AN: i don't have much to say about this chapter except writing dialogue sucks PS: I forgot to mention in the last chapter, but thanks again to my friend Peggy for proofreading all this shit. You're a lifesaver!

It was 2:05 on the dot when Seto's sleek black Audi R8 pulled up to the curb outside of the coffee shop, and he cursed under his breath. He was late. He hated being late.

Stepping out of his car, he made sure to grab the slim briefcase from the passenger seat before pressing the lock button. He only stuck around long enough to hear that whirring click of the locks turning into position, and then he was hurrying to the coffee shop door. On the way he prepared the excuse he would use, because he was sure as not telling his potential Dom that his kid brother had made him change into something less quote-unquote threatening. He supposed the classic traffic jam excuse would do; after all, it didn't really matter why he was late, just that he was.

Late or not, it seemed it wouldn't even matter, seeing as Malik was apparently late too. Seto stood in the entry way for several minutes looking around the room, waiting for that head of blond hair to come in to view. When it never did he decided to seat himself by the window, ordering only a black coffee to tide him over until his date arrived. While he waited for his drink to arrive he pondered what could have happened to Malik to make him late. Meeting at two was Malik's idea, it seemed absurd that he'd let himself be late.

Seto checked his watch. 2:08. Okay, so maybe he was over thinking it. This wasn't school or a business meeting where being eight minutes late truly mattered. Up to ten minutes was alright. Fifteen minutes was pushing it. Twenty…well, Seto didn't stick around to see people who made him wait twenty minutes.

The waitress set his coffee in front of him and let him be. He took a tentative sip of the hot liquid, once more glancing at his watch as he set the mug down. 2:10.

He made a mistake agreeing to come here.

He only knew this man from chat forums and webcamming, yet he had agreed to meet him face to face, in his favorite coffee shop of all places. Was he that desperate for someone to scratch his BDSM itch that he'd agreed to meet with someone he only knew online? Because he was the only competent Dom Seto had met?

Well, hindsight was 20/20.

He was having second thoughts. A lot of second thoughts. All sorts of doubts about where this meeting could lead filled his mind. Was he ready for committing to someone sexually, perhaps even romantically? Would this even lead to commitment, or was Malik looking for a onetime thing? Could Seto even bring himself to play the role of a sub, the role he desired so desperately to be, or would his pride get in the way? Would Malik understand if he couldn't fill said role perfectly the first time? Thoughts like these and many more presented itself to him before his mind quickly moved onto the next one, and the next, and so on until he was anxiously tapping his nails against the table. He glanced at his watch.

2:13.

Seto cursed angrily under his breath and took a gulp of coffee, shivering as it went down bitter.

A loud rumble of an engine broke his melancholy thought train. He, along with the few other customers in the shop, glanced out to see what the source was. Seto saw a man on a motorcycle drop his kickstand next to his car, only thinking of how much he didn't want his vehicle scratched up by some biker. Then the man took off his helmet, and Seto's heart skipped a beat.

Malik.

All doubts melted away in that instant.

As Seto watched, Malik stuffed his helmet into the leather pouch attached to the side of the bike, taking something else out and stuffing it in his leather messenger bag. After that, he used Seto's side mirror to check his appearance, an act that had Seto smirking. He took his time to study Malik's outfit. A black leather jacket, more form fitting than Seto had expected. A deep red flannel shirt under that, unbuttoned. Under that, a simple black t-shirt. He wore tight, dark jeans that were frayed at one knee. And, perhaps Seto's favorite part, a pair of black military style boots. He could see a lot of potential in those.

Once Malik had made sure he didn't have helmet hair he hurried to the door, slowing his steps as he neared it for a more casual stride. Once in, he looked around, biting his lip. He saw Seto and grinned, hurrying over and sliding into the seat across from him.

"Sorry I'm late. I know how bad that can make first impressions. I forgot something important at home and had to go back for it." He offered Seto a small, apologetic smile; brows furrowed slightly and one corner of his mouth higher than the other. It was adorable, and any lingering doubts or anger Seto had left vanished without a trace.

"Don't worry about it," Seto replied smoothly, as if he hadn't just been regretting this set up. "But I must know – What was so important that you had to go back for?"

Malik hummed, removing the strap of his bag from around his shoulders. "What indeed?" He tapped the outer flap with his fingernails, then let his hand fall. "I suppose you might find out later, if you're a good boy." Those words, combined with the sultry look Malik gave him, had a bolt of arousal shooting straight to his cock. He had to swallow before he spoke.

"Based on that look you just gave me, am I right to assume it has something to do with our…shared interest?"

