Jou didn't really know why he had made the reservations; it was obvious to him that all Seto wanted to do was make his payment and get the hell out of there. Maybe it was out of loneliness; all of his friends had moved away and it was finally getting to him. Maybe he was in desperate need of companionship. Or maybe he just really liked the way Seto had looked with his shirt off. He couldn't deny the fact that he was starting to take an interest in the man whom he had once tried to avoid at all costs. Whether it was purely physical appeal or something more, he didn't know; but he couldn't help but wonder that if he could create something that soared to life so beautifully on a person, then some of that beauty must linger inside them. "So...um..." Jou started lamely as the man across the table stared at him impatiently.
"Here." Seto took the opportunity to slide the envelope across the table, the blonde catching it before it could fall off the edge. "Everything should be there."
"Thanks. You should take a look at the menu."
"I don't see you looking at it." It was an odd reply; sort of like a counter a 12 year old boy would make, but Jou sensed that Seto was just a bit on edge. He was probably not used to dining out in a casual manner, especially attending something that slightly resembled a date.
"I come here all the time; I already know what I'm going to order."
"I'm not hungry" Seto replied flatly, and even though everything in his demeanor indicated that he didn't want to be there, he made no move to leave. Jou was about to protest when a waitress came over to greet them.
"Oh, hello Jou. Will you be having the usual today"
"Yeah, two of them please."
"Hungry are we"
Jou laughed. "Well yeah, so is my friend." Seto made a strange face at the comment, something between distaste and shock. Jou figured it was probably a combination of the fact that he had ordered for him even after he said he wasn't hungry, and that he actually referred to himself as Seto's friend, but one could never be too sure with the brunette
"Oh I see" The woman grinned at Jou"Aren't we lucky." She gave a suggestive wink after effectively sizing the brunette up.
"It's nothing like that." Jou laughed nervously, turning to look at Kaiba only to see him glance quickly to the side, feigning disinterest.
"Alright then, I'll be out with your orders in a few."
"So..." They were right back where they started, and the awkward silence was really starting to annoy Jou. "How's Mokuba? I haven't seen the kid in a long time."
"He's gotten so much taller" Seto let out before he could stop himself, and Jou smiled slightly, knowing that this was probably the one topic Seto would speak fondly of. "He's doing fine" Seto stated after a moment and Jou nodded, guessing that conversation was already over with and his 'ace in the hole' had hardly done him any good. "He...wants to become a chef."
"Oh really" Jou asked, sounding surprised, but more so because Seto had actually chosen to continue sharing this information with him.
"Yes. He had to take some classes in school about it and it unexpectedly became a passion of his."
"That's good; I wish I had known what I wanted to do with my life when I was his age." It wasn't that tattooing was something Jou planned on doing for the rest of his life, but it certainly was fun in the here and now.
"Hn" Seto grunted slightly, in what Jou recognized as a standard acknowledgment of something that displeased him.
"And...you're not happy with that"
"I haven't raised him, given him the title of vice president of my company, and sent him to all the best schools money can buy just to become a cook." Comprehension dawned on Jou as he thought, 'Ah, so that's what this is all about; Seto wants his brother to follow in his footsteps; it makes perfect sense after all.'
"It makes him happy though, right"
"Yes...It does" Seto replied softly, obviously not pleased with the fact but not selfish enough to deny his only family member something that made him happy. "And while I'd never force him to do something he doesn't want to do, I'm still hoping he takes into consideration other career choices."
"Maybe he will."
"How is your sister...Shizuka was it" Jou was a bit surprised that Seto had remembered he had a sibling, never mind actually remember her name.
"Oh, well, she's still in High School. I try to visit her as much as possible, but she hasn't got that much free time now that she's working part time on the side."
"When did you decide to become a tattoo artist" To Jou, this question seemed to come out of nowhere, but he didn't want to stop the flow of conversation now that Kaiba had decided to act human. It felt odd though, to be just talking to him casually like this. Jou was half expecting him to call him a third-rate duelist or throw out some pathetic dog insult at any moment.
"I sorta just fell into it. It was never what I planned to be doing. But, I found I was good at it and I liked it so I'm sticking with it for now."
"How nice for you" Seto replied, sounding slightly resentful.
"Do you like your job"
"It's not a matter of liking it; it has to be done regardless of what I feel."
"So I'm guessing that's a no." When he received no response, he continued"You could always do something else. With your reputation you could pretty much do anything you wanted, and I'm sure there are people who could take care of the company for you."
"I would hate to give up control of the company I pretty much built from the ground up after the prior owner met an untimely end. It's been my life's work."
Jou wanted to remind him that even though he seemed to think that he was so much older and wiser than everyone else, Kaiba was still only 18 years old. He had a whole other life ahead of him to work on, if he chose to. Instead, he said"I guess I can understand that. It's a shame though...you'd make a wonderful actor. With those movie-star good looks and an affinity for drama and all." Jou poked at his silverware, only realizing afterwards that he had inadvertently complimented Kaiba on his looks. Luckily, Seto didn't really seem fazed by the comment, if his silence was any indication.
"Hello again boys, enjoy your meal." The waitress returned and placed two steaming plates of food in front of them before disappearing once more. Jou was relieved to finally be getting some food in his stomach but at the same time, he was also slightly disappointed; the conversation was actually just starting to get interesting.
