Jou rode to work the next morning feeling nervous about the events to come. Jou, who had been too excited at the prospect of not losing his sight the night before, had had a horrible thought cross his mind as soon as Kaiba left him alone.
What if I mess this up?
What am I saying?
I will mess this up!
Like I mess everything up.
What if my dad was right?
Am I just going to fail?
Be kicked out of Kaiba Corp in disgrace?
Lose my only chance at a normal life?
The thoughts drove Jou crazy to the point where he barely slept. He got up, though anxiety was crippling his mind and body. He would at least try. He owed it to himself to do that. If this didn't work out, then...he hoped the afterlife would be kinder to him than his life on earth has been.
"We're here, mutt." he heard Kaiba say, snapping him out of his thoughts. The brunette walked into the building with his briefcase in hand and his trenchcoat flapping behind him. He didn't even hang back for a single second to show Jou how the blonde could use his keycard. The security guy was helpful and Jou got through, but not in time to catch up the brunette.
So much for Kaiba helping me out, though.
But who am I kidding?
He would never do that.
Jou got lost three times on his way to Kaiba's office. Everyone he asked for directions asked him a bunch of questions about who he was and asked for identification, which he didn't have on him. Finally, he plopped down at the secretary's desk outside Kaiba's office with a sigh, when Kaiba's voice suddenly made him jump.
"Took you long enough."
Jou looked around the desk, wondering where the sound had come from.
"Relax, mutt," the brunette said and Jou discovered the source. There was a weird, intercom-like device on the desk through which they could communicate. Kaiba continued "Here's what's on the agenda for today."
The brunette had given the blonde five vague tasks before Jou even found a pen and paper to write them down. In total, there were 25 things to do that day, a bunch of emails to send, phone calls to make, and scheduling issues to adjust. That wasn't too bad. He could handle that. It would be fine, right?
With a grin, Jou realized that, if he finishes these tasks early, he might make it to the doctor's office in time. He had to ask Kaiba, though. The brunette's words from last night echoed into his mind.
'You work when I work and you leave when I leave.'
Jou gulped and knelt down to the weird intercom-like contraption, then hesitantly pressed a random button.
"What do you want?!" Kaiba hissed, making Jou jump back.
"Er..sorry, Kaiba. I just wanted to ask if I can leave early if I finish all those tasks by nine."
Jou heard Kaiba chuckling and reveled in the sound without giving much thought to what it meant.
"First off, that is 'sir' to you and, secondly, of course, you can leave if you finish everything by nine."
At 2 AM, Jou shut off the computer with a sigh and rubbed at his eyes furiously. He didn't think they could possibly hurt more than they had that morning, but, apparently, he was wrong. It turned out every single of Kaiba's clients and associates were just as obnoxious as the brunette, demanding an explanation for the meetings Jou had asked to be postponed or the products that Kaiba Corp no longer needed. Every task he had took him a half hour to get through, minimum. And it didn't help that he had to take small breaks to rest his eyes. He really needed to get to the doctor soon. Was this pain normal? Was he making his eyesight worse? He couldn't afford to do that. He was already on borrowed time as it was. He was supposed to have had the surgery a few months earlier. Would his condition turn inoperable if he strained his eyes too much?
"Congratulations, mutt. You've lasted longer than I thought."
Jou sighed and leaned back on his desk, then looked at the source of Kaiba's sound. The brunette was too blurry; Jou couldn't find his eyes.
"What time are we coming in tomorrow?" the blonde asked as they stepped into the mansion, an idea occurring to him. If they were going to go around 12, he could go to the doctor and be back in time for work.
"8 AM, the usual." the brunette replied casually. Jou was about to explode in protests, telling Kaiba that the CEO was being unreasonable, but he bit his tongue. He wasn't qualified for this job. He could never find one like it. It was his only shot at not dying. He already had something that he didn't deserve and that other people would kill for. He had no right to complain.
"Alright, boss." he murmured, his shoulders slumping in defeat, then turned to head to his room when Kaiba's voice stopped him.
"Don't you want to ask the maid for something to eat? You didn't go to the cafeteria all day." the brunette said, surprising Jou, then quickly added, "I mean I don't want you fainting on me during your working hours. You'd be completely useless, then. A part of this position is taking care of yourself so I wouldn't have to deal with any more burdens than I already do at work."
Jou was touched by Kaiba's concern until he heard the last sentence.
Burden.
That's what I am.
That's all I'll ever be.
He doesn't want me here.
And he'll kick me out at the first sign of problems.
I shouldn't have asked for a break.
I shouldn't have asked to leave early.
I shouldn't ask or say anything.
I shouldn't give him a reason to fire me or hate me even more than he does.
I need him and this job.
He doesn't need me.
"I'll go to the cafeteria tomorrow, I promise," he said quietly, then silently went into his room and closed the door behind him.
