The Offer

Title: The Offer 5/9

Author: Puppys_Seahorse

Rating: NC-17

Pairing (s): Seto/Jounouchi Mokuba/Yugi

Beta: Rroselavy

Spoilers: Minor for Noa Arc

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or make any money or profit from this
work.

Summary: Seto believes Jounouchi left him for someone else. But he
discovers he was wrong and his lover had received an offer he
couldn't turn down.

A/N: First ever Puppys_Seahorse fiction ever posted. Be kind and
send Rroselavy a major huggle for helping me out with it.


Chapter 5

Seto awakened from his uneasy sleep, certain that something was wrong. He didn’t know what, but he had been in enough dangerous situations not to question the feeling. Lying perfectly still, he reached out with his senses and tried to identify what had disturbed him. The soft, mournful sound of flutes played from his CD, masking any noise that he might make, and, from the corner of his eye he saw the steady light on his telephone telling him it was still broadcasting the jamming waves that were disabling the digital cameras spying on him. Nothing was wrong with his safety and privacy measures; it had to be something else. Unsuccessful in finding the source, and growing more alarmed, he decided to check on Jounouchi. If asked, he would simply say that he been disoriented in his sleep and had opened the wrong door.

Affecting a sleepy wobble, just in case, he made his way into the bathroom. From under almost closed lids he checked the position of his towel from earlier. Still there. Good. Playing it safe, he mumbled sleepily about his brother and crashed noisily into the side of the vanity.

A few seconds later the adjoining door opened and his love stared at him from the other side. Gazing at Jounouchi, the brunet knew what had awakened him. The blond was pale, sweating, and hollow-eyed, and his hands were shaking so badly that the door vibrated with the force of his tremors. Seto could no more stop himself from reaching for his love than he could stop his heart from beating. With urgent, loving hands he pulled Jounouchi into the bathroom and out of the range of the watching cameras. Before the blond could say a word Seto flipped the faucet on full blast. “God Jounouchi, what have you done to yourself?” He whispered hoarsely, accidentally falling into Japanese.

“Ahhh….p…p…ills…” The blond rasped.

“Pills? They don’t…too soon…” A thought clicked. “You got rid of them. Not just tonight. How long have you been off the pills?”

Seeing the frightened denial, and feeling the feeble attempt at withdrawal from his touch, the brunet whispered urgently. “Addiction, Joey. But you shouldn’t be this far into the detox side effects. It’s only been a few hours. How long, Joey? Tell me! I swear on my brother’s life I won’t tell anyone. But tell me.”

Desperate, and with no other choice, the blond husked, “H..half doses for t..t..t…wo…weeks. W..wasn’t bad but I missed three today…c.c..cold turkey. Didn’t want to take them tonight. Don’t want to forget…not you…everything fades…not you.” Burrowing close he clung to the only thing solid in his spinning world, the warm body of the strange man who felt so right. “H…help me Seto. If grandfather finds out, he will p…put me back.” Frantically, he gripped the silken pajama top, crushing the fine material. “Help m…me. D…don’t tell.”

A sound from the hall caught his attention. The rapidly planning brunet whispered urgently, “Yes. I will help. But first, your nurse will be here any second. We have to fool him. Jounouchi, I will kneel next to the commode as if ill. You kneel beside me with your back to the door. Tell him you are tending to me. Tell him that the food we ate must not have agreed with me…hurry.” Seto slid to a kneeling posture and tugged the blond down next to him just as the nurse burst in.

“Joey are…Oh…!” The nurse skidded to a stop when he saw the stranger hunched over the commode obviously heaving, and his patient next to him, apparently holding the other man up.

“Williams! I’m fine. I thought I told you to get rid of the cameras. Grandfather’s guest, Mr. Kaiba, is having trouble with some of the dinner we ate tonight.”

“Oh…” Then, caught by his patent’s words, the nurse looked at the blond suspiciously. “You remember?”

“Of course I do,” Joey willed his voice steady. He had to fool the nurse. He only hoped that Williams didn’t notice that Kaiba was supplying most of the support. “Grandfather knows I’ll leave if you don’t turn them off.”

“The medicine? You took it?” The nurse bypassed the camera issue for a more important matter.

Spurred on by his fear, and strengthened by the warmth of the body supporting most of his weight, Joey made himself speak as normally as possible. “Duh. I get sick when I don’t. But now that I think about it, the last few days the pills haven’t made me as sleepy as usual. Maybe I’m getting used to them. Maybe I don’t need them anymore,” he pretended to be diverted by a well-timed heave from the slim body he was leaning against.

