Let's Talk: Part Two

By: KitsuneArasi

Disclaimer: I still don't owwwwwn them.

Review responses are at the end.

Part Two: Seto

Kaiba Seto was in a mood.

Not a good mood.

A bad mood.

The CEO huffed impatiently to himself as he leaned against the trunk of the tree closest to the school's gate-all the better to block his puppy's escape attempts.

He'd seen them the other day.

He'd always been curious as to why his puppy was always the one to stay late after last period gym, always finding some excuse to busy himself rather than taking a shower, then heading for the shower just as the last person was leaving.

Seto had worked up an excuse of his own to stay just as late as the blonde without his knowledge and watched from behind a corner as Jou entered the shower.

What he saw shocked him.

He had expected the blonde to bear some old battle scars, having known already about Jou's previous criminal involvement…but those wounds weren't old, and they certainly weren't gained in any sort of battle.

So Jounouchi Katsuya's father had been abusing him.

It wasn't as if Seto hadn't done some basic research to learn about Jou's family situation and his father's alcoholism…

But somehow, Seto had never expected Jou to be an abused child.

Jou just seemed too…strong for that.

One thing was damned certain-it was going to stop.

xXx

So here he was, waiting for the dirty-blonde to emerge from the school so he could speak with him- hopefully away from the usual crowd.

He was really not in the mood to share.

At the sight of the anxious, approaching blonde he straightened a bit.

"So…whaddaya want from me, Kaiba? I ain't got all day."

"Come with me." He intoned, his voice brooking no argument as he lead the way to a more secluded area.

On the off chance that the other boy should get loud and ornery about the subject, it was better that they converse in a quieter area.

"All right, now what?"

"I saw the scars."

"You saw the what?"

"The scars."

"What scars are ya talkin' about, moneybags?" The blonde was confused. He honestly had no idea that anyone could possibly have seen what he kept secret.

"Yours, Jounouchi. I'm talking about your scars."

"Ya—what! How the hell did ya—the only way ya coulda—ya mean ya—ya watched me and-and—ya can't—nobody's supposed ta—"

"Know? Is that what you're saying? No one is supposed to find out that your drunk fool of a father beats you senseless every time you say something that doesn't make sense to his dull mind?"

"That's—"

"I'm right, aren't I? So why don't make it into a little game. I'll guess what he's done to net you a few of the more prominent scars, and you tell me if I'm right or wrong."

"Ya-"

"There was one shaped like a huge sunburst on your back. He threw the bottle at you while you were turning to walk away."

Jou winced, "Th-"

"So I'm right. The one across your pectorals, that runs in a narrowed horizontal 'x'. You tried to get the bottle away from him, it smashed, and he swung at you with one of the larger pieces."

Jou was shaking now. Kaiba could tell he was about to snap. The terror in his eyes alone was enough of a signal…but he had to get this last one out. The one scar that all at once made him want to hold his puppy close and brutally murder his father with his bare hands.

"The largest one-right here," he reached out to touch Jou's stomach, "The only way that could have happened is if he held you down and carved it into your skin."

Jou's tears spilled over as he took a swing at the older male, his hand getting caught in a warm palm,"The fuck is your problem! It's none a your damn business what happens to me! D'ya think it's funny! Do ya! Is that what this is about? Ya doin' this ta remind me what it's like to live in hell!"

"No, puppy." The brunette murmured softly, pulling the other into his chest and wrapping his arms around him, overpowering the struggling boy.

"What the fuck d'ya care for….?" Jou slumped a bit, feeling as if the world was weighing him down. Kaiba knew. The guy he liked knew. He'd even detailed how Jou had attained three of his permanent wounds. And now here he was, holding him. What did this mean?

…And if Kaiba had seen what the old man cut into his stomach…

But Kaiba cut him off at the pass.

"I care because you aren't worthless, puppy. And I plan on proving it to you. You are going to take me home with you and I am going to have a nice "talk" with your father as you gather your things."

"Wh-what? I-"

"You're moving in with Mokuba and I."

"…Kaiba?" the blonde looked up at him, eyes wide.

"You're mine, pup. No one touches anything that's mine."

"Yours? What the hell are ya goin' on about?" his tone was as caustic as ever, but hope was shining clearly in his eyes.

A slight smirk formed on Kaiba's lips as he bowed his head to place a soft kiss on his puppy's lips, "I love you, you idiot. Now come on," he released the blonde before taking his hand and leading him toward the gate, where his car was waiting, "let's get your things."

Jou smiled a little and squeezed Kaiba's hand as he took up a slight jog to match his new boyfriend's longer stride.

I love you, too.

End.
A/N: Thank you for reading, and once again, please tell me what you think!

Responses:

Thanks to Youko, AnimeGurl1217, pennypigeon, lifedoesnotalwaysrule, AliceandFiby, CT, and kioto for being such sweethearts and reviewing. I read each a minimum of four times.

Bruise Lee for upercutting me into shape...even if I was planning on updating in a week, so nyah. :P

And TasteyWithMustard for leaving such a nice review. I'm glad I could make your day that much brighter. I didn't think anyone would ever actually thank me for not requiring reviews. So thank you.

Love you all!

Chu.