Disclaimer: Takahashi and 1996 the year a God was born. You are the best. I don't own any of the rights to YUGIOH. I just don't know why but I enjoy the disclaimer. I know freaky much.
Recap: "Well this time my friend, I'm taking you home. Wherever the hell that is. He smiled down at the sleeping CEO and marveled at his fine features. 'Damn Seto was a beautiful man and here he is in my arms, again.' Pegasus's thoughts ran wild for a moment, but only briefly. 'Well I can't have your love, so I'll take your friendship and continue to be your loyal servant and business partner, but I won't give in so easily. . . Joey you are in for a fight!'
Chapter 11: unexpected Encounter
'I will not give in to the despair that appears in my life, I will survive, no matter what, or how much it hurts. These are the words that held Joey together every day of his life.' Seto coming out of a dream sleep repeated the words in his mind. He knew of Joey's personal prayer, just like he knew so much about his puppy.
Joey had written the words on the inside of his locker of which Kaiba knew all the content of. Now with his feelings exposed he wondered about words like despair, survive, and hurt. How could one boy cause him so much pain? 'I have to tell Joey how I feel before it's too late. Surely Mokuba is only joking, you know first crush.' Slowly his eyes focused and he realizes once more he was waking up in a strange place. It had become a nasty habit, which meant Max was somewhere near.
'Food cooking . . . Ahhhhhh. . . I'm going to toss this empty stomach.' He tried to quail the dizziness that assaulted his body and rose to explore his surroundings. The last thing he remembered was seeing the hazel eyes of his puppy open. His thin lips filled with anger and fear over mixed emotions. Mokuba's possessives and exposed feelings for the boy he loved.
"Max! I know you are in here somewhere. . . . Thank goodness the bathroom." Kaiba almost passed out while getting out of the stall in the shower. He'd run the water scaling hot and the rise in temperature drained what little moisture there was left in his body, plus he was tired.
The studio apartment which wasn't far from the hospital was small so Pegasus heard the noise and rushed to the aid of his friend. "Easy man. . . You're weak. Let me help you," voiced Pegasus, his voiced full of concern.
"Get your hands off my body, you sick perverted fool. I'm not one of your toons." Seto was hot and wet. He leaned up against the stall sweat pouring down his face, rivers running down his bare ass and Max too shocked to look away. Seto was hairless and gorgeous.
"Don't you have any towels in this place? I swear if you don't get the hell out of here Max I'll rip out your one good eye." Seto could barely stand, but he refused to give in to Pegasus.
"Where in hell is this place? I just want to know where my brother is and how is Joey doing?" A frown crossed his brow and his lips turned white with every effort it took to speak. "This is business and nothing more."
"Fine, Kaiba, fall on your ass. See if I care." Pegasus walked out tossing a large towel behind him; his imagination forever logging in on the beautiful glance at the CEO's body. It never occurred to him what he housed under the suits and dark leather pants, the boy always dripped in sex appeal, but to see with his own eyes only strengthen his resolve for more.
Pegasus waited just a few minutes outside and listened to the sounds of pain coming from the brunette, but he had enough sense to be silent. Seto was insufferable and desirable; two dangerous combinations, but so desirable. "There's a newspaper and coffee waiting for you. Meet me down stairs at the bar. I'll have all the information you want. I'll take you to where ever you want to go!! Even hell!! I've had it up to my ass with both of you tight ass Kaiba's, always thinking somebody is out to get you. Maybe I should just leave you here to rot. Learn your place Kaiba, because you are not in any position physically or otherwise to order me around."
With a huff, Pegasus left the apartment and went down stairs to nurse his pride.
Seto finished dressing and left for the hotel bar. It was a very short walk and on closer inspection he realized private apartments created a semi circle around a large hotel. Shuttles took guest to various spots including restaurants, bars, and a shopping plaza. It appeared he had been sleep for almost two days or at least that is what the headlines on the newspaper said.
Seto threw the paper in the trash and stormed into the hotel bar. All eyes turned his way, even in a disheveled state people looked. The hotel was one of the lucky places unaffected by the earthquake, so it was very busy.
The bar was dimly lit and a young man played soulful tunes on a piano in the background. He found an empty bar stool and ordered a drink while looking for the fool. Instead of a drink a waiter brought a note to the flushed man.
"If you're looking for a little company, I'm to your right waiting." Pegasus waited non- pulsed in a private booth reading a book. He refused to acknowledge the brunette even after he sat down.
Seto waited, "Cut the crap. If you can't help me; I'm leaving. I'm only here because you have amused me.
"Well, damn it says something." Seto glared and took the book he appeared to be reading out of the toon masters hands, "Where is my lap top? Two days . . . . !!!!"
"Amusement, so that's what I've been all week to you. You've been out for two days. And I've. . ." Seto cut him off hating all this ranting and stalling.
"Mokuba and Joey they are my only concern."
"Down Kaiba-boy, I've been in your service and taken care of . . . Ahh . . . just forget it." Pegasus pouted.
