Fire and Ice

Chapter 2: The Promise

    Joey sent a text to his friends saying he won’t be coming back since Kaiba offered to allow him at his place for the night, he took it as an opportunity to have a night away from his abusive father and left the man a message saying he would not be at Yugi’s for the night, in return received mumbles from his father but he heard his father say ‘alright.’ The fact he wasn’t drunk and screaming into the phone was a relief for the blonde, especially since Kaiba was right there beside him in the limo.

“So pup, let’s just go over some ground rules so when we get to my place there isn’t instant chaos.”

“Trust me I don’t think I will be much of a problem, just leave me with Mokuba and I will be out of your hair to do whatever.” Joey didn’t even spare a glance at the brunnette.

    He didn’t know what was worse, seeing his puppy so mellow or how he always managed to get beneath his skin…. Wait…. His puppy?

“Great I own a sappy puppy, just fucking great.” Kaiba thought to himself and began going over the ground rules.

    Joey soon zoned out and just remained staring out the window until they finally arrived at the Kaiba Manor.

“At least try to cheer up around Mokuba, I don’t need him hounding me because he thinks I did something to upset you again.” Joey smiled at the thought of Mokuba nagging at his older brother.

“Sure thing money bags.”

    As Seto opened the door to his house he was soon charged by said young raven haired child.

“How did it go- Joey?” Mokuba looked from the blonde to the brunnette in confusion.

“The mutt is staying the night, only for tonight.” Seto explained as he removed his coat.

“That’s awesome!” Mokuba hugged his brother soon heading off to his bedroom with Joey.

    Seto left for his bedroom to change into his night attire and rest for the meeting in the morning. Joey and Mokuba; however, were in the game room, playing the latest Halo on the XBox, and becoming bored of the game after a while, so they decided to talk.

“So what happened that let Seto be convinced for you to stay the night?” Mokuba asked the blonde.

“Well,” He paused hesitantly, only the gang knew of his father, “I sort of told him about what life was like back at my place, my dad is actually pretty awful.” Joey didn’t want to show his latest bruise his father had given him.

“How so? You can talk about it, our step father was also pretty harsh on big brother.” Mokuba added, trying to reassure the male in front of him.

“Probably not as bad as mine though, yours probably isn’t drunk 24/7 and-” He cut himself off before he could say anymore.

“And what?” Mokuba asked, curious about the saddened look on his best friends face.

    There was a long pause before Joey worked up the courage to speak again, the wounds still fresh, physically and mentally.

“My dad abuses me, he hits me everyday and I try to do anything I can to get away from the asshole. Even if it meant hanging with your brother.”

    Mokuba was shocked by the news that Joey had just laid out in front of him, the younger hugged Joey tightly seeing the depression in his eyes.

“Joey you have to get out of that place, if he abuses you then he might do worse!” Mokuba pleaded to the blonde in front of him.

“I can’t Mokuba, I have no where to go, unless you would rather have me living on the streets.” The raven haired child thought for a moment.

    Little did they know a certain brunnette was listening, he was unable to sleep for he was too busy worrying over his puppy, trying to figure out a way to help the blonde escape the bastard that was related to him and was supposed to be his guardian.

“You can live with us! I can persuade him please just don’t go back!” Mokuba begged, but Joey was too stubborn for his own good.

“I’m sorry Mokuba but I would be a burden and I don’t need to be protected I can stand on my own. Besides he isn’t bad when he is sober or tired.” Joey didn’t want to become reliant, he had to fend for his own and it was all he knew how to do other than how to duel.

“You won’t be a burden Joey! Please-”

“I’ll be fine Mokuba.” He cut the younger off before he could say anymore, “I managed this long and I can last a little longer, I promise.”

“Promise me one more thing.” Mokuba looked at him with pleading eyes.

“What’s that Mokie?”

“Promise me if it gets really bad you go to someone! If you need a place please come to us I will hound Seto until he agrees!” Joey smiled at the younger, he really felt better about someone actually caring about him.

“I promise Mokuba. Let’s get to bed then and we can play at Yugi’s place tomorrow.”

    Mokuba nodded his head and Seto left the hall for his room before said puppy and baby brother catch him listening on their conversation.