-- i changed the -split- to -- for when the scene or POV changes. what's seto and joeys fathers names?---

Kaiba rubbed his eyes as he closed his laptop. He'd been working for at least 3 hours straight. 'Maybe I should go for a walk to clear my head.' Kaiba walked past Mokuba's room checking to make sure he was all right. He leaned on the doorway watching Mokuba's chest rise up and down. Mokuba was covered by blue eyes white dragon plushies. Kaiba smiled as he saw Mokuba's nose twitch. 'He reminds me of my puppy,' Kaiba thought. His smile suddenly disappeared. 'My puppy,' Kaiba shoke his head, 'I really need to clear my head.' He grabbed his trademark coat and headed for the park.

--

Joey was sitting on a park bench, staring up at the sky. He'd been sitting there for an hour or maybe 2 or 3. At least he was able to get the shards of glass out of his hand. The bleeding had slowly subsided but the pain still lingered. Joey felt something hit his palm. He closed his eyes as the rain hit his face. The rain soaked his whole body. Joey's blond locks were matted to his forehead, partially covering his honey eyes.

--

Kaiba was slowing walking through the park. All he could think about were 2 things number 1 Joey and number 2 Joey. To make things worse it started raining. Kaiba cursed himself for not bringing an umbrella. As he was running for cover under a tree he spotted a figure slouched on a bench. At first he thought it was Joey. The blond mob of hair, the lean body, the long legs and those honey coloured eyes wide in surprise. 'I must be going insane,' Kaiba thought. 'Wait…'

"Mutt?"

--

Joey stared wide-eyed at Kaiba as he approached him.

"You'll get a cold if you stay here mutt." Joey chuckled. He leaned forward so his blond locks now fully covering his eyes.

"A cold is least of my worries at the moment," Joey retorted.

"What? Did you catch fleas from your run down apartment?" As soon as those words left Kaiba's mouth he regretted saying them. But Joey just laughed. He stood up and faced Kaiba, his eyes downcast and his hair still covering half his face.

"You have no idea what my life is life." Joey grabbed Kaiba by his collar, fury in his eyes.

"You would never understand what I've been through. Compared to your perfect life and your perfect childhood, my life is hell!" With that Joey let go of Kaiba.

Kaiba growled, "You know nothing about my childhood and believe me it was far from perfect!" Joey was stunned and just stood there frozen.

"Nothing…" Kaiba whispered as he turned to leave. Joey grabbed Kaiba's hand.

"Wait! What do you mean?" Joey cried. But Kaiba just snatched his hand away and left. Joey dropped onto his hands and knees, his hand clutching handfuls of dirt.

'What do you mean?" Joey screamed. There was no reply. Everything was still. 'Nothing.'

--

Kaiba snapped his phone open and ordered someone to pick him up. When the car arrived as Kaiba was about to open the door he noticed something red call over his hand. As he examined it closer he realised it was blood

-- Flashback

"Nothing…" Kaiba whispered as he turned to leave. Joey grabbed Kaiba's hand.

"Wait! What do you mean?" Joey cried. But Kaiba just snatched his hand away and left.

-- End of flashback

"Joey…"

Kaiba looked back at the park and saw the faint outline of the bench. There was no sign of Joey. It was like he was never there.

-- Next day

Kaiba hadn't seen Joey all morning at school. 'He's probably late.' Kaiba thought. He decided to wait till lunch, so Kaiba stood by Joey's locker, waiting for him to show up. But lunch came and went and the mutt still hadn't showed up at school yet. 'Something's not right. Maybe he's sick from sitting in the rain or he's skipped school. I'll check the park after school.' Kaiba decided to forget about Joey and focus on his work. But still, no matter what Kaiba was doing he couldn't get Joey out of his head.

