The Mythology Set

Shipwreck II

"You have to eat something."

Joey turned his head away and huffed, refusing to answer. "Humph!"

Seto turned toward his brother and sighed, shrugging in defeat. "If he doesn't want to eat, I guess we'll just go."

Mokuba frowned in concern. "But he hasn't eaten for a couple of days. Maybe he just doesn't like the food…"

"Well, it's all we've got. What does he want us to do?"

Seeing the two brothers were distracted by their bickering, Joey turned and slid off of the stump he'd been sitting on. He flinched a little as he put his weight on his previously injured leg; even though it had healed for the most part, it was still pretty tender. Once he was standing, however, he carefully began walking toward the river nearby. Most rivers led to the sea. He could get back to his home if he could only get to the water.

"…HEY!"

"Ngh-!" Hearing the two humans running after him, the blond hobbled to the river a little faster, even though he knew he wouldn't make it before they caught him. He had to try to get to it, at least, not just give up like some sort of sissy. He gasped as his ankle throbbed with a pain so intense it blinded him, causing his leg to buckle. Squeezing his eyes shut as he tumbled to the ground, he whimpered quietly. "Nn!"

Before he could actually hit the ground, he felt a pair of arms wrap themselves around him. He immediately began squirming, cursing in his own aquatic language as he tried to get out of the brunet's grip. "Let me go!"

"After all the trouble I went through to get you here? Not on your life," Seto snapped, lifting him up. "You're coming home with us and you better get used to the idea."

Joey turned his head away and huffed again. "Humph!"

The brunet sighed and narrowed his eyes at the nymph, then turned to look at his brother, who simply shrugged at him. "…When we get back home, I'm locking you in my room," he muttered, scowling, and began stalking down the road again.

"Great! Make me more of a prisoner than I already am!" the blond exclaimed, crossing his arms. "—And walk slower! You're jarrin' me and my leg hurts!"

Seto rolled his eyes skyward, fighting every urge to drop the blond. "Mokuba, how close are we to home?"

"Well, it would be maybe an hour on horseback. Maybe three hours away?" the younger boy guessed, frowning. "We've got a while, in any case."

He wanted to curse and punch something, or throw the nymph on the ground and throw a hissy fit. However, he would not sink to the blond's level. He refused to do that. He was more mature than that, and if he sunk to the blond's level of tantrum-throwing, he'd never win the nymph's respect.

That didn't mean he couldn't imagine himself throwing the blond to the ground and snarling at him.

Seto frowned suspiciously as the blond suddenly laid his head on his shoulder. "What? Tired after your snit?"

"…'m dry," the nymph whispered, frowning. "Could your brother just scoop a little water from the river for me and sprinkle it on me? Havin' it on my skin is different from drinkin' it."

"…I suppose that would be okay." Turning to look at his brother, the brunet jerked his head toward the river. "Joey needs some water sprinkled on his skin. Could you get some for me?"

Mokuba blinked in surprise, then nodded, scurrying over to the river. "Okay."

Joey sighed and shivered a little as the water was sprinkled over him, skin absorbing the water quickly. "Mm…"

Seto made a note that he'd have to keep a bucket in the house for the nymph. "Feeling better?"

"Yeah…" The blond shuddered, eyes drifting closed as he tucked his head more against the human's neck. He wanted to be a little more vindictive and feisty, but he was so tired, and he felt so dry. He needed to conserve his energy and moisture. So, he allowed himself to relax in the brunet's arms and sighed.

The brunet frowned as he felt the nymph fall limp in his arms and glanced at his brother. "Mokuba, there should be a farmer a half mile from here. Run ahead and ask him if he can spare a horse—two, if he's amiable."

Mokuba took one look at the nymph in his brother's arms and nodded. "Alright. I'll try to be quick."

Seto watched him go and glanced down at the blond. "It has been quite some time since you've been fully submerged," he admitted, sighing quietly. He glanced at the river, frowning. He wanted to give the blond some more moisture, but he was certain that the water nymph would immediately use that as an escape, and after carrying him for three days (literally carrying him, because he refused to walk), he didn't want all of that hard work to go to waste.

…But all of that would go to waste if the nymph withered away. He'd noticed that the fight had been waning out of the blond, but not for lack of emotion. He did feel lighter, too. It was worrisome.

Seto brushed his lips over the nymph's forehead, then decided he could compromise a little. "Okay. …Don't run away from me," he whispered, even though he was well aware that the blond had passed out and couldn't answer.

