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 20

Betaed by Skippyscatt.

This chapter contains a Lemon. Shibari Lemon on top of that.

~ * ~

The next morning Joey tried to act like nothing happened but Seto made sure he ate a good breakfast and then called Doctor Higa. When Doctor Higa came Joey didn’t say anything to Seto he just went with the Doctor.

Doctor Higa settled himself in a chair with Joey facing him. The old lie on a couch Freudian cliche didn’t fit either of their styles.

“Well, I hear that you had a minor meltdown yesterday.”

Joey nibbled on his lip for a second. “No, not really. They played a joke on the man whose office I was in. Unfortunately I got caught in the middle of it. I shot what I though was someone attacking me. It turned out that it was a dummy on a bunge cord. Seto went through the roof. It wasn’t that big a deal. I made sure that I shot at an angle that sent my expended rounds into a wall. It’s something I do without thinking about it. But it scared the shit out of me. I don’t want to kill someone by accident. On purpose not a problem. Ok I’m a total psycho, but I’m in control of it.”

Doctor Higa thought for a few moments then commented tartly. “There are some people in the world who don’t deserve to live. It’s just politically incorrect and socially unacceptable to say so, or do anything about it. I find certain kinds of people offensive in the extreme. But that’s something else all together. I’m not going to ask you how you feel about it. You’re obviously upset or Seto wouldn’t have called me for an emergency session.”

“Doc. I feel bad, but not more so than I ought to. They did wrong not me. All I was worried about – and I’ll admit I was scared shitless – was that I was gonna get sent away or arrested. And I’d rather go to jail than have Seto send me away.” Joey picked at a loose cuticle.

“Stop that. You’ll make it bleed.” Doctor Higa laughed along with Joey. “You really think that Seto will send his heart away?” Joey shook his head with a gentle smile. “Still there’s some tension in you that I don’t like. Can you explain it?”

Joey sighed. “Doctor, I know what you told me, but I feel . . . bad? Not bad. Just awkward, or something. I know the physical applications. That’s not a problem. I won’t hurt him physically, but mentally? That has me really worried. So we get hot and heavy and I back off. Seto gives me a blow job that . . . well, he’s incredible. But then, all he’ll let me do is blow him back. He won’t let go. It’s driving me nuts.”

Doctor Higa gave up trying to get Joey to figure it out for himself, he flat out told Joey what he had to do and exactly how to do it. Joey blinked at the Doctor for a moment then sighed.

“Well, why didn’t you just tell me this in the first place? We’d have saved a bunch of heart burnings and agony on both our parts. I’m afraid to scare him. I can get really intense, you know?”

“Yes, and that’s what he needs, he needs so badly to be allowed to give up. He . . . did he write out anything like I suggested?”

Joey nodded, ran his hand through his bangs and rubbed his face. “I though he was just writing down what he though I might like. I’m not really into bondage or any of that stuff. But if it’s what he really needs, then I got some ideas. All I want to know is . . . is this a permanent part of our relationship or what.”

Doctor Higa tapped his fingers on the desk. “If you can get him to realize that it’s ok for him to let go, perhaps not. It’s all sort of up in the air. You’ll just have to try your best and see what happens. Do you have a problem with Seto’s needs?”

Joey thought for a long while, then shook his head. “Not really. We want what we want. I don’t have a problem with most of what he wants, and what I do have a problem with is probably Madam’s idea. As long as I’m not doing him any harm, I don’t care. I just want to make sure what I do is right. That he really enjoys, needs . . . fuck . . . see? I’m stuttering like a sixteen-year-old.”

“All that proves is that you’re really concerned about Seto and making sure that what you do together is right for both of you. Frankly, I have patients that wouldn’t be half as messed up if someone would have cared half as much. And Seto cares for you. I’ve never seen him get this upset about something, not even with Mokuba. So . . .”

Joey got up and started pacing, drawing and holstering his weapons again and again. Doctor Higa had never seen anything like it and it worried him. He’d also never seen anyone as fast as Joey.

“Joseph. What are you thinking?”

“Joey gave Doctor Higa a funny look. “Oh. The drawing? Not thinking of killing anyone . . . except maybe Gozaburo. Too bad he’s out of my reach. I just . . . well . . . shit.”

“Joseph. Talking about sex is one of the most difficult parts of psychotherapy. We’ve been trained since early childhood that it’s . . . dirty, not something we talk about. Yet it’s as natural as eating or breathing. “

“Yeah, but, Doc? This is not natural, is it?”

“Do you like it?”
“Well,” Joey ducked his head and blushed furiously. “Yeah I do.”

“Why?” Doctor Higa watched Joey carefully. Joey gave the question the respect it deserved and thought about his answer carefully. Doctor Higa waited patiently while Joey paced, drew and thought.

