This one's going to be a little shorter than the first two. Thought I'd give you guys a heads up. Want me to add something that you want to see in the next chapter or future chapters? Review :)
The day was finally over; all of his friends had been gone nearly five hours according to the annoying clock on the wall in the room; he was bored out of his god damn fucking mind; his shoulder felt a bit numb and his back was perfectly fine, but, he couldn't help but wait for Seto to come back the next day. The only thing that kept him some company was the heavy rain hitting his hospital window. "Well, I suppose it's not all that boring in here..." Joey whispered to no one as he swung his legs over the bed. He moved to get out but the opening of his door made him pause and turn his head to see who it was.
"Do I have to ask what you're doing trying to get out of bed?" He just stood there in the doorway, staring back into amber eyes.
"I thought you weren't going to come back until tomorrow." Joey watched as Seto moved towards his bed.
Seto sat down on the cold sheets before replying. "Yeah, well, I saw something pretty disturbing at school and it won't go away. Plus, I brought some schoolwork for you to do. I let the principal and teachers know you won't be in school for probably a couple weeks."
"Aww man... I've gotta do schoolwork even in the hospital?" The blonde complained while moving to hug his legs.
"It's better than having to do tons of it when you go back." Seto pulled out Joey's work from his suitcase. All the blonde had to do was some math and a ton of science.
Curious, Joey asked "By the way, what did you see at school that was so disturbing? I need to know everything that's going on! It'll help keep me from being so bored."
Smiling, Seto decided against telling his lover about the principal and his mother. "I finally sat with your friends and somehow Tristan got two helpings of hamburgers and coleslaw with a side of applesauce. He decided to experiment and mixed applesauce and coleslaw." He wasn't lying about what happened at lunch. The brunette still felt like vomiting just talking about it.
"I guess that is disgusting but not that disturbing. Tristan likes to mix the two sides we always get for some weird reason. I'm gonna have to ask him about it when he comes back. I'm glad you decided to sit with everyone today." A small smile crossed Joey's lips before he looked back towards the window. "I was wondering..." he whispered as he went back to watching the rain. "Did any girls - besides Tea - speak to you?"
"No, but I did set up a meeting with my fan girls to try putting them in their place. It'll be in a month. Hopefully I don't get yelled at or attacked." Seto sighed, hoping Joey wouldn't mind.
Joey stared at him for a second before smirking. "I think that'll be unlikely. I mean, all the girls love you too much to hurt you. Plus, I heard them saying once that they'll just stare at you if you find someone but I won't be so lucky."
"Well I don't want them hurting you because you're with me. Of course the staring will be annoying."
Joey looked back out the window. "I'll most likely get jealous when they watch you. I have to control my anger or I'll never be able to leave this boring place."
Seto responded, while watching his puppy, "I always got jealous when you hung out with Mai. I figured you two would end up dating but it turns out that I was wrong. It's normal for people to get jealous but even if you do, just tell yourself that they aren't the ones who have me; you are."
"But they... I just..." He struggled to word his thoughts carefully. Sighing after giving up on it, Joey asked "Can we do that school work now? I wanna finish it before they make you leave again."
"Yeah," Seto wanted to know what his lover was going to say but he didn't push the issue further. Clearing his throat, he focused on the papers in front of him. "I was able to get your work for the week though I had asked for a whole two week's worth of it instead. It's just math and science. I'll help if you get stuck but I can't give you all the answers."
Joey groaned before facing Seto again. "I can probably do math by myself but I definitely suck at science. If I hadn't been seated behind you, I would've definitely failed by now." He received a curious look but wasn't questioned. "Let's get math done and over with first."
"Can we go see Joey now?" Yugi begged Tristan. They were all worried for Joey even though their friend was safe now. It was the second time in quite awhile that Joey was being hospitalized. The first time was when Joey faced Marik in the shadow realm and lost during The Battle City finals.
"We have to wait until Seto says they're done with homework." Tristan huffed. "I don't even know why. Maybe we should call Serenity and let her know?"
But Yugi shook his head no. "Joey wouldn't want her to see him like that. He wasn't in this bad of a condition when he got sent to the shadow realm after losing to Marik. I think we should try to talk to his mother. She might come see him."
"No, she doesn't even care about him. Seto told me something today. I don't know if I should even be telling you but he said he saw Joey's mother being fucked from behind by the principal." Tristan paused to see his little friend's reaction.
Yugi had this mixed look of horror and disgust on his face. "That's disgusting! I wish you hadn't told me!"
"Sorry. I thought you should know." He apologized quickly. "Hey, I have an idea. We could take him some food! I'm sure he'd love that!" Yugi nodded happily before heading to the door to get his shoes on.
The math work wasn't exactly what Joey had expected it to be but he didn't mind. He completed it in ten minutes. "I think that's the fastest I've ever completed an assignment!" He grinned happily.
