Author's notes: ::attempts to smile innocently and fails completely:: I'M SORRY!!!! I know, I know, it's been ages since I last updated, but I was really busyÉ I'M SORRY!!!! ::wails::
Thank you to everyone who reviewed!!! It's really encouraging to hear so many positive comments!! ::huggles reviewers:: .
You know the disclaimer and shit so on with the story!!
!#$%&()
Chapter 4
Seto glanced at the clock, agitated.
Where's Wheeler? He said that he would come around to the mansion after he got out- and he's not at the hospital because I already checked there... what if he's hurt? Kaiba drummed his fingers against his desk.
Mokuba glanced at him, surprised by Seto's sudden and rare display of nervousness.
"'Niisan? Are you alright?" he asked anxiously.
"I'm fine, Mokuba." Seto replied through gritted teeth.
No, I'm not fine, Seto yelled inwardly. I don't know where the fuck Wheeler is! Honestly, he shouldn't be wandering around in his injured state.
"If you're so worried about Joey, then why don't you just go and visit him?" Mokuba asked, a fraction too innocently.
Seto stared at him, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What?"
"I know you like Joey, 'niisan." Mokuba grinned impishly. "I saw you kissing him the other day."
Seto couldn't do anything but stare at his younger brother. "Y-you saw- you saw what?"
"It was a while ago. You were kissing Joey outside the mansion." Mokuba ignored the glare Seto was sending his way though it could've curdled milk. "C'mon oniisan! You've got to be true to yourself."
"We are not going to talk about the mutt." Seto snapped. "Don't you have a video game to play?"
Mokuba caught the not so subtle hint and stood up to leave the room. "All I'm saying is that if you want to see him so bad, then you should just go and visit him. His address is in the little black book on my desk."
Seto stared after him. I swear that kid is trickier than he looks... he smirked. Then again, he is a Kaiba.
Seto didn't move for the next few minutes, though his gaze kept straying to the black book on Mokuba's small desk that sat opposite his.
I suppose checking on the mutt wouldn't be so bad... Seto finally thought and scribbled Joey's address down on a scrap of paper and left the mansion.
It was only after Seto arrived at Joey's crap apartment that he realised that if Joey wasn't home he would stuck knocking on an empty apartment.
Oh well, too late now, Seto thought. He knocked on the door and was surprised when it swung open as soon as he hit it.
What? panic rushed through his veins. Why is Joey's door open? Is he in trouble? Seto rushed through the door, and smirked at the sight he saw.
It was Joey, and he was fast asleep- his mouth hanging open slightly, yet he still managed to look like a complete angel.
Seto guessed that the blond had been so tired that he had simply fallen asleep on his sofa.
I should wake him up- otherwise he'll wake up with a sore neck, Seto thought, though he didn't really have the heart to wake Joey up- his puppy was sleeping so peacefully. Finally he managed to poke Joey in the side, earning a loud yelp.
Joey blinked several times before everything came into focus. He saw Seto standing over him, an unreadable expression on his stern face, and shook his head, as if trying to clear it.
"Kaiba? That really you?"
"No shit sherlock." Seto smirked mockingly. "I'm actually an angel come to save you."
"Nah, angels wear nice shiny clothes and they have pretty circle thingies above their head." Joey mumbled, still half asleep.
Seto raised an eyebrow. "Of course mutt, whatever you say."
"Shut it Kaiba." Joey growled. He pulled himself up so that he was sitting. He gestured to Seto to sit down. "Do you want anything to eat or drink?"
Seto shook his head, and sat down. He leaned over and started to pull the hem of Joey's shirt up.
Joey flinched and pulled away. "What the fuck do you think you're doing, Kaiba?"
Seto rolled his eyes. "Jumpy, aren't you?" he smirked. "I was just checking your wounds."
"Oh." Joey blushed. "I'm sorry- it's just... Kenji- he- I never expected him to-" Joey broke off, staring intently at the ground.
Seto's gaze softened slightly. "I understand, Wheeler." he reached again for Joey's shirt, and slowly pulled it off. He sucked in a sharp breath when he saw the bandages wrapped around Joey's upper chest and arm.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, gently touching one of Joeys' wounds.
"A little." Joey admitted. "Not as much as when Kenji first stabbed me." he swiftly pulled his shirt back on, not liking his nakedness around Seto. "Thank you for everything, Kaiba."
"Hn." Seto grunted. "You've already thanked me."
