Author's Note: Not gonna lie, this chapter was a bit rough when it came to editing. I just couldn't get what I wanted to convey, so I hope it came out okay and that you all enjoy it!

Chapter 21:

Pressing the button on the elevator panel, Kaiba leaned against the wall and watched the numbers shift from 2 to 1. His reflection stared back at him, revealing his dark blue rash guard, jeans, and sneakers. It only took a handful of seconds before the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. Stepping out into the hallway, he exited the hotel and walked outside. The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon, and for a brief moment, he approached the railing of the boardwalk and peered out, taking in the sounds of the waves and the smell of the clean ocean air.

One more day here… he thought. And then, we pack up and head home.

He sighed and pushed himself off the railing before heading in the direction of the coffee shop. Both Jounouchi and Mokuba were still asleep, but Kaiba had woken up early, the memories of the previous night still floating in his mind. It spurred him to get dressed and head out, making the executive decision to surprise the two with coffee, serving as perhaps his final chance to show his younger brother his appreciation for planning the trip.

And for, I suppose, whatever is now happening between Jounouchi and myself. Kaiba swallowed as he recalled the events that transpired while playing pool with the blonde, happy that the sunglasses obscured his perturbed expression from those passing by. I didn't mean for last night to become so emotional, and yet, I suppose I invited it on myself. My curiosity got the better of me. It's one thing to hear from Mokuba about the blonde's emotions, but quite another for Jounouchi to say it, or at the very least allude to it. But in hindsight, it was insensitive of me to pry. For Jounouchi to admit what happened between Mai Valentine and him, he would have had to admit his sexuality. Unless, of course, he had just lied to me. But he didn't… He told me the truth.

Because he likes me.

Kaiba entered the coffee shop and quickly walked up to the cash register, happy that there wasn't a line of tourists waiting in front of him. Putting in the order, he paid in cash and went towards the opposite counter to wait for his drinks. He crossed his arms over his chest as he reflected, He didn't admit it outright to me last night, but his actions told me enough. He clearly likes me in a way that's different than his friends. In a...romantic way. To admit he hasn't told Yuugi and that group of friends of his his orientation but then come out to me confirms what Mokuba said. He smirked as he thought, The blonde took a gamble and admitted he was gay to see if he had even a chance with me. That was why he struggled. And when I admitted that I, too, was gay, he probably broke down from shock. After all… It makes it seem more realistic that we could be together, doesn't it?

He couldn't help but somewhat admire Jounouchi's courage. Sure, the idiot cried on my shirt, but then again, I did the same thing when I came out to Mokuba. I thought for sure he would turn me away, and I couldn't bear the thought. But I also loved Kenichiro, and I wanted to make it work. So I took that same gamble… and Mokuba had nothing but kind words for me. Raising his hand to grasp his card locket, he thought, The only time Mokuba saw me cry tears of joy, and why I suppose I tolerated the tears last night. And the hug, which was absolutely not a hug meant for a friend. It was beyond obvious he didn't want to let me go.

Though I didn't rush to break it off, either...

He heard his order be called out and stepped forward, grabbing a carrier for the drinks and exiting with the three coffees in tow. Walking back in the direction of the hotel, he recalled the blonde's hug once more and frowned. So… now what? Last night went better than expected, if I'm perfectly honest with myself. After that initial conversation, we played more rounds, and I can't deny the evening was overall enjoyable. Even after spending all day with the blonde, we were able to have a normal conversation and enjoy the evening together. The hug was unexpected, but I didn't feel any desire to push him away. The same as when I realized he was checking me out. He even hugged me again after we returned to the hotel room, and I hugged him back without even thinking. He shivered, remembering the feeling of warmth it had brought to him. So, I suppose I could see myself doing all that again. Scheduling a night with Jounouchi. With… Katsuya.