“I like it because Seto trusts me that much. To let himself be bound, let me be in total control of him. It’s a . . . head rush like no other.”

“Yes, and . . .?”

“What if I betray that trust . . . oh, not intentionally, I’d never do that. You know it’s the truth. But what if I mess up somehow?”

“Then you apologize. Make it right and don’t do it again.”

Joey blinked at the Doctor “It’s not that simple, is it?”

Doctor Higa looked right back at Joey. “Yes it is. What if he makes a mistake with you. You going to dump him because he messes up?”

Joey gave Doctor Higa a stricken look, then started to laugh softly.

“No. But I may spank his butt. Again. Oh, hell. All this worry. I’m an imbecile.”

Doctor Higa watched Joey for a second, then asked. “Do I want to know about this? Or not.”

“Seto wants to talk to you after me, but I know what it’s about.” Joey proceeded to fill him in on the shooting incident. Ending. “So I made him dig out the pellet and then swatted his butt good. Strangely, I kinda got turned on. Not by . . . well, yeah, by . . . damn, I’m such a pervert.”

“There’s your whole problem in a nut shell. You’ve been so indoctrinated with the idea that normal is a good thing that you judge yourself, and Seto, by what other people think. You don’t have to answer these questions just think about them. Are you going to do Seto any real harm? Does he like it? Do you like it? If not, what don’t you – or Seto – like? Is there a way around it? Do you – or Seto – dislike it enough that you just won’t do it? Do you dislike it because you think you ought to? Now, with you two; here’s my take. If it’s to be a full Dom/sub life style, it’s not going to work. It never really does. Too much chance of abuse. Nice fantasy, but not really practical. My opinion for, what it’s worth. I don’t think either of you want that. But Seto has to be forced, gently and firmly to let down. Just make sure that you establish boundaries and stick to them.”

Joey paced, but stopped drawing his weapons. He felt better about everything. He started planning.

“Thanks, Doc. You’re a real help. I mean that. You know how I feel about that psychobabble. I need input not aggravation. Seto’ll be in in a little while. I got other problems, but . . . can I get a prescription for some antibiotics? I’m havin’ chest pains from that fight still.”

“Well, if you’ll let me listen to you, ok.”

“Sure, Doc. I don’t mind.”

So Doctor Higa listened to Joey’s heart, heard good heart sounds, wrote him a scrip and sent him off.

His interview with Seto covered much the same ground from Seto’s point of view.

He grumbled about sexually repressed societies and ignorance and a few other things, packed his briefcase and left.

~ * ~

“Seto, where’s Mokuba?”

He left again. He’s going to the French Riviera for two months.”

“School?”

“Hate’s it. Likes the people . . . he’s too smart for the instructors. He’s bored, so he’s dropping out of Tokyo U. and going to the US in the fall. He wants to go to MIT.”

Joey sighed. The last three days had been difficult. Mokuba tended not to knock, which was quite annoying when you were trying to neck with your boyfriend. Seto had actually yelled at him. It hadn’t put Mokuba off, just made him laugh like something was really funny.

“So he didn’t even say goodbye?”

“He left you a note.”

Seto handed over the paper in question.

Joey read:

Hey, Joey.

Sorry about being such a pain but it was fun to tease Seto. You take care of my big brother. I hate to leave like this but the Letter Man scares me so I’m off to France where I’m safe and you don’t have to worry about protecting me too. I’ll come back when you find that bastard.

You be good to my big brother or I’ll come back and cut your dick off.
Best, Mokuba.

“I think he likes me.” Joey gave the letter to Seto, who laughed.

“That’s my little brother. Blood thirsty to the end. You think he really is scared? Or just looking for a good excuse to leave us to grope each other in peace?”

Joey poured a third cup of coffee and grunted, his chest hurt again. “A little of both I think. Plus, who at his age, could turn down the French Riviera. Naked sunbathing.”

“Pervert.”

“You know it. Hand me some of that jelly, please.”

Seto examined the report he’d been given. There was a lot of grumbling from some of the programmers. But he was sending out a memo. Company wide. That should shut them all up. If it didn’t, he could manage some more persuasive methods.

“Joey? Let’s go shopping.”

Joey cocked one eyebrow as his mouth was full of toast. He wasn’t averse to shopping, there were some things he wanted to get. If he could install Seto in a clothing store, he should have enough time to buy what he wanted. If not he could always drop him by his favorite electronics store, but that guaranteed that he’d have to blast to get him out.

He swallowed quickly and agreed that shopping was a good idea. He asked Seto to call for the car and Roland. If Seto thought that he was going to get to wander around the mall without security, he was sadly mistaken.

So they went in a van and a limo. The van for the three security men who would accompany Seto and the limo for Seto, Roland and Joey.

