Thrown to the Wolves 5
"Thanks." Kaiba said, with as near as he usually got to a smile. Katsuya reigned in the urge to glare at him, and followed the CEO to the car, getting in the passenger side and strapping himself in. He said nothing as Kaiba got in the car, wondering why the brunette was even bothering with all this. Surely with his money and looks he could get anyone he wanted, it was a mystery as to why he was keeping this game of his up. Katsuya really didn't get the joke, and he was feeling edgy enough that if Kaiba said so much as one word to him he didn't like, he was going to jump right out of that car. That or throw a punch at the guy, which would get him nowhere but the hospital. It would probably be worth it just to see the look on his face though.
Kaiba started the car up and drove smoothly away from Katsuya's house, heading into the centre of town.
"Where would you like to go?" He asked, and Katsuya looked at him out of the corner of his eye, suspicious. Kaiba was being... nice. Apologetic, even. It was a strange feeling to be treated like an equal by the executive for once, instead of just a date, or a rival, or some insignificant dog not worth his attention. Katsuya had to admit, it wasn't unpleasant, but that didn't mean he was just going to up and forgive Kaiba for being such a jerk.
So where to take him? Katsuya didn't exactly want to go walking into some five star restaurant wearing scruffy clothes as he was. Not that he would have wanted to go anywhere that flashy anyway, it just seemed more Kaiba's scene than Burger World. In the end, after much mental debating, he directed Kaiba to a caf� on the far side of town that he'd only been to a few times. It sold pancakes, though, and it was way past lunch time. Skipping meals was not something Katsuya did if he could help it, so when Kaiba had offered to take him out, his stomach had made up his mind for him. Pancakes drenched in maple syrup. Mmm...
* * *
They finally reached the little caf� after finding a parking space, and Katsuya noticed with a slight blush that Kaiba even held the door open for him. He really wasn't used to being treated like that.
They picked a table by the window in the almost empty caf�, and sat down in silence, Katsuya refusing to look up even though he could feel Kaiba's icy blue eyes burning into him.
"What would you like?" Kaiba finally asked, passing Katsuya the menu. The blonde took the little leather bound book and flipped through it, not really paying attention because he already knew what he wanted. He just needed an excuse to put something between him and those eyes of Kaiba's. If he kept looking at him like that, Katsuya knew he was going to crack and forgive the bastard. There was no way he was giving in that easily. He was stronger than that. Staring at the word 'syrup' intently without ever really reading it, Katsuya forced himself to remember the party and the things Otogi had said to him, plus the way Kaiba had just stood there and refused to defend him. He hadn't said a word. That proved he didn't care, didn't it? And this was all some stupid joke. His rich friends were probably watching somewhere...
Katsuya looked up from the menu and scanned the caf�, frowning. Kaiba just stared at him, wondering what he was thinking and if Katsuya was going to forgive him after he'd had the chance to tell his side of the story. He wondered if Katsuya would even believe him. Well, he had to try. Watching Katsuya walk out of the door, looking so hurt after the party had been like being stabbed in the heart. Seeing him walking away, after finally getting up the nerve to ask him out...
The waitress finally noticed them and Kaiba ordered a coffee, while Katsuya ordered a plate of pancakes with extra syrup and a chocolate milkshake. The blonde watched as their orders arrived, and thought to himself that Kaiba should eat more. The guy was far too thin. Then again, it was really none of his business if Kaiba wanted to starve himself. It was nothing to do with him. He noticed that Kaiba was staring at him and tried to ignore it again, telling himself firmly that he wasn't enjoying having that intense blue gaze on him. He was not going to give in. No way.
* * *
Seto watched Katsuya eating his pancakes and couldn't help but admire how cute the blonde looked. Not to mention sexy, licking that syrup off his fingers like that... But now was not the time to be thinking things like that. Right now he should be concentrating on getting Katsuya to forgive him. He just couldn't think of anything to say, for once in his life. Usually so eloquent, words seemed to choose the most inopportune moment to fail him.
"So why are we here?" Katsuya asked finally, still munching on his pancakes and not even looking up to meet Seto's gaze. Taking a sip of coffee to calm his nerves, which had barely ever made themselves known before, Seto turned to look out of the window beside them at the cars driving past and the afternoon sun turning everything golden.
"I wanted to explain what happened at the party." He said quietly.
"Don't see why you should have to explain yourself to me," Katsuya waved his fork a little, "It ain't like it matters, it's over now anyway."
"It's not over." Seto frowned, turning back to Katsuya only to find the golden-eyed boy glaring at him.
"That ain't your choice to make." Katsuya growled, putting down his fork as he finished his pancakes. Damn Kaiba, always had to be in control of everything, didn't he?
Seto sighed, deciding to just come out and tell Katsuya the truth.
"Do you want to know why I hesitated when Otogi insulted you at the party?" Seto asked, then continued anyway, looking right into Katsuya's eyes, hoping that the other boy would see he was telling the truth. "I was wondering if I could get away with punching him in the middle of a room full of reporters."
Katsuya looked surprised for a moment but quickly covered it, laughing.
"You really expect me to believe that?"
"Yes." Seto said, his eyes almost begging Katsuya not to reject him.
Katsuya frowned a little, unsure. Kaiba looked so honest, like he really was telling the truth. But what if he was lying? He'd had years of practice being a jerk, after all, was it really worth the risk to give him one more chance?
TBC
Bet you all hate me now for leaving it here, huh? Mwahah.