The next day found Seto in an extremely irritable mood. He had feigned sleep, but no matter what he did he couldn't stop the 'before you get married' that echoed in his head. So he lay there in bed, arguing with himself.

Joey hadn't once mentioned being in a relationship! In fact it was Joey who had initiated this "friendship" they had. Why wouldn't he have mentioned being engaged? Why would he need to tell you? Because isn't it normal to state that you have a partner? You haven't told him you're engaged. I'm not, my greedy father just happened to make a contract with another greedy father. Aren't you though, engaged? No.

Seto could fight with himself all he wanted, but it wouldn't negate the fact that Joey was engaged, and Seto had had a sexual encounter with said man. His first, and perhaps only encounter, with a man. Seto's inside rebelled at the idea. Sure the blonde was annoying, but he wanted more time with the blonde, he wanted the blonde. Part of him wanted to slip into the guy's bed and wake him with kisses, but another part held him back replaying 'get married' in a loop. Seto knew he couldn't simply lie to himself that these feelings weren't there; his mind wasn't common enough to believe his own lies. It shouldn't be possible that in six days Seto had come to like Joey, but after much thought Seto agreed he wouldn't let a simple betrothal get in the way of what he wanted. Joey obviously didn't care about his engagement, why should Seto?

X-X-X

Joey woke up in a slightly moody disposition. He had become used to sleeping with Kaiba. He hadn't realized how much he had come to rely on feeling the warmth that radiated from the other man's body, and after yesterday morning…well he certainly wanted him near. With Tristan's words echoing in his mind, Joey's sleep was restless. Sure he hadn't ever second-guessed marrying a man, but that was politics, he assumed they would "consummate the marriage," whatever that entailed, and happily produce heirs with a mistress. He hadn't ever thought of liking a man. Why couldn't he have felt this way about his betrothed, and not his betrothed's knight? Joey got along with Kaiba, he was able to be himself around him, and Kaiba didn't judge him too hard for it. For the first time selfish thoughts of calling off his wedding came to mind.

Joey quickly shook those thoughts away. He would enjoy the time he had with Kaiba, and when they finally needed to part ways. Joey would come clean to Kaiba. It would hurt him to know that perhaps one day they would meet up again, Joey his second king and Kaiba a knight of his, but Joey would have these moments to hold on to. Joey pushed these morose thoughts aside and got out of bed to bug Tristan for his breakfast, making sure to be happy as to not let on his thoughts.

After talking to Tristan, Joey found Kaiba sitting alone outside on a bench near the training ring seemingly looking off into nowhere. Kaiba's perpetual frown was on. Huh, must be thinking real hard about something. Joey silently joined Kaiba on the bench.

"What ya thinking so hard about? Ya brain's almost blowing smoke." Kaiba's sidelong glance was the only acknowledgement he gave. Joey brought a leg up and rested his arm on his knee, and looked forward. After a few more beats of silence, Joey began to talking without looking at Kaiba. "What if I told ya dat I ain't who I've pretended ta be? …Dat I gotta get married?" Because he wasn't looking, Joey didn't see Kaiba's eyes slightly widen at his confession. "Would ya think any less of me, if I told you I was going ta get married, because it is most convenient for my family?"

The lost look on Joey's face died any real anger Kaiba had felt. "I understand that for your family it is probably better to enhance your life style…"

"What if I told ya dat since meeting ya, I keep thinking maybe ma sis could marry a betta man? I mean, I ain't even know 'em."

"I didn't know that even amongst the poorest, marriages where arranged. Isn't that the one thing the poor have going for them? That they can marry for love?"

Joey didn't want to tell the whole truth just yet. He wanted to be as equal to Kaiba as possible. "Ain't everyone always trying ta marry better?"

"I suppose that is true" There was an awkward pause between them "Why are you telling me this?"

Joey shrugged. "I ain't know, 'sposse I want ya ta tell me ta not go on wit da marriage."

Kaiba had stopped pretending to ignore the blonde, he turned his undivided attention on him. "How would that help you? Won't you just end up marrying her so that your family won't starve? Even if I convinced you not to, and your family was hurt, because of it you'd end up hating me."

