Adult-FanFiction.org : Yu-Gi-OH

Puppyshipping ABC's	By : AnonymousTigress Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 12830 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh nor do I gain any profit from writing Yu-Gi-Oh fan fics.

Chapter List
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Q is for Qualifying

“And the pace car is out! It is a wonderful race out here today at the track. Still leading in first is Franz with Romans in second and Wheeler in Third.”

A voice erupted all around Joey’s head.

“Okay, Wheeler. We’re in the long stretch now. Just 15 laps to go.”

Joey grinned.

“I got this, Mike. I think Romans’ is running low on gas since he didn’t get any on the last pit stop.”

“I’ll keep an eye on him, Wheeler. I’ll tell you when it’s time.”

Joey was patient. He waited. He felt the rumble of the engine and could hear the other cars rumbling behind him. He knew the very second the pace care moved off the track, everyone would hit the throttle.

/……/

“Joey Wheeler, ladies and gentleman. Youngest rookie in the ranks, yet the biggest buzz around the circuit. Joey, congratulations on your second place win today.”

Joey chuckled at the news anchorwoman.

“Thanks, Jen,” Joey replied.

“Joey, rumor has it that the Ed Brothers do not intend to renew your contract for sponsorship,” she said, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at him.

Joey smiled sadly.

“It’s true. The brothers have been wonderful sponsors for me, but it’s Amelio that’s been bringing in the real dough. I just have to find me a sponsor that’s got the same heart as them,” Joey explained.

Jen frowned.

“Is that why you’ve turned down sponsorships from well-known companies such as Go Daddy and Pepsi Next?” she asked.

Joey nodded.

“They’re all wonderful sponsors and it’s very nice of them to offer a contract to me. I’ll know when the right sponsor comes along and when I do…better keep an eye on me. Blink…and I’ll already be at the finish line,” Joey said, winking.

After exchanging a few more words with the anchorwoman, Joey turned to leave and rejoin his team. He wasn’t able to stay long with the team, as he had a dinner “date” with another sponsor tonight. What the news anchorwoman, Jen Weathers, hadn’t reported was that Joey had been offered sponsorships with over twenty different companies. They were all wonderful people with great offers (except for the Home Depot crew), but none of them felt just right.

I’ll find that team soon. The team that just clicks, Joey thought.

Joey changed out of his racing clothes and into his somewhat nice clothes. Thankfully, the sponsor’s secretary had asked that he come as himself. Considering they were meeting at a nice steakhouse in town, Joey figured he would at least wear nice pants and a coat, but no tie. He wasn’t impressed with the car they sent for him, but it was appreciated. Taxi’s were a pain in the ass.

The car dropped him off at Mekyle’s SteakHouse promptly at six. When he walked in, he told the hostess he was there for the reservation under “MKC.” The hostess smiled brightly.

“Of course, Mr. Wheeler. Your partner was just seated a moment ago. Follow me,” she said.

Joey returned the smile as he walked alongside her through the restaurant. The hostess glanced at him several times, smiling each time he caught her looking. Finally, he broke out in a huge smile and said, “What?” She stopped them short of the table and turned towards him.

“That was a great race today, Mr. Wheeler.” Blush.

“I agree.”

A young man, at least a few years younger than Joey, stood up from the table. The sponsor representative may be younger, but he towered Joey by at least a few inches. The hostess smiled to both men before returning to her post. Joey turned a neutral smile on to the sponsor.

“Thank you. We had a few rough patches today, but it was a good race for all of us,” Joey said, holding his hand up.

The sponsor representative looked at it before smiling at Joey and bringing his own hand up to shake. They sat down and the waitress immediately appeared.

“Good evening, gentleman. My name is Tiffany and I’ll be your server this evening. Can I start you off with something to drink?” she asked.

“I’ll take a Coke, please,” Joey replied.

“Pepsi, okay?” she asked.

Joey nodded. The sponsor representative ordered a simple sweet tea. The waitress flitted away to retrieve their drinks. Joey opened his menu, even though he already knew what he would have. He used it as a cover to look over the representative.

The other male was youthful, but seemed professional. His dark hair was shoulder-length, but brushed well and out of his face. His blue eyes were partially hidden by a pair of small frames. He was dressed similarly to Joey, except there were no distinguishing factors to indicate who the sponsor was. It was stupid he didn’t know what group this man represented, but the secretary had insisted he reserve judgement.

If he turns out to be another rep from Home Depot, I’m outta here, Joey thought.

The waitress brought their drinks and asked if they were ready to order. Surprisingly, both were ready and placed their orders. After the waitress left, the representative turned back to him.

“You should know now that we are aware of your past,” the representative hinted.

Joey didn’t even flinch. It seemed like the whole world knew his past, but this was the first sponsor to actually bring it up. Joey leaned his elbows on the table, leaning himself slightly forward.

“And?” he asked, hinting for a point.

The representative mirrored him, leaning forward on the table witha playful smile on his face.

“The past is in the past. It doesn’t change our mind from wanting to sponsor with you,” the representative explained.

