Disclaimer: I don't own any of the rights to the characters of Yugioh. But I will respectfully borrow them to use in my stories; hands to Kazuki Takahashi.

A/N: Fans you rock my writer's mind, thanks.

Recap: Both boys continued to laugh and would have fallen asleep, if not for the shrill noise of the phone ringing.

Quietly Ryou walked over to a small stand and looked at the caller I D. "Hey mate it's from Japan. I think it's that chap that's been calling you…"

The phone continued to ring as Ryou watched all the color drain from Joey's face.

Chapter Seventeen: Kaiba's Big and Small

"Joey, you can't stare at it forever . . . ." Ryou spoke. The other moved his head from side to side.

"I can't . . ."

Ryou not realizing the danger picked up the phone, "Ah . . . Hello."

"Who is this!?" Ryou almost dropped the phone. Seto's voice was deadly.

"I'm . . . mm . . . Ryou?" He turned red and locked eyes with Joey.

"Put Joey on the phone!!"

"Who's calling . . . beside I have to see if he's available." Ryou inflated his chest for a moment.

"I didn't call to listen to this dribble or to announce my name to you. Now Ryou I want you to listen. You have zero minutes to find Joey and put him on the damn phone. Do I make myself clear, no is unacceptable!"

Joey, still mouth the words no, his hands started to shake. He couldn't hold the phone, even if Ryou put it in his hands.

Ryou was accustomed to taking orders from demanding men; he didn't have any other choice but to obey. He pushed the speaker phone button, just as Joey turned to go. "Sorry mate"

"Joey, I know you're hiding, which shouldn't surprise me at all, lost your nerve," Kaiba bellowed out. "Maybe I should come out there to see what you're spending my money on."

"Your money, cut the crap Kaiba," Joey screamed back.

"Still the same idiot, you'll fall for anything. Or course I'm not paying for your paintings. Why would I support dribbles on a wall or perhaps the bathroom stalls." Seto laughed.

"Damn you Kaiba . . . don't you have something else to do. I'm busy." Joey didn't have the will to fight. He'd started to dream about Kaiba again and it hurt. Pegasus's words haunted his nights.

Ryou was still shaking as he fell back on top of the pillows, still on the floor. 'Who was this guy, actually his voice projected everything they denied; sexy, strong, gorgeous, and evil.'

Kaiba refused to be stopped; he continued to toot his own horn. "Well your conversations were always limited, but I'm not finished. Maybe you can stop chewing on one of those paint brushes long enough to listen." Kaiba felt a stirring in his heart. The sound of his puppy's voice made him happy.

"Joey, please tell him the truth," Ryou pleaded with his eyes. "Remember we're artist, not bottoms."

"Kaiba, I'm tops in my class, ass hole . . ."Joey screamed, but he started to sway and his head hurt.

"Alright Seto . . . Ah . . . I mean Kaiba . . . I don't have to listen to this . . . just die already." Joey sucked air. He really didn't mean to say that. "Don't you have a boyfriend that needs your attention?"

On the other end of the wire, Kaiba blushed at the slip of names. 'Damn he loved the sound of his name on Joey's lips . . . Seto . . . why didn't he just let go and tell him how he felt. After all he was Seto Kaiba of Kaiba Corp. . . . Yeah,' but he was so afraid of these feelings, and there was Mokuba to consider. "Boyfriend . . . "not meaning to speak out loud, but he wondered exactly what Joey meant.

"Yeah, your Boyfriend, jerk."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but my personal life is not your concern." Seto frowned. This conversation was out of control.

"Kaiba-boy are you ready, It's not good to keep me waiting . . . it makes me want you more." Pegasus had been listening to the conversation and picked this precise moment to interrupt.

"I'm busy Pegasus, what do you want." Kaiba barked.

"Well you did promise me some personal attention tonight, and I've picked a special place for us to be alone." Pegasus raised his voice; he made sure Joey could hear every word.

Joey gasp as all the air left his lungs, "So it's really true . . . Seto and Pegasus," he spoke out loud, but only Ryou could hear the agony in his voice.

"What the hell are you talking about Joey?" Seto was completely lost, but he glared at the toon master for sneaking up on him.

"Bye . . ." Joey wasn't feeling all that great, he'd had another sleepless night . . . pressure started to build in his lungs. Why did he skip his last doctor's appointment? He started to cough.

"Joey you alright, mate," Ryou moved closer to his friend and extended his slender shoulder for the blond to lean against. Joey continued to tremble and cough; color drained from his face as the world started to go black.

