"Worthless mutt!"
Joey stopped dead in his tracks before turning to look at the owner of the cruel words. Sapphire eyes glared at him as a smirk made its way across the taller teens face. The blonde hung his head and turned away eyes focused on the ground.
"Whatever Kaiba." He replied his voice weary.
"What, no pathetic comeback? Did you finally realize that I was right all along?" Kaiba asked his voice holding the superiority it usually did. Joey looked up once more his ruby eyes locking with sapphire he opened his mouth but thought better of it and quickly closed it.
"Yeah Kaiba, that's the reason." He replied dejectedly, turning around he left the room without another word. Kaiba watched Joey leave and frowned after him, to be honest he was expecting a reaction from the blonde. He was expecting him to get angry, attempt a swing at him, not take the insult and walk away. That was… that was so unlike Joey. Kaiba picked up his school bag and walked down the row of empty seats, pausing when he reached Joey's desk he looked down at his deck of cards. His trademark frown deepened, Joey would never leave his deck lying around it was his most prized possession. Kaiba picked up the deck and raised an eyebrow, he could always keep the deck for a while and watch Joey go frantic looking for it, he rolled his eyes at his own thought. He might not be the nicest of men, but he wasn't evil enough to do that to Joey. He would bring it to the Mutt and rub it in that he forgot something so important. A smirk appeared once again on his lips; yes he would get the rise he so desperately wanted.
(-)
Kaiba raised an eyebrow looking out the tinted window of the limo; it was dark out since he had to track down Joey's correct address since the school would not give it out to him. Joey's neighborhood was worse than he would have thought. The house he was parked in front of was a dull yellow in color the paint peeling right off the surface; the unmanicured lawn was also yellow and dead with broken glass littering its surface. Kaiba curled his lip and stepped out of the limo, he snorted in distaste hoping poor wasn't contagious. He paused before his foot landed on the first step when he heard glass shatter against a wall inside the house accompanied by a drunken yelling.
"Ya no good fag!" Was punctuated by the sound of flesh hitting flesh, Kaiba jumped hoping that the man hadn't just done what he thought. "That boy you're al'ways talkin' 'bout is right! You are a worthless mutt!" Kaiba growled and went to ascend the stairs when the door opened before he could take a step.
"Get the hell outta of my house worthless flea bag!" Joey winced both at the words and with the physical pain his father had brought upon him. He shut the door forcefully behind him as he ran out into the night, taking the porch steps two at a time; Joey thought he was free until he crashed into something that made him lose his balance. He braced himself for the impact that never came, instead two hands reached out to steady him. Joey cried out in pain and pushed away from whoever had kept him from falling and landed on his butt making the effort useless.
Kaiba looked down to the fresh bruises and cuts that had made the younger boy push away, he almost growled out loud when he saw a black eye forming and blood steadily running from a cut on his eyebrow.
Joey looked up at Kaiba disbelief clouding his eyes as his mouth stood open unable to make an intelligent comment, or any comment for that matter. Kaiba looked down at him something akin to concern, or was it pity? Joey tried to rise but stopped with a hiss of pain and clutched his arm.
Kaiba sighed realizing what he was about to offer might change to course of their hate-hate relationship, for better or worse he couldn't tell just yet. Clenching his jaw tightly he swallowed all the bitter words that he could have thrown at the boy and extended his arm offering Joey his hand.
Joey blinked a few times in surprise eyeing Kaiba's hand warily, a few seconds later he put his less injured hand into the offered appendage and was helped to his feet. He shrank back from the calculating gaze that was roaming over him from head to toe, but was unable to go far since Kaiba still held his hand tightly.
"Mu-" Kaiba stopped for a moment and thought about what he was going to offer. "Joey." He corrected earning a look of pure disbelief. "Where will you go?" Joey cocked his head confusion evident in his rusty eyes, Kaiba sighed and tried again. "Joey do you have a place to stay and get cleaned up?" The boy in question frowned and tried to pull away again, but Kaiba held him fast.
