Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Daze of Paradise ❯ (Part I) Desperate Times ( Chapter 11 )

Authoress' Notes: Now I know what you're all thinking…they've gotten together (sort of) so there's not much left to this story right? Wrong. If you know anything about the relationship between Seto and Joey, then you know if it takes them that long to get this far with things, then it's probably going to take a little longer to get to a happy place in their relationship in this fic. Hey, I'm trying to be somewhat true to character here. Give me some credit.

 

Disclaimers: We don't own it! Suing us would be pointless. We all have much better things to do with our time.

 

Warnings:The usual.

 

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Chapter 11 - ( Part I ) Desperate Times

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“Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books;

But love from love, toward school with heavy looks.”

— William Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet, I.v. [156].

 

When Joey returned to work, he was a little worried he might run into Kaiba there - since the CEO seemed to make sure he was involved in nearly every step and every department of his company and the production of Kaiba Corp's various and sundry gizmos, gadgets, toys, and technologies. And at the same time, he wasn't worried about it, because from Kaiba's parting growl, it sounded to Joey like he would avoid the blonde at all costs.

It was probably a good thing, too. Joey was still seething - not to mention hurt and confused - and was liable to do something hasty out of his mad.

He was right. Where Kaiba had previously made several appearances in product testing, to check on progress (or at least, that's what Joey and everyone else had assumed), now Mokuba would pop in instead, replacing his older brother. It wasn't that Joey wasn't happy to see the youth, it was just that if Kaiba would stop being such a coward and face him, then maybe they could work the whole thing out somehow. Joey was certain it was the only way he'd ever get a decent night's rest again.

The dreams kept him awake, sweaty, frustrated, and busy with laundry.

Still, as much as his confusion, and frustration, and anger bothered him and kept him from sleeping, the one thing that haunted him most was what Kaiba had said to him that night in the elevator…

“You, Joey, are the puppy I could never have.”

What the heck was it supposed to mean? Was it some kind of obscure way of trying to tell him something? Thinking about it just succeeded in depriving Joey of more sleep and giving him headaches.

The rest of the summer he spent working and turning the new apartment into a home, with Serenity's help. They bought furniture, painted the living room and both bedrooms, and did other small renovations. By the time the fall semester began for Joey (and high school for Serenity - her final year), they'd settled into the new home as if they'd always lived there.

Classes had only been in session for a little more than two weeks when Yugi and the others got fed up with worrying about him enough to try and figure out what was wrong with their blonde friend. It had become obvious that something was bothering Joey - he had dark circles under his eyes, he was abnormally quiet, and it looked like he was losing weight.

One day at lunch, before the others arrived to join them, Yugi and Ryou cornered Joey after conspiring to drag the problem out of him.

“Bakura's coming to keep me company for the rest of the day. He went to check out the museum's new exhibit this morning.” Ryou said, sitting down and taking out the lunch he'd prepared for himself that morning. “How's Yami, Yugi?”

“Oh, he's fine.” Yugi cracked open his can of soda and sipped. “He's taken Kaiba's suggestion to heart and been catching up on his reading.” Yugi watched Joey out of he corner of his eye, catching the small wince at Kaiba's name. Ah…so that's it. He thought, sighing mentally. I should have known, I suppose. What did he do this time, Joey?

“What's he reading now?” Ryou asked with interest, laughing a bit and also watching Joey surreptitiously. He'd caught the wince, too, and come to the same conclusion as Yugi.

“Well, he's still reading history texts, actually. I think he'll be at those for quite a while yet.” Yugi smiled at the thought of his soul mate with his elegant nose stuffed in a massive textbook, a tiny scowl of concentration on his face. “5,000 plus years is a lot of history to catch up on, after all.”

“True.” Ryou and Yugi exchanged agreeing looks. “So, Joey…” The white-haired hikari continued casually. “How've you been lately? You've been looking tired. Not getting enough sleep?”

Joey's hand hovered over his sandwich, stiffening at the question. “Yeah. Something like that, I guess you could say. Work's gotten a bit tougher with classes and all, too. Don't worry though! I'll get used to it once I get into the groove, that's all.” He babbled, forcing a smile and fibbing through his teeth. He just got two solemn gazes that waited expectantly for the truth. “Come on, guys…I'm fine…” he tried lamely.

