Yu-gi-oh

Disclaimer: I don’t own Yugioh, or the characters there in. I just borrowed some of the characters. Rated: NC-17

To Serve and Protect

Chapter

The next morning Seto woke with hair in his face. Since he usually slept on his stomach that was a bit odd. He opened one eye and remembered.

“Joey . . . wake up.” Seto patted Joey on the shoulder, careful not to startle him.

“Mmmm . . . I’m awake. Sort of.”

Joey rolled so he could see Seto. He was charmingly mussed, and a bit bleary eyed. They’d both managed to spend the rest of yesterday doing nothing much and had spent the evening playing video games. Joey felt rested and lazy.

“You getting up?” Seto wanted breakfast and Joey. Breakfast he was getting Joey he was not. H didn’t want to rush Joey as he seemed to be trying to make up his mind still. Seto realized that he was going to have to have a lot of patience the benefits of which were well worth the effort.

Joey started to get up, then groaned and dumped a pillow in his lap. His red face made Seto raise a questioning eye brow and smirk slightly.

“What?” *As if I didn’t know*

“Seto, go on. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Why not just come on now?”

Joey ground his teeth in frustration. He had to get rid of Seto for a few seconds.

Seto could no more resist teasing Joey than he could fly. “What’s the matter? I know you’re naked, so . . . I’ve already seen you. And touched you. With my mouth, if you’ll remember. You didn’t seem to mind then. So what’s your problem now?”

Joey groaned then threw the pillow at Seto. “I got morning wood. Damnit . . . you happy now? . . . and I’m not jacking off first thing in the morning. I’m old enough . . . I ought. Oh, hell.“

Seto laughed at Joey and made several suggestions that only made Joey groan louder.

“Damnit Seto, you’re a sadist. Now, how do you expect me to even walk. Villain.”

Seto made a motion that directed Joey’s gaze to his groin. He was flaccid, showing no sign of any ‘problems.’

Joey eyed Seto with disgust. “Damnit Seto, you’re made of ice. How did you manage that? I’m not going to be able to piss this one away.”

Seto watched as Joey tried to ease his need by readjusting himself.

“It’s easy. I just imagine Weevil Underwood in a chartreuse Speedo. Works like a char. . . . hey!”

Seto ducked the slipper easily and darted into the bathroom, then peeked back to see Joey flat on his back making gagging noises.

“Seto, . . . gack. Eeeuuwww! I’m scarred for life. I’ll never wear a Speedo again.”

Seto, knowing Joey’s preferences in swim wear, snorted. “Never wore one. Come on, get up. I want my breakfast and then we’re supposed to work out. And I need to get in touch with. . . .Never mind that. Come on.”

So Joey finally managed to get himself under control and, with a longing, lingering and hopefully unnoticed stare at Seto’s retreating backside, followed him into the shower.

After showering and fooling around a little they ate breakfast in the kitchen. They were starting to get a routine going. Joey liked it and hoped that Seto did too.

~ * ~

Joey started Seto on a new exercise routine by testing his levels. He realized that, while Seto was in fair shape, years of setting at a desk had taken their toll. He was soon panting and sweating.

“Well . . . not too bad. You’re in better shape that lot’s of men in your position. But not such good shape compared to . . . like . . . me. “Joey smirked at Seto. “I’ll start you out with some yoga and machine work. You’ll shape up quickly. You’ll see.”

Seto groaned. If Joey worked him like he worked himself, he was in deep trouble. “Joey, I don’t think I can keep up with you.”

“Na. And I’m not asking you to even try. I’m going to lay out a routine for you that is tailored to your needs. I don’t want you sore. It’s discouraging. I don’t want you to quit.“

Seto listened carefully to Joey’s instructions and started his workout, skeptical but willing. By the time he’d finished he was ready to acknowledge that Joey really knew what he was talking about. In between his own exercises, Joey had watched and coached Seto.

When Seto finished his routine, he watched Joey finish his. He still had difficultly reconciling this compact, hard bodied man with the gangly rather silly boy he remembered.

Joey wiped sweat off his face and accepted the water Seto offered him. He realized that Seto was staring at him, a lot. He hoped it was good staring, he was doing a lot of that himself. Seto was nicely setup, with fair muscle tone. Wide shoulders tapered into a narrow waist and slender hips. Seto’s long legs were nicely shaped with firm thighs and good calves. All it needed was a little work on the tone. He’d be a hard body in no time at all. Neither realized what they looked like together.

“Ok, now that I know what you are physically capable of, I’ll start you on training.”

Seto goggled discreetly at Joey, ‘training?’ “What are you talking about I thought that was training.”

“No, just a starting work out. I’m going to teach you to take care of yourself. In case something happens to me, I want you to be able to kick some serious ass. Unless you want to be helpless.”

“Joey. I just want to know what you expect of me. Do I really need to do this? If . . . Joey. If anything happens to you. I’ll be . . . just . . . damnit.”