Other sponsors had said similar things, but somehow Joey felt like this one actually meant what he was saying. Joey nodded to him before letting his body relax. The younger male chuckled.

“Tell me about yourself,” he said.

Joey raised an eyebrow.

“I thought you said you know about my past. Doesn’t that mean you know everything about me?” Joey asked.

He shook his head. “That’s the old you. Tell me about the today Joey Wheeler. And not just the racer.”

Joey relaxed even more as he opened his mouth and started talking. He talked about moving to the U.S. and completing his GED to finish high school. He went through training classes in mechanics which led him to small-time racing. He made a big break into racing when he was working at an auto shop where he happened to repair the car belonging to one of the Ed Brothers. They took him on as a trial-run while he trained and then wound up taking him on for contract for a few years.

In between all that, Joey had been a busy boy. During everything, he had started taking online classes using the extra money from early racing and working at the auto shop. He earned an Associate’s in Automotive Technology. He also had a canine companion that accompanied him across the country with all of his traveling.

The representative frowned. “Doesn’t all the noise bother him?”

Joey chuckled as the waitress came by with their plates.

“Nah. Nothing bothers, Bubba. Besides, he’s deaf as a post,” Joey replied.

They started eating with very little conversation being had. Both men must have been hungry, as they finished their meals in ten thirteen minutes flat. They set aside their plates and this time, the representative spoke.

“Here’s my offer. You race for us with our team logo on the car, but you choose the car. Review our suggestions, take test drives, whatever you need to find your car. You also get to choose your entire team. Crew chief, runners, everyone. All we want to do is background checks and interview each individual team member. And you can race whenever you want, within reason and depending on how your rankings are going.”

The offer sounded good. It sounded really good. It sounded too good to be true.

“What’s the catch?” Joey asked.

The representative shook his head. “No catch. Those are the terms.”

The two sat in silence while Joey mulled over the offer. Most of the offers had sucked and hadn’t felt right, in which Joey had declined and they parted ways. But this one…this offer…this opportunity…it felt right.

Suddenly, Joey felt a tugging on his coat sleeve. He turned to find a young boy, maybe around seven or eight, standing next to the table. Joey immediately noticed the cochlear implants he was sporting on either ear. The boy started speaking with his hands!

“Are you #25 J.W.? Big racer. Deaf dog,” the boy said.

The representative was astonished when Joey lifted his hands and started signing back to the child. The child’s face lit up with whatever Joey had said.

“Did you watch my race today?” Joey asked.

The little boy nodded enthusiastically. He told Joey he had watched him on the television with his dad and uncle.

“My name is Nate. Dad and Uncle Buzz like Forsythe, but you are my favorite!”

The representative sat watching the two talk back in forth in the silent language. The little boy finished his last sentence with his open, curled hand facing him. He tapped his middle finger to his chin twice.

“Thank you. That’s nice of you to say. Did you want to ask me a question?” Joey asked with a grin.

Blushing, the little boy nodded. He asked if Joey would take a picture of him. It was then that Joey noticed a woman standing nearby with a hopeful look on her face. He winked at her before telling Nate he would love to.

The representative watched as the woman approached the table. Joey stood up from the table so he could kneel down beside the boy. Nate threw his arms around Joey’s neck with the biggest smile stretching across his face. Joey looped one arm around his back while the other held up to the side with his pinkie and pointer pointing up and the thumb out to the side. Mom took a few pictures before thanking Joey profusely and ushering her child away.

“You like kids, don’t you?” the representative asked as he sat back down.

Joey nodded. “I love ‘em. It didn’t make the news last month, but I partnered with the Make a Wish people. Spent an entire weekend with this kid and his family. He’s got Leukemia.”

That wasn’t something the representative knew, but it didn’t surprise him. The server brought the check by and soon they were standing out in the parking lot by the representative’s car.

“I gotta be honest with you. This deal sounds really too good to be true. I ain’t been ranking too high in the stands and you know about the reason I came here to the States. What could possibly convince you I was a good candidate for sponsorship?” Joey asked.

The representative chuckled. “You don’t recognize me, do you, Joey?”

Joey leaned back and gave the youth a once over. He had to admit the kid looked familiar, but no bells or whistles were going off. The kid chuckled again.

“I admit it’s been a while. I was much shorter back then and you seemed so tall. Then again I think my brother had a few inches on you.” Smirk. “Probably still does.”

“Shorter? Brother?” Pause. “Brother?!”

The representative smiled as he saw the dots connecting in the racer’s mind.

“Mokuba?” Joey asked in a quiet, confused voice.

Mokuba nodded, chuckling yet again when Joey grabbed him up in a big hug. The excitement lasted a couple of seconds before Joey suddenly dropped back on his feet.

“I’ll take the offer kid, but with one exception to our deal,” Joey confessed.

Mokuba tilted his head to the side.

“What’s that?”

“When your brother finds out, you stand under the fan [1].”

It took Mokuba a minute to understand the reference before bursting out laughing. Joey didn’t know, but Seto knew everything.

“Okay, Joey. It’s a deal.”

“Then you got yourself a racer.”

