Summary: His life at an all time low, Joey turns to attempting to sell himself on the street just to feel loved. A certain CEO doesn't exactly approve of this idea and may have to admit something to stop him. Seto/Joey shounen-ai.

Word Count: 8,597

Rated M due to sexual references and mild language.

Disclaimer: Rights to all characters/ places used are not mine to have.

Untouchable

Part One

My favorite saying would be that the world sucks. It's true!

… Okay, maybe not the world, but my life sure does. I know a lot of people probably complain about their life being bad, but I bet that theirs are nothing compared to mine. My mom and sister aren't around a lot; my dad is constantly drunk, up to his neck in debt and loves to beat the shit out of me just to feel better; my job at the mall has to be kept secret since we aren't supposed to have after-school jobs; my grades aren't that good; I picked up smoking a few months ago to try and take some of the stress away- it kind of works…; I have no girlfriend, and that's because I secretly like guys, so I don't have a love life to speak of. I've never been kissed, touched, or anything like that, and it's getting frustrating as I get older. (Not counting when my loving father tried to do some stuff the other day- I knocked him out before he got anywhere and didn't go back for two days.)

As I sit here, staring blankly at my teacher, her lecture going in one ear and out the other, I can't help but just think of everything that's wrong with my life. About how it sucks, how my dreams probably will never happen, and about the one I may have a tiny crush on…

Yeah, I like someone. Even though in his eyes, all I'll ever be is scum on the earth, I still somehow like him. Even though he's straight as a board and will never look at me like that… I still like him.

It may be a surprise to everyone that knows me, but I do haves dreams- things I'd like to do in life. But my ultimate dream would have to be… I guess just to feel loved. To find someone who truly loves me and will save me from this hell. Who'll be gentle and loving when I'm down, and will make me stop smoking before it does any serious harm. Who'll be there when I want him to be and just make my life better- like take me away from my dad! I want him ridiculously tall, super skinny, brunette, icy cold eyes that look down upon everyone, and a horrible, annoying attitude that- … Wait. …Crap.

I always want it to be him. He'll never see me like that; it's like no matter how many times I tell myself that, he still always comes to mind. I'll always be scum to him… I need to get it into his head that I don't want to be scum, and that I can't help it… Heh, I know what it'll take- three million years to thaw out his heart, since it's so buried over with unbreakable ice…

… You have just witnessed one of my rants… Sorry about that.

I wonder how I can get someone to fall in love with me. Well- I can't make anyone, but I how can I get someone's attention so that they can?

Oh no… Keep eyes on the teacher, eyes on the teacher… Damn urges, never go away… I won't give in. Don't let the eyes stray… I hate when these urges come over me. They're so hard to fight. Why look at something so longingly when I know I can't have him? Never call him mine…

Shit… I gave in. He's sitting there, reading his book, like me with ignoring the teacher…

Uh-oh, I've been-!

"What're you looking at, Wheeler?" he spits under his breath.

-spotted.

"I dunno, help me figure it out." Wow, lame comeback.

At least he seems satisfied with it and goes back to reading. Knowing him, it's probably about some smart thing like quantum physics or something. Damn genius.

…What does it feel like, being loved and knowing you are…? I'll bet it feels really good… I want it so badly, to know what it feels like. I want to know the bliss of kissing, and a warm embrace, and to have someone always there… But no one wants me like that…

I go into the restroom before the last bell of the day rings, looking at myself in the mirror as I wash my hands. … I'm not bad looking, at least I don't think I am. I can pass as cute or something like that. The hair's a little wild, but that's tamable. And I'm tall and thin, just like Kaiba is…

I wonder… how those hookers feel on the streets, all used like they are. Spend their days going to love hotels with random people… But do they feel loved…?

Heh… Guys from all around, fighting to be in bed with the great Joey Wheeler. Ha! Yeah, whatever. But… I'll never know unless I try… Do I really want to do that, though? Hmm… I'll get paid, maybe even more than I get at the mall… Am I really cut out to do that stuff? What am I saying- I can do anything I set my mind to!

But… I'll be the scum of the earth, making Kaiba's catcalls reality… What will he think of me then…?

Oh well… I can't change what he thinks. I'll be loved… if only for an hour or two at a time.

ixi

Um… I kinda look ridiculous… Is this really what prostitutes wear? Can this even be called clothes…?! Ah well… I feel weird wearing it, but I guess it looks all right…

I'd been saving up money from my job for a while, and broke into my savings to go shopping. I got a red collar, small enough to go around my neck- I got the idea from Yugi; a black tank-top that only goes to the bottom of my ribcage, and a red, long sleeved fishnet shirt to go over it; the jean shorts I got feel the weirdest to me because they only go down to the middle of my thighs. They're tight, too, but not too much. …Maybe I'll go commando wearing them… And even I got make-up. I felt like such a queer getting it… It's only some black eyeliner and concealer to hide some scars and what not.