“Ok, Boss. I’ll stay with Mr. Kaiba. Along with all three of the others. But you need . . . “

Roland trailed off before he said something stupid and pissed Joey off. He was getting touchy, nothing had happened yet, but Roland was well aware that Joey was walking the edge of an abyss. He didn’t what to over balance him.

“I know what you were going to say. I don’t need backup.” *Not what he was going to say, but I don’t like the look in his eye.*

The stop at the mall was interesting to Joey. He’d had few opportunities to shop with Seto. Since the start of this mess, he’d gone once. They had most of what they needed delivered, sending back what turned out not to suit. So, Seto’s way of shopping was interesting, to say the least.

Joey would have thought that Seto would be arrogant and nasty to the clerks; but, as in the case of the ill-fortuned trip to the jewelry store, Seto charmed the clerks or snarked them dead, depending on their attitude.

He left Seto charming an elderly woman in the shirt department and headed for a small, out of the way cul-de-sac on the ground floor. He had to be very careful in his choices and he wanted enough time to consider things carefully.

When they met back up Joey smiled, one of the men was loaded up with bags. Joey started to say something to Roland about that. Security men shouldn’t have their hands full of anything. But he decided if Roland allowed it, he wasn’t going to complain. He felt too good. He gave his purchases to the man as well.

“Why don’t you take all that to the car? Seto, I want ice cream. Come on. Buy me one of those Death-by-Chocolate Sundays. With double whipped cream and extra nuts.”

Seto gave Joey a worried look. “Are you sure? You’re nuts enough as it is.”

Seto’s legs might have been longer than Joey’s, but Joey was a better runner.

They got some aggravated looks from other shoppers but they also got amused ones.

Seto didn’t buy Joey the Death-by-Chocolate sunday, he bought him a double. He got a Black Forest Cake sunday for himself. They ate sundays, played footsie and laughed at the antics of the passers by.

~ * ~

Seto settled onto the couch. Joey was in the bedroom doing something interesting. He’d told Seto to stay here and he’d come get him when things were ready. Seto was about to burst with curiosity but he’d wait until Joey came to get him. They’d agreed that tonight was the night they took their relationship to the next level.

“Ok Seto. Here’s the deal. I’m not totally in control here. You have ways to make sure that I don’t scare or hurt you. Use them! I mean it. I’d rather break the mood and have to start all over again than hurt or truly frighten you. You understand me?”

Seto blinked at Joey slightly dazed. This was a Joey he’d never seen before. Not yakuza, scary Joey. Or goofy, light-hearted Joey. This was . . . interesting. The only thing Seto could compare this Joey to was himself when he was in charge and intended to keep it that way. Seto shivered.

“Yes, I understand. Do I get a safe word?”

Joey gave him a disgusted look. “Of course you get safe words. I prefer Code Amber for ‘stop, I need to tell/ask you something’ and Code Red means I get out the knife, cut the cords, and ‘crash the program.’ Ok?”

Seto smiled at Joey. “That’s fine. I hate having some stupid thing like ‘banana’ and Madam always changed the word on me. I’d get confused. Then she’d get mad.”

Joey reached out and put one finger on Seto’s lips. “I don’t much care about that kind of thing. Madam has no place in our lives. Just tell me what you want.”

Seto nodded, watching Joey as he partially undressed. He took off his shirt, shoes and socks. He left on his pants. He reached out and took Seto by the arm. A gentle pull started Seto moving in the general direction of the bedroom.

“What do you want me to do?”

“Obey me.”

Seto shuddered, that voice of command was one Joey had only used once. When they were being shot at. *oh, god. He sounds so sexy*

“Yes, Master.”

“No. If you want to call me something other than Joey, you’ll call me sir. I’m not your master.”

Seto smirked at Joey. “You call me Master.”

“Yeah. But only in public, and only to annoy you or impress someone else. There’s a big difference.”

Joey situated Seto in the middle of the floor.

“Ok, I see. Now what?”

“Just stand there for a moment. Get used to the idea that I’m going to do this. If you get scared or anything hurts tell me.”

“What if I want it to hurt?”

Joey took Seto’s chin in his hand. “Doesn’t make any difference. You don’t have options beyond what I told you. I’ll decide if it hurts too much or just enough. I don’t trust you to take care of yourself once you fall into sub-space. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir. I do.”

Joey kissed Seto gently, then started undressing him. Seto reached up to help him and got a gentle swat. “Did I tell you to do that?”

“No, sir.”

Seto let his hands drop and allowed Joey to undress him, raising and lowering his arms for the shirt, and stepping out of his pants. But only when Joey told him to.

“Very good. I’m pleased with this. Sit on the zabuton.”

Seto lowered himself onto the thick pad and settled carefully. He wasn’t sure exactly what Joey had planed, but a certain part of his anatomy was really interested.