Blushing, Kaiba huffed and mentally shook his head. One step at a time. Let's see what Jounouchi is like this morning and go from there. Besides, to go from thinking it's ludicrous to believing a relationship could work in 24 hours reeks of irrationality. It didn't take long for Kaiba to reach the hotel and step back inside, taking the elevator up and, while balancing the drinks in one hand, swipe his keycard to enter the hotel room with the other hand. Happy to see the living room and kitchen still empty, Kaiba set the coffees on the island only to see his note from last night telling Mokuba where he and Jounouchi went. He held it up and smirked before crumbling it up and tossing it into the nearby trash can.

And yet, despite it being irrational... I wouldn't mind spending another night with Jounouchi. But let's wait until we return to reality. Because who knows if this could actually work.

The thought of failure caused Kaiba to feel an unexpected sense of dread, and he quickly looked down at his drink, hating how sentimental he was feeling. I need coffee and my book. Grabbing both, he stepped out onto the patio and shut the door behind him, determined he would utilize his last full vacation day as much as possible.

Jounouchi stared up at the ceiling, his hands on his stomach. The morning light filtered through the blinds of the windows, and he watched subconsciously as the light shifted back and forth.

He had come out to Seto Kaiba, his long-time crush. And Kaiba had, in turn, come out to him. And it wasn't just that they were both gay. Kaiba was offering to spend time with him. Jounouchi was opening up to the CEO.

For the first time in his life, Jounouchi felt like he had an honest chance at dating his long-time crush, a man who in just five days had revealed himself to be a guarded, cynical, but caring and complex person.

Jou's mental vision flashed across a hundred different scenarios, most of them ones he had never allowed himself to indulge in. Kaiba and him going out on a date, playing pool in a large room that Jou envisioned was Kaiba's personal pool hall, kissing, making out, making out in the hot tub, sitting and chatting in the hot tub, playing video games…

Jou groaned as he pushed himself up to a seated position. Just because he came out to me doesn't mean we're dating, Jou had to remind himself. Though I guess it means a lot. I mean, that ain't exactly news that the world knows. All those magazines would've spilled the beans years ago. Jou blushed as he recalled hugging Kaiba, feeling the brunette's arms wrapped around him. Kaiba hugged me. No girl gets to say that. But, damn. Does Kaiba actually kinda like me? Even a little bit…?

Hearing a door open, Jounouchi blinked in surprise and looked over at his own closed bedroom door. Someone's up… Probably Kaiba. Stretching, Jou stood and walked over to his suitcase. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, he quickly got dressed and ruffled his hair to look somewhat presentable before exiting the room. The door to the Kaiba brothers' room was still closed, but as he came out to the living room, he smiled upon seeing two coffees sitting on the island in a carrier. Looking around, he didn't notice Kaiba until he peeked outside to see the brunette sitting out on the patio. He was sitting in a chair at the glass table, book lying open and a coffee sitting next to him.

He bought us coffees… Jounouchi blushed. Dammit, I need ta go back home. I'm fallin' too hard for this guy. Even the little things are startin' to trip me up. Swiping the coffee, Jounouchi meant to return to his room, but his feet led him to the patio, and he knocked on the glass door. Kaiba looked up in surprise, and Jou watched as he closed his book and leaned back in his chair, as if signaling to Jou it was okay for him to come out. Jou did so, opening and shutting the patio door behind him. It was already hot outside, and the thought of being in the water one more day made Jou smile.

"Mornin'," Jou greeted as he took his seat opposite Kaiba.

"Good morning," Kaiba responded, sipping his coffee as he did so.

"So… How'd ya sleep?"

"Fine."

"That's...good." Jou took a long sip of his coffee, blushing slightly at their curt greetings, before he stuttered, "W-Well, I, uh… S-Sorry about last night."

Kaiba frowned and turned to look at him. "What do you have to apologize for?"

