Fire & Ice

Fire & Ice – Chapter Seven

Seto limped up the stairs to Joey’s apartment as quickly as his injuries would let him, realising too late that it would’ve been wise to call some help before entering the building. He’d let his worry for the safety of his puppy cloud his judgment and he’d behaved foolishly. Still, the adrenaline was running and there was no way he’d turn back now.

“That bastard better not have done anything to him.” He said to himself angrily, “Or I’ll make him wish he’d never been born.”

Reaching the apartment door Seto found that it was unlocked so he stealthily entered. A quick survey of the surrounding area made it appear no one was home but Seto knew Joey could very well be unconscious somewhere.

“Joey!” He called out, listening carefully for a reply.

A faint banging sound caught his attention and he followed the noise into what he could only assume was Joey’s room. Much to his horror the bed sheets were covered with blood and tied to the four bedposts were thick lengths of rope.

“Joey! Where are you?” He sounded anxious, the sight of the bloodstained sheets reminding him of his nightmare.

“P…please let me out. I’ll b…be good, I… swear dad.” Came the weak reply from behind a door in the corner of the room.

Seto walked over to the door and shook the handle, finding it locked.

“Joey, do you know where the key is?” He asked worriedly.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Kaiba. I need you to tell me where the key is.” Seto replied tersely.

“Kaiba! You’re okay!” Joey sounded relieved, “Dad keeps the key in his room, in the drawer next to his bed.”

“Okay. Are you badly hurt Joey?”

“… Yes…”

“Hang on, I’ll get you out of there.” Seto sighed, his fears confirmed.

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Joey grew anxious every second that Seto was gone, his claustrophobia returning without his beloved’s soothing voice to calm him. In reality Seto was only gone for a few minutes but for Joey it felt like an eternity. Finally he heard the door open and someone enter the room.

“I’ve got the key puppy.”

Joey smiled as he heard the lock click and he stumbled forward into Seto’s warm arms, blinking as he adjusted to the light. Looking down he blushed when he realised he was still naked.

“What did he do to you?” Seto growled.

“It doesn’t matter.” Joey quickly threw a pair of jeans and a t-shirt on, “Thanks for lettin’ me outta there Kaiba. Guess I’ll see ya round.”

Seto’s eyes widened as Joey limped to the door, apparently planning on leaving.

“Where do you think you’re going puppy?”

“I ain’t a dog Kaiba, and I’m getting’ outta here before my old man comes back.” Joey replied, not turning around.

“You’re coming with me.” Seto informed him, gently holding his arm and pulling him out of the apartment.

“What? Where to?”

“To my house of course. You’re going to be staying there from now on.”

Joey looked shocked, “Um… why?”

“I don’t like owing people anything. If it weren’t for you Mokuba and I would’ve died, so I’m going to repay you.”

“Well thanks I guess. I could just stay with Yugi for a few days ‘till I can getta place of my own ya know.”

Seto narrowed his eyes as he opened the limo door and ushered the blonde in, “I am aware of that Wheeler, I am not stupid. It won’t be necessary though.”

Joey yelped as he sat down, the injuries his father had given to him when he was raped causing quite a bit of pain.

Seto looked at him thoughtfully then turned to his little brother, “Mokuba, can you please go sit up front with the driver. I need to talk to Wheeler in private.”

“Uh, okay Seto. Is he okay?” The young boy looked worried.

“I’m fine kid.” Joey assured him.

Mokuba looked sceptical but still did what his brother asked. Once they were alone and the limo started moving Seto turned to face the blonde.

“Joey, I need you to tell me exactly what he did to you.”

“It isn’t important.” He looked down.

Seto gently reached out and held his puppy’s hand, “Please Joey, I need to know.”

“Why d’ya care Kaiba? I’m just a worthless mutt ain’t I?” His brown eyes filled with tears, “Ya should’ve just left me there.”

Seto looked angry at this and lifted Joey’s face up, “You are not worthless Joey and I never want to hear you say that again. Now tell me what that bastard did to you.”

“H… he was mad ‘cause I didn’t tell him about the money I saved for da trip with Yuge and the others. He said that I should’ve given it ta him so he could blow it all on booze.” Joey let out a choked sob and wiped the accumulated tears away, “Then he beat me up really bad, I think he broke my ankle. I though he was going to kill me!”

Seto was shocked as the sniffling puppy crawled into his lap and cried, “He’s never beaten me when he was sober before and he was so angry. I thought I was going to die Kaiba!”

Not sure what he should do Seto started stroking Joey’s hair soothingly, “It’s okay, I won’t let him hurt you anymore.”

“Thanks.” He mumbled, “But it doesn’t matter anymore.”

“Of course it matters Joey. Now tell me what happened next.”

This simple request brought on a fresh wave of tears, “I… He… He tied me to my bed and… then…”

“What did he do puppy?” Seto already knew what he was going to say but he hoped that he was wrong.

“He r… raped me.” Joey sobbed, “It hurt so bad, like I was being torn up inside.”

Seto clenched his hands into fists and growled, unfortunately making Joey think he was angry with him.

“I’m sorry! I should’ve been stronger. Please don’t think I’m disgusting, please.” Joey crawled as far away from Seto as he could, “I’m nothing but a dirty whore.”

Seto looked up to see his puppy curled into a ball, rocking back and forth muttering about how dirty he was. The painful sight made his even angrier at Joey’s asshole father, but right now he had more important things to worry about. He pulled Joey over to him and hugged the blonde tenderly.

“No Joey, you aren’t disgusting. Your father is for doing something so horrible to his own son.”

“He stole my virginity… he used me then threw me away.” Joey looked up at Seto, “What good is a second hand whore?”

“Shut up Wheeler!” Seto snapped, “You aren’t a damned second hand whore.”

Seto’s tone of voice scared the blonde and he tried to escape from his grasp, “I’m sorry, please let me go.”

“Damnit! I’m sorry I snapped at you Joey. Just don’t say those things about yourself okay.”

“Okay.” He whispered, “That doesn’t mean I’ll stop believing it though.”

“I’ll just have to change your mind then.”

“You don’t have to do this just ta pay me back Kaiba. Lettin’ me outta that closet so I could get away before my dad came back is enough.” Joey said quietly, “Don’t feel obligated to let me stay with you.”

“You just don’t get it do you mutt?” Seto said exasperatedly, “I ‘want’ you to stay with me and I ‘want’ to help you.”

Joey didn’t reply, keeping his gaze firmly fixed on the floor.

“I ‘want’ you puppy.”

Seto tightened his grip on the blonde as Joey looked up to meet his piercing blue stare.