“You’re not allowed to speak, except to answer a direct question, or to tell me I’m out of bounds in some way.”

“What about moaning or whimpering?”

“I said talking, you can get as loud as you want other wise. Now, bend your legs back.”

Seto bent his calves back against his thighs and watched as Joey tucked a length of rope into the bend of his knees, then tied his ankles to his thighs. He tied another length of rope around his neck, wrapping it several times then tying it so that it wouldn’t tighten. Seto made a small whimpering sound.

“You ok?”

“Mmmmm, yeah. Nice. Don’t like that stuff you used before, it was cold.”

“This is hemp. I bought it at the mall. They burned off the hairs and worked it til it’s soft. It’s better than silk because the knots won’t slip.”

“That’s bad?”

Joey carefully helped Seto to lie down, settling him on his back.

“Yeah, a slipping knot can either loosen the whole tie, or choke or pinch. Loosening, I don’t mind, choking or pinching, I do. Put your arms across your chest.”

Seto obeyed and Joey pulled the tails from the neck tie to his arms. He bound each wrist to the opposite biceps, then crossed the ropes and tied them again from the back.

“Ok?” Joey carefully tested every knot again.

Seto sighed. “Yeah, good. Real good. I’m starting to feel a little spacey.”

“Good. Draw your knees up to your chest.”

Seto drew his knees up to his chest and waited. Joey took the rope from behind Seto’s knees and tied it to the wrapping around his neck, he pulled gently until Seto’s knees were just under his chin, then he tied it off. Seto twitched once, then went limp.

Joey touched him, then gently rolled him over until he was on his face. He was now kneeling on the floor, arms crossed over his chest and trapped between his torso and thighs. His head rested on his knees, bound there by the rope from behind his knees. Joey stroked his back, checking knots and just rubbing up and down his spine.

“Good, good. Seto? Tell me the safe words.”

“Mmm?” Seto sounded so spacey that Joey was afraid he wouldn’t remember “Ssafe? Good; Code Green. Problems; Code Amber. Let me loose; Code Red. I do good, sir?”

“Yes” Joey stroked his fingers down the crack of Seto’s backside. Seto moaned softly. “You did real good. You like?”

Seto just whimpered. Joey touched Seto gently, stroking his fingers up and down, Seto hummed his enjoyment.

“Good, Love?”

“Still good. Joey . . . touch me. Please.”

“All in good time.” Joey spent several moments kissing, touching and caressing Seto. Joey gently ran his hands over Seto, testing each knot, tugging on the ropes, touching his buttocks, circling his tight opening.

Joey untied the rope from around Seto’s neck. Carefully coiling it, he set it aside. He stroked Seto’s arms and untied them. He kissed Seto, who was so deep in sub-space that he didn’t argue or ask questions. He just allowed Joey to maneuver him onto his back.

Joey made sure that he didn’t topple over, then lowered Seto gently onto his back. He wrapped the rope around his wrists, binding them together in figure eight’s that went from wrist to elbow. Seto moaned. Joey pushed Seto’s arms above his head, indicating that they should stay there with a pat.

Joey watched Seto for a moment, he was panting slightly and looked so beautiful all Joey could do was stroke his chest and marvel at him. This powerful, wonderful, sexy man trusted, needed, wanted him enough to allow him to do anything he wanted. All he could do was wonder at his luck.

Seto whimpered softly and Joey returned his attention to making sure Seto never regretted his decision. Seto squirmed and moaned, arching his body into Joey’s hands. Joey ran his hands over the ropes, checking each knot, never taking his touch away. He tugged at the knots at Seto’s neck, then took the ropes from there and started tying them around Seto’s torso. He wrapped the rope from his shoulders to his groin, tying two knots at his chest, one between his nipples and throat and the other at the bottom of his sternum. He drew the ropes down Seto’s abdomen and tied a third knot creating the descender, slipping the ropes around Seto’s genitals, he made sure that the fourth knot he tied was pressed firmly into his perineum.

Seto moaned softly and raised his hips. Joey passed the ends twice around Seto’s thighs and pulled them high on each hip. Then he passed the ropes through the descender between the second and third knots and pulled them tightly, spreading the descenders and making them form a diamond over Seto’s abdomen. Seto managed to keep from screaming by main force of will. It was so good all he could do was toss his head back and forth.

“Like that, do you, love?” Seto could only nod.

Joey checked each knot making sure that they were just tight enough, not cutting into Seto’s flesh just pressing in enough to make him feel securely bound. As he checked, he caressed Seto touching him gently stroking along his arms and legs he stopped to lightly pinch each nipple giving it a slight twist at the same time. Seto moaned and pressed into his fingers.

Joey leaned down and kissed Seto gently. “Is it good, love?”

