"Oh my god, Kaiba! Wake up! All the busses are gone!"

Seto woke with a start.

"Why did you fall asleep too! Gahhh, it's almost midnight." Jonouchi's panic had Seto awake in an instant and the first thing he registered was the absence of the mutt by his side. Jonouchi was staring at the outside clock near the bus stop and messing up his hair. "Oh man, busses don't come here this long after the park has closed. Shit." He kept staring at the clock like it held all the answers. "And now it's almost midnight." The blond cast a furtive look Seto's way, then stared at the clock again.

"I can just call to have us be picked up." Seto pointed out.

"I know!" Jonouchi said, stamping a foot in frustration.

"Okay, so what's the problem?"

"Ah, um," Jonouchi still hadn't calmed down. "…Our date is about to end."

Seto raised an eyebrow.

"Our date is going to end and well," Jonouchi got a bit shy; "…I have one more request. Only I didn't expect to ask it like this and man, this is so awkward." He looked at the clock again, clearly a bit panicked.

Seto got off the bench and went to stand beside Jonouchi. The mutt might as well spit it out; it wasn't like Seto hadn't been accommodating to his whims for the day.

"After today, I'm going to do my absolute best to end my feelings. I'm going to try real hard not to look at you, or think of you, and I won't talk to you unless it's necessary. You gave me something real special, and I get that this is all I'll ever get. It's just, I have just one small request. And that'll be it. I promise." The blond bowed his head slightly so his bangs were covering his eyes and clapped his hands together as if in prayer.

"Jonouchi –"

"A kiss!" Seto couldn't help it; his eyes darted to Jonouchi's lips. "Just one kiss, please, and you can forget me." That's what the mutt kept saying, over and over. Like it could be so easy to forget. Or maybe for the mutt it would be?

Annoyed, Seto said, "I refuse."

"Ah. I see." Jonouchi's eyes darted back to the clock, it was past midnight. "Yeah, the date's already over. And you've done enough. I was… being greedy. No, thanks Kaiba, thanks for playing along with me today. Really. Today – yesterday, was more than I could dream... I'm so lucky." Jonouchi's voice cracked so he turned around and started walking. "Ah, um, since the date's over," he said, over his shoulder, "I'm just gonna walk home. So, goodbye."

Just like that, Jonouchi was walking out of Seto's life.

Seto wasn't even aware he had moved, but in an instant he had his arms wrapped around the mutt from behind, he could feel tears drip unto his hand and silent sobs from Jonouchi's body which was pressed against his. Seto meant to clarify what he meant, but what came out of his mouth was, "You cried last night too?"

"I really really like you."

Seto spun Jonouchi around and kissed him. Not long, not slow, not deep. He pressed his lips unto Jonouchi's and all too soon pulled away.

"I'm sorry." Seto said.

Jonouchi broke Seto's grip and slapped him across the cheek, he glared even through the tears streaming down his face; he wiped angrily, smooshing his eye in the process. "Don't apologize! Don't you dare feel sorry for me! I shouldn't have asked you to do that, it's my fault. Just," Jonouchi turned away, "just don't make me feel so pitiful." He pushed Seto and then he was running into the darkness with god knows what sort of half-baked plan formed to get home.

Seto touched his hand to his cheek then ran after him.

"That's not why I said I'm sorry! Jonouchi, come here!" Dammit! Seto saying sorry was apocalyptic in itself, but never would he suspect he would say it and get hit for the trouble!

Jonouchi was fast and determined to stay out of Seto's reach. "No!" He shouted, and if anything he started running faster, knowing that Seto was coming for him.

"Dammit!" Seto had spent a year purposefully not chasing after the mutt, all to come to this. "Jonouchi, stop!"

"No!"

But Seto's legs were longer and he grabbed Jonouchi's arm and pulled him to a halt. "Stop." Seto spoke in that quiet tone he used when ordering someone to obey him. Jonouchi stopped. Or froze. He was sure the mutt was more stunned that Seto had chased him down, rather than his willingness to do what Seto wanted.

"Kaiba, I'm tryin' to leave with some dignity 'ere. Do ya hafta watch me cry? I'm gonna get mad so just let me go." He was looking at the ground again. "I don't get it, you won, I'm gonna leave you alone so just let me go."

