Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh or any of the characters. If I do you would defiantly believe that Atemu would return to Yugi and Seto and Jou would be together. I also do not own the title of this story. It was based of the song Tears of a Clown sung by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

A little story before I get this started. This was supposed to be an oneshot story two months ago. Then I was supposed to be working on a longer story for this vacation I am on now. LOL well that went screaming out the door. Before I realized what I was doing, this story took life of its own and it was twenty-five pages long. A little too long for an oneshot huh? So I decided to make this a personal game with myself. I'm going to beat all my little records, longest running story, longest word on a chapter, longest word for a story.

The title of this story was meant for the oneshot but I noticed that even now when I'm much further in the story the title still matches.

Okay that's enough for the little story. Now for the serious. This story has a lot of elements in it. It's dark but hopeful, sad but romantic. At the beginning of each chapter I will put the warnings. One chapter may be hard for some people to read but I'll tell you which one that is at the beginning. So please, read the warnings at the start of each chapter. Now that I'm done ranting let's get this started.

Warnings: None in this one it's just a little depressing.

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Chapter One

Jou walked carefully down the snow covered street. He carried with him a CD player that was being held together by a long strip of medical tape. The same song played over and over again, not that the blond minded. It was his favorite song. He slipped and dropped the CD player, causing his CD to spring from the fragile case and land in the snow bank. Jou frowned and leaned down to pick everything up. The CD looked undamaged besides being wet, but his player was finally beyond repair. He sat down in the snow, attempting to piece together the puzzle he once called his CD player. Frustrated with not being able to fix it, Jou threw it against the nearby wall and pulled his legs up to his chest. He slowly chanted a familiar phrase in his head, "I will not cry."

Life had never been easy for the blond, but he was an excellent actor. No one has ever seen him frown. He hid behind his smile and clowned around during class even though all he wanted to do was curl in the corner and cry. Jou sighed and hit his head off the side of the building. He'd be finally graduating, having to spend an extra few months in school due to him missing many days. Thankfully he wasn't spending it in his old school. It'd be more embarrassing going with the students younger than him. Even though it was more expensive than just going to the public school, Jou was determined not to draw more attention to his failure, especially in front of his friends.

A cold chill drew Jou's attention. He rose and started back down the street to his job. He hated working at the restaurant as a waiter. People were extremely rude and needed to have things done their way. Occasionally he would meet respectable people. Those he cherished and made sure that everything was done perfectly for them. They always tipped nicely. Jou huddled closely in his thin jacket. His warmer jacket was torn and bloody from one of his father's attacks. Not able to get too many hours at his works, Jou was forced to endure the cold air without any warmth to protect him.

He finally made it to the restaurant in time for the evening rush. His boss was instantly on him. "Where have you been? You're late!" Jou glanced at the clock, noting that he was only two minutes late. He sighed, but didn't fight his boss. The man could fire him at any second. He grabbed his apron and walked over to the set of tables that was assigned to him. The entire night went by quickly with the greeters constantly double seating him. He didn't mind, it just meant more tip money for him. He was sure it was his boss's fault, but he'd never let on that it never bothered him. It meant that he might be able to afford a warmer jacket with his next check. The night moved on with the crowd slimming.

There was only one person left in his section, and that woman was leaving in a few seconds. Jou glanced up at the clock. It was five minutes before closing. The kitchen was starting to close. Most of the waitresses and waiters were already gone, leaving just him, the greeter, and the kitchen staff. He was always the unlucky one that had to stay to close. Again, he never cared. It meant more time out of the house, and he could use the "work excuse" on his father. Jou rubbed his left sided, remembering the latest bruise from his father.

Cleaning his last guest's plates off, Jou noticed the greeter fussing over someone that just entered the building. He sighed and informed the kitchen that someone just walked in. A chorus of moans greeted his ears as he left and walked over to the only person in the building. He reached into his apron and retrieved his pad and pen. "My name is Jou, and I'll be your waiter today," Jou said with his usual dead voice. He never got excited anymore. He saw no point to it.

"Mutt, you going to be fine with this. You sound like you can drop at any second?" Jou blinked and finally looked at his guest. He didn't know what was more shocking, the worry in Kaiba's eyes, or the fact that he was here alone in a low class restaurant.

"I'll be fine," Jou responded, cursing his bad luck. He didn't want to pretend to be happy. "What can I get you to drink?"

"A coffee no cream."

Jou moved away from Kaiba and walked over to the touch screen. He input the information and disappeared to the kitchen to get a fresh cup of coffee. "It's Seto Kaiba. Don't mess anything up," he informed the staff. He knew Kaiba's name would scare them into not pulling their usual pranks on the last minute guest. He normally would be all for it, but Kaiba seemed more tired than normal. He was acting too nice.