I'm looking at a mirror in my room, looking at what I've done to myself. Yeah… Maybe this is sexy to people looking for some fun. I wonder if Kaiba would look at me…

Last night, I had gone up to some hookers and asked them how I could get into the business. They said to just meet them there tonight at the same spot where I'd found them, and they'd even help me out to get started. So it's getting dark, and I'm all dressed for it… I take a deep breath.

I'm ready.

ixi

"Hey there, Joey!" called the named Tsuki as I walked up. She's the one I got talking to last night. She's really pretty- long, dyed blonde hair, silver eye shadow, dark green eyes, and wearing a light blue tank top that clings entirely to her body and a white mini mini skirt. (Two minis for a reason.) She's also got on some black, high-heeled boots that go all the way up to her knees. I waved over at her.

Her friend, Reyna, whistled. "Wow, you look totally different than before. It's good, though. I like it," she said with a sweet smile.

"Really?" I nervously laugh, knowing my cheeks are on fire. "I feel kinda silly…"

"I'll be surprised if you don't get picked up tonight," said Reyna. Her curly brown hair was held up in a ponytail with a purple scrunchie, and her eyes were a bright blue. A pink tube top showed off her rather large chest, a black mini skirt hung loosely off her hips like it was threatening to fall at any second, and her boots were identical to Tsuki's. I give her a 'yeah right' expression, and she laughs. "I'm serious!"

I look around. It was still faintly cloudy from the storm that had passed earlier in the day, the stars and full moon fighting to show themselves. As cars zoomed by, rain water splashed onto the sidewalk. It's faint, but I can still smell the scent that follows a good rain. It smells so good to me… It's kind of calming my nerves.

"So Joey," said Tsuki, getting my attention. "How much are you planning to go for?"

Uhh… Never thought about that part of it… I forgot. "I'm… not sure, actually! How much do you think?" I shyly ask.

"Twenty thousand yen, easy, and per hour," said Reyna, and Tsuki nodded in agreement.

"Um, okay…" I say, furiously blushing. That sounds like a lot for just starting out… I reach into my right back pocket and pull out my pack of cigarettes and blue lighter. "You guys don't mind, right?" I ask, thinking it'd be courteous to before I did.

Reyna took out her own pack. "I have the same habit."

Tsuki shrugged. "Doesn't bug me any. Go ahead."

I take one out and put it to my lips, hiding the flame from the wind as I lit it. I sucked on it to get it going, filling my body with nicotine. It instantly made me feel a lot better being dressed the way I am.

"So just how old are you, Joey?" asked Reyna.

"Sixteen," I answer truthfully.

Tsuki's jaw dropped. "Oh my God! You're so young! You shouldn't be doing this…!"

"You must have your reasons…" said Reyna.

"Yeah…" I look to the sky where I can see the unobscured moon. I take another puff off my cigarette. I'm starting to feel ready for anything now- I can do this… I flick ashes on the sidewalk.

I'm so wrapped up in thought, I only distantly hear Reyna say, "Ooooh…"

"Wow, a limo…" said Tsuki.

A limo…? That brought me back to earth. As it passes us, I automatically recognize it- I've seen it so many times waiting for one single person at school. Only one person can be in the back of that car.

Oh God… Please don't see me… Just keep going…

As soon as it passes, it pulls to a stop on the curb. A tinted window starts going down. Tsuki, Reyna, you idiots, don't go to that window! It's not-! … Crap. Too late. I take another long drag from my cig for courage before heading over myself.

"Hey there, handsome," Tsuki greeted. "Lookin' for some fun?"

I come up behind her to look for myself, and I instantly feel sick.

There sits the crush of my life and last person I want to see while dressed like this- Seto Kaiba.

"What're you doing here, Kaiba?" I ask as nastily as I can.

He points at me. "You." He gestured to the door on the other side of the car. "Get in."

I glare at him darkly. "Why should I?"

He countered it with an icy glare that sent chills down my spine. "Get. In."

I stared at him. What's he scheming…? I wish they'd stop staring at me… Ah, whatever. I'll see what he wants. Sucking on my cancer stick one last time, I throw it into the curb before heading to the other side of the car.

"See you, Joey," said Reyna, sounding disappointed as she waved.

I give them a small wave back. "Yeah, see you." I open the door and slide into the seat.

