Joey the cleaner

Summary: After graduation, Joey has never found a proper job. So to make sure he can stay in his flat and doesn’t have to live on the streets and to be able to pay all his bills, he took a job as a cleaner (and in the weekends, he works at the local snack bar). But he’s ashamed of his job and doesn’t tell his friends. So what will happen when he has to clean at Kaibacorp…and Seto Kaiba discovers his little secret?

Disclaimer: I don’t own Yu-Gi-Oh, only this story!!

Warnings: swearing, yaoi!! The entire story is from Joey’s pov.
Pairing: Seto/Joey

Chapter 2:

“Seto Kaiba?!?!??!!”
The man behind the desk blinked, obviously surprised.
“Joey Wheeler?! What the hell are you doing here?!”
Then, Kaiba regained control of his emotions and smirked.
“Hah! I see you still look like a puppy.”
I growled, finally overcoming my surprise.
“I’m not a puppy, you bastard!”
Seto Kaiba! AAAAAAAH! Of all people! Why did I have to run into him?! Now he would discover I am a cleaner and mock me for the rest of my life! I am doomed…
Wait, Kaiba didn’t know yet I was a cleaner! Now if I could turn around without showing the cleaning stuff and leave…
“Hm? What’s that?”
All lucks were against me. Of course.
I cursed as Kaiba looked at the things next to him. I tried to shove it behind me, it it was too late. The CEO had already noticed. His smirk became even broader.
“A mop and a bucket? Are you a cleaner, mutt?”
Damn him.
I sighed, no point hiding it anymore.
“Yes, I am a cleaner. So what?”
I grabbed the mop and started sweeping it across the floor, trying to ignore the man sitting behind the desk.
Kaiba snorted.
“What? The great Joey Wheeler can’t find a proper job? I’m really disappointed in you, Wheeler! But then again, who would want a puppy to work for him?”
I gritted my teeth and clutched the mop tighter. I knew Kaiba loved to see me angry, but I wouldn’t give him that satisfaction! I am an adult now, I can deal with some pathetic insults! So I pretended I hadn’t heard anything and continued moping the floor.
Kaiba frowned, surprised he didn’t get the reaction he had hoped for.
“Shouldn’t you be with your sorry excuse for friends?” he decided to ask.
“Are you blind?! I’m working right now, am I not?! So how can I be with them if I’m working?!” I said annoyed. “Besides, Yugi and Yami went to Egypt, Tristan and Ryou are busy with their jobs and I don’t hang around with Tea anymore.”
Kaiba hiked an eyebrow. Then he suddenly grinned. I didn’t like that amused look he had.
“You mean all your friends are successful and you can’t even find a proper job, don’t you, puppy?” he said with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes.
I sweatdropped.
“N-No! What makes you think that?!” I quickly stammered. “This cleaning is just a side-thing!”
Kaiba chuckled.
“Give it up, mutt. Lying has never been your thing.”
I groaned. I should have known the CEO would immediately notice if I lied. He could see right through me! But I would not show my uncertainty! I would act all calm and cool and simple ignore that moneybags!
“You really are a worthless dog, aren’t you?” Kaiba said, trying to mock me again. I clutched the mop tightly and counted silently to 10 to prevent myself from getting angry. I remembered my sister had looked up at me once with big teary eyes and told me that she hated it when I got angry. Ever since that day I tried to control my anger. I’d do anything for Serenity.
“What? Has the puppy lost his tongue?”
I sighed annoyed and stopped moping the floor. I put my hand on my hip and as I looked Kaiba into the eye I spoke:
“Look, Kaiba, I’m trying to work here! You want a clean office, don’t you? Then act like the adult you are and leave me alone!”
Seto Kaiba smiled, but it never quite reached his eyes. It looked creepy.
“You want me to act like an adult? Fine! Why don’t you sit down so we can have nice chat?”