Seto pulled Jonouchi to him and kissed him again. This time it was more than a peck, he pulled Jonouchi's bottom lip between his own and bit softly, apologetically, and just when he was about to pull away thought better and kissed the mutt again. It was good, wonderful even, but Seto wanted more. Jonouchi's lips tasted salty and Seto licked them until it felt like he had swallowed the mutt's tears. But Jonouchi's mouth never opened; instead he tried to pull away.

Seto tightened his hold but it wasn't enough and Jonouchi managed to pull away just enough to question what Seto was doing and then Seto plundered the mutt's mouth. Jonouchi went from being pliant in his hands to being determined with his tongue, as if he was unwilling to let Seto have his way, and unwilling to let Seto retreat. He couldn't get enough. This is what kissing Jonouchi felt like, and honestly, it was more than Seto thought a kiss could be. He lost track of time, and only when Jonouchi had successfully pushed him away did he realize they had collapsed to the ground.

"What. The. Hell!" Apparently the first push wasn't enough because Jonouchi glared at Seto and shoved him back again, just for good measure. His tear streaked face was furious and after a look of absolute disbelief he tried to get up but Seto grabbed his wrist and pulled the mutt back down. He came crashing with his spare fist swinging, surprising Seto, but he was quick enough to catch the fist before it could connect with his face.

With wrist in one hand, and fist clenched in the other, Seto held the struggling Jonouchi in place in front of him. "Just listen," Seto said. Jonouchi bit down on his lip and looked ready to rage, cry, or run, in any order. None of which looked like he would sit quietly with Seto long enough to fix this mess.

Jonouchi's expression didn't become any more readable, if anything it darkened and Seto was sure he thought the billionaire was mocking him. Hell, maybe he was? Not even Seto knew what he was doing, only that for all his ruthlessness in business Seto's nerve had never wavered. But he was nervous now. He let go of Jonouchi's fist and sat back, still holding tight to Jonouchi's wrist in case he thought to run off again.

He would have to explain, Seto realized. But not like this. He needed to make sure the mutt wouldn't leave. Dammit! Seto yanked Jonouchi forward and as he fell towards his chest he turned the mutt so he was now sitting between his legs, facing the same direction, with only dim streetlights lighting the path ahead.

"Oh no. I don't know what you are thinking, but that ain't happening." Jonouchi started struggling anew, and elbowed him in the ribs.

"For fucks sake!" Seto squeezed the mutt tight, using his legs and arms to restrict his movements. "You spent the entire day making sure you would have this one happy memory of a date with me, and now, what, you don't care anymore?!"

"That's not fair! The date's over, you don't have to be nice to me anymore and I don't want to be here while you revert to being an asshat."

Seto scowled,. "Just sit still and LISTEN."

Jonouchi was obviously glaring at the light post in the distance, though neither could see the others face. The 'no' hung heavy between them. But he was quiet and not trying to break free; yet. Seto wasn't naive enough to trust that Jonouchi would stay without offering something.

"Do this and I'll extend the fucking date."

Jonouchi tried to turn around but Seto tightened his hold again and the blond couldn't quite manage it. "But… the contract?" Seto must have said something right because he seemed more confused than angry. That was progress.

They weren't facing much of anything; the side fence of the park was to their left, the road the busses usually occupied to their right, and the streetlamps dim in the distance ahead. Seto rested his head on the blond's shoulder and Jonouchi went stiff.

"Let me go." Jonouchi said, but Seto could tell the vehemence had left his voice and that his resistance was due to nerves. It was as Jonouchi had said: all pretenses of them getting along for the sake of getting along was gone; the time limit was finished. But Seto preferred it this way, with his rebellious puppy, and squeezed him tighter. How to get what he wanted?

"I didn't kiss you out of pity." Seto said into the crook of Jonouchi's neck; this wasn't what Seto had planned. He hadn't prepared himself to have this discussion. It was hard. "I kissed you because," I love you, "I want to extend the contract."

"You mean just for tomor.. uh, today?"

"No."

"More than a day? Do you… wanna do a trial date for like… a week? Because I want that, I do, I just don't know if I could handle – "

"Not what I had in mind."

"I don't understand," Jonouchi tried to turn to look at Seto but Seto held tight. "What is it?"