Joey, still looking out into nothing, sighed. "Heh, ya thas probably true."

Kaiba had come outside to get away from his thoughts, but spent his time arguing with himself about them. He had concluded that he shouldn't be surprised at his attraction to the blonde his eyes had oft lingered on a male's form, and he had been inclined towards blondes. What had made his mind revolt had been the force of his attraction. Only to find out that said man was soon to wed! But not of his own accord.

Kaiba couldn't tear his eyes from the blonde. He knew he had already made up his mind. Kaiba had come to this kingdom to better his and Mookie's life, not to make bonds. Joey and him were never meant to be more than what they were now.

Although his mind whispered thoughts of the two from yesterday morning, Kaiba knew he would not act up it. He wasn't a coward, no, he was saving Joey from himself.

The words unsaid between them made a wall of awkwardness that no small talk could dispel

After breakfast, the trio set out to the castle; noon found them at the castle. If Kaiba didn't know any better he'd think Joey had purposely led him away from the castle, a part of him was suspicious at this while the other part was content with having spent that time with the blonde.

Feelings between the two became awkward. Where yesterday they walked far too close, today a king's army could pass between the two with room to spare. Upon arriving to the castle Tristan quickly took Joey to the horse stables to inquire about the gloomy disposition between the two, leaving Kaiba to stare at the enormity of the castle.

"What are you talking about?" Joey harshly whispered out.

Tristan angrily whispered back in like, "Ya two were are acting like damn newlyweds yestaday and now da mood is so dark I can almost see da rain cloud forming above ya 'eads!"

"What?! We were talking just fine!"

"ya two be acting like lovers having a squabble!" At Joey's surprised expression, Tristan rolled his eyes. "Ya think I'm blind? Ya two stand far ta close ta each other one day, den da next ya stand so far da palace carriages could fit in da space between ya two!"

"Yeah well…it doesn't matter, we ain't anything!" Joey's hushed angry tones died. He lowered his gaze towards the floor. "He's a knight of my 'fiancé' and it can't be more than that." Seeing Tristan's pity filled eyes, Joey changed the subject. "Now how suspicious is this? Where did we leave Kaiba? Go tell your mom and Reni that I'm not ready to be the prince just yet. Give me one more day yeah?"

Tristan rolled his eyes but didn't complain as he turned and headed towards the kitchens, out to do Joey's bidding.

Plastering on a far too bright smile to hide his anxiousness, Joey stepped out of the stables. "So uh, dis be da castle."

Kaiba had noticed when the two had slipped away and now noticed the brunet missing. He instantly became suspicious. "Where did Tristan go?"

"His mom be da cook 'ere. He's gonna go see if she'd be willing ta cook fer us."

Kaiba wasn't fooled, but played along with Joey's story. "Do you ever not think with your stomach?"

Joey sheepishly laughed. "Ya well, ya gotta eat when ya can, ya know? Ain't no knowing when I can. Ya know."

To say Joey felt ridiculous was an understatement. Joey had exposed as much as he could of himself this morning at that bench. What did Kaiba do? Nothing. Didn't try to talk him out of anything, if he was being honest with himself Kaiba maybe had even encouraged him to marry. He was angry and confused, he didn't understand why he wanted Kaiba to try and persuade him against his up coming nuptials. Joey knew he would still marry Prince Seto if only to save Reni from his father. His irrationality didn't make sense to him, but then again he hadn't been rational since meeting Kaiba. It made Joey feel exposed in a way he had never felt. So Joey decided that acting no different was perhaps the most logical action.

X-X-X-X

Upon walking into the castle, both the cook and the princess stood by to greet them. This sent alarms within Kaiba. Why would the princess great a peasant at the door? Had he come announced he might have accepted the greeting, but even then, where was the elusive prince? Should it not be him greeting them at the door?

"Joey! I'm so glad to see you! Our prince…has missed you…he…misses someone to…talk to…" The princess' struggle with the conversation was more than obvious, what did she mean the prince missed Joey. Just what exactly was Joey to the prince?

Joey gave a nervous laugh. "Ya…where is da prince? He ain't sick is he?"

