A Figment of my Imagination

Chapter 4

Summary: Things are happening so fast in my life. Mom and Serenity leaving. Dad beating. Seto and I meeting on one certain night. Seto confessing to me I just can't handle them all at one! I… just can't. [SJ]

By: Klyukaizer

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|Joey's POV|

I slowly opened my eyes as I tried to register everything around me. I was sprawled on a queen-sized covered in warm blankets and a comforter; my head had been buried within the depths of this big fluffy pillow I'm lying on and I felt uncomfortably warm at the moment.

I wanted to surrender into sleep again, but then I suddenly remembered everything that had happened and instantly bolted upright.

"Whoa! Take it easy there!"

"AAAHH!!!" I screamed, not knowing that someone was beside me. I backed away a little, but then, pain shot through all over my body and I cowered at it.

"Don't startle me, mutt!" That 'somebody' said as I looked at him.

"Kaiba…"

"That was actually the first real sleep I had for days now!" He whined as he rubbed his eyes with his left hand, my eyes trailed at his right hand as I saw it on top of mine. I slowly lifted my hand as he noticed this and quickly pulled his hand away.

"S-sorry…" He apologized. "S-so? You feel better?" He asked me as he tried petting me.

"I shouldn't be here!" I quickly said as I tried to get out of the bed, realizing where I was right now. "Mutt! Where do you think you're going?" Seto shot me an angry look as he grabbed me by the wrist. "I have to go back! Otherwise… otherwise… h-he'd kill me if he finds out where I am!" I panicked.

"Your dad doesn't even know we're acquainted!" He snapped. "Heck! He doesn't even know where I live!"

I quickly stopped from my constant struggles as I stared wide-eyed at him. "H-how… h-how did you know it was m-my dad?" I stuttered as I lost my balance and fell on my knees. Slowly, he knelt beside me and embraced me…

"I- I had experienced… the same thing…" He whispered as my eyes snapped open widely.

"O-Oh God." I gasped as I looked at his beautiful sad eyes. "Oh God, Seto…" I whispered.

"I understand, Joey… I really understand." Seto brushed some of my bangs to the back of my ears. "You don't have to be afraid…" He smiled as he slowly held my hand and leaned down on me… giving me a kiss.

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|Seto's POV|

The kiss had lasted for a while and we broke off when we were in need of air. He stared at me with wide and confused eyes as he shook his head. "What's wrong?" I raised an eyebrow.

"D-did you j-just kiss me?" He stuttered as I raised my eyebrows higher, "What did it look like to you… CPR?"

"Th-the Seto Kaiba… kissing the nobody Joey Wheeler?" I'm sure he refused to believe it as I held him by the chin, "What was so unbelievable about it?" I was starting to get pissed as I gave him another hungry kiss again, making shut up all of a sudden.

He stared at me as if he was in pure shock as I waved my hand through his face, "I could do it again if you want to, Joey!" I said.

"S-Since when have you started calling me 'Joey'?" He changed the subject.

"Since you started calling me 'Seto', mutt." I fought back. "You already started calling me 'Joey' when you saw me in the rain yesterday!" He tried to piss me off, but I wasn't that bad at arguing.

"Well why did you have to ask me that when you already knew in the first place!" I smirked. Let's just say I have a way with my words and use them pretty well… not to mention at the nick of time!

"Kaiba!" I heard him gave out a silent grumble as I carried him back to the bed before he could argue. "That's 'Seto', mutt. Se… to… Stay put, pup. I'll go get you your breakfast!" I said as I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, leaving him and heading to the door.

"A-anou… Kai- Seto." He started as I looked back at him. "Ariagatou…" He smiled; I can't help but smile back at his beautiful smile. "Doumo…" I said as I left.

There was something to that irresistible smile!!! Damn it! I had been grinning silly for the past 10 minutes! I could feel all the nannies and butlers looking at me strangely right now as I passed the living room. Hn! I bet they're thinking of how stupid I looked like with this cheeky grin.

The head nanny, Lucia*, who was like a mother to me suddenly came up to me, "I haven't seen you smile for a while now, Seto-kun… well… ever since you were in 6th grade! Ohohohohoho!" She laughed ^o^ as I gave out a blush. "S-Stop it, Lucia-san." I whispered.

