Disclaimer: Thanks to the writers and staff of Yugioh, I can write this story.
Often relationships become redefined overtime, generally for the best. Seto and Joey have traveled so many roads, yet they have always ended up in the same space. Coincidence I think not. The story is a series of flash backs which define the present feeling growing inside their hearts. Just a little OOC and a lot of Mokuba and Serenity which defines and challenges the boys to rethink their lives. I hope you enjoy. Dark so be prepared, but not shocked.
Chapter Two: Tomorrow
Outside the cool air ruffled the blond's hair, instantly blinding his eye sight. Bangs wet from crying fell in his face and he stumbled, not being able to see clearly, nor did he really care. Seto guided Joey to his car and helped him to get into the front seat. Joey was too tired to fight, so he mumbled something under his breath and allowed Seto to have his way with him. To people passing by they could have been two drunken friends making their way home.
"Come on pup. I'll send someone to bring your truck to the mansion later. We don't want to keep Mokuba waiting."
"No limo, so you came looking for me," spoke the blond, his head a little downcast, and his words hollow. "I don't need you looking out for me. I can take care of myself."
"Don't make it a habit of getting lost. I got important things to do." The silence was expected, and it prevailed all the way home.
Mokuba watched his brother and the blond emerge from the car and walk up the long driveway. He wanted desperately to run and hug them both, but Nii-sama would stiffen up and tell him he was not a baby and Joey would most likely fall apart.
To be young men they were still so very narrow and closed minded. "Joey," his resolve shattered, 'To hell with their manly attitudes, I want to be close,' Mokuba wrapped his arms around Joey's waist and ushered him into the play room. With his free hand he took Seto's ever present briefcase and gave it to Roland. "Come on Nii-sama the food is getting cold."
"Sorry Mokuba for being such a jerk." Mokuba prepared steak and veggie burgers for the two most important people in his life. Well there was one other, but she couldn't be there with them. On a separate platter he placed pickles-Nii-sama onions-Joey, olives-Nii-Sama, tomatoes-Joey, peanut butter-? Next to the platter in a wicker bead basket Mokuba uncovered toasted sourdough and wheat buns. It was a feast that suited the boy's unusual taste. Let's not forget the homemade ice cream with sprinkles and nuts which Roland made a few hours ago.
"Joey, it's ok. Don't forget I'm used to jerks," his gray orbs slid over to azure orbs and he winked. A smile played on his childish lips. Seto's heart swelled with pride at his brother.
"Joey I have something to show you, I prepared it for our visit," Now Hazel eyes locked in with azure and Joey followed the Kaiba brothers into the living room. Mokuba had turned the oversized room into a camp ground of sorts. Next to the fireplace he had arranged three sleeping futons complete with hidden snacks, and iPod's and hand held gadgets. Large fluffy pillows were thrown everywhere and most of the ornate furniture had been moved to different parts of the room. He even had Roland bring in a small waterfall complete with birds and other animal sounds. Let's not forget the large bear chair which Joey immediately deposited his tired body in.
Seto eyes roved around the room and accidently landed on the depressed blond. His slightly underweight body seemed to have dissolved into the belly of the beast and it unnecessarily frightened Seto 'It's only a chair.' He told himself internally. Joey's eyes fluttered open and just for one moment found comfort staring into those azure eyes. The moment was quickly taken away when Seto miscalculated the fluttered eyes and turned quickly to Mokuba. 'I hope he didn't see me watching him.'
Mokuba puzzled at the quizzed look on Nii-sama face, tugged at his shirt tail. "I thought tonight we shouldn't be alone so this way we can all sleep together, sort of."
Mokuba looked up to Seto and transformed, as if on cue his famous puppy dog face; the droopy eyes were classical. "Nii-sama is it ok? I even made a place for your coffee and laptop, so you don't have to go to your room tonight. I won't stay up late; see I only used the light sprinkles on the ice cream."
