A/N: So this is a sort of warning, there is very slight smut. To those of you who don't like it, it's about a paragraph so when you come to it, just skip that paragraph and you should be good! =] I'd mark it off, but I know when i'm reading it bugs me to no end when it's marked off...

X-X-X

Sharing a bedroom quickly became awkward.

The innkeeper brought up warm water for the 'guests to clean themselves.' The way the man leered at Joey had him shivering in disgust and no matter how much he scrubbed himself he didn't quite feel clean. The thought of putting on his dirty clothes over his semi clean body didn't help that feeling.

Cleaning up also shouldn't have been as odd as it had. Despite the fact that they weren't planning on fornicating, the act of being semi undressed in front of one another felt oddly intimate. They each stood on the opposite side of the room, Kaiba being closer to the door and Joey closer to the window, with the bed as a barrier between them. When Kaiba took his tunic and reveled his broad chest, Joey could no longer make eye contact. In fact he had to keep reminding himself not blush. It wasn't the first time Joey had seen another man naked, but it was definitely the first time he felt like this.

The two turned their backs to one another as the cleaned. Joey finished first, wanting to feel safe behind a barrier of clothing. He was in such, a rush he finished well before Kaiba. Leaving Joey with nothing to do, but wait. Joey's eyes traveled all over the room, trying to avoid looking at the object of his thoughts. Tried, is the key word, for he found his gaze was often upon the man's back, watching the muscles flex as Kaiba cleaned himself.

The silence had Kaiba feeling tense. He was semi naked in a secluded bedroom with another man who was in the same state of undress. He couldn't help the glances he had taken as Joey cleaned himself. That was, until Joey finished. He didn't understand what was entirely different about this man from the others. Had Joey been just another soldier, they probably would have not turned their backs on one another and would have kept a steady conversation during their process. Instead here they were in silence, staring at one another while the other wasn't looking.

Thoughts of turning around and letting Joey take his fill as Kaiba got his fill of Joey's body ran through his mind. Those thoughts evolved to thoughts of running his fingers through Joey's hair and maybe even caressing his torso. Those thoughts were dangerous, his breeches felt a bit tight. Picking up his pace, Kaiba finished cleaning and changing, reluctantly back into his dirty clothes, without once facing Joey. Kaiba didn't want to chance Joey seeing his semi-erect state. "I'm going to see if the innkeeper will be so accommodating with a meal." He looked over his shoulder to see Joey's acquiescence before walking out the door.

Kaiba came back, with the innkeeper in tow. Between them they had two bowls of soup and slightly stale bread. With the candles lighting up Joey's face, the innkeeper seemed to recognize him, or at least thought he looked familiar since he asked if Joey was perhaps a member to the royal family. Had Kaiba not started laughing and calling the innkeeper a fool, before promptly shoving the man out, Joey would have probably given himself away with the way he had frozen on the spot.

"Can you believe that man? Bet if you were the prince, that man would have half the town outside that door by the end of the night." Kaiba couldn't believe the man would be so little minded as to think that the prince of this city would be running around it in peasant's clothes. Really, what monarch would willingly be in such filthy rags?

"Ya ya, whatever. I ain't see da problem wit dat! Ya just mad, he ain't say you were royal. See this 'ere handsome, I get compared ta da prince!" Joey couldn't help the boastful glee; he even puffed out his chest to better emphasize his looks.

"You're ridiculous. If you're Prince Joseph, then I am King Seto here to marry you. Let me be the first to say, I've seen better." Kaiba knew he was being ridiculous, since he was in fact King Seto, but for appearances, needed fake not being. Joey hadn't ever seen him as king, so as far as Joey knew King Seto was a hunchback.

"Ya'd be so lucky ta marry the prince, he's very good looking. I would know!" Joey gave a cocky grin. "I've been compared ta his good looks." Still Joey couldn't help his next question. "But…uh, ya think yer king 'ill marry our prince?"

Kaiba had become so comfortable with their little banters he didn't think of censoring himself. This caused Kaiba to say the first thing that came to mind. "Do you really think the king would marry your prince? Why would a king, who needs to bear an heir, want a man as a partner? He'll probably hoist him onto his baby brother, until he can find a way to get out of it." What Kaiba had said was logical, but a part of him knew he was reminding himself he couldn't have Joey, no matter how much the blonde intrigued him.

Joey felt as if he'd just been slapped. Sure Kaiba didn't know he was talking to said prince, but he made it sound as if all Prince Joseph was, was unwanted baggage. So all Joey did was shrug. "Well ain't they on a contract or something? And maybe, the two'd get along or something. Yer king does have a baby brother. Can't he produce, ya know, an heir?"

