Yugi looked up as Jounochi came into the store. "Hey, did you and Kaiba--"

Jounochi waved his hand dismissingly, continuing on to the upstairs apartment. Jounochi kicked off his shoes and set down his Duel Disk, sitting on the edge of Yugi's bed. Yugi came in, as if he had followed Jounochi up. "Jounochi?"

"Yeah?" he asked, not looking up.

Yugi didn't like the way he couldn't see Jounochi's face behind his long blond bangs. "I think...I think... We need to talk, Jounochi." He sat next to Jounochi.

Jounochi shrugged. "Yeah?"

"I think maybe...maybe you should stop staying here. It's getting...a little weird."

"No, us making out is what's getting a little weird for you, right? For some reason, you don't want to be with me anymore."

"I don't know if I ever wanted to be with you to begin with," Yugi spilled out, then instantly regret it. He looked up at Jounochi, half-expecting Jounochi to hit him.

Jounochi didn't move. His fists closed and tightened until it was shaking and his knuckles were white, but still Yugi couldn't see his face. "Ok," he said simply, giving Yugi no hint what he was feeling.

"It's...it's not you, Jounochi, I--"

"I get it," he said steadily, still showing no emotion.

Yugi continued, though. "I think...I'm still...I still like Anzu. I just don't think...the feelings I felt for you...I think I misinterpreted them. I'm...I'm really--"

"Okay, Yugi," Jounochi whispered, before standing up, still not looking at Yugi. He walked out of the room and returned with a garbage bag, beginning to throw things into it. "I'm going back home if you need me," he said, still in an emotionless voice.

Yugi stood up and went over to desk, picking up Jounochi's text book. He held it out for Jounochi to take it. "Here," he said softly.

Jounochi stared at it, then snatched it out of Yugi's hand. "Thanks," he said coldly.

Yugi stepped back, surprised. "Jounochi, I--"

"Will you just be quiet?!" Jounochi snapped at him, pulling on his shoes. "I don't need a fucking explanation. For whatever reason, you thought you liked me THAT WAY. But you don't. So it's FINE."

"I never meant to hurt you, Jounochi..." Yugi said softly, near tears.

"Well, you did." Jounochi stood up, slinging the bag over his shoulder. He shot a withering look at Yugi. "Come on, Yugi. You're gay or you're not. How can you not--"

"You said you weren't gay," Yugi said softly. "You said I didn't have to be, either."

"Do you like guys or not?"

Yugi stayed silent, not looking up at him. Just as Jounochi was walking out of the room, Yugi said softly, "I love you, Jounochi."

Jounochi turned around. He studied Yugi. His eyes were to the ground and he seemed so small. "I love you, too, Yugi. But in a different way." He continued on his way.

~~~

Kaiba clenched his fists, staring at the computer screen. He watched Jounochi's duel with an almost masochistic interest in it. He was so involved in his thoughts that he didn't notice Mokuba coming in. It wasn't until he tapped him he jumped. "Mokuba, hey. What's going on?"

"Are you okay, big brother? You seem overly quiet."

Kaiba shook his head to clear it. "Yeah, I'm fine. Remember to radio me the minute a God Card is used." He started leaving.

"Are you worried?"

Kaiba stopped. "About what?" he asked, turned to look at his brother.

"That you'll never find the last card?"

Kaiba turned away, breathing a sigh of relief. "No, Mokuba. They have to duel sometime." He continued his way out.

~~~