"They don't know do they?" Kaiba shook his head disgustedly. "Your 'friends' don't know about this?" Joey shook his head looking almost fearful. Kaiba didn't blame him; if his position was switched he might feel the same –though he would not show it- "What happens when you go to school with bruises?" Kaiba frowned again, come to think or it he did notice that Joey did have some unexplained injuries during the times he had payed attention to him.
"N-no, they believe me when I say I tripped." Joey took on an air of defiance and drew himself up. "And that's what happened; I tripped on a bottle when dad was yellin'!" Kaiba sighed and rolled his eyes, in a gesture very unlike him.
"Don't lie to me!" Kaiba demanded with a chilling glare.
"I-I did, I…" Joey sighed and deflated. "It happens sometimes okay? Now let me go!"
"Where will you go?" Kaiba asked once again.
"I… don't know, the streets probably, it's not that cold out tonight. Better than some I've spent…" Joey trailed off at the disproving glare that was thrown his way. Kaiba clenched his jaw and took a deep breath.
"Come with me." There he said it, it wasn't that hard -or at least that what he told himself- Joey looked at Kaiba in astonishment and tried to pull away.
"Damnit stop that! I'm offering you a bed, food and a place to stay as long as you need it! What's wrong?" Joey stopped trying to free himself and looked calmly at Kaiba.
"You're wrong!" Joey said forcefully. "You hate me! Why the hell are ya' offerin' me a place to stay?" Kaiba closed his eyes for a second before looking Joey straight in the eye.
"Because I can! Because… just get in the god damned car Wheeler!" Kaiba said louder than intended as his patients started to slip and he started to walk to the waiting limo, Joey dug in his heels and refused to move.
"Kaiba-"
"You have five seconds to follow and don't think I have a problem with kidnapping!" Joey sighed and reluctantly followed, Kaiba made him get in the limo first so he didn't try and get away again. Only until the limo started moving and Kaiba had locked the doors did he let go of the blonde who backed as far away as he could manage.
"Joey…" Kaiba decided to keep using his first name as it seemed not to make him as angry as the canine comments. "Why does he hit you? Why did he throw you out?" Kaiba didn't mean to ask those questions, but they came out anyways making the younger teen flinch back again.
"You don't wanna know, you won't like the reasons." Kaiba had the sudden urge to hug him, the way the word came out of his mouth were hopeless like he had lost all he held dear.
"I don't think it's up to you to judge what I will accept and what I won't." Kaiba said seriously. "I can be pretty accepting sometimes." At a disbelieving snort from Joey, Kaiba almost smiled. "I bet you never thought you would end up staying at my house, yet here we are."
"You're going to throw me out when you know!" Joey said sadly. Kaiba sighed and took a deep breath.
"I promise I won't throw you out." Joey shook his head and looked out the window. Kaiba thought he was going to ignore the question before he started talking softly.
"I don't know why he hits me he just does, sometimes for just sayin' that I have homework I gotta do." Joey quietly admitted, he bit his lip and continued on. "He kicked me out… because… because he found out I was… I was… gay." Joey winced waiting for Kaiba to tell the driver to stop and throw him out, he thought how stupid of him it was to say that especially to Kaiba of all people and most importantly, why? Why did he tell Kaiba, why didn't he just make something up? He was a good liar, not even his best friend knew that he was beaten by his father on a regular basis. His best friends didn't even know his sexual orientation.
Joey cautiously looked up at Kaiba when he wasn't thrown out of the limo. Kaiba was watching him thoughtfully, he didn't look disgusted, and he didn't look mad Joey let out a small sigh of relief.