Walking over to the river, he knelt beside it and gently placed the blond so he was sitting on his knee. Then, he carefully moved the nymph's legs so that his feet dipped slightly into the water. "There we go…"

Joey gasped and jerked in his arms, then shuddered violently. "Ngh-! Hn!" His body arched upward, mouth falling open as he moaned loudly, before he fell still with a quiet sob of relief, head falling to rest on the brunet's shoulder. "Oh…"

Seto blinked, stunned, and stared down at where the blond's feet were touching the water. "…Wow."

.-.-.-.-.-.

Joey grunted as he felt something moving between his legs. It wasn't a bad feeling, but he wasn't sure he wanted to deal with it at the moment. After a minute or two, he realized he was pressed up against someone, set in his lap, and he could feel their hips knocking together in a steady rhythm. He sighed quietly and hummed, nuzzling into the man's chest as he tried to recall how he got into this not-unpleasant position.

…Wait.

"GAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH WHAT ARE YA DOIN' T' MEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Seto jerked slightly and winced at the volume of the nymph's scream. "Would it kill you to not yell?"

"Ya pervert I can't believe you'd do this t' me while I was unconscious I don't even like ya AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Joey wailed, sobbing.

"Doing what?" the brunet exclaimed helplessly. "I'm not doing anything I wasn't doing while you were conscious!"

The nymph squirmed wildly, trying to shove him away. "I can't believe you're still goin' at a time like this-!"

Seto scowled and grabbed his shoulders tightly. "Stop squirming or you're going to fall off and get trampled."

"Fallin' off wouldn't be—Trampled?" Joey paused, sniffling, then looked around in confusion.

…He was on a horse. He'd been placed on the brunet's lap, facing him—probably so he could hold him better and keep him from falling. Their hips weren't rocking together because the human was taking advantage of him; they were rocking together because of the horse's steady gait.

Joey blushed and bit his bottom lip, at least having the decency to look ashamed of his accusations. "…Oh."

Seto shot him a confused glare before reaching around him to grab the reigns again. "Jeez, we're lucky you didn't startle the horse so it bucked us."

The blond sniffled again and rubbed his nose. "…Aren't ya mad that I thought ya were…?"

"Of course I'm mad," the human replied heatedly. "You thought I'd go so low as to take advantage of you. While you were sleeping. I haven't done anything that horrible to you, have I? I had my dragon break your ankle and drag you back from the sea because I thought you'd been attacking my brother. I admit I may have gone overboard with that, but considering how quickly you healed, it's not like you suffered that long.

"The only reason your ankle still hurts is because you refuse to walk and so it can't move around. It would feel better after an hour, maybe even sooner. Aside from that, I haven't done much to make you think so little of me. I've tried to keep you fed, but you refuse food. I've tried to keep you warm, but you refuse the human clothes I offer and stay as far away from the fire as you can. I've tried to let you have a little freedom, but every time I leave you alone, you always try to run away.

"You're mine now, Joey. You destroyed my ship, lost my cargo, and murdered my crew. Compared to what you did, I think I was justified." He huffed angrily. "I'm glad to know you think I'd rape you, though. That feels great. Thanks."

Joey frowned and ducked his head, hunching his shoulders a little. "…I only did it 'cause Poseidon told me to…"

"Yeah. We see how well that paid off," Seto snapped, then sighed in frustration. "If Poseidon respected you as much as you think he does, he wouldn't have forced you to sink a ship when you didn't want to."

The blond flinched a little and bit his bottom lip. "…But… but he respects my power, and…"

Rolling his eyes, the human spat, "And he asked you to use that power to do something you didn't want to. Yes. He clearly respects you more than I do."

"…He… I… Uh…" Joey's brows furrowed together awkwardly. "…It's just…"

"Oh, shut up, Joey. I'm already pissed off and I'm certain that anything you say is just going to piss me off more," the brunet sighed. "We're almost to my home. I'll take you to my room and you can rest there."

The nymph felt too ashamed to whisper more than a quiet 'okay' after being told off.

.-.-.-.-.-.

"You can't stay in here forever, you know," Mokuba stated, coming up to stand beside the nymph as he stared out a window. "I'm sure you don't care, but Seto would really like his room back. …He says the beds in the guest rooms are too hard…"

Joey frowned and leaned his head against the cool glass. "How long have I been in here? I can't remember what the words are… but I know I've been in here for a lot of sunrises."