"I agree. I didn't think Ms. Dorne would've made it this easy. She always makes it seem complicated when explaining it." Seto placed both of their math papers on the end of the bed.
"Maybe she finally realized that every one of her students hates her because of how hard she makes everything?" Joey tapped his chin with the end of his pencil before asking another question. "How much math work did she give for the week? I know Mr. Boring just talks a lot during English and never gives any work - thank God - and Mr. Loud gives one History assignment every two weeks; but I don't understand why Mrs. Asshole gives tons of science work practically every day!" The blonde could see the amusement in his brunette's bright eyes at the nicknames for their teachers but nothing was said about it. The two teens just smiled before the CEO responded lightly. "She only gave a few assignments. When the teachers handed me not only yours but mine as well, I was surprised. I'm guessing they think I'm not coming in this week either."
Joey grinned excitedly. "Good." He grabbed another math paper from the pile from Seto's suitcase. "Now we can spend more time together!" His grin immediately changed into a smirk and his head turned again to the window when the sound of thunder entered through the window. It was silent for awhile longer before Joey frowned, facing Seto again. "Let's finish as much as we can before you have to go, k?"
"Yeah..." The brunette whispered, confused about his puppy's constant changing of facial expressions. 'I guess I'll have to ask after we're done. He seems to be avoiding something he doesn't want to talk about right now.'
How was he going to say it? He couldn't just be like 'hey, Seto, my dad made me watch him have sex so that's why I was good last week'. How would his boyfriend even take it? Wait... boyfriend? They were together now so that meant they were boyfriends, right? Joey didn't realize how frustrated he was until he heard a snap. He stared upsettingly at his broken pencil before sighing heavily and tilting his head back. "Can I ask you something?"
Seto had been watching his lover worriedly since he noticed the distressed look on his face. "Ask away." "We're... boyfriends, right? I mean, we're together now so that means we're in a relationship?"
"Do you not want to be?"
Joey jerked his head forward, fire burning in his amber eyes. "Of course I do! I've wanted to be with you for awhile!"
"Then don't ask such a stupid question." Seto rested his chin in the palm of his hand, staring longingly at his blonde who gawked at him before shaking it off.
Nervous, he said "I don't know how you're going to react to this, but, back in middle school just a few years after meeting Tristan, something happened. It was seventh grade when it started and the main reason I joined a gang." He paused, watching the brunette's calm expression before continuing. "My mom had divorced my dad two years before and I suppose he wanted to 'teach' me some stuff that I was just learning in school. He told me it would help one day and to be honest, it did." He swallowed, thinking back to the first time his father forced him to watch. "He started bringing home hookers once a week. And every time he fucked them, it was mostly from behind because that's what he preferred. The only reason I know how to have sex is because he would force me to observe every single time. I wasn't allowed to look away but I did quite a few times and he would beat me for it; not like he didn't beat me even if I didn't look away or if he wasn't fucking some whore..." Joey once again took in his boyfriend's expression and noticed he looked more than angry. "He stopped last year though, which surprised me. Tristan knows about it but I made him swear on his life not to tell anyone no matter who it was. I thought he would've told you about it when he told you everything else but I guess he wanted me to tell you instead."
Seto was fuming even as he saw Joey's fear on his face. "I'm not mad at you. I swear I'm not." He took a deep breath, his hands clenching and unclenching his pants tightly. "I don't think I can hold myself back any longer if I hear any more!"
The blonde's fear melted slowly. "Seto," he began softly. "I know it's hard to listen. But I thought that you would've wanted to know. I only have to put up with my dad for about five more months before I turn eighteen, then I'm free to leave." But Seto didn't want his puppy to continue living there. Standing up, pushing the chair back and knocking down his suitcase in the process, the angry yet terrified CEO cupped Joey's cheeks in both hands, leaning forward so their foreheads touched. It was silent as they stared into each other's eyes, wondering what was going to be said in the next few minutes. They stayed that way, Seto taking in Joey's gentle scent and the blonde's worrying amber eyes trying to figure out what his lover was doing. "S - Seto?" He finally spoke up after a minute of silence. "What's wrong?" His voice sounded scared as his face continued to be held in two cold hands.
The brunette heard the scared voice but didn't speak for another few seconds before relaxing his tense body. "I can't stand knowing he's going to abuse you for five more months if I do nothing." He released a heavy sigh. He could see how upset he'd made his lover and he didn't like it. "I know this is way too early to ask but it's the only way to keep myself from going after your father." He watched as Joey's face turned to slight curiosity. "Would you please move in with me?"
'What the fuck did he just ask me? Did he just ask me to... move in with him?!' Joey could feel tears run down his face, hitting Seto's fingers, as the CEO's blue eyes widened and he held back a choked sob, thinking back to earlier that day when he and Tristan had been talking.
"I bet you're still not very happy with me and Tea but I'm sorry for the way I acted on Saturday. Me and Tea wanted to apologize to you for that when you came downstairs. We only acted that way because we didn't think Kaiba actually loved you." Tristan stood at the side of the bed, looking a bit nervous as Joey stared at him.