Seto managed to drag his attention from his body to Joey. “Yes, I’m good. Mmmmm, like.”

Taking the ropes back around Seto’s torso, he wrapped them across themselves at Seto’s back and passed them back to the front. He repeated the process of making a diamond, this time opening the descender at Seto’s sternum. Then he used the ends to form half diamonds around each proud nipple, drawing the rope from the spread descenders to the back and then back to the front again. Manipulating the ropes like the expert he was. Seto seemed almost comatose, moving as Joey directed, and whimpering from time to time.

“Seto, talk to me.”

“Hhuummm? Wa’ “

Joey kissed him gently on the mouth taking time to explore thoroughly. Seto was completely in sub-space now, all he could do was kiss back and comply with Joey’s soft voiced orders. He was painfully hard, oozing pre-come, and more than ready.

Joey touched Seto’s nipples flicking them with a fingernail, quick flicks back and forth. Seto reared up, then fell back with a loud whine. Joey pinned him down, laying across him, kissing and stroking him. He pinched the hardened buds again with the same results, except that now he was ready for it and held Seto down causing him to stifle a scream.

Joey reached over to a small table and retrieved a small ball gag. He pressed it to Seto’s lips.

“NO!” Seto jerked his head away. “Don’t please? Please!”

Joey tossed the gag aside. “Sshhh. Hush. It’s ok. You don’t like it, we don’t do it. But either scream or be quiet. You’ll hurt yourself doing that. Love you.”

Seto settled back with a soft groan. “I don’t like it, please don’t.”

“Hush lover, I won’t.”

Joey carefully held Seto for a few moments caressing him, stroking his back and arms until he dropped back into his trance. Then he lowered him back to the mat and suddenly tugged on the rope across his lower abdomen. That pressed the knot into Seto’s perineum. Seto yelped and nearly came right then. Joey gave Seto’s shaft a sudden squeeze, aborting the raging explosion before it could reach completion. Seto’s eyes rolled up in his head and he shuddered.

“Good, Seto, you’re so good.” Seto opened clouded blue eyes to watch Joey as he stroked his fingers along his length gently. His need was beginning to get the better of him, his control was almost gone.

“God, Joey, touch me . . . there. Let me go. I need . . . I need so bad. Please. Please.”

“Soon, lover, soon. She never let you take your time. She forced you to go way too fast. Time is money. We’ll get there.”

All the while he was talking Joey was running his hands over Seto, reassuring himself and Seto that everything was under someone’s control. Just as he reached Seto’s groin again Seto grunted, Joey stroked him back again.

“Don’t come. You’re forbidden to come until I say. You understand?”

“Yes, sir. . . God, Joey . . . I . . . I can’t do it. It’s too much.”

“No it’s not, just enjoy the ride. I’m boss here. Not you. You’re always in too big a hurry.”

Joey shut Seto up by kissing him until they were both gasping for air. Then he pushed Seto’s legs up to his chest and picked up another length of rope, using this he tied several wraps around Seto’s left knee. Then he passed the rope over his left shoulder then under his arm, from there he slipped it under his neck and around his right arm and shoulder in the same pattern. He gently drew his right leg up and tied it . Seto was now bound on his back, with his arms over his head, legs drawn up to his chest open, exposed, vulnerable

Joey settled back on his heels to look at Seto, he was so beautiful lying there bound in black hemp helplessly waiting needing. Needing something that only Joey could give him. Something they both wanted with all that was in them.

Joey stood up and made sure Seto was watching him. He slowly unbuttoned his jeans. Seto made a soft whining noise. As Joey slowly moved the zipper down, Seto licked his lips. Joey shimmied his hips, making the jeans slide off them and down to his knees. Then he stepped out of them and kicked them away.

Joey moved between Seto’s thighs and pressed his legs up more. Seto shifted to accommodate this new position, obediently opening his legs more. Joey reached back to the table and dipped his fingers into the sandalwood oil in a small warming bowl there. He stroked the warm oil over Seto’s erect, straining shaft stroking gently he whispered. “Feel it. Let go, enjoy it. It’s ok. You like it. Let yourself enjoy it.”

Seto tossed his head and whimpered.

Joey reached up with his other hand and pinched each nipple, tugging and twisting gently. By now all Seto could do was moan and thrust blindly, seeking some relief for his raging need. Joey whispered reassurances; telling Seto of his love, telling him of his own need.

“Oh, god, Joey fuck me. Pleaseplease. Fuck me.”

Joey settled himself flat on Seto, pressing their groins together. He rubbed their erections together until Seto nearly screamed in frustrated need. When Joey stopped Seto attempted to gain some relief by bucking against him. Joey pinned him firmly stopping him.

“Seto love listen to me.” Seto managed to drag his attention from his groin to his brain, just. “I will never just fuck you. Seto, I love you too much to use you. We will only make love.”

