Radiating Love

Extended Summary: This story will deal with the topic of cancer. If cancer has left an unbearably raw and painful wound on you - you might want to skip this one. I will try and do it justice, but I do not wish to cause anyone any emotional damage or re-open old wounds.

 

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Chapter One: The Fallout

Joey coughed violently into a silk handkerchief, one with the embroidered initials "SK" in the corner. It belonged to his boyfriend of three years, Seto Kaiba. While their relationship was highly antagonistic during their time spent in High School, they had since made peace and eventually fell in love. In the beginning of their relationship Joey felt it necessary to hide his relationship from his friends, after all, Seto had not made a very good impression. After a few months however, the secret was finally discovered when Seto's brother Mokuba accidentally let it slip to Tea Gardner, whom he had a crush on.  Rather than condemning him for his relationship with their long-time enemy, his friends were happy for them both and all tension practically had evaporated into the ether. They had come a long way since High School.

Joey coughed into the hankie once again. "It's getting worse." said Seto. He kept his eyes on the road for the most part, only ever letting his gaze wander over to the passenger seat long enough to make sure Joey was all right. For the last two days, Joey's health had been gradually deteriorating. It started with just a tickling sensation in his throat, but had now developed into a hacking, retching convulse that would not desist. 

"It's nothing, Seto. It's probably just a cold." replied Joey, placing a reassuring hand on his lovers arm. "I do have a doctor of my own you know, and he is much closer." They were currently driving to the other side of Domino City, another suburb not unlike the one Joey now currently occupies with his wealthy boyfriend.

"Mine is better." was all Seto said. It was obvious that he was extremely worried. He was like this every time Joey fell ill, he was far too protective.

"I guess you aren't going into work today either?" Asked Joey, though he knew the answer. Seto never worked when Joey was ill, preferring to stay at home to look after him. Not that he would admit that of course, he would always claim that he just felt like working from home that day. As expected, Seto nodded his head. Joey sighed, "I thought you were in the middle of something big? You know, that new kind of sustainable energy you are always talking about." Although Joey only had a basic grasp of the concept, he knew it was important to Seto. He had spent nearly two years trying to perfect his design, night and day he worked towards that goal.



"They can survive without me for another day, pup. Besides, I've given detailed instructions to the engineers, they know what they are doing." replied Seto. Joey was conflicted, he was happy that he was the most important thing in Seto's life but felt guilty about keeping him away from his work at such a critical juncture. They began to pull up outside of a small white building, on a golden plaque next to the door it read "Steadman Medical Practice".

"This is it? I was expecting something a little more grand." Said Joey. For some reason he had pictured a paradise for the rich and wealthy where they could recuperate their delicate bodies from the harshness of lifes toils, excessive parties and drug overdoses.

"Not everyone finds it necessary to put their wealth out on display, pup. Dr. Stedman may have a lot of medical knowledge, but he has even more common sense." It was obvious from his tone that Seto looked up to Dr. Stedman. A feat of unimaginable undertaking. Joey had to meet this guy. Stepping out of the car, Joey was thrown into another fit of coughing as the breeze in the air hit his chest. Seto was quickly at his side, his hands on his shoulders, gently guiding him towards the inconspicuous (and by those same criteria, conspicuous) building in a sea of decadence.

After speaking to the receptionist, a kind woman with strands of gray beginning to show through her rich chocolate hair, they were shown to a small, empty waiting room across the hall. It seemed just like any other waiting room, expect for perhaps the fact the magazines were all less than a week old and the chairs were a lot more comfortable. Nervously Joey started to push a toy car meant for the children across one of the tables with his finger, Seto remained perfectly upright and still in his chair.

"You look a bit pale," said Joey, "I'm telling you, I'll be fine. You shouldn't get yourself so worked up." Joey held Seto's had and squeezed lightly. Seto smiled and nodded, then reached into his pocket and took out his anti-nausea medication. He was prone to stomach pain and bouts of nausea these days, though he wouldn't cut his working hours for it. Joey had tried explaining that he was probably over-stressed from working so hard, but he wouldn't listen.

It wasn't long before the receptionist opened the door and told Joey he could come see the doctor now. Joey gave one final reassuring pat to Seto and followed the receptionist to Dr. Stedmans office. He knocked on the door and a gruff voice beckoned him to come in. Sitting behind a desk a formidable giant of a man with a thick black and untamed beard typed furiously into a state of the art computer. He waved a thick, powerful hand towards a chair across from the desk, indicating that he should take a seat. Once he sat the man finished typing and turned to face Joey.

"So, young man," said the doctor, in a booming voice that echoed around the room, "what can I do for you today?" The doctor clasped his hands together and looked at Joey with eyes so icy-blue they seemed to contain a blizzard inside. As Joey was about to answer, he was overtaken by another bout of coughing that lasted for about a minute. "Ah," exclaimed Dr. Stedman, "I think I see your problem." Getting out of his chair and walking towards a cabinet, the doctor was well over six and a half feet, closer to seven. Joey was awed at his size and felt diminutive by comparison. The doctor returned with supplies and asked Joey to open his mouth and say "Ahhhh". After examining his throat the doctor examined his chest with a stethoscope. After a few more tests Dr. Stedman seemed satisfied and washed his hands before returning back behind his desk.

"I'm sorry to tell you, Mr. Wheeler that you have a chest infection. I'll prescribe you a course of antibiotics and some Asprin for the fever. Keep well hydrated and don't do any strenuous activity and you should be dandy in a couple of weeks." The doctor smiled, or at least what looked like a smile from behind his beard, and handed Joey his prescription. Joey sighed with relief.

"Oh thank goodness. Seto will be pleased."

"Oh? Young Master Kaiba is here with you is he?" the bearded man asked with an obviously pleased tone. "Excellent! Let us go see him. It has been far too long since he last had a checkup with me. That boy has absolutely no brains when it comes to his health." The doctor stood up and opened the door for Joey, who thanked him and stepped outside. They walked together to the waiting room.



"Have you known Seto for long, then?" Asked Joey, his voice missing the nonchalant tone he was aiming for.

"I worked for Master Kaiba's father back in the day, dreadful man. Wonderful children though." Dr. Stedman spoke fondly of them, almost as if he were their adoptive parent and not Gozaburo Kaiba. Once they reached the door to the waiting room, Joey opened the door. He was aware immediately that something was wrong, as the smell of vomit was thick in the small room.

"Seto!!" Cried Joey as he ran towards Seto's form, which was laying face down on the floor unconscious, a pool of vomit had collected near Seto's open mouth. Before Joey could comprehend what was happening, Dr. Stedman pushed Joey away from Seto and placed two fingers on the side of his neck.



"His pulse is slowing..." gasped the doctor, quickly producing a flashlight from his pocket he opened each of Seto's eyes in turn. "Trish! Call an ambulance, now, we need to get him to a hospital!" The receptionist who was now standing in the frame of the door nodded and ran off towards the phone. Joey was in a daze, his mind reeling from the turn of events. He crawled closer to Seto's body and held his hand, it was cold.

 

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AN: Well that's the first chapter guys. As usual, I have set up a thread on the forums where I will answer any questions and respond to any reviews I get. Please feel free to do both. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Link to thread: http://www2.adult-fanfiction.org/forum/index.php/topic/21499-radiating-love/