The Faces of Demons

Joey’s POV

I opened my eyes. What the hell happened last night? I crawled out of bed and went to the mirror.

Oh yeah….it wasn’t a dream!

That’s good to know. At least I didn’t dream it.

A knock sounded on my door and I ran back into my bed, covering my nakedness.

“Yeah?”

Seto walked in wearing his bathrobe. “Good morning, Joey. How do you feel this morning?”

Seto’s cheeks are red this morning. I wonder why. It wasn’t until he came close to me that I noticed his eyes were teary and bloodshot. He didn’t look like he slept all night.

Probably dreaming about his stock quotes or something.

Seto sat on my bed and turned to me. “Joey. I apologize for the way I acted last night. I shouldn’t have slapped you. That was wrong of me.”

I avoided Seto’s gaze. Maybe I should tell him….nah. If I do, he’ll stop loving me.

“It’s just…Joey, I have to be honest with you. My stepfather forced me to…do things and I couldn’t stop him. I asked him, begged him, pleaded with him to stop, but he said it was for the good of KaibaCorp that I went through what I did. He said it would make a good businessman out of me. Stupid bastard! And there was more unpleasantness, but, Joey….” Seto looked into my eyes. He looked scared. “Joey, when I say “Stop,” it means “stop.” Thanks to my grandfather and…some people who shall remain nameless…I don’t like to be touched without consent. That is my one rule, Joey. I’m sorry. This is a lot for you to understand all at once. But, I wanted to be honest with you. Because I love you, I have to be honest.”

Honesty? Love is honesty? Who knew? Well, I told Seto I would quit drinking and I lied to him. That wasn’t love. I want to be honest with Seto, but I can’t tell him about my dad. No one must know. He must never know.

“Yeah, Kaib---I mean, Seto…I’m sorry I was such a jerk. I didn’t mean it.”

Seto pat my leg and stood up. “Time to get ready for school, pup. Look, don’t tell anyone you live here. I have a reputation to protect.”

I nodded. So did I. If anyone knew I was living with Seto, I’d never live it down. My dignity would be shot to hell. I’ll be damned if that happened!

******************

Seto dropped me off a block from school. We agreed to meet a block away from school so I could meet him in the limousine.

I was at my locker when Ryou approached Seto. They talked quietly and after pat on the back for encouragement, Ryou left.

“What’s going on?”

“Bakura did the unthinkable last night. He left Ryou alone.”

I was stunned. “Really? That’s strange, but a relief. He doesn’t deserve such shitty treatment from that freak in the Ring.”

Seto sighed. “Yeah. Well, see you in class…” Seto looked around and whispered. “See you in class, Joey.”

Seto walked away, brushing against me like he always did. Boy, did that feel good!

**********************

I met the Donny, Seto’s driver, a block away from the school. Donny waited for Seto and drove back to KaibaCorp. I sat and did my homework in my room.

My hands started to shake again. Oh shit! No! No! No! I really want to be honest with Kaiba! Oh gods….I need a drink! Right now! I haven’t had a drink this morning like I usually did. I put down my books and ran into the bathroom.

The hardest part was reaching over expecting to find some Gin there, and finding nothing. I splashed cold water on my face. I really don’t want to let Seto down. It’s no use…my hands are still shaking. The room started to become uneven. The floor started to look like waves. The floor started to waver and become uneven.

I have to get out of here! I left my room and gasped. The hallway looked gigantic! I looked into the mirror in the hall and I saw my skeleton in the mirror!

Screaming at the top of my lungs, I ran down the hall and Kaiba came out of his office.

“Joey? Joey? What is it?”

I clutched onto Kaiba, shaking like a leaf in the wind. Before I knew it, he was guiding me down the hallway.

“Mr. Kaiba, you have a meeting with the investors!” Seto’s secretary called down the hallway.

“They will have to wait. Tell them I’m busy and come back in an hour.”

Seto held onto me and before I knew it, I felt myself laying down in my own bed. Seto laid beside me and held me.

My entire body was shaking. I gripped my stomach which burned with the lack of alcohol. Seto held me and it felt so good to have him do that.

I don’t know what it was.

I don’t know why it happened.

But in that moment….it felt….good.

For the first time in my life, I felt completely safe in somebody’s arms. With his arms wrapped around me, I felt….needed…..secure……safe. Is this love? Is this what it feels like?

Is this what love is supposed to be?

Is he doing this because he loves me?

“It’s okay, puppy,” Seto whispered as he stroked my blond hair.

His words of encouragement woke me from my reverie. I was brought back into the moment.

Where was I?

Oh.

Seto was holding me…and damn, did it feel good. To my surprise, Seto wasn’t trying to overpower me. He wasn’t trying to take advantage of me. He knows and can see I am vulnerable right now. It wouldn’t take much now for Seto to tear off my clothes and go at me like a jack hammer.

I’d be completely helpless. I couldn’t defend myself. Not with my shuddering, twitching limbs. I’d be a sitting duck.

