Science of Attraction- 16
IceAngelDarkMoon
*************Hey everyone, no I did not die! I'm VERY SORRY that it took sooooooooooooooooooooooooo long to get this update up. Bu things have been beyond hectic for me with all my personal things. Then because it's the longest chapter I've written to date it took a long time to beta (special thanks to GGKT!!). I think there will be one to two more chapters for his story before it's finally over! I just want to finish this story before I lose all of my inspiration. I'm still very thankful to all of you who have waited for this, or those that this is their first time! Please review after you read to let me know if I'm still doing a passable job!!************
Disclaimers: I do not own these characters or the music they mention. There will be boy love, and abuse, if you can't handle; LEAVE!!! I don't feel creative for these right now, so flame over these things and we'll see how well you complain without a head; do I make myself clear?!?
Friday was a cold day and it looked like it was about to pour at any second. Thunder could be heard far off in the distance, as if it was giving a warning before it finally struck the poor people. Joey was tired and apprehensive, today was the day he would break free; one way or another. He felt the apprehension lying in the pit of his stomach, like a sleeping dragon, waiting to strike at him.
Joey was happily surprised to find that his father was not in the kitchen or even passed out in the family room. He decided that even though it looked like it was going to storm, he would still stay after school. He left his father a note telling him he would be hanging out with his friends after school, and that he would be home before seven that evening.
Glancing at his watch he realized he was really early but he had nothing better to do than go to school. He decided against waking Yugi and Yami up. Besides, he liked this type of weather since it always made him feel like there was someone out there feeling the same as him. That thought suddenly brought forth an image of his angel. Who was he, and was he really real? Maybe he should ask Seto about angels later, having grown up with his father he had never gone to church after his mother left, and he couldn't remember anything he was taught before his parents split up.
He realized he had about twenty minutes before everyone else would show up so he plopped down on a bench by the school flag pole. How was he going to be able to face his father that evening? Suddenly a voice called out to him from the direction of the school.
"Hey Puppy dog, I never thought I'd see you here early?" The deep voice could only belong to one person. Joey had to stop the stupid grin that was trying to plaster itself to his face. They were in a public place and couldn't afford to lose their reputation.
"Hey rich pig; I didn't realize it was any of your business where I went!" Joey was walking towards Seto in what would have appeared to the other kids in the school yard as an "I'm going to pick a fight with you" walk.
"I can make it my business!" Seto retorted, as he too moved to meet the other boy. Now they were close and up in each other's faces like, but it was all they could do to keep from kissing each other. Even though there were only several other kids out there and most not really paying them any attention because it was a common occurrence, it would still blow their cover forever.
"Do you still have your soccer game after school?" Seto asked quietly still pretending too be fighting. His words were hissed, but Joey could tell they were not meant to be heard in that tone.
"I don't think we'll end up playing it." Joey hissed back they were so close Seto could feel Joey's words on his cheek. "But I still plan on breaking free tonight." Seto's face broke for a split second into a relieved grin before going back to the mask.
"Then do you want to come over for a bit before you go home to face your father?" Seto asked his voice still menacing. Joey had to check the grin that was trying to pull up the corners of his mouth.
"Of course, just wait for me by the back exit after school. I think I'm going to need someone to calm me down before I head home." With that Joey backed away. "Just watch your back you stuck up pig." Seto gave a cheeky grin that only Joey could see, and mouthed, 'who has my back?'
"I'll watch mine, but don't tell me what to do, puppy dog!" With that Seto went back inside and slammed the doors for effect. Joey really had to suppress the urge to burst out laughing at everything all the other kids had just missed with his and Seto's meeting.
He didn't have long to wait for the other guys in his group. Soon everyone but Yugi and Tea were there. Joey could only assume that this meant that they were together then. Tristan, Ryou, and Joey were talking about things from school when Joey saw Yugi running over to them with Tea following more slowly looking like she was still talking to the space Yugi had been moments before. They all greeted their friend before he spoke.
"Hey guys, are we still on for our soccer game this afternoon?" Yugi asked as he reached his friends.
"It is suppose to thunder storm this afternoon, and even I don't feel like getting fried by some lightning. So we'll have to play it by ear on whether or not we really have a game tonight." Joey knew this from the look of the sky, but also he had heard it on the weather station somewhere. Besides, as much as he loved his friends he needed some time with Seto tonight more so than all other nights.
"If it does storm, I have to go home and make sure Bakura is O.K., he doesn't like thunder storms!" Ryou added looking pained from the thought of the storm. Joey didn't envy him at all, although Bakura was not abuse to Ryou to their knowledge it was commonly known he got very hyper, if you will, with storms, and snow. He just wasn't used to them from having grown up in Egypt over a millennium ago.