Joey watched in astonishment as Seto became completely incoherent. He reached over and pulled Seto into a firm hug. Cradling his head in both hands, he kissed him gently.

“I’ll just have to make sure that nothing happens to me . . . or you. ‘K?”

“Joey . . . Ok.”

“Good. Let’s go to the range. I want to see how you do with something you’re used to shooting, then you’re turning that piece of shit over to the armorer permanently. I’ll make sure your harness fits right. I want you to wear it everywhere you go.”

“Why? I won’t be up to speed for some time yet.”

“Yeah, but you need to get use to it. Or you’ll have tells.”

“Tells?“ Seto shot Joey a puzzled look. “What the hell?”

“You know how Weevil squints when he gets a really good card?” Seto nodded “That’s a tell. Some tells are physical. Twitches and . . . stuff. If you have a gun tell you might as well walk around with it in your hand. I don’t want to turn you into a gun slinger, that’s what I’m for, but I want you to be competent.”

Seto twined fingers with Joey as they walked. “Ok. I’m good with that. I’ll do my best. I don’t guarantee it’ll be good enough.”

Joey squeezed Seto’s fingers. “All I ask is that you try your best. If you can’t, you can’t.”

On the walk to the security center Joey was strangely quiet. Seto had an idea of what was wrong but he wasn’t about to stir that particular pot just yet; so he took evasive action by questioning Joey about what was wrong with his .380.

“What isn’t wrong with it? You got cheated. Whoever sold you that thing is gonna get one from me. I’m a jealous man and I don’t like sharing.”

Seto eyed Joey wondering what he was talking about.

“Jealous? What the . . . what are you talking about?”

The armorer looked up as they walked in and handed Joey Seto’s .380.

“Whoever sold him that fucked him over royally. You should . . .”

Seto’s bark of laughter cut him off and made Joey smirk at the man with twinkling eyes.

“Something?”

“Don’t worry about it. I just . . . sometimes Seto can be a little thick. Gimme the Taurus.”

Kishimoto dug it out and handed it over.

Joey spent the next hour drilling Seto in loading, unloading and general maintenance of the Taurus. Seto finally rolled his eyes and asked when he was actually going to get to shoot the thing.

Joey reached out and, with one finger, gently pushed the barrel away from its current target, which was the middle of his chest. “When you’re competent. You just pointed that right at my heart.”

“Shit. Joey . . . I’m never going to get this.”

“With that attitude, no you’re not.”

Seto sighed. He was going to do his best, but he really wasn’t interested in learning to shoot. He didn’t feel that he had the aptitude for it, but Joey wanted him to learn, so he would try.

Joey decided to let Seto shoot targets sooner than he really wanted to because he didn’t want him to get discouraged. So he took him into the range and set up a paper.

Seto watched as Joey checked the clip and safety then put the pistol down on the bench. He fiddled around with things and Seto allowed his attention to wander.

“Seto . . . Seto . . . damnit. Pay attention. You’re gonna . . . ”

Seto dragged his attention back to the subject at hand and gave Joey an apologetic look.

“Joey, I’m sorry. I don’t . . . I think this may be a waste of your time. And mine.”

Joey rubbed his face and then took Seto into his arms and just hugged him. He really hoped he wasn’t forcing Seto to do something he didn’t want to, but he wanted Seto to be able to shoot well. And he had to admit the thought of sport shooting with Seto was dear to his heart.

“Just keep trying. That’s all I ask. Humor me. Ok?”

“Ok.”

Joey and Seto spent the next hour going over things again and Seto finally found out one thing he really liked about shooting. If he grumbled enough that he couldn’t get the sights lined up right Joey would help him by standing behind him and putting his arms around him so he could look over his shoulder, hold his hands, and line the sights up for him.

When Joey caught on, he called a halt to the practice session and led Seto into the showers.

“Seto, what the hell are you thinking? You’re supposed to be learning how to shoot. If a member of your board pulled shit like this what would you do?”

Seto felt bad. He should have just grabbed Joey, snogged the hell out of him, and let it go; instead he’d lied to him. At least by action. Now he had some making up to do.

“I’m sorry. I just. . . can’t take this seriously. It’s stupid. Not the shooting part. It’s me.”

Seto let Joey back him up against the shower wall and pin him there. He wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but when Joey started kissing him, he just relaxed and went with it. Joey kissed Seto ruthlessly until they both had to come up for air. When they parted, panting like il tuned diesels, Seto started apologizing again.

“Joey, I’m sorry. I don’t know why, but I can’t take this seriously. It . . . I . . . fuck.”

“Ok.”

Seto nearly crossed his eyes trying to focus on Joey and said with perfect intelligence. “Huh?”

“You said fuck. I said ok. We’ll leave the shooting/defend yourself argument for later. Come on. I don’t intend to put on any more of a show for those gaping morons.”

Seto came to himself and realized that some of the security team had come in from the obstacle course and were standing in the door ogling them with some amusement.