Max returned the glared and beckon for the barista to bring drinks. Seto's a cup of ice peaches, one shot of whiskey, and an Irish Cream. Without looking away he dumped the whiskey in his coffee and took a long sip. A man in a white suit, security next brought a lap top secured with a lock and asked the CEO to sign for it. 'Ok so he didn't do any hacking,' thought Kaiba.
"Listen I've taken care of everything. It appears you have pissed off the hospital staff, but left precise instructions on the boys care. As per your instructions he's being transported to a private hospital outside Domino. The specialist arrived yesterday and I downloaded the results of his exams. You got x-rays, charts, reports, and ECT. It's all there." He crossed his legs and watch as the CEO started to study all the information he had given him. Max still had the vision of Seto in his mind and he imaged his long legs wrapped around his waist. He wanted to see that sullen look on his face directed at him from below. Judging from his size Seto would want to be on top and that only made Max smile.
"I can't understand all of this, but it looks hopeful. The damage to his leg will take several operations over time, but he will heal and walk. His arm well, they may need bone replacement. He's has the best doctors."
"I understand the boy is a painter," Seto flinched at Max's words, almost afraid to ask the question burning in his mind. Actually he had forgotten the man was in the room.
Max eyed him with misgivings. "Well with his spirit he will have at least sixty percent of the use of his hand. "
"That is not expectable!" Seto barked and downed his drink.
"I thought it was his other arm anyway," Max continued to speak. At least Kaiba was talking to him in neat sentence. Apparently some of his anger over the shower had disappeared. But the vision still lingered in Max's mind.
"It's not enough. I want him whole," Kaiba covered his eyes in frustration or was it fear. The emotions carefully guarded from the man on the other side of the table.
"Seto we are not Gods," whispered the Toon master.
Seto thought about the little girl with the rose. Did you see a little girl hanging around the hospital? Oh . . . never mind . . . forget it." Seto went back to reading all the reports Max had download, calculating and storing them in his mind.
"So are you going to tell him?" continued Max swirling a stubborn ice cube in his drink.
"We've had this conversation before, it's closed." Seto spoke ignoring Max's comments as unimportant. Yet he wouldn't let it drop. He wanted answers.
Max moved his chair a little closer, "I've spent time with Mokuba, hell we were like brother."
"In your dreams," Seto chuckled. "He hates your guts."
"Maybe, but anyway He's got it bad for your puppy. I'd even call it puppy love. Mokuba may be young, but he will go after him. He's a Kaiba." Pegasus waited for the flippant reply, but it didn't come.
"So you'll just let him go without a fight all for your brother's happiness. How noble of the ice man. As for your lover. . ." Seto cut off the next words.
"There is no lover, Max I said to drop it, now!!" Pegasus motioned with his hand for the waiter to bring another round of drinks and quietly motioned for him to close the shutter to the booth, giving the two men a bit more privacy.
Pegasus walked behind Seto and brushed a loose strain of hair from his brow. "Seto there could be a lover. You don't have to be alone."
"What the hell are you mouthing off about!!?" Seto turned around slightly and glared at the toon master. He didn't notice the mood had changed in small booth. They were completely cut off from the rest of the bar in a private room.
"You and I Seto," Pegasus spoke, low, haunting . . . . Waiting for a reply . . . waiting for Seto to acknowledge the words.
"So what's in your coffee cup . . . illusion bullshit? I'm not in the mood." Seto brushed his hand away.
"So I've noticed." Pegasus refused to be ignored.
Pegasus pulled him leaning over the chair and brushed Seto's lips with a chaise kiss. Before Seto could react he grabbed his wrist tightly . . . possessively . . . Just the way Max assumed Kaiba would like it or response.
The next words were powerful and aimed at stirring the CEO's emotions. "Let me in Seto."
Momentarily confused Seto pulled back, violently wiping his lips. It had been a long time since he was touched so intimately. His eyes blazed and locked with an equally powerful look from the other.
"You can't be that surprise, I could have handled all the business by phone or other means, not in person."Peg words were rushed as if he was despaired of getting them all out.
Seto response was to spit on the floor. "Really, how undignified of you. Such a public display is unworthy of your nature." Seto felt his skin crawl like a trapped animal.
"Seto I don't want your money and your past and secrets are safe with me."
Seto's next words chilled his spine. "You call that a relationship. I don't want to even be your friend."
"Yeah, but I'm all you got. Seto don't blow me off. I care," he reached again but Seto slapped Max across the face. Max caught his hand and arm on the down take and wrapped the CEO in a close arm lock. "Don't fight me, Seto. You're weak and confused, so I can clearly have you beaten."
Seto struggled only because he was shocked at the attitude of the toon master. "So you would force me . . . hah."
"We are meant to be, I can be good for you. . . . I 'd never cause you emotional baggage." His grip loosen a little around the boy's neck and he moved closer to the sensitive knob that quivered on his neck.