"You saved my life."
Seto flinched. He didn't like being reminded that Joey had been so close to dying.
Joey yawned. "So why'd ya come?"
"You said you would come around to the mansion. It's 6pm."
"What?!" Joey glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that Seto was right. "I must've fallen asleep!" he grinned sheepishly. "Sorry 'bout that, Kaiba."
"Hn." Seto searched for something to say. But what did you say to your arch nemesis after kissing them then saving their life?
I wonder why Joey hasn't asked about the kiss yet? Seto wondered. Did he like it... or is he avoiding the subject because he hated it and is homophobic? Nah- knowing Wheeler he'd probably have told me that straight to my face really loudly, and he wouldn't have kissed me back in the first place.
"Do you want to have some dinner?" Joey asked abruptly.
"Sure." Seto said, surprised. Normally he never had dinner until almost midnight- his work prevented him from having a social life or free time. "I hope you aren't going to go to work for a long time."
"I need the money." Joey persisted. "I need this apartment Kaiba- can't you understand that?"
"Of course I understand that, mutt, I'm not a simpleton." Seto snapped. "I'll pay for you while you're not working."
"What..?" Joey's face darkened. "I'm not a charity project, Kaiba."
"I'm not out to wound your pride Wheeler. I'm just trying to help." Seto said, frustration lacing his voice.
Joey sighed. "I'm sorry. Thank you Kaiba, I appreciate it."
"Whatever mutt." Seto looked away. He glanced at the clock again. "Mokuba's waiting for me. I have to go."
Joey nodded, disappoint rising within him. I guess I chased him off. Why is it that I am so impossible to love?
Seto glanced at Joey's disappointed face. Maybe I should stay and have dinner with him... no- what am I thinking? I do not, under any circumstances, want to have dinner with the mutt! I do not like him at all. Seto thought firmly.
##No? Then why did you kiss him?## a voice in his head asked.
Seto groaned inwardly, sensing that he was fighting a losing battle. He headed towards the door. "See you around, Wheeler."
"I guess." Joey replied doubtfully.
Seto frowned.What does he mean, 'I guess'? Doesn't he want to see me anymore? he decided to think about it later, and left the apartment.
!#$%
Joey tossed and turned in his bed. Nightmare after nightmare plagued him, and he couldn't get a wink of sleep. His blond hair was matted with sweat, and his shirt clung to his lithe body.
Joey groaned and flipped onto his stomach. He wasn't sure how many more nightmares he could take. Each one was worse than the last, and all of them were about Kenji.
I'm so scared... Joey thought, shivering slightly though his cheeks were flushed. He's still out there somewhere. And he said he knew a lot about me. What if he tries to kill or rape me again?
Tears trickled down Joey's cheeks. I need to stop thinking about it, he thought. I've got to go for a walk or something. But then Kenji might be there!
A branch knocked against his window, and Joey jumped, thinking it was someone knocking on the door. I've got to calm down, I've got to relax. Nothing's going to happen. Right?
The wind howling and the sound of branches tapping against his window finally caused Joey to snap and lose his nerve completely. He pulled out his phone book and called the first person that he thought of.
Seto Kaiba.
Seconds ticked past, and still no one answered. Joey felt his heart twist guiltily. It was in the early hours of the morning, and he was probably waking them up. I should hang up and try to go back to bed, Joey thought. He was about to hang up when he heard Seto's voice answer the phone.
((What the fuck do you want, calling at this time of night?)) Seto demanded.
Joey flinched. "It's me."
((I know it's you Wheeler, I have caller ID. Now what do you want?))
"N- nothing..."
((So you called over nothing? Good lord Wheeler, you're pathetic!)) Seto sneered.
Joey hung his head in shame. "I- I'm sorry." he murmured. "I won't do it again." he hung up.
His phone rung suddenly. Joey reached over and answered it.
"H- hello?" Joey answered. He hoped that it was Kaiba calling back. It wasn't.
((Guess who.))
Joey gasped. "K- Kenji? How the hell did you get my number?"
((Go figure. I don't appreciate what you did.))
"What do you want?"
((Open your door. It's cold out here.))
Joey almost screamed in terror. Oh my god... he's outside my door... he's going to kill me... I don't want to die, I really don't want to die...
"Please.. please- just leave me alone!" Joey begged.
((Not until I get what I want.))
"I'll sleep with you, I'll do whatever you want just promise me that if I do, then you'll leave me alone."