“What are you looking at?”

“Nothing, boss. Just wantin’ a shower.” one of the men had the audacity to remark and just grinned at Joey’s snarl.

Joey dragged Seto back to the Donjon and up to their suite. When they stumbled through the door he gave in to hormonal urges and jumped Seto like he was starving and Seto was a sirloin steak.

“Seto, if you aren’t out of those clothes in two seconds, you’re in trouble.”

Seto had shed his pants just inside the door and Joey had managed the magic act of being naked instantly. (It helped that he’d gone commando that morning.) Now Seto was fumbling with the buttons on his shirt, they refused to cooperate. Joey growled and helped Seto out of the shirt by simply ripping it off him by main force.

Tossing the remains of a rather expensive silk shirt to the floor, Joey scooped Seto up and dumped him on the bed where he bounced once then flopped onto his back. Seto watched as Joey stalked him, crawling across the bed like some great cat. Which Seto found amusing as he’d always thought of and referred to Joey as Inu, Dog. He sighed and let Joey have his way.

“What do you want? Joey? You have to talk to me.”

Joey hovered over Seto holding his weight effortlessly, he nibbled on the edge of Seto’s jaw, then lowered himself down onto Seto, deepening a pecking kiss into an exploration of his mouth that left them both moaning.

“Don’t.”

Seto dragged his consciousness back from oblivion. “I haven’t done anything. What?”

Joey snickered. “Don’t have to talk.”

“Huh!”

“You said I had to talk to you. Don’t either. Not now. I’m going to have things to do with my mouth other than talk.”

Joey managed to keep Seto from leaping off the bed by main force; straddling his thighs and using his body weight. Seto moaned as Joey stroked him into full hardness. He wanted, now.

“Joey. Please. I’ll do what . . . oh god.”

Seto managed not to scream by biting his lip, just barely. He lost complete control almost instantly and just let Joey do what he wanted. It felt so good not to have to make decisions. All he wanted was for Joey to do whatever he wanted to.

Joey was well aware that Seto was gone. He wasn’t about to take advantage of him so he managed to get them arranged in a ‘ head to tail’ position and guided Seto, then they both found out that sixty-nine is a very nice number.

Seto snuggled Joey, some how he’d wound up with his head on Joey’s shoulder. “I always knew you were.”

“Were what?” Joey basked in the afterglow. Seto’s head on his shoulder felt good.

“A cock sucker.”

“And a damn good one.”

“Hummm”

They both fell into a light doze that lasted until lunch.

~ * ~

Joey walked around the corner of the hall leading into the audience chamber just in time to hear Seto say, “Damnit! He’s a fucking detective. I’m having real trouble keeping him from finding out. And he’s getting his feelings hurt. Someone has to call him soon, just to mend fences a little.”

Joey made some noise or other and Seto snarled “He’s here, I’ve got to go.”

Joey tugged Seto into a hug with little resistance on Seto’s part. “What’s going on, Nushi? You’re keeping secrets. I know you are.”

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with. We working out again?”

“Yeah. You’re doing great. I want you to like shooting. I like target shooting and it would . . . make me happy to share a session with you once in a while. But . . . .” Joey trailed off. He didn’t want Seto shooting just because he wanted it.

Seto looked at Joey for a long moment, then made a decision. He was going to work at shooting just like he’d worked at everything else in his life. If Joey wanted this that bad, he’d get it. Perhaps it would help keep him distracted enough that he wouldn’t ask too many questions.

Joey watched Seto and wondered what he was up to. There’d been too many calls cut off short and way too much ducking and dodging. If Joey was paranoid, he’d have thought Seto was hiding something. *Oh yeah, I am paranoid.*

Joey wondered at Seto. He was so commanding in everything, decisive and strong. But when they were in bed it was almost as if Seto wasn’t sure what he should be doing half the time. As if he was waiting for Joey to take over. But that couldn’t be. Seto was too self-confident for that. He decided to shelve all that until he could talk to Doctor Higa. Right now, all he wanted to do was figure out what Seto was hiding.

Joey spent the next day snooping into Seto’s hidden business and trying to get in touch with Tristan or Yugi, neither of who was answering a phone. He did reach Tea who stammered and stuttered around for a moment then announced that Yugi was calling her and hung up.

“Seto, I don’t think that those reports did me much good. I can’t get Tris’ or Yugi on the phone and when I got Tea she acted like I was poison. Damnit. I really want to have a party and get together with the old gang. But I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Seto patted Joey’s shoulder and just kind of blew it off, telling Joey not to worry too much, things would work themselves out. He ended by saying that they would just go out for a nice private night on the town.

~ * ~

The night of Joey’s birthday was upon them before Joey really knew it. He’d finally given up on getting in touch with anyone and just fallen in with Seto’s plans for a quiet evening dining out and visiting a jazz club.

When the door of the club opened Joey’s mouth opened too. His jaw fell and he turned to Seto. “You jerk. You planned this all. Who all’s here.”