"We won't be home for another half an hour, get some rest if you want." Joey blinked twice, that wasn't what he had been expecting Kaiba to say. Not by a long shot. Truth be told he was still expecting something like 'Don't say another word mutt' or something about 'fags'. He was tempted to say something but shut his mouth and ordered himself to stop thinking. Closing his eyes he followed Kaiba's suggestion and attempted to get some sleep, it was easier than he thought to just block everything out and fall into a light slumber.
Kaiba watched the blonde take his advice and shut his eyes, his breathing evened out and Kaiba started thinking again.
Joey, there was an enigma if he ever saw one, this morning he almost had gotten into a fight with Kaiba, later in the afternoon he walked away like he had been whipped. And the fact the Joey was gay shocked him; he thought for sure that he had a crush on that blonde drag queen with the skanky clothes. But what really had gotten to him was the fact that Joey's own father was beating him. If he looked at it, it was blatantly obvious what had been happening. Joey showing up late to school, with an excuse about falling, running into doors, tripping on something, or something along those lines. Kaiba never believed his lies; he just thought the blonde was lying about getting into fights with a rival gang or something. He never imagined it was something like this.
The limo went around a corner and Joey lost his balance falling over the seat and onto Kaiba's lap. Kaiba waited for Joey to wake himself up get angry and punch him, but he just slept on.
Kaiba looked out the window losing himself once again in thoughts and somehow came back to the fact that Joey was gay. It wasn't that he minded, that would have been hypocritical, no it was something else entirely, something that he couldn't put his finger on. He dismissed it and looked down to the sleeping teen whose head was propped up on his legs; Kaiba frowned noticing again the blood on his face, it was dry and not bleeding any longer. He reached a hand out and lightly touched the area around the cut, Joey's forehead creased but he stayed still, moving his hand again his fingers brushed through his hair. He stopped for a seconds when Joey made a small sound in the back of his throat.
Kaiba smirked and gently threaded his hands through Joey's hair again lightly massaging his scalp with his finger tips. Joey sighed and absently leaned closer to the lightly caressing hand. Kaiba looked up and pulled his hand away when he saw the gates to his mansion open up, the limo stopped in front of the house and Kaiba shook Joey's shoulder. Joey moaned and sat up stiffly and looked around for a moment before seeing Kaiba, a small blush over took his face as he attempted a nervous smile. Kaiba blinked once and opened the door steeping out he motioned Joey to follow him, he ascended the stairs Joey behind him, he bit back a dog comment and opened the door letting Joey in before he shut it and armed an alarm.
Joey watched Kaiba give a waiting footman an order, the man left to do his bidding and Kaiba started walking again, Joey followed frowning slightly knowing that Kaiba was just itching to make a dog comment, he blinked and then grinned to himself. He might have wanted to, but he hadn't… yet.
"Sit!"
"Huh?" Joey looked up at Kaiba who was pointing to the couch he was standing in front of. Joey walked forward and sat down obediently trying to hide the grimace of pain that wanted to escape when he pulled his arm. The footman returned with a medium sized white box and a small bowl of water, he set the items on the table, bowed to Kaiba and left again. Kaiba dipped a fresh piece of gauze into the warm water and touched it lightly to Joey's arm; he hissed and pulled back unwillingly. "I can do that!"
"I'm sure you can, but I didn't say I was going to allow you to do it did I?" Kaiba almost looked amused as he watched Joey frown and hold his arm out again reluctantly, he knelt down next to the couch and continued with his ministrations. Joey found himself watching in fascination, he never knew Kaiba could be so gentle especially when he was dealing with him, but there was a first time for everything.
"Kaiba." Joey started hesitantly.
"What?" He asked without looking up or pausing what he had been doing.
"It's… never mind." Kaiba paused for a moment, but covered it up by reaching for some dry gauze and began wrapping Joey's injured arm.
"Mu-… Joey, why didn't you start a fight with me this afternoon?" Kaiba asked as he started wiping the blood gently form Joey's face looking anywhere but at the deep rust colored eyes.
"Oh… that." Joey said looking down at his hands folded neatly in his lap.
