Too Much

Chapter 12 – Broken Control

Kaiba remained in his office chair for quite some time, thinking about the events that had occurred with Joey as he settled down. His embarrassment he felt towards the blonde began to slip away, making him feel much more at ease. He had finished his first glass of brandy thinking about it and had poured himself another, slowly indulging while thinking through his situation.

He had come to the conclusion that it really didn’t matter what he had done. He got what he was looking for before Joey’s little episode. All his questions were answered and he didn’t have the burning curiosity tugging at his mind any longer. That means he would have no reason to remain involved with the mutt and anything he did or did not do was irrelevant.

Joey should just be thankful that he was saved from a certain jail sentence and move on with his life. Seto peered down at his Italian made wrist watch and realized it was almost four o’clock. Mokuba would be home from school any moment. He stood up, feeling more unsteady on his feet than he was used to. He was so consumed in his thoughts he didn’t even realize how much he drank. It did not matter. Seto Kaiba wasn’t one to get drunk. He always tried to send out a poised, successful image and becoming out of control would ruin that image. Being in control was essential for Seto Kaiba.

He took what was left of his brandy and placed it back into his cabinet, feeling like it wouldn’t set a very good example for Mokuba. Seto left his office and walked down the stairs just as Mokuba walked through the front door.

“Seto,” Mokuba said automatically, “Why didn’t you go to school today?” His voice was filled with worry and his face looked upset.

“I was … detained.” Seto quickly made the decision to leave his brother in the dark about the whole Joey situation. He felt the situation was too mature for his brother to understand and felt he should not be exposed to that. He also didn’t need his brother asking question as to why he and Joey were involved with each other in the first place.

“Oh,” Mokuba said in a small voice, while looking down. “Well, what are you doing tonight?” Mokuba asked suddenly, his face lighting up instantly. “Maybe we could go to the arcade, or watch the duel monster tournament on the card game network!”

Seto had hundreds of excuses lined up to tell his brother why he was too busy to spend time with him. He did have a lot of work seeing as the Joey situation had taken a lot of his mind’s time as of late. But then Kaiba remembered all the brandy he had upstairs and thought he wouldn’t be very productive if his mind wasn’t working at full capacity. He also knew he had barely seen his brother for the past while, seeing as he had been so busy with everything. He looked down into his brother’s face filled with anticipation.

“Alright.” Mokuba’s face lit up with excitement before Seto could continue.

“We can watch some T.V. after you’ve finished your homework.”

Mokuba’s face fell. “Oh come on! We never get to spend time together, can’t it wait just for tonight!” Mokuba pleaded.

Seto smiled at his little brother’s desperate attempt to postpone his work. He was usually quite strict about Mokuba completing his work, but he was in a good mood seeing as he was rid of Joey. The fact he was being affected by the alcohol also helped his jovial demeanor.

“Okay, fine.” Mokuba was filled with exuberance once more as he bounded for their entertainment room. Seto hadn’t seen him this happy in a long time. It made him feel guilty that something as simple as spending some time with his brother could make him so happy. But then he remembered he shouldn’t feel guilt and banished the thoughts from his mind. “You’re doing your homework later.” Seto called after his brother.

Just then the door bell rang in a very peculiar fashion. The ringer pressed the button multiple times very quickly.

“I’ll get it!” Mokuba yelled as he zoomed past Seto in the opposite direction towards the door. Seto continued walking since he assumed it was one of Mokuba’s friends, the immature manner of ringing the doorbell tipping him off. A few moments went by before Seto heard his brother’s voice.

“SETO!” rang out Mokuba’s urgent voice from the door. Kaiba spun around and ran towards the door to see what could possibly make such a disruption. The sight he met was not what he expected at all.

Standing in the doorway was a very disturbing image. A man who had his arm sprawled over a large statue, right outside the door to support himself was peering into Seto’s eyes with such fiery determination it disturbed him. His face was dirty and there were twigs wound in his hair. The side of his head was bloody; some of it had turned black as if it had been there for hours while it seemed like it had been cut open again as fresh blood seeped out. A beer bottle that resided in the man’s hand told Seto he had been drinking. No one said anything for a few moments while Seto took in the situation.

“Mokuba, go to your room!” he growled in a dangerous tone.

“But –”

“Now!” Seto yelled.

Mokuba had backed away quickly but still remained in the room, watching from the shadows.

Seto turned to Joey’s ragged form.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered.

“You…” Joey said while taking his hand off of the statue and pointing it towards Kaiba, causing him to teeter dangerously in the other direction as he attempted to catch his balance.

“You owe me an explan … an … an explanation!” Joey managed to spit out.

“I don’t owe you anything. If you recall you are in debt to me.” Seto fretted quietly, knowing that there were others around and he didn’t want them knowing of his affairs.

“I just want answers!” Joey yelled out of anger this time, though there was a hint of desperation that laced his voice. It forced Seto to be reminded of himself. He was plagued by questions that drove him mad and now that his were answered, Joey was the one with the questions now.