Serenity's eyes quickly shifted around the room. She almost looked unsure. "Yeah! That's exactly it" Her laugh was pretty, but still held a note of anxiousness. "He, uh…He didn't feel well and decided to go early to bed. Hopefully he will join us tomorrow."

The conversation between Joey and the princess was far too forced, and permeated the air with a nervous energy. Seto wasn't sure if it was because they tried to hide the relationship of the prince and Joey, or hiding something else. Either way, Seto did not like this.

Joey didn't know what to do! How where they going to explain Prince Joseph's absence? He was nervous. He wanted to hug his sister and tell her all about the people he had met. How he met the knight. Yet he had to keep reminding himself Kaiba didn't know the truth so Joey could not act on his impulses. This only made their conversation seem tense.

"…I must admit I don't quite know how to great guests. The king or my brother usually does this…who are you?" By the end, the princess was wringing her hands and had started blushing as she floundered around in her speech. Joey quickly came to her rescue.

"This here be Kaiba, a Knight from our neighboring Kingdom Kaiba." Serenity's eyes bulged before looking over at Kaiba. Her mouth opened to for an 'o' "He…ya know I ain't actually know what he's here for. But he's a knight, maybe ya can, I dunno, give 'em a room in da castle." Serenity composed her features and smiled at Joey's idea.

"That is a wonderful suggestion. Are you here to escort our prince to his marriage? How long do you plan on staying? Or are you waiting for your fleet to arrive? When will King Seto come for Prince Joseph?" Her questions so quick to come, Seto didn't know what to answer, but before he began to try and answer the princess turned to the cook, who had been silently watching everything, and began shooting out commands. "Cook tell Maude and Cynthia to prepare two chambers, for our guests, and to prepare baths for them. I'm sure they would appreciate being clean. Also make sure to make enough dinner to include our guests too. We have dinner at six, so you have about two hours to freshen up."

Kaiba was shocked by her change in demeanor, so much so that all he did was stare and follow the maids when they came out to lead him and Joey to their rooms.

Once in his room, Kaiba was more than grateful for the bath. He basked in the luxury of it, before quickly getting to work on cleaning himself. He had been given a pair of whispery thin, but clean clothes. It was perhaps enough to satisfy a commoner, but a part of him demanded he have better clothes. He was King Kaiba for goodness sake! Seto quickly calmed that voice, and reminded himself he was imitating a knight. By the time he was finished bathing and taking a quick rest, it was dinner.

Dinner was a bit silent, aside from Joey trying to eat the dishware along with his food. Joey seemed to have also showered. If anything good came of the trip, it was having met Joey. Kaiba knew that Joey had no choice, when he left Joey was leaving with him. A slight smile graced his face.

He must be tired if he's finding a person choking on food endearing. Excusing himself, Kaiba headed back to his chamber, wondering where the blonde's chambers where. I'll ask him tomorrow.

X-X-X

"What do you mean what is my relationship with Kaiba?" After dinner Serenity and Tristan cornered Joey in his bedroom. Making Joey sit on his bed while Serenity bombarded him with questions about Kaiba.

Serenity scowled. "Don't give me that tone Joseph! He kept looking over at you, and you blushed!" She had her arms crossed while her foot tapped impatiently.

"That ain't my fault." Joey threw his sister a cocky grin. "It's hard not to be attracted to my looks."

Reni rolled her eyes skyward. "Joseph James Wheeler you will not avoid my questions! What is your relationship with that man? Because I can tell you right here that Kaiba wasn't the only one making wishful faces. I saw your look when he left."

Joey couldn't meet his sister's glare. "What look?" Joseph turned to glare at Tristan. "What did you tell her?" It was then he realized just how close Tristan was sitting next to Reni. "Why are ya so close to my sis?"

Tristan slightly flushed before quickly scooting over, leaving enough room for someone else to stand between them. "Ay bud, ain't go and accusing me of anything. I told ya, ya two make it too obvious."

Serenity turned towards Tristan, power housing him for questions as well. "What do you know Tristan? Don't look at my brother! What have you been keeping from me?"

