Chapter 2 :

The CEO was out cold, completely gone from the world at the present moment.

Katsuya observed the taller man leaning against his chest closely, taking in every detail. Kaiba definitely looked pale - well, paler than usual at least. He rested a hand to the brunet's forehead but couldn't detect any heat that might have signified a fever. He bit his lip, feeling unsure. He did not like this position at all. It was beyond awkward. A faint blush appeared on the blond's face before he shook away the embarrassment from his features. Now was not the time to be concerned over such thoughts. This was his rival for heaven's sake! And hopefully, these thoughts wouldn't return to plague his mind later.

He hesitated briefly before wrapping one of his arms around the waist of the unconscious businessman. His other hand moved the legs of the brunet's feet to the side. That hand was then set beside his lower back on the ground, using it as support as he lifted both of their bodies from the floor. He was surprised at the lack of resistance that occurred, expecting more weight to hinder his upward momentum. His eyes swept their way downward to examine Kaiba's countenance. The idea that he could even look down on his arrogant rival was laughable, only possible due to the current circumstance. Even if they were sitting near each other, the CEO would be taller and took pride in that fact. However, the usual straight-postured brunet was slumped over, resting against the blond's chest, and entirely unaware of the present arrangement. Katsuya was glad that he thought to move the businessman's legs to the side, avoiding an even more uncomfortable positioning between them.

He sighed. Kaiba would not be happy to awaken and discover himself in the arms of his rival. Even Katsuya was struggling to accept the situation. He was beyond grateful that the brunet was unconscious. Then again, if he wasn't, then they wouldn't even be in this mess. He lifted the limp CEO bridal style, not really knowing any other way to accomplish the move. And was once again surprised, having momentarily forgotten his previous insight. Kaiba was not even close to being as heavy as he had expected. Sure, the guy was skinny, but that was no excuse to be as light as a feather! Okay, that was an exaggeration but, seriously, the businessman was too thin for his own good. He frowned, pausing to think to himself.

He then carried the brunet to the other end of the room to the semi-circle couch and gently laid him down. After he felt that the CEO wasn't in an uncomfortable position, he crouched down and stared at Kaiba's face. It seemed almost peaceful. The facial expression of the brunet was relaxed, no sign of the usual smirk or flat line that commonly appeared at rest there. This was probably one of the only times that he could be this close to the taller man, without them both being at the other's throat. He remained crouched as the businessman drew in deep breaths while in his unconscious state.

After a short period of time, Katsuya noticed that there was slight movement on his rival's face and watched as it scrunched up, seemingly in pain. The blond's eyebrows furrowed in concern. Yes, they weren't friends - acquaintances at best - but he never actually wanted Kaiba to suffer, no matter how many times he grew frustrated at the overconfident CEO. Then those azure eyes slowly blinked open and took a moment before finally focusing on him.

Seto Kaiba slowly opened his eyes. Everything was blurry; the light was a brightness that made him flinch briefly. He quickly shut them before forcing them open again, attempting to give his eyes an opportunity to adjust properly. After blinking slowly a few times, his eyes started to focus. He was startled to find brown as the most clear color in his line of vision.

Brown was not a common color that he saw, especially a brown seemingly of melted honey. Gold seemed to be weaved along within those orbs of amber and was revealed above them as well. He had to admit that it was beautiful. He rarely used the word except when considering his blue-eyes white dragons. Truly, it was rare, and he had never said the word out loud, nor would he ever confess to such thoughts.

His eyes focused further and shock pulsed through his veins. He suddenly realized that he was gazing into the eyes of Jounouchi Katsuya of all people. He had thought that the blond's messy hair and flashing, defiant eyes were beautiful. Those eyes did not express the bold challenge that they usually held though. They were full of concern instead. This, he found confusing, but he refused to show his inner torment. He forced on his poker face, hiding any facial expression that would normally reveal themselves without his carefully applied control. The quiet man next to him continued to stare, that brown-eyed gaze locked on his face and the transformation there.

"Do you really find me that attractive, mutt? Just ask for a picture and an autograph; I'll gladly give it to you if it means that you'll stop drooling over me and ruining my carpet." Seto smirked while pushing himself up to sit properly on the couch, facing the shorter individual with arms folded across his chest and one leg crossed over the other.

