Chapter 27:

Jou smiled awkwardly as Mokuba brought out a tray of tea and waved towards everyone in the living room. "Alrighty, here we go!" He carefully distributed the teacups amongst the Yuugi-tachi, who were all seated and scattered around the room. Kaiba's ambient music played through the speakers, filling Jou with the courage he needed to get through what was about to happen. As he took the teacup, he winked at Mokuba, who smiled warmly back at him.

Mokuba was there for him, and Kaiba would be home from work soon. He would be able to do this. He had to do this.

"Thanks for having us over, Mokuba!" Yuugi exclaimed, sipping at the tea as he did so. "It's been awhile since we were all able to hang out like this. Well, with you being with us, anyways, Mokuba. Usually it's just three or four of us."

"Jou said you usually all hang out at your place," Mokuba admitted. Blinking at realizing what he said, he quickly added, "I-I mean, the one time I asked him about hanging out, he said he was with you guys."

"It's a shame Otogi said he couldn't make it," Anzu remarked. "I'm sure he would've loved to catch up, but he said he's been busy with his shop lately. And your sister's not here, either."

"Yeah, I'mma call her later tonight," Jou replied. "She's got some stuff goin' on today, and I didn't wanna bug her too much."

"Speakin' of busy, where the hell ya been, man?" Honda gently punched Jou's shoulder and smirked at him. "We invited you over the other night, and you said you were busy again. Work ain't that bad right now, is it?"

"No, work's actually been pretty smooth," Jou answered. "Boss even said that if I keep up doing good work, I could be lookin' at a raise."

"Nice!" Honda exclaimed, putting his hand up in the air. Jou smiled and returned the high five.

"Are you still thinking about going to college, Jou?" inquired Anzu, who was sitting petitely on the floor, legs crossed to one side. "You mentioned it a few months ago but haven't brought it up since."

"Yeah, I'm startin' ta look at some places. Things have been a bit easier lately with money, so I've actually been savin' up."

"That's great!" Anzu exclaimed.

"So are things different at home?" asked Yuugi, who was looking curiously at Jounouchi over the rim of his teacup. "You look and sound a lot happier than before… And you haven't really mentioned your father at all these last few times we've hung out."

Jou took a large swig of his tea to buy himself a few seconds before shrugging. "Yeah… Things are, uh, different. Definitely better, but definitely, uh, different."

"Clearly," Honda joked. "I mean, ya got here before all of us. Since when were you first for anything?"

"Hey, ain't my fault I gotta bike everywhere!" countered Jou.

"Still, you usually aren't the first to arrive."

"Jou offered to help me set up," Mokuba chimed in. He, too, was sitting on the floor, though he was opposite of Anzu at the coffee table. "He's the one who picked out the tea."

"No shit?" Honda's eyebrows rose, and even Anzu and Yuugi looked a bit surprised. Jou felt his cheeks flush slightly, but just as he was about to speak, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He quickly pulled it out to see the message across his screen.

Kaiba: Be home in less than 10 minutes. Is everything all right?

"So Mokuba, how's school going for you?" asked Anzu. Jou smiled as the room filled with conversation, and he took his time typing out a response.

Jou: Nervous as hell. But everyone's here.

A few seconds passed, then the phone buzzed again.

Kaiba: You'll do fine. Be home soon.

"Is that Shizuka?" Jou blinked in surprise and looked up to see Anzu looking in his direction. He shook his head and shoved the phone back in his pocket, Anzu's surprised expression not lost on him. "Oh, I just thought… You looked happy about that text."

"You've been textin' a lot lately," Honda observed. "Who ya texting? Not any of us, obviously."

Jou looked down at Mokuba, who looked back at him. Understanding passed between the two. It's time to rip this band aid off… Gotta do it sooner than later. And I wanted to do it before Kaiba got home…

"Everythin' all right?"

Jou finished his tea and nodded. "Yeah… Everything's fine." Clearing his throat, he watched as Mokuba stood and reached out towards him. He gave the empty cup to the younger Kaiba, who quickly refilled it and gave it back. "I, uh… Actually…"

"Jounouchi asked to have everyone here to hang out," Mokuba declared, effectively grabbing everyone's attention. Honda, Anzu, and Yuugi all blinked in unison before their heads shot to look in Jou's direction.

"Wait, what?" asked Honda.

