The Heat of Your Touch

AN: Well, I’m glad you understand psychology. It took me long enough to understand that man’s feelings, needs and deeds don’t have to have any rational explanations. It’s been hard, but now I know that someone’s behavior doesn’t have to have sense at all. We are way too much complicated beings (taken from personal experience).
Don’t mind me being so pessimistic. I’ve been fooling around with my boyfriend last night and I think that there is a possibility that I may end up pregnant. But I’m not sure enough to claim and take the pill for the morning after. God knows what happened and how it slipped. If I delete this note later, it means that I’ve been paranoid. Please don’t congratulate me, don’t flame me, just pray that I’m just paranoid.
And please don’t mind me I told you this. I just needed to empty my soul.

Now, on with the story! Please review afterwards.

---

The man was standing there, silent. His eyes were dangerously narrowed. He was about forty-five years old, yet he looked much older. His eyes were tired and his face was pale, with big black bags under his eyes.

“Joseph?” he managed to say. His voice was hoarse and rough.

“Yeah, it’s me.” replied the blonde, secretly wanting to be hugged and accepted by his old man. Yet the old Wheeler was just standing there, observing the creature before him.

“What brings you here?” he was letting know that Joey wasn’t welcome.

Joey was just staring at his feet, paralyzed by a sudden fear.

“Please let me in, it’s cold outside.”

“Why should I?”

“Because I’m your fuckin’ son, you asshole!” Joey muttered.

The old Wheeler frowned.

“My son isn’t faggot. You are. So you’re not my son.” he said with pure cruelty and bitterness in his voice.

“Prejudices are still your guide, aren’t they, old man? I thought you could talk to me like civilized man now. I heard you had been to rehab.”

“Yeah. I’m cured.” he admitted.

Joey secretly smiled. He was glad for his father.

“Why don’t you let me in? What if I tell you I’m not a fag anymore?”

The old man smirked.

“I wouldn’t believe you.” he said.

“But I’m done with that part of my life for good.” he looked at old, tired brown eyes.

Wheeler smiled in satisfaction and then stepped aside to let his son in.

Joey entered, feeling grateful he didn’t have to stand in rain any minute longer.

He was soaked to the bone. He was shivering. He was feeling terrible.

“I’ll get you some clothes, Joseph. Remember where the shower is?” offered Wheeler.

Joey nodded, his head still bowed.

---

“I know what he’s up to, Mokuba.” Kaiba was pacing nervously. His younger brother was sitting on his bed, following the movements of his brothers with his concerned dark eyes.

“I know his every thought. I know him enough. He’s been always measuring every my word, every my move, everything. As if my love would disappear all of a sudden. I know what he’s thinking now. He’s thinking that I don’t give a damn. I don’t love him. I don’t need him. And that’s making me restless.” He sat beside his brother, “He’s not sure in my love. I need to repeat him thousand times a day that I love him. I need to assure him every single moment. And now, when I’m not able to do that, he would think of the worst. “ he covered his face with his skinny hands. “And I’m just not the one who would spill my heart out loud. This circumstance isn’t making the things easier. I’m…I’m afraid of losing him.”

Mokuba remained silent. He knew that everything he said, it would sound stupid. It wouldn’t make his brother better. If he lied, it would just lull Kaiba into fake hopes. And Kaiba hates lies more than anything.

He hated being like that-helpless, unhelpful. He was feeling pressure in his chest-he was feeling useless and. And still, he had to stay calm in order to keep Seto calm.

“Whatever I do, either is not enough or is not proper. I just can’t express it. and now…”

“Have you ever thought that I’m unhappy as well?” Mokuba snapped all of a sudden. “I’m fed up with all of this!” he ran out of Seto’s room.

The brunette just blinked in surprise. Then he felt the unbearable overwhelming of guilt and despair.

---

“It’s been a while, son.” The old man said, handing Joey a cup of hot chocolate.

“Yeah.” Joey replied weakly, taking a sip of his drink. It tasted good, almost like he was at home.

The man sat in front of him, in the armchair.

“What happened with that rich boy of yours?” he asked, but there was no sarcasm in his words. It looked like a worry.

“It’s a long story…dad.” he took another sip, “I’d rather not to talk about that.”

“I understand.” Said his father, considering Joey was feeling ashamed. In his opinion, his son should forget that part of his life, to cut it like a hand with a gangrene.

But Joey found it would be too painful. That was all.

“Do you…love him?”

“Do you really want to know?”

The old man shook his head.

“I suppose I don’t.”

“Then just let it be, father.”

---

“Mokuba!” Kaiba ran after his brother. He caught up the boy, hugging him from behind.

“I’m sorry.” he whispered shortly.

“Don’t be.” Mokuba closed his eyes.

---
“I’ll come with some stuff later.” said Joey. “Thanks for letting me stay.” he smiled weakly.

“I’m glad as well, my son…” his eyes were proud, “And who knows, maybe you’ll find a proper wife soon.” He added.

Joey nodded reluctantly.

“Yeah. See ya.” he waved and left, this time with umbrella.

What was worse, he couldn’t say. The fact that he was leaving that warm and peaceful apartment, or the fact that he had to lie to his father in order to make up with him.

“Oh, God…” he whispered and looked at the sky.

It was hard leaving that place, leaving Seto and all of that behind.

He remembered what place he was calling home. Kaiba’s embrace.

And now he’s going back to his roots, somewhere where it used to be cold and it still was. He was forced to go back to someone who never really loved him or appreciated him. It was hard and he didn’t know how he would manage to go through all of that.

All of a sudden, he felt lazy and abandoned.

“I wish I was dead….” he whispered.

“Why?” he heard the voice from behind. That was the moment he realized he was aimlessly walking. He was far away from his destination.

“It’s not your concern.” he replied.

“Look…I just want to help.” offered the voice.

And then something snapped in his insolent mind-‘Why not? I bet Seto was making up that he’s that dangerous.’

“Actually…” he turned around to face the green eyes, “We could go for a drink.”

Dan smiled.

“I’d be pleased.” he said with a grin.

---

AN: Well, that’s it for this chapter. Please tell me what you think!