Joey's main reason for entering the tournament was clear from the get-go. He wanted to help his sister. This was the only way. That gave him enough motivation to power through every challenge he had faced, except for this one.
The last words he told me were "Get out."
The last thing I did was turn down his offer for a breakfast date.
These were the only two thoughts that went through his mind as Yugi dueled with a creature that Joey knew wasn't Kaiba. That didn't mean the real Kaiba was alive, though. He still hadn't answered any of Joey's 24 texts or returned any of his 7 missed calls. Any worries he had had of Kaiba thinking he was too clingy flew out of Joey's head the moment he heard the words "Seto Kaiba is dead."
The blonde was in a haze, not really reacting to his surroundings. He knew what Kaiba would want him to do; he would want him to get Kimo's hands off Mokuba and comfort his little brother. Joey couldn't do it, though. He didn't even think he could move. He could do nothing but stand there, look at the ground, and hope with all his heart that his and Kaiba's last interaction wouldn't be their final one.
He felt a burning sensation at the back of his eyes and was shocked by it. He hadn't cried in such a long time. The brunette was cold, ill-tempered, and very distant at times, but Joey still enjoyed their time together a lot. Strangely, despite his attitude, Kaiba was the only person who made Joey forget about everything, even if it was only one night a week. He could pretend for a moment that he wasn't some street rat bully who grew up on the wrong side of the city. He could pretend that things at home were perfectly fine, that his sister and mother still lived with him, that his life wasn't falling apart right in front of his own eyes, that he wasn't powerless to stop it. Kaiba never asked any questions. Joey loved that. He didn't think he could find anyone that made him feel the same way again.
He couldn't sleep that night. He had barely gotten through his duel with Rex. Yugi swore that Kaiba was alive, but the blonde couldn't help but worry. He also couldn't help but feel immensely guilty that Mokuba had been taken right under his nose. He had two reasons to win the tournament now: Serenity and Seto Kaiba. He would rescue Mokuba if it is the last thing he did. He owed it to Kaiba to at least try.
He had just started to drift off during the second night when he heard the sounds of the helicopter and shot up. He and the rest went to the source. He didn't really care about the whole event, until he saw him. It was just his trenchcoat, but Joey was certain. It was Seto Kaiba. He was here, alive. Sure enough, the brunette came out from the helicopter and locked eyes with Joey. The blonde could see the relief across the brunette's features, but it was laced with pain as well. Joey just wanted to take the brunette in his arms and make him feel better, but he couldn't. Not here. Not with all his friends watching.
"You'll be compensated for all your trouble," the brunette told Yugi after the small teen handed him his deck. Then, Kaiba started walking away. Joey's heart sank. He really wanted to say something to get Kaiba to stay, anything. He just wanted the brunette around for a little while. Was that so bad? He came so close to losing him before. Kaiba didn't even seem to care enough to consider staying when Yugi asked the brunette to do so. Joey groaned, mad beyond what words could describe.
Doesn't he even want to talk to me a little bit?
Did he think about me at all?
Doesn't he know how worried I was?
The blonde ran to the brunette and firmly held onto his shirt above his collars. Joey may have said something about a noble cause. He wasn't paying attention to his words. Instead, he was using his eyes to get through to Kaiba.
You don't have to do this alone.
We'll help you with Mokuba.
Please don't leave.
I know what it's like to want to help a sibling this badly.
If the blonde wasn't angry about Kaiba's attitude before, what the brunette did next got him there. Kaiba shook his head slightly at the blonde with a sad look on his face before he grabbed Joey's hands and threw the blonde to the ground. .
"Why don't you go looking for someone you can beat? Like an infant or a monkey?" the brunette asked with a taunting voice. Joey looked up. Kaiba was smiling, at least.
At least there is something I could do for him.
Even if it's just to let him make fun of me.
But, then Kaiba was walking away again and Joey frowned. He didn't want the brunette to leave now. He needed a few more seconds with him, even if they were spent fighting.
"Yeah, you do that. Just walk away. Everyone knows you're nothing but a washed-up has been!" the blonde yelled at Kaiba's back. The brunette turned around with an indecipherable expression.
That got his attention.
I just need to keep it.
Joey always enjoyed these little fights they had. It was another fight, afterall, that led to them kissing on the roof of the school that one day. It was just their thing. He was sure he wasn't hurting Kaiba's feelings, especially because he praised the brunette endlessly when they were alone. He just wished that, during these private moments together, Kaiba would do the same for him.
Even as Joey challenged Kaiba to a duel, the blonde knew he would lose. Despite how good he was, he could never beat Kaiba. He knew that, but couldn't think of another way to continue this little interaction with him. He hated that the brunette's face was always so neutral. Did Kaiba also want a little more time for the two of them? Did he think it was a waste of time to have these fights while Mokuba was in danger? Did he even care at all or want to see Joey?
For the first time in ages, the blonde wished they were both out and that it would be alright for them to just walk off together for a private chat. He'd never get away with doing that now. Kaiba wouldn't let him. There were just too many reasons for them not to go public. He would have to face the wrath of his father and answer too many questions from his friends. His perfect pretend bubble would shatter, and he wasn't sure if he could keep going in the relationship after that. The bubble was the only thing keeping them together.
After the duel ended, and Joey was kneeling on the ground, he was surprised to find Kaiba walking up to him. As the brunette grabbed the disk from Joey's hand, he subtly leaned in and whispered "Good duel, puppy. What I am really looking forward to is your performance on Tuesday, though," then walked away, leaving a blushing Joey behind.