Kaiba blinked when Jou left him standing there. Why didn't the puppy say anything? Kaiba knew he was being too cruel, that his own hours were impossible and that Jou shouldn't have to work according to them, especially since all other employees left before Kaiba did. The brunette was just trying to rile Jou up again. It was their thing, wasn't it? Perhaps he had to wait a few days before the blonde became totally comfortable around him again, then they'd go back to being...well, them.
And Kaiba did wait, but Jou only became more distant and unresponsive than he had been the first day. The blonde said nothing to Kaiba on their way to work or on their way back. He no longer asked to leave early or leave at all. He didn't go to the cafeteria like he promised Kaiba but seemed to have somehow convinced an intern their age to bring up some fruits for him. That was it. Fruits. Fruits which Jou hated. Kaiba knew that for sure. Was the blonde torturing himself on purpose?
Worse of all was that intern. Kaiba didn't remember his name. He had too many employees to remember any names really, but he learned this one's name: Haruki. The brunette absolutely did NOT like the way that intern looked at Jou. He also didn't like the fact that Haruki seemed to be the only thing in the world that made Jou smile and speak. On their seventh day of work, Kaiba listened over his speaker device, eavesdropping on Jou and Haruki's conversations for the hundredth time, though he had only started doing that on their third day of work when the black-haired intern was still there at 2 AM keeping Jou company until his shift ended. Kaiba's blood boiled as he listened to Haruki making jokes about a certain 'dictator' and Jou laugh at them. It didn't take a genius to find out who they were talking about.
You just made an enemy out of Seto Kaiba.
You're going to regret this.
"Time for lunch, mutt," Kaiba said, slamming the door of his office closed and glaring daggers at the intern who suddenly had a frightened expression on his face stammered some apologies, then ran off. Jou frowned and looked longingly at Haruki as the intern left Jou's cubicle and ran down the hall to the elevator. That just made Kaiba's temper reach new levels.
"And clean out your desk. You're fired," he yelled after the intern who looked back at Kaiba with pleading eyes but said nothing. The brunette continued to glare daggers at him until his shoulders slumped in defeat and he turned around, but before he could reach the elevator, Jou spoke up.
"Why?! You can't fire him." Jou said loudly enough to grab the attention of other employees, who looked at Kaiba with a horrified expression, expecting his next move to be vicious.
Oh Great.
Now I have to punish you.
All I wanted to do was freaking take you to lunch!
Kaiba was fuming, not because of Jou's retort but because, apparently, Haruki was the only one who could get Jou to be his old, strong, confident self. Did Jou think Kaiba wasn't worth the effort anymore? Did the blonde decide not to speak to Kaiba ever again? Was this because Kaiba was his boss now? Would it really be that different between them because Jou is working for Kaiba? That was the opposite of what Kaiba wanted to achieve. All his plans had backfired and the brunette was just so angry.
"Fine! You're not fired," Kaiba snarled at the intern's back, then looked at Jou with a scowl and said loudly enough for others to hear "But you should be! How dare you talk to your boss like that you ungrateful brat. Just for that, you won't get paid for a month!"
Jou's eyes widened and his mouth hung open.
"You can't just-"
"What did I just say, mutt? That will be two months' payment. Go ahead, speak again and make it three. I dare you." Kaiba yelled. The entire hall went silent. Everyone looked at Jou who just glared at the floor, then sat back at his seat and typed away at the computer in front of him.
"I am giving you all a gentle reminder that if anyone doesn't like the way I do things, they are welcome to quit. Otherwise, get back to work!" the CEO yelled at his employees who all resumed their tasks. The brunette sighed internally and went back into his office.
As expected, Jou said nothing on their way back home. Kaiba would usually remain quiet as well, not sure how to start a casual conversation with the blonde. That time, though, he just felt like he would explode if they both remained quiet until they arrived at the mansion. He wanted to apologize, but couldn't bring himself to do so. He still needed to say something though! It was only the first week and Jou seemed to already hate Kaiba more than the blonde had in high-school. The brunette didn't even think that was possible. Perhaps an explanation would make things better?
"An employee isn't allowed to converse with other employees during their working hours. It is a Kaiba Corp policy. It is right there in the handbook, which I now know you didn't bother to read instead of just suspecting so" the brunette said, then slapped himself internally.
I really didn't need to add that last part.
When the blonde continued saying nothing while looking out the car window and leaning against it, Kaiba decided maybe he should try another way.
"I could have fired you. Perhaps you should be more grateful."
Jou turned further towards the window and away from Kaiba even more.
Alright. Maybe saying nothing would've been a better option.
As soon as they arrived, Jou quietly slipped out of the car and up the stairs to his room, not sparing the brunette a single glance. Kaiba went to grab dinner when he suddenly discovered that he had no appetite. So, he went up the stairs and down the hallway that leads to their bedrooms. He stopped outside Jou's door when he heard quiet sniffles and sounds of the same heart-wrenching sobs that Jou had made when Kaiba went to see him at his apartment seven days earlier. His chest clenched. He was sure this was his fault. He leaned further into the door and was surprised to hear Mokuba's voice.
"That conversation rule is pretty stupid. I am going to strike it from the handbook the moment I am put in charge. I am sorry about what happened, Jou. That was very unfair of Seto."