“Try again, Joey. If it helps anything you tell us we promise not to repeat to anyone - even our yamis.” Yugi offered, gently. Ryou nodded in agreement.

Joey held Yugi's eyes for a brief moment before he had to look away. “It helps…except that I know there's no point. For one thing, you already know, right?” Yugi sighed and shrugged, neither denying it nor confirming it. “And for another, I know you hikaris can't hide anything from your yamis. But I appreciate the offer.”

“I keep lots of things from Bakura. We have an understanding - he doesn't pry, unless he thinks it is endangering me somehow.” Ryou smiled softly. “It's his way of making up for the way he was before, and for showing he trusts me.”

“And for you to show you trust him.” Yugi nodded sagely, smiling at Ryou's slightly surprised look at his insight.

“Yeah.”

“Truth is, I don't really care if you tell them or not.” Joey pushed his lunch aside, any appetite he thought he'd had disappearing. His stomach just felt unsettled now. “It wouldn't change anything - except for maybe making Yami mad enough to go around with Kaiba…” The blonde blinked at himself and groaned burying his head in his hands as he realized how neatly they'd cornered him. “Ra damn it! You two are entirely too clever, you know that?”

“We're sorry, pal. We're just worried about you.” Yugi rubbed Joey's shoulder in apology. “Maybe if you talk about it, we can help somehow - even if it's just to get things off your chest.”

Joey looked around the growing crowd of the cafeteria and shook his head. “I don't want to talk about it, Yugi. Not here, at least.”

“That bad?” Ryou made sympathetic noises and began packing up his lunch. “Come on then, guys. I think we should take advantage of the beautiful weather today, and eat outdoors.”

“That's an excellent idea, Ryou.” Yugi agreed, doing the same and nudging Joey. “Coming?”

The blonde really had no choice but to give in.

The three friends left the cafeteria and bumped into Duke Devlin on the way out.

“Oh! Hey, Duke!” Yugi greeted the dice master cheerfully. “How's it going?”

“Hey, guys!” Duke returned. “Everything's fine. Where are you off to? Not joining us for lunch today?”

“Nope. We have a few errands to run around campus, and we might end up sitting outside in the sunshine later. Let everyone know we'll see them later, okay?” Ryou requested, edging Joey (who was grateful to the white-haired duelist for not letting Duke, of all people, know they were out to solve Joey's problematic life) out the door.

“Sure. Take it easy!” Duke waved at them as they waved back and made a beeline for the nearest exit out of the building.

“Thanks, Ryou.” Joey said once they were outside and seated at a picnic table in the shade of a huge sakura tree. “For not letting Duke know I'm a total mess, I mean.”

Ryou waved it off. “He's our friend, Joey, but I suspect that his time it's none of his business.”

Joey smiled slightly. “Still, thanks. If it had been Tristan, I might have dragged him out here, too.” He thought for a moment. “Well, maybe not. Tristan's kind of protective of me for some reason, and he'd probably do something drastic.” Joey winced. “Better he doesn't know about this, actually. I don't want to be called down to the morgue to ID his body and have to tell Serenity her boyfriend is dead.”

“Alright. Now I'm really worried.” Yugi folded his hands on the table in front of himself and leaned forward. “Spill it, Joey. What did Seto Kaiba do this time?”

Sucking in a deep, nervous, agitated breath, Joey ran his fingers through his blonde hair restlessly, releasing the air slowly as he said, “He kissed me.”

Two blank stares were his only reply. After a moment, Ryou cleared his throat and said, “Could you repeat that, please, Joey? I thought I just heard you say he kissed you, but I think I may have misunderstood.”

With an expression of self-mockery on his face, Joey shook his head. “No. You heard right, even though it sounds stupid and totally ridiculous, it happened.” The blonde blushed, his face heating up partially in anger and partially in embarrassment. “Sad thing is…it's not the fact that he kissed me and was really close to getting under my clothes that's driving me crazy - or at least, not entirely…”

“Whoa. Hold it! Back it up and start over, Joey.” Yugi held up a hand and made a rewind motion. “What happened?”