"I . . . I gotta go man,"

"Wait, I'll tell you when this conversation is over! Why did you miss your last two doctor's visits? I don't want you wasting my money. I have a business to run, and why haven't you answered any of Mokuba's letters? If it wasn't for him you'd still be living in a one room shack. That right you don't know how to write or was it read?"

"Kaiba . . . Why do you hate me? Joey stumbled over his feet; now his weight was completely supported by the young Brit. "I tried my best to save Mokuba."

"Big brother is that Joey? What are you saying!!?" Mokuba ran into the room pass Pegasus and glared at the speaker phone; the unmistakable voice of his crush made his heart skip a beat.

"Kaiba-boy, save some of that passion for me tonight . . ." Pegasus chuckled.

"Hi Joey, how's it going," He reached out to Mokuba before he did something stupid and hollowed his message into the speaker phone.

"Don't blow it, boy," Pegasus hissed the words behind his ear.

"Screw you Kaiba . . . I don't need your fancy doctors or your charity. I can make it on my own." It was just too much . . . Pegasus, Mokuba, and Seto's ugly words.

Ryou's arms just couldn't hold his weight; he'd fallen to the floor."Joey. . ."

"Joey, hold on; you can't do this!! Please breathe . . . wake up!!" Ryou cradled the unconscious boy in his arms. Silence prevailed on the other end.

"What should I do . . . Joey!!?" He remembered Joey's emergency beeper he carried around his neck and pulled it out of his shirt. Ryou pushed the bright red button. Immediately a voice loud and clear came on the line.

"Hello this is KC private emergency line . . . supports for Joey Wheeler . . . is he conscious." The voice didn't waste any time.

"No, he just started to cough . . ."

"Lay him flat on the floor and tilt his head back, if there is a pillow use it. We will be there in one minute. Don't move him . . . understood."

"Yes . . . just hurry . . . he's so cold."

Oooooo

"Big Brother is he going to die . . . where he is and who is that with him?" Mokuba screamed.

"Big Brother! . . . Wait, where are you going?" Seto turned without saying a word and walked away. The toon master followed Kaiba out of the room and stopped him at the door.

"Move Max, I don't have time for your games or speeches." Seto hissed.

"That may be true, but I don't think he needs you either. You'll only make it worst. Even I can see the sound of your voice brings the boy nothing but stress and pain. Is that what you want for your precious little puppy? It's obvious he can't be around you without getting upset. Let him go!!!"

"Back off," The sound of tires screeching burned the road all the way to his private air strip.

Pegasus walked back inside; he still had the little brat to deal with. His plans experienced a little bump with Kaiba's concern. He should have paid more attention to Joey's medical bills. Now Kaiba was involved again.

"Mokuba," Pegasus spoke.

"I don't care about anything but Joey, just leave me alone Pegasus." Mokuba gave him a Kaiba stare.

"Even your brother's heart . . . he'd never forgive you the part you played in this deception," Pegasus words made him flinch. He'd sunk so deep in this pit of hell.

Mokuba back off. "You tricked me, liar."

"Liar, you'd always had a cute little dirty mouth." Pegasus smiled wickedly.

"You never say Joey would go away to England . . . I haven't seen him. It's not fair, you have my brother and Joey's gone." Mokuba pouted.

"Ahh . . . sweet cakes . . . . You knew exactly what you were doing; including our special times together. We both know Joey is not what you really want. He's not enough anymore." Pegasus winked and nipped Mokuba's ear with his teeth.

The boy gasp, it was a new sensation. "I'll tell Nii-sama everything, he'll forgive me . . . I'll just say you forced me." Mokuba pouted.

"Will he forgive the lies you told, my little kitten," Pegasus purred and licked the boys ear slowly. It appeared Mokuba needed another lesson. The boy's curiosity had moved up another step.

Mokuba knew this was wrong, but he tingled with excitement and leaned into the touch.

Pegasus pushed him away, "Why, I wouldn't want to be accused of forcing a young innocent boy into doing anything lewd, or too adult. Perhaps we should wait quietly by the phone. I think Joey has already left for the hospital. It could be hours before we get any news."

That part was true; less than two minutes later Joey was on a stretcher headed to a private hospital on the other side of town. Only static and an annoying buss remained on the line.

Mokuba eyes traveled to the toon master as he settled on a plush love seat and started to thumb through a magazine. He knew the man was playing with him and the words he spoke were true. His desire for Joey waned, his crush started to fade in the wind. He wanted something else.