He returned with the coffee and set it down in front of Kaiba. The older male did look like a mess with his hair out of place and the usual cold blue eyes were red around the rim. "Why didn't you just go home?" Jou asked, curious on Kaiba's choice to eat first instead of going right to sleep.

Kaiba sighed. "Too hungry to sleep. I just want spaghetti and salad with no dressing. After you put in the order, come back and sit."

Confused by Kaiba's request, Jou quickly placed the order in and sat down in front of Kaiba. "What's with you? You look like shit."

"Thank you, Mutt. I enjoy hearing that." Kaiba sighed and placed his head down on the table. Everything seemed out of place with the CEO.

"Seriously. Are you okay?"

"Are you worried about me? That's a change."

"Will you stop doing that? Answering a question with a question. Maybe I'm just concern about you because I don't want to stay after for a long time while I wait for an ambulance."

Kaiba rubbed his tired eyes. "I know I don't look that bad."

"You should look in the mirror more. For someone who cares about his image so much, you look terrible."

Kaiba growled and shot his head up. "Who said I cared what people thought of me? They can all go to hell for thinking that I was a robot more than a person."

Shocked by Kaiba's sudden emotion, Jou stood. "Let me get your food so you can go to sleep, Mr. Crabby." Jou ran off quickly to the kitchen, not sure why he cared about Kaiba. The man truly scared him. The kitchen was cleaning everything as he returned for the salad and spaghetti. "You can go. I'll handle the rest," he said walking over to the pot of coffee.

Slamming the dishes down on the table, Jou felt slightly guilty for scaring the half asleep CEO. "Thank you," Kaiba mumbled, reaching for the salad first. He was surprised to see Jou sitting back down and refilling his cup of coffee. "How long have you worked here?"

"Since the start of my senior year."

"Why weren't you at graduation?"

"I didn't graduate. I have to take an extra semester to make up for all the days I missed." He didn't know why he answered Kaiba's question honestly.

"Why didn't you just tell them that it was because your father beats you?" Shocked, Jou was speechless. "What? You thought that you were hiding. Please I did a better job at it than you."

"You were abused too?"

"Everyday until my stepfather took a dive out the window. What a blessings from the gods that was."

"Do you even understand what you're saying?"

"I'm not ashamed to be a survivor," Kaiba chorused as if he has been saying that for years or brainwashed into saying it. "I took everything and kept Mokuba safe, happy, and spoiled. I'll do it again and again if it means that he'll never wake up with nightmares and will always smile unlike his older brother."

Jou sat there unable to speak. He couldn't believe that the strong willed CEO was a victim of abuse and knew that he was. This was something he never thought in a million years that he'd ever hear from Kaiba. The burnet continued to eat as if nothing he said affected him. "Does Mokuba know?"

Kaiba shrugged. "We never talked about it. Are you still hiding bruises?" Jou turned away. He knew that as long as he stayed in that house he'll continue to hide bruises. Kaiba huffed. "When is it enough, Jou? Do you enjoy the pain and suffering he puts you through? Why don't you ask for help?"

"As if someone like me could ever get help. I don't want to be a burden to anyone, and the police would never believe me. They still keep a close eye on me thinking I'm going to cause chaos even though I haven't been in a gang for years. No one would believe me."

"Why do you think I never talked about it either? Who would believe that the CEO of the strongest company who adopted two children would abuse the eldest? He had so many people that kissed the ground he walked on. It's disgusting what these sick people get away with. Why can't you live on your own?"

Jou rolled his eyes. "Until I graduate I can't work any more than part time jobs. This place pays nothing. I'd be lucky to afford a cardboard box. Some people aren't rich like you."

Kaiba finished eating and pushed the remainder away from him. "There are options."

"I will not live in a home for abused children. I don't need them babying me and telling me that I have psychological issues. I rather walk on eggshells with my father and take the abuse than have to deal with that over and over again."

Kaiba sighed. "It's not as bad as you think. I'll leave so the rest of the staff can leave. Think about it, Jou. Sometimes it worth it so you don't hurt in the morning."

Jou shook his head and took the dishes to the back. He rinsed them off and placed them in the dishwasher for later. Once he went back out to wipe the table down, he noticed a huge tip from Kaiba. Growling, he walked towards the front. "How long ago did he leave?"

"He might still be outside." The brunette said, frustrated that she had to stay longer than normal.

Jou grabbed his things and ran outside into the cold night, hoping to catch Kaiba. He slipped on the ice and slammed his head against the cement. Groaning he sat up slightly. All his old injuries seemed to scream. "How many of your old injuries did you irritate with that fall?"

