Smile
Part Two
by Lethe
Chapter Fourteen: This New Place
"No kidding?" said Seto. Jonouchi could almost see the expression on his face: a slight crease between his eyebrows, his cold eyes narrowed in concentration, looking far into the distance.
"Yeah. Sucks, huh?" said Jonouchi. He shifted the phone to his other hand and leaned against his bedroom door casually. "I hope I didn't say the wrong thing."
"No, you did fine, Jou," said Seto. He was smiling now. "You did the right thing."
"Thanks," said Jonouchi. "I was kind of afraid you were going to throw a fit or something…"
"Who, me? I'm the picture of calm. I am the definition of calm. You couldn't faze me if you hit me over the head with a brick."
"That's because you don't have enough of a brain to respond," joked Jonouchi in reply.
"Mutt."
"Seahorse."
Kaiba groaned. "Now that's not fair…"
"Kaiba, the cute little baby dragon," cooed Jonouchi. "Can I take him home, Ma? Can I, huh?"
"Don't get your hopes up," said Kaiba, chuckling. "This seahorse isn't for sale."
"Come on," said Jonouchi. "Name a price and I'll pay it."
"Tempting. What can you possibly pay that I don't own already, though?"
"I've got something a lot better than money," said Jonouchi.
"Oh, really?"
"Want me to tell you what it is?"
"Go right ahead. I'm listening."
Jonouchi grinned, and he knew that Seto could see it. "My love for you."
There was silence on the other end of the phone. Then Kaiba began laughing. "Do you know how sappy you sound?"
"Hey, it's true…" said Jou in an offended tone.
"Thank you," said Seto. "But I already have that. Do you have anything else to offer?"
Jonouchi, undaunted, replied immediately. "Hugs."
"Maybe…"
"Kisses."
"Sounds good."
"Too bad we're talking by phone, huh?"
"Mm-hm."
"Otherwise, we could do this… or that… heck, maybe even the other," said Jonouchi temptingly.
"If I knew what you were talking about, I would be very excited," said Seto dryly. "However-"
They were interrupted by an eruption of giggles. Jonouchi blanched.
"SHIZUKA!"
"MOKUBA!"
-----
It's been quite a while now, hasn't it? This journal is already three-quarters full. Probably because I have a tendency to go off track and rant aimlessly, but that's what the book is for, is it not?
My handwriting is rather untidy. I should work on cleaning it up.
I suppose I'll keep on writing. It's good practice.
What shall I write about today? Not business matters, certainly - I've had enough of that for the entire week and I don't need to relive it.
Since this journal is from Jonouchi, I suppose I shall write about him. It makes sense.
Jou.
We have been going out for a long time. I still love him. And for that, I am glad. There are so many reasons why – his humor, personality, eyes brighter than amber, than gold – Jou is the one I want to remain with for the rest of my life.
But I have been thinking –
School will end tomorrow.
We will graduate.
I don't need to go to a college or university, as I already know all they could possibly offer. But Jou does.
Jonouchi is going to have to leave me.
And I can't do anything about it. It's his future, and he has to achieve all he can. I have to…
I have to spend as much time with him as possible.
Before he's gone.
I'm going to plan a –
Mokuba's knocking on the door now. I have to order dinner.
He won't let me cook.
--------
"Yo." Jonouchi grinned as he leaned against the locker next to Seto's. "Can you believe it?" he said.
"Yes, quite easily," said Seto, "but I know what you mean. The year seemed rather short."
"And now it's over." Jonouchi sighed happily. "No more textbooks, no more homework, no more school…"
"I can't say that I'll miss it, either."
"Not a bit of it?"
Seto smiled slightly, and amended his statement. "Except for the parts of the day when I could spend time with you. Happy?"
"Very." The blond-haired boy enfolded his other in a hug.
Seto hugged back, and then frowned thoughtfully. "Do you know what we should do?"
"What…?" mumbled Jou, clearly wanting Seto to stay where he was.
"We should plan a vacation. Just the two of us. I have more than enough money as it is…"