Contains some pseudo-psycho-crap.
Kaiba awoke with a comfortable feeling of recovery. The strange mix of hot and cold in his body was nearly gone. He enjoyed the warmth surrounding him. His throat was still aching but without the soreness of his body it was much better to stand. He stretched his arms out when he suddenly heard a voice. "Ah, you are awake. How are you?" Kaiba frowned and his memories of last night flashed through his brain. He turned around and saw Joey sitting next to him on the bed. His upper part of the body was leaned against the wall and he was looking down to Kaiba. There was a moment of silence. Both of them didn't know what to do. Joey tried something like a smile but he failed. Instead he said quickly "Well, your fever is reduced to a minimum. So I guess you feel better. What about breakfast? You haven't eaten the last days. I bring you something." Then he jumped from the bed and vanished. Kaiba could hear how he closed the kitchen door behind him. Kaiba tried to concentrate on what happened. He had a foolish nightmare which made him behave like an idiot. But it was all the fault of the fever. Nevertheless Joey saw him crying like a little baby. He felt angry about this. Why Joey? The last days were horrible enough without this last humiliation. What could he do now? Of course he had to leave this place as soon as possible. But what about all the things which happened. Would Joey keep silent. This joke of a nurse saw him in a state of weakness which could destroy his image. He didn't need someone spreading rumours around that Kaiba was nothing more like fake. Someone who breaks down when catching just a little cold. The pleasant feeling when he awoke was gone. Sullen he swung his legs out of the bed and walked to the cupboard. He needed something to dress. Where were his clothes? But suddenly the room started spinning around. His legs felt like jelly and he crashed back to the bed. He touched his head and breathed fast. He should be more careful.
"Don't hurry", Joey said from the door. He carried a tablet with a cup, a banana and a plate with some toast. "You should eat first and then you can leave." He put the tablet on the bedside table. Then he sat on the bedside. He didn't look at Kaiba when he said "Last night never happened. And your whole stay here must not be mentioned after you are gone. I am honest, I told Yugi about your stay. But he will never know any details and he won't tell. I promise." Anger made Kaiba forget about his dizziness and he shouted: "You told Yugi? Yugi? How could you? I should have known what a stupid fool you are."
"I am sorry. Maybe it was wrong but it happened."
"Maybe? You threatened some big business deals."
"Come on. Do you really believe Yugi would call your competitors? Don't be ridiculous. And he won't tell anyone."
"He shouldn't know."
"Know about what? That even when you are sick you behave like an asshole? And that a feverish nightmare made you a bit human. But don't be afraid. Your recovery will make sure that this will never happen again. You are proofing it right now. What is your fucking problem?"
"I don't want to be here. I want to go. Give me my clothes and my mobile."
Their voices were loud and angry.
"No problem. Your things are in the cupboard. Just go and get them. I will call Mokuba and tell him you are coming home. Share your next nightmare with him."
"Shut up!", Kaiba yelled "He never knows about them!"
Surprised Kaiba noticed some tears running down his cheeks. But he was too upset to stop. His blood was rushing through his body and it felt like fever again. He coughed and grapped Joey's shoulders. "If you tell him I will kill you. Do you understand me?"
"You had these dreams before?" Joey asked slightly shocked by Kaiba's behaviour.
"Yes", Kaiba cried "And I don't know why."
"Calm down", Joey whispered and pulled Kaiba in his arms. Kaiba shivered and sobbed. "The child is hunting me since years."
"You never told anyone? Maybe it is someone you hurt in your past."
"No, I will never tell. I know the child. And there is nothing to do about it."
"You know the child? Who is it?"
"The child is me. I think I murdered it and now it's coming after me."
"That's crap. You are still alive."
Kaiba heard these words but he knew better. He had killed the child. And he was just a zombie. He wasn't alive anymore. "There is nothing inside me. I am a living dead", he hissed.
"You are a weirdo. I can see you breathing and talking. You are maybe an asshole but a person without inner feelings wouldn't be so protective for his brother. Maybe something has gone wrong but you are not dead."
Kaiba felt so exhausted and Joey offered him such friendly words. It felt good to lay the head on his chest. Just for the moment he believed in Joey's voice and leaned without regrets on Joey. He relaxed slowly and when he felt his shaking was gone he freed himself from Joey's embrace. He found his voice and declared matter-of-fact: "What I am saying now is very contrary to our normal conversation but I guess it cannot get more absurd. I still feel a bit sick and I am in a state which I cannot present Mokuba. So I ask if I can stay a bit longer in your place."
Joey hesitated a moment before he answered. "This is really weird. But if you try to be a bit more friendly I think you can stay. Can you believe what I am saying? Maybe we should make an agreement. Your stay here is something out of our normal circumstances."
"Okay", Kaiba agreed. He was somehow relieved.
"So, are you hungry?"