Changed for the Better
Chapter 2
Seto Kaiba flashed one of his famous smirks at the blond beside him. "And I never thought I'd see the Mutt dressed in a suit with his hair combed back."
Joey gave one of his goofy smiles and punched Seto playfully on the arm. "Same old Kaiba," he said. "A comment like that coming from someone who only wears funky-looking trench coats and school uniforms."
Seto gasped indignantly. "That is not true! I also wear suits, pajamas, jeans, and sweats," he joked.
Joey rolled his eyes and rustled in his chair. Being so close to Seto for so long without having an argument was driving him crazy. Maybe it was the withdrawal from his daily scuffles or simply the fact that Seto wasn't spewing insults like Krakatoa. Whatever it was, it gave Joey a sensation similar to having butterflies in your stomach. He reached for his plastic glass of champagne (A/N: they are drinking age now. You don't like it…TOUGH!) and took a sip to stifle the feeling.
"So," Joey said with a forced smile, "what's new with the big, bad, CEO?"
Seto raised an eyebrow, wondering what happened that caused Joey to go from being calm to being tense. "What do you think? Popularity is through the roof and rising. There are more shares in the company than anyone could imagine. In a nutshell, Kaiba Corp. is doing well." He looked at Joey, who was drinking from his glass every three seconds, with mild interest. "What about you? Where's the Mutt I remember from high school?"
Joey set his empty glass on the table and folded his hands over his abdomen. "He moved to the north side of the city, went to night school, took a course in public speaking, and was hired at Japan Technology Group, Inc. He's been working there for the past seven years and was recently promoted to manager of his department."
Seto's eyes widened unconsciously. Never in his life had he expected someone like Joey to become such a success. True, that was vain and awfully callous of him to think such a negative thought, but then again, it was Joey. The Joey who threw paper balls across a classroom and would start random arguments over random things became the Joey who had a well-paying job and a life much better than the one he lived at home.
"Well, I'm proud of you Joey," Seto said. Instantly, he gave himself a mental beating for allowing that phrase to slip past the filter in his brain.
There was silence, in which Joey stared at Seto as though he sprouted wings from his forehead. "What did you just say?"
Seto sighed. He couldn't take it back, so what more damage could be done now? "I said…I said I'm proud of you, Joey." His face betrayed nothing, but mentally he flinched and waited for Joey to get emotional on him.
Instead, Joey just smiled. "Thanks Kaiba. Coming from you, that compliment means a lot." Then nothing more was said. Luckily, to fill the awkwardness between the two, Yugi and Tea returned to the table.
A/N: Whew! The second part of the conclusion is done. I will continue. So far, thank you to my reviewers. You are all wonderful and I love you all so much. The third chapter is on its way, so keep your eyes open for it. Free Seto and Joey plushies for all who review.