((Not good enough. You're mine, Wheeler. I want you as my own personal whore.))
There was no way that he could possibly agree to that. Joey hung up, hoping that if he ignored the older man, then Kenji would get bored and go away.
All of a sudden, there was loud knocking on the front door. Joey clutched his blankets tightly, wondering when he would get out of this hell.
Please.. please let him just go away... Joey thought desperately. He felt tears of desperation and hopelessness slide down his cheeks. I just want to lead a normal life...
He huddled underneath his blankets, trying to block out the persistant banging on his door.
"Leave me alone!" he finally yelled out, unable to take the noise any longer.
To his absolute shock, it wasn't Kenji's voice who answered- it was a seriously pissed off Seto Kaiba.
"For someone who phones people at 3:30am in the morning, you don't sound very talkative!" Seto snapped. "Are you going to let me in or not, mutt? It's fucking freezing out here."
Joey rushed to the door and opened it cautiously. He wasn't sure if it was actually Seto, and not Kenji pretending to be him. It was Seto, to his absolute relief.
"Finally." Seto grumbled, pushing past Joey and into the warmth of his apartment. "It took you long enough. Now why did you phone?"
"Kenji." Joey replied simply.
"Nightmares?" Seto asked, taking a seat on the couch.
"At first, yeah." Joey shuddered and sat down as close to Seto as he dared. "But then..."
"Then what?"
"He called."
"What?!" Seto frowned deeply. "What did he say? And how did he know?"
"That's the thing- I don't know how he knows my number." Joey whispered brokenly. He buried his face in his hands. "Do you know how terrifying it is, Kaiba? He told me to open the door, and said that it was cold outside. I thought- I thought it was him that was knocking on the door."
Seto was silent. He couldn't believe that the bastard had had the nerve to come back. Well, he would just have to get rid of him.
"What's his name again?"
"Kenji Saato." Joey replied.
"We're telling the police first thing." Seto said firmly.
Joey blanched. "No way! They're going to ask how I met him and stuff, and they'll know that I'm a- a-"
"Prostitute?" Seto suggested, smirking.
Joey glared at him. "That's not helpful, Kaiba."
"Hn. Think about it mutt- what's worse? People knowing, or you being haunted by this man for who knows how long?"
Joey lowered his eyes, knowing that Seto was right. But he didn't like it- he had kept his secret safe for all of these years, and now it was going to be revealed.
"Why'd you come here?" he asked suddenly.
Seto shrugged. "You called. I was-" worried, scared for you "-unsettled by your call."
"I honestly didn't mean to wake you up." Joey apologised, looking very contrite. "I just needed someone to talk to."
"So you called me?" Seto asked incredulously.
"Ok.. so maybe not someone to talk to, but someone... I don't know..." Joey gave up trying to explain and simply leaned back. "Would you like something to drink?"
"Water will be fine." Seto replied.
"Oh come on- have something a bit more exciting."
Seto raised an eyebrow. "And by that you mean...?"
Joey thought about it. His eyes lit up abruptly, and he grinned. "Hot chocolate?"
"No." Seto replied immediately. He had tried one cup of Mokuba's supposed 'hot chocolate' and had almost died.
"Why not?"
"I hate hot chocolate."
Joey gaped at him. "No one can possibly hate hot chocolate!" he said incredulously. The very idea of someone disliking the delicious drink was beyond believable. "You've got to try some."
"I already told you Wheeler, I don't like hot chocolate." Seto said stubbornly.
"Well try some of mine."
Seto hesitated. If I don't accept, he's just going to keep badgering me on and on about it. "Fine. I'll have a mug. But I tell you, I won't like it."
Joey winked mysteriously. "You haven't tried my hot chocolate." he disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Seto by himself in the living area.
Soon he came back, holding two steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of him. "Here, Kaiba, drink this."
"Hn." Seto accepted the mug, and eyed its contents warily.
I wonder what he's got in this thing. Poison, perhaps? Maybe a sleeping drug?
"It's not going to kill you, Kaiba." Joey snapped indignantly.
I wouldn't put it past Wheeler to try and kill me... Seto thought darkly. He tried a tiny sip and was pleasantly surprised. This is really good!
"Do you like it?" Joey asked eagerly.
"It's alright." Seto replied in a careless tone, as if it didn't really matter one way or the other.
"See- I told you you'd like it!" Joey crowed triumphantly.
