As Seto sat behind his old, mahogany oak desk, staring at the computer screen before him, millions of thoughts were running rampant through his mind and no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't get rid of them. The worst part, however, was that everything was about Joey. He didn't understand how, or even why he was thinking of such nonsense but one thing was for sure…it was torture. He despised the blonde with everything he had and yet he still couldn't rid his mind of him. Was it because of what had happened the other day at the park? No, it couldn't be that. That day was nothing more than a mere memory…at least, that's what he hoped it was… He knew that deep down inside that kiss really existed, as much as he denied it. All he wanted to do was to live a normal life without having to deal with any more nonsense, especially about one such teen named Joey Wheeler. Seto knew that he had nowhere to go; seeing as how he couldn't return back to the place he had once called home. He felt some sympathy towards the blonde but knew that he couldn't put forth all of his feelings or it would look suspicious. On the other hand, Seto felt a bit wary that his brother knew too much about his feelings and wasn't prepared to tell him any more information than he needed to know. It was to be kept a secret, for him and him alone…
Meanwhile, as Joey and Mokuba continued to occupy themselves with the TV, the raven-haired child couldn't help thinking about his brother. When the CEO had left them not even an hour ago, he seemed somewhat depressed, yet he was doing an awfully good job of hiding it…for the most part. Since they were brothers, it wasn't hard for Mokuba to tell when he was upset. He didn't want to go and talk to him for fear that he would only make the situation worse. Seto had made it quite clear that he didn't want to be disturbed until he had finished all of his necessary paperwork. However, Mokuba wasn't one to give up that easily. As he tried to think up ways to communicate with his elder brother, he finally decided upon one seemingly foolproof plan…one that involved a certain blonde-haired teen.
"Joey?" Mokuba spoke up, breaking the older teen away from the television program he was currently entranced in.
The blonde turned to the younger Kaiba. "Yah? What is it Mokuba?" he asked, taking a sip of his Vanilla Coke that he had yet to finish.
"Could you do me a favor? Pretty please?" Mokuba flashed his oh-so-lovable puppy dog look in the blonde's direction, knowing only full well that he would not be able to refuse his request.
Joey sighed. "You do this to me every time and every time I can't ignore it. So, what do you want me to do? If it involves food, I'm so in!" He licked his lips hungrily, hoping that this favor would involve something edible.
"I want you to go and talk to Seto…" At that moment, Joey had been taking another drink of his pop and nearly spit out what was in his mouth. He, however, managed to stop himself and swallowed the fizzy liquid.
"W-what? Why do I have to go and talk to him?" Joey asked, pointing to himself.
"Because if I go, he'll know I'm up to something, he always does. But if you go instead, he'll wonder just what you came for and when you start talking to him, he may let a few secrets slip…"
"Mokuba!"
"What?"
"You shouldn't intrude on your brother's privacy! I know it's Kaiba, but if he doesn't want to tell you something, you shouldn't force it out of him!" Joey scolded the young pre-teen. He didn't mean for his words to sound harsh, they just happened to come out that way.
"But I won't be," Mokuba stated simply.
"What? Yes you will! You just admitted it!"
"But you're the one that's going to be talking to him…" It was then that Joey mentally slapped his forehead as a way of punishing himself for his stupidity. He should have known that that was coming…
"I don't know Mokuba…"
"Please?" The puppy dog look was back, this time looking even cuter than before.
Joey heaved an outward sigh. "Fine, I'll do it…"
"Yay! Thank you Joey! I owe you one!"
The blonde smirked. "Yes you do, you owe me big…" He then ruffled the young one's mess of raven black hair before hoisting himself up off the couch. He glanced over towards the staircase leading up to the next floor, dreading his soon-to-be confrontation with Seto Kaiba. Walking over to his desired destination, he hesitated placing his foot on the carpeted step. He gulped, almost as if he was about to make the journey of a lifetime…yet in reality, he was. As soon his one foot hit the first step, he began trudging up the seemingly large flight of stairs, knowing only full well that every step he took brought him closer to his demise…or so he thought…
Upon his arrival on the second floor of the mansion, he looked around, wondering just where Seto's office was. He had been there before, but couldn't seem to remember where it was located. He just decided to wander around the halls until he found what he was looking for. He made it clear to himself not to go waltzing into any rooms, for fear of what might happen if he did…
Upon his arrival at the door leading into the CEO's office/bedroom, Joey hesitantly knocked, mentally praying to Ra that Seto would not kill him for interrupting his work.
"Come in," a gruff-sounding voice arose from inside the room. The blonde slowly pushed the door open and took one step inside. He looked around the room, noticing that almost all of the walls were completely bare except for the one behind the brunette. Centered directly in the middle, there was a picture of the Blue Eyes White Dragon, which looked to be as though a very talented artist had painted it. He continued to gaze admiringly at it until Seto noticed him standing there.
"Wheeler? What are you doing here? I thought I told you not to disturb me while I'm working." By the look on his face, you could tell that Seto Kaiba was not in the greatest of moods …at this particular moment anyway…
"I…I just…" Joey was practically frozen on the spot; no words could escape his mouth and he couldn't move. What was he to tell Seto? He didn't want to mention Mokuba, seeing as how he didn't wish for the blame to fall on the young child's shoulders. Should he tell a white lie and say that he was the one who wanted to come and see him? Would Seto believe it? After all, the brunette was not one to be fooled so easily; he could easily tell if someone was lying so it would be hard for Joey to sway him into believing that the lie he was about to tell was indeed the truth.