Seto smirked at Joey in an annoyingly self-satisfied way.

“You have no idea how hard it was to keep this from you. You’re indefatigable. You’re a damned blood hound. Surprise.”

Joey moved into the club proper. Everyone was there, Tea, Yugi, Tristian, Mai, Frank, Tanaka-san, people he’d worked with and never thought to see again. He turned to Seto and tried to scowl, it didn’t work, his face wanted to arrange itself into a big goofy grin, so he just let it.

Joey went directly to Yugi and couldn’t believe it when Yugi got tears in his eyes.

“Oh, Joey, I’m so sorry. That report nearly tore my heart out, . . . and when I saw the video . . . well. I had to stop it twice. Please say you forgive me. I should have known better.”

Joey tugged Yugi into a gentle embrace and sighed. “I forgive you. It’s ok. I’m not mad; just . . . disappointed, I guess.” Joey pushed Yugi away gently “and I . . . “

Mai poked Yugi. “Don’t hog him, honey. At least let the poor guy get in the door. Joseph, honey, I’m a bitch.”

“Na” Joey gave Mai a hug and the hovering Frank a wink “You just believed what you saw and heard. I shouldn’t be disappointed even.”

Frank and Tristan, aided by Seto, managed to move the group into the club and to the head table where Joey found a small pile of presents setting by his place.

“Wow. This is nice, you should have.”

Seto started to say something then swatted Joey on the shoulder and snickered

“What?”

“Open your presents.”

Joey grabbed one at random. He happily ripped the paper off and crowed with delight. It was a new Amazon Chain card. He looked at the tag.

“Should have known without looking, thanks Mai.”

He opened the next, which was a magazine subscription from Tanaka-san; from Frank he got a gift certificate from a local store. Tristan gave him time at the track; which earned him an evil look from Seto, but he grinned back unrepentantly. Yugi gave him a new duel disk, which he said was from both him and Tea.

“Man, this is really nice.” Joey slid the disk on his arm, carefully moving his watch down out of it’s way. “I can’t wait to try it out. Seto we have to go back to that club soon. . . un”

Seto handed Joey the last present with a flourish and a grin. Joey opened it and found a beautifully engraved card case. When he opened it, he found that his cards were already in it. Not only his deck, but a side deck and a new fusion deck as well

“Very nice. Thank you.”

Then there was a disturbance at the door and Mokuba hurried in.

“Hi Big Brother. I’m sorry I’m late, but my interview ran over. What did I miss?”

Seto hugged Mokuba and laughed. “Not much. Just all the presents. You didn’t miss the cake.”

Mokuba grinned at Seto. “Wasn’t much worried about missing cake. If I know you, there’s about three times as much as needed.“ Mokuba turned to Joey who was watching Mokuba with a hesitant expression. “Joey, I’m glad you’re. . . oh my god.“

Seto tried to shush Mokuba but that was like trying to turn back the tide. “You two are lovers. No, don’t even try. You. . . Seto. . . stinker.” Mokuba grabbed Joey, unknowingly risking his life and limb. “I’m so glad. Joey if you hurt him I’ll. . . ’

Joey got himself under control and hugged back. “I won’t. Don’t worry.”

Mokuba gave him a sharp look then smiled. “I’m not going to be around much. I’ve got a real life of my own. But I still love my brother. Don’t forget that. But to change the subject. Here.”

Mokuba produced a small package from his pocket.

Joey took the package and unwrapped it with his usual abandon. Seto quietly took the paper, wadded it up and stuck it in his pocket.

“Very nice.“ Joey examined the gold card with pleasure. “I always wanted to belong. How’d you manage that at short notice? I heard that it takes months to even get an interview with the board.”

Mokuba smirked at Joey. The gold card was a much coveted membership card to the most exclusive duelist’s club in Japan. Joey didn’t realize that the board consisted of . . . Mokuba. And that he’d been a charter member. One of very few.

“Don’t worry about it. You’re a charter member. Don’t give me that look. You were third in the world for . . . what? Three years? You’ve won most of the tournaments at one time or another. And the one’s you didn’t win you came in a solid second or third . . . we going to have cake or what?”

Mokuba wandered off to find cake and Joey just stood for a moment holding the card in a shaking hand.

“Joey? You ok? What’s wrong? If that little. . .”

“No, Seto. I just . . . this is what I use to dream about . . . in solitary especially. Um . . . could you just . . . hold me for a second?”

Joey turned to Seto who gently wrapped his arms around Joey. He couldn’t imagine Joey in solitary. It was like clipping the wings of an eagle. It made him physically sick. He couldn’t help a rumble of fury deep in his chest.

“What?”