"What on earth is this" Seto sneered and poked at his food tentatively with a fork as Jou began digging in.
"Philly Cheese Steak"
"And...you actually expect me to eat this" Seto made it a point to avoid greasy American food at all costs, but he knew from experience that the blonde would eat anything that wasn't still moving.
"Come on Kaiba, live a little. I promise it's not going to sprout tentacles and latch on to your intestines or anything."
"Thanks for painting such a lovely picture for me." Seto sighed and began nibbling on a fry. They ate in relative silence after that. Well, Jou ate while Seto moved stuff around on his plate a bit and made snide comments on how poor Jou's table manners were.
"Sirs, are you ready for the check"
"Yes" Seto answered before Jou had a chance, which was too bad for the blonde because he was considering having some ice cream.
"Eager to leave so soon"
"Mokuba is probably wondering where I am."
"Oh." Jou wasn't sure if that was a truthful answer, but at least if it wasn't, Kaiba had shown the decency to not admit that he was hating this.
"Here you go." The waitress placed a little rectangular black book on the table and made her exit.
"Uh...what are you doing" Jou raised an eyebrow as he watched Seto take a look at the check and then reach in his pocket.
"It's called paying."
"No, I got it."
"I can't let you do that."
"Look, I'm the one who made the arrangements, I'll pay. Besides, you hardly ate anything at all."
"I told you I wasn't hungry."
"Good, then we agree." Jou reached into his wallet to pull out some bills just as Seto called the waitress over and offered her his charge card. "Dammit Kaiba" Seto paused, seeing an angry Jou acting familiar towards him for the first time all evening. "I said I got it" Seto really didn't want to start a scene in the middle of a crowded area so he relented, tucking the card back in his pocket.
"Very well" Seto stated simply and Jou sighed and tucked the money in with the check, apologizing to the waitress who had just watched the whole scene. "At least let me get the tip."
"Let it go already, will you? Just because you make more money than me, doesn't mean I need you to do me any favors." Jou finished up what was left of his soda, not making eye contact with the man across the table from him.
"I should be going."
"Yeah, you do that." Jou grumbled, still not looking up at Seto. The brunette gathered his things and got up from the table. He was eager to get home, and wondered why he had even stayed as long as he had.
Jou sighed as he made his way down the deserted sidewalk, his stomach turning from all the oily food he had just eaten. If he owned a car, he could already be home right now, but he still hadn't gotten around to purchasing one. Even though he was now independent, money was still as tight as ever. Maybe he really should have let Kaiba pick up the bill, but his pride won out over his financial situation in the end, as always.
If he had a car, he would also not have the time to gaze up at the night sky and let his mind wander out of pure boredom. Walking gave him way too much time to think about the events that had transpired this evening, and about the person who had walked out of the restaurant and virtually out of his life for good - before he could even get to be a part of it. Maybe it was stupid for him to think that a few days of relatively pleasant interaction was enough to erase years of conflict. Things had been so comfortable with Kaiba lying underneath him at work; why did it feel so different when they were face to face?
Jou opened the door to his dark apartment and threw he keys somewhere on a nearby counter, flipping on a switch to illuminate the living room. He always thought he'd love having his own place, and he did, most of the time. It was nights like this though that he'd have preferred hearing whatever his dad was watching on tv in the background, or even just the loud snoring that usually drove him crazy.
Unfortunately, there was nothing to keep his thoughts company but the random creaks of the floorboards and the heat switching on and off. Had his life depended so much on companionship for comfort that the silence was starting to eat away at him? Why was he finding comfort in the only familiarity he had left in this town, Kaiba Seto of all people? Maybe loneliness really did breed desperation.
It had only felt like a few hours of restless sleep, but when Jou rolled over to read the clock, he found that he had actually slept in a bit late. It didn't matter though, it was a weekend so no work, and not even Saturday morning cartoons were enough to tempt him into getting out of bed right now. Rolling over, he had almost forgotten about the noise that had woken him up in the first place, until the knocking on the door got louder and more insistent.
"Morning?" Jou peeked out from under his messy bangs, glaring against the bright early sun as he opened the door.
"Package for Jounouchi Katsuya."
"That's me."
"Sign here please."
"Yeah sure…" Jou took a hold of the large package, surprised that it was a bit heavy. He hadn't been expecting anything, but he eagerly sliced open the tape holding the box together. Perhaps it was something from Honda; he sent him care packages once in awhile, even though Jou resented the fact that his friend felt as thought he needed to take care of him. The thought was always comforting nonetheless. Opening the box, Jou groaned as the Styrofoam peanuts got all over his kitchen floor, but he didn't have the energy to pick them up just yet. He slid the slim black object from its confines, blinking down at the unexpected gift. It was what appeared to be a medium size flat screen TV, the kind that could be hung on the wall, the kind that Jou would always ogle over whenever he passed by the entertainment section of any department store. A folded piece of paper slipped out of the box, and Jou opened it, hoping it would offer him some clue as to what god up there had decided to be so kind to him.
"Jounouchi, thank you for a job well done, and for an enjoyable dinner…" Jou read the words out loud to himself slowly, his grogginess still not diminishing, "…Sincerely; Kaiba Seto." Jou blinked down at the note in his hands, his mind slowly putting together what had just happened. Damn that Kaiba could be a sneaky bastard.