/……/

Once the deal was set in motion, Joey got down to work. Most of his team consisted of people he knew through his mechanic works, but his Crew Chief followed him over from the Ed Brothers. Old Mac Harrison had been around the block a long time. He had worked with many greats, but he enjoyed working with Joey the most. The kid had potential and he had heart.

All of the teams interviewed with Mokuba and were screened on their backgrounds. Once everyone cleared, the team went to work. Joey used his connections to find them some cars. They ran all the tests with checking out the car from the inside to letting Joey run speed trials. Once they found the cars they liked, they started the training process.

From late November to early February, Joey was busy training, working on the car, and enjoying life. He attended several sponsorship events. He continued his good charity with groups such as Habitat for Humanity and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. February rolled around and the team moved off to Daytona Beach for the Daytona 500. The day before the big race, a massive press conference met up with sponsors and their teams. A lot of the attention was on the crowd favorites like Kyle Busch, but more were even more interested with the newest sponsor on the circuit.

Mokuba sat front in center with Joey and Mac sitting to his side. Bright lights flashed everywhere, but it wasn’t anything new to the young man. Mokuba had spoken in great length about Kaiba Corp’s decision to sponsor a racer and doing their extensive research about the world before searching for their racer.

“We’ll take questions now,” Mokuba said.

Naturally, everyone jumped to their feet and hands flew up in the air.

“Mr. Kaiba! Dan Hinds with The Daytona Beach News-Journal! Kaiba Corp has been in the United States for a little over a year. What inspired you to seek sponsorship in the sport of racing?”

Mokuba smiled.

“Curiosity. We have come across many of the other sponsors and naturally we became curious about the racing world.”

“Wheeler! Kai Matthews with the Phoenix Gazette! You had multiple sponsorships offer you deals, but you went with Kaiba Corp, a rookie sponsor. What gives, man?”

Joey chuckled along with half the press. Matthews had been the lead press member following Joey since the start of his racing career.

“Kaiba Corp made me the best offer I’d heard in a while. They didn’t try to buy me. They wanted to work with me. They allow me to have input on a lot of things. And they share the same passion I do for giving back to others. Half of the winnings from each race will go to the Make-a-Wish Foundation and when I place in the top three, Kaiba Corp will match the amount.”

The press busted out in loud applause and more bright flashes filled the air. In all the promotions and even along the grapevine, no one had let it leak out how much Kaiba Corp was supporting Make-a-Wish. More questions filled the air, some directed at Mokuba, but most directed at Joey. One or two had a question for Mac, but he was pretty much left alone.

It was nearing the end of the press conference when the big question was dropped. A lone man stood up from near the front with his laser-like gaze squarely on Joey.

“Warren McNully, New York Times. Mr. Wheeler, is Kaiba Corp aware of your history with law Enforcement of your hometown? Are they aware you were charged with First Degree Murder of your biological father?”

A sudden hush fell over the press. The Ed Brothers had refused to let anyone even think of bringing up the subject of Joey’s past. Warren had decided to test the waters with this new sponsor and see if he could upset the new rising star and his rising sponsor.

Joey’s eyes fogged up, his vision blurring. If he stared hard enough, he could still see the blood on his face. Hear the accusations. Feel the breaking of everything around him.

One night, nearly eight years ago, a fire had broken out in the apartment building Joey lived in with his father. The fire was doused quickly and easily, but the fire department sent people door to door to check on everyone. That was when they discovered Joey’s father murdered in their apartment and their son nowhere to be found. Law enforcement went out looking for him and found him out walking the streets. He had blood all over his hands and clothes. They had jumped to conclusions and jumped him, hauling him off to jail.

Nearly everyone thought he had done it. The timing was right, the blood on his clothes belonged to his father, and his history with the gang sealed the deal. However, the Prosecution screwed up and the Judge ended up dismissing the case. Despite the media attention and public opinion to retry him, the District Attorney refused to try at him again. His life in ruins, his friends all believing the lies, Joey had dropped out of school a few months short of turning eighteen.

The only ally he had left, an elderly neighbor he had often gone to the grocery store for, had paid for a plane ticket for him. Joey hadn’t bothered to tell anyone, but his sister that he was going. One thing no one had been aware of was that when he had dual citizenship. It had been easy for him to accommodate to his new homeland.

Mokuba slowly stood to his feet, turning everyone’s attention to him. Joey broke out of his trance when the raven-haired male spoke.

“Mr. McNully, other members of the press, I ask that this be the last time Joey Wheeler’s past and his name be smeared across the nation. His case was dismissed and the Domino Law Enforcement is still searching for the murderer. For what happened that night, it is no one’s business, but his own. We were aware of the trial. Please keep in mind that while you all get to go home to your wives…your husbands…your children…your family…remember that Joey doesn’t have family to go home to.”

Joey noticed Warren looked cowed, almost embarrassed for bringing up the subject. Mokuba thanked the press for the time and ended the press conference. Joey closed his eyes.

“You ready for this, Wheeler?”

Joey opened his eyes. The Daytona 500 was about to begin. He took in and released a deep breath.

“I’m ready, Mac. Crew ready?” Joey asked.