“I just can’t help it. You, in solitary? It . . . no wonder you’re. . . “

“Nuts? Neurotic? Psycho? Pick one. But . . . “ Joey turned in Seto’s arms pulling him along toward the cake. “In some ways it was a relief. I could rest. I didn’t have to watch my back even when I was asleep. Foreged aboud it. Come on, I want cake. Lots of gooey cake with lots of icing and strong coffee. Frankly, I’d practically kill for a cigarette. But we made a deal”

Seto tugged Joey back against his chest for a second then allowed himself to be hauled by one wrist.

They ate cake and had champagne and coffee. Then Seto revealed his best surprise. They were in the back of the club Joey had been given a membership to. The White Dragon was so exclusive that there were only about forty members, half of whom Joey knew personally and the rest by reputation. So they dueled. They gossiped. Joey caught up on everyone.

He’d had some trouble with Yugi and Tea. Tea wanted to throw herself on his chest and cry and beg for forgiveness Yugi didn’t want her to embarrass Joey. Joey didn’t want a weeping female hanging on his gun arm. Seto finally managed to prevent her from tear spotting Joey’s silk suit by pointing out that it was silk and fairly expensive

“Yeah and specially tailored to hide a multitude of sins.” Joey changed the subject, rolling his eyes at Yugi, hoping that he would take the hint. Yugi did and dragged Tea off to watch the dueling. “Seto, I want to duel Yugi, not spend the rest of the evening fending Tea off. She’s just as annoying as ever. I like her well enough, until she starts on that friendship shit. Where was she when I needed a friend? Cutting me off at the knees, that’s where. I’ll be nice to her for Yugi’s sake, but . . . well, I thought better of her than that.”

Seto gazed after Yugi and Tea for a moment. “I . . . she’s so protective of Yugi and his career. She’s made some very bad decisions. Duke Devlin won’t even speak to her anymore. And several cooperate heads won’t allow her on their tournaments. Don’t let her worry you. Come on cake.”

So they got more cake and Joey looked up Tristan.

“Hey Tris’ got about three seconds until Tea falls all over me again. Come on, let’s sit down and have a visit. You seen . . . “Joey looked around and realized that Tristan was standing next to Mai “Mai. Well, gang up on me. “ But Joey was pleased to see her. Frank, standing sightly behind her, saluted him with a beer.

Joey managed to get back to his seat in a booth near the dueling arena, dragging Mai and Frank with him. He wasn’t watching particularly, someone was dueling Rex Raptor, and he wasn’t interested at all. Rex had gone from third to somewhere around tenth. *so I’m a snob*

He was joined by Tris’, Mokuba, and Tanaka-san. Pretty soon Yugi came over alone, Tea was dueling some newbie in the next arena. So everyone Joey wanted to see was gathered right in front of him.

“So . . . everyone has questions. Ask. I’ll answer. Just don’t blame me if you don’t like the answers. I’m done hidin’” Seto settled against Joey’s shoulder, offering what support he could.

Frank started out with a question that had been bothering him since Joey had saved his life.

“How did you know they weren’t going t cut off your finger?”

Joey gave him a blank look. “I didn’t. I figured I’d have to cut it off myself. “ Joey looked around the table “What? It’s a finger.”

Mai looked sick, in fact, everyone at the table looked sick.

“You though you were going to have. . .”

Joey held up his left hand. The red line tattooed around it showed up against a band of pale skin caused by the ring Mai had given him.

“Think about it for a minute. I won’t say it’s ‘just’ a finger. But Yugi . . you choose . . . either you cut off a finger or I shoot Tea in the head . . . quick . . ! No time to stand around and weigh the pros and cons. Ma. . . “

“Ok, ok. Yes. Cut. . . oh Joey. What a choice to have to make.”

“Not a choice at all. Franks life or a finger. Don’t see any choice at all.”

Frank gulped. “You mean you thought . . . I . . . “ Frank jumped up and left the table with Mai right behind him.

They didn’t come back, as Frank knew more about things than he wanted to and had already told Mai most of it.

After another half an hour everyone was sufficiently grossed out. They asked questions and Joey didn’t even try to whitewash anything. He just told his story.

~ * ~

Seto came up behind Joey. “You ok? You’re digging again. I’m going to have Doctor Higa look into that. You shouldn’t itch.”

“I . . . I think it’s . . . nerves. I’m getting a little tired too. I’ve fought four duels tonight. Usually we only fight two. And don’t even think about offering to duel me yourself. Not gonna do it.”

Seto pressed his nose into Joey’s hair and sighed. “You want to go home soon? I’ll send for the car if you do.”

“I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but the crowd is starting to get to me. I could use a break, at least.” Joey leaned into Seto and relaxed against him. It felt good to have someone who worried if he was having fun, if he was tired, and let him decide what he wanted. “Hhuumm. Nice.”

“If you’re getting tired after four duels and I don’t know how much smoozing, we’ll make our excuses. It’s your party, after all, and you can leave when you want. Come on. Mokuba wants to do the pretty and go himself.”

Joey followed Seto to Mokuba. They made small talk for a few minutes and Mokuba left. Then Yugi and Tea hunted them up. Tea sniffled pathetically, but Yugi told her firmly to make her excuses.

