Chapter Two:
Jou just slouched on the couch as he watched Yugi pace and rant and rave about Honda in front of him. It was ten am on a Saturday. Nobody should be this emotional right now. Particularly when they'd only gone to bed at four am.
Well he assumed Yugi had only gone to bed at four am. Considering Jou had left the club before him he could only guess what time Yugi and the others had gone home. But following how his night had gone and knowing how Yami and Yugi got after dancing it was a reasonable bet that they did not go straight to sleep. Giving Yugi absolutely no right to be this emotional right now and expecting Jou to respond in a good friend fashion.
Stupid Yugi.
Stupid Seto, for keeping him up until four am. Well no, not really, after all Seto was comforting him about Honda's sudden personality shift, and Seto comforting often lead to other things, much more pleasurable things where Honda was about as important as that grunge you find under your fridge, and often resulted in both of them not getting to sleep until four am.
"Are you listening to me?"
"No," he yawned. He couldn't deal with this right now. He was tired dammit!
"Well could you at least pretend to listen to me?" Yugi had stopped pacing and was now standing in front of him, hands on hips, a rather adorable annoyed pout on his face.
"No," he yawned again.
Yugi gave a rather rude snort before he began pacing again, this time muttering under his breath. Jou blinked a few times before attempting to sit upright. "Look, where's Yami? Doesn't he have an opinion you could rip apart?"
"Yami left. He said something about a store and it being too early and insanity. I wasn't really listening." Yugi replied irritably.
"Ah." So Yug' had already scared off Yami. Damn. He wasn't about to get some help from that corner. Oh well. The good thing about Seto comforting him last night was that now he knew how to comfort Yugi. Obviously without the things that Seto's comforting normally led to.
"Alright. What's your real problem with Honda's sudden shift in attitude?" he tried. Yugi stared at him for a moment before flopping down on the couch next to him.
"I just thought that everyone was really happy for us and now I find out that Honda's been uncomfortable all along. How much more don't I know? And how can he say it's not like I'm really gay!"
"I don't' think he said that."
"It meant it! I mean I love Yami, but just because he's my soul mate and we have all that ancient history doesn't mean that I'm not gay." Yugi sat straight and turned to Jou. "In my entire life I have never ever been attracted to a girl. Ever! So that pretty much told me I was gay. And the fact that I found other guys really hot. And I've had other crushes besides Yami."
"Really?" Jou was surprised. "I thought Yami was the first for you?"
"No." Yugi blushed. "In all honesty I used to have a crush on you. Before I realized I was madly in love with Yami of course."
"Of course." Jou smirked. "So, you had a crush on me? Yug' I'm flattered."
"You're not uncomfortable?"
Jou stared at Yugi in confusion. "Why the hell would I be uncomfortable?"
"You know, having a gay guy say he had a crush on you."
"Yugi, I have never had a problem with you or anyone else being gay. Never. I don't really give a damn about gender. Love is love right?"
"Right!" Yugi smiled brightly, practically bouncing. "I was just a little worried. You know with Honda saying he was fine with it and then everything turning out like this I just thought you might have felt the same way." Yugi's gaze turned serious for a moment. "Jou?"
Jou had flopped back down on the couch after seeing Yugi's bright smile, covering another yawn with his hand. Maybe now he could get some more sleep. When Yugi's soft question registered it brought with it a sinking feeling to his stomach. Suddenly he didn't feel sleepy anymore.
"Yeah?" he said slowly.
"Can I ask you a question and you promise to not get angry or offended?"
Jou blanched; damn he knew where this was going. He couldn't lie to Yugi's face. Sure running away or to his back, no problem. But to his face? That innocent baby face? Not that he'd ever call Yugi a baby to his face. Dammit. He knew it was too early for this.
"If you have to."
Yugi squirmed slightly. "It's just, I saw your face last night, after Honda's comment. You looked - hurt, almost."
Jou shrugged, "So? I just found out my best friend was a homophobe. It's normal to be shocked."
"But you weren't shocked Jou. You were hurt, like I was hurt." Yugi paused before ploughing on. "Jou are you gay?"
