Honda walked up to Jou's door. He considered knocking, but thought better of it and tried the doorknob first. To his surprise, it turned easily. He walked in and quietly shut the door behind himself before creeping towards Jou's room. He knocked on the door and waited to see if there would be a response.

Jou arose from his bed to the knock on his door. He truged to it, for his body still ached. Upon opening the door, he saw two of the things he wanted and needed most--honda and medicine. Jou smiled and let Honda back inside.

"Hey, you feeling any better yet?" Honda smiled as he walked in and handed Jou the medicine. "Sorry I took so long, the line was kinda long. Did you have a nice nap?"

"I... got some rest," Jou replied, opening the box and taking out the bottle. "I couldn't really sleep though, because I was so stuffed up..." he sniffled. He inspected the bottle a bit closer. It was the icky medicine... Oh, well. He grudgingly poured some of the contents in the small cap, held his nose and drank it.

Honda watched Jou's reaction. "...Did I get the wrong kind? That was the only one I saw."

"It's okay; as long as I'm better..." Jou said with a smile. "...I want to get better so I can go out with you..." he then said quietly.

Honda blinked, unsure how to react to that statement. "Um, right. I want you to get better too." He glanced around, then looked back to Jou. "So, did you want me to leave so you could rest? Or did you have more to talk to me about?"

Jou blushed very brightly "Um, well... y-you said we could go to the mall together sometime. Er... that's what I meant. Heh." He grinned nervously. Meekly, Jou looked up at Honda. "Um... you don't have any other plans today...? I don't want to be greedy and take up all your time..."

"I was planning on wandering around the mall, but that can always wait a bit." Honda smiled broader. "So what else is there to talk about?"

"Um, Honda..." Jou began. "...since you're here... you're gonna catch my cold." He tucked his lips into his mouth. "But, if you do, I'll be sure to visit you." He looked away shyly. "...Where do you live now? You're always moving about these days..."

"Nah, I won't catch it. Thanks anyways." Honda sat down on the bed. "I'll give you the address later, after you're feeling better." He looked up at Jou and patted the bed next to him. "Maybe you should rest some more."

"Okay..." Jou staggered over to his bed and sat down, next to Honda.

"Do you want to lie down?" Honda asked as he scooted over slightly. "Sorry, I can't think of much to talk about."

Jou looked over at Honda for a few seconds, then climbed inside his covers. "Honda... I've been reading about this Shadow person. And... I'm kinda scared..." Jou said shakily. "But, um... all I have to do is stay inside when it gets late, right...?"

"Uh, right, I'm sure that'll work. He or she probably doesn't bother breaking into people's houses or anything." Honda looked around. "What subject was that test you were taking yesterday?" School, that was a safe topic, right?

"Geometry," Jou answered. "We were figuring out the areas of triangles and stuff. I studies very long and very, very hard, but I still found it a little difficult. You know, like that 'Y equals mx plus B' stuff?"

"Oh. What else have you studied at school?" Honda leaned forward a little, trying to encourage Jou to keep taking.

"Um... I'm taking English," Jou responded. "because... I'd like to go to America or England one day. Not just for business, or anything like that, but... because I just want to go to one of those places." Jou then blushed and turned his head embarrassedly. "And... I'd like to understand English pop lyrics and literature better..."

"English is really hard, it doesn't make much sense." Honda looked down at the bed. "Or at least it doesn't to me. I'd like to be able to understand song lyrics and books and stuff too. What else?"

"Well..." Jou began as he twiddled with his thumbs. "This isn't something that I take at school, but... I've always wanted to take it..." He looked up sheepishly at Honda. "...I like sewing. I've been getting pretty good at it. I'm even working on my Halloween costume."

Honda raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's your costume going to be?"

Jou bit his lower lip. "Um... it's a suprise. I... don't want to reveal it just yet... And, I don't think I'm done with it yet..."

A realization dawned on Jou. During this whole conversation, he hadn't coughed once. "Hey... I think the medicine is working..." He said.

"Oh, that's good, I'm glad." Honda replied with a smile. "Heh, I think so far everyone but Ryou and Bakura are keeping their costumes a secret, so you're in good company there. I'd offer to help you get done, but that'd kinda take away from the surprise of it, I guess."

"You know how to sew...?" Jou asked, with an affectionate grin.

"Er, no. Not all that well." Honda rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled nervously. "By help I meant getting you stuff, like fabric or thread or whatever, so you don't feel like you have to push yourself to finish up. Like I said, it'd take away the surprise of it if I help you."

"Oh, uh... That's okay, Honda. I already bought some." Timidly, Jou gazed at Honda's face. How he wanted to kiss those lips. But Jou couldn't, because of two major inhibitions: his overall shyness, and the fact that he was sick.

"Oh, okay," Honda replied dejectedly as he glanced away. "I guess you don't need any help after all. Maybe I should go now, and let you rest, or work on your costume, or whatever."

"Uh, wait...!" Jou sprang forward. "Y-you don't have to leave...!" He blushed and swallowed hard. "Um... Honda...? Y-you're the nicest guy I've ever known, and..." Jou was so nervous. He really, really wanted to tell that young man his feelings; they've been in his head for so long. Yet Jou wasn't all that ready to let Honda know about his undying puppy love for him.