Chapter 2:

Kaiba watched as the taxi pulled up the driveway at exactly 7:30am and smirked. He half expected the mutt to be late, but Mokuba explained how he had helped to arrange transportation so they could leave on time. It seemed that the two had been working together to ensure a smooth transition, and while Kaiba didn't like the idea that his little brother had to help an adult organize himself, he couldn't lie that it was otherwise efficient to have it this way. Mokuba, at least, would respect Kaiba's need for punctuality.

Jounouchi popped out of the back seat of the parked taxi, a cheeky grin set across his lips. "Goooood mornin'!" he exclaimed, turning as the trunk popped open. Kaiba merely watched as Jounouchi helped the driver pull out one dark brown carry bag and an old, gray suitcase. The taxi driver nodded, and Mokuba, on cue, reached out to pay him. The driver got back in his car and was soon off, leaving the three of them alone. "Thanks Mokuba," Kaiba heard Jounouchi say. "I seriously owe ya one."

At least the mutt has some manners.

"So, how we gettin' to da beach?" inquired Jounouchi, glancing between the two.

"Walking," Kaiba answered with a deadpan expression, rolling his eyes at the stupid question. "I will be driving us. Our bags are already in the car, so we'll just organize your dirty things and get going."

"Hey man, my stuff's clean," Jou insisted.

Kaiba snorted. "That, I'm sure of." Waving for Jounouchi to follow him, the trio entered the attached garage, and Kaiba purposely turned to see Jounouchi's jaw drop at the sleek, aqua blue sports car. "Mokuba will be sitting in the back, so it'll be you and me up front," Kaiba explained as he popped the trunk open. Inside were already three suitcases, a bag for extras, and a pack of water bottles. Moving a few things, he pulled Jou forward and grabbed the bags, tossing them inside and slamming the trunk door shut. Mokuba was already scrambling into the back seat, leaving the two briefly alone.

"Car rules," Kaiba started, pointing at Jounouchi to get his attention. "And I'm only saying these once. We're stopping at one rest stop on the way there. No complaining otherwise, unless it's an absolute emergency. Don't touch the radio station or change the music, or I shove you out of the car. Water bottles are in the back, so if you need one, ask Mokuba. There's a compartment in the car through which we can access the trunk, and he'll get it for you. Don't touch any buttons, and don't change the A/C unless you expressly ask me."

"Sir, yes sir," Jounouchi answered, causing Kaiba to groan ever so slightly. He could only watch as the blonde turned and entered the passenger seat of the vehicle before sighing heavily.

Let's get this over with.

Swinging his keys and pulling his wallet from his pocket, Kaiba slid into the driver's seat of the vehicle and pressed the button to start the engine. For a split second, he allowed a smile to reveal itself; it had been too long since he had driven one of his nicer models. Then, plugging his phone in, he turned on some music, put the car in reverse, and pulled out of the garage, out of the driveway, and out into the street. He shifted gears once more.

For a split second, he felt his heart skip a beat. In the rear view mirror, he could see Domino City. He was leaving behind the manor, the corporation, his livelihood, to play around on a beach for a week. This was the first time for him to be away for pure relaxation, and it made his stomach feel odd. He could hear the adult in him screaming this was a terrible idea, could sense the disapproval people like Gozaburo would have for his actions. It made him take in a large breath of air and step on the gas. I need this, he told himself. For my own sanity, I truly, truly need this.

It wasn't long before the manor disappeared from the rear view mirror, and Kaiba's GPS pulled up their destination on the screen. The music began to play through the speakers, a collection of space ambient and ElectroChill, and Kaiba soon found himself turning onto the highway.

He felt his shoulders sag as he relaxed into the leather seat. Everything had been prepared. His secretary knew what to expect. His meetings had been rescheduled. His email was set-up to direct emergencies to the secretary or other personnel; the rest would remain until he returned. He sighed, his eyes forward, hands on 10 and 2 of the wheel, music filling the car. Glancing in the back seat, he smirked upon seeing Mokuba already asleep, his phone in his lap and headphones in his ear.

The smirk slowly turned to a smile as his gaze returned to the road ahead.

"I gotta admit, I'm kinda surprised," Jounouchi suddenly stated, piercing the comfortable silence of the car. Kaiba peeked over to see Jounouchi looking at the interior of the car, a wide smile on his face. "I thought for sure you'd be hirin' somebody to take ya to the beach."

"You mean going by limo?" Kaiba scoffed once more. "If I wanted an obscene amount of attention, maybe. Fact of the matter is, I wish to relax a little on my vacation."