Now the pout encircled his thin lips, sure to stop girls and boys hearts from beating in about two years time. Seto nodded and parted his lips, just enough for a wondering tongue to slip inside, and answered, "Yes, its fine, Mokie."
"She always wanted to go camping, Mokuba how did you know?" Joey asked as Seto walked over to him and sat on the arm of the chair. Although there was plenty of room in it, he didn't want to infringe on Joey's space. Joey's mind wondered to images of his sister, running through the woods, her long chestnut hair flying in the wind. God she was so innocent and young. He used to take her to the park and they would pretend, or to the beach and swim.
Instead of answering his friend, Mokuba reached behind another chair and pulled out a beautiful flower arrangement. "I made this for Serenity. It's her favorite flowers, blue and red roses. You see the shells and rocks in the bottom under the water, it because she loves the sea and like it she is never ending always flowing through my heart." Now Mokuba's voice cracked. "Is it ok, if I bring it tomorrow and give it to her?"
"Mokuba," Seto understood his brother's intentions. After all this time he was the only one who really had hope, that tomorrow would be the day. Every day Mokuba lived for tomorrow and not a single person could sway his stubborn mind. Everybody but Mokuba understood tomorrow never came.
"Seto, it's ok, really." Joey looked up at Seto, Seto's features held in a tight mask, trying so hard to be strong for the others. Just the tiniest of seconds his mask dropped and Joey could see the brother Mokuba had grown to worship. In that second he needed Seto's courage. He wanted something more
from Seto, just a touch, for now. His hand moved slowly to the arm of the bear chair and he touched Seto's arm. It wasn't cold but warm and solid. That was enough, he felt better. Now with a little more courage he turned back to Mokuba.
Seto flinched at the touch of Joey's hand on his arm. It was strong, yet soft. His fingers burned into Seto's skin, scaring him forever. 'I want him I always have.'
"Yes, Mokuba, I think Serenity would love the flowers very much and . . . . . . ."
Joey's hand tightened around Seto's arm, the scar is burning. It was time, Joey was about to fall apart, only this time Seto wasn't sure if he could bring him back. At first he thought it would happen in the bar, but with his brothers help they made it home.
Mokuba's eyes widened at the despair on Joey's face. He started to tremble and looked to Seto for answers. Mokuba was fading too. All the food, the room it was just to keep his mind together. He could see the little boy emerge and he cried out with his thoughts. 'I need you Nii-sama, hold me.'
You know the effect when one child cries all the children follow, well Seto faced all the children in the class room, mirrored in the eyes of Joey and Mokuba.
"I can't do this." Joey eyes rolled up in the back of his head and the tears flowed.
Mokuba dropped the vase frozen with fear as he watched Joey bury his head under his brother's right arm. Uncontrolled his body quivered and Joey pulled Seto down into the large chair.
"Mokuba its ok, come here Mokuba!!" he hollered out his name. "You can make it, come over her," Mokuba tried to focus on his brother's extended arm, but his eyes drifted over to Joey's quivering body.
"Mokuba, come here," Just two steps and Seto pulled him over to the left side of the chair. All three of the boys were intertwined together with Seto cradling them both with all the strength of a Kaiba.
After one hour or so, Seto removed his tear drenched body, chest in particular from the arms of Mokuba and Joey. Two sets of puppy eyes looked up at him for guidance. Maybe Seto could make tomorrow go away and the teens could go back to happy times. Not today, but he did have a few tricks up his sleeve. Mokuba's escape from reality was a good plan and Seto merely enhance it with a few touches of his own.
"Come on puppies. Now it's my turn for surprises." Seto walked the boys out to the limo and without a word they tumbled inside.
Roland drove them over to Seto's private spa. One he never used, well Mokuba didn't remember ever being there. They undressed and walked into the warming waters of the hot tub. Seto showed Joey how to relax against the stones. Drinks prepared by Roland were on little side trays and the boys relished the silence, each caught inside a prison that involved thoughts of the girl.
Mokuba sent prayers to all the saints and angles to wake up his best friend. He felt so responsible for the condition she was in.
