Love Shack
Love Shack
By
Hideki LaShae
Chapter Five
"Dad? Can you set the table? He's going to be here any minute and I still need to change!" I exclaim as I put the casserole dish on the center of the table beside the basket of fresh rolls and bowl of salad.
"You're putting so much work into this dinner, and you can't even set the table yourself?" asks my dad coming into the doorway folding his newspaper.
"Dad!" I whine, "Everything's all set out on the counter. It just needs to come in here!"
"Fine, I suppose," says my father moping, "Go change and wash your face."
"Thanks!" I exclaim pulling off my apron as I run towards my room. I'm half undressed by the time I close my bedroom door. I finish undressing and quickly pull on the white jeans, Blue-Eyes t-shirt, and green button down shirt. I head into the bathroom and wash the seasonings from my face and brush my hair quickly. I come out just in time to hear the doorbell ring. I head towards the door.
My father beats me to it.
"Good evening, Jounouchi-san," you say, "I brought a dessert and a bottle of wine, non-alcoholic of course. Jou and I are too young to drink."
"Thank you," says my father, "Jou didn't have time to make a dessert. He spent too much time making origami swans out of the napkins!"
"Dad!" I blush deep red.
"Origami napkins?" you ask raising an eyebrow.
I look into your laughing blue eyes. Uh, wait. Blue? "Yeah. I know all sorts of impractical skills like that! Come on. We'll put the dessert in the kitchen and get the wine glasses."
You follow me into the kitchen.
"I didn't know your eyes were blue," I say as I pull out the stepladder so I can reach the very top shelf where the six wine glasses are stored.
"And I hadn't known your hair was blond, so now we're even, Hikari. We know more about each other now," you say, "and I would like to learn more about you. We just need to take this slow now. One step at a time."
I climb up on the stepladder and pull out three un-chipped glasses, which you thankfully take from me before I get down. My heart clenches as I look at you. "Are you looking for a long relationship?"
Your eyes widen, and your jaw drops. "Yes. Aren't you? I mean… we've had a pretty long relationship already. I do want it to be longer and deeper. Is that not what you want?"
I throw my arms around your neck. "You've just made me very happy! I do want this relationship to last as long as it can."
"You look very cute tonight," you say, "I love this outfit on you."
I blush. "Thank you. My friend helped me pick it out. I honestly don't even remember buying it."
You smile. "It looks very good on you."
"Well, the dining room is this way," I say taking the glasses from your hands and leading you through a doorway into a dining room barely big enough for the four-person table nestled inside. "It's kind of small, but it's home."
"It's not small," you say, "It's quaint… cozy."
"Can you two quit flirting so we can eat dinner?" asks my father.
"No, but I'm sure we could refrain from doing so in front of you if it would make you feel better," you say.
My father nods and we all sit down.
You open the bottle of wine and start to fill the glasses while I start serving up plates.
"So… how long have you two been dating?" asks my father.
You pass my father a glass. "I think it's been about four months now that we've been meeting at the club. Does that sound right to you?"
"I honestly don't remember," I say, "It's been awhile."
"You've been meeting each other at the club for four months, and you didn't even know my son's name?" asks my father.
My eyes widen, and my mind races trying to figure out how he knew that.
"No one at the club uses their real name," you say, "It's a place to escape the worries of everyday life… to live a fantasy… to relax and unwind without all the pressures that society puts on us. I work long hours to help support my family, and the only chance I have to be just a teenager is when I'm at the club."
"You're helping support your family?" I ask, "You weren't… You led me to believe you were wealthy, at least relatively so! You said your family owns stock in Kaiba Corps."
"The wealth my family has is because I work. We do own stock in Kaiba Corps, and I can afford to take you out to a fancy dinner when I want," you say, "Because I've earned all the money that I have."
"If you're so wealthy, why are you interested in my son?" asks my father.
You look at me adoringly. "Do I really have to spell it out?"
I blush. "No."
"Yes."
"He's beautiful and surprisingly deep. He's devoted, confident, and courageous. He's capable of having intellectual conversations with me, and we have similar interests as both older brothers and Duel Monsters enthusiasts," you say, "Plus, Jou is very caring. He has such a big heart."
"Course I'm sure his ass also has something to do with why you like him," says my father mutilating a roll on his plate.
"Like I said… Jou is very beautiful and I doubt many people would not want to have him in their bed," you say, "And while I would like that, I prefer just being near him for now. It will be awhile before we think of going that far."