Jou didn't say anything for a moment choosing to stare blankly at the TV. The radio started to play Britney Spears "Toxic". After an uncomfortable silence Yugi cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry Jou, I shouldn't have presumed t"
"I am."
It was soft and barely there. Britney nearly drowned it out so he tried again.
"I am gay." It was stronger.
Everything was silent for a moment before Yugi squealed and threw himself at Jou. With a shout of surprise Jou fell back against the cushions. Yugi's Grandfather appeared at the doorway his face red, a hand to his chest. "What's wrong? Whose been kidnapped?" he cried.
Laughing Yugi ran to his Grandfather. "Nothing's wrong Grandpa. I'm sorry we frightened you."
Solomon relaxed slightly as his grandson smiled up at him though he kept his hand to his chest. "Alright. Just try not to sound as if you're being attacked next time."
Yugi giggled, "I promise, Grandpa."
Smiling Solomon left and Yugi turned back to where Jou was still lying stunned on the couch. The blonde shook his head. "Damn Yugi! You almost burst my eardrum there."
"Sorry." Yugi sat on the floor in front of Jou. "But this is so great. I knew it. I told Yami I thought you were and he said I wasn't to ask that you'd tell us when you were ready but everything with Honda lately I just couldn't help it I just had to ask! This is so cool! There are so many people I can set you up with. There's this guy who comes into the Game Shop regularly who is really cute, and"
"Yug'" Jou held up a hand to stop his friend's babble. He knew this would come next. You spill one bean all the rest gotta follow. "I sorta am…"
"Am what?"
"Already… seeing… someone," he trailed off.
"Oh Kami!" Yugi breathed. "Who? Can I know? How long? Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Yug', slow down would ya?" Jou ran a hand through his hair. "This is a little difficult for me. You're probably gonna get angry at me. Considering how angry you were with Honda about holding back."
"No Jou, I promise I won't."
"Okay. I can't tell you who, that's for them to decide. But I can tell you that I've been dating them for just over a year now."
Yugi was silent for a while. The radio played crickets chirping.
"Yug'?" Jou asked uncertainly.
Yugi forced a tight smile.
The crickets grew louder.
"Um," Jou looked around for some escape. Finding none he tried again. "Yug' are you alright?"
Yugi kicked him.
"Ow! What the hell was that for?" Jou cried grabbing his shin. Yugi didn't answer, instead he started pacing, ranting and raving again.
"A year! You've been dating a guy for a year and you never told me? Even Yami and I haven't been dating that long. Not even Bakura and Ryou and I thought they were the first. A year! What were you going to do? Go your entire life without telling your friends you're in a serious committed relationship. I bet you wouldn't've even invited us to the wedding. Ha! You probably wouldn't even tell us you were getting married. A whole freaking year and you never even hinted!"
It was the closest Jou had ever come to hearing Yugi swear. He decided to just sit quietly and pray.
Eventually Yugi stopped and took a deep breath. Then another. Finally he turned to face Jounouchi.
He smiled. "I'm over it."
Jou just stared at him in shock and blinked. Then he blinked again.
"I mean it certainly explains why you left so early last night. You probably went to him right?"
Jou nodded.
"And I suppose that's the reason why I had to call your mobile since you weren't at home?"
Jou nodded. Then something registered.
"You called my home? Yug' I said to never call there."
"I know Jou, but I needed someone to talk to about Honda and its okay. No one answered. I swear."
Jou looked at him carefully, "no one answered? Really?"
Yugi nodded his head violently, "really."
"Okay." Jou settled back on the couch. Crossing his arms he pouted, "Humph, so much for not getting mad at me."
"Whose mad at you?"
Jou and Yugi looked to see Yami in the doorway, a shopping bag in one hand and a wary expression on his face.
"YAMI!" And with that warning Yugi launched himself at his darker half.
Yugi's legs wrapped around his waist, a shopping bag in one hand, and Jou looking like he wanted to bury himself somewhere in the recesses of the couch, Yami heard the whole of that morningss revelations.
Still grinning madly, and occasionally giggling, Yugi unwound himself from Yami and taking the shopping bag went to make lunch for everyone while Yami sat himself next to Jou on the couch.