"About three weeks." The younger boy pulled a chair up beside him and frowned as he sat down. "You know, Seto's really upset by whatever happened on the way home. He won't tell me what did happen, though. Will you tell me?"

The blond blushed a little. "…If… if he didn't tell ya, maybe I shouldn't either…"

Mokuba puffed his cheeks out in frustration. "Of course. It's because I'm a kid, isn't it?"

"…Not really," Joey murmured, frowning. "It's just… What're ya doin' in here, anyway? You usually have a reason other than t' talk t' me."

The younger boy huffed, then sighed and leaned over to grab the bucket of water he'd brought in. "Seto sent this in for you."

"Oh, thank you." The nymph turned and accepted the bucket, setting it on the ground, then slipped his feet into it and sighed. He shuddered in pleasure as he absorbed the water, mewing when he realized that it wasn't the normal sterile water he was usually given and instead filled with different minerals. "Yeeessss!"

Mokuba blinked. "Wow. Is that like an orgasm for you?"

"Ngh…" Joey blushed and looked away. "…Sort of. That drinking water you guys give me, it's… It's good, but… it's not full of the things I need to absorb. …Could ya add some salt next time? I'm from the sea, so…"

"Oh, so you need salt water instead of fresh, huh?" The human frowned thoughtfully. "I don't know if that's gonna work with what Seto's doing…"

"Well, you can alternate salt water and fresh water until I'm used to it fresh," the blond explained. "Just until I get used t' havin' fresh water all the time. I can assimilate t' it. …What's Seto doin'?"

"Oh. Well, when he's upset, he usually does work around the mansion, like repairing the roof or chopping wood or stuff like that. …I think what you said really hurt his feelings…"

Joey flinched a little. "Oh. …So he's choppin' wood then?"

"Well… Something like that," Mokuba mumbled. He paused, then glanced at the blond slyly. "But if he didn't tell you, maybe I shouldn't tell you either."

The nymph stared at him, stunned that the little twerp would try to use his own words against him. He was probably expecting a deal of give and take, sharing what he'd said to Seto in exchange for what Seto was doing. "Well, if he doesn't want me t' know, I guess I won't pry," he replied, smirking.

Mokuba roared in frustration. "BUT I WANT TO KNOW!"

"I bet you do," Joey cooed, smiling triumphantly.

.-.-.-.-.-.

Seto paused to admire the blond strewn across his bed, wishing he could just climb in next to him and fall asleep on his comfortable mattress… But he wouldn't want Joey to think he was trying to rape him again. He scowled at the thought. That had hurt. He admitted he hadn't been the nicest person when he'd taken Joey, but he didn't think he'd been that bad.

Sighing quietly, he frowned, then grabbed his shoulder and shook him gently. "Wake up."

"Mmph." The nymph grunted and shoved his head under a pillow.

The brunet scowled. "Hey!"

"…Ngh?" Joey sat up quickly, blinking up at him, then flinched. "Hiii…"

Seto sighed. "Hello." He paused for a moment, then reached over to gently pull the sleeve of the blond's toga back onto his shoulder. "Will you come with me?"

The nymph blinked up at him, still a bit muddled from sleep, then looked away, blushing as he lifted his hand to touch his shoulder where the brunet's fingers had brushed against his skin. "…Come where?"

"Outside." The brunet held his hands out to him. "Do you need me to carry you?"

"No, I've been walkin' around the room, and sometimes Mokuba walks with me around the mansion," Joey murmured, sliding to the edge of the bed. He frowned as the human pulled his hands back, then sighed and got to his feet slowly. "—Still a little tender, but I stayed off of it for a long time, so I probably deserve it."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "If you're sure. Follow me."

Joey squeaked as he began walking away and stumbled after him. "Not so fast! I said I'm still tender-!"

"I didn't think it could be that tender…" The brunet turned toward him and frowned. "…You've been walking on it for a month…"

"…When I go too fast, it hurts a little," the nymph admitted. "Like that lizard's sinkin' its teeth into me again."

"Dragon."

"Bless you."

Seto stared at him, stunned, then couldn't help but laugh. "No, Joey, that… type… of lizard, is called a dragon, and if it wasn't for the magic that put it in my skin, they wouldn't exist here." He chuckled again. "Bless you, like it's some sort of sneeze. That's adorable."

"Ngh!" Joey blushed as the human reached out to ruffle his hair, then scowled, feeling even more embarrassed. "It's not that funny!"