A limo with leather seats, a personal driver, and a millionaire CEO to my right that I really like… Thaz a lot of money riding around at midnight on a Thursday. … Wait…

"What're you doing out this late, anyway?" I ask, not taking my eyes away from the window.

"I should ask you the same thing."

Oh, ouch. "What did it look like I was doing…?" I say quietly.

"… I always call you third rate, and scum, and a dirty mutt, but I never imagined you'd go and try to make it all true."

The back of my mind whimpers, but I keep my attitude up. I finally look over at him. "Why should you, of all people, care?' I say, voicing my thought aloud. "You've never given a rat's ass before…" All I got was silence. Well, that's not like him, not having a good comeback… Figuring that he's done talking, I go back to staring out my window. I look just in time to watch the limo go straight past my street. "Hey. If you're taking me home, your driver just passed my street."

"I'm not taking you home. You'll just go back to that corner after I leave."

… Damn. He's good. Way too smart. Then just where the hell is he taking me?

"Cold?" he asks simply, very quietly.

I glimpse down, noticing that my hands are between my crossed legs trying to warm up, and goosebumps are all over my arms and legs. "Yeah… a little," I softly admit.

He reaches forward and turns a knob, and I instantly feel a soft heats breeze on my body. It feels so nice, and the warmth is comforting…

This is weird. Kaiba's being nice. … I guess I don't mind it, either. I shouldn't get too hopeful that it will last long, though…

His mansion never ceases to amaze me. It's so big. Like, two people shouldn't have such a huge place to live in. All those rooms… It's insane! … It'd be fun to play hide and seek.

"Why are you taking me here…?" I ask. Again, silence.

Oh no… Don't tell me… I swallow hard. He's not wanting to-?

The limo pulls around and stops in front of the door. I follow Kaiba's lead in getting out and going up the steps. The ride pulled away as Kaiba unlocked the door.

Wow… This place is huge… A fancy chandelier, tiled floor... Fancy place for Sir Fancy Pants. …Hey, that's a funny name-

"Follow me," Kaiba said, his deep, sexy voice pulling me from my thoughts. Quite needlessly, really- as if I wasn't going to, anyway.

My 'host' leads me upstairs and into a long hallway, heart racing like mad. I look around, attempting to look into so many rooms, they become a blur. I find that we're at a second set of stairs, and we climb up those as well. Just where the hell is he taking me?! We go down another hall, turn into another, and I watch him go toward a shut door. He opens it, then stands aside to let me in. Looking at him suspiciously, I head inside.

Gasp! It isn't fancy! Well, not as much as I thought. It's more like any normal room. The light's on as if it was turned on in advance, knowing we were coming to this exact room- Uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh uh-oh…. A bed, two bedside tables at either side, a dresser shoved against the right wall, and a small desk against the left. I went in and looked around as Kaiba stood watching me in the doorway. My sight landed on the window above the bed-the clouds were finally gone and I could see millions of the stars.

"This is where you'll be staying tonight."

I turned around to glare at him. "Staying?! Hell no. Why the hell do I gotta stay here? I gotta job to do, Kaiba, so you can't keep me here!"

In a mere three steps, he was right in front of me, staring down at me and straight into my eyes. "I'll tell you this, Joey- Don't ever let me see you on the streets again, or I'll personally see to it that you'll never do it again."

… What?

I look away from him. "Whatever."

Giving me one last look, he turned and left me, leaving the door wide open- for my escape.

… He called me 'Joey'… He's gotta be sick or something… Just what did that mean? And he really thinks I'm gonna stay here like a good boy… Yeah, right. As much as I'd love to stay in this house, I'd rather stay in his bed than in a separate bedroom. …Heh…

I flop down on the bed and stare up at the perfectly white ceiling. What did he mean by that, 'personally see to it that I'll never do it again'? He's gonna have to chain me to a-

… evil thought.

But why should he care, seriously? He's had no problem with ignoring me before… I look over at a digital clock on one of the tables- 12:51 am. How long have I been here? I better stay a little longer before I attempt my escape.

Sighing, my eyes close. I guess they do feel a little heavy… but that's only because I'm lying down. I'll be fine once I'm out of here and getting a little lovin'… I feel myself smirk. If Kaiba's trying to 'save' me or something, he needs to do it some other night. Tonight's my night, and I want it. I wanna sleep with some guy I don't even know his name, but to feel the rush, and the brief love…

My eyes open halfway, clouded in a daze as I slip off into a daydream.