“Remember the housewarming party you all threw for Serenity and I? Well, after you all had left, Seto and Mokuba stayed a little longer because Mokuba and Serenity were having a good conversation and his brother didn't want to tear the kid away from the rare opportunity to socialize with someone his own age.”

“That makes sense. Mokuba most not have much time to spend with friends - if he's made any at school.” Ryou nodded. “Go on. Then what happened?”

“Well, Seto decided to leave when it got really late, and Serenity decided to walk with `Kuba down to the car. So of course I went, too, right?” Joey groaned, resisting the urge to bury his face in his hands. “I'm positive the Gods are laughing their asses off about this still. I thought, for however brief a time, Kaiba and I were finally at an equal level. We had actually managed to spend an hour or two within the same proximity without trying to kill each other or even arguing. But, anyway, Serenity and Mokuba got to the elevators before Seto and I did, so we had to wait for the next one.” He stopped, and had to gather the shreds of his pride and composure.

Both hikaris were leaning forward eagerly, totally enraptured in the tale. It was playing out like a bad soap opera - which was absolutely fascinating to them at the same tie.

“What did he do? Just grab you and kiss you?” Ryou sighed, eye lashes fluttering in a dreamy way. “Sounds something like what Kaiba would do, if there is such a romantic bone in his body.”

Yugi snickered, and Joey glared. “Sorry, Joey. “I'm not laughing at you! It's the hopeless romantic over there.” He jerked a thumb at Ryou, who stuck out his tongue, blushing cutely.

“Oh, like you're any better, Yugi Mutou.”

“Guys, can we get back to the story?” Joey interrupted.

“Of course. Sorry, Joey.” Yugi composed himself and kicked Ryou under the table to warn him to do the same.

Eyeing them, Joey continued. “So we got on the next elevator and everything was fine until…” he paused, shaking his head and laughing at the stupidity of the whole thing. “It was so cliché! The elevator stopped suddenly, and wouldn't move again. So Seto called Mokuba on his cell - I guess they both carry one on them at all times or something - and got him and Serenity to go get the building manager to get us out.” Joey took another deep breath, feeling his face heat up again. “We sat on the floor, waiting to be freed, and…I don't know how it came up, but I made some comment like `why are you so fascinated with dogs and why do you keep calling me one?' and he explained it to me, in this sad voice I've never heard him use before, that he hadn't been allowed to have pets as a kid, and that he'd always loved dogs.” Joey shifted uncomfortably at the memory, and even now, through his anger at the brunette, he still felt sympathy for him - or at least for the child in Seto that had never really gotten a chance to exist.

“Then what?” Yugi asked quietly, sensing Joey's sadness and feeling the same himself.

“I don't know…I happened to look at him…he looked at me…and I just couldn't look away for some reason. Then…” Joey swallowed thickly. “Then I asked again why he called me a Mutt and such things all the time, and he…he said, `You, Joey, are the puppy I could never have.' A-and then he kissed me.”

Wide-eyed, his two friends moved in closer in a conspiratorial kind of way. “Wow, Joey…I never knew Kaiba had it in him.” Ryou's eyes turned sparkly in awe. “Was it good?”

“Oh my Gods, yes.” Joey nearly moaned, the words coming out of his mouth before they registered on his sleep-deprived brain. When they did, he turned lobster red and sputtered, “But that's not the point! Focus, Ryou!”

“Okay…” Yugi swallowed back the urge to laugh, knowing from Joey's behavior of late, and the tone in his voice now, that something else had happened - something more that was enough to perturb his best friend so much that he was in the state he was in. “So he kissed you, and I'm assuming once the shock wore off you weren't exactly pushing him away.”

Unable to speak, Joey just nodded once in bashful affirmation.

“Then what went wrong, Joey? Something must have to get you this upset.”

“The damn elevator started working again. It's like a switch got thrown in his head and when he realized just how he'd been having a hot make-out session with on the floor of an elevator, he got all ashamed and embarrassed on me…before I had processed everything, mind you - and damned if he didn't order me - fucking ordered me! - to pretend it never happened!” Now Joey went from embarrassment to supreme anger in a flash. “The selfish, arrogant, uncaring asshole! I mean, how am I supposed to pretend something like that never happened?! That Ra damned, lowlife bastard!”