"Why here?" inquired Anzu. "At Kaiba's house?"

Jou inhaled and exhaled. He remembered the same emotions, the same fear he felt, when he came out to Kaiba initially. The fluttering in his chest, his stomach churning. He hated it, but remembering that he had conquered it before gave him just enough strength to open his mouth to speak. "I, uh, well… I wanted to, uh… Tell you all something. Something important."

"At Kaiba's house?" Yuugi repeated.

"Y-Yeah. You see… Remember when, uh, I was gone for that one week? And I told you all that I was working?" He swallowed as he watched all three of his friends nod their heads. "Well, that wasn't...necessarily true. I was, uh… Spending a vacation...with… With Mokuba and Kaiba."

"Yo, what?!" Honda's eyes widened in shock as he leaned backwards in order to get a good look at Jou.

"I invited him along," Mokuba explained. "Nii-sama said I could bring someone, and I invited Jou."

"I'm shocked you would agree to go, given your history with Kaiba," Yuugi remarked, quickly adding "No offense" after shooting a look to Mokuba.

"Well, so, funny story. I, um…" Jou swallowed, then took another sip of his tea. Where to even start? He sighed, figuring the best answer would be the shortest. "So, I had a really good time on the vacation, and while I hung out with Mokuba a lot, I also hung out with Kaiba a lot. And we started talkin' about a lot of things, and we didn't fight at all. Then certain stuff came up, and, well…"

"Are you saying you're now friends with Kaiba?" Honda asked.

Jou blushed a deep red. "Heh, well, uh, mmm… It's...more than that."

"More?"

"You all ever notice how I've never had a girlfriend? How the thing with Mai and I never really seemed ta go anywhere?"

A moment of silence passed. After what felt like an eternity, Anzu was the first to gasp. "Wait. You two...are dating?!"

As if on cue, the sound of the front door opening reached everyone's ears. Jou turned and watched as Kaiba strolled into the living room dressed in a black button-up shirt, black slacks, and a champagne-colored tie. All eyes save Mokuba's met him, but he stood tall and proud without wavering an inch. In fact, upon noticing their stares, he smirked and glanced over at Jou, who felt his cheeks turn redder, if it was even possible. "I take it you've told them?"

"Wait, WHAT?!" Honda jumped from his seat, looking back and forth between Jou and Kaiba.

"You two are actually together?" Anzu asked, her eyes wide and her mouth open. Yuugi merely looked back and forth at the two, but mostly he was looking at Jou. For his own part, Jou could feel his cheeks burning. He couldn't gauge at all the emotions his friends were feeling other than shock.

The thought that this hadn't been a good idea began to seep into his mind. Maybe he shouldn't have -

"Yes, we're together," Kaiba answered, his voice piercing through the awkwardness. To emphasize his point, he walked over to the back of the couch and leaned forward, placing his hands on Jou's shoulders. Jou leaned back into the supportive grip as Kaiba explained, "We began dating at the end of our vacation. It's been nearly a month now."

"I didn't even know you were gay," Yuugi admitted, still staring in wonder at Jou. He then looked up at Kaiba. "I guess the same for you, too…"

"That's 'cuz I never told ya guys," Jou replied. "I mean, can't speak for Kaiba here, but I was...embarrassed. Didn't want you all to know. But… Kaiba and I are… Well, we're kinda serious, and I felt… I-I-It hasn't been right for me to not tell you guys..."

"And this is a big secret," added Mokuba. "Obviously not everyone knows that Nii-sama is gay."

"Yeah, those magazines would never shut up about it if they knew," Honda remarked, shock still present in his voice.

"Then...you're okay with us knowing, Kaiba?" Yuugi questioned, glancing up curiously at Kaiba.

"It's important to Jounouchi that you all know what is going on," Kaiba explained. "So yes, I am okay with you knowing of our relationship. I simply ask that you respect our privacy and keep it to yourselves. We'll handle if and when the news breaks to the world when the time comes."

Silence reigned as the surprisingly thoughtful answer hung in the air. Jou felt his stomach turning; the more the seconds passed, the more he felt sure that this had been a horrible idea. The only thing keeping him grounded was Kaiba's hands on his shoulders. But he couldn't read his friends' expressions, and his mind began racing. Maybe he should've just told them he was gay first. Maybe he should've done this at Yuugi's place. Maybe he should've just kept quiet. Maybe -

Then he noticed it. Anzu began to smile. "So you've been spending time with Kaiba those nights you tell us you're busy." It was a statement rather than a question, but it held no venom. In fact, Jou watched as Anzu's expression softened as realization swept over her.