"Well, ya know, just… Kinda hittin' ya with all that emotional stuff last night. Cryin' on your shirt and all that. I swear it wasn't the alcohol. I just wanted to-"

Kaiba waved his hand in the air as he took another sip of coffee, effectively silencing Jounouchi. "Don't waste your energy worrying over it," the brunette responded. "And as I said before, I won't tell anyone what we discussed."

Jou slowly nodded in appreciation. "Just so ya know, though, Mokuba knows, too, so if it comes up today… It's fine." If Jou didn't know better, Kaiba didn't seem fazed or surprised by the response, for he offered a simple shrug and took another sip of coffee.

"You said not even Mai knows?" he asked after setting the cup back down.

"Nah. I didn't tell her why I didn't have a crush on her. Just that, well, I didn't."

"I see…"

"What about you?" Watching Kaiba's eyebrows perk up, Jou asked, "Does Mokuba know about you?"

Kaiba leaned back in his seat. "Yes, he knows." Kaiba's voice was low, blending with the sounds of the boardwalk and the ocean in the distance.

"And he's okay with it?"

"Yes."

Jou smiled. "That's… Wow. That's awesome."

A small smile crossed Kaiba's lips, and this time, he didn't even bother to hide it. "He's an amazing younger brother. I don't know what I did to deserve him."

"I'll say. I can't even think about what Shizuka will say when I tell her."

"How have you kept it a secret from everyone this long?"

"By never bringin' it up. If someone asked if I thought some chick was hot, I just went with it. Made it up that chicks like Mai were my type so my answers made sense."

Kaiba casually sipped at his drink. "I suppose that strategy would be effective. I've hidden it from the world this long, after all. Hiding it from a group of people would be simple enough. I take it, then, that you never had a boyfriend?"

"I mean, I had a couple flings in high school. Not much serious stuff, though. Kept breaking off the relationships 'cuz all they wanted was sex. I think the longest 'relationship' lasted like three weeks. Didn't help I had to hide everything all the time around 'em." Kaiba merely nodded, as if in understanding. Jou blushed slightly as he took another large sip of his coffee. "So while we're on the subject, I know it's probably a dumb question given your schedule and your priorities and all that, but uh...you ever, um...date anyone?" Immediate regret filled him as Kaiba shot him a curious look across the table, and Jou blushed profusely as he broke his gaze to look down at his coffee. You idiot, of course Kaiba of all people never dated anyone. That would be-

"Two people."

Jou blinked as the words registered in his mind, and his head shot up to meet Kaiba's gaze. "Huh?"

"Two people. I've had two boyfriends."

Jou's eyes widened, his jaw dropping in utter shock. "HUH?! Wait, really?!"

Kaiba chuckled at Jou's reaction, though Jou could swear that he saw a blush forming across Kaiba's cheeks. "I informed you last night, Jounouchi, that there are many parts of my past that would probably surprise you. And I don't lie. Though I'd remind you to keep such information a secret. The whole world doesn't need to know about my previous love life."

Kaiba's. Previous. Love life. The words passed through Jounouchi's brain, making him blink in disbelief several times as he processed it. The idea that Kaiba, Seto freakin' Kaiba, had had previous boyfriends?! "When the heck was this?! And how did ya keep it a secret?"

"Both were before I became CEO," Kaiba explained. "Back then, my life wasn't under such scrutiny, so I was able to move relatively freely without cameras on me constantly."

"Holy shit… Were they...serious?"

"If you're asking if we went 'all the way,' then no, they weren't that serious. But I did go on dates, pretending I was spending time with just a friend. My first boyfriend and I had weekly date nights up until the very end."

Jou leaned back in his seat, completely in shock at the admission. Thinking of Kaiba holding hands with someone else, kissing them, hugging them the same way he hugged Jounouchi last night, Jou frowned and muttered, "Kinda jealous, to be honest."

"Why?"

"'Cuz, man, I've had to hide it all this time. Never went on an actual date or anythin'. All those hook-ups were just hangin' out at the guy's house and playing video games. Nothing serious."

