~ Chapter 6 ~
.
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Joey was in the library working on the computer. The library was empty except for a few freshmen who were trying to flirt with the student librarian. Joey, however, wasn't paying any attention to them.
He was trying to look something up on the internet, and no it was not porn. Actually what he was looking for was something along the lines of:
|Obsessive Compulsive Disorder|
It was lucky that google spellchecks, otherwise Joey would never have gotton it right. But he was still having problems. He could read enough to look it up but he couldn't read most of the stuff he wanted to know.
Like what a Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is. Normally he never had to worry about looking things up on the internet. When they did projects in school they always worked in groups so Joey never had to be able to find things on the internet.
So, what was he to do?
He could ask Yugi to help couldn't he? But, alas no. His friends didn't know about him being dyslexic and he would like to keep it that way. Joey had his pride. So who was left?
Mokuba.
So Joey printed out a random site that supposedly had stuff about OCD and headed over the middle school. Mokuba was in gym luckily, for that is the easiest class to get out off. Not that Joey or Mokuba knew anything about that – they would never dare to skip class...
They were at the tennis courts. Most of the students were walking over to the shed to get the Tennis rackets. Joey leaned againt the side of the shed, waiting.
"Mokuba," Mokuba spun around, surprised at the sudden hearing of his name.
"Joey! What are you doing here?"
"I...Can I talk to you? After school." He paused then added:
"It's about your brother." Mokuba looked at him suspicously. Then he nodded.
"I'll meet you after school then." Joey agreed, then Mokuba walked back to where the rest of his classmates were.
Now I'm sure you've realized by now what Joey wanted to talk about.
About what Seto had and what it was, since clearly Seto wasn't going to tell Joey about it anytime soon. But I'm sure you're wondering _why_ Joey wants to know.
Because to go to the trouble of asking Mokuba about it goes definitly beyond curiousity.
Now I'm not saying it wasn't curiousity at all. I'm positive curiousity plays a part. The thing is it's more than that.
Like guilt – for making fun of Seto. Like being a good friend – Mokuba is Joey's friend and the stuff that Seto does upsets him, so what is a friend to do? Help of course. Like thankfulness – for Seto had tried to help Joey even though he wasn't being cooperative.
That was it. It was like through some telepathic connections. Seto helped Joey so now it was Joey's turn. But the thing is, how can you help someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
That's where Mokuba came in.
It's weird though. Mokuba probably knows how to help Seto yet can't, it has to be Joey. Just goes to show that there are upsides to friends – but whether Seto wants to believe that or not is his choice.
You know, one could say Joey and Seto are friends.
They haven't fought (resently at least).
They're helping each other (most likely not willingly though).
They care.
Interesting. I've got no comeback to that one. Maybe they don't. But then again maybe they do. You know denial is not just a river in Egypt.
I'll get back to you on that one...
*~*
"Seto lets you walk home?" Mokuba smirked, looking oddly like his older brother.
"No." He shrugged.
"I have my ways with the bodyguards." The ravin-haired boy paused and stared up at Joey.
"Since when do you call my brother Seto?" He has a point there. A very good point.
"Uh... now?" Joey had no clue. Would Seto mind? Ah, Damn it he called him Seto again. Or thought of him as Seto really. But what's the difference. He was now on first name basis with his enemy. Normal? Who knows? Or cares for that matter – Joey didn't...
Much.
"You want to know about OCD don't you?"
"OC what?" Joey sputtered.
"It's what my brother has. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder." Mokuba said the last part quietly.
"Yeah... How'd you know?" Mokuba tried to smile.
"Well, it's not the most normal thing in the world is it? Why do you think he hasn't told anyone? People would laugh at him." He sighed.
"Not everyone..." Joey whispered.
"Incase you haven't noticed Joey, but my brother isn't exactly the most popular person. I mean even you and your friends hate him!"
"We... I don't hate him." Mokuba looked up at the older boy, unsure whether he was telling the truth or not.
"Y-You don't? Are-" Joey cut him off.