Set's heart began to pound, was he really going to set this in motion? He could squash the possibility forever right now; this was his opportunity to walk away. He had planned to walk away. This wasn't a business contract, in those he knew exactly what he wanted. In this he didn't know, or he did, but it had always been impossible; something not worth the risk because he couldn't waste his time pursuing something as unattainable as Jonouchi Katsuya.

But now his heart was beating so loud that even the mutt must have been able to hear. Seto had never considered the actual possibility of dating the mutt because the business implications of Jonouchi liking him were abysmal. It was only thanks to Seto's gut habit of taking the things that he wanted that urged him to contract the date, because if one date was good enough for the mutt, it would be enough for him as well.

But it wasn't.

He could lose this. And he didn't want to lose whatever this was. The best way to not do that was to be honest, but Seto was rubbish at being honest. Why was he even opening himself up to the mutt? Jonouchi could destroy everything.

"I don't want you out of my life, and I would be immensely bothered if you could forget me so easily." Selective honesty counted, Seto was sure. It wasn't a declaration of his affections, but Seto thought it was close. You mean something to me.

"But," Jonouchi seemed at a loss. "That's what you wrote in the contract. That's what you wanted?"

"And that's why I apologized." With that confession Jonouchi deflated in his arms. All the stiffness and tension drained out of him and Seto was content to let that revelation sit with them and say nothing more.

Jonouchi wasn't. "You mean you don't want me out of your life? But I was sure…and now you've changed your mind? You don't change your mind. I don't get it. Are you saying I managed to impress you today? And now you want to d-date? Seriously? With me?"

Seto bit his lip. He had been in love with Jonouchi for a long time. Two years. Well, one year in love, another of Jonouchi getting under his skin. Or maybe it was only now he loved Jonouchi, and last year was infatuation. He honestly didn't know, he just knew he couldn't act on it. Whatever he felt, he buried it. It would be better, for everyone – for himself, for Jonouchi, for his company – if Seto disregarded his feelings. He just never managed to succeed in doing so.

The mutt actually liking him in a romantic factor had never been an option. Jonouchi had no reason to like him at all, hell, Seto tried to make sure of that. He pushed and pushed, but the dog always came back. Besides, Jonouchi had been blatant in his interest of girls and Seto could not be seen trying to persuade him otherwise, even if it was possible, which Seto had been sure was not the case. His pride… his pride would not have accepted Jonouchi turning him down.

"I know I said I had been hopeful that it could happen, that you could like me… but I was lying to myself. You don't – you wouldn't – you've long made it clear – I don't get it."

Seto held in a groan. What was he doing! He had a million reasons that he repeated to himself like a mantra whenever he thought of the mutt – none of which were any less valid now. As an underage head of company he couldn't be seen as a weak or risky outlier, and revealing a high school crush to a fellow boy would be nothing but unscrupulous for his company image. The notion that he could be easily swayed by his teenager libido would encourage the opposition into action, and his shareholders would doubt his judgment. At the worst, the whole stunt would be topped with him coming out as gay.

In the best case scenario, where his public image was not damaged, a person as normal as Jonouchi would become a target to Seto's downfall, not only would Jonouchi be easy to manipulate but he was also gullible. Even Mokuba, who shared Seto's world, had spent some of his life growing up in it, had fallen prey to a multitude of ploys and he knew to be distrustful of others motives through actual experience.

Disregarding how unwilling Seto was to allow someone else close to his heart, which was a large hurdle in and of itself, he also couldn't stand the idea that Jonouchi's self-awareness was absolutely abysmal. The mutt would fight against any precautions Seto would make and it would only take one opportunity for someone to take advantage of such a weakness at Seto's side.

This was all true even now, all the reasons he knew existed to keep Seto from trying, it would be hard for him, and bad for his company, and might even destroy Jonouchi. Or Jonouchi might destroy him.

But the heart was a confusing thing.

Because right now, Seto couldn't let go. Jonouchi was actually, willingly, in his arms. Seto squeezed the mutt tighter, breathing in the scent of honey and lemon zest. If had let this opportunity past he would be the one who was a fool.

