S Is For Safe
The front page said it all. "Seto Kaiba's Lover Calls Him A Russki! Details On Page 30!" It even had a picture taken of him walking by Seto's side, holding his hand. This was the fifth accusation so far. How dare they? He knew it would happen. He knew there would be tabloid coverings, but would they go as far as to make him look racist? He tried not to take it personally. He tried to just ignore it throughout the day, but his mind simply fixated on that stupid article. By the time he got off work and began to walk home he was barraged with reporters asking about the racial slurs all over the papers. He did just as Seto told him to. He looked toward the ground, didn't say a word, and walked straight home. They left about two blocked from the apartment due to one of Seto's guards showing up in a large black car to accompany Ryo home, which gave him a good amount of relief.
He closed the door to the apartment behind him, taking off his coat and placing it on the couch. He walked into the kitchen, looking directly at the floor. Seto, who was busy cooking food, looked over briefly, not noticing Ryo's stance. "Welcome home. Was work good?" He looked back at his pan, flipping the vegetables inside of it.
Ryo swallowed the frog in his throat and nodded. "Oh, yes. It went just fine." He smiled, keeping his feelings bottled up as he reached in to clean dishes. "It looks like Mokuba forgot to do his dishes again." He said, his voice beginning to shake.
Seto picked up on that immediately, looking over just in time to see Ryo drop the bowl he was cleaning, curling downward like a withering plant. He began to let out soft sobs and Seto turned the heat of the flame off and hastily came to his side, taking a hold of his shoulders. He looked worryingly at Ryo, turning him around. "Ryo? Ryo, what's wrong?"
Ryo remained wilted, pressing his cheek into Seto's chest and hugging him tight. "Th-The newspapers. They think I'm a racist. They're making up such horrible things." He explained through his sobs and whimpers.
Seto furrowed his brow, concerned for his other. He quickly took Ryo into a tight hug, holding the back of his head. "Ryo…"
Ryo looked up toward Seto. "You don't think I'm like that, do you? You don't think I'm cruel and mean like that?"
"Why would you think, even for a second, that I thought of you that way. Ryo, if I ever have complaints, I'll tell you, I swear it." Seto reassured, rubbing Ryo's head.
"Then why?! Why would they say those things?! Where do they even get these ideas?!" Ryo said quickly, tears beginning to stream down his cheeks.
Seto's eyes grew wide with Ryo's reaction. He must have been holding this in for a while. Seto took hold of Ryo's head, tilting him up to look him in the eye. "They get those ideas in their heads to try and cover up the fact that they're cruel people with no lives. I've had to live with them my whole life, and I understand. It truly is torture. I would rather be a poor child in an orphanage than the CEO of Kaiba Corp."
Ryo sniffed, looking away. "I… I just wish they would leave us alone. Why won't they leave us alone?"
"Because," Seto started, "right now, I'm their meal ticket. They leave you alone when one of my guards is with you, right? They're under order to leave anyone with a Kaiba Corp guard alone." Ryo nodded silently. "Then I can send one with you."
"… I don't want to work at the café anymore." Ryo said plaintively, talking into Seto's sweater.
"You don't have to. You can stay here. You'll be safe here." Seto offered.
"I don't feel safe because I'm here." Ryo looked up. "I feel safe because I'm with you."
Seto stared at him for a moment, then gained a small, warm smile. "Then I'll take some time off of work. I'll stay here with you to make you feel better." He held him closely. "I'll stay as long as you like."
Ryo smiled, hugging Seto tightly once he heard that. "Thank you, Seto. Thank you so much."
Seto smiled back, kissing the top of Ryo's head. "What am I if not a protector? Now…" He lowered down, wrapping an arm around the bend of Ryo's leg before swooping him up, "I think someone needs some rest."
Ryo squeaked as he was picked up, his feet dangling as Seto walked out into the main room and toward the stairs. He looked up at the other's face as he was carried up the stairs, his large brown eyes innocently glimmering. Seto laid him down on the bed, pulling the covers over him. "Seto…" Ryo reached up and touched Seto's cheek. "You're so perfect, and no one but Mokuba and I get to see it."
"That's because I'm a rare treasure." Seto kissed Ryo on the forehead. "Now, take a nap. I'll have food ready when you wake up." Ryo smiled and nodded, letting his eyes drift closed. Seto stood up, walking over to the door. He turned back, looking at Ryo's resting face. He gained a faint grin. Though you're more of a treasure than I. So I had better keep you safe. He slowly closed the door.