“Ah…hum. Maybe. We will have to discuss it with your doctors. Right now, why don’t you go back to bed and let me take care of our guest?”

“Nah, it was my fault. I wanted to eat out so…I’ll stay up with him. You go on back to bed. You’re my nurse, not his, I can handle it.” Joey, at the end of his strength infused his voice with finality and prayed the nurse would go.

Williams hesitated a moment, and then turned away. His patient was correct and he would enjoy a night where his patient’s nightmares didn’t wake him constantly. He’d just closed Joey’s bedroom door when his elder employer stepped up to meet him. “Trouble?”

“Not really. Your guest is ill. Joey is taking care of him.” The nurse hesitated for a second then added, “I think he is developing a tolerance to the medication. I suggest a visit to his specialist. Also he says he wants the cameras off. That you knew he would leave if I didn’t shut them down.”

Alarm flared in Joseph. Joey couldn’t be developing a resistance; it would ruin everything. He wasn’t ready—neither of them was ready. And if the technology that Kaiba offered was genuine, then it may be several months before they were. “I will make an appointment to get his medication increased. Leave the surveillance in place.”

“Sir, I’m not sure an increase is correct. He seems to be stable, and some of the meds are highly addictive and have side effects that have probably affected his memory as much as the plane crash did. Leave the cameras on? Sir…”

The older man’s eyes flared with fury. “Don’t tell me about my grandson, or how to care for him, you don’t know him at all!” he hissed. “You are simply a babysitter. Get out of my sight before I fire you.”

The nurse blinked and backed up a step. “Yes, sir.” With a cool nod he turned and walked back into his room, and then, with a defiant glance at his closed bedroom door, he turned off the monitors to Joey’s room.

Joseph hesitated briefly, and then walked boldly into his grandson’s room. Seeing the door to the bathroom open, he stepped into the room. Finding it empty, he walked across to the adjoining guest room and knocked softly. Joey’s muffled voice came through the door. “I told you to leave. I can handle this. He’s going to sleep.”

“Joey, it’s me. Can I come in?” He pitched his voice low, soothing, caring.

“I don’t want to discuss anything tonight. I told you downstairs. I won’t forget. All I want to hear from you is that the cameras and shit are turned off. I meant it if you don’t I’m out of here.”

“Joey, I can’t do that.” Hearing the snort, he sighed audibly and continued softly, “We will talk in the morning. Good night.”

“Then I’m out of here. I’ll take care of Kaiba then I’m gone.” Joey didn’t know what possessed him to spend the energy in defiance but it seemed important to let the old man know where he stood.

Soft retreating footfalls were his only answer.

Seto hugged the shaking body of his lover close. “Sh…he’s gone now. Joey…you are too ill. You need help. I will help you, but you must trust me.”

“N…no, please don’t call him back. I won’t go back to that place. It’s …I’ll die. I know I will.”

“I believe you. Listen carefully. I can arrange for you to be safe with friends to help you through this. But we are going to have to plan.”

“Not safe here. Music hides sound, but they are watching.”

“No. Not in here. It’s jammed and all they see is snow. We’re safe. Will you trust me to help you? Will you trust me to see you safely with friends?”

“I…I…have to leave here.” The blond shuddered and nodded. “But I swear if you’re lying I’ll find you and rip your heart out.”

Seto brushed the sweat dampened hair back. “You already have. Now listen…”

Just down the hall, Joseph Wheeler the First, secure that the security cameras were catching every millisecond of what was going on in the guest room and that an increase in suppressant meds would handle the emerging personality of his grandson, returned to his bedroom. As he slid his robe off and moved to the bed, there was a click and a light illuminated the naked young woman sprawled across his bed. “Everything all right Joseph?”

“Yes. It seems American food doesn’t agree with our Japanese guest.” He didn’t bother to suppress his mocking snicker.

“And Joey?” Becca asked anxiously.

“Is taking care of our guest.” a small frown puckered the elder’s brow. “The nurse says he thinks Joey’s body is developing a resistance to the medication.”

“Is that so bad?” Ignoring her nudity the blond sat up. “Joseph, I know it broke your heart to admit that he was brain dead from the plane crash, but you’ve made the most of that loss. Even if you’ve lost his soul, you still have his body. And it will give you a second chance. We can make another family. As soon as his body is ready, and you are sure his brain has healed enough to accept your consciousness you will merge – your mind, his body. What he is now- it is all you – the memories, the temper, even the stubborn attitude. He’s you…what you have made him with parts of yourself. I know it’s hard but you have to accept that there is no Joey Wheeler any longer. He died in that crash. You have to let him go.” Compassionately she held out her arms. “Aren’t you the one who explained it all to me? When Becca drowned just as I started to fail, you told me it was God’s way of making sure we continued,” she ruffled the graying hair affectionately. “If he’s developing a resistance and still maintaining your memories, then his brain is healing and holding the implantation. You’ll be able to transfer soon.”