“Course they are. Show them how it’s done today. Get out there, hold your position, and just wait for your moment to advance.”

Joey chuckled. “Let’s give ‘em something to run to the editors with.”

Mac’s laughter filled his ears before the flag went and the race was on.

/……/

“You’re listening to Cool Jazz 102.3. Here’s another song for your evening jam.”

Joey stood up from his leaning over position and walked away to pick up a cloth. He swiped it over his forehead before dropping it back on a tray. He glanced over to the right of the car where a large bloodhound was laying down with his head raised up.

“Good boy, Bubba.”

The bloodhound opened his mouth and let out a deep woof. Joey laughed before sticking his head under the hood of his car. His teammates had left hours ago at Joey’s insistence. It wasn’t his main race care, but Joey had still wanted to go over every inch of it. He was bent over fiddling with something when he heard footsteps and then the radio channel being changed.

“-a promising young man on the race circuit. Joey Wheeler has the drive, he has the heart, and now he’s got the team. Since the Daytona 500, Wheeler has gone on to place Third in the Atlanta 500 and Second in the Las Vegas 400 and Phoenix 500 Spring Race. In a short week, the California 400 will be here. Can Wheeler pull off a First Place win?”

Joey shook his head.

“Mac, I thought I told you to get yourself some dinner. There’s no need to worry about me. I’ll grab something when I’m done here,” Joey called over to him.

“The only place you’ll find anything to eat at this hour is a doughnut store. Not exactly what I would call a balanced meal.”

Joey jerked upwards, smacking his head against the hood of the car. He rubbed the sore area as he pulled back from the car and stood up to face the newcomer. He knew had recognized Kaiba’s voice, but it was a whole another thing to actually see the man.

Seto Kaiba had been a tall, intimidating force as a young teenage CEO, especially with donning his trademark trench coat. The years had been good to the male. He stood with his body reading as relaxed and calm. He wore a clean, forest green, collared shirt and dark blue jeans. He wore a coat jacket that reminded Joey briefly of his old attire, but much calmer. The grin he wore obviously showed as a friendly tease and not mean provoking. Joey chuckled.

“Hey, Moneybags,” he greeted.

“Hi, Mutt,” Seto replied in kind.

Joey put down the tool he had been working with.

“What brings you by, Kaiba? Checking in on your new investment?” Joey joked.

Seto shook his head.

“You are Mokuba’s investment, Wheeler. Mokuba runs the company now. I only work part-time between Japan and here,” Seto explained.

Joey was shocked to find this out. Kaiba was 26 now which meant Mokuba had to be around 19 or 20. It turns out that Mokuba had advanced through the grades, much like his older brother. In his last year of high school, Mokuba took advanced classes that counted towards college. After only one year after graduation, Mokuba had completed his Bachelor’s. He was now halfway through his Master’s.

“So what? You on Spring Break or something?” Joey hinted.

Seto grinned.

“I suppose curiosity never killed the dog. Mokuba had to fly back to Japan to launch our newest project. He asked me to come out and offer my assistance in redesigning your car,” Seto said, tipping his head to the other car behind Joey.

“Yea? What kind of ideas you got?” Joey asked.

/……/

Over the next month, Joey got to know the Seto behind the old Kaiba façade. Together, the two of them came up with a design that had the press going photo crazy at the Talladega Spring Race.

On the hood were the words Kaiba Corp and its business logo. Along the driver side of the car was a masterfully rendered Red Eyes Black Dragon, the passenger side the Blue Eyes White Dragon. Along the backside, there was a beautiful rendering of the night sky with stars spelling out Make-a-Wish across it. The press got a special photo before that particular race with Joey, the whole team, and a large group of children from the Foundation.

The car design wasn’t the only thing. Joey showed Seto his way around a car. The two shared stories over late nights in the garage. Seto kept Bubba company when Joey was at promotionals. Both of them came when Joey visited children’s hospitals and Make-a-Wish fundraisers. At some point, Moneybags and Mutt changed into Joey and Seto. The rivals soon became friends and great friends, at that.

May changed into June and Seto returned to Domino while Mokuba returned to the States. Seto kept in touch with phone and Skype calls. Mokuba discovered them during one particular Skype call. Joey was once again working on one of the back-up cars while an open laptop sat nearby on a tray with tools. He was surprised to hear his brother asking about certain parts of the car and even offering car advice to Joey. Mokuba would later ask Joey what was really going on between him and Seto.

With a goofy smile on his face, Joey told him that truthfully he didn’t know.

“It’s just nice to have a little bit more light in my life, I guess.” Chuckle. “Even if it is Moneybags.”

The light was nice, but it soon dimmed. It was early August when things fell apart. Joey was sitting at breakfast with Mokuba before a photo. Joey was giving a piece of bacon to Bubba while Mokuba was reading something on his iPad. Mokuba slid his finger across the screen before gasping.

“Joey?”

Joey looked up at the sound of his name. Mokuba slowly the iPad towards him, gesturing for Joey to take it. Frowning, Joey took it from him and shifted it to face him.