It'd be all perfect and great. A man, at least twice my age, getting rid of my clothes, trailing kisses across my shoulders… But I'm getting annoyed because he won't lay his hands on me…

"Touch me, Seto…" I plead.

I instantly awake and sit up. I really need to stop having him pop into my daydreams… 1:27. Where's the time gone? Oh well, time to go. I get up and go to the door, look around to make sure the coast is clear, and head out.

Good thing I paid attention to how I got up here… I'd be so lost. I go down the first flight of stairs, turn and head to the other… Wow, this is easier than I thought it'd be. I think everyone's in bed by now. Poor, unsuspecting Seto… He'll either send someone up or go himself to wake me up for school in few hours, and he'll find an empty bed… Heh heh. Idiot. He isn't as smart as he thinks he is. The great hooker Joey Wheeler needs to go out and seduce someone.

Hm. I wonder where his bedroom is. I'd love to take a peek, watch him sleep a moment before I go. He's probably running his company, even in his dreams. Maybe he needs to lighten up a little.

The front door… I can see it. So close… One glance around- all clear… Lights are on down here, but that means nothing. Just be super stealthy. Tip toe over to my shoes, slip them on silently… This is almost too easy! Reach for the door knob-

"You thought you could escape, did you?"

Busted…

"Why do you want to keep me here…?" I ask, my eyes not moving from the door.

He gently grabs an arm and turns me around to guide me back to the stairs. Goddammit, I knew it was too easy… Should've known. He's not called a genius for nothing, I suppose… And he's hot to boot. My feet feel like bricks as I go back up, him right behind me. When I start going in the direction of where I had gone, he stops me by reaching for my wrist.

"Wait." I turn around to face him. "You're coming down here, this time." We continue down a different hall, his hand still latched on my wrist so I don't run.

I wonder… Since I tried to leave… maybe he's taking me to his room? To-… ulp. The daydream I just had not too long ago flashes in my mind, and I break into a cold sweat. I may want it, but not like this…

I peek into one of the rooms with an open door. I swear I see a Blue Eyes White Dragon in there… It's Seto's room! The sacred place where he sleeps! I mentally drool as we pass it- I'll be right next door…

We both go inside, and I notice the open door that connects the two together. This room is pretty much the same as the other one I'd been in, but the place where the window is is different.

I give an exasperated sigh. "Just why the hell can't I go…?" I plop my ass on the edge of the bed.

Kaiba shuts the door that leads to the hallway before leaning back on it, his arms crossed and his expression stern. "Why must you desire to be a whore? Or rather, why are you trying to be one? Because I highly doubt you want to do it…"

I stare at him. He wants to know, he's asking me… Sorry… I'm not opening up to you like that unless I got some insurance. Not today.

"Why should I tell you?"

He continues his stare- his eyes scan me over. "I don't think you're cut out to do such a job. Quit now before anything serious happens."

"Why should I- just because you told me to? Get real." Why does he look so sad…?

"Because your hands are too clean."

I look away from him. "You don't know me…" I sat softly.

"I see…" He got fully to his feet. His eyes are so much more sad than icy, you'd have to be stupid to not notice it. "You'll be sleeping in here. I'll be next door." He went over to the doorway to his own room. "This stays open, that stays closed. I'll hear you if you try anything, so I advise against it. …Good night." He disappears from my sight.

…My heart hurts…. It's aching… Come back… Come pry into my life, make me open up to you… Read my soul like an open book… Just come back…! The light in his room goes out, followed by covers on a bed being moved.

I bring out my pack of cigarettes, putting one on my lips and placing the flame of my lighter to its end. That's the wonder about cigs and nicotine- it can calm you in any situation! But… crap… No ashtray. This poses as a problem… No matter. I get up and go to the window, opening it to flick ashes onto the bushes below. The cool breeze that comes in feels wonderful against my sweaty face.

I get comfortable, leaning against the wall, my arm across the windowsill. This is so fucked up… All my plans have gone drastically wrong. Tsuki and Reyna would probably be worried right now, but they're out making their own money… Like I should be doing…

I take another drag as my thoughts continue. You're wrong, Seto. I am cut out to do this. I… I want to, since you'll never give me what I'll want. I'll fend for myself.

But… why is he trying to stop me?

I take one last puff before flicking the end out. Blowing the toxic smoke outside, I shut the window and let my legs carry me to the open doorway.

There he is, safe in the confines of his dreams. I've never seen him look so peaceful. I just wish I could go over and kiss him so he'll have sweet dreams. But I can't… I could stand here forever, leaning on this doorway and just watch him. My one little piece of heaven…

"I love you, Seto Kaiba… Forgive me."

END PART ONE.