"Oh come on Joey, getting fried won't hurt that much!" Tristan jeered and the two started to fight. Joey was glad for a little distraction, fighting with Tristan was normal and expected; not like what he and Seto had. Ryou and Yugi just looked at each other and smiled at the two friends' antics, they did something like this almost every day. They all would have kept talking but the warning bell rang and they started to go their own ways to classes. The day passed with nothing extraordinary happening. By the time the last bell had rung the weather was looking very nasty, there was going to be some storm. The guys canceled the game and decided to go home right after school before the storm got too bad. As Joey was packing up at his locker, taking his time to let most of the students leave before he met up with Seto, Yugi came to ask him something. Joey had been hoping all the other kids would leave before he met Seto so there was no chance of them getting caught. Besides, it being a Friday, most kids were leaving fast, especially with the bad weather.
"Joey, do you have a minute?" Yugi asked shyly. He seemed embarrassed by what he was going to ask, and not quit sure how to phrase his question. Joey looked at his best friend, and could tell it was something important that Yugi wanted to ask.
"Yeah sure Yugi, what's on your mind? How long do you think we'll be here, there is someone I was going to visit?" He blushed at the last part, he didn't want to tell Yugi yet, but he didn't want to be late to meet Seto. Yugi looked a little relieved that he was going to get a chance to talk to Joey.
"Thanks, it won't take long." Yugi said then took a deep breath and continued, "How did you and Seto get together?" Out of all the things Joey was expecting that was not it at all, and he could feel the blush creeping through his veins and coloring his face. He had thought Yugi might figure it out, but being nice Yugi would have waited until Joey told him about it. There must have been something really plaguing Yugi if he was willing to ask.
"H...H...How did you know? We've been trying to keep it a secret." His face had gotten a little pale at the thought of being found out. What would happen if his father found out before he was ready to tell him, namely after he had left?
"Don't worry; I'm the only one who's noticed. You should have been offended if I didn't guess; you're my best friend. But you still haven't answered my question." Yugi seemed to be getting a little more agitated as if there was a certain amount of time he had to find out the answer. Then it dawned on Joey. He was trying to learn an answer to something more than his own and Seto's relationship, before Tea got there.
"It was an accident. You remember that project he and I had to work on together? The one everyone but the teacher thought would get one of us killed?" Joey had to fight to keep the stupid grin that the memories brought back even though it had only been about a week ago.
"Yeah, everyone was placing bets on how long both of you would still be alive."
"That's the one. Well, we were at Seto's house working on the project. We started arguing like we so often did and still do. I pushed him, he pushed back and it continued into a full out wrestling match. Seto is a much better wrestler than me and in a few moments he was sitting on my chest pinning me." Joey was turning extremely red in the face. "We were only inches apart, and the distances just kinda disappeared and we were kissing." Joey knew he was redder than a tomato by the time he had said that last bit. Joey figured Yugi could pretty much guess the last part of the story didn't really need to know the rest.
"How did you know you where in love?" Yugi again seemed timid as if he was afraid of finding out the answer, and afraid of sounding stupid. It hit Joey then why Yugi was asking him, Yugi had a crush on someone. Joey had a pretty good idea of whom too!
"Aw, Lil' Yugi has a crush on someone." Joey teased, as his face turned back to normal so he could answer the question Yugi turned into a tomato. Then the sound of the voice both boys had been hoping to avoid filtered in to their ears.
"There you are Yugi! I've been looking all over for you, are you ready to take me home?" Tea interrupted, and showing no signs that she was aware of that.
"Almost Tea, Joey was just answering a question for me."
"What question? I'm sure I could help more than Joey!" Tea exclaimed. Now Joey was mad, just because he wasn't always the brightest crayon in the box didn't mean he couldn't help Yugi. Besides, from his point of view he was in a better position to be answering Yugi's questions.
"Yugi asked me how I knew I was in love. I was just about to tell him before you interrupted. I was going to say you just do, and you know here." He said and pointed to Yugi's heart. Joey didn't feel at all self conscious telling both Tea and Yugi this, Tea would never figure out who it was he loved. "You feel like you aren't complete without them, and never understand how you live without them." He added and his cheeks burned red again. He knew deep in his heart those words were very true, and he was actually happy to finally say them.
"I didn't know you were capable of being in love, or smart enough to ever realize what you where feeling. But I guess miracles happen." Tea said while wrinkling her nose in Joey's direction. Joey was now mad, but he decided not to hold it against her because she was stupid (I know I'm being mean, but I can't kill her off because she's important to the other part of this story, go read The Witness and the Guardian if you don't understand!), besides he didn't want to be all upset before he met with Seto. "I think you know you're in love when you are willing to do anything to get that person to feel the same!" Tea stated with an air of an all-important one. Joey rolled his eyes, he knew who she was talking about and her idea of love was frightening and childish.