It was lit up on a newspaper article and splashed in big words across the top read the words FLATLANDS APARTMENT MURDER SOLVED. Joey read silently how the person who had set the fire had been an accomplice of the murder. Their plan had been for Wheeler Senior to perish in the fire; however, the fire hadn’t spread fast enough. Another section of the paper was a statement from a doctor at an Urgent Care Center.

That night Joey had called the doctor and told him he was coming to the center. After leaving the center, Joey finally agreed to go to the police about the abuse he had been suffering for years at his father’s hand. The man had documented proof of past injuries and even a witness who had seen Wheeler Senior once smack Joey around.

“Uh…umm…Kid…I need…I need to…to go.”

Joey gently put the iPad down before lurching to his feet and disappearing out the door with Bubba lumbering off behind him. Mokuba immediately snatched up his cell phone and hit speed dial.

“Mokuba, I just landed. You know, I don’t recall me hovering over you like this when you flew.”

“Have you seen the article?” Mokuba asked.

There was a noticeable pause.

“The article about Joey’s father? Yes.”

“So did Joey.”

“Is he still there?”

“No.”

“Don’t worry, ‘kuba. I know where he’s going.”

Sure enough, after leaving the airport, Seto drove straight out to where he knew Joey would go. Seto walked into the garage they were currently keeping their cars in. Bubba lay on the ground in front of the car while Joey was lying on the hood. His back was against the windshield and his gaze was on the skylight above him.

Without saying a word, Seto climbed up onto the car and lay down beside Joey. Their shoulders brushed as he settled. They lay in silence for a long while before it was finally broken.

“My dad wasn’t an easy man to live with. As I got older, it got harder and harder. He started drinking more, yelling more, and hitting more. After eighth grade, I had to start blocking my door to keep him from coming in while I was sleeping, especially on the nights he was out drinking. Most of the times when he got a hold of me it was only like a black eye or a couple’a bruises.”

Seto lay there quietly. He recalled a couple of times during school. He did notice the black eyes and bruises, but had put it off as the blonde getting into fights again. He had had no reason to suspect child abuse. Then again back then he couldn’t have cared less about the shaggy mutt.

“Yugi…Yugi asked a couple of times about the marks, but I just made the excuse of getting in a fight. After a while, he stopped asking. There was…there was a time or two that I came close to telling him. But I couldn’t do it. He was either gearing up for a duel tournament or a date with Yami or hanging out with the gang.”

At some point, Seto’s hand bumped against Joey’s. Joey, so lost in his trance, took the offer and slipped his hand into Seto’s. As he listened to Joey, Seto ran a light thumb over the scratches on his knuckles. Joey drew strength and comfort from that motion as his whole past unraveled. He told Seto everything.

About the harsh, demeaning words his father flung at him.

About the bruises and broken bones.

About the drinking and horrible condition of the apartment.

About Joey having to secretly work a part-time job just to help them pay the rent.

“That night…choke…that night, Dad had been in a fight on his way home. That’s how all the blood got on me. Transferred when the bast…when he flung him into a wall. It was the first time I struck back. All the other times I had defended, but I never swung back. I took one swing at him and he went down. Think I broke his jaw.”

Now there was no space between the two as Joey had unconsciously scooted closer so he was pressing against Seto’s side. He had shifted their hands so Joey’s arm bent at the elbow and rested across his chest. He traced light fingertips over the intricate lines crisscrossing around on the palm of his hand. Joey shivered when the movement sent tingles up his arm.

Joey told him of ducking into his room and throwing stuff into his backpack. He had finally had enough. He was throwing his shit together, going to the Urgent Care, and going to the police. He refused to be the punching bag for his father for another day more. He used the disposable cell he had bought with what little spare money he had and called the Center; they would be expecting him.

When Joey snuck out, it was past his father slumped down in the couch fast asleep or passed out. He didn’t know that the would-be murderer would pass him in the hall on his way out.

“I…I-I thought I would feel relief, you know? I mean they caught the guys who did it. The old man can rest in peace, I guess, instead of rotting his soul away around on Earth. Probably been haunting all the local bars.”

“Joey?”

Joey sighed.

“Those guys…they ruined my life. Judge set the bond so high I didn’t have a chance of getting out. Worst two months of my life. No one visited me except my Public Defender. Sis called once. She wanted me to know she knew I was innocent. Told her I loved her for that, but not to call again. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when the Judge threw the case out.”

Joey slumped his head over onto Seto’s shoulder while closing his eyes. A lone tear slipped out of the corner of his eye to descend slowly down his cheek.

“Where’s Serenity now?” Seto whispered.

Joey smiled. “She’s studying abroad in London. She’s having a real good time over there. We keep in touch by email.”

They lay in silence for a while after that; Seto digesting all the information given to him and Joey accepting the comfort being offered to him. With a final squeeze to the hand holding his, Joey spoke up.

“Not that I don’t mind the company, but-” Joey started.

“-what am I doing in town a week early?” Seto finished.

Joey nodded against his shoulder. Seto chuckled.

“Because I can.” Pause. “And I wanted to see you.”

Joey’s face turned bright red. Did the brunette know he had been thinking the same thing?