--

As soon as the bell went Kaiba had hurried over to the park. He searched the park for Joey. He was about to go home when he spotted the same bench from earlier. 'He just might be here.' Kaiba thought. And there Joey was just like the other day, slouched on the bench and staring up at the sky. As Kaiba got closer to Joey his heart sank. It was Joey all right but he was covered in blood and even from where Kaiba was standing he could see Joey was in pretty bad shape. To Kaiba's surprise Joey turned his head towards him and lightly smiled.

"What are you doing here Kaiba?" His voice was extremely hoarse. Joey got up and staggered over to Kaiba.

"Joey what happened to you?" Joey laughed in response but the laughing soon turned to a frenzy of coughing.

"Can't…breathe…" Joey whispered. Kaiba stared in horror as Joey coughed up blood into his hand.

"Joey!" Kaiba cried. Suddenly Joey pitched forward. Kaiba grabbed Joey before he hit the ground. He checked to see if the mutt was still awake but he had already passed out. Kaiba checked Joey's pulse. It was very faint.

--

Seto stared silently at the sleeping beauty in front of him. What he had witnessed and the agonizing wait for the doctor's results was unbearable. Seto stroked Joey's hand, marveling at the softness. His hand trailed up to the bandages tightly wound around his waist and upper torso. There were bruises on Joey's arms and neck. 'Who would stab and wound Joey? Was Joey in financial problems? Was it a gang fight? Or could it be…' Seto shoke is head pushing that thought out of his mind. All Seto knew was whoever did this was going to pay dearly. Seto assumed that the same person inflicted Joey's injured wrist and his bleeding hand. Seeing Joey in his brutal condition brought back flashbacks from Seto's childhood. Luckily for Seto the sick son of a bitch that harmed him paid with his life. Seto mentally cursed himself, for this was not the time or place to be thinking about himself. 'Joey needs my support.'

"Nnn… no… don't…" Joey mumbled. Seto leaned closer to Joey straining to hear what he said. The words became clearer until Joey was almost shouting them.

"Stop it dad you're hurting me. NO!" Joey tossed and turned. "Somebody help me. I don't want to be left alone." Joey sat up awake, panicking and overwhelmed with pain. Not knowing what else to do, Seto embraced Joey. He soothed Joey and cooed sweet words into his ear. "You're not alone, I'm here Joey." When Seto lowered Joey onto the hospital bed he heard light snoring coming from Joey.

--

Joey leisurely opened his eyes, but snapped them close when he felt pain cramp his body. He tried to slow down his breathing but he almost fainted with the sudden shock of seeing drips leading down to his arms. Joey bolted upright, ignoring the pain and frantically searching what he presumed was a hospital room. The blinds were still closed but light shone through the cracks. That's when Joey spotted a figure sitting in a chair with their head lying on the bed.

-- Flashback

Not knowing what else to do, Seto embraced Joey. He soothed Joey and cooed sweet words into his ear. "You're not alone, I'm here Joey."

-- End of flashback

'Seto!' Joey's eyes softened as the previous events replayed in his mind. He broke out of his trance when Seto shivered. Joey picked up an extra blanket and gently put it over Seto's shoulders. His hand slowly trailed down Seto's arm. Seto's muscles were tight and Joey soon found himself craving over Seto's smooth skin. Seto's hand was faced palm up on the bed. Joey gave a stifled laugh as Seto's little finger twitched whenever he touched the palm. Amazingly enough Seto's hands weren't cold but invitingly warm. Joey always assumed that Seto's body would be as cold to touch as his icy attitude. Though now Joey realised Seto was extremely caring if the need be. Knowing that Seto wouldn't crack at him seeing as he's in hospital, Joey slowly slipped his hand onto Seto's and entwined their fingers.

"Thank you, Seto." Joey whispered. He leaned back onto the pillows and found himself drifting back to sleep. 'I feel so safe.'

--

Seto woke up to the sound of beeping. 'What the hell is that beeping? Oh, that's right I'm in the hospital with Joey. Joey!' Seto slowly sat up in the chair but was distracted by something warm in his hand. 'Wait, how did Joey's hand end up in mine? I don't remember…' Seto felt his heart beat faster as realization hit him. With a small smile graced on his lips he kissed Joey's tender hand.