"I just don't want to see him hurt when you throw him away," says my father.
"I'm not going to throw him away. I will be your son's boyfriend until he breaks up with me. I have no intention of hurting him or breaking up with him."
"Dad? What's this all about?" I ask.
"That's what I'm wondering about," says my father standing abruptly and leaving the dining room.
"I'm sorry if I've done something to upset him," you say.
I look at my half-finished plate and sigh. "I think I've lost my appetite."
"Yeah. Me too. I could go get my computer and we could start working," you suggest, "Then maybe we'll feel up to eating dessert later."
"Okay. I'll start putting the food away while you do that," I say.
"Did you want me to help?"
"No. This will only take a minute," I say.
"I'll go get my computer from the car then," you say standing.
I stand and go into the kitchen to get some storage containers. I see my father digging in the fridge for a beer. "What the hell is your problem tonight?"
"He talks a big game, but all he wants is sex," my father says, "And once he gets it, he'll drop you."
"What makes you think that? Dad, Yami loves me!"
"Love? What a waste of time! Where's that damn beer?"
I look into the fridge and don't see any of the almost twelve beers that had been in the fridge this morning. "Dad, have you been drinking today?"
"And why the fuck shouldn't I be drinking? I lost my job! Downsizing my ass!"
I sigh and grab the storage containers from the cabinet before heading back into the dining room to put the food away. I put the food from the plates in separate dishes with different colored lids, and then I seal the rest of the food away in containers. I take everything back to the fridge and grab a warm beer from the cabinet for my father to get him out of the way. I place the food in the refrigerator and head out to the living room to see you setting up a laptop computer on the coffee table.
"Hey, Hikari."
"Dad's drunk. He lost his job. That's why he was going off on you. I'm sorry," I say.
"I'm not blaming you for his actions," you say, "Sit down here beside me."
I sit down beside you so that our legs touch.
"Let's start with the basics, turning the computer on…"
"You've done remarkably well, Hikari. I thought you said you were bad with computers," you say wrapping your arm around me.
"Well, I've crashed fifteen of them at school," I say flushing with embarrassment.
"You know, I'm going to leave this laptop in your care for a few days. Play around with it. Don't worry about crashing it," you say, "If you're not worried about doing something wrong, then nothing will go wrong."
"But won't you need it?"
"I have a desktop so I don't really need it," you say, "I don't mind letting my boyfriend borrow the computer for awhile." You pull me into a kiss.
"What if something happens?"
"Nothing will."
"But…"
"I trust you, Hikari. The computer will be fine. I will see you on Friday. Eight o'clock sound good or would you like to have dinner before we go to the club?" you ask.
"Could I talk you into burgers or pizza?"
"Where were you thinking of going?"
"I just don't want you to spend a fortune feeding me."
"Then how about we take a walk around the park and eat at the food stands and bistros? The meal will be rather inexpensive, and we could really get to know one another while we walk."
I kiss you quickly. "Perfect!"
"Six then?"
"Six."
"I need to go. I'll see you then." You hold me to you for a moment longer before kissing me good-bye and heading out.
"Dammit! I forgot to tell him about… Seto," I whisper the last word. I somehow feel like I'm cheating on you because I didn't tell you about my impending trip with Seto. I'll tell you on Friday.
"So how was your dinner date with Jou?" asks Mokuba pausing the game he's playing with Yugi.
"His dad was drunk and was giving us the third-degree on our relationship," says Seto sitting down on the couch in between the two smaller boys, "Apparently he lost his job."
"Oh, no! What's he going to do?" asks Yugi.
"Get drunk," says Seto.
"So… aside from that, how did it go?" asks Yugi.
"Once Jou and I were alone and working on the computer, everything turned around. All in all I'd do the day again," says Seto smiling, "But he didn't mention going to the Expo with me."
"Maybe he doesn't think of going with you to be a date," says Mokuba, "He could just think of it as hanging out with a friend."
"But we aren't friends," says Seto, "I would like us to be, but it's going to take time before he thinks of me as a friend."
"When is Yami seeing Jou again?" asks Mokuba.
"Friday. We're going to walk around the park and have dinner there before we go to the club," says Seto.
"Sounds romantic," says Yugi, "Did he notice your eyes?"