A blush swept over Katsuya's face as he sprung up from his crouched position. "I'm not a mutt, richboy! And-"

The businessman merely watched as the blond took steps backward to put some distance between them. However, those steps were only monitored by the CEO. Katsuya was more focused on responding with a few more insults of his own than on the amount of space behind him. This lack of attention caused the embarrassed blond to back into the coffee table, his arms flailing dramatically as he fell back onto the low surface with a yelp. It took the younger duelist a moment to realize what happened before glancing at the brunet with sudden dismay at his silly mistake. Seto was tempted to laugh but only raised an eyebrow in response. That seemed to be enough. A heavier blush settled upon Katsuya's features as he avoided eye contact with the businessman.

Silence filled the room. The CEO said nothing, waiting for the other to break into the soundless void surrounding them. He knew that because of Katsuya's rambunctious nature, the blond wouldn't be able to stand the quiet between them for much longer. Although his patience was quickly rewarded, he instantly regretted not kicking the fool out of his office sooner.

"Say, Kaiba…" There was a pause. The redness on Katsuya's facial features had vanished and he seemed to be struggling with how to approach a topic of conversation with him. "Do you know what happened?"

Seto sighed inwardly. "I realize. It's my business. I need to finish my work. Leave."

He stood from the couch and attempted to return to his desk. A sudden grip on his arm made him jerk his head toward the offender with a glare. The blond duelist's eyes flared in disbelief and anger.

"Let go."

Katsuya tightened his grip. Seto ground his teeth in frustration as his demand was not only ignored but the pressure on his arm increased.

"I said... Let. Go." The businessman's voice darkened in well-controlled fury. He grasped the wrist of the hand that had captured his arm and removed it forcefully.

Katsuya let his arm fall to his side but his gaze remained locked where it was. "You're saying that I should just ignore what just happened? Is that any way to thank someone?"

"I didn't ask you for help, nor do I need it." The brunet turned and strode back to the chair at his desk in order to focus on more pressing matters. Loud steps behind him indicated that the ignored duelist was intent on finishing the conversation.

"Your pride, and even this company, are more important to ya than your health? What on earth is wrong with you? And I don't just mean yer personality." The CEO set himself comfortably in his office chair and resumed typing on his laptop, concentrating while ignoring the sharp glare that Katsuya was giving him.

Seto simply pretended that the blond didn't exist.

Although Katsuya continued to hurl insults and attempted other endeavors in the hope of gaining the immediate attention of the brunet, Kaiba gave no indication that he heard anything. The businessman hadn't reacted, even slightly, to any of it. The CEO had only just barely seemed to remember his coffee. The beverage had remained untouched and forgotten upon the surface of the black desk until now. The cup was brought up the businessman's mouth while the younger duelist sighed in dejection. Suddenly, Kaiba froze. Katsuya perked up for a moment. Maybe he had finally obtained the attention of the stoic workaholic. With a frown of dislike, the coffee was set back into his previous place.

The brunet pressed a button on his office phone. A few seconds later, a gentle knock sounded on the office door. The CEO answered in the same manner as he had earlier. "Come in."

Emiko Shimizu entered promptly after the response and gave a polite bow. Her dark-hair was twisted into a bun with a few curls framing her face and she was wearing a light grey suit that enhanced her natural curves and soft skin tone. As she straightened herself, she seemed to notice the blond in front of her boss's desk. Her hazel eyes widened in surprise briefly before resting her gaze upon her superior. "You paged, sir?"

"Yes. This coffee has gone cold."

"Of course." Emiko walked to the desk, lightly picked up the coffee cup, then went back to the door. She turned and bowed once again, careful not to spill in the process. "I will return momentarily." She looked back and forth between both of the men, curiosity lighting her eyes, before exiting.

"Katsuya. Excuse yourself before I call security."

Katsuya shot the CEO another glare, surprised to finally be addressed but aggravated no less. "I refuse. I won't leave 'til you tell me why."

Kaiba lifted his blue eyes to his ill-mannered guest before replying. "What, pray tell, are you referring to?'

"Yer health! Do I gotta dumb it down for you? I thought that you were supposed to be the smart one." The blond felt himself growing impatient.

The brunet's eyes hardened at the comment. "I thought I told you-"

"It's not my business, right? Well, too bad! I'm making it my business." His calloused hands slammed on the desk in a similar manner that the CEO had done, hoping to carry the same amount of authority and determination that had been shown in the display earlier.

The businessman lost his composure, leaning forward and letting venom seep into his words as he replied. "No. Now leave."

"Fine!" The blond threw his hands into the air. He turned and started for the exit when, suddenly, an idea popped into his head. He twisted back to face his rival. A smirk settled on his face, completely confident in how his next words would affect the stubborn CEO.

"I'll just ask Mokuba."

End of Chapter 2