"We should have Joey-san over always, ne?" She teased as she continued walking away.

"Baa-san." I murmured.

"What was that???" She yelled as she twisted my ear. "Ack!!! I was kidding! I was kidding!" I quickly said as she let go. "You're luck you are my master, Seto-kun… I really want to keep my job. But if you did have me fired, I will personally kick your ass!" She smiled politely but deep inside, she had a devil that was waiting to come out any minute!

O_O -- Seto

"Hai… Lucia-san..."

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|Joey's POV|

It was embarrassing. But "master" had forced me to and I had no choice. He was actually feeding me against my will and I had to live with all the blushes and constant embarrassment I have been feeling the whole time.

"S-Seto, I-"

"Eat." He snapped as he brought a spoonful of porridge to my mouth.

"I... I can do it by myse-"

"Eat." Once again, he snapped at me and I was forced to gulp it up with a blushed pout on my face.

"You're embarrassing me, Seto..." I murmured as he noticed this as he too, blushed. "Umm..." He started but we were cut off when a knock came on the door.

"Who is it?" Seto asked.

"It's your friends, sir. Goes by the name of Yugi, Tea and Tristan." My eyes snapped open as I remembered about them. That's right... I totally forgot about them! They were there too when they found me at home. But then, that wasn't exactly what I was worried about.

But in fact, the time when had screamed at their faces was the thing on my mind right now.

"Oh. Send them in." Seto said as 3 of them came in silently.

"Hey, Joey..." Yugi smiled at me as I gave a pained smile back at him. "H-hi." I whispered as Tea and Tristan followed closely behind, who were silent the whole time.

"A-are you okay?" Tea asked in a stuttered voice, "I-I mean. O-of course not! H-h-how are you feeling?" She said nervously, somehow I got the feeling that I might bite her.

I nodded softly as I looked back up at them. I could see the 3 of them looking at me as if I was lying and maybe... I should just face the truth. Yes, I know they're right! It's just that... it's hard. And. I... can't handle them all at once. "You don't need to worry about me, okay?" I smiled silently at them.

"I-I'm fine." I whispered. "Perfectly fine."

It's a lie, Joey. I could sense them saying that in their thoughts.

"Look, Joey." Yugi started as he sat on my bed right beside me, "I-I know we had upset you before, and I just want you to know that-"

Before Yugi could finish, I instantly did the thing I thought was best. I embraced my best friend.

"Arigatou..." I quickly said as I buried my head on his shoulder in that embrace. I felt Yugi tense at what I just did and I smiled at that. Never - in my life - have I made Yugi jump in happiness or in sadness. That was the first time that I had actually brought something to his heart.

"Wh-why are you th-thanking us?" Yugi stuttered as I felt his hand rub my back.

"F-for being there... e-even when I screamed at you, guys. Y-you guys were still there!" I sobbed as I felt tears dropping into Yugi's shoulder. "I... I don't know... wh-what to do... without you, guys." I whispered as I tried to bite back a choke of sob that threatened to escape my mouth.

I didn't know why I never felt this way before.

Maybe because I was able to think to myself. And now that... I'm facing the people who helped me. Then, I guess I was thankful for being out of the mess that was already big for me to handle. I guess... they brought me out of the situations that might yet happen.

I didn't feel like letting go. No matter whose arms they were. I just wanted to stay like this. To be able to sob freely with warm, open arms!

"Just let it all out." I felt Seto's voice said as I felt a kiss on my forehead, and the next thing I knew... Seto, Tea and Tristan had approached me.

"We're not saying that you should forget about it, Joey. Besides... I know it's hard to even try to forget about it!" Tea said, "All we're trying to show you is... let it go. Don't let it get to you."

"Letting go... and forgetting are 2 different things, Joey." Tristan differentiated.

I never really thought Tea and Tristan would have a point. I mean, I know Yugi cared. He always does. But... yeah! I never really thought Tea and Tristan would be able to give me inspiration, or something.

"I-I... can't."

"You can, Joey. We'll help you." I raised my head and looked up to the person who had helped me (and to my least expectations) the most, Seto.

To be continued.

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*Lucia – If you have read my other fic 'Inner Beauty' then you would certainly know her! ^-^