“And I’m not leavin’ til…” Joey began yelling angrily before he screwed his face up in a pained expression and stumbled a bit before reestablishing himself. “til you give me some.” He finished in a weaker voice.

“Must I have my bodyguard escort you off of the premises again?” Seto asked, quiet anger in his voice.

Joey’s temper got the best of him at the reminder of his dismissal that occurred earlier that day. He let the beer bottle drop to the stone walkway making a hollow clang, his fingers letting go of their loose grip. It surprisingly did not break, but rather rolled the opposite way. Joey advanced on Seto, his eyes burning with the determined look set on his ravaged face. Seto stared right back, feeling a little uneasy, but stood his ground. Joey’s bloodied hands set themselves on Kaiba’s expensive suit.

“YOU,” Joey said as he pushed the taller teen with all the force he could muster, “COWARD” he yelled as he pushed him again. Kaiba, surprised by Joey’s sudden attack, fell backwards. Joey had forced all his weight on Kaiba, so when he fell over Joey followed suite. The fact Joey was barely able to stand in the first place didn’t help. He landed hard onto Seto, who was able to feel the hard coldness of Joey’s body that was chilled from being outside.

“Seto!” Mokuba fretted as he ran over to his older brother, emerging from the shadows.

“Mokuba, I told you…” Kaiba let his voice trail off in an aspirated tone as he pushed the blonde off him. His face was red as he looked up at Mokuba’s worried expression.

“What’s wrong with him?” Mokuba whispered to Seto as he stood up, Joey still remaining perched on his knees, trying to get his bearings.

Seto saw the fear in his brother’s face and he knew that he was right about not telling him about Joey. Unfortunately that mutt decided to barge in and now it was near impossible to hide it from his little brother.

“Nothing,” he muttered quickly, trying to regain some of his professional demeanor even after he was humiliated by the mutt.

“Now go to your room,” he said, the previous anger at his brother had diminished.

Mokuba stepped slowly up the stairs, still looking back for any new developments. He made it to the landing and crouched out of sight, peeking around a corner.

After Mokuba was dismissed, Kaiba stood staring grudgingly for a moment, postponing the task of dealing with the problem that still remained.

“Get up!” Kaiba ordered as he turned on Joey, who was still kneeling.

He stood up slowly and looked up angrily at Kaiba, peering into an equally angry face. Kaiba was mad. He knew Joey had probably filled his body with drugs as soon as he left that afternoon and it was Kaiba who gave him the means. Now because of it he was beyond gone. Kaiba was finding his temper rising faster than usual, making it far more difficult to control.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing here,” he yelled, “And what did you do to yourself.” He added as he looked up and down Joey’s slouched form, finally stopping to look into Joey’s disoriented face.

“Nothing for you to worry about,” Joey said scornfully, but he was beginning to lose control over his mind and body, the drugs in him taking him completely.

Kaiba gave an angry sigh and shook his head, trying to calm his rising anger before continuing.

“How dare you show up here and let Mokuba see you like this! He doesn’t understand.”

“I just needed to talk to you.” The anger once so prominent in Joey’s voice faded and sounded almost like begging. Joey’s strength began to wane as he leaned his hand against the wall.

“I don’t have anything to say to you so leave!” Kaiba said, becoming angrier by the second.

“I’m not leaving.” Joey said again, this time far more desperate.

Kaiba lost it. He looked at Joey’s pathetic form and thought about all the drugs he must have taken which angered him in a way he didn’t understand.

“GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY SIGHT!” he yelled while expulsing his anger through physically assaulting Joey. He laid his hands on Joey and shoved his slouched, unstable form. The full effects of the alcohol Kaiba had consumed were taking effect now as he lost control. Joey stumbled backwards into a small eloquently wood carved entrance table and was able to grab it, preventing him from falling. He didn’t attempt to stop Kaiba or block his attacks. Joey continued to stare at Kaiba with a new look on his face. It was a pleading face. Kaiba purposing looked away, fearing he may actually pity Joey and pushed him again. Joey took out the table, causing it to crash to the floor while Joey hit the floor hard not far behind it. Kaiba expected the blond to fight back; to be the same defiant boy he had always fought with, but he wasn’t.

“GET UP!” Kaiba yelled at Joey’s fallen form, but he didn’t budge. Joey looked up at Kaiba’s furious face with his own, showing nothing but defeated sadness mixed with his usual drugged vague expression. The lack of retaliation made Kaiba even angrier. He wanted Joey to fight back, to get angry and attack him. He wanted to take his new found anger on the situation and vent it through one of his and Joey’s usual scraps. He wanted to fight and beat Joey like he always does, and then feel superior, while Joey leaves in shame. He needed that release, but Joey was not going to give it to him. He just laid there with little defiance left in him. Kaiba wouldn’t have it.

“GET!” Kaiba yelled as he kicked Joey’s limp form in the side causing him to slide an inch across the tiled floor, “UP!” he finished with another blow.