Seto had honestly thought that Jonouchi asked him out as a sick joke. The mutt was straight. Maybe he had caught on to Seto's feelings and wanted to mock him, but as their date progressed it no longer appeared to be the case. So Seto considered it might be possible that the mutt did like him, maybe, but if he could like him so easily then surely it would be easy for the mutt's feelings to disappear just as quickly. Even Jonouchi thought so. And Seto couldn't bet his company and everything he had achieved on the fleeting spark of Jonouchi's affections.

Besides, he was still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that when Jonouchi said he liked him that he actually meant it in a romantic and sexual way. It just didn't seem likely. And unlikely things were usually not true. This had to be a trap. That's how the world worked. Anything that was too good to be true – wasn't.

"Kaiba? Could it be that you," Jonouchi wiped away the tear streaks from his face, "…like me?"

I love you.

Seto couldn't say it.

He had always enjoyed Jonouchi's crying face, so it was disconcerting to feel an ache in his chest upon seeing it now. Everything was a conflicting wash and he was confused. Just say no. Let it go. Get on with life…

"Maybe just a little?" Jonouchi's self-confidence was waning and Seto could feel the blond's body get tense again.

There was a pause, but at some point Seto had opened his mouth and said, "Yeah."

The world didn't combust.

And that was surprising.

Jonouchi shifted around in his arms so fast he broke through Seto's hold, in one swift motion he pushed Seto to the ground. Jonouchi's eyes were wondrous. "Yeah you like me?!"

"Don't make me say it again." Kaiba said, unused to being self-conscious.

Jonouchi's smile was amazingly wide. He leaned over Seto and cupped the side of Seto's face, the look of astonishment intensifying as Seto didn't push his hands away. Seto was sure Jonouchi was thinking something like, 'Look what I can do!' He leaned down on top of Seto, a dazzling smile curving his lips, and there it was again, that feeling that made his heart thump wildly in his chest. Gods.

And then Jonouchi's lips were on his and Seto was pulling the mutt as close as he could because a part of him had just been waiting for this; the feel of his body, the pure want radiating off of him, the abandon in the kiss that he had never known before and couldn't get enough of. He didn't want to let go. Fuck everything. He wasn't going to let Jonouchi go. He wanted this too much. He would figure this out. He could have it all. His company, his family… love.

Jonouchi pulled away, biting his lip. "Say you like me."

Seto frowned. He had.

"You didn't actually say it." Jonouchi clarified, guessing at what Seto was thinking.

"I…" Seto started, but the words got caught in his throat. He wanted this, he did, but suddenly he was aware that if he said so then Jonouchi would know and there would be no going back.

If he wanted Jonouchi so badly then why did the thought of telling him so make Seto realise just how hard the ground was beneath his back. Reality kicked in. That and Jonouchi's brilliant smile fell into a heavy frown, and the mutt being on top of him suddenly felt unbearable. Seto pushed Jonouchi off and stood up – just to buy himself time to sort his jumbled thoughts. He dusted off his shirt sleeve longer than was necessary then looked down at the mutt, who hadn't bothered to get up himself, and extended his hand.

Jonouchi took it, looking unsure once again, but he allowed Seto to pull him up nevertheless. Jonouchi was a mess. His face needed a good washing, his hair was tussled from Seto's roaming hands, and his clothes, which had been meticulously selected in stylish layers, was rumbled and dirty. Even so, this messy eyesore of a street mutt looked perfect and honest and was what Seto wanted most. If he was being true to himself then he couldn't deny that he wanted this ridiculous mutt, but saying he liked Jonouchi was too embarrassing. Instead he looked away and mumbled, "You irritate my heart rate."

Jonouchi frowned and then he gave a mischievous smile that Seto was sure he would think about often. "I irritate your…"

" –heart rate." Oh god, that was even more embarrassing than just saying 'I like you'. Seto bit his tongue. Clearly, when it came to matters of the heart, Seto should not speak.

"All right!" Jonouchi hand pumped the air. "So we're dating now?" Really?

"Yes." Seto confirmed, wanting to regret the impulse, but discovering he didn't.

"Really?

Seto gave a soft smile. "Yes."

"For how long?

For forever. "Until you mess it up."

Hey!" Jonouchi was trying to be cross, but he was clearly too happy to pull it off. "Why do you think it's gonna be me that mucks it up!"

Because you'll probably give up on me. That was not a thought Seto wanted to have, and never allowing himself to think this far, had no place to store it. Instead, Seto reached out and pulled Jonouchi into another kiss. Because he could. Because, Jonouchi wanted him, right now.