"Yes, that… why?"
"It's because…" Kaiba put down the bloodied gauze and picked up a clean dry one.
"Because?" He urged.
"It's because… you never called me worthless before. Hearing it from you made me think that my father was correct when he called me worthless." Joey admitted, Kaiba paused looking at Joey seriously for a moment before picking up a butterfly bandage and unwrapping it, without a word he put it over the cut effectively sealing it. Kaiba sat back and watched Joey for a minute before me made up his mind.
"Joey… I, I'm sorry." Joey looked up his eyes registering shock and something else he couldn't identify. "Do you know why I say things like that?"
"Because you hate me and think I'm useless!" Joey said without skipping a beat. Kaiba shook his head sadly.
"No, it's because I like to get a rise out of you. I like to see you flustered and angry… it's usually the only attention I get from you." Joey's brow creased taking in all the new information.
Kaiba watched Joey's expressive eyes as they continued to reflect confusion, Kaiba sighed did he really have to spell it out? He could always act on impulse, what did he have to lose?
Kaiba reached forward to gently grasp Joey's chin, ruby eyes turned up to meet sapphire eyes that surprisingly held no ice. Joey had a second to register confusion before her felt Kaiba's lips press lightly against his own.
'Oh god,' Joey thought. 'Oh god oh god oh… wow his lips are soft.' Reaching up Joey grasped Kaiba's shoulder and pushed him gently away; hanging his head he let his hair fall into his face hiding his eyes. Kaiba moved away from Joey but kept his position in front of him, his face reflected disappointment and hurt.
"I'm sorry Kaiba," Joey said softly twining his fingers together; his voice was low and pained.
"Joey." He held up his hand stopping whatever Kaiba was going to say.
"Its not you Kaiba," Joey said softly his fingers ceasing their dance and gripping his own knees. "I have to admit I have wanted that for a while now, but it… it won't work between us. I'm a street rat with no home, you own a company that makes billions a day. I… I don't have anything anymore." Joey trailed off and looked up with a glare when Kaiba laughed.
"Joey, is that all you're worried about?" Kaiba asked, Joey nodded once looking more like a lost puppy than the fierce man he tried to be. He let amusement show on his face and shook his head taking Joey's hand. "Listen pup," Joey glared and started to pull away, but was stopped. "Do you really think I want you for your money? You just said I made billions a day, why would I care of you're rich or not? And I already told you, you were free to stay here as long as you needed." Joey frowned at the hand that was keeping him from moving away and then frowned at Kaiba.
"Yeah, but what happens when you get tired of me? Are you just going to throw me out like my father?" Joey instantly regretted his words when he saw a look of hurt flash across Kaiba's face to stop in his eyes.
"Is… is that what you think I would do?" Kaiba asked his usually cold voice soft. "Do you really think I would use you and throw you away when I got bored?" Joey avoided Kaiba's eyes, but answered him anyways.
"No, but I never thought my father would throw me out either. I… I just don't want to be hurt again." Kaiba smiled gently and took Joey's chin in his free hand.
"I don't want to hurt you." Joey shut his eyes and bit his lip.
"You're making this harder than it has to be!"
"Come on pup, look me in the eye and tell me that you don't love me!" Kaiba said calmly. Joey opened his eyes quickly an unreadable emotion in them.
"I don't l-" Joey paused unable to say the last word. "I don't…" Joey sighed and hung his head, but was stopped by Kaiba's hand on his chin bringing him to eye level again.
"So you do?" Kaiba smiled. "Now that we have that settled is there any other reason you have? Afraid your friends will find out their little puppy likes big bad Kaiba?" Joey sighed trying to ignore Kaiba. "You think you'll lose the respect that you've earned, you don't want-" Kaiba's eyes widened in surprise when Joey leaned down and pressed his lips against his. Joey pulled away again leaving Kaiba blinking trying to figure out just what had changed.
