Disclaimer: I only contribute to the insanity that is fan fiction. The true authors make money.

Oooooooo

Recap: "Don't Seto, come back to bed," Joey nipped his neck and lured his mate back to the bed. He stripped him of his clothes and held him tightly. This time he wouldn't let him go. Seto curled around the strength Joey offered and closed his eyes. Joey kissed him and whispered words that lovers understood. This time he dreamed of life with this man. . . . . He dreamed of a second chance.

Chapter 13: Together

Joey woke to a soft warm breeze tickling his neck, yet in reality it was Seto's breath. He could smell a light musk and the realization of how they'd spend the early morning hours made him blush. Seto was not very gentle in his despair, he needed release and Joey allowed him to use his body. Exhausted the blond rolled over to one side and watched Seto's eyes twitch under closed lids. He rubbed his wet brow and brushed the ringlets of wet wavy hair to one side.

'Wow my dragon, who would have thought your hair was wavy when it was wet,' the blond chuckled quietly and continued to stare at the near prefect features of his new lover. 'My lover you just found out Mokuba hid your families' dark secrets in his heart and he's been in torment all these years,' a tear fell from the boy's eyes and landed on Seto's nose.

'You held me together when I wanted to crawl in a hold and die, you kept me sane. Now I want to be your sheath, please rest in my arms,' Joey smiled at his selfish thoughts and quietly left Seto's side. He prepared a stiff pot of coffee and hot bread. Now he had to find a way to convince the stubborn CEO they needed to go home. It was time to find answers concerning their own relationship. It was time to close the wounds created by ignorance and false pride.

Seto felt a chill on his right side and realized Joey was gone. But before he could protest the smell of fresh coffee drifted pass his nose. 'I'll pretend to still be asleep,' he thought. 'Damn it, how could this happen? Did I cry out in my sleep? I've been so obsessed with beating down my puppy, running my business and guarding Mokuba's relationships I missed the real problem.'

'I'm such an idiot, yet Joey has protected me all this time.' Seto squeezed his eyes tight; he wasn't ready for Joey to see his weakness in the morning light. 'Mokuba, even you don't know the real truth behind the blood and tears I shed as a child.'

"Wake up, dragon; ya might as well open those gorgeous blues. I know you ain't asleep." Joey spoke candidly as he walked towards the faking CEO. He handed his lover a hot cup of coffee and causally set down at the foot of the bed.

"Do you make it a habit of watching people as they sleep," Seto eased his long legs out of the bed and realized he was naked.

Joey glazed at Seto's firm thighs and turned crimson. "Ah . . . want a bath, I'll start the water," Joey volunteered, clearly uneasy.

"No puppy . . . comes over here . . . just let me hold you." Seto whispered.

"Seto, I'm not so sure that's a good idea. We really should be on the road," Joey spoke although he moved into the CEO's embrace.

"Did I hurt you last night," Seto pulled Joey between his legs and started a slow massage down his lower back, his skillful fingers loosing the pain his puppy must be feeling.

Neither spoke for the longest of minutes, even after Joey turned around for a much needed kiss. "Seto, I love you so much it hurts."

Seto continued to assault Joey's lips, neck, and nipples. "Seto I know what you're doing, I'll never deny your affections, but ya can't hide behind them. I know what that does."

"You don't now a damn thing, Joey" Seto hissed out the words between cinched teeth.

"I can feel it in your body. Please tell me what is troubling you, I feel your pain, please you're not alone." Joey nibbled at the soft hollow behind Seto's neck.

"Ah . . . I see," Seto rudely pushed his lover away and walked towards the bath." So now you know it all, you think you can make everything right. When did you get so damn smart?"

"Yeah, I'll take your anger if that's the way you want it." Joey screamed at the CEO's retreating back, "but I ain't goin' leave you ever. So take all the time ya want," Joey walked slowly in the shadow of Seto's anger. Each step painful and a declaration of a lover's war to come.

Seto turned around his resolve so fragile he couldn't hide from this man that gave him such comfort. Instead he fell to the floor and covered his face before the bloody tears overtook his body. It was time to put an end to the suffering in his life and he was willing to trust this man with his heart. The boy melted all the ice around his heart months ago. Now it was time to let the sun light in.

"Seto . . ." Once again he wrapped his aching body around the grief stricken CEO and allowed him to cry. Joey next dressed Seto and plied him with more coffee. "Come on lover boy, let's take a long ride. We got all the time in the world. I saw a little café along the way. How about we share a few olives and cherries."

"Yeah"

Oooooooo

Four years later. . . . . . . . .

Mokuba's therapy lasted almost two years his pain was so deep. Yet in his third year he became a big contributor of Mai's expanding business which included the opening of two more ranches across the country. Mokuba renewed his relationship with his brother and worked as a junior executive at Kaiba Land. He chose to live in an exclusive high rise apartment for the young and super rich.

Serenity wanted nothing more than to regain some of her lost childhood with Joey, so they took an extended trip around the world funded by Seto which lasted six months. It was most likely the best time of her life and upon returning she successfully finished school with the highest of honors. She continued to remain very close to Mokuba, but chose to work closely with Mai and became a very successful young business woman.

The months apart were difficult for Seto and Joey, but Seto used the time to work on the demons buried deep in his soul, after he confessed everything to Joey. Seto had a lot of healing to do, but it didn't change the fact he was still an ass. Joey wanted nothing more than to

provide a haven for his sister and lover to come home to. He remolded the Kaiba estate, almost a two year project and turned it into a home, filled with love.

Ja ne'

To those that shared this story with me, thank you!!!!!!! Sherabo….

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