"I never said I liked it mutt. I just said it was alright."
"Your eyes told me."
"My eyes did no such thing!" Seto protested.
"Hasn't anyone ever told you Kaiba? Eyes are windows to the soul." Joey quoted in what he hoped was a wise kind of way.
"Don't you go spouting a load of crap on me now, Wheeler." Seto snapped.
Joey simply shrugged. "Whatever you say, Kaiba, whatever you say." he smiled teasingly.
Seto glared at him. "Don't push your luck, mutt."
Joey said nothing but sipped at his drink, staring off into the distance. Seto watched him for a while, studying his features that were lit up by the soft moonlight.
"Do you like McDonalds?" he asked suddenly.
Joey stared at him. "Yeah..." he replied slowly, uncertain of what was going to come next. "Why?"
"Come on then." Seto stood up, and placed his mug of hot chocolate of the table. "Let's go."
"What?!" Joey gaped at him.
"You look like a fish, you know that?" Seto asked, amusement evident in his voice.
"Umm.. I just wasn't expecting- you know..." Joey trailed off, grimacing at his speaking skills.
"The world will end the day you make sense, mutt. Hurry up." Seto opened the door, and waited impatiently in the doorway.
"Uh-huh..." Joey still couldn't believe that Kaiba -of all people- had asked him out for breakfast.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill, Joey told himself firmly and joined him, after throwing on a thick coat. "Let's go then."
They drove over to the closest McDonald's in Seto's car, and sat down on one of the numerous seats.
"I never thought you would be the McDonald's type, Kaiba." Joey observed, fiddling with a packet of sugar.
Seto eyed the sugar warily, wondering if Joey reacted to the substance the same way Mokuba did.
"I eat McDonald's occasionally." Seto shrugged. "Mokuba likes it a lot."
"Do you like it?"
Seto thought about it. "No." he said finally.
Joey blinked in confusion. "Then why are we here? If you don't like it, then we should go somewhere else."
"We're here because-" I thought you would like this place "-it's the closest place." Seto lied.
Joey shrugged. "It's your loss Kaiba."
"I never lose." Seto snapped back. "Besides, this place is also extremely close to my house."
"And...?" Joey asked raising an eyebrow sceptically.
"You still haven't danced for me." Seto smirked, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Joey's eyes widened in horror. "What?! But- but-"
"But what, puppy?" his smirk grew even wider.
"Nothing." Joey muttered, somewhat mutinously. "I don't want to."
"Too bad." Seto resisted the urge to stick his tongue out at Joey. He told himself that the action was totally childish, and it would do horrors to his reputation as the cold hearted CEO. "You promised me before."
"I did?" Joey frowned, his tone doubtful.
I don't remember promising to dance for Kaiba, but if he says so...
"Of course." Seto lied smoothly. "Now let's go."
"But we haven't eaten anything yet!" Joey protested. "I'm hungry!"
"Then we'll get a takeaway." Seto rolled his eyes and strode towards the counter. "What do you want?"
Joey's face lit up. "Ooh.. umm..." his eyes hungrily took in the selection of choices he had. "Number 3 please. Ah.. regular combo." he dug in his pocket and cursed when he found it empty. "Shit- I didn't bring my wallet!"
"I'm paying mutt." Seto said his tone brooking no argument.
"Aren't you ordering anything?" Joey asked, concern evident in his voice no matter how much he tried to hide it. "No wonder you're so thin, Kaiba, you hardly eat anything!" he poked Seto in the side.
"I'm not hungry." Seto snapped, swatting Joey's hand away.
He ignored the smirk that the girl behind the counter sent them. It was obvious that she thought they were lovers.
I wish we were, Seto thought almost wistfully. Almost. He pushed that thought out of his mind. After all, Joey hadn't mentioned their kiss, so he presumed that the blond was uncomfortable with it, and was trying to avoid the subject.
He paid for Joey's meal and walked out of McDonalds. Joey ran after him, jogging to keep up with the much taller boy's long strides.
"What music?" Seto asked suddenly.
"Huh?" Joey blinked cluelessly. "Music? What music?"
Seto gave an exasperated groan. "What music do you want to dance to?"
"Err..." Joey went a brilliant shade of red. "I don't really mind... Something that moves and has a beat."
Seto smirked. "I'm sure I can find something."
They walked to his mansion, not saying a lot, just walking along in companiable silence. Seto opened the door for Joey, who immediately located the kitchen and sat down on one of the stools, pulling out his burger and fries.