"Yes Kaiba, I'm in love with you happy? I have fallen deeply in love with your sapphire eyes, the way you walk, the way you talk and the way you say my name even though it's an insult." Joey stopped talking realizing that he had done exactly what Kaiba had originally planned. He paled, this was all a prank, Kaiba was going to tell the whole school what had happened and he would never hear the end of it.
"I love you to mutt." Joey stopped dead in his thoughts and cocked his head.
"What?" Kaiba rolled his eyes and pulled Joey into a deep kiss; he stood up not breaking the kiss and knelt on the couch above Joey straddling his lap. Joey hesitated for a second before he wrapped his arms around Kaiba's neck accepting everything that had just happened.
Joey felt Kaiba's tongue ghost over his bottom lip and opened his mouth letting him in, Joey enjoyed that taste of Kaiba on his tongue before their tongues started a battle a battle that Joey surprisingly won. Kaiba broke the kiss breathing heavily looking down at Joey with lust filled eyes.
"W-where did you learn to kiss?" He panted, Joey grinned a small blush staining his cheeks.
"Duke taught me." He admitted slowly.
"Devlin, I though you hated him." Kaiba said frowning in confusion, Joey grinned sheepishly.
"Yeah, we kinda got drunk… one thing led to another… that led to Duke and I making out on the couch for a couple hours. Next thing I know I'm gay and Duke doesn't remember it the next morning." Kaiba shook his head, lightly planted another kiss on Joey's lips and crawled off his lap.
"It's late… I'll take you to your room."
"Wait!" Joey said frantically. Kaiba paused and turned around looking curiously at Joey.
"Yes?"
"You're not mad about the Duke thing are you?" He asked looking ashamed. "'Cause that was a long time ago and-" Kaiba held up an impatient hand and walked over to Joey.
"Are you going to do it again?" Kaiba asked.
"Hell no!" Joey said looking like he had swallowed lemon juice.
"Then no, besides I get to reap the benefits of that talented tongue." Kaiba smirked when Joey blushed and looked away. Kaiba took Joey's hand and led him out of the room and up a stair case, stopping outside a door he pushed it open and gestured inside. Joey walked it the room wide eyed.
The room itself was probably bigger than his whole house. The dresser, bed and floors were made of mahogany wood. The drapes, comforter and sheets were black silk; Joey could see a door that led into a bathroom that was furnished in much the same way as the bedroom. Turning back to Kaiba Joey smiled nervously.
"This is for me?"
"Yes, my room is across the hall if you need anything. Get some sleep we still have school in the morning." Kaiba turned away and went to close the door when Joey stopped him again.
"Kaiba…"
"Yes?" Joey crossed the few feet that had separated them and wrapped Kaiba in a hug, he was needless to say surprised when Kaiba returned the gesture.
"Thank you Kaiba." Joey said quietly pulling away. Kaiba smiled and Joey grinned. "You should do that more often."
"What?" Kaiba asked a bit confused.
"Smile… no wait, you shouldn't smile more. I want to keep you; if you start smiling now then people would try and take you away from me!" Joey nodded at his own logic. "Yes, only smile more for me!"
"Alright, now go to sleep. Good night puppy." Kaiba placed a lingering kiss on his lips, walked out the door and closed it behind him.
"Yes!" Joey said loudly throwing a fist in the air. Never in his wildest dreams would he have thought his love for Seto Kaiba would have been revealed, accepted and returned. Joey paused, his triumphant grin turning into a frown remembering Kaiba's last words. "Kaiba I am NOT a dog!"
Kaiba smirked standing in the hall just outside of the door. He knew that Joey would catch the comment… eventually. He walked into his room and shut the door, he always imagined Joey in the room just across the hall from his own, he just never actually disillusioned himself that it would actually happen. Flipping open his phone he ordered something to be delivered in the morning. That done he slipped out of his clothes and lay down on his bed. Closing his eyes he smiled.
"See you in the morning pup."