I frowned suspiciously Kaiba was not a person to babble about the birds and the bees. But I didn’t want him to pick on me, so I decided to give it a chance and sat down on the chair across Kaiba’s desk.
Seto smirked.
“So, how are you doing, Joey?” he asked innocently, like if he never insulted me. I shrugged, this was quite…awkward.
“I’m fine. What about you?”
The CEO spread his arms.
“Everything’s alright! Actually, you caught me in a good mood. The company is making more and more money!”
‘Yeah, yeah, rub it in that you’re rich!’
“And that means you’re making more money too,” I answered. “No wonder you’re in a good mood.”
Seto smirked again.
“Exactly.”
He tucked his hands behind his head and leant back in his big, comfy chair.
“And how’s your family doing? And your friends? How’s Yugi?”
Okay, so that made me even more suspicious. Kaiba was asking way too much questions for his own good. Was he trying to find another subject to mock me with? I had to be careful with my answers.
“I don’t have any contact with my father anymore since I’m living on my own,” I answered calmly, like if it was perfectly normal to have no contact or whatsoever with your father anymore. Kaiba simply nodded.
“My sister is living with Tristan now. And I already told you how my friends are doing.”
Seto’s eyebrow shot up as I told him about Serenity and Tristan. That can’t be good.
“Serenity and Tristan? Well, well…and you approve of that?” Kaiba asked, looking really sheepishly at Of Of course he was just pretending.
I clenched my fists as he mentioned Tristan.
“If he hurts her, I’m gonna haunt him down and give him a slow and painful death!” I practically yelled, making the man across me snicker. Oh damn, maybe I shouldn’t have said that. Now he has found something –another thing- to mock me with.
But instead, Kaiba folded his arms and with an amused look he spoke:
“Well, Wheeler, looks like you and I have more in common than we thought.”
I frowned. What the hell did he mean by that? When I asked him he just stayed silent. Suddenly it dawned on me.
“Mokuba is dating someone?”
Seto Kaiba nodded. He didn’t look very pleased by the idea of his brother and someone else than himself being together. Well, I guess I know how it feels…Wait! Am I feeling pity for him?!
“Who is she? Or he…”
Kaiba frowned at my last comment.
“Mokuba’s not gay!” he said indignantly.
I hiked an eyebrow. Was he anti-gay or something?
“There’s nothing wrong with being gay.”
Kaiba snorted.
“Experience?”
I folded my arms, ready to defend myself verbally.
“I’m bisexual, to be exact.”
“Well, for your information: Mokuba’s dating a girl.”
“Good for you.”
Kaiba gritted his teeth.
“Look, I don’t care who Mokuba dates, as long as he’s happy. But the girl he’s dating now is no good for him! She obviously has no good intentions!”
The CEO was getting angrier and angrier as he spoke about his little brother’s girlfriend.
“She is just using him for his money, but Mokuba is totally oblivious!” he spat. “If that girl dares to hurt him, I’ll kill her!”
I snorted. I knew exactly how it felt. I actually kind of liked Kaiba this way. Maybe he had changed into a kinder person.
“Kaiba, you’re sounding exactly like me. That’s creepy.”
Kaiba snickered softly.
“I don’t like to be compared to a dog, pup.”
There goes my hope for a better Kaiba. I sighed and stood up, grabbing the mop as I said:
“You’re really pathetic, Kaiba. Even after all these years you can still only call me names. And here I was thinking you had changed.”
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Seto frown.
“Why would I change? I like myself the way I am.”
“Whatever, moneybags,” I muttered while I continued to clean the office. I felt Kaiba’s burning gaze on me and I tried hard to ignore it. That was quite difficult actually, but I forced myself not to look at him, not even once. The temptation was big, Kaiba was good looking, even though he was a jerk, but I managed. I even managed to pretend he wasn’t there when I bent over his lap to put the papers on his desk in order. That is, until he suddenly said to me:
“You know, you look quite sexy with that concentrated look in your eyes.”