Once more Malik hummed, pretending to think. "Could be…"

Seto smirked. "Well then, I'll be sure to be on my best behavior."

Malik grinned at this, crossing his arms on the table and leaning on them. He was surprised how…naturally the words came to him, to them both. He had no idea how Kaiba was feeling right now, but on the drive over he'd been a nervous wreck, almost literally. He'd been so wrapped up on what to say and how to act that he'd run two red lights. Some jackass in a pickup nearly ran over him. But he was here now, and he was surprisingly at ease with everything, even the fact that he'd been almost 15 minutes late. At the end of the day, Kaiba was still the man he knew online, his friend. Not even Kaiba being famous could make him nervous now.

"Oh, I sure hope so. I'd hate to have to punish you on the first day." Both he and Seto chuckled at this.

"I'd hate that too," Seto said slowly, but the way his lids lowered, Malik knew he was lying. His smirk grew and he learned forward more, about to reply when the waitress stepped up to their table.

"Sorry for the wait." She deposited two menus in front of them. "What can I get you to drink?"

Malik made an unpleasant face, annoyed that his and Seto's flirting had been interrupted. "Mocha cappuccino, please."

She nodded and let them know she'd be back to take their lunch order in a moment.

Malik heard Seto sigh and turned back to him. His menu had already been placed aside, and he was staring intently at the briefcase resting in the seat beside him. Malik raised an eyebrow. "I don't think your briefcase is going to tell you what the lunch special is, Kaiba."

"I know. I come here often enough I know what I like." He paused and looked like he was going to grab his suitcase, but decided against it. Malik was curious, but didn't comment. "And Seto is fine." He'd been called much more personal things by this man, so why bother with manners?

This had Malik smiling, a sort of smug smile. "Alright, Seto… Can you recommend a good vegetarian dish to me, then?" He glanced over the lunch menu, nothing standing out to him.

"You never told me you were a vegetarian," Seto said, sounding intrigued.

"My whole family is full of them. And no, it's not because we're hippies."

Seto looked back at him now, forgetting the briefcase for now. "I never suggested you were. This place has a pita pocket or two, and I think a vegetable Panini. I've had neither, so I wouldn't know if they're any good."

Malik nodded, finding both items after a bit of searching. When their waitress returned with his drink, he ordered the pepper stuffed pita pocket. Seto ordered the usual. After handing back their menus, they sat in comfortable silence until Malik broke the ice once more.

"Sooo…" he began, searching for something to say.

"Yes?" Seto rested his chin on his folded hands, waiting patiently. Malik said the first thing that came to mind.

"I'm still pretty shocked you agreed to meet me," he stated with a lopsided smile. "It was a really split second decision I made, asking you out and all. As soon as I hit send I regretted it, thinking you'd cuss me out or block me."

Seto let out a soft, amused breath. "And? Do you regret it now?"

"Not at all. Do you regret agreeing?"

Seto didn't miss a beat. "Not at all."

Malik smiled. Seto smirked.

"I am curious, though," Seto began, his attention wandering back to his briefcase. "What your intentions for meeting me were."

Malik's smile dropped a notch. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, what are you expecting from this meeting?"

Oh. Malik nodded to himself in understanding. Of course Seto would be curious about that. The question had been sudden, after all. They had mentioned meeting once or twice, made empty promises about what they would do if they were ever able to see each other in real life. Malik had always assumed it would just be a bit of internet fun at first; that Seto was too busy with his own life and his business to continue playing for long. But he kept coming back. Month after month, he'd return Malik's messages and texts, initiate calls with him, respond to his Snapchats…

It was a nice arrangement, and it was an even better (if slightly one sided) sex life, so for a while Malik was content. But as the anniversary of their first conversation grew closer, and Seto got more comfortable mumbling 'Master' during calls, Malik wanted more. So much more. He had to meet him, even if it was only for that one day, a single lunch date. He had to meet the man that made his hormones go haywire. And so, one ill thought out message later and here they were.

Malik thought about his answer. "I'm not going to lie; I would very much enjoy it if our relationship in real life took the same path our online relationship did. That said, it's not the only reason I wanted to meet you. Yes, the sexual desire is there, but… I just really wanted to meet you face to face. Even if we don't have sex, or if we never meet face to face again, I'll be happy just knowing I got to meet you."

Seto listened intently, nodding slowly at the end. "Would you really be okay with never having sex with me and never meeting up like this again?" His gaze was intense, but Malik didn't shrink away from it. "You wouldn't feel angry, or betrayed, or bitter if I said 'no' to a sexual relationship?"

"Of course I wouldn't." Malik frowned. Where was Seto going with this? The other man simply smirked.

"Then I suppose I've found myself a Dom worth keeping."