"So you take the sports car instead?"

"With the number of stars our hotel is rated at, the lack of a sports car would be more a cause for concern."

"Pffft. Figures you'd pick somethin' fancy."

"I didn't choose the location. If you want to complain, complain to Mokuba."

"Really?" Jounouchi blinked and turned around, only to smile at the sight of the sleeping younger Kaiba. "Didn't think he was into fancy stuff quite like ya."

"It was more for space and comfort than for extravagance," Kaiba remarked. "Plus the hotel is very discreet, from what he explained to me. You will have your own personal bed and bathroom, if he didn't inform you already."

"Yeah, he did." A moment of silence passed between the two before Kaiba heard Jounouchi sigh. "So...you really agreed to have me tag along?"

"According to Mokuba. Though what made me decide to dog sit while on vacation, I'll never know."

"Hey man, I'll be on my best behavia'. Promise." Rather than taking the bait, Kaiba simply planned to let the matter drop and returned his full attention to the road when he heard Jounouchi mutter, "But whatever the case, thanks man."

Kaiba frowned. "For what? I certainly didn't invite you."

"No, but you could'a said no to your brother and told him to bring someone else. I appreciate ya lettin' me tag along. And seriously, I mean it when I say I'll be on best behavior."

Kaiba slowly looked over to see Jounouchi staring at him, blonde bangs dangling in front of warm, brown eyes that were made even warmer by a friendly smile. Shifting in his seat, he reasoned, "If nothing else, I know you won't let my brother get into too much trouble. And I do plan on spending some time alone, so this is convenient for Mokuba."

"I imagine you ain't gonna go out too often," Jounouchi remarked, causing Kaiba's frown to deepen.

"And what would make you think that?"

"Uh, I dunno. Maybe the fact that you live in an office? I.e., the opposite of the beach."

"Jounouchi, I am not paying to rent a hotel suite at the beach just to lie in bed and stare at the ceiling," Kaiba countered, making sure to turn onto the appropriate highway. In the distance, he could already see the street signs indicating their destination 2 hours north. He knew this highway was a straight line and quickly turned on cruise control. "I do plan on being down at the beach at least once a day."

"So I suppose that SPF 100 is for you, then?"

"Naturally."

Jounouchi chuckled and shook his head, though he finally broke eye contact and looked out the window. "You know how to swim?"

"Yes," Kaiba answered, drawing it out ever so slightly. "Else I would not be going to the beach."

Jounouchi nodded again. Fortunately, that seemed to be the end of the conversation, for a heavy silence filled the car, interjected only by the changing of songs. Glancing once more in the rearview mirror to see Mokuba slumped in his seat, Kaiba then glanced over once more at Jounouchi, who was staring out the window at a slightly odd angle. Shrugging, Kaiba pulled out a pair of sunglasses, the morning sun now rising high enough to be a bother, put them on, and shifted himself to be more comfortable in his seat.

Just as Kaiba promised, it was an hour into the drive that they pulled into the wide parking of a rest stop, and while Jounouchi didn't need to use the restroom, he knew it would feel good to stretch his legs. Mokuba managed to crawl out the back, wiping the sleep from his eyes and insisting he didn't mean to fall asleep. Kaiba glanced over at Jounouchi and asked, "Aren't you going inside?"

Jounouchi shook his head. "Nah, man, I'm good."

"Want a water bottle?" asked Mokuba.

"I'll think about it."

"Don't think too hard," Kaiba retorted. "I don't need an injury already."

Jounouchi bit his tongue and watched as the two brothers entered the large rest station. Trying not to lean against the car, Jounouchi crossed his arms and inhaled.

Good sense of music, he thought to himself. Looks amazing in sunglasses. Caves to his younger brother all the damn time. And still a fucking prick. He didn't get the elder Kaiba. At all. He just didn't get it.

Returning to his seat in the car but leaving the car door open, Jounouchi leaned forward, hoping to find the button that opened the trunk. He felt his heart fall when he saw just how many buttons were surrounding the steering wheel and grumbled, "What da hell, man? Just have a normal freakin' car like everyone else…"

Except the CEO of KaibaCorp wasn't like everyone else. And Jounouchi knew it better than anyone. Wasn't expectin' that relaxin', spacey music, that's for sure, Jounouchi thought as he gave up and flung back in his seat. That's the kinda shit Yuug' listened to all the time to get through high school finals. Shit's relaxin' as hell. Maybe that's why Kaiba likes it so much? Can't imagine why he's got a full playlist of it.