Tea just told them that she wasn’t feeling well and was going to go back home. Yugi went with her to the door, then came back. He stood with them as Mai and Frank shook hands around and went out to their cab. In the next few minutes, most of the guests left, leaving only Tristan and Yugi there with Seto and Joey.

Yugi flopped into a chair in the club room and sighed.

“Long evening. I’m exhausted. Joey, you want some coffee?”

“NO, do not give him any more coffee.”

Yogi gave Seto a startled look. But after looking at Joey again, he decided Seto was right. Joey was practically twanging.

He gave Seto and Yugi a shamefaced look. “Naw, I better not. I’m twanging as it is. I’ll just sit here. You want coffee? I’ll order you some.”

Yugi just stretched, “No thank you. I’m getting ready to take a cab home so I don’t need to try to stay awake. I’ll never get to sleep if I drink coffee this late. But I wanted to talk to you alone for a little while.”

Joey settled himself on a love seat and stretched his feet out in front of him. His pants leg rode up his ankle and Yugi saw his hold out. Joey rearranged his clothing without comment, but his eyes dared Yugi to say something. All Yugi could do was greave for his friend.

“What’s up Yug? Seto, no tea for me. I’m fine as I am.”

Seto settled next to Joey and sipped at his tea. They both were wondering what Yugi wanted.

“I know you’re trying to find that Letter Man. I’m good at puzzles. I’d like to help if I can.”

Joey thought about it, Seto kept his mouth shut. If Joey thought Yugi could help, why not. They were rapidly running out of options and Seto was tired of hiding.

Tristan grimaced. Yugi couldn’t realize how dangerous things like this were. He just didn’t have the mental capacity for it. He never got past naughty. He really didn’t understand anything more.

At last Joey nodded, “Sure, Yugi. I’ll call and have everything sent to you in the morning.” And suiting actions to words, Joey called the office and left a message to send everything pertinent to him.”

Yugi yawned, mirroring Tristan. “I’m going home to bed. Happy birthday Joey.”

Tristan bumped fists with Joey and wished him a happy birthday too. He and Yugi went out the door together, taking a cab for home.

Joey yawned and grumbled his way to his feet. Seto gave him a deep kiss and they went out the back door where their car was waiting for them.

~ * ~

Seto settled into his seat with Joey right behind him. They’d both taken their duel disks off and put them in their carrying cases. The cases they handed to the driver to put in the trunk. Neither one noticed the sharp look he gave Joey’s wrist, where the watch with the Kaiba Corp logo rested low.

“Seto I’m wiped out. I can’t believe it. I used to go for days, dueling eight, ten duels a day, schmoozing in-between. But now. Too many people to watch I guess.” Joey put his feet up on the seat across from him and crossed his arms over his chest. “Wake me when we get there.”

“Ok, after the driver wakes me. . . . “ Seto was tired too. He’d spent most of the evening watching over Joey.

He’d made sure that no one walked up behind him, or touched him unexpectedly. Or did any one of the ten or so things that made Joey go off. It had been exhausting. But he was glad to do it. Joey had enjoyed the evening, his laughter ringing out and his smile ready and relaxed. Yes, it had been worth the effort.

The drive was longer than they’d remembered, so both of them fell asleep. With some help from an insidious injection of sleeping gas from the air vents.

~ * ~

Joey woke up first. He was bound to a chair with rope. Not good. He looked around without raising his head, long bangs hid a multitude of sins. Seto was hanging from a hook in the ceiling stripped to the waist.

Joey wriggled slightly. He still had his weapons! All of them. This was decidedly odd. Why was he sitting in what amounted to a throne and Seto hanging from the ceiling like . . . Joey choked. *Fuck*

“Awake at last. Well, Mr. Kaiba, we have to have a little talk” Joey eyed the man with disgust. He was some common foot soldier jumping himself up to Oyabun and not doing a very good job.

“Talk? What about?” Joey stuck on his most arrogant expression, trying his best to imitate Seto at his worst. “I demand that you release me and my man. This will. . . “

“Shut up. I’m in charge here. You do what I say.”

“Ok, Oyabun, what do you say?” Joey sneered at the man hoping to distract him from Seto.

“I say, you get us one hundred forty-one-thousand three hundred and forty-four dollars and twenty-seven cents. Now.”

Joey felt his jaw drop. This was an odd amount of money. Something weird was up.

“I don’t happen to carry around that kind of cash. It’ll take a while to get it together. And I’ll need my phone.”

Seto chose that particular moment to groan softly. Joey could see why his head was pounding like a hammer forge and he imagined Seto’s was doing the same.

Seto woke slowly his system less accustomed to coping with poisons. He realized without prompting that they were in a world of shit. He opened his eyes to see Joey tied to a chair and an unknown man hovering over him menacingly. He also realized that he’d been thoroughly searched. His 9mm was on a nearby table, along with his watch and a small pocket knife he carried, more because Mokuba had given it to him than for its usefulness.

