Honda walked into the hospital once again, noticing with more than a little amusement that he had been spending far more time here than at the mall recent. With a curt nod to the receptionist at the front desk, he headed for the rooms that he already knew his friends were in. After a moment's consideration, he decided to visit Jou first, since the blonde apparently had something very important to tell him in person. Apprehensive about what it could be, he knocked on the door before pushing it open to peek in.

Jounouchi sat attentively, smiling to himself. He loved having friends that took the time to check on his well-being once in a while. His other self had entertained him recently, when he waited for his crush, Honda. When Jou heard the knock on his door, he approached it timidly, wondering if it indeed was that person whom he admired.

Upon seeing his friend, Honda smiled. "Hey, you're awake this time," he teased, entering the room. "You been very bored? Or have lots of people come to hang out with you?"

Jou smiled back, and even wider than he did before. It was a warm, natural smile that came directly from his heart--the type of smile that Honda wanted to see on his friend. "I had the other me come over and visit." Jou giggled. "I'm still glad you're here, and safely, too."

Honda leaned against the wall near the door and watched Jou. "Yeah, I'm really glad to be safe too." He shook his head slightly, still smiling. "People keep acting like they're expecting me to be going around baiting Shadow or something. I'm not that dumb, but thanks for being honestly concerned about me." Pushing away from the wall, he walked closer to Jou. "So, you and the other Jou have a nice chat?"

"Uh huh." Jou nodded enthusiastically. "We talked about school and Halloween and stuff." He then looked up at those lovely, sincere brown eyes. "I... really hope that you and Shadow don't meet. Because... I don't want anything bad to happen to you. But, it'd be nice if you helped find out who he is, and I think you're doing a really great job so far."

"Yeah," Honda murmured, glancing away nervously. He settled on the foot of the hospital bed before looking over at Jou again. "You do know I haven't done all that much, right? Just going through and looking at files that I'm sure the police have looked at hundreds of times already. I'm sure I won't find anything they haven't, so I don't really know why I'm bothering. To feel like I'm at least doing something I guess." He looked down at the ground and bit his lip. "Sorry, I know you didn't ask me to come here to ramble about Shadow. Thanks for the encouragement, time for a new topic."

"We all think you're doing just fine," Jou said reassuringly. He inched closer to Honda shyly. It was time to confess, he guessed. But he wondered if it was still the right time... "Heh, um... I guess I'd have to talk about what you came here for..." The blonde looked away nervously and rubbed the back of his head.

Honda was slightly confused at the use of 'we', but he choose to ignore it. It wasn't like people were talking about him while he wasn't around or anything like that, he was certain. "Yeah, I guess, eventually," he replied with a shrug. "If you wanna take some time leading up to it, I don't really mind. You said it was kinda personal, so I'll understand if you don't feel comfortable just blurting whatever it is out." He glanced around the room, trying not to be too obvious in his nervousness.

"Okay, um..." Jou panted. "...I don't think you'd like what I'd have to hear... or would you...?" He took a deep breath, trying to ignore his burning cheeks. 'I can do this, I can do this...' Jou repeated in his head. "Honda... you're... my best friend, and um... I really like hanging out with you. You make me feel safe, and secure, and... beautiful." Jou swallowed hard and glanced at Honda. "...Y-you... let me be myself, when no one else will. I... want to make you happy... I want to make you feel the same warmth and security that you give me..." The blush on Jou's cheeks spread to his whole face. "Over time, I... you... said you were just trying to be a good friend, but... you did lots more than that... and that's why..." He closed his eyes, ready to release the tension that was in his heart for almost a month.

Honda stilled, but continued looking away, thus missing Jou's blush. He listened to Jou and tried to think through what the blonde was saying. Clearly, he was still nervous, so this was probably not all of what he wanted to say. Honda stared at his hands, trying in vain to put his thoughts into words. "...I..." he swallowed and tried again, since Jou obviously wanted a reaction. "I...don't really know..." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "I just..." He gave up and buried his face in his hands, frustrated that he couldn't express any of it.

"N-no... Honda...!" Jou reached out to his companion. "It... It's okay..." He knelt up and approached Honda closer. Jou's pulse quickened, but he continued to let his feelings guide him. "I don't think badly of you at all, and I don't think very many people do. You're gentle, you're strong, you're honest... You're a friend who does more, and because of that..." Jou threw his arms around Honda passionately. "I like you as... more! Much, much more...!"

The sudden embrace completely stopped Honda's thoughts cold, and any response he was planning to make disappeared. None of this was making any sense to him, no matter how much he tried to understand. "More?" he shook his head, uncomprehending. "What...what are you saying?"

Forgiving Honda's obliviousness, Jou looked down coyly and said, "I have a crush on you, Honda-kun..." He blushed deeply. "I... I knew you wouldn't like hearing it, and... you probably won't feel the same way..."

Honda's eyes snapped open at that statement. "I...you...you have a--a crush on...on me?" He swallowed and found he couldn't meet Jou's gaze. "I...I don't know...I don't know how I feel." He closed his eyes again. "I'm sorry," he replied softly. "You deserve better...a lot better than an idiot like me..." Pulling away, he raced out the door before he could say anything to risk making it worse. "I'm sorry."

"B-but, Honda...!" Jou lunged towards the retreating figure, but immediately stopped himself. He knelt on his bed, perfectly still, as if in a trance. Moments later, he fell on his bed and burst into sobs.