I almost stumbled into his lap from surprise.
“W-What?!?!”
Kaiba looked amused. I glared suspiciously at him.
“That’s really a sick joke, Kaiba!”
“I’m not kidding,” he answered calmly. His face showed absolutely no emotion, not even the slightest hint of amusement. I always wondered how someone’s face could look so blank.
“You’re not serious, are you?”
The CEO hiked an eyebrow.
“Do you have such a lack of confidence that you can’t even believe I find you sexy?”
“N-no, but…”
He bent forwards, bringing his face close to mine. I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks as I could feel his breath. He stroke a few strands of hair out of my face. His touch was warm and gentle, which made me blush even more.
“I mean it…Joey. I think you’re very good looking,” he spoke softly.
“I-I…” I stammered. I couldn’t get a word out of my mouth.
Kaiba’s fingers wandered over my jaw, my lips, my chin and down my neck to my chest. I sweatdropped and felt my heart pound in my throat, what the hell was he doing?!
“You know, Joey, you really are…” Kaiba started as he laid his hand flat on my chest, “a worthless dog!”
With that he suddenly pushed me backwards. I was totally caught off guard and fell back on my butt.
“Ouch!!”
Kaiba roared with laughter. I was really embarrassed and angry at him for making me feel that way. I quickly got up my feet and rubbed my bottom.
“You jerk!” I yelled at the CEO angrily. Seto smirked.
“Did you actually believe I’d think of you that way? Don’t make me laugh!”
I growled. Damn him! Damn him to hell! I grabbed my mop and pushed it into his face.
“You arrogant prick!” I screamed.
Kaiba grabbed the stem of the mop and snatched it out of my hand.
“Quit it or I’ll fire you.”
My eyes widened.
“You wouldn’t!”
“If it’s necessary…”
I gritted my teeth. Fuck it! If I knew Kaiba, he’d probably fire me indeed if he saw fit. And he had enough influence to do so. I had no other choice then to give in, I needed the money badly. I couldn’t afford it to get fired.
“Fine,” I grunted, “I give up.”
Kaiba grinned sadistically.
“I knew you would.”
He handed back the mop and I snatched it out of his hand, being really pissed off.
“Now get back to work!” he commanded.
I sighed deeply and obeyed, not wanting to annoy him any further. I really didn’t need to get fired! I might even get kicked out of my house! I shuddered at the thought of living as a tramp. No! I wouldn’t let that happen!
I moped the floor a little harder, hoping to please Kaiba, ‘till it was all shiny. When I was finally finished I let out a sigh again.
“I’m done, Kaiba,” I said. I sounded tired. Well, I was. “Can I go now?”
The CEO looked up from his laptop and frowned.
“One more thing before you go, puppy,” he said as he got up from behind his desk. I frowned. What did he want now?
He approached me and picked up the bucket with water from the ground. Before I could react he splashed its contents over me, leaving me soaking wet. I screeched.
Kaiba let out a sadistic cackle. It sent a shiver up and down my spine. I clenched my fists, trembling with anger. I felt a great desire to lung myself at him and it took all I had to control myself.
‘Relax, Joey. Think clearly. Don’t lose your job over moneybags. He’s not worth it,’ I kept telling myself.
Kaiba grinned evilly at me. ww, ww, the poor puppy is all wet!”
“Bastard!” I spat. “I’m totally soaked!”
“That’s obvious,” Seto smirked. I growled.
“And you expect me to walk home like this?! All wet through the cold?! I’ll definitely get sick! And then I can’t go to work! And who’ll pay my bills then, huh? And my rent? You stupid jerk!”
Kaiba blinked.
“Walk…?”
I sighed annoyed.
“Yes, I walked here! You know, walk! Move your legs! Damn, Kaiba, I thought you were smarter than this!”
The other growled offended.
“I know how to walk, mutt! But why didn’t you take your car?”
I threw my hands in the air in frustration.