Joey put all his heart and soul into the kiss that left Seto limp and panting.

Then he got some more oil and gently pressed one finger against Seto’s opening. Slowly pushing in, he got past the sphincter and slid his finger in and out, caressing, persuading that tight muscle to loosen to allow him access to the tight sheath of Seto’s body. He gently moved the finger in and out until Seto relaxed, then he added another, while Seto bucked and moaned. He re-oiled his fingers and found that special spot that the Japanese called the bud of the lotus. He stroked and prodded it, holding Seto still by pressing his hand to his chest. He continued to slide his fingers in and out of Seto until he was sure he’d relaxed enough to accept him without pain.

After kissing Seto gently on each nipple, Joey guided himself into Seto’s more than willing body. Seto curled up tightly, allowing Joey complete access to his opening. Joey pushed gently in and waited for a moment while Seto adjusted to the intrusion. Then he began to move slowly, Seto strained to meet each thrust with an upward movement of his own.

Joey panted and strained. He wanted to come so badly it hurt, but he was going to make sure that Seto got everything he wanted and needed. Seto groaned under Joey, so obviously enjoying what was happening that Joey had to kiss him, again and again. He kissed Seto while he thrust into him, Seto thrust his tongue into Joey’s mouth and savored the taste of his lover.

Joey could feel Seto trembling. His shaft pressed against Joey’s belly and wept clear tears of need. Seto whimpered softly, then let out a scream.

“Pleaseplease . . . Joey . . . sir . . . master. I can’t . . . I need . . . oh, please.”

Joey changed the direction and angle of his thrusts. He used a scooping motion that stroked his belly along Seto’s erection and also allowed him to stimulate his prostate at the same time. Seto jerked and started whimpering softly. The assorted sounds that could be described as whimpers covered a wide range and Seto used them all.

When he was sure Seto was truly near the breaking point Joey whispered harshly. “Come, Seto. Come for me love.” Seto bucked and would have struggled, blindly flailing his limbs but the ropes focused him and held him firmly. As he started to come, Joey pulled out of him and sliding down his body, clamped his lips firmly around him. He sucked gently until Seto bucked again and then he sucked hard. Seto convulsed hard, screaming. Joey swallowed, and swallowed again. He sucked gently until Seto stopped twitching and just rested with his head on Seto’s stomach.

Seto moved restlessly and Joey raised up.

“You ok?”

“No, my brain ran out my ears . . . that was incredible.”

Joey smiled at Seto. “Glad you liked it.”

Joey started carefully untying Seto. First he unbound his legs from his neck, letting him lower them, he untied his ankles from his thighs and helped him stretch them out. He carefully examined him, rubbing at a few rapidly fading red marks. When he untied Seto’s arms, he threw them around him and hugged him, crooning softly. Joey held him back until he sighed and squirmed slightly.

“Let me finish untying you. That rope will dig into you too much soon. You ok love?”

“Oh, god. Ok? I’m great, fine, wonderful. That was so good. Joey, . . . wow.”

“Here . . . hold still.” Joey finished untying Seto, stroking his hands across his back and up his arms. Seto shivered.

“Cold?”

“No, just still in after glow. Nice.”

“Good. Come on, let’s get you up and showered before you fall on your face.”

Joey hauled Seto up to his feet and helped him into the bathroom. He started to settle him on the stool when Seto blinked, then snarled.

“What?”

“You didn’t . . . relieve yourself.”

“No.” Joey looked down at the evidence of his still raging need. “It wasn’t about what I need. It was about you. Only you.”

“You’re an idiot.”

“So? . . . you knew that.”

Seto pushed Joey against the counter and wrapped his arms around his thighs. He took Joey into his mouth and rasped his tongue across the swollen glans. Joey moaned. “Seto, you don’t have to . . . “

“Shu’ u’!”

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”

Seto snickered, which produced some extremely interesting results for Joey.

Seto sucked and jerked his head back several times. Joey came with a wolf-like howl.

Joey leaned back against the counter and panted. “Oh, my fucking god. You’ve got a mouth on you that doesn’t quit. That was good.”

Seto smirked at him wearily. “Never do that again. We both get it off or neither of us does.”

“Ok, Nushi. What ever you say. Shower before I collapse.”

After a quick shower they both literally fell into bed. Seto spooned around Joey and sighed. They were both asleep in seconds.

~ * ~

Seto woke Joey by blowing in his ear, he’d taken time to look him over while he slept. He was so thin he was almost skeletal. He had an oozing sore on one ankle and he had a tiny crease between his eyebrows as he slept as if something was hurting him. Now he wanted him up and eating.

“Joey. Heart of my heart . . . wake up.”