Then, the brunette heard Jou's choked voice.
"I-it's not just that! Th-the hours and the job itself and the no-breaks thing and - and now this. I-I haven't even h-had time to b-breathe and he doesn't c-care and n-now he isn't even paying me. Maybe I sh-should j-just quit. I ain't c-cut out f-for this. My d-dad was r-right" the blonde wailed, though his voice was muffled.
Kaiba's heart sank.
Please don't quit.
I didn't think of it like that.
Why didn't you say anything?
"How can you say that, Jou? What about college? You said you really wanted to go, but couldn't afford it. This is your best chance. I can talk to Seto."
"Definitely don't do that! I-I don't want him th-thinking I am complaining about him to his brother or tearing you two apart or anything. I shouldn't even be t-talking to you about any of this. I am just so t-tired, Mokuba. So, very tired. And - and I haven't even had time to look up tuition costs or go to campuses or nothing. I might r-run out of time for the application process if I keep going like this, but I r-really don't know what else to do," the brunette heard Jou say back, then added quietly, "I am sorry I can't play with you tonight, Mokuba."
Mokuba just sighed in response. Then, Kaiba heard an "ummfff" and guessed that his younger brother had thrown himself at the blonde to embrace him and calm him down.
"It's okay, Jou. Get some sleep. I'll be in my room if you need anything."
Kaiba quickly moved out of the way as his brother's footsteps approached the slightly ajar door, going into his own room. Almost immediately, he heard his brother come in. The brunette turned to face Mokuba and saw that his younger brother had a sullen look on his face.
"I send Haruki to Jou with some food every once in a while. I also give him notes to read out to Jou with jokes and stuff." Mokuba whispered, looking at the ground.
Kaiba's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and he tilted his head.
"Why would you do that? Did he know it was you?" the CEO asked, his chest clenching even more. The thought of his little brother knowing what the brunette did today made him more ashamed than he had ever been in his entire life. There was still a little part of him saying that he did nothing wrong, that Jou and Haruki were the ones not following protocol, and that he did what any employer would've done. Deep down, though, Kaiba knew he wouldn't have reacted so harshly had been any other two employees. His feelings for Jounouchi had gotten the best of him. Again.
"He is afraid to take a break because he is so scared you'd be angry with him so I wanted to bring food to him. He is also very lonely, Seto. Everyone at Kaiba Corp hates him. They think he is being favored and doesn't deserve the position. He is also the youngest employee except for the interns, which doesn't really help with popularity. He would come home and play with me every night. I noticed something was wrong, so I just kept a closer eye on him at work and that's when I found all that stuff out. And, yes, he did know it was me. Haruki doesn't even know Jou's name." Mokuba said more firmly, a hint of judgment in his voice.
Kaiba didn't call his brother out on it. He knew Mokuba was right in judging the brunette.
How did I not know about any of this?
How did I not notice?
How bad is this?
And how can I make it so that he starts talking to me again?
"Mokuba," Kaiba started quietly, "how do I fix this?"
Although young, the CEO's younger brother gave better advice than anyone when it came to 'people stuff'. Kaiba knew he could help, but Mokuba was looking at him with the same judgment and seemed hesitant.
"Are you sure you want to?" the black-haired boy whispered.
"You don't think I deserve him anymore," Kaiba stated, looking at the ground in shame. It wasn't a question. If it were, Kaiba didn't think he, himself, would've answered "yes" to it. He heard Mokuba sigh and looked up.
"It's not that, big brother. You're treating him the way you always did, and that would be fine if Jou was strong enough to stand up to you or at least fight for his rights as an employee. Jou isn't really the same person he always was, and I don't know if you'll be comfortable adapting to that. I know you hate change, big brother, and it's going to take a lot of effort on your part to get him to trust you now."
"So the mutt is acting more like a kicked puppy. I can work with that." the older brother said, smirking.
"Seto! That's exactly what I mean. You can't even talk nicely about him when he isn't here. There's no way you would be able to be nice to him face-to-face. Besides, if you think about it, you might just be wasting your own time. Jou isn't the same person you had a crush on in high school."
Kaiba just forced a smile. Changing the way he treated his puppy would be difficult, but he would do it. He already felt terrible about everything he had said and done to jou since he saw the blonde at Cheesy Crisps. Perhaps if he was nicer, he would catch a break from this constant guilt as well. But it would just be towards Jou. It would be a one-time exception. Only for him. The blonde was the kindest, most loyal person Kaiba had ever met. Even the brunette could admit that Jou deserved to be treated well. Remembering the way Jou had stuck up for Haruki, who he barely knew, risking his own job in the process, Kaiba made a decision.
"He's still Jou and he still fascinates me. I've never backed down from a challenge before. I can try to win him over."
Mokuba looked worried but smiled nonetheless.
"If you're sure it won't drive you crazy."
"It won't." the brunette reassured, then kissed his brother's forehead and bade him goodnight. He couldn't wait for tomorrow. He'd get the puppy to be his one way or another.