“You’re really stupid, aren’t you? It’s obvious! I didn’t take my car because I don’t have one! I. Can’t. Afford it!”
He really seemed caught off guard for a moment.
“You can’t even afford a car? Damn, Wheeler, you’re even worse than I thought!”
I crossed my arms and ‘hmpf’ed.
“Now you understand why I can’t afford to get ill and stay home from work?”
Kaiba’s eyes seemed to…soften for a moment. At least, if you can describe it that way.
“Go downstairs and put away your cleaning stuff,” he said calmly. “I’ll be there in a second.”
I frowned, what was it now again? I shrugged and went downstairs anyway.
I took the elevator to the ground level, waiting nervously for it to arrive. I had no clue what Kaiba had in mind for me now. It would probably be something bad, if I knew him. I didn’t like being clueless.
As the elevator reached the ground level I rushed out, almost tripping over the mop in action. I cursed.
‘Calm down! You’ll only hurt yourself this way!’ I thought to myself. I sucked in a deep breath, before I put the cleaning stuff back in the closet where the receptionist had showed me. Then I sat down on a chair across the desk, waiting impatiently for the Kc owner. The receptionist glared suspiciously at me. Well, I couldn’t really blame her. I guess I must’ve looked weird in my wet clothes. But her obvious contempt annoyed the hell out of me, and I was already really pissed off. It took all I had not to snap at her to stop staring at me. And where was moneybags? Did he think I was going to wait all evening for him? No way I would!
Just as I was about to stand up and leave, a “ping!” announced the arrival of the elevator and Seto Kaiba got out. He had pulled on his long purple coat and was carrying his suitcase, his other hand on his hip. Exactly how I remembered him.
I jumped up and opened my mouth to yell at him for making me wait so long, but shut it abruptly as he stated simply: “Follow me.”
I frowned, Kaiba was full of surprises today, and followed him outside. In front of the building was his limousine waiting for him, a chauffeur standing next to it. The gray-haired man opened the door to the passenger’s seat.
“Get in,” Kaiba said simply. Like if it was usual for me to ride with him in his limo.
“Won’t your pretty expensive seat be damaged by my wet clothes?” I couldn’t resist to mock him. Kaiba’s eyes narrowed.
“Look, you didn’t want to walk home in wet clothes, did you? I’m offering you a ride, so take it or leave it.”
I frowned surprised. He was offering me a ride? But…why? I wondered for a moment if he was going to kidnap me. No, he wouldn’t! Why would Kaiba want to keep me near him? Unless he was going to kidnap me and leave me somewhere, alone and lost…
I shook my head, I was getting paranoid, and got into the car. Kaiba got in after me, flopped down casually and crossed his right leg over the left.
The chauffeur closed the door behind him and then got in himself.
“Where to, sir?” he asked politely. Kaiba looked questioningly at me and I told the chauffeur my address. He nodded and drove away.
Seto frowned as he heard the name of the street.
“You live there? But isn’t that one of the worst neighborhoods of the entire town?”
I nodded my head confirming. Tell me about bad neighborhoods! I had been robbed 3 times, beaten into a bloody pulp twice and I can’t even count anymore how many times someone had tried to break into my house.
As I told Kaiba, he snorted.
“Guess you can’t afford a better house, huh?”
I shook my head. I had given up trying to hide my poverty from him, no use for it anymore. Kaiba couldn’t be fooled.
The rest of the ride passed in an awkward silence. I didn’t really feel comfortable with Kaiba next to me. On the other hand, the car’s seats were really soft and comfy, and I almost fell asleep. I noticed it had started to rain again.
It didn’t take long before we arrived at my house. The chauffeur wanted to get out to open my door, but I signaled at him he didn’t have to and got out myself.
“Thanks for the ride, Kaiba.”
“I’m coming,” Seto stated simply and got out after me. Of course, he didn’t just ask if he could come, no, he just stated he’d come.