Yugi winced on his friend's behalf, and at Seto's apparent talent for sticking his feet in his mouth without knowing it. Isis help me. I think we're going to need your wisdom, Great Goddess.

Ryou was nodding in a show of sympathy and friendship, patting Joey's hand and letting him rant in the hopes of getting all the stored up bile and anger out of Joey's system.

“And another thing! He's a bloody coward, too! He avoids me like the plague, and sends Mokuba to do the jobs that he used to do at Kaiba Corp! I swear if he sees me at work, he turns around and walks in the other direction. I'm surprised he hasn't fired me yet, the jerk!”

“Well, he can't fire you for something that occurred on a personal level between you, outside of the workplace on both your own time, in a situation neither of you had any real control over.” Ryou felt obliged to point out. “If he tried, you'd sue him or something, and that wouldn't help the situation any at all.”

“That, but more that he knows what your job means to you, Joey. And to your sister. If it was just you, he may have risked it, but he won't screw up someone else's life when that person has nothing to do with it.” Yugi added, perfectly serious. “I'm not saying Seto's handling this with any real finesse, because quite frankly I think he's screwed up big time, but he's not heartless.”

Deflated and suddenly more exhausted than ever, Joey slouched in defeat. “I just don't get him. Or any of this. And I don't know what to do anymore.”

“What a mess.” Ryou tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the table. “Honestly, Joey, the only thing I can think of to say, advice-wise, would be that you and Kaiba need to talk.”

“The problem is getting him to agree to it.” Yugi scowled. Kaiba may be a good friend (in his own way) but at the moment, the hikari of the King of Games would have loved to smack his rival upside the head for his insensitivity. “The man's a genius, but sometimes I think some circuitry got scrambled somewhere in that brain of his.”

“I just…what he said in the elevator…I don't understand what he meant. It just confuses me more to think about it.” Joey stared off into space, trying for the billionth time to wrap his mind around the words and make some sense of them.

“Um…I'd hazard a guess, but I think what he was saying and what his actions said don't really add up that well. Or at all, really.” Ryou frowned. “Bloody hell. I can see why you're confused, Joey.”

“Thank you!” The blonde exclaimed, relieved that at least he wasn't the only one.

“I think he's just as confused as you are, Joey.” Yugi finally said after a few minutes of thoughtful silence. “If you think about it, I'm sure you can see it. Kaiba's never been allowed to live a `normal' life - even if it was partially by his own choice. And even though he's come a long way since we first met him, he hasn't learned to deal with many emotions like the ones you both are experiencing. As far as I know, he's never even dated anyone so I highly doubt he knows what to do with himself when he feels an…attraction toward someone; and if you double that with being attracted to another guy - tripled with it being you, Joey - then just imagine how not well he's probably been able to handle himself, let alone you.”

“Maybe.” Joey reluctantly had to agree. “But he's making it worse by being childish and avoiding me, pretending nothing happened. You would think by now he'd know better, that standing up to face things can only help.”

Yugi sighed. “I know, Joey. Listen, I suggest you let me talk to him before you try. If it doesn't help, well…we can get together, lock you both in a room together, and refuse to let you out until you've reached some kind of understanding.”

Giving a humorless laugh, Joey could only shrug and stare at the tabletop.

Glancing at his wristwatch, Ryou made a startled noise and stood up abruptly. “We're going to be late, guys! Class starts in five minutes!” He stuffed his lunch - half-eaten - into his book bag.

“Yikes! I don't want to get that evil glare from the prof again like last time we were late.” Yugi shivered and grabbed his own stuff. “Hurry! Let's go.”

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After a four minute sprint half-way across campus and a mad dash through the halls, the three slid into their seats at the back of the lecture hall, out of breath and just barely on time.

They still got a stiff glare from the professor though.

Ten minutes into class, and already bored beyond reason, Yugi leaned closer to Ryou and whispered, “What time was Bakura supposed to show?”

Ryou blinked and frowned slightly. “At lunch.” He whispered back. “I don't know where he is.”