Joseph, long used to the deception, smiled sadly and laid his head on her firm young breasts. “I know all that Rebecca. It’s just difficult.”

The blond girl kissed his hair softly. “So just lie down and hold me. Our first born will be Joey in his memory.”

Joseph sighed and continued the charade. He knew his Rebecca would never have agreed to the transfer if she knew the truth. That Jounouchi and Becca had still been alive when the treatments started. It was the drugs that had wiped their minds clean and suppressed their personality traits, making them hosts for the transfers.

“Did you take your medicine, Rebecca?” It was a routine question. One he’d started over three decades ago and it continued through today, different place, different body, same Becca. She’d only forgotten her medication once in thirty years but he’d never let her live it down. He rolled onto his back and pulled her to his chest.

“Yes, of course.” Rebecca snuggled into the warm th of her lover. “How much longer will I have to take the medicine Joseph? How long until Rebecca’s body develops a resistance?”

Clenching the long blond hair in a tight grip he sighed and dropped a kiss on to her temple. “I don’t know,” he lied again, easily. He couldn’t tell her that she would always have to take the drugs. They were the only thing that kept the other personality suppressed, allowing his love to stay alive. Perhaps the new technology offered by Kaiba would allow for an upload of the other girl, freeing Rebecca of Becca for ever. But for now, as he’d learned at the cost of his oldest grandson and first host, the original owner of the body must continue to exist under the conscious level.

A smile crossed the beautiful young face. “Now that’s something you don’t say often.” Heat filled the jade eyes. “Why don’t I reward you for your honesty?” She skimmed her hand down and cupped it around his flaccid member.

“Ah, we were interrupted earlier, weren’t we?” Wanting to feel the heat, he arched into her hand. He moaned in disappointment when she took the touch away.

“I’m just going to get the pump Joseph.” The casual way she said it belied the humiliating truth. That he needed a mechanical device to get an erection if he wanted to get it up more than once a night. She was a good sport about it, touching him even when his body couldn’t respond but he couldn’t wait to take her all night with his virile young body. And if her actions of today were an indicator, she couldn’t either. While she tended to the necessity, he asked softly “So you tried to go down on him today, hmmm?”

She didn’t pause in her ministrations. “He is you. You know that. And I wanted to get a preview of the pleasure to come.” She glanced up flirtatiously. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous of yourself.” Then a teasing light came to the shining eyes. “But you may need a pump there too. He wasn’t kidding. He didn’t even jerk in response.” Satisfied with the size, she disconnected the little pump and bent to kiss the artificially swollen flesh.

“Probably just the medicine. We’ll call the doctor tomorrow.” When his lover took him deep into her throat he set aside the thoughts of Joey and lay back to enjoy his reward.

Thanks to their exertions they were late down for breakfast. He glanced from the place settings for his grandson and guest to the waiting servant. “Where are Joey and Mr. Kaiba?”

“Sir, Joey waited as long as he could, but you missed him by five minutes. He had the limo brought around to take him and Mr. Kaiba to the hospital.”

“Hospital?” Abruptly the lethargy from the night before faded. “Who…what…”

“For Mr. Kaiba, sir. He’s very sick,” the servant hesitated. “Joey asked that you call him on the limo phone.”

Joseph snapped open his cell and dialed rapidly. He was relieved when the phone was answered on the first ring. “Hello, Grandfather.” Joey’s greeted his voice slightly hoarse and odd.

“Joey. What’s going on?” The elder kept his voice low and even. He had no reason to panic.

“Kaiba was really sick last night. He is worse this morning. I’m bringing him to the hospital.”

“I see. I…about last night…”

“Look, now isn’t the time. You know where I stand. We’re pulling in to the hospital now. I’ll make sure you get an update.” His grandson’s voice hesitated, then continued gruffly, “I have the chauffeur to help if I need it.”

As Joseph the First closed the cell phone, Seto was tenderly wiping beads of sweat from Joey’s brow. “That’s it. Now just the hospital. Order the limo to drop us off at the emergency room doors. We will go to the bathroom at the Emergency waiting room. My friends have been in place for almost an hour. I will…do what I must. You go with them. Do you understand Joey? They won’t hurt you.”

Eyes muddy with pain flickered open. Intelligence and distrust gleamed through their darkness. “I’m not stupid. It’s very convenient and damned fast the way you pulled this together. But right now I don’t have many choices.”