"Hell I know your heart belongs to that kid for now. But I can give you physical pleasure that even your heart will appreciate." Pegasus licked the pulsating veins that led down to his collar bone.
"Sick . . . Bastard . . . no wonder you lost your wife, cards, and eye. . ." Seto stopped struggling, his mind still in shock over the behavior of his business associate and distant friend.
"No, I'm just in love with a brilliant, arrogant, sexy, and stubborn man. If you want flowers I got them too." Desperation in his voice flared up.
"Pegasus I tire of this game. If you want me . . . just let me go. . . . Let me go. . . . I don't want this." His voice was resigned and he started to shake with emotions that were unmanageable.
Pegasus sighed and released his hold on the other. The sadness in the CEO's voice touched his heart."No I don't want him like this."
He still held on to his shoulders as spoke, "I'll take you to him or where ever you want to go. "I'll be waiting outside to take you to your office or the hospital.
With all his might Seto landed a blow to Max's head that made his knuckles bleed. Pegasus picked up a chipped tooth from the table where it had fallen.
"Don't you ever try anything like that again, Max."
Oooooooo
"Nii-sama what are you doing here." Mokuba screamed. "Pegasus it is very simple, my brother needs rest."
"Mokuba don't be a child. I'm fine. Fill me in; I see we still have a business." Seto smiled for the first time in days.
"Well right now it's a relief center for earthquake victims. I'm using our computer system to help find families and create a data base to connect us to other parts of the country for the future. The factory is also putting together packages to distribute throughout the city. I hope it's alright, Nii-sama. I used my own money. It's a new operation called start up. It's a self help program. To date Kaiba Corp has brought together over six hundred lost families and friend. Plus we have found housing and provided food for about two thousand people. Seto it feels so wonderful."
Seto glowed with pride and Pegasus just listened to the two brothers.
"There's more you haven't told me, I can see it in your eyes." Seto walked over to the computer Mokuba had just turned own. He always felt more at ease in front of a console.
"Seto, its Joey. I'm going to tell him how I feel. Well I thought you were in love with him. But after you rejected him at the hospital. . . . Damn it I want him. I've always wanted him. He thinks it's a kid's crush, but after the quake I know it not a joke. I'm in love and I'll going to tell him. He saved my life and I've always loved him for so long Seto, I know it's real. . . . I know it."
Mokuba's hand shook and his voice waivered, "If I have to wait I will, but I love him. Joey's going to paint and become a successful artist. I want to be a big part of his future. Seto I believe in him. Well say something!!!"
"I think you'll be . . . . Fine . . . Mokuba," Kaiba had gone completely pale. The trimmers in his body were more powerful that the earthquake.
"Seto I gotta go. Need to finish here and then I have a date at the hospital with my man." Mokuba ran his hands through his hair, smiling with happiness.
Seto flinched and backed away holding on to a desk, his world falling apart, and bit by bit he felt the weight crushing him down into a pit of hellish despair. He tried to remember the words Joey lived by, but the meaning escaped his heart.
'How could things get so twisted in his life? He loved Mokuba with all his heart, but Mokuba was in love with the same boy he'd give his life for. The same boy who's heart beat in time with his own. The same boy who's heart stopped and with the grace of God came back to life.' Seto's thoughts drove him under, back to the lifeless existent he'd known before the powerful emotions of love surface in his life. What if Joey was really for Mokuba, what a cold twist of fate? I've mistreated him forever . . . is this my reward?'
He sank to the floor and cried for the fourth time in his life. "Noooooooooooo."
Max wanted the man, but at this expense. It is true that all is fair in love and war. Yes, I'm not an angel and its war Joey with the big hazel eyes and honey-blond hair. Let us not forget the young Mokuba with the determination of a true Kaiba. His story is the most interesting. Seto, the brilliant CEO who can crush the biggest of tyrants, is a kitten when faced with matters of the heart. His innocence captivated Max even more.
Max watched the shaking of his shoulders and back, the deep sobs which allowed Seto to release the boy from his heart, or that is what he hoped. Yes, he would step back if it meant the happiness of his baby brother that had to be the source of his current pain. I'll be there waiting.
Max without asking gently lifted the CEO up into his arms and carried his light body to the waiting limo. Seto never said a word or protested. He was just too tired to even care. Mokuba's words just played over and over in his mind and all the happiness he envisioned with his puppy blew away on the wind.
"Ok my Kaiba-boy this time it will be different, and the outcome will be pleasurable for the both of us.
Ooooooooooo
Well this story started with the reviewers and alternate ending.
Well!!!! Fan readers and reviewers of It Hurts when I Breathe: WHO GETS THE HAZEL EYED PUPPY? And what happens to the loser. You know I LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS.
Seto /Joey
Mokuba/Joey
Pegasus/Seto
Pegasus/?
Mokuba/?
It's a touch world when it comes to matters of the heart, so who wins???
Thanks for reading and reviewing, love ya Sherabo……..