"Would you ever want one? A serious relationship?"

Jounouchi blushed again as he looked up at Kaiba, who was still looking at him behind those damned sunglasses. "U-Uh, w-well, o-of course," he answered, recalling the feeling of Kaiba's arms wrapped around him. "I mean, one of these days, I'd, uh, like a serious boyfriend. Someone to go on dates with and, uh...spend time with. Someone to 'come home to,' as Anzu always says. But I dunno if I could while living with Pops. If he found out…" Clearing his throat, he asked, "What about you? Ya said both your boyfriends were before you became CEO. What about now?"

Jou watched as Kaiba inhaled and slowly exhaled. Peeking out over the railing in contemplation, the brunette slowly answered, "I never thought about it after I took over the company, though I suppose if I found someone, I wouldn't mind giving it a try."

If you found someone… Jounouchi felt his throat tighten as he tried to take a sip of his coffee. The thought of the brunette with another guy made Jou's stomach feel funny. He never before pictured Kaiba with anyone else. In all the years of his crush, he never once felt that it was threatened. It just was a thing. Now knowing that if Kaiba ever did date, it would be with another man, made Jou feel odd. Worried.

Scared...?

Finishing his coffee, Kaiba leaned forward and set the empty cup on the table. "Mokuba wants to go to the same place he and I went yesterday for breakfast," he stated, changing the topic suddenly. "Afterwards, he mentioned going to the water park. We'll pack our bags tonight and try to leave early tomorrow morning."

Jou slowly nodded, still trying to get his emotions under control. This was completely different than what he had ever envisioned. Standing in that bathroom days ago, all he wanted was to get closer to Kaiba. He knew next to nothing of the CEO, only that Kaiba was a hot guy who was his best friend's rival and also a total loner and asshole, someone who Jou had always fought with and simultaneously crushed on from a distance.

Knowing now that Kaiba was gay, that he was open to dating someone he was interested in… Jou knew so much that he was afraid. He liked learning more and more about Kaiba. He liked watching the brunette sit and read while sipping his coffee and making snide, cynical comments. He liked speaking English with Kaiba. He liked playing video games with Kaiba, playing pool with him, playing card games with him. He liked having a beer with him, talking with him, hugging him, hearing him say his first name.

And he didn't like the thought of Kaiba doing all of that with someone else.

Jou finished his coffee as his emotions made his stomach turn and his heart beat rapidly. I don't just have a crush on him anymore, Jou slowly realized. Holy shit, I… I might actually…

A knock on the door caught his attention, and both Kaiba and Jou looked over to see Mokuba opening the patio door, flinching ever so slightly at the bright sunlight. "Morning! Who bought the coffee?" the younger Kaiba asked, stifling a yawn behind the back of his hand.

"I did," Kaiba answered. "Figured you could use something to perk you up before we went out for breakfast."

Stretching his arms over his head, Mokuba smiled and nodded. "Thanks! Yeah, that sounds awesome. And can we go to the crepe place again?"

"You said you wanted to yesterday."

"Heck yes!" Mokuba rushed back inside, and Jou listened as Kaiba chuckled at the reaction. He turned and watched Kaiba stand from his seat before grabbing his book and empty coffee cup. Kaiba smirked down at Jou as he held up the cup.

"Good thing you can only find this place here," Kaiba remarked. "Heaven forbid Mokuba finds a shop like this in Domino. He'd never sleep."

Jounouchi chuckled and stood, still feeling his stomach churning. As he followed Kaiba into the hotel room, he watched the CEO approach the island and toss the empty carrier into the trash. He recalled Kaiba cooking breakfast for them earlier in the week while Jou stood next to him brewing a pot of coffee. He wondered if he would ever be able to do that again, and the thought that it may have been the first and last time made Jounouchi frown and shudder.

I don't want this to end, he realized as Kaiba, oblivious to it all, began checking for their keycards. But...but what am I gonna do?