Seeing a shadow approach him, Jounouchi glanced up to see Kaiba standing with a coffee in his hand. Dressed in black jeans, a button-up blue t-shirt, and sunglasses, Kaiba looked about five years older than his actual age. Coffee cup doesn't help, either. He wondered if Kaiba meant what he said about the beach and internally shivered. Cuz if that's the case, that means he's gonna be wearing those swim trunks a lot more than I thought.

He glanced up to see Kaiba staring down at his phone before pocketing it and looking out at the distance. They could see the ocean from their position, as they were driving up a highway along the coast. Already a breeze was blowing, and Jou watched as the wind carried Kaiba's bangs this way and that.

"Hey Kaiba," he called out, grabbing the CEO's attention. "I think I'm gonna take ya up on the water bottle."

Walking around the car without a word, Kaiba opened the driver's side door, slid in, and pressed one of the many buttons. Jou heard a pop noise in the back, and before Kaiba could give him shit, he stepped out and circled to the back of the car. Lifting the trunk lid, he found the bag of water bottles and grabbed one before slamming the trunk back shut. He inhaled a large breath of air as he opened the lid and took a sip of his water.

Feels good, he thought, taking in his surroundings. Beach air, sun's nice and warm… He smiled sadly. I need to figure out how ta take Shizuka here sometime. Or anywhere with a beach.

He sipped at his water again, noticing Mokuba exiting the station. Kaiba may be a prick, but Mokuba was right. No matter what, we're here ta have a good time. Might as well enjoy it.

He waited for Mokuba to slide into the back seat before taking his own seat in the passenger side. Placing his water bottle in an empty space, he watched as Kaiba turned and asked, "Everything okay, Mokuba?"

"Yep, ready to go!"

"And you, Jounouchi?"

"Yeah."

Expecting different music, Jounouchi was further surprised when Kaiba immediately returned to his playlist. Setting his coffee in the remaining opening between them, the CEO turned the car on, pulled out onto the highway, and settled himself back in his seat. "We have an hour until we reach the hotel," he announced to no one in particular. "Mokuba, any ideas for lunch?"

"Looks like there's a ramen shop nearby that looks interesting. Lots of small restaurants before you get to the actual boardwalk." Jounouchi peeked in the rearview mirror to see Mokuba scrolling on his phone. "There's also an okonomiyaki stand that's got 5 star ratings." Mokuba leaned forward between the two and smiled. "Jou, what'cha thinking?"

"Between ramen and okonomiyaki?" Jounouchi smirked. "I mean, I'm down for either, but I can always go for a good bowl o' ramen."

"That okay, Seto?"

Kaiba slowly nodded, his gaze set on the road ahead. Expecting a comeback, Jounouchi was somewhat startled when Kaiba didn't fight the decision. I get to see Kaiba eatin' ramen like a normal human being! Jou suddenly thought, smirking almost victoriously as he snuggled into the seat. Ah man, this is gonna be awesome! Maybe I'll see 'im eat normal foods, too. Wonder if I can get the rich bastard to order a slice of pizza while we're here. Hell, I wonder if they even got pizza here. Sounds like this place is gonna be pretty ritzy.

Kaiba. Eating pizza. Now there was something he'd pay to see!

"What are you smiling about?"

Jounouchi blinked and blushed as he turned to see Kaiba peeking at him out of the corner of his eye. "Just thinkin' 'bout all the food we're gonna eat," the blonde answered. Before he could stop himself, he added, "And your music's pretty bangin', too."

Kaiba seemed genuinely confused by the statement. "You like this music?"

"I mean, yeah. I don't normally listen to it, but it's soothin' and fun to listen to. Gets ya relaxed and thinkin' 'bout things."

"Seto listens to music all the time at work," Mokuba noted, still sticking his head between the two. "Mostly ambient stuff, but some cyberpunk soundtracks, too. He especially likes-"

"He doesn't need to know my playlists, Mokuba," Kaiba interjected harshly, glancing down at Mokuba before returning his gaze to the road ahead. "And I'm sure he's got better things to be curious about."

Jounouchi and Mokuba exchanged quick looks, and Jou could see the smile on Mokuba's face. Confused, Jounouchi shrugged and muttered, "Just wanted ta say I like the music, man."

A silence fell in the car, and Jounouchi watched as Mokuba, seemingly unfazed by what transpired, leaned back in his seat and pulled his headphones out. The song changed, and Jou returned to looking out the window at the passing coastline. And in the reflection, he could see the moody CEO.

Don't ask any personal questions, he reflected. Got it, jackass.