Disclaimer: Loverskeeper does not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter Eleven

It had been three weeks since Joey had awoken and was now back at the Kaiba Mansion. His father was placed in a mental hospital due to the fact that he was nuts (this was caused by Yami sending his mind to the shadow realm). Seto had his hand in placing Joey's did away. To keep Joey safe he also pulled him out of school and hired a tutor to home school Joey until he was ready to go back to school. He also had himself made Joey's guardian so he didn't have to live in an orphanage. He knew to well how it felt to live in one and everything to be in Joey's favor except for himself.

Joey was still trying to come to grips with the betrayal that Tristan caused. He thought that he knew Tristan, they grew up tighter and now he was a complete stranger to him. Joey couldn't get that out of his mind. This caused him to doubt those around him fearing that they too world hurt him. When Yugi and the others came to visit him he would make small talk but would try to get them out of there as fast as he could. He also tried to shut Seto out which was not happening and causing tension between the two of them. Joey was trying to isolate himself form everyone near him but he desperately wanted to stop his actions before he did lose them. There was a battle going on inside of him and he didn't know if he would win it or if anyone could help him either.

Joey was sleeping in Seto and his room as he heard the door open. He glanced up to see Seto come in. "Yugi and Yami are here. They would like to talk to them or make up some excuse again like I did last time?" He knew that Joey was dealing with a lot but Joey's mood lately scared him because he was pushing everyone way. Seto wanted to help Joey but he was making it impossible.

"Tell them I'll be down in a minute. Ow" Joey said as he tried to sit up smacking his right arm into the dresser. It was still in a cast but was healing nicely. He was scared that the doctors would amputate it because of how badly it was crushed.

"You okay?" Seto said as he walked over Joey to see if he needed assistance.

"I'm fine and I can dress myself." Joey wished that he could take that back but it was too late and he saw the heat rise off Seto.

"Fine." Seto said and he left the room slamming the door behind him. Joey sat on the bed in tears really not wanting to go downstairs now but he couldn't hide all the time. He had canceled on Yugi and Yami three times already and he knew that if he didn't try to fix broken bridges he would be utterly alone and that scared him.

Seto stormed downstairs. "He'll be down soon or may be not. I need to go and check something at the office. When he comes down tell him that I went to work and I'll be late." Seto was fierce because of Joey's tone upstairs. If Joey didn't need him then maybe he didn't need Joey. He knew that was a lie but right now either he or Joey were thinking right.

"Kaiba, Joey needs you. He's dealing with a lot. He needs his friends behind him if he is expected to heal right." Yugi said. He knew that Joey was hurt and scared and he was doing what he was use to doing hiding and only trusting in himself.

"Look Yugi if I wanted a pep talk I would have Tea over here. Now I have opened my home to you and your Yami hoping that would help Joey but he doesn't want it or mine. I gong where I am needed and when Joey needs me I'll be here but until them I'm going to Kaiba Corp."

"Joey must be rubbing off on you Kaiba." Yami said. "You go and hide in your office to when you are scared and frustrated like Joey is hiding inside himself when he is scared and frustrated."

"Did I ask you to compare me and Joey? Now if you excuse me I-"

"Seto I need to talk to you. Yugi I need to reschedule our outing for today I hope you don't mind." Joey said. His face was strained with dry tears. His voice was cracking and he was shaking.

"Sure I understand." Yugi said. He and Yami left the mansion leaving Joey and Seto in the living room.

Seto wanted to leave at the same time he wanted to comfort his crying puppy. Joey stood there not knowing what to do he was scared but he knew that he had to open up before he lost the best thing that walked into his life.

"Are you really ready to talk or are you just going to shut me out again? I want to help you Joey but the more you push me away the harder it is for me to find my way back to you. Now lets start with what been bothering you these last few weeks."

"I'm scared, mad, and terrified that those around me will hurt me. I want to believe that those around me will not hurt me but those closest to me have hurt me the most. My mother took Serenity away, I didn't understand why she left but then dad started to abuse me. I understood why she left but why did she leave me behind. I guess I'll never know."

At this point he was shaking he had to sit down but his legs won't carry his weight. Seto carried him to the couch and wrapped him with the blanket that was on the back of the couch. Joey laid his head on Seto's chest and he conuctioned what he had been burying inside for a long time.

"After my mom left my dad decided that I was a good punching bag. I know that I already told you all this that day at school. You do remember don't you?"

"You're going off the subject there pup, but yes I remember that day, now let's get back to what's bothering you." Seto said. He was rubbing small circles on Joey's back to keep him calm so he didn't freak out while he disused his past.

"Well as I said my father hurt me the most I thought. He physical abuse and raped me but me made me think that it was my entire fault that our family fell apart. I chased my mom and Serenity away. I began to believe him sometimes I still do." That last part was whispered but Seto heard him. Tears fell from Joey's face.

Seto wiped them away and kissed Joey on the forehead. "You are not to blame okay."

Joey nodded. "I thought that my father caused me the worst pain, but Tristan he hurt me worst ten he could know. He was like a brother to me and because he fell in love with me he thought he could team up with that bastard I called a father. He helped him get close to Mokuba and you. You two could have been hurt or worst. That's what bothering me who else is going to hurt me and who will be in the crossfire next time."

"I understand that and before you saying anything else listen to me. Gozaburo my step-father he abused me. He never raped me or beat me like your father did but he used Mokuba to hurt and break me. He would use that love I had for him against me. I love Mokuba more then anything and I would do anything for him. I did what that ass wanted until he threaded to take Mokuba's life so I killed him. He accidentally fell through a window. Now I never told anyone this not even Mokuba and you probably want to know why I'm telling you this. I vowed that I would never allow myself to get close to someone that would cause me to lower my walls then I met you and that tactic went out the window.

Joey looked up and saw tears in Seto's eyes. He never seen Seto cry and he felt so bad that he was acting like a frighten child while Seto had kept this all bottle up all this time. "I'm sorry that I brought those memories back. I never meant to hurt you."

"You didn't pup. Those memories have always been there and I have had to deal with them. I have you to help me cope with those memories. You see I was afraid to love another but you broke those walls enough though you didn't know that you did. I allowed you in and me not sorry that I did. You have brought me back to life now I need you to do something for me okay. I want you to fight, fight for us. Don't allow the past pain to define who you are today. Joey I love you and I want you to fight. Fight and find that boy that got under my skin and made me fall in love with you."

Joey had only heard those words from his sister, now he had some one else that loved him Joey Wheeler. Some one loved him for being him. Joey for the first time in a long time was happy. He looked into Seto's eyes and he saw Seto smile. "What?" Joey asked.

Seto kissed him on his lips. This took Joey by surprise. "Welcome back." Seto said.

"Seto I don't understand what you are talking about. Where have I been?"

"You have been lost pup. Your eyes were dimming and that is drawn me to help you, but now they are bright again. They are not as bright as I think they should be but I should be able to change that Joseph Ryan Wheeler will you become my life partner for life?"

"Are you asking for my hand in marriage?" Joey said with an impish smile.

"Yes pup, will you marry me?"

"In a heartbeat." With that said. Seto carried Joey upstairs so they could celebrate their engagement and their new life together.

A/N: Sorry but I had a hard time trying to pull this chapter together.

Next Chapter: This will be the last chapter. It will be the wedding and will have what happens to Tristan (like who cares) Sorry to Tristan fans you won't like this chapter.

Please

R&R