“Hmmm? ‘M up. Go ‘way. “

“You’re not up. And I’m not going away. You need to eat. Come on.”

Joey stumbled out of bed with a grumble and a groan. Seto maneuvered him into the bathroom and while he took care of the three S’s, Seto rummaged up the things he wanted.

“Sit on that stool and shut up. I’m taking care of that ankle. You were supposed to do it. You said you would. It isn’t healing. If it doesn’t show definite sighs of getting better in . . . four days, I’m taking you to the emergency room. If I have to have Roland drag you for me. You hear me?”

Joey watched Seto’s face and had to smile. He looked so fierce over such a little thing. He made a placating gesture and patted him gently.

“Seto, calm down, it’s . . .”

“Not nothing. Stop saying that. I’m really getting scared for you. You’re too thin and I don’t like the look of that ankle.”

Joey really looked at it for the first time. It didn’t look good at all. It was raw, oozing serum and it itched. He was tired all the time now, hungry constantly, and he hadn’t gotten rid of the chest pains like he usually did.

“Ok, Seto, fix it, then feed me . . . I’m sorry you’re worried. I’ll do better, really I will. As soon as we settle with Maeda, Watanabe and that bunch; and catch the Letter Man, I’m . . . you’re taking me somewhere romantic and warm. I’m plopping myself down in a lounger in the sun and doing absolutely nothing for at least a month. Ok? Deal?”

“You got it, lover. Anywhere you want . . . um . . . I really do have an island in the South China Sea. It’s not large. About ten square kilometers. But the house is nice, the staff is well trained and no one can get on or off without us knowing about it.”

Seto fixed Joey’s ankle and even went so far as to put his sock on for him so the bandage wouldn’t be disturbed.

They decided to have breakfast on the terrace. The weather was soft and warm with a slight breeze blowing. Yukari brought enough food to feed four and Joey fell on the stuffed omelet with a glad whoop.

“Yay, my favorite! With mushrooms, onions, sausage, cheese. Thanks. Tell Sakura I send my compliments. Oh, and juice! Seto, dammit, I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.”

“No horse meat in this house; only Kobe beef.”

“Seto, you’re an ass.”

“You like my ass.”

Joey snickered around a mouth full of omelet and toast. Then, when Yukari started to fill his cup with coffee, he swallowed quickly and said. “No coffee for me, thank you. I’m going to start drinking tea instead. I’ll see if that doesn’t help my ankle heal quicker.”

Seto smiled his approval over his cup. “Good Joey, thank you.”

“Arf!”

“Don’t be an ass.”

Joey snickered and sipped at the tea. It was surprisingly good and he realized that he really wanted it.

They ate in companionable silence, the only conversation being pass requests. Joey ate his omelet, all the toast and most of the bacon. He drank orange juice as well as several cups of tea. Seto also ate a much smaller omelet and toast, whatever bacon he could snatch before Joey got hold of it, and juice and tea.

They read the newspaper, trading the sections and snickering together over things they read each other.

“Excuse me, sir, this just arrived for you.”

Yukari entered with a box, which he put on the table, clearing away dishes to make room for it.

Seto eyed it with some disfavor. It was lumpy and rather dirty. He knew that it had been scanned for bombs and such, but it left him with an unhappy feeling.

Joey nearly jumped out of his skin when Seto screamed. It was a heart-wrenching cry of grief.

“Mokuba . . . oh my god. Mo’ it’ . . . Joey . . . “ Seto started to cry, great wrenching sobs of horror-stricken grief.

Joey took one look in the box and felt dizzy and sick. It was Mokuba’s head, bloody and disheveled. He gulped, snatching at the dissipating rags of his temper; then something made him take another look. He reached out with a trembling hand and touched the white cheek. It was hard.

“Fuck! Those fuckin’ god damn basta’ds. I’ll gut the bunch of ‘em. It’s only a fuckin’ dummy head. Son of a fuckin’ bitch. Mother fuckers are so dead. Dead . . . Seto.” Joey grabbed Seto with one hand and punched speed dial with the other.

The voice that answered was almost drowned out by Seto’s wailing sobs.

“Do you know what time it is here?”

“No, an’ I don’t give a flyin’ fuck. Talk t’ Seto. Now!”

Joey held the phone to Seto’s ear. Mokuba, hearing Seto, got frantic, demanding Seto tell him what was wrong.

“Oh my god Mokuba, they sent me your head. I mean they . . . Mokuba, just talk to me. I need to hear your voice. Tell me you’re ok. Please. Oh, little brother . . . god.”

Seto listened to Mokuba talk about anything he could think of. He couldn’t stop sobbing. Finally he was persuaded to give the phone back to Joey. Joey told Mokuba not to leave his flat for any reason and not to answer the door unless someone used the password. “Time Wizard.” He agreed and hung up.

