yugi to clean up the mess.

Yugi gasped, then shoved himself away from Joey, almost stumbling to the ground. "D-Did I just-!" He was obviously embarrassed and wished for nothing but to retreat. He could not bear to look Joey in the eye, so he turned his head away, "S-sorry Joey."

Mokuba darted towards Yugi, dragging him out of the room by his arm.

"Sorry, brother! I guess we should get out of your way!" There was no way he was going to stay in such an awkward situation or let Yugi stir up any more trouble. He slammed the door behind him, too afraid to look at Kaiba.

"Uhhh, Kaiba? So um, I just realized I gotta go in fer work so I'll just leave ya be." Joey nervously scratched the back of his head while trying to inch closer and closer to the door.

"Cut the bullsh*t. If you don't want me to drag Yugi back here myself, I suggest you cut the crap and stay right where you are." He looked oddly calm as the rage took shape in his eyes as he glared at Joey intently.

Kaiba was clearly having withdrawals from not destroying whatever obstructs his path, but he could not let the fiasco ruin all his meticulous planning for Joey. He could start from scratch if Joey left, but he also had not beaten Yugi in duel monsters yet to claim the glory of a title that is rightfully his. He had grown impatient and now wasn't the time to resolve his rivalry with Yugi.

"Uh, sure thing Young Master." He straightened his shoulder playfully attempted a salute. "What else can I do for you young master Kaiba?" Goofing around was the only way he could think to calm Kaiba. He seemed to have forgotten that his light-heartedness almost never fails to irritate him.

Kaiba sighed uncharacteristically loud, "Let's go." He took Joey by the wrist. "Let's go to bed," he said as he pulled Joey along.

"What!? But it's so early! It's only 7! And ya know I always refuse to sleepover!" When Joey wasn't trapped in some adventure, he always felt he needed to run home to find some sign his father was still living there in case his debts finally caught up to him. His father probably wouldn't notice if he disappeared, but somehow after everything, Joey felt that disappearing was the worst his father could do to him. He was also not accustomed to sleeping in a place so spacious either, it only served to remind him of the immeasurable difference in their circumstances.

Kaiba came to a brief halt. "Didn't you ask what you could do for me? I wouldn't want to have to illustrate for Yugi how I REALLY feel." He gave Joey his usually snide smirk, but there was an obvious hint of madness in his eyes without even a slither of his usual defiant confidence.

"Y-yeah, and a man never goes back on his word! I will do my best to keep ya happy Young Master!" Joey was nervous, he knew he screwed up. It turns out Kaiba was right to be jealous of Yugi, and now things have escalated. But honestly, could he ever be stern with Yugi? He stumbled over himself several times as Kaiba dragged him to his room and closed the door behind them.

Joey stayed by the door whipping his sweaty palms on his jeans, lost as to what to do. "Uh, so what now?"

Kaiba ignored his question, "Go ahead and take a shower, I'll have a servant bring you a change of clothes."