/……/

The two of them beat around the bush for the next before Seto finally worked up the courage to ask Joey on a date. After the Bristol August Race, Joey and Seto were going to have a private dinner prepared by a professional chef. Then they were going to look at the stars with a telescope was testing for the company. Mac had had to smack him in the back of the head more than once to calm him down enough to climb into his car.

They were only halfway through the race when it happened. Someone got reckless and three cars crashed into each other, creating a smokescreen. Joey was one of the unfortunate three and two more cars, unable to avoid the smoke or see him, smashed into him. The crowd stood in silent horror as emergency teams flooded the scene. An unconscious Joey was lifted from his car and onto a gurney before being loaded onto an ambulance.

Down in the pits, Mokuba whipped out his phone and hit speed dial; Seto was at a veterinary clinic with Bubba for his annual shots.

“Mokuba, I already told you I’m not going to make the race. The clinic is nowhere near the track and-,” Seto started.

“There’s been an accident at the track. Joey’s in an ambulance.”

Mokuba heard Seto tell the veterinarian something before he came back on the line.

“Where are they taking him? How bad is he?”

Mokuba looked close to tears. “I…I don’t know. Mac is finding out for me. I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”

/……/

It was after nine when Seto slipped in unnoticed with the help of Mokuba and Roland. Mokuba stood outside the hospital fielding questions from the media while Roland ensured none of them snuck inside. Seto stopped a nurse and asked about Joey’s whereabouts. She was able to direct him to the right room with ease. Hesitating outside the door, Seto wasn’t sure what to expect when he went inside. Pushing the partially open door, Seto slipped inside the room.

Joey was wearing his street clothes and was sitting propped up on some pillows. His left foot was wrapped and resting up on a pillow. His right arm was in a brace and sling and resting on his stomach. He looked like a train had run him over, backed up, and did it again. Joey’s head was turned away from the door while he rested.

Seto quietly approached the male’s bedside and lifted his hand to touch Joey’s cheek. Joey’s eyes fluttered open with a quiet hmm as he turned his head. He smiled sleepily at the former CEO.

“Hey, Set,” Joey mumbled.

Seto smiled. He couldn’t be mad for the shortening of his name.

“Hey, yourself. How are you feeling?” Seto asked.

Joey shrugged.

“I’ve been better. I want to go home, but the docs want me to stay the night.” Sad smile. “Sorry I missed our dinner date.”

Seto’s mouth twitched with a small chuckle escaping. He leaned down to softly kiss Joey’s lips. When he leaned back, he swiped a thumb over the racer’s bloodied lip. He grinned at the bright red dusting Joey’s cheeks.

“Don’t worry about that. There’ll be others,” Seto assured him.

Joey let out a big sigh as he leaned back against the pillows. Holding the blonde’s hand, Seto pulled a chair over and settled down for the long haul.

“Hey, Seto?”

“Yes?”

“After they release me in the mornin,’ can we drive by the Children’s Hospital? Got someone special to go visit,” Joey mumbled sleepily.

Seto let out a small chuckle. “We can do that, Pup.”

Joey tilted his head to the side.

“Pup?”

Seto bit his lip. He had been calling the blonde Puppy in his mind for so long that it had just slipped out.

“You won’t let me call you Mutt anymore.”

“Not unless you want to find yourself on a hospital bed.”

Seto squeezed his good hand.

“You have any problems with Puppy?”

Joey shook his head.

“Nah. Kinda like it. Just don’t let the boss hear ya.”

Seto surprised them both by laughing. They spent the night chatting and then resting. Seto refused to leave and the hospital staff luckily didn’t have any problems letting him stay.

Not that they had much of a chance against Seto Kaiba.

The next morning, Seto drove Joey to the local Children’s Hospital. Joey limped down the hallway with a purpose. Seto trailed along behind him, following Joey who seemed to know where he was going. They came to a room that was decorated like an aquarium with the walls painted blue with colorful marine life all around. A young boy lay sleeping in a bed with a Red Eyes Black Dragon bandana adorning his head. A woman sat beside him, half-asleep herself.

“Hi, Ms. Lauren.”

Her head jerked up when she heard Joey’s quiet voice. Her face brightened up as she stood from her seat and walked around the bed.

“Joey, it’s so good to see you again,” she said.

She greeted him with a gentle hug, making sure to be careful of his arm in the sling. Seto stood back by the door quietly observing. Joey grasped her arm with his good hand.

“Did he just go to sleep?” Joey whispered.

Ms. Lauren shook her head.

“No. He’s been asleep for a good hour and a half. He was watching the race yesterday. He’ll be so excited to see you up and about.”

Sure enough, after the woman gently woke the child, his whole face lit up when his eyes landed on Joey.

“Joey!”

“Christopher!”

Joey limped over and plopped down on the side of the bed. Christopher threw his arms around Joey in a big hug.

“That accident looked really bad,” Christopher said.

“Yea? Well, you should have been in the middle of it. It’s kind of like playing bumper cars with monster trucks,” Joey chuckled.