Seto raised an eyebrow and sat opposite him. "How is it that you can immediately find the kitchen?"
Joey shrugged, grinning at him, and sucking down fries like spaghetti. He glanced at Seto. "You want some?" he asked holding out his french fries.
Seto shook his head, glaring at the fries as if they were dangerous. He watched as Joey bit into his burger, licking the sauce off his lips. Although Seto knew that Joey wasn't trying to be seductive, he couldn't help but be memorised by the blond's actions. His eyes were permanently fixed on Joey's rose coloured lips, not caring about anything else.
"Er... Kaiba? You okay there?" Joey hesitated, his burger half way to his mouth.
Why's he staring at me? Am I doing something wrong? I bet there's stuff all over my face. Damnit, why do I always have to make a fool of myself in front of Kaiba?
Joey nervously grabbed a serviette (a/n: no idea how to spell that, sorry!). Wishing that he had a mirror, Joey started to wipe his mouth, unnerved by the fact that Seto was still staring at him without blinking.
"You missed a spot." Seto said abruptly. His eyes were still fixated on Joey's lips.
"Oh." Joey wiped his mouth again. "Gone?"
"Iie." Seto shook his head slowly.
He didn't object the last time I kissed him- that has to be a good sign, the brunette thought as he leaned forward.
One pale lean finger stroked Joey's cheek, wiping a droplet of sauce off the blond's slightly tanned cheek. Seto leaned in closer, so that his and Joey's knees were touching, and licked his puppy's cheek, smirking as he felt him shiver.
"Mmmm..." Joey mumbled before placing his lips over Seto's. He pulled away briefly, trying to catch his breath, but Seto would have none of it, and quickly claimed his puppy's lips with his own once more.
Seto tugged Joey to his feet and guided him towards his bedroom, one hand dripping the blond's forearm tightly, the other trying -not so subtlely- to dip under the rim of Joey's pants. However Joey was having none of it.
"Kaiba! What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Joey demanded. He pulled away from the brunette.
"What does it look like, Wheeler?" Seto asked scathingly, one perfect eyebrow arched.
Joey flushed. "Yeah- but- we hardly know each other!" he twisted his hands together anxiously, trying to ignore the butterflies holding a summer ball in his stomach.
"And?" Seto asked coolly. All logic had deserted his mind, and the only words left in his mind were Joey and NOW. "I think I know you well enough by now.
"Do you Kaiba?" Joey asked quietly, his honey brown eyes serious.
"No, I guess I don't." Seto gently gripped Joey's chin, looking into his eyes seriously. "But I want to know you."
Joey couldn't help but smile. "I- I guess..."
Seto frowned. "Do you object to this, pup?"
"What is this exactly? Fucking?" Joey asked, obviously not sure of what Seto wanted from him.
Seto's face darkened. "Is that what you want? Sex?"
"Goddamn it Kaiba, you're confusing me!" Joey groaned. "I like you, alright? I like you a lot."
"Enough to start a relationship with me?" Seto asked. There was an almost desperate gleam in his ice blue eyes. "Can we just give this a shot?"
Joey wasn't sure how to react to that. Start a relationship with his once arch nemesis? His mind was going around in dizzying circles, and he was sure that he was going to collapse at any moment.
"Kaiba. I need to think about it." Joey gave a hesitant smile. He had wanted this so badly, to hear those words come from Seto's mouth, but now he wasn't sure. Especially after what had happened with Kenji. He was so afraid of being taken advantage of, and of someone breaking his heart.
A prime example of that was his dad- he was so heartbroken after Mrs. Wheeler left that he had taken to drinking. Joey's dad went from fun loving and kind to abusive and uncaring.
I could end up just like him- bitter at life and everything. But I really like Seto... but do I like him enough to love him?
"Of course." Seto replied briskly but Joey detected a disappointed note in his voice. "Let's go."
"Where?" Joey asked.
Does he still want me to sleep with him? Joey wondered nervously.
"To the ballroom downstairs." Seto replied.
"You don't give up, do you Kaiba?" Joey asked bemusedly.
Seto smirked. "Never."
There was something in the tone of his voice that told Joey that his answer wasn't completely to do with dancing.
!#$%&()
Author's notes: Ummm... I decided to leave any dancing until the next chapter, soz about that! Anywayz, plz read and review, and I'll try to update faster!!!