I shrugged, not taking the effort to even ask why he wanted to come. It didn’t really matter to me anymore.
I got into the flat, Kaiba close behind me. We took the elevator to the level where I lived. I immediately noticed all the dirt in the elevator. What a difference from the elevators in the Kc-building! I didn’t really care though, I was used to it, but I wondered if Kaiba minded it.
Out of the corner of my eye I cast a glance at him. The CEO was just staring ahead of him, one hand in his pocket, the other carrying his suitcase, as usual. He hadn’t changed much, his hair was still the same length and his face emotionless. He had grown a bit taller and broader, but so had I, so the difference wasn’t really noticeable. And his eyes, they were still the same ice cold blue, but it suited him. There was no denying: Seto was handsome. But still a big prick.
I got out of the elevator and Kaiba followed me. I took my keys out of my pocked and opened the door to my apartment. We entered the room and Seto looked around curiously.
“I’m gonna take a shower,” I said, “make yourself at home.”
Kaiba just nodded and put down his suitcase. I shrugged and went into the bathroom. He’d be fine.
I turned the shower on really hot, I had gotten cold from my wet clothes. While I quickly washed my hair I wondered what Kaiba was doing right now. I didn’t really have anything to hide in my living room, but I didn’t like the idea of him browsing around. But Kaiba was politer than that, right? He’d better be!
I turned off the shower and dried myself, then quickly ran a comb through my hair. I didn’t bother to pull on some neat clothes, Kaiba had to take me for who I am, and quickly pulled on my baggy pants and comfy sweater.
I took a deep breath before I walked into the living room. I found Seto sitting on the couch, watching TV. He had pulled off his long coat. It hung neatly over a chair.
‘Kaiba doe loo look so evil anymore when he’s relaxed,’ I thought as I walked closer, then let myself collapse on the couch next to him, sighing deeply. Surprisingly I found 2 cups of hot coffee standing on the small table instead of one. Kaiba must have made some coffee for me too. I smiled a little before picking up the cup and sipping it. Guess he really made himself at home like I told him to.
I looked at the TV to see what he was watching. Evening news. Well, if that is what he wanted to watch, it was fine by me.
And so we watched the evening news together in silence. It was really weird to have Kaiba sitting next to me. I hadn’t seen him in years, and we had always yelled at each other, hell, even still did, and here he was sitting on my couch! Where had I gone wrong?
When the evening news was over Kaiba turned down the volume a little with the remote, then picked up his cup from the table and gulped some coffee down. I noticed how elegant he moved. Strange. I had never noticed that before. Yet, I couldn’t remember him moving in a different way. I watched his mouth slightly open asbroubrought the cup to his lips and drank it’s contents slowly.
‘Beautiful.’
Wait. Where did that thought suddenly come from?
Before I could even come up with an answer Kaiba broke the silence.
“You know, mutt,” he spoke as he put his empty cup on the table, “I think my bathroom’s even bigger than your apartment.”
I sighed, was he going to start about my poverty again? I was really tired, too tired to argue. How could that guy still be wide awake after a long day of hard work?
“Look, Kaiba, I don’t want to discuss this right now, I’m really tired. If you’re only here to argue, then get up and leave.”
To confirm my tiredness I yawned widely. The Kc-owner frowned slightly, but it wasn’t the usual cold frown. It looked almost kind. Almost.
“I was just wondering how come you live in such a bad situation,” he said. “I mean, you’re stupid, but not that stupid. You did finish your study, didn’t you?”
I nodded my head.
“Yep. But you know me: I’m really clumsy, and noisy, and my big mouth always gets me into trouble. So if I find a proper job, I get fired in 3 weeks. That is, if I even find a proper job, because most jobs somehow don’t seem appealing to me. Dunno why.”
“And so you became a cleaner to at least get some money? But is that all you do?” Kaiba asked.