"I never said I loved him but I don't hate him!" For some reason Joey using the word 'love' caused Mokuba to laugh.
"What?" Some people say ignorance is bliss, but then perhaps Joey wasn't being ignorant or perhaps he was telling the truth, or just maybe ignorance is bliss. I am not the one to ask and – obviously – neither is Joey.
"Never mind...What did you want to know?" Joey shrugged.
"I...I don't know. I mean...just how to help him I guess. We're both in-"
"Therapy. I know, I know. Hey, quit looking at me like that!" Joey continued to stare at Mokuba.
"How do you know these things?" Mokuba grinned.
"What? Did you think Seto was going to do therapy willingly?" Figures.
"So how could I help him?" Joey asked again.
"Well..." Mokuba paused, thinking.
"I don't know too much for Seto didn't exactly tell me anything. As you probably know he doesn't like talking about it."
"Yeah," Joey nodded, remembering last Thursday.
"But there's other ways of finding things out." Of course there were. Where would the world be without the precious internet?
"CBT." Reconizing Joey's confused face Mokuba added:
"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Basically it's just resisting all the compulsions until they don't feel the need to do them anymore." Seeing that Joey was still confused he added again:
"It would be like if Seto stopped touching the windows and continually stopped until he didn't have to do that anymore." Joey nodded showing that he understood.
"Do you think it would work though?" He asked, in doubt for he remembered what happened last time Seto didn't touch the windows all too well. And he didn't want a repeat.
"I don't know. It should if it's done properly." Joey nodded again. Maybe...
Both boys stopped walking. They were standing in front of the Kaiba Masion.
"Thanks for telling me that...I'll see you la-"
"Want to come in?" Mokuba asked ever so innocently.
"I...What? No...Se-Kaiba wouldn't..."
"Aw, C'mon. You can go talk to Seto," Blunt, isn't he? But then this is Joey's chance to try to help Seto. I mean now he doesn't even have to worry about Seto killing him this time. That's a relief isn't it?
"Okay, I guess..." Let's just hope Joey knows what he's getting into....to be on the safe side.
"Great." And with that Mokuba led Joey into the house.
To put it lightly the house was huge. Wait, it wasn't even a house. More like mansion only fifty times bigger. Something like that. But before Joey had time to even admire the great architecture of the 'house' Mokuba said:
"Seto's probably in his room. It's down that hallway. Third door on your left." He pointed down a hallway.
"Uhh, thanks...I guess." Joey mumbled the last part. He had no idea what he was doing there, in his supposed enemy's house. Oh yes, to try to help him. That's right. How could he have forgotton?
Most people help their enemy's with their problems.
I mean, obviously.
Right, especially if their younger brother's name is Mokuba.
Joey came to the door. Here goes nothing. For all Joey knew once he opened the door a wild, rabid Seto could come and kill him. Aww, damn it – Joey called him Seto again!
Well, at least that's not likely.
Only mutts can be rabid.
Great, now Joey's thinking like Seto. Jeez, next thing we'll know he'll have a spiked dog coller saying Property of Seto Kaiba.
Now that's weird...
Disturbing almost.
Just open the damn door before I can think about that any further.
Joey knocked on the door. He heard footsteps walking towards the door. The door knob slowly turned and the door opened slightly.
"Mokuba, what is-" Seto stopped in mid-sentence as he realized that who was at the door was most definitly not Mokuba. Unless he grew a couple a feet and bleached his hair.
"As you can probably see I'm not Mokuba," Joey opened the door wider and let himself into Seto's room. Seto didn't say anything, most likely still suffering from shock.
Seto shocked?
Yeah! One point for Joey. Cool, calm and, collected – that's his moto.
In his dreams.
No, it was actually a miracle that Joey even got this far without turning around and running like a lost puppy. You know, it's no wonder Seto calls Joey a dog.
"What are you doing here?" Miraculously Seto got his voice back. He didn't sound mean, not much anyway, more like he was truly wondering what Joey was donig standing in his room.
