Okaaaaay, here's the next chapter. Like I said, I started this right after I finished chapter 3 so it took all of my strength not to give in and update again on the same day lol ENJOY!

At lunch, Johan led Judai to table 12 where Jim and Asuka sat.

"C'mon, Judai they're not as bad as you think," Johan said as he continued pushing the brunette.

"No! They'll make fun of me!" he protested.

"No, they won't."

Eventually, Judai was convinced to sit with Johan and his friends.

"Hey, Jim, hey, Asuksa," the bluenette greeted.

"Hey, Johan," the two of them said.

"Guys, this is Judai."

Like they don't know, Judai thought.

"Hey, Judai."

"Hi," he said weakly.

By the end of the period, Jim and Asuka were almost as close to Judai as Johan was. Almost.

Then the bell rang and it was time to get back to class.

"See? That wasn't so bad," Johan said as he wrapped his arm around Judai's shoulders.

He winced a little.

"Sorry, are they still sore?"

"Just a tiny bit."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault, Jo-kun."

He sighed. "I suppose it's not."

"You suppose?"

"Don't push your luck."

Judai laughed. The feeling of warmth and love began to consume him and it made him blush. He never felt this way about anyone. It was a little scary but it also felt good. Fresh even. A clean start was all he needed after all.

Johan noticed the brunette's rosy cheeks and wanted to scoop him up and kiss him but he had a feeling Judai wasn't ready for that. He watched him struggle last night about opening up and he didn't want to scare him away with his true feelings.

AFTER SCHOOL

Johan met the brunette at his locker just in time for Takeru to walk out of his class.

"Hey."

Judai turned around and saw Johan smiling down at him. His teal hair was all over the place but it looked natural. His eyes roamed further down his body a gazed at his biceps. They were noticeable but not too big.

But before Judai could get too caught up in Johan's appearance, he remembered that he was speaking to him.

"Hi."

"Has Takeru been-"

"No," Judai interrupted. "Just a few glares but nothing too serious."

The bluenette nodded. "Good." He smiled again. "When will your dad be home?"

Judai gasped. He forgot that his father was gone. "Um, he said he'd be home by dinner."

"Do you want me to stay with you until then?"

"You don't have to."

"But do you want me to is what I'm asking."

The brunette looked down. "Kinda," he murmured.

Johan chuckled. "Ok, let's go."

Judai got on his bike and Johan rode on his skateboard with a picture of Sapphire Pegasus on the bottom. Of course, you couldn't really tell because of the scratches from sliding on railings.

When they arrived at the house, the European sat with Judai on the couch and they watched a dueling match in England.

The match took a really long time. Both players were equally good and they kept drawing good cards! It eventually got repetitive. So Johan and Judai decided to have their own duel.

When they first took out their deck, Judai saw a strange looking cat crawl onto Johan's shoulder. It was a unique purplish color with ruby colored eyes and tail.

"Aw, it looks so cute," Judai said with a smile. Then he realized what he just said. He could see monster spirits again!

"Yeah, that's Rubi. She can-" he stopped momentarily. Johan was taken aback. "You can see monster spirits?"

Judai was so happy he started giggling. "I used to but I haven't been able to since Mom left!"

"Wow, that's cool. Is that Kuriboh?"

Kuri! Kuri!

"Hey, Kuriboh!" Judai greeted. He smiled at the little guy and he nuzzled his cheek with its brown fur.

The two had just finished shuffling their cards when they heard a door open and close.

"Judai?"

"DAD!" Judai jumped up from the floor and ran into Hiroshi's open arms.

Hiroshi was surprised by his son's movement and almost spilled his coffee. "How's my little boy, eh?"

"I'm alright. But dad, your breath smells."

He laughed. "I guess that's what I get from drinking coffee." He walked past Judai and put his things down. Then he looked to his right and saw another boy them. He seemed to be a little taller then Judai and he looked very respectful and modest.

"Ju-chan? Who's this?"

"I'm sorry, sir," the bluenette said. He stood up and offered his hand. "My name's Anderson Johan. I recently met Judai. I've been helping him around in school."

Hiroshi was so surprised that Judai made another friend while he was gone. He had been worried that Judai would've been devastated that he would be gone for a full forty-eight hours but it seemed he opened up more.

"No, you're fine. You're welcome to come by as much as you'd like."

Judai smiled at Johan and he smiled back.

Hiroshi yawned. "Now, if you'd excuse me, I'm gonna take an eight-hour nap."

The two of them chuckled and watched as Judai's father stumbled up the stairs.

After dinner, they finished their duel and Johan was convinced by Judai and Hiroshi to spend another night.

"Pretty please with the gem beasts on top?" Judai had begged while standing on his knees and fingers knit together. (A/N: sound familiar yauksiei?)

Johan couldn't give in to those pleading brown eyes. So he sighed and said, "Ok, I'll stay another night."

"YES!" the brunette cheered. Then an idea popped into his brain. He wanted Johan to meet Megumi. But maybe later. He would have to think of what he would say.

At around eight o'clock, Judai finally decided it was time.

"Jo-kun?"

"Hm?"

"I want you to meet someone."

"Who?"

The brunette motioned for Johan to follow him.

They walked upstairs and stood outside of Megumi's shrine.

"Are you ready?"

Johan nodded, already having an idea of what was going to happen. And frankly, he was giddy with excitement.

Judai opened the door and let Johan inside. They crouched in front of Megumi's picture and Johan gazed around at all the lit candles surrounding the picture.

"Hey, Mom," Judai greeted in a soft voice. "Sorry, we haven't spoken in a while." He tried to hold back his tears but Johan put a hand on his shoulder and said,

"You'd feel better if you let it out. You have no reason not to cry in front of me."

Judai couldn't find a reason not to obey so he allowed the tears to fall free from his eyes. "Mom, I want you to meet someone. His name's Johan. He's really nice. He's been helping me in school."

"Hello, Mrs. Yuki," Johan greeted. He thought it would be awkward talking to a picture but there was so much positive energy in this room it was like she was standing in front of him. "It's nice to finally meet you. Your son is a really good friend. You should be proud of him."

Megumi's picture stared back. But the real Megumi was up in the sky and smiling down upon her son and his new friend. Part of her spirit stayed inside that picture and watched Judai laugh and cry and she found it astounding.

Judai sniffed. "Well, as much as I'd like to stay here and chat, I think I should get back with my bo-friend." Oh my god! he thought. What the hell was that? He's not your boyfriend! You're such an idiot!

Luckily, Johan didn't seem to notice his struggle for words. They simply walked back downstairs and talked more about their family history. Soon, they feel asleep on the pull out couch again.

That night, Judai didn't have his usual nightmare but he woke up anyway. He looked to his left and saw it would've been time to get up for school. But it was a Saturday.

Then, he looked to his right and saw Johan and he couldn't resist the urge to cuddle next to him.

The brunette quietly scooted over to Johan's side and slid himself in his arms.

Johan inhaled slowly. "Judai?"

"Sorry, I um, I got cold."

"Mm." Johan pulled Judai closer and he blushed. "Better?"

"Mhm," Judai mumbled as he drifted back to sleep.

Me too, the European thought.

Okkkkkk, that's pretty much it. I'll update again later. I have a bit of a surprise. Well, not really. Whatever, just come to see the next chapter k? lol and wish yauksiei a happy birthday for me!