“Funny, Malik isn't here, either.” Joey muttered from Yugi's other side. “Wonder where he's at?”

“Strange. It's not like him to miss a class.” Yugi frowned, too. An uneasy sensation was beginning to settle in his stomach. “He doesn't get sick, either.”

“Maybe Isis and Ishizu needed him at the museum for something today.” Joey shrugged.

“Maybe.” Yugi agreed, since it was a possibility. Still, that unease wouldn't go away. “I'm glad this is my last class. Yami's coming to get me after so we can go shopping for clothes.” The thought brought a smile to his face and he giggled. “I made the mistake of letting him do laundry and he shrunk an entire load of jeans. I can't even get a leg into any of them now.”

“Oops.” Ryou snickered and ducked his head, trying to appear studious when their professor looked in their direction with another glare. Joey looked innocently back, and Yugi just continued taking notes, as if he hadn't said a thing.

It was nearing the end of class that Yugi's feeling of unease multiplied and mutated into shock and extreme worry.

The lecture hall doors flew open unexpectedly, and Malik came rushing in, followed by Marik and Bakura, both of whom had uncharacteristic serious expressions on their faces. Needless to say, Yugi's heart dropped down into his stomach.

“Yugi! You guys have to come with us, right now!” Malik exclaimed, breathing hard. “Quick! Before the reporters get here!”

Yugi, Joey, and Ryou were already moving as their classmates and the professor stared at the new-comers with curious expressions. Well, the class anyway. The prof was turning an unhealthy shade of red and spluttering.

“Excuse me, but Malik Ishtar you can not simply barge into this class - late - and start shouting like this! I demand you remove yourself and…”

“Back off, buddy.” Marik growled, his evil yami expression making the professor back up several steps hastily. “This doesn't concern you.”

“Marik.” Yugi came up and blocked the yami from going any closer. He didn't say anything else, but really he didn't have to. Marik gave a short nod and stalked outside, dragging his hikari unceremoniously by the jacket sleeve with him. Ryou slipped a hand into Bakura's and squeezed.

{What's going on, `Kura?} He asked worriedly. {What reporters?}

{We'll explain as soon as we get out of here, little Light.}

“Please forgive the interruption of your class, Sensei.” Yugi attempted to mend the situation in a hurry. “Malik obviously believed it is a great enough emergency. Forgive us.” With that, he hurried out, Joey at his heels, before the professor could reply at all.

The group walked quickly through the halls. “What's up, Malik?” Yugi demanded, following the ultra-blonde Egyptian. “Where were you?”

Marik and I were working this morning. You know, helping my sister and Isis with the new exhibit? We don't know how or who but someone found out what happened in Egypt and leaked the story to the press. Reporters started showing up at the museum, asking questions and requesting interviews with Yugi Mutou or anyone who was involved in the raising of the Palace. While Isis and Ishizu distracted the media, Marik and I snuck out the side doors to come and warn you.”

“I ran into the psychopaths on my way here to meet you, hikari.” Bakura added, his hand still firmly grasping his Light's. “They told me what happened and I agreed to come with them to find all of you.”

“Someone found out what happened? But how?” Yugi shook his head in confusion, pushing open the doors and stepping out into the sun. “Never mind. For now, let's just concentrate on getting out of here to somewhere safe. We need to find the others, and warn them, too.” He looked at Bakura. “Would you? I don't know everyone's schedules, and I have no idea where everyone is.”

“Not a problem.” Bakura gave a short nod and the Millennium Ring appeared, hanging from around his neck. It burned a soft golden glow, and the needle-like points began to move. “Ring! Show me where to find Tristan, Tea, and Duke Devlin.”

The pointers shifted restlessly for a moment, then three of them stiffened, pointing in three different directions. Beside him, Ryou stood with his own Ring pointing in the same directions.

“There.” Ryou opened his eyes. “Marik and Malik should stay here with you, Yugi. Bakura and I will take Joey and go get the others.”

“Okay.” The dueling Prince agreed, taking his cell phone from his book bag. “I'm calling Gramps, and then Kaiba. Go on, guys!”

“Right. Come on, Ryou. Joey.” Bakura, Ryou, and Joey ran off.