Serenity's glare proved to be too much for Tristan, for he quickly recounted Joey's summary of Joey and Kaiba's adventure, their odd behavior, and far too friendly looks.

She didn't move for a while, seeming to be struck immobile. Just as joey was starting to think the worst outcomes Reni let out a loud squeal and flopped down next to Joey. Hugging him. Her eyes sparkled and her smile threatened to split her face. This was not the reaction Joey was expecting.

"This is so romantic! Do you really like him? How much have you done?" At the mention of anything sexual, Serenity's smile dropped. "Has he forced himself on you? If so I'll show his little pecker a lesson or two once I rip it off!"

The mention of ripping off that anatomy part had both Joey and Tristan covering their lower selves. "No no! Kaiba hasn't forced me to do anything! I like him, but it's not like I'd do it with another guy, I'm not like that!" Serenity looked askance, unable to meet her brother gaze. "You don't believe me?! Anyway I have a fiancé!"

The cold truth dropped with a thunk onto Serenity. "Oh no! Seto! What are you going to do about him? What are you going to do about the contract?" She began pacing the room. "You do like him right? I mean why else accompany him?"

"He asked for directions!"

She stopped pacing and captured Joey with her gaze. "You could have told him the way, except you chose to take him with you on your adventure…maybe you've liked him all along."

"He's the knight of my betrothed."

"Who hasn't claimed any rights over you."

"But we won't ever be able to be more."

"I know you are thinking about dad, but don't lie to yourself Joey. I can see it, and I've only seen you two together a couple of times. I'm not saying to do more than you're comfortable with, but I don't want you to end up regretting not having explored this thing between Kaiba and you."

Tristan was silent as the two spared. When Joey sighed in defeat, he knew Reni had out witted Joey. It was perhaps the best outcome, since she had just proved to Joey that she too would stand by his side no matter what.

X-X-X-X-X-X

"I'm sorry the prince won't join us today…he got…diarrhea?" Serenity had been trying to decipher Joey's rapid hand and mouth movements. Her first thought at his pantomiming was diarrhea. Upon seeing Joey's blush and frantic head shaking, she realized he perhaps meant stomach flu. "Oh goodness I mean to say, that he is not feeling well today once more." A slight flush rose on her cheeks for having said such a crass word in front of guests.

"heh heh heh…it's ok princess. Ain't no need fer ya ta make excuses fer da prince. If he ain't feeling good, he ain't feeling good." Joey deeply wished that all of his and Serenity's interactions before Kaiba would stop being so awkward. Joey knew that if this continued, Kaiba would find out the truth before Joey was able to tell him.

"…I see. Then perhaps princess, I can inquire my question to you. It was really the only detail my king asked me to rely." Kaiba wasn't sure if the Prince was truly sick, or if he was just avoiding him. He could not break anything off without meeting the prince, but perhaps he could find reasons to dissolve the engagement. Surely if this sister would openly say her brother has diarrhea, she herself suffered from diarrhea of the mouth.

"Oh yes of course. What would your question be? I will try to answer as best I can."

"Perhaps it would be best to be in a more private setting? And not in the middle of the dining area?"

Serenity's eyes became cold. "If the question must be asked in private, perhaps the sender would like to ask it himself? I am not one to look down on soldiers, but perhaps not all inquires need be known by them."

She had him there. It was the reason he had come and not sent out a knight. She definitely had more backbone than the average woman. Although taking what he had seen of the women in this kingdom, they where docile creatures. "I assure you that, that is not the case. My king wouldn't be so insensitive."

"Good then go on ahead and ask away." The way her eyes flashed from anger one second to happy the next had him on edge, had she had brown eyes, he'd think those were Joey's.

"Does the king still have the engagement contract?"

Slight panic ran through Serenity, she had never seen the contract. In fact had it not been for her father's ever gloating reminder, she would think that there never had been an agreement. "…Of course! Did the king perhaps lose his?"

"No, of course not. The contracts need only be signed and exchanged by both parties. Originally they would have gone to their parents, but with King Gozaburo's untimely death… Either way that was the only inquiry I had." Damn it! Had they not had the contract the task would have been much easier. Seto now had no choice but to pry into the life of the prince.