"Seto's gone, so why are you still here . . . just leave already," Mokuba sucked.

"Gees, you Kaiba's are so damn rude, I thought maybe you could use a little company." Pegasus padded the seat next to him. "Come and sit with me, don't be so cold."

Mokuba obeyed," Don't try anything funny, because I'll tell my brother."

"Ah . . . my little precocious Kaiba-kitten I won't do anything you don't want or at least though about." He lifted his chin up and whispered softly. I promise a virgin you will stay, but we can do so many other things together, like this." He whispered dangerous words in Mokuba's ears and caused him to blush scarlet. Pegasus unzipped the boy's pants and gently pulled his semi-erect member out of his pants.

"Mmm . . . you're so eager and sweet, let me help you," Pegasus pushed the boys pants down below his knees and lifted him up onto his lap. He held him securely, Mokuba closed his eyes, and he didn't need instructions. He just moaned.

Pegasus chuckled and smiled, 'this afternoon proved to be very entertaining, but the Kaiba's big or small usually were. He boldly introduced the young Kaiba to the advanced art of masturbating.

Meanwhile

Seto didn't remember landing his private jet or even walking through the empty hallway to room 628. Yet he stood just outside Joey's room. In disguise he dressed in black leather and sunglasses. His boots reached his thighs. In Seto's mind he typified a college student, yet to the passerby he was a juicy piece of candy; tall, dark, mysterious, and handsome.

"Damn, I've got to be cool . . . can't make a scene, like before. But if they hurt my puppy, hell won't stop me," Kaiba whispered to the walls as he approached the nurses' station first. He'd already visited the doctor's private office and read the files and copied the charts. Seto just like he'd promise started to study medicine. After three months he'd already completed one year of intense study.

"See that's just the attitude, you should have left at home." Kisara fussed at her lovely prince and smiled.

"Hell not you again," he barked, yet he was thankful she had arrived. Kisara understood his sorry soul.

"Well who else will keep you from making a complete idiot of oneself?" She didn't like the worry lines on his brow.

"Umph,"

"You see that young man over there, he could use a friend right about now."

"I'm Seto Kaiba, not some damn Yugi." Seto adjusted his shades, and walked away. He placed his hands on the door to Joey's room and froze.

"Hey mister, you can't go in there. " Seto looked up and turned to face the pleasant voice commanding him to stop; he was ready to lash out at the fool.

"Sorry mate but the doctor is still inside, that's my friend Joey . . . you know him?" Ryou looked up at Kaiba; he was easily a head taller and more. "I haven't seen you around."

"Well do you keep track of all his friends," Kaiba barked, staring at the young man. He noticed his eyes were puffy and swollen from crying no doubt. 'This must be his roommate, the one that aided in saving his life.' Kaiba shuttered to think what would have happened if Joey had been alone.

"Well Joey doesn't have many friends, except me. Don't get me wrong, he's really hot . . . well in a guy sort of way, but he's always busy.

Ryou's thoughts wondered off "Ah. . . I'm so afraid . . . he stopped breathing . . . I didn't know what to do . . . sniff."

"Here take this," Kaiba offered the boy a hanky.

"Thanks . . ." sniffs and blows.

"Agrrrrrrrr r. . . " Kaiba groans.

"Sit down." Next Kaiba pushed a chair under his legs.

"So . . . Ah . . . what happened?" Ryou looked up a Kaiba, not sure if he should trust him, but he had to tell someone. It was just too much to keep inside.

"Listen I don't know you, and you don't know me, but we know Joey. So if you got something to say, then I'll listen," Seto's patience couldn't take anymore.

"Well he was talking to this guy on the tellie . . . more like a jerk was hassling him. He made fun of Joey's work and I wanted Joey to tell him off. But he couldn't, the guy must have been special. Those are the ones that make you bleed inside," Ryou whispered.

Seto flinched, his jaw stiffen considerably.

"Joey works so hard; he's tops in all his classes and paints day and night. He's says,' I got a debt to pay' those are his words. You see like me there ain't much money or a real family at home. Joey has this friend, rich that believed in him and now he wants more than anything in the world to make him proud. Plus I know he's in love, but the guy just hurts him all the time. I wish he'd let me help . . . Did you know he speaks in three different languages. He's so hot."

"So are you his current lover," Seto spoke.

"Yeah . . . I wish . . ." Ryou blushed and a glance at the tall handsome man. "He's too good for someone like me. I think you're more his type, someone he can rely on . . . hey you're not that jerk on the phone, or into girls," Ryou jumped.