"Yeah. He was surprised that they were blue," says Seto, "and I was so afraid that he would have figured it out and tossed me to the curb." He sighs in relief. "Thankfully, he didn't seem to make the connection. I don't think we're ready for him to know yet."
"Not yet," says Yugi smiling, "but soon."
"Not until after the Expo though, and I think you should totally be flirting with him at the Expo," says Mokuba happily.
"Won't that be too soon?" asks Seto.
"The Expo is three weeks away," says Mokuba.
"And if you sit with us at lunch everyday and play nice with Jou, he might be susceptible to it then," says Yugi, "and maybe… just maybe, you should kiss him when you drop him off after the Expo. We'll talk about that more closer to the Expo."
"Oh, you know what else would be nice?" adds Mokuba, "You should take lunch for Jou everyday! With his father out of work, money will get tight quick, and he might not be able to bring his own!"
"You're right, and his father will need a job soon," says Seto, "I wonder if he would think to apply at Kaiba Corp?"
Mokuba smirks evilly. "Let me handle getting him a job!"
"Just don't do anything illegal, Mokuba," says Seto.
"I won't, I think," says Mokuba, "Just let me worry about his father and you worry about making him fall in love with you!"
"So I think taking lunch for him is a wonderful idea! The way to a man's heart is through his stomach!" exclaims Yugi; "We might be needing assistance soon. I wish I could bring some of the others in on this plan."
Seto tenses. "If you think we need their help, you can."
"Well we might need their help, but he can't bring them into the loop," says Yugi with a wistful sigh, "Anzu would be too overly enthusiastic. She would probably tell Jou on accident. Honda might attack you. He doesn't like you, and he's very protective of Jou. Otogi and Jou still have a bit of a feud going on because of the dog suit and Shizuka-kun."
"What about Bakura-kun?" asks Mokuba.
"Not that psycho!" exclaims Seto.
"He means Ryou-kun, not dark Bakura-kun," says Yugi, "Well, he certainly likes Jou, and Jou trusts him. We could trust him to keep it secret anyway. I'll talk to Ryou-kun, but I won't tell him the plan just yet."
Seto nods.
"Maybe we can use him for small jobs like getting Jou to bump into you somewhere," says Yugi, "but in the meantime…"
"Be nice to Jou and bring him food," says Seto.
"He loves chocolate. Put in something chocolaty," says Yugi, "and I will see you tomorrow at school."
"Save me a seat beside Jou," says Seto as Yugi stands.
Yugi smiles. "Good night."
"Night, Yugi!" says Mokuba.
Seto waits until after Yugi leaves before asking, "What would you like for lunch, Mokuba? If I'm going to be making lunch for Jou, I might as well make some for all of us."
Mokuba smiles. "In that case…"
"Jou?"
I turn around quickly and bump into a strong chest. I hear a chuckle.
"We really must quit meeting like this, Jou," says Seto, "People might start to talk."
"Let them talk!" I exclaim, "What's up?"
"I made a bit too much extra when I prepared lunch for Mokuba and myself," says Seto pulling out a lunch box, "and I was hoping you could take the rest of it off my hands. I swear it's not poisoned!"
"You know if I take that then people might start thinking you're my girlfriend," I say looking at the box hungrily. My stomach growls.
"Let them think that then. There are much worse things to be considered than your lover," says Seto. He lowers his voice to whisper into my ear, "Besides, I'm perfectly willing to bottom for the right person, Jou."
I can't help the blush that flares to my cheeks or the sudden surge of arousal coursing through my body.
"Just take the lunch."
"All right. Thank you," I say taking the box, "I couldn't bring one today anyway."
"Why not?"
"My dad lost his job. So until he finds some work, we're only eating one meal a day," I say.
"How about I bring you lunch everyday?" asks Seto, "It wouldn't be an inconvenience for me since I usually make too much anyway. And I don't want you to starve to death."
My stomach growls again.
"Jou?" Seto's blue eyes look worriedly at me.
"That would be great. Thank you, Kai… Seto," I say.
"You might want to eat this before class," says Seto slipping a nutrition bar on top of the box lunch, "Oh and if you ever need to, you can come to my place for dinner. Mokuba would appreciate the company. Truth be told, so would I."
"I might take you up on that," I say. I smile. "Thank you."
Seto brushes up against my arm as he passes me to go to class.
"He might not be all evil," I whisper.
"Morning, Jou," says Ryou stepping up to me.