"Mokuba invited me," Joey said ever so innocently. For all he knew this could be a dream (A/N: And no, not because he was with Seto... in his room...) because he was still acting cool, calm, and collected. Or at least appeared to be.
Close enough anyway.
"I...oh," Perhaps that was a good enough explanation. Or perhaps Seto knew that Joey was probably trying to get him to talk. Seto's not as stupid as he looks.
Or acts really.
"You were talking to Mokuba I assume...about me..." Joey grinned, not caring that he had been caught.
"Yeah." Is it just me or are all Kaiba's physic, or at least always seem to know everything?
"Why do you bother?" Seto was sitting back at his desk, typing again not considering Joey to be worthy enough to have him stop working.
"You may suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Seto, but you sure have a lot more problems." Harsh.
Ya think?
Maybe not, for Seto definitly didn't think so. Either that or something else was more important.
"Seto?" Caught in the act. Grovel or act it cool. Doesn't take a genius to figure which Joey chose.
"Yeah," Joey walked over to Seto's desk and looked over his shoulders to see what he was working on, not that it mattered for it made no sence to Joey.
"It's your name isn't it? Unless you want me to call you something else. I could always call you shadow or something..." Seto turned around and stared at him truly wondering how Joey's mind worked.
"I had a pet cat named that..." Oh. (A/N: That rhymes!)
"Are you saying I'm a cat?" That must be the weirdest question I've ever heard. But then, being around Joey too long can do that to you.
"You could say that." Joey was leaning against the desk that Seto was working on.
"...Dogs chase cats..." Seto murmured more to himself than to anybody else.
"Are you suggesting that I chase you...considering that you are always calling me a dog..." Joey smirked.
"You're here aren't you?"
"Wouldn't the right word be stalk then?"
"You want me to think you're stalking me?"
"Wouldn't the correct question be are you stalking me?"
They stared at each other for a few seconds, drowning in both of their stupidity. They really weren't making much sence. Seto had stopped typing and was facing Joey.
"Why are you here?" "I thought you knew that,"
"I'm being serious."
"I never knew you could be anything but serious," Seto glared at Joey who was getting on his nerves.
"Fine. One word. CBT. Happy now?" Seto paused before answering.
"You mean Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?" Seto asked, now vaguely interested.
"I don't know what it stands for, it was just something Mokuba was talking about. Something to help you..."
"You won't let it go will you?"
"No." Stubborn was Joey's middle name. But then it was also Seto's.
Funny, now they have something in common.
"Have you ever thought I might not want you to help me? Or that I don't need help?" Seto went back to typing to keep himself from over-reacting and possibly hurting or screaming at Joey.
"First of all you need help. That's obvious, even your brother's worried. Second of all you wouldn't want help even if it was given to you by god him/herself." Joey shrugged.
"I'm not that bad am I? Or are you just scared?"
"I'm not scared."
"Sure? Because somethings holding you back and the last time I checked I wasn't that impossible to live with." Seto stood up and looked Joey in the eye.
"You don't have to do this..." Joey just stared back at him.
"But I want to." Seto closed his eyes.
"Who says I did?"
"How about we make a deal," Seto looked at Joey with interest. I guess deals was something he could deal with...
"What kind of deal?"
"You let me help you with...OCD...and I'll let you help me with Dyslexia."
"Why would I want to help you?" Very good question. But then I'd have to ask, why did you help him before?
"I..." Joey shrugged.
"For the hell of it I guess,"
"Joey Wheeler," Seto forced a pathetic smile.
"I think you have a deal." Joey nodded.
"I'll see you Thursday then," He said then began walking over to the door.
"Bye Kaiba," He was about to leave when:
"You are allowed to call me Seto...if you want to that is..." Joey laughed.
"Bye Seto then." And with that he left the room, feeling considerably happier than when he had entered the room.
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Okay...
Wow, that is a long chapter.
2,348 words to be exact.
Now incase anyone is wondering, yes, Seto and Joey do eventually fall in love. But don't expect it to happen all suddenly...
I like my suspence.
Aren't I so evil?