"Yeah," Jou answered softly.

"And you've been happier than usual because you're dating," Yuugi reasoned. His expression, too, softened once he spoke.

"Yeah," Jou repeated.

"And you're dating Kaiba?" Honda asked, who was still looking at the two incredulously.

Jou chuckled. "Yeah…"

"Yo, back up. You gotta start from the beginning!" Honda retook his seat. "How the heck did this happen? How ya go from hatin' each other to dating? Details, man. Details!"

Jou blinked in surprise. Looking around the room, he saw that all three were now staring strangely at him. Smiles were across their faces, however, and rather than looking antagonistic, they seemed almost happy by the news. "You aren't...aren't mad?" Jou asked, his voice betraying his surprise.

"Why would we be mad, Jounouchi?" asked Yuugi. "So long as you're happy, that's what's important."

"Though I do agree with Honda," Anzu admitted, smiling widely as she sipped her tea. "I definitely want to hear this story."

Feeling the hands leave his shoulders, Jou turned and watched as Kaiba rounded the end of the sofa and sat down next to him, on the opposite side of Honda. Mokuba handed his older brother a cup of tea, and Kaiba thanked him for it before glancing over at Jou. The nod was subtle, but it made Jou grin, particularly when Kaiba wrapped his arm around the blonde's shoulders, pulling him in ever so slightly.

"You guys...are the best," he stuttered, returning his gaze to his friends. Finishing his second cup, he handed it to Mokuba before saying, "Well… How far back do ya want me ta go?"

Kaiba sighed heavily as he tossed his shirt back onto the countertop. He had to remind himself it was indeed Saturday night. After their little gathering, Mokuba had left to go study at his friend's house, as usual. It was only Jounouchi and him. That meant no shirt for the night, despite the feelings of frustration and anxiety flowing through him.

Jounouchi had been the one to suggest to Kaiba that he not wear a shirt once a week in order to get more comfortable with his scarred back, throwing the idea out that it may help with his nightmares. Obviously, Saturday was the most ideal time for such an arrangement. Kaiba promised to at least try it, and he wasn't going to break that promise, even after such an emotionally-charged day. Stepping out in just his pajama pants into his bedroom, he smiled when he saw Jou standing next to the window, gazing out at the gardens beyond.

Things had gone better than even Kaiba could have anticipated, if he was being truly honest with himself. He had expected the Yuugi-tachi to not so much be opposed to Jou's sexuality as to the relationship itself, given his tumultuous relationship with the group. Yet after answering some questions as to how the relationship began, they expressed their approval. And while it meant very little to Kaiba whether or not they approved, he knew it meant the world to Jounouchi that he could finally be himself around his friends.

He slowly approached the blonde and wrapped his arms around his waist. Feeling the boy jolt in surprise made him chuckle. "Not thinking too hard, I hope?"

"Nah, I leave that ta you," Jou retorted. Kaiba chuckled and settled his chin gently against the blonde's shoulder so that he, too, could look outside. The night sky was clear, and a slight breeze blew the tips of the shrubbery below. "Hey...Kaiba…"

"Hm?"

"Thanks...for today. I think it helped, them hearing your support and all that."

"My...support?"

"Yeah. Like, I was thinkin' how maybe I should've just come out and let it go at that, but then I knew they'd ask about who I was datin'... And havin' you here, hearin' you talk about us… I think it helped." Jou placed a hand over Kaiba's as he continued, "And the call with Shizuka went just about the same. She wasn't as surprised… Maybe she suspected something all along. But she was happy for us. Promised to keep things under wraps. And she ain't telling Mom or Pops, so no worries about that."

Kaiba smiled, feeling the blonde's relief and happiness over the day's events washing over him. Rather than responding, he simply tightened his grip around Jou. Peeking over, he could see the blush on Jou's face and chuckled before admitting, "There is something I would have done differently, now that I've thought about it."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

Turning, he gave a quick kiss on the cheek before whispering, "I believe it would have made an impression if I referred to you as 'Katsuya.' Using our last names makes the relationship seem rather new."

The blush grew to a beet red as Jou glanced over at Kaiba. "I-I mean… We can, uh, start...if you want."