Seto wanted the foresight to see into the future. Going forward to prevent more pain was his answer. The past should be forgotten.
The blond just wanted the images of last year to go away. Sometimes he could not eat or sleep; his life was haunted. Joey floated closer to Seto and waited. He needed Seto to tell him what to do. He needed his touch, a word.
The two stopped fighting physically almost a year ago, today. Eventually, conversations move to complete sentences. After six months Mokuba pleaded with Seto to let Joey move into the mansion. It made the monthly visits easily.
So much silence existed between the two boys, but it gave Joey purpose. Well it was Kaiba's way. Just last month after seeing his sister Kaiba insisted he dropped the last name and if he continued to live with the brothers he should call him Seto. Joey felt wanted, and performed unnecessary chores around the mansion to keep his mind off his problems. Seto watched the blond closely; finally assured he was ok he left him alone. Seto often retreated to his room for long periods at night. He closed his heart and mind off from Mokuba and Joey.
Without realizing his need for the brunet, Joey spoke with his eyes and glanced over at Seto again. 'I wonder if he cares or am I really his friend?'
"Well what are you waiting on; I'm not coming to get you." Seto eyes never left Joey's, as he sent the whispered command. Joey closed the tiny distance between their bodies and smiled.
"Seto," he spoke his name softly.
"I know pup," Seto reached behind his head and handled Joey a cherry coke, with six cherries. Joey reached behind his head and handed Seto a ginger with olives and a twist. Seto smiles and took the cherries out of Joey's drink. Joey closed his eyes and opens his mouth. 'Why did I do that,' the boy waited, although he knew what would happen.
Seto fed him the olive and the twist. He watched as Joey's tongue pulled it off the tooth pick. Seto afraid to touch his head in the bar reached out and pulled the blond against his shoulder. The warm water and Seto's strong shoulder calmed his spirit.
Once again the moon light followed the dark beauty and he gathered up his two puppies. Watching them both in the limo as Roland escorted them the short distance back to the house. Seto carried Mokuba inside and placed him in the futon nearest to the dying warmth from the fireplace.
As Joey watched the interaction between the two brothers, the loneness started to settle inside his heart. He wasn't ready to sleep. Sleep would only bring nightmares.
Seto settled his lean body in the bear chair and sighed. 'One down and one to go', he glanced at Joey while adjusting the covering over his legsSeto lifted the blanket and motioned with his eyes for the blond to come and share his space. The silence prevailed.
'I don't want to dream, not tonight,' Joey's hazel eyes fluttered closed lost in the image of the two brothers. The knots twisted in his chest and slowly as if gravity willed it to be, he settled his glaze on Seto. Joey understood the command and he obeyed. In four long and lazily strides he was setting in the chair with Seto.
'I'm so afraid, will he push me away? I want to be touched.' The blanket was warm, but just a hair's breath away, Joey could almost feel the comfort Seto's body would offer. He could see the gold highlights in Seto's hair that made it glow. 'I'm not afraid. Well we haven't fought in a long time.' One inch and his shoulder touched the forbidden chest of Seto Kaiba.
'Shit, he's so soft. He's just hurting and needs a friend, that's all I am to him.' Seto adjusted the blond deeper into a friendship embrace and it caused Joey to shiver.
'I knew he would feel like this, I knew it.'
"Seto" Joey sighed.
"Don't Pup, I know."
"Thank you Seto, I need a friend tonight."
Seto flinched at the words, but held the boy close. He used the blanket to cover their relax bodies and eventually they drifted to sleep. Well Seto slept but Joey just dreamed. It was the same, dream over and over and it always ended in death.
Tomorrow was the day; tomorrow Joey had to make the decision to cut off Serenity's life support machine. The teenage girl was the victim of a teen suicide and she had survived, only to spend a year on life support. But the condition of her brain and declining strength in her limbs had not improved. The doctors said she was officially brain dead.
Oooooo
Review it makes writing a challenge we all love to take…
This chapter is for you Journey Maker, who is a constant source of inspiration even in her silence.