He managed to get his feet under him and stand, it took the weight off his wrists but he was still partially suspended. He couldn’t put his heels down, so he was standing balanced on the balls of his feet. And he was cold. He looked around trying to figure out where he was.

He’d expected a basement or warehouse to be their prison but it was a fairly nice, middle class home somewhere on the fringes of an industrial district. He could see small factories out the window. In other words, they were probably on their own. No one would hear them.

Seto watched Joey as he assessed the situation and made choices. Seto knew Joey would get them out of this if he had half a chance. He intended to see that he had that chance.

“Hey! You! Get away from my boss. You wanna pick a fight, pick one wit’ me.”

Joey’s eyes widened, Seto had managed to imitate his accent fairly well. Joey thought furiously and came up with one plan. He didn’t like it at all, but it looked like their only chance. He just hoped Seto didn’t hate him too much when it was over.

The man sauntered over to Seto and took him by the chin. “Pretty. . . too pretty. Might change that.”

Seto spit in his face. “Ya got a name as ugly as dat face?”

The man wiped his face off with a handkerchief.

“My name is Youshi-sama. You’ll regret that. I’ll make sure of it. But first you need to convince your boss to pay up. You’re ex-Yakuza. Explain to him the consequences of not paying your debts.”

“Get ouwda my face.” Joey winced, Seto was laying it on a little too thick but the soldier didn’t seem to notice. Instead he left, swearing that Seto was going to regret spitting on him.

Joey had finished looking around while Seto was distracting the Yakuza and he liked what he saw. They were being held in a common house, no security to speak of, no cameras, no nothing.

“Seto, can you stand up on your toes far enough to get off that hook? Please tell me you can.”

After a moments effort Seto shook his head. “Sorry. No chance. He thinks I’m you and you’re me. Is that good? Or bad.”

“Good. But not.”

“Ok. Confuse me a little more.”

“Seto shut up and let me think. I don’t know why he’s asking for such a weird amount of money. Sounds like . . . fuck a duck. Maeda! It’s got to be him. Ow! . . .” Joey tugged and pulled on the cords holding him, all he needed was a little slack, which he wasn’t getting. “Damn. Tied me really tight. Any way. If we made it impossible for Honda to pay Maeda, he’s . . . Seto . . . shit. When we get out of this kick me good. I didn’t think far enough ahead. Maeda’s old fashioned he’s transferred Honda’s debt to . . . well, you.” Joey struggled with the cords while he talked. When they wouldn’t yield, he indulged in a stream of profanity that started with Mother and went into the sewer from there.

Seto considered their options. And could only see one. He didn’t like what he had to do at all. He wasn’t into that kind of pain.

“Joey, for some reason I don’t understand that fool has us mixed up. We can use it to our advantage. I’m just not sure how.”

“I know how. I don’t like it and I’m not going to do it. He’ll . . . Seto . . . they want me to come up with Maeda’s money. That means . . . ransom.”

Seto managed to twist around until he was facing Joey. The look on his face told Seto that whatever Joey was thinking it wasn’t good.

“Seto, if I can get loose, we’re gonna be ok. But if I can’t, they’re gonna kill us both. That lack wit won’t let either of us hang around long enough to id him. So . . . “ Joey banged the back of his head on the chair “fuck . . . I hate this . . . I really, really hate this.”

Just then their tormenter came back in the room and went straight to Seto. He had a five foot long piece of ratan in his hand. Seto gazed levelly at him, daring him to continue. Joey moaned softly.

“Yes, watch as I beat your man. You will cooperate with me. I’ll make sure you understand what will happen to you if you don’t do as you’re told.”

Joey glared at Youshi putting all his hate and fury into a look that would have had any smart man heading for somewhere else. It didn’t bother the man much, he was too stupid.

Seto glared at Joey trying to convey some message. Joey glared right back.

The first blow made Seto gasp, the next was met with stubborn silence.

Seto managed to get Youshi turned around enough that he wasn’t looking at Joey.

Joey compressed his hand and worked it out of the cords, ignoring the pain as the skin peeled. He just used the blood to ease the way as he slid his hand out of the loops of cord. He pulled a knife from the back of his jacket and silently used it to cut the cords.

Seto was enduring the beating, mouthing off at Youshi to keep his attention. He was beginning to break down by the time Joey got free. His insults had stopped and he was now just snarling and grunting. Each grunt brought on by a blow.

Joey slipped up behind Youshi and stuck a knife into the back of his neck piercing the medulla oblongata which killed the man instantly. He fell bonelessly to the floor and Joey stepped over him to get to Seto.

“Seto damnit. I’m sorry it took me so long to get free.“

Seto let his head drop. “ ‘s ok. I’m good. Just get me down will you?”

“Workin’ on it.” Joey produced another knife from somewhere in his suit and cut the cords binding Seto. He tucked his shoulder under Seto’s arm to keep him from falling. “Can you make it?”

