Welcome to Gaia! ::

Jounouchi Katsuya heaved a sigh, staring out the classroom window. It had been one of the longest days, and it didn’t seem to be getting better. Life had been going so well: he had gotten a stellar grade in both English and history, he was able to spend the night with Yuugi on Monday without his father finding out, his quarter grades hadn’t been so bad either (A’s in both language and history, a B in English), he was only in danger in chemistry and most importantly, there hadn’t been a single sign of the rich-a** snob named Kaiba Seto. But then he had gotten his math grade, the none-passing math grade. It was the beginning of his downfall. Not only did his father had come home that night, stinking drunk as always and pitched a fit about Jou’s lousy grades, but he got a long lecture from his teacher the next day. He wouldn’t deny he hadn’t really paid that much attention, but something about tutoring and some class room…

‘Eh, doesn‘t matter.’ Jounouchi thought, amber eyes moving slowly back onto his English teacher. He wondered why all his classes couldn’t be as easy as the foreign language. He couldn’t suppress the small smile that spread across his lips as a shrill ringing resonated through the building. School was finally over. Jou grabbed his things, stuffing them unceremoniously into his backpack, before rushing out the door to his locker. The sooner he could get out of this jail, the better.

Spotting his friends down the hall, all about to disperse to their various after school activates, Katsuya shouted and waved his goodbyes.

Yuugi smiled, “Jou-kun-”

He tilted his head, unable to hear what his short friend was saying. “Oi Yuugi, I can’t hear you…” Jou sighed, before making his way towards the still shouting youth.

“-Seto-kun’s meeting you in room 203.”

Jou blinked, “What?”

“You’re hopeless Jou-kun.” Yuugi sighed, “Remember yesterday, the teacher was yelling at you about your math grade and how Seto-kun was going to tutor you today in room 203.”

He couldn’t help his groan, “Kaiba? Why him?” Jou pouted, “I’m not going to go. The stupid rich boy isn’t going to be there.”

“You have too Jou-kun. The teacher will fail you other wise.” The tri-colored boy patted his friend on the back, “You’ll be fine Jou-kun. Don’t worry, just try your best.” And with that the short boy was off down the hall, “Bye!” Yuugi waved over his shoulder.

Katsuya sighed. “Yeah, bye.” He muttered under his breath. ‘Might as well prove myself right.’

Turning, he slowly mad his way down the empty halls. Jou had little doubt that the CEO wouldn’t be in the room. After all the blue eyed boy always complained about having better things to do, he would never waste his time on a ‘flee bitten mutt,’ as the brunet liked to call him.

Jou stared at the closed door for a few moments, debating weather he should really go in or not. He clenched his teeth, fixing angry eyes on the door before throwing it open, “Alright, moneybags! Listen up, you-” Jounouchi began to yell.

…

“-Aren’t here…”

“My father used to say when I started talking; I never knew when to stop.” The boy leaned back, his head resting against the wood of the large desk behind him.

“I won’t argue with that.” Came the distracted reply to his left.

“I know. I’m not denying the fact.” He shrugged. “I don’t see how he has any room to talk though.”

“Who?” The other didn’t look up from his work when he replied.

“My father.”

“Your father what?”

Jou sighed, and shook his head, blond hair brushing against his forehead. He knew full well the other wasn’t listening. “He has no room to talk.”

“Why?”

“Because he never knew when to stop.” He paused for a moment, “He never stopped actually.”

“Stopped doing what?”

“No, he didn’t stop.” Seto was definitely not listening to him. Maybe he could use it to his advantage. He had never told anyone about his father, a fact that was eating him up inside. Kaiba wasn’t paying attention, he could easily pour his soul out, and the brunet would never know.

“He didn’t stop doing what?” Seto corrected himself in a monotone voice.

“He never stopped hurting me.” He answered honestly, carefully watching blue eyes for a reaction which never came. “I never have you over for a reason you know.” He continued quickly, hoping the CEO would continue to fake his attention. “Well, you know… besides the fact you wouldn’t come over even if you were invited.” The blond laughed humorlessly. “Beer bottles all over the place – I’ve given up trying to clean the place. By the time I wake up its back to how it was. Then there’s him. No, you two will not meet.”

“Why?” the CEO’s fingers continued to dance across the keys of his laptop.

“Because I don’t want you to see how truly worthless I really am.” He looked down at his hands. “And I don’t want him to hurt you. Not that he could actually hurt you, you’re not weak. But he would try.” Jou rambled. “It’s actually kind of ironic. The fact you were right all these years.”

“Right about what?”

Jou looked up at the other through strands of golden hair. He wouldn’t deny that it was good to get things said; he just wished he could prove them wrong. He wished it all wasn’t true. He wanted to be worth something, but – “That I’m a worthless dog.” – he knew better then to lie to himself.

“And the fact you both are somewhat similar. You don’t actually hit me or anything, and he doesn’t rape me… at least he hasn’t lately, only beatings these days. I donno I guess it’s a weak argument. I don’t care for him at all. I hate his guts, but you…” he stopped himself. While Katsuya knew Seto wasn’t paying him any mind, he still wouldn’t dare voice his confession. Their relationship was “strictly physical” according to Seto. It was Jounouchi’s fault really, to have started to care – to feel for the “cold hearted CEO.”

It was usually like this: Jounouchi would come over to Kaiba Corp. after work and the blue eyed man would have his way, Jou would sit and rest after whatever the other had cooked up, then – once he regained his strength – Jou would leave. The last few times had been strange though, there had actually been something of a conversation between the two, and while it was blatantly obvious the brunet wasn’t paying any attention, it did Jou some good. He could tell the business man anything, get things off his chest, like now, and the other boy would never remember.

With a disheartening sigh, he stood up from his spot on the floor behind the CEO’s desk. “I guess I’ll be going now. He gets pissed when I’m home late, and it’s already pushing that time.” Katsuya looked down at Kaiba who still type furiously at his laptop, a small smile spreading across his pale face.

In truth it was actually several hours since he should have been home. His father was undoubtedly pissed off and he knew the beating that was waiting for him at home. He had planed this all along though. Tonight was his last night, and it had been a good one. He couldn’t complain; his last act making love to the beautiful man he was secretly in love with. Yes, his father would be very pissed.

Jounouchi paused at the open door and took one last look at the busy man, “Goodbye, Kaiba.” There no reply as the door shut, he wasn’t expecting one.