But is right now enough? Should he put his company at risk for such a fleeting moment…

They pulled apart and Jonouchi immediately exclaimed, "Hey, your brow is crinkled!" then leaned forward and smoothed out the skin between Seto's eyebrows with a long finger. "Kissing me ain't dat bad, is it?"

Seto felt one side of his lip quirk. "I think it's amazing, actually." Seto reached for Jonouchi again, wanting the rightness of this to quell his thoughts, but Jonouchi took a step back.

"Nuh uh. It's great that you want to kiss me, really it is, but I'm already finding it hard to believe that you want this – me. And I don't wanna be the reason yur makin' dat face."

"Ah." Was Seto supposed to be honest here, or quell Jonouchi's insecurity? Or maybe he should change the subject? Or bring up something more pressing? They still had to get home… now was as good an opportunity as any to mention that. Except, Jonouchi was always sincere, and he looked haggard already because Seto wasn't able to be as honest and straightforward as his mutt. And he wanted to stay in this moment for as long as possible, even though Seto was torn up inside.

"I don't get why you want to date me." He said at last, voice firm, "I'm not good at being honest, and I prioritize my company above everything except for Mokuba, and even then I don't see him nearly enough. I am busy all the time that even when I'm not, I'm stressed. I'm not… an ideal partner. I don't like the notion of friends, my idea of family is skewed, and I genuinely do not care about things or people that don't affect me."

"You were thinking that… of the two of us… you were the one who falls short?" Jonouchi's eyebrows disappeared behind his fringe. "Seriously?"

"Hey," Seto warned, not liking that the traits he admitted to, though good for business, were shortcomings in relationships. He wasn't about to be mocked for them. But the disbelief stayed on Jonouchi's face, which was almost comically frozen.

Seto went through his brain to figure out what about him the mutt might care about. "Don't tell me you are thinking of that 'most eligible bachelors' article?" Jonouchi just stared at him and didn't deny it. Seto sighed. "That rubbish takes only three things into account: that I'm successful, rich, and single. What does that have to do with my ability to make someone else happy? Unless money makes you happy, then I'd be more than enough, obviously."

"Woah, wait. Now you're concerned about my happiness?" Jonouchi looked flabbergasted. "Yer not seriously sayin' your only good point is money?" Seto refrained from replying. "But –" he paused, "but –" paused again, lost for words. "But you, dammit! Seto, it's not that complicated! I already like you, I just want to be around you, and I think yer amazing as you are, and you know what else – you make my heart race too!"

Seto took a step back; this wouldn't work after all, "You don't get it. I'm not going to join your group of friends, and I won't have a lot of time to spare, and I'm not used to reading people's emotions or caring about anyone other than Mokuba." The exception to that already being Jonouchi and Seto had proven that he had read the mutt all wrong! "I just don't do relationships."

Jonouchi was quiet, looking at his shoes again. The same shoes he wore to school, the ones he had stared at when Seto made him beg for the chance of this date. Then he looked up, and there was fire in his eyes, he pushed Seto. "I don't get what you are sayin'. If it's that you like me, then that is enough." He gripped Seto's shirt tightly in his fists and leaned close. "I can wait for you to let me in, or get used to having me around, or whatever – as long as that's what you want too. Because I want to be with you."

It was easy to break the mutt's hold on him; Seto smacked his hands off and took another step back. "I'm saying that I'm happy you like me but I really am busy and that I'll always be busy…"

Jonouchi gave Seto a levelled stare and took a pointed step forward. "Are you warning me, or telling me we aren't dating after all?"

Fuck. "Are you kidding?" Seto grabbed Jonouchi and pulled him into a tight embrace, wanting to eliminate the distance between them but not sure how. He wanted to be honest with the mutt and it was coming out all wrong. "I want you," he whispered into the others ear.

Jonouchi lifted his arms and snuggled tighter into Seto's embrace, sighing contentedly. "Okay, good. So let me see if I got this figured out right. You think that I need your constant attention? No thanks; I have plenty of friends to entertain me and I don't plan on neglecting them. And if, when you have time, you want to spend it with just me; I'm probably going to be cool with that. Besides, when I graduate I'll have a job too and then we'll both be making an effort to make time for each other, so you know, it's just not gonna be you. I expect you to be tolerant of my hours, no matter what crummy place I end up in."