X-X-X-X-X-X

Joey was going frantic. He had been searching over an hour through his father's archives and had yet to find the contract. Many of the papers were smudged where his father had dropped brandy on them. What if his dad had ruined the contract by spilling brandy on it? What if his dad had lost it? Or worse, what if his dad had lost it in a bet? Reni was off checking their father's bedroom; perhaps she had had better luck.

Joey scurried up the stairs towards the King's bedroom, turned down a hall and ran smack into someone. Looking up he saw it was Kaiba.

Awkward eye contact and silence built between the two.

They hadn't talked since yesterday after his confession and hadn't truly been alone since the incident in the hotel; unless you counted the brief moment upon arriving to the castle. That added to the encouragement from his sister…well his whole body buzzed with slight anticipation. Joey wanted to take advantage of their time. Plus Kaiba already knew that he was engaged, it's not like they didn't already know they were going to part ways.

With that Joey nodded to himself, he was going to tell Kaiba who he was, then ask if he would still want to have an affair. If Kaiba agreed the first thing he'd want is a kiss from said man. Kaiba's lips although small were plump, and he wanted to feel them gliding against his. He wanted to say, I want you to kiss me, then see what happens.

"Excuse me?"

"W-what?" Joey has been so caught up in his thoughts he had forgotten that he had been staring at Kaiba, so much so that he didn't realize he had spoken the words aloud.

Kaiba took a step toward Joey. His eyes moved down to stare at Joey's lips before leaning his face closer before responding. "You said you wanted me to kiss you." Kaiba's heart thumped. He knew his hearing wasn't wrong, but he could have easily willed to hear those words.

Joey stepped closer. His voice came in hushed tones. "What if that's exactly what I said? What if I told you that I haven't been able to sleep without your warmth by my side?"

Both Joey and Kaiba had stepped closer, their face centimeters from the other.

Joey's eyes flicked upwards to make eye contact. "Your eyes…I could drown in that sea of blue…like an oasis in the desert." Joey's eyes were heavy lidded with lust. Both of their gazes were locked on the others lips.

Alone in the hall, their heavy breathing echoed.

"Then let me show you paradise."

Joey closes his eyes and lets the seductive words course through him. A part of him is filled with sorrow at the thought that this thing between Kaiba and him won't be everlasting, but the seduced part of him shakes with need as he turns his face towards Kaiba to share his first kiss.

Perhaps it as the novelty of the kiss, or the intimacy it created, but neither of them pushed to advance it. They were content with only being connected by their lips. They had definitely done far more than this simple meeting of lips at the hotel, but the shared breathe and light caress felt far more intimate. Right here and now they were ruled not by their duties, but their needs.

Who deepened the kiss first they didn't know, nor did they care. The twining of tongues, and clinging of breathes. Kaiba hauled Joey closer to him, as if fearing Joey would disappear. Wanting to feel Joey close Kaiba hauled Joey against the nearest wall. Grabbing the back of Joey's head, while his other armed ensnared his waist, Kaiba made sure they were flush against the other. Joey was no limp participant, his hand avidly clung on to the back of Kaiba's head while his other arm clutched at whichever garment he could grasp. This kiss was almost punishing in the intensity of itself.

Joey knew he needed to tell Kaiba who he was. That he needed to lay the truth on the line before taking any further steps, but the way Kaiba was holding on to him, mixed in with the heady affect of the kiss was making Joey wonder why he had to tell Kaiba at that exact moment.

Just when Joey thought they would be moving their groping fest into the nearest chamber, they heard Serenity's voice calling out for Joey. Jolted back to reality, the two broke apart.

When Serenity turned the corner on to the hall and saw their swollen lips and how closely they stood, her mouth fell open. Joey moved to stand farther away from Kaiba. After another brief but awkward silence, Serenity turned and walked back from where she had come.

X-X-X-X

A/N: I know this is about a week late, but I just got a job and it doesn't leave me with a lot of extra time. I want to get back on my schedule so chances are, you'll see an update sometime next week. Or this might just be an empty promise anyway.

R&R!