“I can walk. I’ve had worse.” At Joey’s growl, he laughed softly. “Gozaburo wasn’t a kind master.”

Joey switched Seto to his left side and propped him there while he changed clips. He made sure one was in the chamber and popped in a long clip, Seto just gripped the shoulder of his suit and waited for him to finish.

When he was finished, Joey got hold of Seto’s belt so he wouldn’t touch his back. “Let’s go. Keep an eye out. See anything you don’t like, holler. Move.”

They headed for the door and the first thing that happened was not too good. They came face to face with another soldier. Joey shot him point blank in the stomach twice, one bullet severed the main artery from his heart to his legs, he bled out as Joey helped Seto step over him.

The shots brought the last man running. Joey shot him in the leg and stopped just long enough to give him a message for his boss.

“Tell Maeda he’s a dead man.”

He’s very powerful. You’re the dead men.”

Joey shook his head. “You messed with Katsuya Genkotsu. Worse, you hurt my lover.”

The yakuza just nodded in a dazed way and gulped. The look Joey gave him made him realize just how lucky he really was.

Joey got Seto down the stairs and into a car.

“Kneel in the foot well and lay across the seat. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

“No. Look me over. If I’m not bleeding we’ll just go home. Roland can fix me up.”

“Seto.”

“I don’t want the papers getting hold of this. It’ll Interfere with our revenge.”

Joey slid into the drivers seat and started the car. He got Seto home in record time, forcing the discrete, navy blue family car past its red line time and time again.

When he pulled up in front of the donjon and honked the horn Roland rushed out. Yanking the door open he reached in an turned on the over head.

“Mr. Kaiba. I . . . damnit. This is bad. The media got hold of something . . . they . . . Mr. Mokuba is handling the spin control himself. He’s at Kaiba Towers. He says he’ll stay there until he’s gotten this under control then he has to go to his new job. Here.”

While he was talking, Roland had helped Seto out of the car. With Joey on the other side, they’d gotten him into the building and started for the stairs.

Seto groaned as he crawled onto the bed and lay on his stomach Joey examined him and mumbled ‘deadmandeadmandeadman’

“Joey, I’m ok really. It hurts but . . . “ Seto stopped speaking as he felt a warm drop on his shoulder.

He rolled over, hissing as his bruised back rubbed against the sheet. Joey was standing half bent over, tears trickling down his face.

“Seto I’ll . . . um . . . I don’t have much to pack. I’ll be out in. . . . “

Seto lunged up and grabbed Joey by the shoulders, jamming his lips on Joey’s he kissed him so hard Joey fell on him. They both cried out. Seto in pain, Joey in fear.

“Seto? What the hell? I’m hurting you. Let me up.”

Seto just wrapped his arms around Joey. “You are not leaving me. I won’t let you. Swear. Now.”

“Seto . . . I thought you’d be mad at me. Hate me. I let that man . . .”

“Shut up fool. All I had to do was prove I’m Kaiba, not you. But I knew. . . Joey. Listen to me.”

Joey slid off Seto and lay beside him on the bed. He was panting hard. Like he’d been running.

“Ok, I’m listening.”

“We both did what we had to do. I couldn’t rescue you. But you could rescue both of us. So I did what was needed. So did you. Look at your wrist.”

Joey finally noticed his wrist. It was skinned and had bled all over his shirt cuff and hand. He was smearing everything he touched with blood.

“Fuck. Well, hell.“ Joey helped Seto roll over again and got a good look. Seto’s back was crisscrossed with stripes of bruising. “Roland . . . where’s that man.”

“Right here, Sir. I brought lotion, ice and some bandages for you. Here.”

Roland handed Joey a roll of gauze and turned to Seto. He examined his back and grumbled. “Well it could be worse. Just bad bruises. You’re going to be stiff in the morning. I’ll ice you down and then see to Master Joseph.”

Roland suited actions to words and turned to Joey, who was still trying to dry his cheeks, he couldn’t seem to get them dry.

“Here, let me see that. Take off your jacket and I’ll tend that. You’ve really skinned it up bad. How’d you do that?”

“Pulling out of the cords. I used the blood to make my hand slicker. How much trouble are we in?”

“I’ll send at team in to clean up the mess. If you remember the address.”

Joey gave it to him and let him spray antiseptic on him and wrap up his wounds.

Seto fell into a light doze and woke once when Roland changed the ice. He woke again when Joey slid his pants and shoes off and got him into a pair of sweat pants.

“Hmmm . . . Joey! Don’t go ‘way.”

“Ok, I won’t. Seto, I’m sorry. I should have found a better way. I just didn’t think fast enough.”

Seto rolled one eye to gaze muzzily at him. “I thought and thought. I don’t like this kind of pain. I. . . couldn’t figure out any other way either. So just shut up. My head aches and you’re making it worse.”

So Joey shut and held Seto and plotted.