At this a seductive voice whispered, that's true, you could null this stupid contract, take the blond with you and let Mookie take care of an heir, throughout his mind. What if? Shaking his head and pushing such ridiculous motions aside, Kaiba explained the King did not favor men. "Why would the King want to spend his life with a man, if he has always shown a preference for women? A man cannot fulfill the same lusts a woman can."

The further this conversation got, the more desolate his future seemed to become. What if King Seto called the wedding off? How would his citizens survive? His father had been spending money thinking they would be taking in a large wealth when he got married. Maybe I made a mistake when I insisted to take Serenity's place? No! He refused to believe that last thought. Any punishment from his father was worth saving Reni. "I ain't know about that. I've heard men get married then spend all their time with a man in their bed. Even some knights seem to find what they be looking for in another man, ain't that the reason we're in this here room?"

Kaiba felt as if he was being cornered, and not liking that decided to shift the spotlight from his 'king.' "Are you suggesting my king marry a woman and then take your prince as his bedmate? Didn't think so. What about your prince, you assume he would happily lie with a man. Do you have reason to believe this?"

"I ain't know he likes. Truth is, our prince ain't never seen the outside of his castle walls. The king insists he never socialize for fear the prince's thoughts would stray from his betrothed, but seems ta me like your king ain't had a problem being unfaithful ta our prince anyway."

Kaiba scoffed. "You can't have me believe that your prince is that meek. You make him sound like one of those princes locked away in a high tower waiting for their prince to come rescue them."

"Bet if ya brother were threatened every time ya ain't do something ya father liked, ya'd learn ta stay put and not open ya pipe. I member when I used ta work there, if the prince so much as looked at da king da wrong way, da princess would be punished. At least she would've been, but da prince always took her punishment, even if he'd just gotten beat. He learned ta not openly fight back."

Guess the prince and me do have something in common. "Then your princess is far too spoiled, and your prince far too meek."

"She ain't! She helps and tries everything she can for da Prince, she just ain't strong enough ta fight that big man. Also, I said the prince ain't openly fight back, that ain't mean he don't do nothing. He made friends with me, a peasant! He sees to da expenses of da castle, he even sees dat something is saved, put on da side for the just incase. King ain't very good with that ya see, and da prince well he hides da money from right under his nose!"

Aside from the terrible fathers, Kaiba felt he and the prince had nothing in common. The prince sounded like a bore. Perhaps talking with this prince would be as odious as when he was speaking with his finance consultant. "My, but what a noisy little servant you where. Perhaps this is why they let you go."

"Ey! Ya damn bastard I was a confi…a confida..he told me some of 'is secrets! I ain't talking bad about your royals, ain't no reason to do so ta mine!" Having finished what he would of his food Joey stood. "Lets get ta bed ya? Ain't want da innkeeper ta come back and think we waiting for him or something."

The past few days they had slept in their clothes since they didn't have the luxury of taking them off or being safe. Tonight was different. After many verbal fights about who was sleeping on the floor, then awkward pauses and blushes, both men agreed they would sleep in the same bed so long as they each stayed on their side and didn't try to steal each other's blanket. Extinguishing the candle first, they each happily shed their dirty garments and settling themselves in bed. Exhaust of the day, and the mental stress of their emotions swiftly brought on sleep

X-X-X

Joey was in such a comfortable spot he didn't want to move, but something was something poking his back and no matter how much he wiggled around the pressure was still there. The person behind him moved at the same time, accommodating themselves and suddenly the pressure was gone. Joey ground his backside back to make sure whatever was poking him was gone. His response was the tightening of the arm around him and a small groan. Half asleep, Joey frowned. He felt something smooth nudge his rear; it caused an odd friction. He felt himself twitch at the feeling as the rest of his body shivered. Wanting to feel it once more, Joey repeated his action. He couldn't help the small gasp that escaped him. Just as he was about to, once more, repeat his action the arm around him moved to grasp his hips. The fast and sudden movement startled Joey fully awake.

Horror dawned on him, once he realized what had been poking his ass and how much he had been enjoying it. To make matters worse he had done this with Kaiba! A MAN! Of course it's a man, Jo! What girl would have a dick? Fully preparing himself, Joey expected to be beaten to a pulp. He didn't expect Kaiba to groan a bit before adjusting himself between Joey's legs so that the head of his penis grazed the back of his balls. Joey's whole body began buzzing with anticipation.

Kaiba moved his hips back, causing his penis to slide almost out from in between Joey's legs, then rocked his hips forward, causing his penis to slide under Joey's balls once more. An appreciative moan escaped Joey's lips and the next time Seto repeated his action Joey rocked back into the motion. Joey's hands, which had been under his pillowed, clenched and unclenched said pillow. Kaiba's hand, which was still grasping tightly onto Joey's hip, guided them at a steady pace, while he had his face buried at the back of Joey's neck; panting loudly onto it. As they both got closer to their climax the grasp became bruising, but Joey was too caught up in the haze of lust to really care. As the feeling built up, Joey began to slightly panic. "Kaiba…something…I never felt this...I…" Joey gasped out between thrusts. "Let it happen. Don't fight it," was Kaiba's response. Joey nodded. They both reached their peek at almost the same time, both loudly groaning in satisfaction.

