My Dearest Guest - you get the issue exactly, however you are a touch off of the exact point.

Talyak - yeah, another first for Seto. Who would ditch him?

Chapter 6

"Jounouchi-san, why don't you read for us today." The teacher smiled at him. "What were your impressions of the festival?"

Joey tried not to glare. He had written an entry, but it wasn't about the festival.

It was about waking up, alone, and feeling like a whore. Isis had left money for a cab and a phone number in Egypt. Joey had gathered his clothes, caught the cab home, and managed to avoid giving his mom any details.

Isis had used him. He felt filthy. Still, days later, he felt like he'd done something dirty. In the heat of the moment, his hormones had done all the thinking. Once his mind had cleared, though, he understood 'morning after remorse' completely.

And it didn't help any that thinking about what she did gave him a raging boner. Not thinking about doing her. No, it was thinking about her doing him that made him jack off every morning. He'd been the penetrated not the penetrator, and the truth was that he liked it. His fingers weren't even close to the same feeling. His attempts in the shower at home were at first emasculating and then frustrating. It was bad enough that he wanted to be touched like a girl - but knowing that a boy had to do it was just infuriating. And knowing made him start looking at the boys around him differently. It made him start looking at guys like he looked at girls - like partners maybe.

Not something he wanted to read to the class.

"I didn't write anything," he muttered finally.

"Alright. So tell us. Did you enjoy the event? What was your favorite part?"

"The after party," someone snarked.

Joey looked over his shoulder at Kaiba. The comment was the only thing the executive had said to Joey all day. They'd seen each other several times, but Kaiba had made a show of snubbing Joey every time he tried to apologize.

"Yeah, right." Joey opened the journal and pretended to read. "Dear diary. School festival was this weekend. Got invited to the after party and met someone who seemed nice. They weren't. I hurt the feelings of someone who was nice, though, so I'm a dick. I've been trying to say I'm sorry all day but no luck. Sucks to be me." He let the book fall shut.

"Ah." The teacher nodded. "I see. Kaiba-sama, perhaps you would like to share your entry?"

"No."

She actually took a step back. "Oh. Alright. Uh, Mutou-kun, share your thoughts with the class."

Joey slumped on his desk. It had been worth a shot.

It wasn't even supposed to be a date! Kaiba should not be that bent out of shape. It's not like they were seeing each other.

But the more Joey tried to talk himself out of it, the more guilt he felt. Kaiba had treated it like a date. He'd dressed to impress. Dinner would probably have been amazing. And Kaiba wouldn't have taken him to a sleazy motel.

A piece of paper landed on Joey's desk. An origami dragon. He glanced over his shoulder, but Kaiba appeared to be listening to whoever was reading.

There seemed to be something written inside, so Joey unfolded it. 'The roof. After class.'

Joey nodded. He'll probably push me off, but at least I can give him the kimono back.

xXxXxXx

"I had it cleaned." Katsuya said as he offered Seto the dry cleaning box. "I mean, it wasn't like it got dirty or anything, I just figured you wouldn't want my stink all over it."

Seto frowned and took the box. He still wasn't sure why the boy wanted to apologize. He didn't know why he'd asked Katsuya to meet him. He didn't even know why he was so angry.

"I gathered you had something you wished to say."

"Yeah." Katsuya leaned against the railing, the breeze ruffling his hair artistically. "I didn't mean to leave like that. Isis kinda dragged me - well, not really dragged me, but -"

"Think nothing of it. It wasn't a date. We were two males going stag. I was simply your ride."

"You wanted it to be a date." Katsuya said simply. "I'm not trying to date a guy, but I didn't have to be an asshole about it."

"You weren't." Seto forced himself to be gracious. "No harm done."

Katsuya shrugged. "It was instant karma anyway. Be a player, get played."

"I cannot imagine how the evening went badly. I have met Ishtar on several occasions; she is lovely."

"Yeah, keep away from Run Around Sue."

"Excuse me?"

"Something my dad used to say. Shoulda listened. Anyway, trust me. Next time you want to go out, I'll behave."

The words shot a spark through Seto. He struggled to remain nonplussed. "What makes you think I want to go out with you again?"

"Well, not like you would, but, it's just an expression."

"And yet I can't help but point out that you still owe me a meal."

Katsuya looked at him. "Even after this?"

"Especially. You hurt my reputation."

"Ok. How about you come to my place and I'll cook."

"Can you cook?" Kaiba smirked.

"Not a lot," Katsuya chuckled. "But what I know, I do good."

"Alright. But at my place. Dinner with the boss may be unduly stressful for your mother."

"True dat. Ok. When?"

Seto remained calm. He pulled out a business card and wrote a number on the back. "I'll be home by 8pm every night this week. That number is my driver. When you are ready, call him."

"Ok. What do you want me to make?"

Kaiba shrugged and moved toward the door, completely unable to hold back a smile. "Surprise me."