Christopher laughed at Joey’s joke. Seto leaned back against the wall. He could tell that Joey knew Christopher and his mother very well. It was obvious in the way the conversation flowed naturally and the young boy laughed at the jokes. Even when their conversation shifted to a more serious topic, it was still light.

“How’s the pain today, buddy?” Joey asked, gently.

Christopher smiled. “It’s okay. The doctor says I get to go home soon.”

“That’s good. You know you don’t look half bad, kiddo. Maybe even a little better than me.”

Small laugh. “My arm isn’t in a sling and brace.”

Joey shared the laugh with him. It was then that Christopher glanced around Joey and spotted Seto. He turned his smile back to Joey.

“Is that your new sponsor?” Christopher asked.

Joey glanced over his shoulder, winking at him in secret, before waving him over.

“Sort of. Christopher, this is Seto. Seto, this is my little buddy Christopher Marlo and his mom,” Joey introduced.

Seto shook the hand that Christopher held out to him. He did the same across the bed with his mother.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Seto said.

Seto learned that Christopher was the first child Joey had met through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Joey had been the one to give Christopher the bandana he wore on top of his head. Seto was curious as to how sick the child was, but he didn’t dare ask. Instead Christopher volunteered the information.

“I have leukemia. I’ve been in and out of the hospital for a long time.”

Seto smiled at him. “You’re very brave, Christopher.”

“That’s what Joey tells me,” Christopher replied.

Joey smiled when he felt Seto squeeze his good arm.

/……/

[10 weeks later]

“Joey?”

Joey looked up from pulling his gloves on. He was down in the pits readying for the race. Mokuba was down there with him before leaving for his private seating area.

“What’s up, kid?” Joey asked.

Mokuba pointed somewhere up in the stands.

“Does that look like…Yugi?”

Joey’s gaze snapped up the crowd, his gaze scanning the crowd for the familiar tri-hair colored figure. Sure enough, he thought he could see it too. He turned and yelled over to Mac.

“Dude, throw me the eyes!”

Mac snatched up the binoculars and tossed them over to Joey. The blonde raised them and zoomed in on the crowd. The “eyes” confirmed it. Settling down into their seats was the old gang of Yugi, Yami and the others. Even Teá the friendship queen was there.

“Fuck.”

“I certainly hope you don’t use that kind of language in front of the press.”

Mokuba and Joey both jumped at the sound of Seto’s voice. He glanced upwards before looking back at them.

“What are you looking at?” Seto asked.

Joey passed him off the binoculars on his way to grab his helmet.

“Look left from the flags and below the announcers about halfway down,” Joey said, before pulling on his helmet.

Seto followed the directions and spotted what his brother and lover had spotted. Unknown to the two of them, Seto had already known they were coming. He had used a special program to flag their passports and credit cards to alert him when certain purchases were made. He knew they had arrived in the U.S. a few days ago and had bought tickets to the race shortly after it was announced Joey would be racing.

Lowering the binoculars, Seto turned back to his lover. He walked over to him, handing him back the piece of equipment. Joey shot him a confused look. Turning halfway away from him, Seto pointed to a place below them. Joey brought the binoculars up and lowered its gaze down below his ex-friends. There in the front row was little Christopher with his parents and big brother Adam. He had his Red Eyes Black Dragon bandana on top of his head and a big grin on his face.

Joey lowered the binoculars with a small smile on his face. Seto smiled at him while taking the binoculars back.

“Ignore them. They’re not here, Pup. Christopher is here. He’s here to watch his hero race.”

Joey’s grin lifted into an even bigger one.

“You give him the best damn race he’s ever seen, you hear me?” Seto told him.

Joey nodded before slamming his visor shut and heading for his car.

/……/

“Well, it’s a great day for a race out here at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia. Ain’t it, Phil?”

“You got that right, Hank! And the buzz on everyone’s lips is the return of Kaiba Corp’s own Joey Wheeler. It’s his first race back since his accident in August.”

“You’re right, Phil. We’re all asking the same question. Is today the day Joey Wheeler takes home a first place win?”

“Wheeler is starting out near the back of the pack. I’ll guess we’ll have to wait and see. And they’re off!”

The pace car moved out of the way and the cars shot off the block, whizzing by at high speeds. Tuning everything out, Joey followed Mac’s usual advice of pacing himself and being patient. Slowly, bit by bit, he moved up through the ranking. Early on in the first half of the race, a car smacked the wall and the pace car came out. Half the cars had gone to the pits while Joey was still out on the track; this gave him a great opportunity to advance quite a few slots.

A few laps later and an accident erupted. Luckily, Joey was far back enough from them that Mac was able to warn him ahead of time.

“Debris to the inside and grass. Go high, J!”

Joey shot around everything and avoided getting taken out too. Nearly the end of the race, he was up to third place and closing in fast on the two leaders.

“Joey, how ya doing on fuel? Do you think you can make it?”

Joey glanced at the gauge. He was getting close. The second place car looked to be heading for the pits. He knew the white flag would be going as soon as Busch crossed the line up ahead.

“I’m good, Mac! I’m going for it!”

“Get ‘er done, boy! We’ll see you at the finish line!”