Silence.

Shaky breathes.

Joey felt sticky. His and Kaiba's release where all over him, but Joey couldn't find it in himself to feel disgusted. Kaiba moved from in between Joey's legs. Joey couldn't help himself when he tightened his legs together, willing Kaiba to stay close longer.

Kaiba got up, got one of the cloths they had used the previous day to clean up, wet it and wordlessly cleaned Joey. Joey didn't protest. He was too scared to break whatever trance had settled between Kaiba and him.

Once having fully changed, Joey cut half of the little bread and cheese the innkeeper had given them yesterday night. He wordlessly gave the other half to Kaiba. As they gathered their small belongings, Joey and Kaiba conversed about minor things, but none brought up their compromising situation of the morning. That would be put on the 'lets forget that ever happened' list they had growing between them. This one probably deserved to go on a list of its own marked, 'This never happened! Don't even think about a repeat performance!'

Kaiba knew what he did would make things awkward between them, but when he woke up to Joey grinding himself against him, he couldn't help the rush of blood that headed south. Hearing Joey enjoying himself had been Kaiba's final straw. He couldn't deny that this infuriating, sassy blonde interested him in far more than a tour guide. He'd gone for it, and he didn't regret his actions. A Kaiba never regretted his actions. Had Joey reacted differently, Seto would have stopped, maybe. Taking Joey's reaction, it had been his first real sexual experience. Instead of feeling ashamed of his actions, Kaiba felt a predatory satisfactory at having been the first to perform anything sexual with the blond.

Joey didn't know how to act around Kaiba. He felt exposed, and far more naked now outside in the light of day than this morning in bed. The two had been silent all morning, they exchanged words only when needed, but they walked far closer to one another, almost touching, than they had been in the last few days. Joey wanted to talk about what had happened, but knew Kaiba would just ignore his questions. The morning acts coupled with the inquiry of the innkeeper, who still insisted he looked far too familiar, made Joey head straight towards what was familiar to him.

As Joey began to hear the familiar noises, he knew he was exactly where he wanted to be; near the training barracks. Slightly excited about seeing his best friend, and slightly relieved that he wouldn't be alone with Kaiba anymore, he picked up his pace. While a part of him rued at no longer being alone with Kaiba.

When the training ground came to view, he couldn't stop his happy shout to Tristan that came out. Tristan looked around not having recognized Joey in his attire. Not being able to contain his mirth, Joey laughed and began waving his arms around. "Tristan! Hey ya block head, over here!"

Seeing how excited Joey had become at getting to the training grounds, Kaiba thought that Joey perhaps had had secret aspirations to become a knight, but upon seeing his excitement over getting to see this Tristan, Kaiba fought the dark twist in his stomach. Whatever mirth he had gotten from their morning's encounter, fast turned sour as Kaiba watched the two laughed and bump their first.

Joey was his.

As Kaiba's mood darkened, Tristan was interrogating Joey.

"Ey whats wit da clothes? Are those my old clothes? Why ya wit dat guy?"

"Hey! Keep your voice down. I'm lucky those other muscle heads haven't recognized me; probably because of how I'm dressed. Anyway, it's a long story Reni thought of a plan to let me get out of the stuffy old castle for a few days. As I was having my adventures I made a friend, his name is Kaiba. Pretty great, right?" Joey wildly gestured towards Kaiba and couldn't help the radiant smile that spread across his face at the mention of his new friend. Things were awkward between the brunette and him, but he wouldn't stop himself from meeting him if he was given the chance.

Tristan couldn't help the uneasiness he felt at the mention of Joey's companion, especially when he looked over and saw said man glaring at them. "Yeah…I don't think dat man's happy bout being wit ya."

Many emotions ran across Joey's face before he turned to see Kaiba; he waived him over. "Nah, that's just his usual face. Oh yeah before he gets here, I'm a normal citizen, so don't let anything slip."

Tristan's eyes grew comically wide, but before he could begin asking questions Kaiba came into hearing distance. Not wanting Kaiba to find them suspicious Tristan quickly said the first thing that popped into his head. "Hey ya neva said 'e was a knight!"

"O yeah! 'e's a knight from da Kaiba Kingdom. Pretty funny eh? Kaiba da night from da kaiba kingdom." Although Tristan didn't exactly see what was so funny about the statement, he smiled and shook his head at Joey. What he did see was that the two couldn't meet each other's gaze. "Kaiba dis is my best bud, Tritan. He's also a knight. Pretty cool huh?"