"That sounds like you're obsessed, not in love." Joey stated while glaring at Tea. "Goodbye Yugi, see you Monday." Joey turned and left, he figured Yugi could handle the rest on his own. Besides he had a date to keep with Seto.
Seto was waiting for him by the door out the back way. Joey reached out and gave him a light hug before they headed out; Joey felt the need to be close for just a split second to remind himself this was still real. They walked in silence to Seto's house, neither one realizing what the night would hold for them or how things could possibly change at the blink of an eye. Joey didn't take Seto's hand because of his growing apprehension, he felt as if someone might see them this time and it might be their undoing. They had said they wouldn't do anything until Joey was free but they had both broken that so much it didn't even apply any more.
When they reached Seto's house they went inside and cooked a light dinner for them both. Seto would make something else when Mokuba got home, but right now he wanted to eat with his love. They didn't talk much, each absorbed in their own thoughts and fears about the night. Joey didn't want to voice his fears for fear that from voicing them they might come true. Seto was thinking about what Joey was going to have to face and reliving something from his past. Joey could tell something besides just what he was doing that night was bothering his brunette love, but he pushed that away, Seto would tell him when he was ready.
After they had cleaned up the kitchen they made their way back to the den they had been in when Malik and Marik had interrupted them earlier in the week. Seto turned on a movie by instinct but not a word of it filtered into either of the boys' minds, they were too focused on the boy sitting next to them. Slowly they grew closer without realizing it, almost until their lips touched of their own accord. Then they let their eyes slid close and their lips met in the tender bliss they were growing fond of, the kiss slowly got a little more intense before they pulled back. Joey was now almost sitting in Seto's lap, his hands tangled in the brunette's shirt, holding on like his life depended on it. Seto had his hand wrapped lightly in Joey's hair and the other resting on the smaller boy's cheek. It didn't seem real, as if they let go for a brief second it would all shatter like a gossamer veil that concealed the real world on the other side. They leaned in again and the kiss was just as electrifying as the first, but Joey suddenly without even realizing it felt the need to feel closer, as if it might be the last time. His hands began to wander on their own across the expanse they rested on. The kiss kept going and Joey felt the hand in his hair pull a little bit tighter but it was still comforting. But as Joey's hands roamed a little lower he felt the brunette beneath him tensed up and pull away. They pulled apart and Joey shot Seto a questioning look, asking why Seto had pulled back. Seto didn't meet his eyes at first but when he did they were filled with a deep sorrow and confusion.
"I'm sorry Joey, I don't know what happened." Seto started to explain, before Joey cut him off.
"No that's ok, we're not ready for that yet, besides it's time for me to go and face him now." Joey had caught sight of Seto's watch and he needed to go confront his problem head on. Seto nodded and then leaned forward and wrapped Joey in a comforting hug. Then they stood up and walked to the door, all the fears rushing back at them now more real than ever.
As Joey was walking out the door Seto caught his hand and pulled him back for one last tender kiss before he left. Joey let himself absorb every last bit of comfort he could.
"Remember if it starts to look bad leave, don't wait you know he's violent so escape from the situation." Seto implored of Joey and Joey nodded his head and started off again. Yet again Seto caught his hand and this time the sorrow was back in his eyes, "I have something I need to tell you, but tonight's going to be stressful so I'll tell you tomorrow. Meet me at the park and we'll talk and remember I'm here for you." And with one last squeeze of their hands Joey was walking away and to the house were his father was. It would never be home, not with all those horrible memories, it was nothing but a place to be beating in his mind. He thought of all the horrible things he had had to endure over the years as he avoided the puddles from the storm that had hit with a vengeance after he and Seto had gotten to Seto's mansion.
Joey dragged his feet all the way home, but he kept going because this was the last step to him finally being with Seto. He knew as long as he thought of Seto, or even his angel he could face his father. Maybe one day he'd find his angel but for now he was more than happy with Seto. He opened his front door as quietly as he could but it was no use. As he stepped into the kitchen he had a very frightening sight before him. There was his father, seated at the table and waiting for him.
"I've been waiting for you." His father whispered in a very dangerous voice. Joey knew something was not right.
TBC
♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣Please review, let me know what you thought. I hope you enjoyed the longest chapter of this I've every written. Feel free to suggest things and comment, just remember I have the right to take and do with them as I will (you can't make me listen to you!!)! Thank you to all my loyal reviewers!! I hope to have the next chapter out in a month at most!♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣♣