"Josie"
Joey couldn't believe it. Here he was, at his senior prom with someone he loved, approximately half of the girls glaring fiercely at him, and he was... Oh for Ra's sake, he was wearing a friggin' dress. His boyfriend was definitely gonna regret this one.
Seto was more than amused at the blonde's embarrassment. He'd persuaded thickskulled businessmen into difficult situations more easily than he'd coaxed his date into wearing the dress to prom. It wasn't as if the dress was at all like the fancy ones the girls were wearing. It was actually rather simple, a deep green velvet with gold trim here and there. Nothing gaudy.
Seto smirked to himself, knowing he was going to get in trouble for what he was going to do next. Sure, he did it now and again with no real reaction, but that was in private, this was in public. A number of eyes followed Seto as he moved over to where Joey was seated, talking with Devlin.
"Dance with me? Josie?"
Let it be said that despite his love for Joey, Seto still found occasional amusement in setting off the blonde's temper as he once had so often.
"What the hell did you call me!"
Yes, his puppy was definitely not happy with him for using the odd nickname. And Devlin was cracking up.
"Did you jus- hahaha. Did you just call him Josie?"
Joey glared down at his friend, fury and rage still vivid in the honey brown eyes. Seto nodded. Devlin laughed harder. Then Joey turned his gaze on Seto.
"What the hell are you thinking, calling me -that- here?" he demanded.
"You never minded it before," Seto answered, pretending to be confused.
"There wasn't anyone arou- Damnit Dev, shut up!"
Devlin finally managed to compose himself and, wiping tears from his eyes, turned his attention to Seto.
"Where did 'Josie' come from?"
Joey twitched. Seto grinned.
"Simple enough. Joey is short for Joseph. The feminine of Joseph is Josephine. I believe that if one were to shorten Josephine in the same way as Joseph then you would get Josie. I thought it fit him, as pretty as he looks in that dress..."
Seto gave Joey an apologetic, 'please-forgive-me-I-was-trying-to-be-nice' look. Joey tried to ignore it. The pretty comment didn't help. Devlin studied the two. Even in the middle of this little quarrel, one could tell they didn't mean it. Hard to believe they'd seemingly hated each other only a few months before. Funny what love did to people. Then again...
He could safely say that love most definitely did not make sense. Green eyes glanced over at Tristan, talking to Yugi and Malik a short distance away. Yup, love didn't make the least bit of sense at all. Malik and Ryou, Tristan and himself, Seto and Joey... Okay, so the last pair made the least amount of sense, by far.
"Can we go now?" Joey's impatient voice broke Devlin's train of thought.
Seto managed to look hurt, and somewhat wistful.
"But puppy, you haven't danced with me even once."
No wonder Mokuba was so damn good at the puppy-dog-look-of-doom. Seto must have been utterly irresistible as a child. The blue eyes hardly showed any signs of "the look," and Devlin was ready to melt.
Joey was melting.
"Fine," he relented, "but only one dance. Then, we go home."
Seto smiled. If he played his cards right, one dance could become two or more. Not like Serenity and Mokuba weren't all right at home by themselves a few hours. And Joey in that dress... Blue eyes lit up, shining like sapphires as a slow song came on.
No matter how he teased, it was Joey he loved, not 'Josie.' It was just the spark the flickered in the honey brown eyes when he teased, that made him call the blonde by feminine now and again. Like on the way out to the dance floor. Before ducking, turning, and running because the pup had thrown a bangle bracelet at him in a rage. Ah well, he'd find time to dance with Joey later...
owari
A/N: Malik is thehikari. And why 'Devlin?' Because I honestly don't think 'Duke' fits poor Ryuuji.
Hikari-Riku: Sorry I missed you the first time around, but you review after I posted. I personally want to use it myself. But feel free to use it as well. It's too much fun to pass up. :)
AsianSmoothie: Locked in a closet's cliche, I think. But I'll bet those kids had fun without their big brothers around for a while.
Hikari-Aoi: I've reread both of them quite a few times myself actually. Love them that much. Just too much fun, you know?
hittocerebattosai: Thankies. Don't stare at the screen -too- much. You'll hurt your eyes and not be able to read any more. And that would be bad.
Thanks to all who reviewed, here are your brownies. Since it's so hot where I am, I think we'll have popsicles for the reviewers next time. Til then.