"Hi, Ryou-kun," I say opening the package around the nutrition bar, "How are you?"
"I'm not doing as well as you it seems," says Ryou, "I think half the school just saw your display with Kaiba. There's already a rumor that you two are an item and one that says Kaiba adopted you so he'd have a pet."
"We're just… friends, I guess. I don't know what's going on myself," I say, "but I like this change. It's preferable to fighting with Seto any day! Rumors or not!"
"I like the change too," says Ryou smiling, "If you need any help…"
"Yeah. I know where to find you, buddy!" I exclaim eating quickly as we head to class.
"How do you feel about him? Kaiba that is."
My heart thumps once in my chest. Huh? "I… I don't know."
Ryou smiles.
"Oh, don't give me that look!"
"What look?"
"That innocently evil look that all you Item wielders get sometimes!" I exclaim, "The one that means you're scheming something but trying to look like you aren't!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Jou," says Ryou, "I'm not scheming anything!"
"All right then," I say moving to my seat. I glance over at Seto and see him reading a book.
Seto lowers his book and looks over at me with a smile. He has a beautiful smile.
I blush and turn away quickly.
The teacher comes in just in time.
"Can I offer anyone a ride home?" asks Seto walking out of the school with my entire group of friends.
"Yeah! Thanks," says Yugi, "That would be wonderful!"
"Me too," says Ryou quickly.
"I've always wanted to ride in a limo!" exclaims Anzu.
"Will it hold everyone?" I ask.
"Silly, Jou, of course it will!" Seto says smiling at me.
"Count me in then!" I say smiling back at Seto, "Thanks!"
"You really don't mind giving us all a ride?" asks Otogi.
"I wouldn't have offered if it was a problem," says Seto.
Otogi nods.
"Let's go then," says Honda.
We all walk down to the waiting limo and climb inside.
"You can just drop Honda off at my game shop with me," says Otogi.
"I'm on the way to the Black Crown," says Anzu, "So you can drop me off first."
Seto's hand brushes against my knee as he reaches for the intercom to give the driver the directions.
I notice Ryou discreetly take Yugi's hand and squeeze it before letting go, and the first thing that comes to mind is the bond they share because of their bonds with the spirits of the Millennium Items. I can't help but feel a slight pang of jealousy and a bout of remorse for that same jealousy.
"So how is business, Otogi? You aren't stealing all the customers from Kame, are you?" asks Seto.
"You know I'm not," says Otogi, "There have been several Kaiba Corp releases that are only going to the Kame Game Shop. I can't even special order them!"
"What?" asks Yugi with wider than normal eyes.
Seto shrugs. "They're smaller and not as fancy, so they need the extra help to stay afloat. And you need the competition of another game shop in town so you don't gouge prices."
"Seto… how long have you been helping out the Kame Game Shop by giving us this exclusivity?" asks Yugi.
"Ever since Otogi moved here," says Seto, "I don't want my…" He sighs. "I don't want one of my biggest rivals and only friends to have financial problems. How could I ever beat you in good conscious then?"
Yugi smiles. "Thank you, Seto, for considering me a friend! It's about time."
"I'm never admitting that again."
"That's okay," says Anzu, "We all heard it this time."
Seto blushes slightly. He's cute when he blushes.
The limo pulls to a stop outside Anzu's house.
"Don't worry though, Kaiba. Your secret's safe with us!" exclaims Anzu climbing out quickly.
"The whole school will know by morning," says Honda after Anzu closes the door.
"As long as she doesn't go talk to the tabloids," says Otogi, "Then you should be fine."
"Let her talk. At least it's not about my love life," says Seto, "I hate people knowing about that."
"So… are any of the rumors true?" asks Ryou, "Are you dating anyone right now? Are you gay?"
"No comment," says Seto, "And since when did you join the press?"
Ryou giggles. "I'm just curious. Nothing you say leaves this car."
"I repeat. No comment."
The limo stops outside the Black Crown Game Shop.
"Thanks for the ride," says Otogi getting out with Honda.
I lean back in my seat and close my eyes.
"Jou… Jou, you're home," whispers Seto into my ear.
I slowly open my eyes to find myself cuddled up against Seto's side. I gasp and jump away from him. "Huh? What? Where am I?"
"You fell asleep," says Seto gently, "You're home now. Go take a nap."
"Okay," I say yawning, and I get out of the limo and go inside.