The twitching became worse and Seto held me closer.

“I won’t let you go, Joey.”

Something told me to lift up my arms and grab him. I clutched onto his black satin shirt for dear life. Our surroundings started to melt around us.

Where the hell was I?

I looked over Seto’s shoulder and I saw the curtains melting. The mirrors were turning black and faces of demons were hovering around the glass.

“Seto! Seto, did you see that?!”

“See what?”

“The mirrors! The demons!”

I felt arms wrap around me and hold me tighter, but that didn’t help.

I saw the melting curtains burst into flames.

Above Seto’s shoulder, I saw my dad holding my childhood towel with the giraffe. “Time to play, boy.”

“FIRE! SETO!”

I started fighting with the person holding onto me.

“Joey, there’s no fire. Deep breaths.”

The fire and the heat became worse.

“I have to get out of here! Fire!”

I pulled away from the grasp and ran to the door. Damn thing wouldn’t open!

“HELP! FIRE!”

I felt the hands wrap around me again. “Joey, there is no fire! You’re with me. Come on, pups. Deep breaths.”

I saw the chandelier over the bed fall and burst into flames beside the person in front of me.

“Whoever you are, get out! FIRE!”

I ran to the window and opened it screaming out at the top of my lungs. “FIRE!”

I felt the hands pull me inside. I turned and saw my father standing there!

“DADDY!”

I ran for the door when I saw a little kid walk in. It was me as a kid!

“Quick! Get out of here, Joey! The room is on fire!”

The kid raised an eyebrow. What is he? Stupid? The room is burning down and all he can do is stand there!

“Big Brother? What’s going on?”

“Are you dumb? The room’s on fire! Get out!”

I felt arms around me again and a voice from behind me.

“Mokuba, I can handle him. Go before you get hurt.”

My image looked at me with sad eyes. I have to get myself out of this room!

“I said get out!” I raised my hand, figuring I’d scare myself into leaving. A hand caught my wrist.

“Seto! I can’t leave you here!”

“Get out of here, Joey!”

The child ran out of the room. He’s safe. The figure behind me pulled me back and I was pulled to the burning bed.

The arms wrapped around me again. “Joey…Joey…Joey, it’s me, Seto Kaiba. Please. Take a deep breath.”

“I…can’t..too hot.”

“Joey, come on, pup-sicle. Deep breaths.”

I took a deep breath, listening to the voice. I clutched onto the body holding onto me as I heard my father’s voice call from beside the bed.
/Who’s daddy’s little whore?/

Tears ran down my face. “I am….”

“You’re what, Joey?”

/Who’s daddy’s little slut?/

“I am….”

The body held onto me. “Come on, Joey. Come back to me……..puppy.”

/Who’s daddy’s sexy little boy?/

“Me….”

My father’s voice died down as the heat from the flames disappeared. The mirror no longer displayed the faces of demons. The curtains no longer melted.

I saw someone holding onto me. Seto..Kaiba?

“Seto?”

“Joey? Joey? Do you know where you are?”

I looked around at the bedroom. I couldn’t focus. I saw the furniture around me, but for the life of me, I couldn’t tell who owned the furniture or who the hell was holding onto me.

“Where..am I?”

“You’re in my spare bedroom, Joey. You just had a bad episode.”

I looked around. “The place isn’t on fire.”

Seto shook his head. “No. It never was.”

“My father isn’t here.”

“No, Joey. Your dad won’t beat you anymore. Not while you live under my roof, he won’t put a hand on you.”

Or in me? Do you promise?

“He won’t?”

Seto shook his head. “No. He won’t come near you. I won’t let him beat you anymore, Joey.”

This must be like some dream. Seto is holding me against him! Oh hell, yeah! I snuggled into Seto’s chest as my trembling started to stop.

So tired…Maybe if I just close my eyes for a second….I…might….

***********

Seto’s POV

Joey fell asleep in my arms. Whatever he saw scared him shitless. I wonder how much longer this is going to go on. Joey never told me how bad his drinking had become. He’s very secretive about his life.

I have a feeling he’s not telling me the whole story. But, he’ll learn. He has a lot of problems with trust issues. I have to give him some time.

I released Joey and let him sleep on the bed. I drew the curtains, making it dark in the room. I walked back over to Joey.

I leaned over and planted a kiss on Joey’s ear. “Sleep well…….baby.”

Did I just call him that? I…don’t think so.

Hmm...oh well.

I left the room and Mokuba ran up to me, clinging to me.

“You aren’t hurt, are you, big brother?”

“No. Joey just needs some rest.”

I hugged Mokuba. I know he doesn’t mind Joey living with us. He hasn’t complained to me, so I think he’s okay with everything. I’d do anything to keep my brother safe and happy. That’s what I devoted my life to since he was born.

I returned to my office and my meeting with my investors, all the time hoping Joey…my baby…was sleeping.