"So, a year?"
"Yep."
"Can I guess?" Yami already had a good idea of who Jou's boyfriend was but that didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun.
"Please don't. I've had enough emotion for one morning. I'm tapped out, and still sleepy. I don't know how you handle him."
"The perks make it worthwhile."
"Ah."
A comfortable silence fell as both boys sat back listening to Yugi putter around in the Kitchen, and Grandpa greet a customer in the Game Shop. Jou was just ready to fall asleep when Honda walked into the living room looking uncomfortable. Yami was immediately on his feet.
"Yami, Jou." Honda greeted hesitantly. He held up a hand as Yami started to speak. "Please, Yami. I've already heard what you're going to say from Grandpa. I'm not here to cause anymore problems, I just want to explain myself."
Yami regarded him for a moment, his crimson eyes narrowed. "Very well." Yami bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I'll tell Yugi."
As Yami left the room Honda fell onto the couch next to Jou who hadn't moved once. It occurred to him that he hadn't left this couch since he arrived at Yugi's. Maybe he needed more exercise? Nah, Seto gave him enough of a workout as it was.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Damn am I glad to see you." Honda swiped a hand across his face. "I've already been to Ryou's and I'm heading to Malik's next and I just need to talk to someone normal for a couple seconds."
"Normal?" Jou's voice was hollow as he sat up straight. He didn't want to do this. Not now. "What do you mean normal?"
"You know. Hey Mama, nice hoochies! A normal guy."
"Are you saying Yug' and the others aren't normal?"
Honda laughed. "Well it ain't exactly natural now is it?"
Jou turned away. He just wanted to pretend that Honda hadn't said anything last night. He just wanted to laugh with his bestest friend from childhood. He rubbed his head as a dead weight settled in his stomach and he stood up with a groan.
Honda stopped laughing. "What's with you man? Come on. I said last night that I know they can't help that their soul mates just happened to be guys."
"Soul mates don't mean anything. There's nothing wrong with being gay, Honda." Why couldn't he look at him?
"Come on Jou."
"No."
"Don't tell me you're gonna have a go at me too? I've been hearing all morning how love is love and all that crap."
"Love is love," came Yugi's voice from the doorway. He was standing hand in hand with Yami. "And just because Yami is my soul mate and a guy doesn't mean that I wasn't gay before, Honda."
"Yugi, come on. You liked Anzu."
"No, Honda, I only ever cared for Anzu as a friend." Yugi shook his head sadly.
Honda turned to Jou, "Come on man, help me out. We used to laugh about how things were gonna be when Yugi and Anzu got together."
Jou shook his head. Finally he looked at his friend and wished he hadn't. Honda was like a stranger to him. He gritted his teeth. Honda was his friend but damn if he didn't have gay pride. He hated intolerance.
"Yugi's gay, Honda. So is Yami and Bakura, Ryou, Marik, Malik, they're all gay. And I agree with Yugi, love is love, gender doesn't give a damn."
Honda stood up angrily. "What is this? You can't tell me you're a fag too. Cause I know you've had a thing for Mai ever since Duelist Kingdom. How can you tell me that you'd want a guy over that?"
"My preferences have nothing to do with this." Jou shouted.
Honda snorted in disgust. "I came here to tell Yugi and Yami that I really don't care what they want to do. I can handle them being like this because they can't help it. But you can't tell me that you think one guy shoving his dick up another guy's ass is your idea of a good time?"
"Get out of my house."
Solomon's harsh voice caused the four boys to look up in shock. He was standing in the doorway to the Game Shop breathing hard, his face a mask of fury. When no one moved he took a step towards Honda.
"Get out of my house, Honda Hiroto." Each word was soft and pointed.
Everyone waited in silence until the soft tinkling of the Game Shop bell just before Honda slammed the door behind him. Jou wouldn't look at anyone. Yami had a protective arm around Yugi's waist and Solomon couldn't seem to catch his breath.
Finally Yugi broke the silence. "Lunch is ready."
Solomon nodded and went to close the Game Shop and Jou broke out of his reverie.
