Aloof

Rating: T (for language)

Paring: Seto/Joey

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO or any of its characters.

The sound of flesh against metal rang throughout the halls of Domino High School.

"Joey!" Yugi gasped. "What's wrong?"

"He just makes me so mad," Joey said, sliding to the floor and wrapping his arms around his knees.

"You shouldn't let Kaiba get to you so much, dude," Tristan said, patting Joey on the head.

Joey swatted his hand away.

"Yeah," Yugi agreed. "Why don't we go to the arcade and forget about whatever he did to make you mad."

"You guys go on," Joey said. "I'll be there in a few."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, Yug, go have fun. I have some things to do before I can play."

"Alright, we'll be waiting for you."

"Yeah, yeah. See you later."

Tristan and Yugi headed towards the arcade. Joey sat and stared at the floor. He ignored the approach of another human being until, "Mutt." He jumped up and stood in position to fight.

"What do you want, Kaiba?"

Seto smirked at him and walked closer.

"Hey, Kaiba, answer me."

Seto cornered him against the lockers, slamming his hands on either side of Joey's head.

"K…K…Kaiba?"

"Do I make you angry, mutt?"

"More than anything."

Blue eyes faltered for a second as hurt registered in their owner. "Do you hate me?"

"Hate is a strong word, Kaiba. It has…"

Seto rocked back on his heels and slammed his hands against the lockers, using he whole body weight to emphasis the sound. "Do you or do you not?"

Joey winced at the loudness of the sound and the harshness of Seto's voice. "No, I guess I don't hate you."

"Good, Mutt. That's all I wanted to know." He turned and started to walk away.

"Wait a minute, Kaiba. Why do you always have to be cold and aloof?"

"I don't have time for this, Mutt."

"Don't ignore me, Kaiba." Joey grabbed Seto's elbow and spun him around.

"You don't want to start anything with me today, Mutt. For one I'm not in the mood and besides, your little posse isn't here."

"Kaiba, do you hate me?"

"This is ridiculous, Mutt."

"I'm serious, Moneybags."

"I don't have to answer your questions."

"But I had to answer yours?"

"I had you in a compromising situation."

"Fine, if you won't answer my question, I'll wrench it out of you."

"How exactly are you going to do-" Seto was winded as Joey collided with him, pressing their lips together. Seto kissed him back for a second, but then pulled away and slung Joey to the floor. "What the hell are you doing, Mutt? If you ever touch me again, your body will never be found." Seto sneered and walked away.

Joey sat where he was thrown and studied the floor until the janitors kicked him out. He walked mindlessly down the street with hands in his pockets, thinking about what had happened. "He kissed me back. Even if it was for a second, he kissed me back." He walked past the arcade, ignoring his friends' calls. He walked and walked until his feet led him to the Kaiba Manor. He looked up at the towering gates. A car pulled up beside him and the back window rolled down.

"Joey," Mokuba called. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, nothing," he mumbled.

"Want to come in?"

"I don't think that would be a good idea."

"Oh come on, Joey. You can try out my new game system with me."

"I really don't think that's wise, Mokuba."

"Please, Joey."

Joey sighed and walked over to the car. "Fine, but I have to go before your brother gets home."

"That's fine. Get in." He opened the door for Joey, who got in, and the car drove them to the front door of the massive mansion. Mokuba led him to the living room where there was a large television screen with several different game systems attached. He turned one and handed a control to Joey. After a few minutes, Joey had all but forgotten the disastrous encounter with the older Kaiba brother until said person suddenly appeared behind him.

"Mokuba, what did I tell you about picking up stray mutts?"

Joey froze.

"Welcome home, big brother," Mokuba said, smiling up at Seto. "I found Joey outside the gate and invited him in."

"Mokuba, up to your room. I need to speak to Wheeler alone."

"Ok, be nice, big brother."

Seto's mouth twitched into a smirk as Mokuba headed upstairs.

"I need to go," Joey muttered, trying to push past Seto, who grabbed his arm.

"You're not going anywhere, Wheeler."

"I thought if I touched you-"

"You're not touching me, now are you? I'm touching you, which if I chose to degrade myself, I may."

"Then why degrade yourself by touching a mutt like me, Rich Boy?"

"Maybe I decided that I like your touch."

"K…K…Kaiba?"

"You asked why I have to be cold and aloof. It's protection. Protection against the hard life of a businessman and protection from getting my heart broken." He pulled Joey to him and whispered in his ear, "I won't be so aloof if you promise you won't break my heart."

"Kai…Seto," Joey gasped and looked into the icy blue eyes that stared him down. "Are you serious?"

"I want my answer first."

"If you're serious, then I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. If you're not serious, you're one sick fuck, Kaiba, toying with such strong emotions as hate and love."

Seto smirked. "You're smarter than you let on, Wheeler. That's what I like about you."

"Well, are you going to answer my questions or not?"

"Questions? You only had one."

"No, before I asked if you hated me and you never gave me an answer."

"The answer to that question is no, I don't hate you."

"Then are you serious?"

Seto shrugged, the smug look on his face saying you tell me.

"Fine, if I promise not to break your heart?"

"Then, I'm serious. I want you, Joey."

Joey swallowed hard. "As in?"

"A relationship. My lover. My other half."

"But that would make you gay."

"Very astute observation, Wheeler."

"Do I detect sarcasm?"

"No, of course not. What about you, Wheeler?"

"What about me?"

"If you agreed to all of that, wouldn't that make you homosexual as well?"

"I've known for a while now that I was."

"Then are there any other objections? Like do you already like someone?"

"Yes, I do like someone."

"Oh, then forgive me for being so forward. I didn't-"

"It's you. I was just afraid that this was some new sick joke-" Seto pressed his lips against Joey's to silence him. Joey melted into the kiss.

"Shut up, Mu…puppy."

Joey laughed and winked at Seto. "I think I might prefer you when you're cold and aloof."