Seto laughed softly and ruffled Jonouchi's hair, still not letting go. Slowly, a smile started to form on Seto's face. How could he forget that the mutt could handle his own; that he would be blunt enough not to pussyfoot around things, or let them grow poisonous. He really was who Seto wanted.

…But wasn't being unable to prioritise ones partner what created the most problems in relationships?

"Seto?"

"Hn, what is it mutt?"

"Does this mean I'm special?"

He was sure Jonouchi didn't mean to say it in that fragile way, and he was equally sure the blond knew the answer. But he had asked, so Seto disentangled himself from Jonouchi and cupped Jonouchi's face, stepping in close, marvelling that this time Jonouchi didn't look uncomfortable at all. "Very," he whispered, and closed the distance between them. Seto was unable to resist how he could not get enough of Jonouchi's kisses. They were a little bit needy, a little bit desperate, but wholly determined and strong. They were addicting.

"I feel like I'm dreaming," Jonouchi whispered as they pulled apart.

Seto smiled at that, and then realised Jonouchi was a bit unsteady on his feet. "Come on, I'll call my driver." Seto said, before he could stop himself. Honestly, he was a bit afraid that this was the only moment that would feel so perfect with the mutt, so he wanted to delay it. But Jonouchi's skin was getting cool, and he looked exhausted from crying. His eyes were getting puffy again. Seto called Roland while keeping Jonouchi close. Even though the exchange was short Jonouchi had gotten comfortable leaning on him. "I told him we'd meet him at the road."

"Ugh, can't we just wait here?" Jonouchi complained, noticeably tired now that he was no longer fighting with Seto. But Seto gave Jonouchi's hand a little tug and he came willingly.

Seto had the suspicion that if they waited here Jonouchi would get comfortable on the curb and give in to his exhaustion, much like he had done on the bench, before Seto had put him through an emotional rollercoaster. It would be better to keep him active until the car arrived. And perhaps Yugi was right; he shouldn't push the pup too hard. If he was feeling worn out after today, his pup must be exhausted.

"I guess if we're holding hands, I don't really mind." Jonouchi said, a bit petulant.

Seto smiled, just a little bit, and squeezed Jonouchi's hand, then leaned into him as they walked. Warmth and strength, that's what he could give his emotionally drained puppy.

"Hey, Seto," Jonouchi whispered, perhaps hushed by the silence of the night, or unwilling to loudly disturb the calm that had settled between them.

"Yeah, mutt?"

"We're really dating, right?" Jonouchi was squeezing Seto's hand; as if afraid he'd slip through his fingers.

"Yes." He said, and his resolve became absolute. He wouldn't second-guess this decision anymore.

By the time they reached the public sidewalk Jonouchi had barely said a word, though he seemed to bask in their physical contact. As promised, Roland was waiting for them with Seto's car. Roland knew to stay in the driver's seat, aware that Seto neither liked it when he had to wait for Roland to walk back around the car, nor the notion that money made him incapable of handling doors.

As Seto opened the car door for his boyfriend and urged him to get into the warm car he thought there was now a third reason. He walked around to the other side and sat down; Jonouchi immediately shifted into the middle seat and leaned on Seto just like he did at the benches. Seto found it wasn't long until his fingers were in the mutt's hair. "We'll have to talk about ground rules, since I'm a public figure, but that can be a discussion for another day. So for now, this relationship will have to stay between just us, okay?"

"Goody," he mumbled, "I can't wait."

Seto smiled at that. "Neither can I." It didn't take long for Jonouchi to clonk out, what with Seto stroking his fingers through the mutt's hair. It had been a secret desire of his, and he felt oddly accomplished at being able to do such a privileged thing. He had thought he'd never get to touch the honey locks, not ever. Seto gently pushed a stray strand of blond hair from Jonouchi's face and tucked it behind his ear, and then squeezed the blond tight.

This was not how he expected the night to end.

It was better.

Greetings again! If you enjoyed the story please leave a review, and check out the doujinshi that was the skeleton of this work. I thought the original story was adorable and rewrote the scenes with our card playing dragons. Hope you enjoyed the read, I am working on a second part (but don't expect it anytime soon).