Joey had been right in his prediction of second place. The driver moved off into the pits, leaving Joey and Busch the leaders, especially after second got jammed up in his pit. They passed the line and the white flag was waved. Time seemed to pass by so fast as he neared the finish.

Throughout the lap, Joey stayed close on the tail of Busch’s car, nearly touching it with the front of his car. Nearing the last loop, Joey cut around to the inside and they were neck and neck. Both drivers were giving it all they got. In an instant, their cars touched and a tire started smoking. Joey didn’t have time to wonder if it was his tire or Busch’s. They were coming up on the finish line. He could see the checkered flag and…

WHOOSH! Across the finish line, they went.

It took Joey a while for the adrenaline to calm down enough for him to realize that Mac and the whole team were screaming in excitement in his ear. He was grinning from ear to ear. He had done it. Finally, he got his first place win.

Everything was a blur as he moved from car to standing with his trophy and the reporter, Jen Weathers.

“Joey Wheeler, you’ve just won the Martinsville 500 Fall Race. Your first First Place win. How are you feeling?”

Joey had a huge, ear-splitting grin on his face.

“I’m feeling really good, Jen. I came out here today with high expectations to perform well. My team was great, my Crew Chief kept me on point, and I guess today was my day,” he said.

Jen shared a smile with him.

“After you’ve won today, how do you plan to celebrate before the next big race?”

Joey smiled as he glanced over at his jump-happy team.

“Well, I’m going to treat the team to dinner tonight, but that’s going to come later. First, I’m going to check on McCall and Roberts. Make sure they’re both okay after that crash from earlier. And then I’m going to keep a promise to a special little person who was able to be out here with us today.”

Jen asked him a few questions before thanking him for the chat and leaving. Joey met up with the Crew Chiefs from both crashed teams. He was pleased to hear that both drivers were okay. After that, he met up with little Christopher. He scooped the boy up into his arms before placing him back down on his feet.

“You did it! You won!” Christoper cheered.

Joey patted the top of his bandana..

“Well, you know why that is,” Joey replied.

Christopher scrunched up his face in confusion. He shook his head. Joey knelt down to his level.

“I had my good luck charm here with me,” Joey explained, winking.

It only took a few seconds for Christopher to understand before his grin stretched out across his face from ear to ear. Joey told him he had a special surprise for him.

“What?”

Joey tilted his head over his shoulder to his racecar.

“How’d you like to take a ride around the track?” he asked.

Mokuba had already gotten approval from his sponsor, the track people, and the boy’s parents. The young businessman had told Joey after he had congratulated him on his win. Christopher shot the car a nervous look.

“Are we…going to go fast?” Christopher asked.

Joey shook his head.

“Nah. We’ll make it a nice and slow long way around.”

Christopher gladly accepted when he heard that. While Joey walked off to get Christopher ready for his special ride, Seto was running interference with Yami.

“We want to see him,” Yami said.

Seto’s eyebrows narrowed down.

“And what makes any of you think you have any right to make such a request?” Seto demanded.

Yami glared.

“We’re his friends,” he sneered.

“Were his friends. I don’t recall any of you offering to testify in his defense or congratulating him when he was released. I doubt any of you even believed he was innocent,” Seto said while maintaining his calm demeanor.

Given the dark look Yami shot him, Seto knew he had hit the nail on the head.

“Don’t you think, in the eight years he has been away, that if he wanted to contact you he would have? You dismissed Wheeler. You didn’t even try to chase after him or find him. You can’t choose to end things and then try and pick it up years later. That’s not fair to him,” Seto told him.

“What do you know about fair, Kaiba? You aren’t even friends!”

Seto smirked. If only they knew. The last ten weeks had allowed him to open up further to the blonde and their relationship to blossom. He had enjoyed keeping his Puppy’s mind off racing while he healed.

“I have made mistakes in the past and I have made my peace with him. He has forgiven me which is more than I can say for you, Get lost, Yami. You’re not a part of his life anymore.”

It was obvious his words stung, but Yami simply stepped back and departed. Seto turned around to walk away. As he came around the corner, he was surprised to hear his name called. He turned and found Yugi standing there. The short male had a small rectangular case in his hands.

“Can you give this to Joey? I thought he might like it back,” Yugi said, holding out the case to him.

Seto reached out and took it. He opened it to find Joey’s old dueling deck. He lifted an eyebrow at Yugi.

“Joey left it in his locker. During the trial, the officers went through his locker. When they didn’t find anything to help their case, they left the contents in the office with the Principal. I asked the Principal for his deck and she gave it to me. I’ve been holding onto it until I could give it to him,” Yugi explained.

Seto nodded to him as he placed the case carefully in his jacket pocket. Yugi turned and started to walk away. He stopped when Seto called his name. He turned back to look at the older male.

“Do you still have Mokuba’s number?”

Yugi nodded.

“Call him tomorrow and ask for my number. I’ll talk to Joey. He’ll probably want to thank you for taking care of his deck and returning it.”

A small smile eased onto Yugi’s face.

“Thanks, Kaiba.”

[1] – When the shit hits the fan, for those left confused.
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