"Yeah, it sort of is." The brunet chuckled a little longer, then sighed, smile still tugging the corners of his lips up in a manner that was unfamiliar to the nymph—mostly because he'd never really seen him smile before. "Would carrying you be easier, or are you determined to walk?"

"Um…" He reached out to grab the human's arm, blushing a little darker. "If I can just hold onto you…"

Seto hummed and reached over to gently place his hand on top of the blond's, then began walking again—slower, this time. "I trust that Mokuba kept you away from the back of the mansion."

"Yeah. He said there was a torture chamber back there and that there would be mutilated bodies I didn't wanna see," the nymph replied, concentrating on his feet.

The brunet jerked to look at him immediately. "He what-? Why would he do that?"

Joey blinked up at him innocently. "So ya don't have a torture chamber back there?"

"No!" Seto exclaimed defensively. "And I don't see why you'd believe him!"

"…I thought maybe all humans had them," the nymph admitted, blushing again.

The brunet stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "No. Not all humans have them. In fact, very, very few humans do. …I don't know a single human that does."

"Oh. So what's out back that I'm not s'posed t' see, then?" Joey looked up at him, suddenly desperate to know. "Did it hafta do with what ya were doin' that Mokuba didn't think he was s'posed t' tell me?"

Seto frowned. "…I didn't care if Mokuba told you…"

"Hmm. Shoulda told him that." Squeaking as his leg buckled, he gripped the brunet's arm tightly. "Ah-!" He squeaked again when the human grabbed him and carefully pulled him upright again, blushing as he rested his hands on the brunet's arms. His very… muscular arms… "Ah… M-maybe you should just carry me until my foot is stronger," he suggested, glancing away guiltily.

"Are you sure?" Once the blond nodded, Seto carefully scooped him up. "If you say so."

Joey stifled a mew of admiration when he felt the human's muscles ripple in his arms beneath him, instead commenting, "You're really muscular."

The brunet snorted. "I would hope so. I do everything that needs doing around the outside of the mansion."

"Hmm." The nymph tilted his head. "Poseidon always talked about how humans with big houses always had lots of servants and big harems."

"All my servants wanted to be a harem. I couldn't stand the constant warring between maids to see who got to share my bed and just got rid of them."

"Oh. …When was that?" Joey asked casually—more casually than he felt.

Seto frowned in thought. "A few years ago. I didn't really care, because I was leaving a family friend in charge of the mansion while my brother and I traveled. Do you want a personal servant? I wouldn't mind hiring one for you."

"No, I was just wonderin'." He paused, then laid his head on the brunet's shoulder. "So… it's been a while, huh?"

The human tilted his head and glanced down at him in confusion. "…Been a while since what?"

"…Since ya had… ya know." Joey blinked up at him coyly. "…Sex."

"Oh." Seto blinked. "…Sure, I guess. Why?"

"…It's been a while for me, too," the blond mentioned, still batting his eyelashes at him.

"…Sooo you want me to make a harem for you, then? I have to say, I'm not actually inclined to—" the brunet began, but the nymph cut him off with a shout of frustration.

"You are stupid and useless! Neeeever mind!"

Seto stopped in his tracks, blinking in confusion. "…Was it something I—"

"YES!" Joey snapped, glaring at him, then huffed and crossed his arms.

The brunet stared at him, frowning, then rolled his eyes and turned to use his elbow to open the door to the back and stepped outside. "Okay, whatever. Just tell me what you think."

"Humph! Think about what?" The nymph turned his head in the direction the other boy had nodded, scowling, but his scowl immediately faded into a look of genuine surprise when he saw the large, glittering pond. "What…?"

"Roland took such good care of the mansion that there wasn't much for me to do, and the river's a few hours away by horseback, so… I figured I'd make something that you could enjoy here."

Joey stared at it silently, mouth falling open as he took in what had to be an acre of water. He was dimly aware of the brunet setting him down, and his feet sinking in the mud, but he was so intent on the water that he didn't realize he had stepped into the water until he felt it rippling around his ankles. He felt his body beginning to absorb the minerals from the water and gasped when he realized it was for him.

Seto frowned as the nymph spun toward him, his large brown eyes filled with tears. "Do you not like it? I thought you'd—"

"Ya did this for me. Didn't ya? Ya made this for me," he whispered, clenching his hands to his chest. He took a few steps back and mewed as the mud squished between his toes, the water rising with each step backward until it was around his knees. "Even after I said that horrible stuff—ya still made this pond for me?"