“No. I also work at the local snack bar in the weekends and sometimes I baby-sit children or wash someone’s car or something. But I still have trouble getting my rent and my bills paid every month,” I answered. I felt like a failure as I told Kaiba about my lousy jobs. He was right, I really am pathetic.
I sighed deeply, feeling my mood become worse and worse. Kaiba picked up the remote controller again and zapped through the channels till he found the one he was searching for. Surprisingly enough he didn’t say anything about my lousy lifaybeaybe he thought I wasn’t worth wasting words on. Or was he really just being kind? Nah… this is Kaiba we’re talking about!
I tried to understand the movie Seto was watching, but all I could do was stare blankly at the TV-screen. None of the spoken words sunk in and I soon felt my eyes sliding closed. I tried to keep them open, I tried to stay awake, but couldn’t fight the sleep any longer. I quickly dozed off.
Later I woke up again. How much time had passed? Seconds, minutes, maybe even hours? I didn’t care, I felt really comfortable lying on the other’s shoulder. Wait. I was lying on Kaiba’s shoulder?!
I quickly sat up straight, blushing fiercely, and glanced up at Kaiba. He hadn’t reacted at all to my movement, he was still watching TV. He looked down on me from the corner of his eye and smirked, before turning his attention back to the screen. I blushed even more, what was he thinking of me now? Did he think I it it on purpose? Had he minded it? He didn’t seem to. Or else he wouldn’t have let me sleep on his shoulder, would he? Oh damn, why did I have to fall asleep like this?! This was all confusing!
I yawned and stretched. So I fell asleep on Kaiba’s shoulder. So what? Who cared what he thought about it? Still I couldn’t help but feel a little shy.
The movie Seto had been watching was finished and he sighed and turned off the TV.
“Why don’t you just go to bed, pup?” he asked as he turned to me. “You’re obviously exhausted.”
I rubbed my eyes tiredly.
“But what about you? I can’t just leave you here!”
Kaiba looked at his watch and cursed. I frowned.
“What?”
“It’s 12 o’clock. That means my chauffeur has gone home already.”
“You mean you haven’t got a chauffeur for the night?”
I couldn’t imagine he didn’t have a chauffeur for 24/7. Kaiba smirked.
“Well, I do have a chauffeur for emergencies, but he is probably asleep and I don’t want to wait till he has finally gotten out of bed and arrives with my car.”
I sighed deeply and stood up. I walked into my bedroom to the big closet that was situated in the corner and grabbed a blanket and a pillow out of it. Then I returned to the living room and threw them to Kaiba. He frowned as he caught the pillow and blanket.
“If you’re too spoiled to wait a few minutes for your chauffeur,” I explained, “then just sleep here on the couch. I must warn you though, it’s not as good as your king-sized bed.”
“Shut up, mutt,” Kaiba growled. But he did lie down on the couch, covering his body with the blanket and tucking the pillow behind his head. Before I turned off the lights I said:
“Goodnight, Kaiba.”
“’Night, puppy. I’ll walk you tomorrow morning.”
“Shut up!”

Though I was exhausted, it took quite some time before I finally fell asleep. I lay staring into the dark, wondering what Kaiba was doing, what he was thinking. How odd it was that he was sleeping on my couch right now. If you would have told me this would happen a few years ago, I would have laughed right in your face. But the Kaiba of nowadays wasn’t so evil anymore as he used to be. Sure, he had been calling me names and had splashed water over me, but somehow it was different. He had offered me a ride home, he came to my house, hell he had even let me sleep on his shoulder! It could be this was all a trick, so he could mock me later with all this, but maybe…maybe he had really changed. I had too, hadn’t I? Sure, I was still the same old Joey, but I had grown up. I was an adult now and knew how to act like one. I would never fully grow up though. There will always be a little child inside of me, naughty boy Joey. That’s just the way I am. But if I could change like this, then Kaiba could too, right?
‘Ah man, this is just too confusing!’
I sighed, turned on my side and closed my eyes, finally falling asleep.