'Kaiba?' Joey looked over to the brunet who appeared to be deep in thought. 'I'm not been abused. I'm just…clumsy.'

'Clumsier than usual, even for a stupid mutt.'

'Listen, no offense, but it ain't got nothing to do wit' you.'

'If you say so mutt, but as I said, I'm not stupid. I know what's going on.'

'You don't know nothing, let me out. I have stuff to do.' Kaiba glared at the boy.

'It's your funeral.' He shouted to the driver to take them back, and stared at the blond as this proceeded to happen. Stupid mutt, he didn't know what was good for him. The car stopped and Joey clambered out, glaring down the brunet as he did so. What did Kaiba know anyway? Stupid know it all Kaiba.

Joey wandered to his apartment. 6pm. His father would be out. Perfect. He pushed the door open and then stepped back, just to make sure no one was ready to jump on him. He stared into the darkness…nothing. The curtains were drawn and only a silver stream highlighted a path to the wall. He flicked the switch by the door, careful brown eyes scanning the room. It was empty. Good. He hesitantly walked in, checking everywhere as he did so. By the time he reached his room, he became relieved. The house was empty, he could finally relax. He shut the door to his room, pushing the closet up against it. He could get a safe nights sleep this way. Wednesday was one of his only nights off in the week and tonight, he intended to make full use of it.

Joey took of his clothes and pulled on his shorts and shirt before lying on his bed. It was broken and the wood was chipped. His sheets were mangled and distressed, but right now, it was the best thing in the world.

He looked up the cracked ceiling, his face mangled with emotions. He folded his arms across his chest. It had been a weird day. His friends had abandoned him, He'd contemplated death and Kaiba had been even weirder than usual. He let out a sigh, maybe tomorrow would be better? If not, there was Friday, and Saturday, and the days would be endless and he could look forward to them until they finally improved.

He stared upwards thinking about his future. It would be brilliant. For the next 3 years he would stop paying his father's debts and use the money to save up for his own place. He would then look for full time work doing something he loved, maybe cooking, and use this to sustain himself. One day he'd fall in love, have kids and he could live happily on his own. Everything would be perfect and his current life just a distant memory. He smiled to himself, hardly noticing the slam of the front door or the drunken yells echoing throughout the halls. He was intoxicated by his fantasies, never hearing the angry slamming on his bedroom door, making the closet tremble. Joey remained this way until the violent knocking finally tumbled the closet over, and the door cracked open slightly, allow his father's voice to finally seep through into his mind.

His mind jolted instantly and he stared at the door, a lump in his throat. He watched the wooden door bend unnaturally under the strain. He glanced around his room, knowing time was becoming scarce. He had to survive, just one night. But where would he go? His head ached painfully, where was there left? He noticed the tiny window near his bed. He could probably fit through. Taking the desperate decision he chose to climb through the tiny hole and out into the night. He squeezed his body through, only just fitting. He went through backwards, so as to hold the ledge long enough to brace himself for a fall. He looked down to the metal path beneath him, taking a few deep breaths before letting go and plummeting a few feet downwards. He let his hand touch the floor for balance before standing up. He flinched. As he stood up he felt the strain on his cracked ribs, it had been no good. Even ducking during a fall had not protected his delicate state. He frowned. He was stronger than this. He felt the pain accelerate as his walked…guess he just found out where he was staying tonight.

The walk took forever, but soon he could see the alien glow of Domino Hospital. He staggered through the A&E doors, and gave a weak smile to a tired woman on reception. As she looked up to the leaning blond, her eyes widened. She instantly raced from the desk to aid him, helping him walk to a nearby unit. Joey felt light as helping hands carried him to a bed. A light prick in his arm before his eyes felt heavy and the world turned black.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Joey woke up to a bright white surrounding him, his head pounding. Had he died last night? There was no clock. No blood stained carpet, no…nothing. He tried his hardest to focus, blinking a few times trying to fathom what happened the night before. Slowly the memories faded back. He nodded to himself in acknowledgement. He was in hospital, second time this year. It was ok, he could cope with that. It was better than school, or home. No one had come to see him or explain his charts. No one had asked for his next of kin or status. So far so good. He looked over to see one hand hooked up to a bunch of drips and a finger to a machine that beeped. Yup, that was ok. Nothing out of the ordinary there. He ran his spare hand across his body. His torso fully bandaged and the restraint on his arm meant he had a cast. Ok, that was expected. He shook his head lightly. No blond mess fell onto his face…that meant that there was a bandage on his head…good good. Everything seemed perfectly normal and predictable and for the first time in a while, he wasn't in pain.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

Kaiba glared at the computer screen, a new statistic popping up. He slammed his hands down hard on the table.

'Stupid fucking mutt!' He screamed loudly before throwing his coffee at the wall. Didn't the blond ever learn!

Hey everyone!

I tried to make it a little longer, but long chapters aren't my forte. Sorry.

I hope you like it, please R&R

Much loves

x

PS: Peoples on facebook, I will be making a group against flaming tonight. I have affectionately and creatively named it 'Anti FF Flames' lol. I'm open to name change suggestions. Anyone interested, I'd appreciate it if you join. It will be designed to give support to those receiving flames and how to deal with it as well as some awesome tips on stories…I hope.

Mwah!