"Now that we're almost alone, I have a question for you, Kaiba," says Ryou.
"What is it?" asks Seto as the limo begins to move again.
"Do you have a romantic interest in Jou?" asks Ryou looking at Seto seriously.
"Yes."
"What gave it away?" asks Yugi.
"His display with Jou this morning was my first clue," says Ryou, "But he's also been using any reason he can to touch Jou… just slight touches. All non-violent, caring. It's obvious if you know what signs to look for."
"We might as well tell you then," says Seto, "I have more than just a passing interest for him. I'm in love with Jou."
"And Jou doesn't know how he feels about you," says Ryou.
"Actually… he sort of does and doesn't," says Yugi.
Ryou raises an eyebrow.
"Jou and I are dating, but he doesn't know it's me he's dating," says Seto, "We met at the Love Shack…"
"You're Yami and Hikari!" gasps Ryou.
"Uh… how did you know that?" asks Seto.
Ryou blushes. "I go there too… just to dance. I've seen Yami and Hikari there, and I always get a feeling of déjà vu… like I know them. Now I know. The passion I see in them when they dance is the same passion I see in you and Jou when you fight."
"You're right, and I know that Jou is Hikari, but Jou doesn't know that I'm Yami," says Seto.
"But Jou does love Yami so we're trying to get him to love Seto as well," says Yugi.
"Can I help?" asks Ryou smiling.
"Yeah, but we can't let the others know," says Yugi.
"Deal!"
I walk into the kitchen to start making dinner, and I look into the fridge. Empty. Completely empty. I open the freezer. Not even the ice trays are filled. In a panic, I tear open all the cabinets. "Nothing. No food… Dad!"
No answer. Is he out looking for a job? Is he passed out drunk? Is he dead?
I run around the entire house looking for my father or a note or anything. "Dad?"
The phone rings, and I rush to grab it. "Dad?"
I'm sorry. Who am I speaking to?
"This is Jounouchi Katsuya. Who are you?" I reply.
Jounouchi-san, this is Nurse Nadoka at Domino General Hospital. Your father was admitted here this morning.
"What happened to him?"
Apparently he stepped in front of a car. Can you come down?
"Yeah. I'm coming." I drop the receiver and fall to my knees trembling. After a good ten minutes of crying, I get up, grab the phone, and dial the number to the Kaiba Mansion.
Moshi moshi, says Mokuba cheerily.
"Mokuba, it's Jou. Can I speak to Seto? It's important."
Seto… Jou's on the line for you!
Hello, Jou, comes Seto's voice.
"Listen. Can you give me a ride to the hospital?" I ask.
Are you hurt?
"No… it's my dad. He's at the hospital."
I'm on the way to pick you up. Stay calm, okay? I'm sure he'll be fine.
"Thanks," I say before lowering the receiver. I wrap my arms around myself and count my breaths to try to remain calm. I soon hear the car pull up in front of my house, but I don't move.
Seto knocks on the door before opening it and coming in to find me on the floor. He hurries to my side and pulls me into an embrace. "Are you okay?"
"I don't know what happened," I say.
"We'll go find out. Where's your coat?" asks Seto rubbing my back.
"I don't know…"
Seto looks around and sees the closet by the door. He slowly releases me and moves to the closet only to find it empty. "Jou? Where is your coat?"
"In there," I say, "The green one… or the black leather."
Seto closes the door and pulls off his trench coat. He wraps it around me as he helps me to stand. "Come on. Let's go."
I snuggle into Seto's coat and follow him out to his car. I let him help me into the passenger's seat.
Seto drives us to the hospital and wraps his arm around me to guide me inside. He steps up to the nurse's desk. "We received a call that my friend's father is here. The name's Jounouchi."
The nurse types in the name. "Will you please wait over there? The doctor will be out to speak with you soon."
"All right," says Seto taking me over to a chair in the waiting area and sitting down beside me. "Are you doing okay?"
"I'm… I'm a little shook up," I say, "I don't know what's happened… They… said he stepped in front of a car."
"He was probably rushing to a job interview and forgot to watch where he was going," says Seto, "Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
"What'll I do if he's dead?"
"Don't think that! If you give up on him…"
"Jounouchi-kun?" asks an elderly man approaching us.
"Yeah?" I ask standing up on trembling knees. "How's my dad? What happened? Is he okay?"
Seto stands and wraps an arm around my waist for support.