"Whatever you're most comfortable with."

Jou inhaled and slowly exhaled. "I'd like that..."

Planting another kiss on the blonde's cheek, he admitted, "I'd like that too...Katsuya."

"So, before you get me into that bed of yours, Seto," Jou shot back, causing Kaiba to smirk victoriously. "Got a question for ya."

"Oh, that's all it takes? Saying 'Katsuya'? I didn't realize how easy it was to woo you."

"Of course you did. Ya ain't dumb."

Casually playing it off, Kaiba merely shrugged and muttered, "Meh…"

"Anyways… What'cha thinkin' for next year?"

Kaiba frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, we gotta make this a regular thing, right?"

"What, coming out to Yuugi and your friends?"

Jou scoffed. "Nah, man. Vacation. We gotta plan our next vacation!"

Kaiba laughed before he could catch himself, and he quickly shook his head in amusement before standing tall and releasing his hold on Jou. Jou turned and smiled up at him, his amber eyes piercing through Kaiba in ways he never thought possible. Jou always jested how easily Kaiba made him melt, but he hoped the blonde understood it worked just as well in reverse. How their relationship could turn around in such an abnormal fashion would probably never cease to amaze the CEO, but then again, it didn't really matter.

What mattered was what they had now. And preserving what they had.

"How about you list some places you'd like to go," Kaiba answered, running his hand through Jou's soft, blonde hair. "Then we can look at our options and make plans."

"You'd be down?"

"If it's with you," he whispered before he could catch himself. Feeling his cheeks warm at the admission, Kaiba went to respond when Jou grabbed his hand and pulled him forward, forcing them both onto the bed.

"Nope, no more of that," Jou muttered. "Ya gonna say things like that, you're gonna get what's comin' to ya." Kaiba smirked as Jou crashed his lips against Kaiba's, effectively silencing the CEO with a deep kiss. He merely let Jou take the lead, internally amused that Jou was clearly just as embarrassed as Kaiba was when it came to admitting their feelings. But as he felt Jou's hands begin roaming over his body, he stopped and pushed Jou up slightly, making sure he could see the blonde's face. Jou frowned. "Wha… What's wrong?"

"Katsuya…" Swallowing hard, Kaiba whispered, "I… I want you to know. I want this to last. I want us to have vacations to look forward to...date nights every weekend… I… I want…"

Before he could finish, Jou lunged forward and pressed his face against Kaiba's, kissing him from his jawline to his neck. "I-I want all that t-too. I… I freakin' love you, Seto."

The words made Kaiba's heart skip a beat. That's what he had wanted to say. And he wanted to say it back, wanted to say it desperately, but he quickly realized he'd have to wait until the next morning. His thoughts muddled as they were overwhelmed by Jou's kisses along his neck and collarbone, his fingers trailing along his chest and down his sides. Jou left Kaiba speechless, leaving nothing to question. All too quickly, Kaiba lost himself in the blonde, drowning under his affection.

Distracted as they were in their own corner of the mansion, neither one noticed in the distance of the manor the sound of the front door opening, the footsteps up the stairs, or the amusing creeping forward towards their room. Mokuba smirked, not needing much imagination to know what was happening when he saw the light underneath his brother's closed bedroom door. Giggling, he turned on his heels. The younger Kaiba tented his fingers and smirked victoriously before he began heading towards his own room.

His vacation plans had been a success. Seto may have figured it all out, and Jou may have needed some push, but Mokuba's strategy had worked. He knew the two were perfect for each other. It just took a carefully-orchestrated vacation to make them see it. He smiled and quickly took out his phone. One final favor for the two. He texted Roland before he could forget that Seto would be sleeping in tomorrow and wasn't to be disturbed.

And we're done! I hope you all enjoyed it! A huge shoutout to such an awesome community: to those who started out this fanfic with me, to those who jumped in when I restarted writing it over a year later, and to those who stuck with me throughout.

I've already begun writing a Danganronpa fanfic that I'm hoping to post at some point, as I'm diving headfirst into the series and absolutely loving it! I also have a Yami Yuugi x Seto Kaiba fanfic that's been in the works for awhile now that I've yet to post, so that may go up at a later date, as well.

As always, it's been a massive pleasure writing this story and seeing you all enjoy it. Thanks again for all the views, comments, favorites, and follows. You guys are truly the best.