Something buzzed inside of Seto's pocket so he swiftly but gracefully let go of Joey's hand and disappeared around the corner. Seto flipped his phone open and answered gruffly; annoyed someone had the nerve to disturb him. His stern face softened when he recognized Mokuba's voice.

"Seto, where are you? I was worried when you didn't come home and when I called your office the secretary said you hadn't arrived…"

"Sorry, Mokie I was helping… a friend. I'm at the hospital," Seto said. "I'm fine don't worry," Seto continued when he heard Mokie take a sharp intake of breath.

"Who's your friend and when are you coming home?" Mokuba questioned. Seto calmly explained that he'd be back by dinner and he'd be bringing along his… friend.

--

Joey had woken up just after Seto had left the room. Joey felt a pang of loneliness when he assumed Seto was angry when he joined their hands so he got up and left. 'Why does everything in my life disappear when I touch it? I knew the fact that Seto liked me was too good to be true. Maybe when I get back to school he'll at least say hello.' Joey sighed.

"I'm pathetic."

"You're not pathetic Joey." Joey felt a huge weight lifted off his heart as he stared at his crush. Seto was holding his phone in his hand and was leaning against the doorway. Joey's face lit up and his heart pounded in his chest.

"Seto!" Realizing what he'd said, Joey blushed and fiddled with the end of the bed sheets.

"W…What are you doing here?" Joey asked timidly, afraid that Seto would leave. Joey looked up when he saw Seto's shadow getting closer. What happened next surprised Joey even more. Seto entwined their hands and leaned forward until their faces were just inches apart.

"Damn it. You're so adorable…" With that Seto kissed Joey and silenced any of his protests. When they pulled back Joey was in bliss.

"Wow…" Joey whispered. A small cough from the doorway interrupted their… session. The doctor was standing with a clipboard in his hand and a slightly shocked look on his face. Seto silently smirked as he sat back down in his seat and Joey was too stunned to move. Realizing he was staring, the doctor put on a professional look.

"How are you feeling, Mr. Wheeler? By the way you are free to go home whenever seems appropriate. Your clothes have been washed and have been stored in the cupboard next to you. Mr. Kaiba may I please talk to you for a second outside. It won't take long." Kaiba nodded and gave Joey a reassuring smile before following the doctor outside.

--

"Now, please be honest and tell me how Mr. Wheeler got into the condition he's in now." Seto knew what the doctor was really saying and was disgusted he'd even contemplate that despicable thought.

"As a matter of fact I found Joey sitting on a park bench. I knew Joey from school so I rushed him to hospital when he passed out. I'm not exactly sure if I'm correct but I would like you to consider Joey's drunken father who I assume at the moment is passed out on the floor. Don't let the sick bastard come near Joey again. If you won't or can't, I sure will." The doctor nodded obediently and hurried down the corridor. Seto entered the room to find Joey putting on his jacket. He quickly went over and helped Joey, giving him a quick peck on his cheek when he finished helping Joey.

"Are you ready to go home?" Seto asked. Seeing Joey's eyes glaze over he quickly rephrased his question.

"That is if you're well enough." Joey started trembling and tears clouded his vision.

"I don't want to go home," Joey said, fear evident in his voice. Seto cupped Joey's face in his hands.

"Joey, your father will never be allowed to come near you ever again." Joey was shocked.

"How did you know?" He asked. Seto's eyes saddened.

"I'll tell you another time but all I can say is I know exactly how you feel." Joey didn't ask him any more questions regarding Seto's past but Joey was determined to found out one way or another.

"You can stay with me until things are sorted out," Kaiba suggested.

"If I stayed with you I'd just be a burden with Mokuba needing you and your company. I don't want to be the one who…" Joey trailed off when Seto hugged him. Seto didn't let go of Joey so instead he leaned in closer to Joey's ear and whispered, "You worry too much. Besides you're not alone Joey. Remember that."