Kaiba stayed home every day to help Jou out with everything. What he said to Jou was true. He wasn't doing this for the blonde, but it wasn't because he felt guilty, either. The truth was: Jou's note haunted Kaiba and the brunette couldn't get it out of his head.

'it'll be easier to leave knowing I am not wanted, because that's how I always felt before I met you.'

'I think even a whore would look down on me at this point.'

'An uncertain future, infrequent meals, constant paranoia, and just feeling so damn useless and hopeless all the time.'

'Well, I've felt that way for the past 19 years and I never wanted to feel that way again.'

'I didn't want to grovel anymore, to feel like I owe anybody anything, or to feel inferior or unwanted.'

'Death would've been better than any of that.'

'I needed to be my own person, Seto. I needed to have my life be mine. If I couldn't...well, then, life wouldn't really be worth living.'

'I think I've already been damaged beyond repair.'

'I knew you would leave me eventually.'

'Would the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company really wind up with the broken, damaged, abused, money-needing, mutt whore?'

'With the way things are going, you're going to resent me eventually. After all, what could I really give you? Nothing. Just like I couldn't give anything to anyone else.'

'I wouldn't want to kill myself after the surgery and let all that money you spent be wasted, right?'

'A life without sight or a life spent indebt is not really a life.'

The brunette was determined to help Jou stop feeling like a burden, to prove to the blonde that Kaiba was committed, that the CEO would do everything for him. Jou would never have to ask for anything ever again. Kaiba would just deliver. He'd do whatever it takes. He didn't want to lose his puppy.

The other reason wasn't really one. It didn't make any sense, but Kaiba felt it deep within his heart. He was too afraid to leave Jou alone. What if the blonde was still suicidal? If he had been hiding so many things during their relationship, maybe he was still hiding his pain from Kaiba now. That's why Kaiba was staying for the both of them. He'd help Jou while reassuring himself that his puppy wouldn't come to any harm.

The blonde was reluctant at first, especially when Kaiba insisted he help him shower. But the brunette had kept lisiting every reason firmly.

"You might fall and hurt yourself."

"You can't even see where the soap is."

"You might touch a wound."

"It's only for a week."

"I won't look."

After he said that last one, Jou seemed to relax more and let Kaiba help him with everything. True to his words, the brunette didn't peek. He blind-folded himself as he helped Jou bathe then carefully handed the blonde his clothes and only took off the blindfold when Jou said it was alright. Then, he walked his puppy back to his bed and kept him as entertained as he could, letting Mokuba play with Jou whilst Kaiba tapped away at his laptop.

Things were a little awkward at first when him and Jou were alone. It was like the start of their relationship, when they weren't sure what to say to each other. But they got over it quickly and were soon chatting about silly things, carefully avoiding the topics that made their chests clench.

Kaiba didn't want Jou to know he had seen the note. He didn't want things to be any more awkward than they had been at first. After a few days passed, though, he just didn't know how to bring it up, and, frankly, he didn't want to. What would be the point? Jou would be humiliated by what Kaiba had discovered and that wouldn't really accomplish anything. There were a million questions flooding Kaiba's mind, though, but he didn't dare ask them. Everything would be answered in time and he knew Jou was at a disadvantage while waiting for his eyes to heal. Once the blonde could see again, Kaiba was certain their conversations would be more relaxed even if the topics were uncomfortable. If Jou wanted some space after them, he could have it. Now, though, Jou was too vulnerable for Kaiba to ask. So, the CEO carefully bid his time, waiting for Jou to be able to get back on his feet. There was one thing he was sure of, though: never again would he let his puppy walk away without a fight or at least a conversation.

Kaiba held his breath as Jou carefully removed the bandages covering his honey-colored eyes. The doctor said it might take a few days for his eyes to return to normal, but the CEO knew that Jou's mood would plumet if he didn't get to see right away. The blonde tended to assume to worst, not that Kaiba could blame him with what he had gone through.

As Jou opened his eyed and blinked a couple of times, hissing at the sudden intrusion of the light, Kaiba smiled widely. He could see! When the blonde's gaze fell on Kaiba and his puppy gave him one of his goofy smiles, Kaiba didn't really think his next move through. He immediately latched their lips together, kissing Jou with a passion that he had never felt before he met the blonde. He was so eager that he didn't even notice that his puppy was unresponsive until a few seconds had already passed. As soon as he realized Jou's lips weren't moving and that the blonde was frozen in place, Kaiba hurriedly pulled away and took a step back, looking a the floor in shame.

Idiot!

That was the worst thing you could've done!

Well, not the worst thing, but it wasn't good.

Now, he'll think you expect things from him.

Ok. Ok. Damage control.

"I'm sorry. I don't expect anything from you," Kaiba said, attempting to sound calm and sincere, but the words came out forced instead. He felt a hand on his cheek and looked up. Jou was looking at him with loving eyes and a shy smile.

"I really want to, Seto. I do...But I-I owe ya too much. I-"

"You can work it off. I haven't gotten another secretary yet. Thejob is yours if you want it," Kaiba said instantly, cutting Jou off. The blonde looked very surprised by the CEO's suggestion, and Kaiba didn't blame him. Had his puppy said the same thing at the beginning of the week, Kaiba would've just kept insisting that Jou didn't need to pay him back. Now, though, Kaiba was prepared. He had read Jou's note thoroughly and saw this conversation coming a mile away. He had thought of every single response, question, and problem that would arise and every single way Kaiba could fix it so Jou wouldn't be 'indebted' to him for too long. The brunette had surprised even himself with how much effort he was putting into his plans to to fulfill Jou's needs. The puppy had truly stolen his heart.

"I would like that, thank you, but I can't be with ya in the meantime, I am sorry. And - and since it will take like twenty years…" Jou started, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly and pouting in the most adorable way. Kaiba smiled. He had seen that coming as well.

"You won't just be my secretary this time, puppy," Kaiba said, pulling his breifcase off the floor and putting it on his lap. He pulled out a bunch of papers and handed them to Jou, who raised an eyebrow at him, "These are the weekly paychecks for all positions in my home/company. I'll still need you as my secretary, but with your smart scheduling, you could have a lot of free time, during which you could pick a position and work the minimum shifts or more. And, as you can see, I am very generous with what I pay my workers. It wasn't just my secretary who had a good deal."

Jou's jaw dropped as he saw the number and Kaiba smirked internally as his puppy nodded enthusiastically and continued scanning the many rows of the papers, figuring out what he could do and what jobs would help him make the most money.

You're going to be fine, Jou.

I am going to make sure of it.

End of Part I

So, that's the end of the first part. The second part will either be added onto the same story or will be a seperate sequel, but it won't be published for a while. I hope you've all enjoyed it so far!