When Kaiba didn't answer Tristan decided talking about knight stuff would get him talking. It always got himself talking. "Bet ya missing them old training, especially afta a few days wit dis guy. Could drive a saint ta want ta sin."

At the mention of sinning with the blonde, his mind provided images of that morning. Sure that was not the sins this Tristan was referring too, Kaiba merely shrugged.

"Yeah, he's a little broken in da speaking skills department, but 'es a knight, no need ta talk really." Joey unconsciously moved closer to Kaiba, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Tristan laughed at Joey, he bet Joey spoke the man's ear off. Heck, Joey could talk for two and as loud as a crowd. "Bet ya speaking skills kept both a ya company!"

"Hey! Ain't no reason ta be rude. Ya want me ta pound ya to the ground?" at this Joey removed his hand from Kaiba to looped his arm around Tristan's neck and began to give him a noogie. Tristan's struggles were in vain. "Say yer sorry, and I'll let ya go!"

Although clearly losing this battle, Tristan wouldn't give in. "I ain't saying anything!"

As Joey and Tristan continued with their fight, Kaiba couldn't help but feel forgotten. He missed the warmth of Joey's hand on him. He had become used to being the sole receiver of Joey's attention, having it shifted away from him left an awful taste in his mind. He'd rather they went back to being awkward and alone than to have to see Joey interact so openly with another person.

"Ah! Kaiba help! This muscle brain's gonna break me!" Kaiba's thoughts were broken by Joey's cry for help. Instinctually Kaiba twisted Tristan's arm off Joey's neck; pulled Joey behind himself, to protect the blond; and flipped Tristan on to the ground. He kept Joey's hand in his, liking the electricity that ran through him at their simple touch.

Joey was left shocked for a second.

A smile slowly spread across his face. "That was the coolest thing ever!" Joey began jumping up and down, letting go of Kaiba's hand in the process. "Take that Tristan! Told ya, this knight is like a white knight and shinning armor! Except the one with the really bad attitude."

"I've told you this before, but you have a funny way of thanking people." Still Kaiba couldn't help put stand a little taller at Joey's reaction. Funny, this little runt has a way with making me feel like a real knight.

Joey bet Kaiba could kick Tristan's butt, and since he so obviously could kick Kaiba's he was the best of the three. Tristan quickly corrected Joey, but to settle it they bgan to try to out best one another. After little goading, Kaiba joined the two. This quickly ended up turning into, which of the two could defeat Kaiba. The other knights noticing this decided to participate. Soon everyone was training. The afternoon was spent much in this way.

Exhausted from the day's trainings, Tristan let Joey and Kaiba bathe and borrow some clean clothes to change into. While Kaiba was bathing, Tristan decided now was the best time to get answers from Joey.

"Why are ya wit da man?"

Joey turned from where he was laying on his bed to look at Tristna. "He saved me. I realized I couldn't go around without someone who knew how to defend themselves, so I stuck close."

"Ya coulda asked me."

"Ya wouldn't have let me have an adventure! Plus I made a new friend!" At this Joey beamed. In fact, Joey's whole face lit up every time the subject of Kaiba came up, or he was talking to Kaiba, or he was thinking of kaiba…Kaiba lit up Joey's face.

"He's protective of ya."

Tristan's serious mood began making Joey feel uneasy. Does he suspect anything? "It's cause he's a soldier, it's like his duty."

"I'd believe that if he knew you were a prince, he doesn't."

Would he be disgusted if he knew what happened this morning? Joey's heart began to pound. He shrugged. "Yeah well I like him. He likes me for me, not because I'm a prince."

Tristan looked Joey right in the eyes before asking his next question. "How much do ya like 'im? Because from where I'm sitting ya like him more than just your friend."

Joey's heat was pounding a mile a minute, and his defenses were shooting up left and right. He quickly denied any of those feelings to Tristan. "I don't like him like that!"

"Ya look at him da way I look a ya sis. I'm just saying, ya might wanna think this out Jo."

Before Joey could give an angry retort, Kaiba walked into the room.

Tonight, they all had their own beds, and if Joey felt just a little lonely in his bed he didn't complain.

Without a word Kaiba got in his bed, where his breathes quickly evened out.

Joy kept tossing and turning, until Tristan's voice whispered through the air. "Ya know I ain't care if ya do or don't. Ya just need ta tell 'em da truth, before ya get married."

Joey sighed loudly before whispering, "ya I know. I will."

They didn't know Kaiba was still awake.

X-X-X

A/N: Woo another chapter! I know the bedroom scene...some might think it's too soon, but it just flowed that way off my fingers and onto the document. I couldn't stop it! I hope you liked it either way =D

I try and thank you all, because of your beautiful comments, but those that i haven't, THANK YOU!
Akki: you're an anon reviewer, but you always comment! thank you for your reviews!

!R&R!