"Do I look like the hurting type or skirt chaser," Kaiba winked at the confused lad, with the runaway tongue.

"Well I never can pick them right, so I don't really know, but that jerk really hurt him. I'm sure that's the one he loves. The worst part of this story is the fact Joey believes the guy has no idea how he feels. But I don't believe that. I think the jerk is just afraid, so he pretends to be straight and uncaring."

"Who the hell are you, away?"

"Gay," Ryou smiled, if only to ease his own helplessness.

"He's a coward . . . I'd jump in his bed just like that," Ryou snapped his fingers. "But its super cool being his friend, I'll always stay by his side, if he'll have me."

Seto stared at the number 628, 'Yes he was a fool and a coward.'

"Hey, just last week he turned down a chance to work for Yuko-Industries, they're the tops in animation. Joey wants to hold a degree in his hands . . . something about a lost puppy."

"What did you say?"

"Lost puppy,"

Seto always told Joey he was a mutt, street dog, and he'd be a lost puppy till the day he died, doing nothing but baying at the moon.

"Well I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I have to go to the John" Ryou didn't know he was talking to the wall, because in that last minute Kaiba left. He couldn't take it anymore.

Once again he was outside looking in. Everything that boy said was true and it grated on his nerves. Everything that damn Pegasus spoke was true; 'he'd only end up hurting the boy he loved so much.' Kaiba walked to the rented limo and set in the back seat. Once again he felt his heart beat in time to Joey's and he started to weep. 'It wasn't hard to make the decision; it was the right thing to do.'

Morning

Ryou burst in Joey's room and screamed with glee. "Damn, you scared me shitless."

"Sorry, I guess I shouldn't miss the old doctor's visit." He spoke, his throat a little dry. "I little water please."

"Want a back rub too," Ryou winked and handed Joey a glass with one of those wiggle straws inside.

"Mate did you get a visitor last night?" Ryou wondered, thinking about the tall handsome stranger.

"Mmm . . . no"

"It's weird. I thought that guy would come back later," Ryou wrinkled his brow. "Well anyway doc says you can come home, but you need a breathing machine, for attacks. I'm going be your nurse forever."

"Whatever," they both laugh, but it was the start of something big.

"Hey I gotta go and start my first lesson on keeping you alive," Ryou kisses his friend on the cheek and ran out of the room before Joey had a chance to response.

Joey reached under the sheets and pull out a small plush blue dragon. Last night he remembered holding it close to his heart and he drifted to sleep. It was the first peaceful sleep he'd had in over three months.

Maybe it wasn't a dream last night . . . he closed his eyes and remembers . . . .

His heart rate started to rise and one of many nightmares started to invade his space. This time he was falling, falling into darkness and landed on a bed of broken boards that matched his broken limbs. Arms moved over every part of his body; he couldn't breathe. The monitor beeped in the distance but it wasn't connected to him; instead the machine was attached to a little golden retriever.

"No" . . . Joey cried out "I'm his puppy . . . I'm his puppy." He looked up at the doctor and the nurse removed his mask. It was Pegasus; Joey screamed. He squeezed his eyes but that never helped, he was dying, the air left his lungs and the doctor just laughed. But the dream change and he could hear and feel everything as if it happened for real. This time warm arms circled his body and whispered.

"Hush, baby . . . I'm here." I faceless brunette with strong hands glossed over his face with his fingers and gently traced his quivering lips.

Joey moaned, as tears continue to run down his cheeks, his heart hurt so much. "I want to go home," Joey cried, heaving huge sobs with caused wheezing and cut off his air. His body was out of control.

A warm body slid inside the bed and pulled him on top. He remembered wrapping his arms around that slender neck and finally he settle down. The other started to massage his back and sides in a lazy fashion. All his fears vanished in the love he felt from the other.

Gently he was rolled over and eased back onto the bed but not before he felt sweet kisses on his brow, his cheek, and his bottom lip and his neck.

"More," Joey smiled and drifted off to sleep. "Seto"

Joey opened his eyes and hugged the dragon again. It was his wish to believe Seto stayed with him last night, but it was impossible. Yet the love sick puppy would hold on to that dream and the dragon for the next year of his life.

R/r

Preview: I will not give in to the despair, which appears in my life, I will survive, no matter what, or how much it hurts.

A young man with a clear objective, stepped off the plane, all heads turned his way . . . ha-ha!!! That's all.