.
.
Joey was in the library working on the computer. The library was empty except for a few freshmen who were trying to flirt with the student librarian. Joey, however, wasn't paying any attention to them.
He was trying to look something up on the internet, and no it was not porn. Actually what he was looking for was something along the lines of:
|Obsessive Compulsive Disorder|
It was lucky that google spellchecks, otherwise Joey would never have gotton it right. But he was still having problems. He could read enough to look it up but he couldn't read most of the stuff he wanted to know.
Like what a Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is. Normally he never had to worry about looking things up on the internet. When they did projects in school they always worked in groups so Joey never had to be able to find things on the internet.
So, what was he to do?
He could ask Yugi to help couldn't he? But, alas no. His friends didn't know about him being dyslexic and he would like to keep it that way. Joey had his pride. So who was left?
Mokuba.
So Joey printed out a random site that supposedly had stuff about OCD and headed over the middle school. Mokuba was in gym luckily, for that is the easiest class to get out off. Not that Joey or Mokuba knew anything about that – they would never dare to skip class...
They were at the tennis courts. Most of the students were walking over to the shed to get the Tennis rackets. Joey leaned againt the side of the shed, waiting.
"Mokuba," Mokuba spun around, surprised at the sudden hearing of his name.
"Joey! What are you doing here?"
"I...Can I talk to you? After school." He paused then added:
"It's about your brother." Mokuba looked at him suspicously. Then he nodded.
"I'll meet you after school then." Joey agreed, then Mokuba walked back to where the rest of his classmates were.
Now I'm sure you've realized by now what Joey wanted to talk about.
About what Seto had and what it was, since clearly Seto wasn't going to tell Joey about it anytime soon. But I'm sure you're wondering _why_ Joey wants to know.
Because to go to the trouble of asking Mokuba about it goes definitly beyond curiousity.
Now I'm not saying it wasn't curiousity at all. I'm positive curiousity plays a part. The thing is it's more than that.
Like guilt – for making fun of Seto. Like being a good friend – Mokuba is Joey's friend and the stuff that Seto does upsets him, so what is a friend to do? Help of course. Like thankfulness – for Seto had tried to help Joey even though he wasn't being cooperative.
That was it. It was like through some telepathic connections. Seto helped Joey so now it was Joey's turn. But the thing is, how can you help someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
That's where Mokuba came in.
It's weird though. Mokuba probably knows how to help Seto yet can't, it has to be Joey. Just goes to show that there are upsides to friends – but whether Seto wants to believe that or not is his choice.
You know, one could say Joey and Seto are friends.
They haven't fought (resently at least).
They're helping each other (most likely not willingly though).
They care.
Interesting. I've got no comeback to that one. Maybe they don't. But then again maybe they do. You know denial is not just a river in Egypt.
I'll get back to you on that one...
*~*
"Seto lets you walk home?" Mokuba smirked, looking oddly like his older brother.
"No." He shrugged.
"I have my ways with the bodyguards." The ravin-haired boy paused and stared up at Joey.
"Since when do you call my brother Seto?" He has a point there. A very good point.
"Uh... now?" Joey had no clue. Would Seto mind? Ah, Damn it he called him Seto again. Or thought of him as Seto really. But what's the difference. He was now on first name basis with his enemy. Normal? Who knows? Or cares for that matter – Joey didn't...
Much.
"You want to know about OCD don't you?"
"OC what?" Joey sputtered.
"It's what my brother has. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder." Mokuba said the last part quietly.
"Yeah... How'd you know?" Mokuba tried to smile.
"Well, it's not the most normal thing in the world is it? Why do you think he hasn't told anyone? People would laugh at him." He sighed.
"Not everyone..." Joey whispered.
"Incase you haven't noticed Joey, but my brother isn't exactly the most popular person. I mean even you and your friends hate him!"
"We... I don't hate him." Mokuba looked up at the older boy, unsure whether he was telling the truth or not.
"Y-You don't? Are-" Joey cut him off.
