Hopelessly Violet

Part 10- The Big Day

Joey's alarm startled him straight out of bed; he must have turned up the volume without knowing. It was his day off, but he set an alarm so he could be up bright and early to begin moving his belongings into Seto's place. He didn't have a lot, just some clothes, a couple posters and, of course, his Duel Monsters cards. As he tossed the wadded ball of clothes into his suitcase, his heart pounded. Months ago, he was doing nothing but working and sleeping, occasionally taking walks with his little sister. It was still hard to believe all of this was happening in such a short amount of time, it felt like only yesterday he was contemplating his life choices.

Yugi knocked on the door and Joey invited him in, "Packing for the big day, I see. You must be so excited!" Yugi exclaimed with a smile. Joey pounded and jumped repeatedly onto the suitcase, ignoring what Yugi had just said, "Ah! I can't seem'ta get this darn thing shut!"

"Here, let me help."

Yugi took the ball of clothes out of the suitcase and began to fold them semi-nicely, then set them gently back into the suitcase. Before they knew it, there was plenty of room for it to shut with ease, "Ay, thanks, Yug! I thought the suitcase was too small or somethin'."

Accross town, Seto stood in his room, trying to envision Joey sleeping under his blue satin sheets. In his head, he saw Joey spread out upon the bed with the sheets practically falling off, and pizza boxes on the floor. Seto's eyes widend and he clenched his hands into tight fists, "Why am I letting that dweeb live with me?! He's going to make a zoo out of this place." He then started to envision Joey's feet on the table with potato chip crumbs spralled about his face and shirt. Like Joey, Seto's heart raced, but it was for an entirely different reason. He slammed his fist against the wall then leaned into it, trying to plan his next move, "I have to tell Joey I changed my mind." Sweat dripped down his temple, "I know it'll hurt him, but my sanity is on the line. I can't run an entire corporation while I have this bafoon living under the same roof; he'd drive me absolutely nuts." But suddenly, Seto thought about the day Joey took so much interest in his newest Duelist Academy project; he began to remember how good it felt to have someone other than Mokuba sitting with him, lending their undivided attention. Seto lowered his fist and his tense muscle began to relax a little bit, "Maybe it won't be so bad. I just have to lay some grown rules down and kick him out the moment he doesn't follow them."

An automated woman's voice notified Seto via earpiece that someone was at the front entrance. This time, as the massive front doors opened, Seto was standing there in front of Joey with arms crossed, not even a hint of a smile upon his face. "Ay Kaiba! Don't look so sad to see me. And don't worry, I only got one suitcase and a backpack, so I won't take up much room." Joey walked into Kaiba Corp. excited and as goofy as ever, and Seto followed him without saying a word, even the entire time being in the elevator. Joey didn't know if something was wrong or if he was just being his usual self. The metal elevator doors opened and Seto stepped out, Joey followed him close behind saying nothing until they entered into the bedroom. Seto opened 3 drawers, "These are your three drawers, Wheeler. You are to nicely fold your clothes and set them in here at all times. Is this understood?" Joey's heart sank, "Gee Kaiba, you don't miss a beat, do ya?" Seto walked closer to Joey and looked sternly down at him, "Is this understood? I'm not going to allow a mess in my bedroom."

"This ain't just your bedroom anymore, Kaiba! Ya can't just bark orders at me like I'm just some roommate of yours. If ya want this to work, ya gotta let me have my freedom."