"I'm just gonna go, Yug'."
Yugi stared at his friend for a long moment before nodding. Without another word Jou left. They could hear him saying goodbye to Solomon before the bell sounded again. Yami gently squeezed his little light.
"Don't worry love, I'm sure that where he's going he'll be well taken care off."
Yugi looked at Yami before smiling slightly. "You're right Yami."
Solomon walked back into the room. "Alright boys, lets eat."
Seto wasn't home when Jou reached Kaiba Manor. He had known this, but right now Jou was to pissed to care. He wanted his boyfriend. Now! Pounding up the stairs he went into Seto's bedroom and slammed the door. He'd never been this angry before. How could Honda be like this! How had his best friend turned out like this? Why hadn't he seen it coming? He wanted to break something, anything. He grabbed his glass from beside the bed and flung it at the wall. It made a nice shattering sound that soothed his nerves for a moment, before he had to run to the balcony and just scream. He screamed out all his pain, fear, and longing. Pain at losing his friend, fear of the future and longing for what had been and could never be again.
By the time he had shouted himself hoarse the sun was setting and he was leaning exhausted against the railing, tear tracks on his face. A soft sound alerted him to someone behind the balcony doors. He turned to see Mokuba staring at him, eyes wide with fear. Climbing to his feet he forced a smile. "I'm okay kid. It's alright." His voice came out as a rusty croak but it was enough to draw the twelve year old onto the balcony. This was not how he wanted his first visit to the house when Mokuba knew about Seto and him to go.
"I called Nisama. He should be here soon."
"You shouldn't have bothered him." Damn.
"Why not? Is he the one who did this to you? I told him not to mess this up." Mokuba started working himselfinto a fit. "He was finally happy and then he goes and does this. Don't worry Jou whatever it is I'll talk to him, I'll make him see that – why are you laughing?" Now the kid sounded indignant as Jou continued to weakly laugh.
"I'm sorry Mokuba. Seto didn't do this. I'm just upset about a certain homophobic jackass who used to be my best friend."
"Oh Jou. I'm so sorry about Honda." Mokuba flung himself at Jou in a fierce hug. Jou gave a small smile and hugged him back tightly. This he thought is what it would have been like to grow up with Shizuka.
"I thought I told you not to go looking for Honda." A tired voice came from the open doors.
Seto watched his little brother and Jou for a while before speaking. Those incompetent idiots who worked for him had managed to crash the main server and he'd only just gotten everything fixed. All he wanted was a hot shower and bed. The last thing he needed was a distraught puppy. Jou eyed him carefully. It sometimes surprised Seto how perceptive Jou had become of him.
"I didn't go looking for him. He dropped by Yugi's and things got a little heated. You look like crap."
"Thank you. Are you staying?"
"If I can."
Mokuba beamed as he led Jou inside.
"Now you don't have to worry. I've had the glass cleaned up and now I'm going to leave you two alone and play video games. Have fun." With a wicked smirk, Mokuba left.
"Have I ever mentioned I really like your little brother?"
"He does have a few redeeming qualities."
"You really do look like crap. Want a back rub? One time offer."
Seto smirked.
After his back rub and a nice long shower, Seto was just laying down next to his sleeping puppy when Jou's phone rang. With a curse he kicked Jou to wake him up and turned on his side. Jou grunted slightly before reaching blindly for his phone.
"Yeah?" He muttered.
Seto groaned. He wanted to sleep.
Suddenly Jou shot upright "What? Of course. I'll be there as soon as possible. Yeah don't worry. Yeah. See-ya."
Jou hung up the phone and began to race around the room searching for his clothes. Why could he never undress in one place? Noooo! It had to be more fun undressing while you were moving around!
Seto rolled over and regarded Jou with a bleary eye. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Jou looked at Seto as if just seeing him for the first time. "I need you to drive me to Domino Hospital."
"Why."
"Cause it'll take to long to walk and the buses don't stop here."
God Jou was an idiot when he wanted to be. "No, I mean why?"
Jou paused a lost look on his face.
"Because Grandpa's had a heart attack."
