Chapter Four

Joey seemed fine the next morning but Seto was worried. Joey's words from the night before plagued him. What could he possibly mean? Joey on the other hand, was trying to forget about those kind of thoughts.

Stupid Yami for making him think that. Stupid Yami for saying it was all his fault. Stupid Stupid Stupid Yami! Seto was happy. He was unbelievably happy. Yami was just angry because this world was more in favor of Joey than himself. Yami was just upset because he wasn't some important pharaoh who had to save the planet and everyone was after anymore.

Joey couldn't, however, get rid of that little tic in the back of his mind. It was an ever growing uncertainty that Kaiba would've been happier if Joey had just left the office and let everything be instead of making that wish.

No. He couldn't let himself think that. Kaiba would've regretted that day if he'd just taken it and left. He would've been seriously unhappy. That's all there was too it.

"Joey?" Seto's voice woke him from his thoughts.

"Hmm?" Joey asked, turning around to looked at Seto. They were just about to leave to go see a new suspense flick. Serenity was already outside, waiting for them.

"Are you okay?" Seto asked. Joey narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"Of course, stupid. Why wouldn't I be?" he gave Seto a smile just to back it up.

"Never mind." Seto walked up to Joey and gave him a secure hug, like he was afraid Joey would disappear if he let go. "Don't ever forget...I love you."

Joey was almost afraid that had been a dream. Seto said it so softly into his ear and then he'd collected himself and walked out to see Serenity. Joey covered his ear. Stupid Kaiba. It seemed the nicer Seto was, the guiltier Joey felt. Especially when he said things like that.

– –

Joey fell to sleep quickly that night even without Seto holding him in his arms. That was okay though. Joey didn't think he could stand it if Seto did. He was already feeling complete and utter guilt over his wish now.

However, Seto forgot just how light a sleeper Joey could be. When the other warm body left the bed in the early morning, Joey was wide awake. Now, it seemed he had a sense about something because if Seto had just been going to the bathroom, this wouldn't bother him as much.

Joey sat up and looked around. The window was open and he saw Seto walking down the street in the early morning rays. Joey jumped up and got dressed before climbing out the window after him.

Joey made sure to stay hidden as much as possible. Seto seemed to know someone was following him and kept looking back. Stupid Kaiba. He had that annoying sixth sense even in this world.

Seto eventually reached his destination and Joey positioned himself behind Seto so he could see what was so important about the building he stopped in front of. There was no building... Actually, if Joey's memory served him right... this was were Kaiba Corp used to be.

So... Seto was visiting the site where his once great company would be standing if not for his selfish boyfriend. Joey wanted to run out and let Seto know he was there. He wanted Seto to lie about why he was standing there.

Suddenly, Seto turned and walked to view the house next to the empty Kaiba Corp lot. There was a quaint, small house with blue walls and a brown roof. Children had colored on the walls and the sidewalk leading to the door. The sign out front read 'Devlin's Children's Home'.

Devlin? Duke Devlin? Joey snuck closer and looked in the window. Sure enough, Duke was standing in the window, making what looked to be breakfast. An older child ran up to him and handed him some eggs. How cute. He was helping make breakfast for the younger kids. Joey felt sorry for him though. Most older kids don't get adopted very often.

When the kid turned around to leave the window's view, Joey's eyes widened. It was Mokuba! His hair was a bit shorter than he remembered and his clothes weren't as nice but that was definitely Mokuba. Joey looked to Seto and saw this expression on his face that had no name. It was like he came here just to feel sorry for himself and see what he was missing in his life.

When Seto left to go back home, Joey punched a nearby tree. He ran a hand through his hair.

'I'm a horrible person.' He slumped his shoulders and began to walk in the opposite direction from home.

As far as Joey knew, Seto had been an adopted child anyway. Him and his brother were adopted into the Kaiba family and he was taught how to run the company in the future. And now, thanks to Joey's wish, Mokuba was an orphan again.

"Joey?" a deep voice called to him. Joey looked over and saw Yami was standing outside the game shop, broom in hand. He was cleaning up the store so it looked nice that day, apparently.

"Yami..." Joey walked over to him and stared him straight in the eye. "Tell me I'm a horrible person. Tell me it's all my fault." He spoke with such seriousness that Yami almost asked if he was drunk or something.

"Joey, I'm not going to make you feel bad just to get my point across. Now, what's wrong?" That was just like the pharaoh. Always kind even when he's mean. Always wise even when he doesn't understand. God dammit.

"Seto's not happy." Joey found himself falling to the ground, sitting like any normal punk high schooler would. "I've tried everything to make myself believe he was happy. But ever since you asked me that question, everything is pointing me toward believing you."

"Joey... I'm sorry," Yami said, kneeling down beside his friend. "I didn't want to be right about you two."

"Well you were. Kaiba wasn't happy with me there. He's not happy with me here. Maybe I was just meant to give up on him and we just weren't meant to be together." Joey let his head fall onto his chest and he looked straight down to the cobblestone ground beneath him.

"Joey... Maybe it's not that he's not happy with you... He's just not happy with other parts of his life. Like, Mokuba," Yami offered.

"How did you know about Moku-," Joey was cut off by two things. One was Yami's knowing smile that suddenly dropped into a confused one. The other was a loud yell he recognized all too well.

"JOEY!?"

Joey looked toward the source of the sound and saw the man he loved running toward them. Seto cast an evil, Kaiba glare at Yami. Yami backed away from Joey and went back to cleaning while Seto spoke with Joey. Seto nearly slid to his knees to get eye level with Joey.

"You idiot," He scolded. "You're giving me and Serenity heart attacks."

"Serenity and I," Joey corrected. Seto rolled his eyes.

"Whatever. Why are you here so early in the morning? You left and didn't even leave a note or anything." Seto was angry. No, he was pissed. But because of the wish, Joey couldn't expect to be hit or seriously yelled at... not even ignored.

"I was just going for a walk and Yami called me over. He's opening the shop and thought I needed someone to talk to," Joey half lied. That was probably why Yami called him over but Joey wasn't just going for a walk.

Seto cast another half glare at Yami but was too distracted by Joey to do anything right now. Not that a low job jerk could really do any serious damage to him, but still.

"Well...Next time, you should take me with you. Who knows what kind of creeps are out this early," Seto made up some false reason to worry and helped Joey get to his feet.

Yami smiled over at them when Kaiba kissed Joey on the lips, interlocked their fingers, and walked away with him. So Kaiba really did love Joey in this world. Yami almost wished he hadn't mentioned anything to Joey. His small observations seemed to be tearing Joey apart.

One thing was for certain... Kaiba never kissed Joey fully on the lips before. At least not in public view.