"Of course. Taking you out every day for several hours would be impractical." The brunet frowned to himself thoughtfully. "Though maybe it would be better for my neighbors to think me impractical than insane, making those horses move back and forth between the river for the last week to get all this water here."

Joey looked down at the water and brought his hands to his chest, almost trembling with the realization that the brunet had put a lot of work into trying to make him comfortable despite the mean things he'd said to him and despite having hurt him initially. He bit his bottom lip, then smiled despite the tears in his eyes. "Thank you very much. I'm sure this took a lot of hard work."

Seto smiled. "Yes, but I think it was worth it, don't you?"

The nymph swallowed thickly, then walked back up to him and reached out to grasp his shoulders. When the brunet only blinked at him, he let his eyes drift closed and went up on his toes to brush their lips together.

Seto blinked as the nymph immediately stepped back and turned to disappear into the pond, stunned. Then again, the blond had looked incredibly touched when he'd realized that he had dug the pond for him himself. He'd been… so incredibly sweet when he'd kissed him…

"…Wait…" He frowned, brows furrowing together, until he realized what the blond had been hinting at, and he remembered that nymphs were said to be quite amorous. Joey hadn't had sex in quite some time, and neither had he, and it felt like they'd come to an understanding, but… "…Fuck. Damn it. Fuck. Ugh!"

Mokuba opened his mouth to ask his brother how Joey had liked the gift of an entire pond, but when he saw his brother march over to the mansion and begin to slam his head repeatedly into the wall, he decided he could wait until later.

.-.-.-.-.-.

"So… when you said it had been a while for you…" Seto began, but the nymph immediately cut him off.

"Nope. That ship has sailed. Bye-byyyye!" Joey waved his hand dismissively as he began up the stairs back to Seto's room. "So sorry you were such an idiot that ya missed your chance." When the brunet groaned in frustration, the nymph made sure to pull at the bottom hem of his toga. "The only thing I hate about wet clothes is that they stick t' me."

The human watched the wet fabric immediately plaster back to the blond's shapely backside and grunted quietly. "I'm sure. …Would you mind if I…?"

Joey turned to blink at him in confusion. "If ya what?"

"You know what, it was a stupid question," Seto muttered, scowling, as he turned to walk back down the stairs. "Forget I said anything."

"No." He felt the blond's fingers clench the back of his shirt tightly. "What were ya gonna ask?"

The brunet frowned, then sighed quietly. "…I was going to ask if maybe I could use my bed for a while. …I haven't slept well in any of the other bed in this stupid mansion."

Joey paused, tilting his head, then stepped closer to press up against his back. "Well, I'll admit that ya have a really comfy bed. …Would ya… would ya mind maybe sharin' it, then? Nothin' dirty, or anything, just… sleepin'."

"You'd be okay with that?" Seto turned toward him in surprise. "Really?"

The nymph hummed and turned his gaze elsewhere. "Well, I can't promise I won't get horny again, but maybe if we get used t' each other, it'll be okay…"

The brunet stared. "…You… what?"

"It comes in bouts. …My horniness comes and goes. Sometimes it goes for weeks," Joey muttered awkwardly. "'m sorry I came onto ya like that earlier. I'd just noticed somethin' that turned me on, and… well…"

"…Your libido turns on and off?"

The blond shrugged. "Not really. I just don't normally pay attention t' it unless it's been a while since I last had sex, so…"

"I hate you," Seto stated firmly, scowling. "I hate you."

Joey blinked in confusion and took a step back, frowning. "W-wha? Why-?"

"You're a mean little tease, that's why," the brunet hissed, glaring at him.

The nymph blushed, still a little baffled, but he was beginning to understand. "I—I didn't mean—I didn't know humans were so sensitive about it!"

"…I'm going to bed," Seto ground out, turning to stomp past him.

Joey yelped as the human's hand smacked against his butt as he stalked past him, both sounding louder and hurting more because of the wet fabric of his toga. "Ngh! Nyee! That hurt!"

"Don't pretend you didn't like it."

The blond blushed and lifted a hand to cover his mouth. It had hurt, but the human was right; it had sort of turned him on.

…And now he had to go sleep next to him! This guy was just as much of a tease as he was!

Mokuba opened his mouth to ask Joey how he'd enjoyed the pond, since his brother had been… busy when he'd tried to ask before, but when he saw the blond turn and begin to slam his head against the wall next to the staircase, he turned and walked back the way he'd come. 'You guys are so weird that it's almost like you're meant to be weird together.'