A thin smile edged with pain crossed the elegant mouth. “I know you’re not stupid. I love that about you. And you don’t trust me. Order the driver.” Seto pushed the button; sure that Jounouchi’s shaking hand couldn’t do it. He could see the monumental effort the blond was making just to speak in a semi-normal way.

“Drop us at the Emergency Room then park the limo. I’ll be in the treatment room with our guest. Get me some coffee. If I need you I’ll meet you in the lobby.”

The drive mumbled an agreement turned into the wide loop that led to the Emergency Room doors. Joey backed out first, supported unseen by Kaiba’s strong arms. Then, feigning weakness, the tall brunet pulled himself into a standing position in front of the blond. Instantly both sets of arms locked around each other and using a slow, shambling gait, the two walked into the hospital.

As soon as they were through the tinted glass doors Seto straightened and began to move his love along as quickly as possible and maintain the act, mentally wishing he could simply sweep the laboring man up in his arms.

Huffing, puffing, Joey felt like he was going to fall apart. His body was shaking with chills one second and burning the next. And deep inside was a devouring ache. His body was screaming for what it had come to rely on. And because he’d taken it away…it was punishing him. At least that is what his fevered brain was telling him. And somewhere a voice whispered that a simple phone call would ease the torment. The whisper tempted him almost beyond his control. The only thing that stopped him was the deeper voice that boomed that if he made that call he would die. He was so lost in his misery and confusion that he barely noticed entering the men’s room; it was the feel of his clothes falling away that brought him back to his surroundings.

His eyes flew wide and he struggled. Strong hands and steady blue eyes stopped him. “Joey you have to get into these clothes. Remember the plan. You’re going to leave with my friend in a wheelchair. A cap for your head and different clothes are necessary. My friend Yugi will escort you out and Mai will bring the truck around. We have to hurry because the wet floor sign won’t keep people out for long. Let me get you changed.”

Joey dimly remembered the plan and stood perfectly still as Seto changed his clothes. He barely moved as another person stepped from a stall. He was only vaguely roused when a soft voice exclaimed his name then flew into a spate of Japanese that he half understood. It was a mix of concern and scolding.

Curiously, he looked at the small man in front of him and felt his breath whoosh in shock. “You! You’re in my dreams. You always fight my white dragon.” As hard as it was to believe, the strange man-boy from his dreams with spiked tri-colored hair and wide amethyst eyes stood in front of him.

“Jounouchi…” Yugi moved instinctively to hug his friend only to find his way blocked by the long arm of Seto. “Kaiba…I didn’t mean…”

Joey wasn’t so out of it that he didn’t notice the odd look the smaller man gave Seto. It was full of remorse and shame. But he was too ill to figure it out now.

The tall brunet stuffed Joey’s discarded clothes into a satchel. They rested on top of the deflated blow up doll that had ridden into the bathroom in the wheelchair. He used the straps of the satchel to hang it off the back of the wheelchair. “No time right now. You two must leave and I have to draw suspicion away from me.” Tenderly he pressed Jounouchi into the wheelchair that Yugi had brought in transporting the blow up doll earlier. “Go now.” Unable to resist, he bent and brushed a soft kiss against his lover’s brow. “Take care and I will see you soon.”

He didn’t dare follow them out to watch them leave. Instead Seto reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flask. It was something he’d carried for quite a while because when traveling him, Jounouchi and Mokuba, at Jounouchi’s insistence, had started to try local foods. Many of the dishes had not agreed with them. The purgative, while temporarily unpleasant, ultimately saved them all countless hours of sickness. It would serve another purpose now. With a deep breath he uncapped the bottle and gulped two swallows. As he rushed for the door he tucked the flask back into his pocket. He only had about two minutes before the liquid kicked in. As he rushed across the lobby he saw Jounouchi, assisted by Mai and Yugi helped into the cab of the beat up truck. The limo driver was standing less than ten feet away, smoking a cigarette.

At the desk he affected a breathless, urgent countenance and began to speak rapidly in Japanese. He could see the confusion on the intake clerk’s face, but to her credit she maintained a calm demeanor. She simply held up her hand and punched a button on the phone. As his gorge started to rise, he deliberately made his voice more frantic. He needed to get out of the lobby before the driver saw him without Jounouchi. He clapped his hand over his mouth and made retching noises. The clerk flew into action, calling for assistance and waving him towards a side door. A quick, furtive glance showed the truck speeding away and the chauffer staring up at his smoke whorls none the wiser.

Relieved that Jounouchi was safe, Seto rushed into the indicated room and began to do what he must.