"I never said I loved him but I don't hate him!" For some reason Joey using the word 'love' caused Mokuba to laugh.
"What?" Some people say ignorance is bliss, but then perhaps Joey wasn't being ignorant or perhaps he was telling the truth, or just maybe ignorance is bliss. I am not the one to ask and – obviously – neither is Joey.
"Never mind...What did you want to know?" Joey shrugged.
"I...I don't know. I mean...just how to help him I guess. We're both in-"
"Therapy. I know, I know. Hey, quit looking at me like that!" Joey continued to stare at Mokuba.
"How do you know these things?" Mokuba grinned.
"What? Did you think Seto was going to do therapy willingly?" Figures.
"So how could I help him?" Joey asked again.
"Well..." Mokuba paused, thinking.
"I don't know too much for Seto didn't exactly tell me anything. As you probably know he doesn't like talking about it."
"Yeah," Joey nodded, remembering last Thursday.
"But there's other ways of finding things out." Of course there were. Where would the world be without the precious internet?
"CBT." Reconizing Joey's confused face Mokuba added:
"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Basically it's just resisting all the compulsions until they don't feel the need to do them anymore." Seeing that Joey was still confused he added again:
"It would be like if Seto stopped touching the windows and continually stopped until he didn't have to do that anymore." Joey nodded showing that he understood.
"Do you think it would work though?" He asked, in doubt for he remembered what happened last time Seto didn't touch the windows all too well. And he didn't want a repeat.
"I don't know. It should if it's done properly." Joey nodded again. Maybe...
Both boys stopped walking. They were standing in front of the Kaiba Masion.
"Thanks for telling me that...I'll see you la-"
"Want to come in?" Mokuba asked ever so innocently.
"I...What? No...Se-Kaiba wouldn't..."
"Aw, C'mon. You can go talk to Seto," Blunt, isn't he? But then this is Joey's chance to try to help Seto. I mean now he doesn't even have to worry about Seto killing him this time. That's a relief isn't it?
"Okay, I guess..." Let's just hope Joey knows what he's getting into....to be on the safe side.
"Great." And with that Mokuba led Joey into the house.
To put it lightly the house was huge. Wait, it wasn't even a house. More like mansion only fifty times bigger. Something like that. But before Joey had time to even admire the great architecture of the 'house' Mokuba said:
"Seto's probably in his room. It's down that hallway. Third door on your left." He pointed down a hallway.
"Uhh, thanks...I guess." Joey mumbled the last part. He had no idea what he was doing there, in his supposed enemy's house. Oh yes, to try to help him. That's right. How could he have forgotton?
Most people help their enemy's with their problems.
I mean, obviously.
Right, especially if their younger brother's name is Mokuba.
Joey came to the door. Here goes nothing. For all Joey knew once he opened the door a wild, rabid Seto could come and kill him. Aww, damn it – Joey called him Seto again!
Well, at least that's not likely.
Only mutts can be rabid.
Great, now Joey's thinking like Seto. Jeez, next thing we'll know he'll have a spiked dog coller saying Property of Seto Kaiba.
Now that's weird...
Disturbing almost.
Just open the damn door before I can think about that any further.
Joey knocked on the door. He heard footsteps walking towards the door. The door knob slowly turned and the door opened slightly.
"Mokuba, what is-" Seto stopped in mid-sentence as he realized that who was at the door was most definitly not Mokuba. Unless he grew a couple a feet and bleached his hair.
"As you can probably see I'm not Mokuba," Joey opened the door wider and let himself into Seto's room. Seto didn't say anything, most likely still suffering from shock.
Seto shocked?
Yeah! One point for Joey. Cool, calm and, collected – that's his moto.
In his dreams.
No, it was actually a miracle that Joey even got this far without turning around and running like a lost puppy. You know, it's no wonder Seto calls Joey a dog.
"What are you doing here?" Miraculously Seto got his voice back. He didn't sound mean, not much anyway, more like he was truly wondering what Joey was donig standing in his room.