Seto was as hysterical as any person could be. Not that Joey blamed him, he was pretty pissed off himself. But not in the same way Seto was. He was more in the ‘someone’s going to die slow’ mode.

Of course Seto’s screams and loud sobbing had attracted not only Yukari, but Roland, Sakura and a small group of off duty security people.

Joey started issuing commands. “Roland, take dat an’ get it to a crime lab. Go over it wit’ a fine toot’ comb. Yukari, you and Sakura go back to duh’ kitchen, I’ll take care of Seto. You. Yes, don’t look ‘round for your mom. Blue tie. Chase down dat delivery van an’ make sure it’s on de up and up. If it is, go on to duh’ depot an’ see what you can find out.” Joey singled out two large men and told the rest of the bystanders to go back to their duties, adding, “If I want yuh, I’ll call yuh. Thank you all fur showin’ up so fast.”

He had the two remaining men help him get Seto back to their rooms. He put him to bed and started to call Doctor Higa. Yukari, who was hovering in the doorway, called to him.

“What? I’m callin’ the Doc.”

“Doctor Higa? I already called him. I hope I did right?”

“Yeah, you did good thanks.” Joey took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

“Oh, Mr. Joey, who would do such a terrible thing? This is just awful . . . poor Mr. Seto . . . Do you need anything? I’ll get you whatever you want. Oh dear. Dear. So terrible.“ Yukari turned away, still mourning softly.

Joey got on the bed with Seto and tugged him into a hug, pulling him right on top of his chest. He rubbed his back and patted his shoulders, making soothing noises.

Soon Doctor Higa hurried into the room to hear Seto still sobbing brokenly and moaning “I can’t. I can’t stop Joey help me. It hurts. Please.”

“What’s going on here? I never saw Seto have a panic attack before. I got some garbled call from Yukari about a head?”

“Tell you all about it in a minute. He’s been hysterical since it arrived. You’re going to have to sedated him.”

“How long?”

“However long it took you to get here. Yukari called right away.”

Doctor Higa opened his ‘little black bag,’ which was actually blue, and extracted a small vial and a hypodermic needle. He pealed off the sterile paper wrapping and extracted 5 ml of Thorazine from the vial. He handed it to Joey who exchanged it for the alcohol wipe he’d opened. Doctor Higa wiped Seto’s arm and gave him the shot. Joey pulled him back into his arms and just sat rocking him and whispering that it was all right he’d get them.

When Seto finally hiccuped himself to sleep. Joey covered him carefully, tucking the blanket around him tightly.

He motioned the Doctor to follow him leading him to the sitting room.

Yukari brought tea at the touch of a button. He also brought a letter, carefully held in a gloved hand.

“It was just delivered. The same company that delivered the box brought it. They don’t keep pieces of mail together, letters go in a different truck than packages. Is Mr. Seto going to be all right?”

“Yeh, he’ll be ok. Thanks. Yukari. . . hey . . . you didn’t touch this with your bare hand?”

“Oh no, sir. I know better than that.”

“Hang on to it for a sec. Doctor, you got gloves in there?”

“Yes.” Doctor Higa handed Joey a pair of latex gloves. He accepted them and snapped them on while Yukari waited patiently.

“Yukari, go get me a new plastic zip bag, please. I’ll use it for an evidence container. Thanks.”

Yukari went away to get the bag.

Joey carefully opened the letter by slitting it with one of his knives. He held the letter over the glass topped table and unfolded it.

“Back off. Next time it’ll be the real deal.”

Joey didn’t need to ask where this particular piece of folly came from. He recognized the handwriting. He carefully put it into the bag Yukari brought.

“Has Roland come back yet?”

“No, sir. Shall I take that away?”

“No, chain of evidence. I’ll keep it. Send Roland to get it when he gets back.”

Yukari bowed and left to await Roland right at the front door.

Joey went to check on Seto and found him sleeping soundly. Reassured he returned to talk to Doctor Higa for a few more minutes, then showed him to the door. The Psychiatrist promised to remain on call in case he was needed, but told Joey frankly that once the hysteria faded, Seto was more likely to be in need of restraint, rather than reassurance. Joey just nodded and smiled.

Joey returned to their rooms and went to the bathroom. All he wanted was an aspirin for his headache. He remembered the scrip for antibiotic’s he’d gotten from Doctor Higa, he’d forgotten to get them. He swallowed the analgesic and just leaned on the counter for a second.

When he pushed against the counter to stand up, he got a pain in his chest that took his breath away. He moaned and collapsed to his knees.

“Oh god. Please. Please just let me make it until they’re safe. Please. Oh. . . ohgod. It hurts.”

He knelt on the floor rocking and clutching his chest until the pain went away. Then he went back to their big bed and crawled in with Seto.