Cursive

by Lethe Seraph

Six: Subtlety

I'm just glad that I finally finished the chapter. XD

Thanks so much to everyone who's been keeping up with this story! I know it's probably inconsistent in places, but I've started trying to map it out. Wow, organization.

Yay! Things are finally picking up! It feels a bit awkward, though. Today's Thursday, and they've only been hanging out since maybe Tuesday. Kaiba's smoooooth.

I don't like the segment where Jou's imagining things. I should have written that better, or erased it altogether.

For once, I don't know what else to say.

I hope you like this chapter!

"Have you ever thought about it? You know, like, liked someone?"

Kaiba looked at Jou, another unreadable expression flickering across his face. Without Jou's realizing it, they had arrived at Kaiba's classroom. "Jou."

"Uh, what?"

"Do you need a ride or not?"

Jou blinked. That had nothing at all to do with whether Kaiba had ever-

Was it a touchy subject, or had Kaiba not realized that he was shifting the topic?

Kaiba, not realize something?

Maybe when the moon was a cube.

Very nice, Jou.

Thanks. So after that, I went to-

Wait. Hold up.

What is it? Are you going to complain about your chips again?

No, that's not it. Although I will have to go to the kitchen and get more food.

So what is it?

You missed it. Kaiba may not have changed the subject at all.

Dude, he so changed the subject. What are you talking about?

He's the king of subtlety, remember? Okay, think about this. First, he told you that he didn't have a girlfriend, right?

I don't like where this is going.

And then he said, very carefully – according to you – that he wasn't looking for a girlfriend, either. "Not in particular." He could just have given you a flat-out 'no'. Kaiba isn't really one to mince his words, is he?

Okay. So what? He still changed the subject.

No. No, he didn't. Can't you figure it out?

I don't get it, man.

Want me to throw you a bone?

Shut up.

All right, all right. Jou. You asked him whether he had liked anyone, right? And then what did he say right after that?

He asked whether I needed a ride.

No, he didn't. See, that's what you didn't understand. He did answer your question.

What? How- oh. Oh God.

Yeah.

But … he couldn't have meant that. We've hardly been friends for a fu- for a week, man. You've got to be kidding.

Just think about it, Jou. Just think about it.

Dammit.

But enough of that. What happened next?

The last class passed with little event, save the minor paper clip war behind the teacher's back. Jonouchi found himself tapping his foot impatiently, waiting for the bell to ring. This wasn't odd in itself, but the reason for it was.

He wanted to talk to Seto again.

It just fascinated him. Kaiba was almost like a different person to him now. He hadn't changed, really, not at all; but he had begun to reveal pieces of himself to Jou that the 'mutt', in their few years of almost-violent acquaintance, had never imagined to exist. He wanted, oddly, to get to know Kaiba better.

Maybe his friendship with Yugi really had affected his head.

But, oh! The small smiles, his little idiosyncrasies in speech and movement – Kaiba was a person. Perhaps if they had met under different circumstances, things would have been different between them.

He couldn't really imagine it, but he tried.

Walking over to Kaiba's house one balmy summer afternoon just to 'hang out'.

Telling a stupid joke and hearing him laugh. Just a normal laugh, an appreciative laugh.

Racing him to the nearest basketball court.

He imagined a tall, pale figure darting forward, eyes flashing; a quick look back at Jou – a bright smile – before the last point was made.

And he tried to imagine the night.

Staying up late, playing video games and dueling into the morning, and finally lying back on squashy sleeping bags and just talking.

About school, about girls, sharing meaningless secrets and laughing quietly, trying not to wake Kaiba's brother though they knew he was awake anyway-

Nonono. Jou ran a hand through his hair, mentally berating himself. This wasn't the sort of thing he should be thinking about in his spare time.

All right! Distraction tactic number one: visualization.

He visualized a girl.

Tall, slim, busty. Good.

Long hair? Nah … he was in the mood for short today.

All right. Tall, slim, busty. Brunette, with red streaks. Tomboyish.

Wearing … a swimsuit!

Damn, she was hot.

Kaiba walked into his mental picture, smirked at Jou, and led the girl away.

Damn, this wasn't working.

Fortunately for him, the bell chose that moment to ring.

Of course, now he was actually going to go and see Kaiba.

Damn.

"You walk too slowly."

"You're too tall," replied Jou. They had met each other in the middle this time. "Can we stop by my locker first?"

"All right," said Kaiba. "I heard that it's supposed to rain today. You might want to hurry."

"Oh, okay." They sped up a bit. Jou noticed belatedly that, at some point, their steps had synchronized.

Jou kneeled by his locker and opened it, glancing over his shoulder to make sure that Kaiba wasn't watching. Although it was probably useless – there had to be a way Kaiba could find the code if he really wanted it – Jou was wired for caution.

After thirty seconds or so of Jou's quiet shuffling and mutters of "Do I really need all this?", Kaiba finally spoke up. "Jou?"

"Huh?"

"Tomorrow's Friday."

"Damn straight!" agreed Jou. "Man, this week has taken forever. Could you help out here?"

Kaiba laughed quietly and knelt by Jou. He took one end of the backpack and Jou the other, making the zipper taut. Then, with his free hand, Kaiba zipped the backpack up. Jou grinned.

"Anyway," said Kaiba, standing, "my brother and I were thinking of going out for a change."

"That's cool," said Jou. "Whatcha gonna do?"

"He wants to watch a movie. Maybe get some dinner afterward. Would you like to come along?"

The best way to beat Kaiba would be to make him …

No!

…Well, it does sound fun.

"I dunno," said Jou. They had made it to the parking lot. "I was kind of planning to get together with Honda and Yugi for a sleepover."

"Ah," said Kaiba. Something in his voice made Jou immediately regret saying it.

"But I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I showed up a bit late!" Jou hastened. "I'd love to hang out with you and Mokuba. How's the kid doing, anyway?"

Kaiba snickered. "Mischievous as always. He'll be glad to know you're coming."

Aren't you?

"Yes, I'm positively thrilled."

Jou stared at Kaiba. "Wha- did I say that out loud?"

"No, I'm psychic," deadpanned Kaiba. "You're a very open person, Jou."

And into the limo. "Nah, that's Yugi."

"I always thought he was a bit too trusting for his own good, personally," said Kaiba.

"I guess. But he comes out in the end okay, doesn't he?"

"Yes, but he would save himself so much trouble if he just doubted people once in a while…"

Jou laughed. "Instead of handing his Puzzle over to the nearest fortune teller, right. But, hey, don't diss my friend, man."

"I'm not," said Kaiba seriously. Jou turned from the window to face him.

This time, the thought couldn't be suppressed.

He's really cute.

Jou swallowed. There was no harm in thinking it, right? It was true, after all. Everybody thought so. It was a shame the guy wasn't more charming; he'd have girls flocking to him for miles.

Kaiba, the pop star.

The mental image thatfollowed made him laugh.

Kaiba raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm glad that you found that amusing."

"Oh, I'm not laughing at you – uh, at what you just said – hey, look! We're almost there."

So, you and Kaiba are going on a date tomorrow evening?

It's not a date! Mokuba's going to be there.

Right. So, decided what you're going to wear yet?

It's not a date!

Well, have you? He said you might be going out to eat. And knowing Kaiba's income…

Wow. You might be right. But I don't have anything fancy!

Hey, don't worry. I know someone we can call to take care of that.

You don't mean…

Oh, but I do. Let's go! Time's a-wastin'.

You are the worst best friend ever.