"Mokuba invited me," Joey said ever so innocently. For all he knew this could be a dream (A/N: And no, not because he was with Seto... in his room...) because he was still acting cool, calm, and collected. Or at least appeared to be.
Close enough anyway.
"I...oh," Perhaps that was a good enough explanation. Or perhaps Seto knew that Joey was probably trying to get him to talk. Seto's not as stupid as he looks.
Or acts really.
"You were talking to Mokuba I assume...about me..." Joey grinned, not caring that he had been caught.
"Yeah." Is it just me or are all Kaiba's physic, or at least always seem to know everything?
"Why do you bother?" Seto was sitting back at his desk, typing again not considering Joey to be worthy enough to have him stop working.
"You may suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Seto, but you sure have a lot more problems." Harsh.
Ya think?
Maybe not, for Seto definitly didn't think so. Either that or something else was more important.
"Seto?" Caught in the act. Grovel or act it cool. Doesn't take a genius to figure which Joey chose.
"Yeah," Joey walked over to Seto's desk and looked over his shoulders to see what he was working on, not that it mattered for it made no sence to Joey.
"It's your name isn't it? Unless you want me to call you something else. I could always call you shadow or something..." Seto turned around and stared at him truly wondering how Joey's mind worked.
"I had a pet cat named that..." Oh. (A/N: That rhymes!)
"Are you saying I'm a cat?" That must be the weirdest question I've ever heard. But then, being around Joey too long can do that to you.
"You could say that." Joey was leaning against the desk that Seto was working on.
"...Dogs chase cats..." Seto murmured more to himself than to anybody else.
"Are you suggesting that I chase you...considering that you are always calling me a dog..." Joey smirked.
"You're here aren't you?"
"Wouldn't the right word be stalk then?"
"You want me to think you're stalking me?"
"Wouldn't the correct question be are you stalking me?"
They stared at each other for a few seconds, drowning in both of their stupidity. They really weren't making much sence. Seto had stopped typing and was facing Joey.
"Why are you here?" "I thought you knew that,"
"I'm being serious."
"I never knew you could be anything but serious," Seto glared at Joey who was getting on his nerves.
"Fine. One word. CBT. Happy now?" Seto paused before answering.
"You mean Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?" Seto asked, now vaguely interested.
"I don't know what it stands for, it was just something Mokuba was talking about. Something to help you..."
"You won't let it go will you?"
"No." Stubborn was Joey's middle name. But then it was also Seto's.
Funny, now they have something in common.
"Have you ever thought I might not want you to help me? Or that I don't need help?" Seto went back to typing to keep himself from over-reacting and possibly hurting or screaming at Joey.
"First of all you need help. That's obvious, even your brother's worried. Second of all you wouldn't want help even if it was given to you by god him/herself." Joey shrugged.
"I'm not that bad am I? Or are you just scared?"
"I'm not scared."
"Sure? Because somethings holding you back and the last time I checked I wasn't that impossible to live with." Seto stood up and looked Joey in the eye.
"You don't have to do this..." Joey just stared back at him.
"But I want to." Seto closed his eyes.
"Who says I did?"
"How about we make a deal," Seto looked at Joey with interest. I guess deals was something he could deal with...
"What kind of deal?"
"You let me help you with...OCD...and I'll let you help me with Dyslexia."
"Why would I want to help you?" Very good question. But then I'd have to ask, why did you help him before?
"I..." Joey shrugged.
"For the hell of it I guess,"
"Joey Wheeler," Seto forced a pathetic smile.
"I think you have a deal." Joey nodded.
"I'll see you Thursday then," He said then began walking over to the door.
"Bye Kaiba," He was about to leave when:
"You are allowed to call me Seto...if you want to that is..." Joey laughed.
"Bye Seto then." And with that he left the room, feeling considerably happier than when he had entered the room.
.
.
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Okay...
Wow, that is a long chapter.
2,348 words to be exact.
Now incase anyone is wondering, yes, Seto and Joey do eventually fall in love. But don't expect it to happen all suddenly...
I like my suspence.
Aren't I so evil?