After warning his grandfather, who told Yugi he'd close the shop and hole up until Yugi gave him the all-clear signal, he called Kaiba while Malik and Marik kept an eye out for the media.

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In his car on his way to the university for a class of his own, Seto Kaiba glanced down at his car phone when it beeped insistently, signaling a call.

“Kaiba.” He answered tersely, vaguely annoyed with his secretary for bothering him.

“Sir, I apologize, but Yugi Mutou is on the line insisting he speak with you immediately. Do you wish to speak with him?”

“Yugi?” Kaiba blinked. “Of course. Put him through.”

“Yes, sir. One moment.”

Another beeping noise, and Kaiba spoke again. “Kaiba. You there, Yugi?”

“Seto! Oh, good. Big, big trouble!” Yugi's voice filled the car, and Kaiba frowned at the hint of panic in his rival's voice.

“What kind of trouble? Someone steal the Puzzle?” That was the first thing that came to mind that would ruffle Yugi's feathers that much.

“No! Nothing like that…but potentially it could mess up our lives just as much.” He could almost hear Yugi shaking his head emphatically. “Listen, somehow - and we don't know how yet - the media's found out about how we raised the Palace in Egypt. They've tracked us down, and they're in Domino, searching out information from anyone that's connected to the event. They've already cornered Ishizu and Isis at the museum, and Malik, Marik, and Bakura managed to sneak out to find Joey, Ryou and I to warn us.”

Kaiba stared at the phone briefly, then swore viciously in ancient Egyptian.

“Ditto.” Yugi agreed, a bit of a laugh in his voice, when the brunette wound down. “I've warned Gramps, and he's closing the Game Shop until he hears from us, and we're gathering up those of us that we can here at the university, but I don't know where to go or what to do next.” A thread of horror came into his voice. “Yami was supposed to be on his way here to meet me after my class! I can't call him to warn him!”

“Calm down, Yugi. Yami's fine.” Kaiba ordered sternly, taking charge. “He can take care of himself. And you can talk to him, remember? Your link.”

There was a brief pause, and Kaiba could picture the tri-haired young man banging his head on a wall. “Gods. I'm so dumb. Thanks, Seto.”

“No charge. Here's what you and the others need to do: meet up with Yami, immediately, and get over to the administration building in 10 - 15 minutes. A limo will be waiting for you, and it'll bring you to the mansion. The media won't get past my security and we'll need to have an emergency council meeting.”

“Alright. We can do that. Oh! Are you going to bring Mokuba home right away, too?”

“Yes. I'd rather he wasn't ambushed on his way home from school. Why?”

“Would you have Serenity picked up, too? I know Joey will be worried about her if she's out there by herself, and she was there with us in Egypt, too…”

The mention of Joey's name sent Kaiba's pulse racing and he scowled at himself. “Fine.” He said briskly, shoving his emotions into a corner of his mind to deal with later. “Want your grandfather picked up, too?”

“Uh…well, maybe not yet. He said if he got hounded he would call for help, but he should be fine for now. I'll call Mai and tell her to meet us at he mansion, too.”

“Whatever. I'm sure she knows how to handle unwanted press attention, but if you want her there, then go ahead.” Kaiba pulled up to a red light and shifted from his car phone to a headset to free his hands up. “I'm going to hang up, Yugi. I've got calls to make and butts to kick into gear. I'll see you at the mansion.”

“Okay. Thanks again, Seto. I…we owe you.” Yugi hung up before Kaiba could deny or agree with that.

Armed with a crisis, Kaiba Corp's owner and CEO went into full management mode, burning up the telephone wires with orders, threats, commands, and promises.

He had known somewhere in the back of his mind that it had to happen eventually, no matter how much he, or the others, would have wished otherwise.

It was time to introduce the Pharaoh to the rest of the world.

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Authoress' Notes: I know you're all wondering what the hell I'm doing now, bringing this new plot line into the mix so near the ending of this fic, but it had to be dealt with. Ah…mostly it's just to tie up loose ends, more than to actually serve some big purpose. *sweatdrops* Anyway, keep an eye out for the next chapter, in which the Pharaoh is re-introduced, and Kaiba and Yugi have a chat. *winks* Please R/R!!!!