Joey’s face was filled with pain as he rolled over and clutched his side but still didn’t attempt to fight.

“Come on you pathetic piece of shit!” Kaiba yelled, thinking if physical abuse wouldn’t anger him, then maybe verbal abuse would.

“You’re worthless, you fucking junkie.” He yelled above him, leaning over the blond making his insults even harder to ignore. Kaiba’s face was red again, this time not from embarrassment but from his rage. Joey still remained on the ground, his eyes closed but face was scrunched so Kaiba knew Joey was still conscious.

“Your life is pointless, nobody cares about you.”

Kaiba was trying to think of anything that could exhibit a reaction in Joey, no matter how brutal it was but Joey still didn’t move. Kaiba gave him another kick to Joey’s limp body, but Joey neither flinched nor reacted. All the sedatives in his body blocked out any physical pain he was feeling. Kaiba, realizing this, made him angrier seeing as all physical abuse he could deliver wouldn’t affect him and in that moment, he wanted to cause Joey pain.

Mokuba watched frightened from his hiding place, completely shocked at how his brother could be so angry at Joey and treat him so brutally. Mokuba was confused. He believed that his brother was always right and looked up to him but he also didn’t understand his actions. He came to the conclusion that Joey must have done something atrocious to exhibit this reaction in his brother. When Mokuba saw Kaiba act this way, he couldn’t help himself think about his step-father, Gozabura.

Kaiba had a sudden idea. “It’s no wonder your sister and mother left you,” he taunted. The information Joey disclosed with him just earlier that day would prove as very effective in provoking a reaction from him. At these words Joey stirred and slowly got to his feet. Kaiba stood stock still in shock awaiting Joey’s next move. Joey said nothing as he slowly walked towards the door. He was slow and careful with his steps, trying his best not to stumble, or even worse fall.

Kaiba realized that Joey was intending on leaving which made him most angry of all. Not only would he refuse to fight him, but now he was leaving even though he was so adamant before about staying. He was completely giving in. Kaiba stormed up behind him and grabbed his shoulder roughly.

“You’re not leaving...” Kaiba yelled before yanking on his shoulder, causing him to whirl around.

What Kaiba saw caused the angry, cruel look on his face to fall into complete shock.

When he turned Joey around, Joey’s eyes were red, but not because of the drugs. Tears were rolling down his face and collecting under his chin. His eyes were filled and the redness against his hazel eyes brought out the green in them. Kaiba could not believe what he was seeing. Joey always portrayed this tough guy image at school and was even part of a gang and here he was, crying in front of him. Kaiba loosened his grip and stood there wordlessly as Joey turned back around and headed out the door.

The sight of Joey’s tear laden face snapped Seto out of his alcohol induced rage. He stood there and realized what he had done and who he reminded himself of. He was acting just like Joey’s father, and abused him in what he imagined to be a similar fashion. It explained why Joey didn’t fight back; he believed what Kaiba was telling him. Kaiba felt sick at what he just did, it bothered him so much he didn’t even realize he was letting himself feel. Before he was in denial about all the abuse Joey had suffered, unable to fully comprehend it, but now through his action he understood what Joey had to deal with. It made him appreciate how much he hated Joey’s father and all that he did to Joey, but now he realized he wasn’t any better. No, he was worse.

Joey walked carefully out of the front door. Kaiba could kick him and taunt him but Joey couldn’t take him using the information he told him that afternoon against him. He just couldn’t take it. He never told anyone about any of the things he told Kaiba and now they were being thrown back in his face.

He could handle everything else, but not that. That was the one detail of information that hurt him the most. It haunted his thoughts and killed him to know that he caused his mother and sister to leave. His father reminded him all the time. Out of all the things he had to deal with; the beatings, the gang, the school, Kaiba, this was the one thing that made him unable to live with himself.

Joey had one train of thought only. He would find the strength to walk home, lock himself in his bedroom, and empty his pill bottle. He just prayed that it wouldn’t be too painful. He knew if he did this he would be failing himself and everything he had worked for, but he didn’t care. No one cared about him.

Suddenly there was a hand on his shoulder. Its touch was light but it held him in place. Another hand rested on his other shoulder and gently pressed down, causing Joey to lower himself to the ground. He lay on the soft grass of Kaiba’s lawn and was relieved by how comfortable he was. He wasn’t sure what was happening but he knew he was barely in control anymore. The drugs made him so tired that lying on the cold ground felt unbelievably good and his thoughts scattered into nothingness. He couldn’t think of anything, but was utterly consumed by the complete sedation washing over his body. It didn’t even register that his head was lying against something, someone. There was someone on the ground with him, holding his limp body as Joey rested his head on their chest. The soft, low voice Joey heard filled his head, making it the only thing his senses could focus on while alerting him to the person beneath him.

“I lied…” the voice said slowly, uncertainly, “I care about you.”


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Kaiba’s an angry drunk O_o

I feel like these erratic reactions from him would only occur if he had a bit to drink haha. And it could also break his I don’t care attitude.