"Listen, Tristan." Joey started. "I accept your apology and I will continue being your friend, however, I will also thank you for taking care of my wounds and telling Seto. If you hadn't told him, I don't think I'd have been able to confront him. So, thanks pal." He smiled gratefully at the pointed brunette.
Frowning, Tristan looked away before making eye contact. "I know this is probably going to sound cruel but, if you won't let me help you out, then ask Kaiba."
Joey's smile faded. "I want to but I just can't. I don't want you getting hurt, Tristan. As for asking Seto... I don't think I'll be able to. Besides, it's best not to involve him any further in my problems."
"He ran here with Mokuba! The moment he stepped foot in here, he asked about you, and you're not going to even try getting away from your dad for good? I know you've only got a few months to go until you're birthday, but we all think you need to get out of there now.You won't survive much longer if you keep this up, Joey. And I have a damn good feeling that he'll ask you something you can't refuse." Tristan looked a bit pissed but Joey didn't say anything about it. Instead, he asked "what do you think Seto will ask?"
Joey had never received an answer. All he got was a shrug before Tristan said bye and left the room. Hearing Seto's strong voice call his name, Joey blinked once before removing his mask with a smile, shocking Seto again and finally clashing their lips together. His lover's lips felt amazing against his; the light roughness and heat from Seto reminded him of their first time having sex... slightly chapped lips and a hot tongue roaming Joey's mouth while their sweat covered bodies were pressed together and Joey continuously pounding into the sexy man below. But it was short lived when pain began to shoot into his left shoulder. Pulling away, he realized he had moved his arm when moving in to kiss Seto. "And I was really enjoying that too..." He mumbled before seeing his boyfriend's upset look. "I'll be fine after some ice, so don't go blaming yourself." He smiled again, trying to alleviate the brunette's sadness. Joey pressed the button next to his bed to get a nurse in the room so he could have her get him some ice.
"We can finish more work tomorrow, okay?" Seto stepped back just as a male nurse entered. Joey opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when his phone was placed beside him. "I entered my number into your phone so text or call me whenever you're bored."
'But, what if I just want to talk or want you to keep me company?' Joey picked up his phone and nodded quietly as the other left the room.
Yugi had received the call that he and Tristan could visit Joey again. But Seto had sounded sad on the phone and when he was asked about it, the tricolored teen got no response. "I guess we'll have to talk to Joey when we bring him his food." They left Burger World and walked to the hospital, carrying a bag of a few burgers and a large soda.
"What do you think happened between the two of them?" Tristan had his hands in his pockets as the rain continued to pour down on him and Yugi.
The short teen shook his head, grateful for the raincoat. "I'm not sure but I think Joey's feeling just as upset." He pulled the food close to his chest as they neared the hospital.
"I'm hoping they didn't get into a fight. Otherwise, I'll have to kick Kaiba's ass." Tristan began running, forcing Yugi to keep with him until they entered the hospital waiting room.
"Excuse me?" Yugi walked up to the front desk. "Do we have time to see Joey Wheeler?"
The receptionist looked up from her computer and smiled lightly. "Visiting hours end at 9:30 so you have about 4 hours."
"Thank you." Tristan and Yugi signed in their arrival time and names before heading to Joey's room.
Pausing at the sliding door to their friend's room, they waited five minutes before heading in, seeing him just staring at his phone, his thumb resting above the call button and a blank look upon his face. "Joey?" Whispered Yugi worriedly. "Are you okay?"
Wiping away the forming tears, Joey looked up at his two friends. "Oh, hey, guys." His voice sounded a little hoarse like he'd been crying. "I'm fine. I'm just not sure how to apologize to Seto for making him think he hurt me. I tried telling him it was my own fault but he refused to believe me. He'll be back tomorrow so we can finish more school work but I want to clear things up now."
Tristan walked up to the blonde and snatched the phone from his hands. "Before we help you out, tell us what happened?"
Smiling, Joey explained how Tristan had been right that Seto would ask him something. "It wasn't just something too. He - he had asked me to move in with him even though it's so early in our relationship. I couldn't help but nearly begin to cry. I was so happy I removed my breathing mask and kissed him. Unfortunately, I had made a big mistake by lifting my left arm so I had to pull away. I noticed how upset he looked and told him it wasn't his fault but he didn't believe me. He said he'd be back tomorrow and then left after giving me my phone, saying his number was in there if I wanted to talk if I was bored. What if I want him for company though?"
Tristan, still holding on to the phone, left the room, shutting the door behind him. Yugi, looking at his distressed friend, lifted up the bag of food. "We brought you some real food, Joey."
Outside the room, Tristan pressed the call button, waiting only a few rings for Seto Kaiba to pick up.
Sorry for the cliffy guys. I won't be posting another chapter for awhile. I want to or actually more like have to work on a few other stories.