Jou was about the yell back, but he noticed Kaiba was actually concerned. He sighed and took the hand that was held out to him. "I was trying to find you. Do you think you left too much of a tip, or was that hush money?" Jou didn't know why he was angry with the large amount of money. He should be grateful that now he could afford the jacket he needed, and the monthly fee for his school this month.

"Neither. I don't care who knows about my past, and you act like I can't afford to give a little extra."

"A little extra? That would be like twenty dollars, but this is three hundred dollars! Hey are you okay?" Jou asked suddenly, watching Kaiba sway on his feet.

"Fine."

"Yeah, and I live in a beautiful house with a loving family. Where's your driver?"

"Probably already sleeping."

"How are you getting home?"

"I can drive myself."

Jou reached out and caught the falling CEO. "Sure you can. You can't even stand." Jou reached up and felt Kaiba's forehead. "You're burning. Where are your keys?"

Kaiba reached into his pocket and gave them to Jou, knowing that he'd never make it home alive with how lightheaded he felt. He helped the burnet into his car and turned the heat up as high as it could go before pulling away from the curb. He removed is light jacket and threw it over the shivering man. Kaiba huddled underneath it, wondering how he could get sick so quickly. He knew he wasn't feeling well all day, but he thought it was a normal cold, and he would get over it quickly like normal.

Jou drove slowly, not wanting to risk wrecking Kaiba's car with the slick roads and to keep a careful watch on Kaiba. He was lucky to know where Kaiba lived even though he never went to visit. He pulled up along the gates, surprised that they didn't open immediately for him. He leaned over and gently shook the CEO, hating to wake him. "How do I get into your gate?"

Kaiba shifted and reached up pressing a button on the driver side's visor that Jou didn't notice before. The gates opened, allowing Jou to drive up to the front door. Not knowing what to do with the car, Jou left it directly outside and ran around to help Kaiba out of the passenger side. Kaiba staggered up to the front door and inserted his key before typing his password on the alarm box beside it.

Jou helped Kaiba into the house. Kaiba slipped and started to fall, but Jou reached out and grabbed him. The CEO attempted to push Jou away, but the blond kept him close. "Stop being stubborn and let me help you up to your room."

"I'm fine now. You could..." Before Kaiba could finish his sentence, he reached up to his forehead and slowly collapsed.

Jou sighed. "Sure you are." He lifted Kaiba's surprisingly light weight into his arms and carried him up the stairs. Jou staggered a bit. Kaiba was tall and light which caused Jou to have difficulty with weight placement. He started down the first hallway not sure which room was Kaiba's. He felt guilty for tracking his wet shoes on the now beige carpet. He shifted Kaiba to his left arm and opened up one door after another. He found a sleeping Mokuba in one of the rooms and tried the door directly across from him. Jou smiled in triumphant. He instantly knew it was Kaiba's room, judging by the white and blue decor and the various devices all around the room. Everything thing seemed in place and Jou could see one of the dueling devices sitting on the desk by the window.

He set Kaiba down on the bed. He ran to the adjoined bathroom and grabbed a washcloth. He wiped the sweat that started to form on Kaiba's forehead before starting to undress him. Finding it more difficult than originally planned, Jou finally managed to get Kaiba out of his suit and into a pair a pajamas that he found in one of the drawers. He tucked Kaiba in, trying to get as much warmth to the shiver brunet as possible.

Jou walked out of the room and downstairs. He wasn't sure where anything was, but he knew he had to find a kitchen at least. He finally found it after searching for a half hour. Looking through the cabinets, Jou found a bowl and put ice water into it. He returned to Kaiba's room, proud that he remembered which door. He moved the desk chair over to the side of the bed and reached down to the floor. Ringing the extra water out, Jou began to dab Kaiba's sweaty forehead and cheeks. He ran the cold cloth down Kaiba's neck and then moved the blanket slightly up until Kaiba's feet was free. He placed one of the cold cloths over his feet. He needed to get Kaiba's temperature down as fast as possible. Otherwise he would have to call an ambulance.

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Okay that is the first chapter. I know a lot of these chapters may drop out of nowhere, but the next chapter starts right where this one left off. I was just typing away not paying attention to how many pages I had and now I have to figure out where to end the chapters so they aren't so long. The next chapter will be up tomorrow. I'm still writing this story and working on the older chapters at the same time. Hopefully this doesn't have too many typos. I read over it once when I wrote it, once when I realize this was no an oneshot and just before I uploaded it LOL. Even the third time I was still catching typos. Let me know how I'm doing so far. Thank you all for reading please review.

Angel Dove