"Your father stepped out into oncoming traffic. It would seem to be intentional. He's been hurt very badly, and he was quite intoxicated when the ambulance brought him in," explains the doctor, "He's not going to make it. I'm sorry."
I fall into Seto's arms, and he lowers me to a chair. "Can I see him?"
"We can only let you in for a few moments," says the doctor.
I nod. I try to stand, but my knees don't seem to work.
Seto helps me stand and holds me close as we follow the doctor.
We step into the room.
"Dad?" I ask looking at the prone form of the man in front of me.
Brown eyes look at us. "Yami, take care of my son. Promise you'll take care of him."
"I swear I will," says Seto.
"Love you, Jou."
"I love you too, Dad. What happened?" I ask.
One of the machines hooked to my father starts making a different noise, and the doctor pushes us out the door.
"Why?"
"I don't know, Jou," says Seto holding me tenderly and getting me out of the way of the hospital workers who rush through the halls. He guides us back to the waiting room.
"Why did he call you Yami?"
"I'd been hoping you could explain that for me," says Seto, "Who is Yami?"
"My boyfriend."
"I see. Maybe he thought I resemble him or maybe he just saw me holding you up and thought I must have been Yami," says Seto.
"What am I going to do now?" I ask, "Doc says he's going to die."
"I promised him I'd take care of you," says Seto, "I may not be who he thought, but I'll keep that promise. I'll take care of you, Jou."
I snuggle further into Seto's coat and lean against him. I close my eyes as the tears start to fall. "Thank you."
Seto wraps his arms around me and lets me cry into his chest. His strong arms hold me so tenderly… just like you…
I hear voices. Where am I?
"There was extensive internal bleeding, complete liver and kidney failure, several broken bones. Some of which pierced his organs. We did all we could, but he didn't want to be rescued," comes a strange adult voice.
"What do you mean? He didn't want to be rescued?" I know that voice! Seto Kaiba!
"Last week, he signed a DNR at his doctor's office. A 'Do Not Resuscitate' order so that the instance his heart stops… we can't try to bring him back. We wait to see if he'll come back on his own in a few minutes, then proclaim him dead. He had also requested not to be put on a donor list for a new kidney."
"So he knew he was sick?"
"Yes. I think he wanted this. Short and as painless as possible instead of long and excruciatingly painful."
"How are we going to explain this to Jou?"
"I'll talk to him…"
"No need." As I sit up, I realize my soft pillow was sitting on Seto's lap. "I'm awake. I heard… everything… Why didn't he tell me he was sick?"
"I'm sorry. I don't know," says the doctor.
"Is he gone now?" I ask.
"Yes."
"Can we go now?"
"If you want," says the doctor, "The nurse has a box with all your dad's personals in it."
I nod. I stand and walk to the nurse's desk.
Seto steps up behind me and places a hand on my shoulder.
The nurse hands over the box, and I clutch it to my chest as I leave with Seto.
"I don't think you should go back to your place tonight," says Seto once we're in his car again, "Do you want me to take you to Yugi's or back to my place?"
"Yours… I can't handle this right now. I just need to sleep," I say.
"I understand." Seto starts the engine and drives us away.
"What about arrangements? The funeral? How will I ever pay for it?" I ask.
"I'll pay for it. I can make all the arrangements if you need me to."
I nod.
"Okay. I'll take care of it."
"Thanks, Seto."
"Thanks aren't required. I'd do the same for any of my friends."
"I never knew you thought of me as a friend. With the way we act towards each other, I thought we hated one another."
"I've never hated you," says Seto, "Never hate."
"I don't hate you either."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. Friends, then?"
"Yeah. Friends." My heart feels lighter than it ever has before… despite the fact that my father's just died.
In no time at all, Seto leads me up to an elegant guest room.
"That room's mine, and Mokuba's is there," says Seto pointing to the closed doors, "Feel free to come to either of us if you need anything. I'll bring some food up in case you get hungry later."
"Don't leave me…"
"Okay, I won't go," says Seto stepping into the room with me.
"Can you just stay with me until I fall asleep?" I ask moving over to the bed.
"Of course I will."
I don't bother to undress. I only kick off my shoes before climbing on top of the blankets and lying down to sleep.
"Rest now, Jou. Tomorrow will be a better day," says Seto moving the desk chair over to sit beside me. He strokes my hair lightly as I drift off to sleep.