"Yes?" Seto began tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the blonde's response.
"I…um…just wanted to tell you that…"
"Listen Wheeler, whatever it is that you have to say, I suggest you say it before I end up kicking you out of here," Seto stated threateningly.
Joey gulped and took a deep breath before replying. "I just wanted to tell you that I…I need you…" It was at this moment that Seto's eyes nearly shot up in both surprise and shock, wondering just what the blonde meant by this.
"What did you say?" Seto asked, hoping that he had heard him correctly.
Joey heaved a heavy sigh before repeating himself. He didn't know why he had said what he did but it was the only thing that he could think of. "I said I need you…"
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Seto than shifted his gaze back to the keyboard and pretended to continue typing.
Now Joey was stuck; he didn't know how to respond to such a question. Suddenly, something popped into his head and he pondered with the idea for what seemed like quite some time. He eventually realized that his mind was trying to get him to confess his love for Seto. This was something that he just couldn't believe. He was supposed to admit to his own worst enemy that he loved him? He laughed mentally at that thought, knowing only full well that if he did such a thing, Seto would most likely never speak to him again. It's not like that mattered to the blonde…or did it? He hated the brunette with everything he had and would be glad to be rid of him. The thing was, however, no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't rid his mind of the CEO. It was almost like he was in a world where everything and everyone around him reminded him of Seto Kaiba. He hated that world and wished he could be rid of it forever. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't about to happen. Ever since that day at park when the duo had experienced their first kiss with one another, he couldn't stop thinking about the dangerous, blue-eyed dragon. Was he really falling for Seto Kaiba? He didn't want to think that way but knew that if he ignored his feelings, they would only come back to haunt him. So instead, he simply let his emotions flow with the tide and prepared to tell the brunette the truth…
Seto than mimicked a fake cough, bringing the blonde back down to reality. "Are you going to answer my question or not?" He seemed to be getting more impatient by the minute.
"Look Seto I…"
"Spit it out Wheeler, I don't have all day," he practically demanded of the blonde-haired puppy.
"I…I love you…I love you just as you love me…"
"What are you talking about?" As much as Seto tried to mask his feelings, his love for the blonde shone right through.
"Don't you remember the one day you told me that you loved me? At that moment I was oblivious to your feelings; in a sense, I was a fool. But now I know…now I know what you meant. I understand everything that you told me that day and now it is my turn to confess my love for you…"
Seto Kaiba merely sat in silence for what seemed like forever until he accidentally let a few words slip. "I…I love you too…" He didn't realize what he had said until it was too late. When he tried to take it back, he couldn't find the nerve. The only image he saw was his own worst enemy standing in front of him, a wide grin plastering his features. He couldn't bring himself to deny that face the love he so truly longed for.
Why do I feel this way? I've felt this way ever since Joey first arrived here. I wish all these feelings would just disappear…but that's impossible. They're never going to leave me alone until I can bring myself to admit that I truly love him. But what will happen if I do? My reputation will go down the drain, that is a given. I can't afford to lose everything I've worked so hard to achieve. Is someone like Wheeler truly worth it? My heart says yes but my mind is still bordering an answer. What is the right thing to do? Upon contemplating what to say, Seto's frustration was growing rapidly by the minute.
Joey, on the other hand, was waiting patiently for the brunette's response; he was hoping that it would be the same as his. He couldn't believe that he had never seen it before; when Seto had expressed his love once before, he thought nothing of it. Now that he had matured quite a bit over the past little while, he had finally begun to realize the truth. He had discovered his inner feelings and what it was that he felt towards that of Seto Kaiba. He loved the CEO with everything he had and wanted to live his life with the brunette standing beside him all the way, through thick and thin, through better or for worse.
"Joey…" The words came out barely audible.
"Yes?" Joey began to grow even more eager to hear just what Seto was about to say to him.
"What I said was indeed true. I love you Joey, with all my heart…" Both teens smiled in unison, blushing from head to toe.
"You mean that?" The blonde knew that the brunette's words were true but couldn't help making sure that the truth was indeed the truth.
"I mean it. I don't care what other people think of us; it's how we feel that truly matters…"
Joey's smile widened even more so as he started over towards the CEO. Seto noticed this and stood up from his chair, moving himself away from his desk as he did so. Upon coming closer to the brunette, only about a mere foot away, the blonde fell into his new lover's arms and wrapped his own around him. Seto made the same gesture and smirked inwardly to himself.
"I'm glad you're here Seto…" Joey spoke while burying his face into the brunette's shoulder.
"And I'm glad that I managed to find you…my puppy…" Even though it couldn't be seen, Joey was indeed smiling from ear-to-ear, finally glad to hear those words come from the brunette's mouth. Seto Kaiba's heart of ice had finally been melted…and he had been the one to do it…
Mysterious Mistress Kura: Wasn't that just such a sweet ending? I found that it just tugged at the heartstrings. Anyway, I must ask you all a question before you review. If you would like me to make a sequel to this story, please tell me. It won't be as long as this one, but it will hopefully be just as good. So again, please let me know your opinions and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you for all of your comments and I look forward to seeing them in the future! Luv ya'll! Ja ne!