Chapter Text
This has got to be the most boring party Joey’s ever been invited to. OK, not invited, exactly. But at least “member of waitstaff” is a tiny step up from “gatecrasher.”
It’s so boring, in fact, that Joey wonders if Kaiba is losing his touch. Oh sure, there was the massive ice sculpture of a Blue-Eyes out front. But if you look past that, and ignore Rich Boy’s punchable face plastered over every square inch of wall, this little shindig is no different than any of the countless others Joey has worked over the past few months. There’s some frou-frou music tinkling in the background, and all the suits look bored out of their skulls. What do they have to complain about, anyway? They’re loaded! Joey’s over here dealing with real problems.
Problems like what fresh insults Kaiba will throw his way, once he sees what Joey has been reduced to lately. When Joey learned that his catering company was hired for some fancy-schmancy gig at KaibaCorp HQ, he almost quit on the spot. But he needs this job if he wants to keep taking care of Serenity. So, he swallowed his pride, strapped on his monkey suit with the vest and bow tie, and sucked it up.
At least it hasn’t been too bad so far. He’s just gotta keep his head down and get tonight over with. Just ignore that ember of humiliation that flares up every time a pair of eyes skip over him, like Joey’s nothing more than a piece of furniture to these rich snobs. Suck it up, he tells himself. Only another hour to go. Maybe he can go the whole night without running into Kaiba.
“Hey, Wheeler!”
Joey cringes internally. So much for that plan.
“Kaiba!” Joey turns around to greet the man in question. He’s handsome as ever in a steel gray suit that really brings out the blue of his eyes. But he’s also as closed off as ever, arms crossed stubbornly in front of him.
“That’s ‘Mr. Kaiba’ to you, dweeb.” Addressing a man wearing an earpiece and sunglasses, Kaiba loudly asks, “Who let the mutt in? I thought I smelled wet dog.”
“Scram, jerk. I’m workin’ here.” Joey flips the empty serving tray through his hands and resists the urge to beat Kaiba over the head with it.
Kaiba rakes his eyes over him, putting the pieces together as he observes Joey’s uniform. “Ah, so you’ve finally learned that your place is serving your betters. Submission looks good on you, Wheeler.”
“Heh, you know me.” Joey shrugs, letting the insults roll off his back. “I’m a people pleaser.”
Kaiba’s mouth quirks up. “Funny, I thought you were more of a talentless hack who washed out of the pro circuit.”
“Hey, watch your mouth, Rich Boy!” Joey white-knuckles the serving tray. Reign it in, he thinks, don’t make a scene… But people are already starting to stare.
“What can I say?” Kaiba sneers. “I knew you weren’t cut out to be a pro duelist. Once a loser, always a loser.”
Joey racks his brain for a comeback. “Hey now, Moneybags, you’re just mad because Yugi kicked your butt to the moon and back. Who’s the loser now?”
Kaiba waves his hand dismissively. “That’s old news, Wheeler.”
“Is it?” Joey says with a smirk. “I’m talking about your little exhibition match last month. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already! Although, you humiliated yourself so bad, I’m not surprised you’re trying to repress the memory.”
Now, that got a reaction out of him. A clenched fist, a throbbing vein in his temple: all cracks in Kaiba’s perfect facade. A small crowd is gathering around them now, like sharks smelling blood in the water. Good. Kaiba wanted a show? Joey’ll give him a show. He spreads his arms wide, addressing the crowd.
“You all saw it, right? Saw Yugi beat him fair and square?” Joey stalks up to Kaiba, invading his precious bubble of personal space. “And right in front of the Pharaoh, too. Told you Atem’s not the only King of Games.”
Kaiba’s face contorts into something ugly before he gets it back under control. “A meaningless fluke,” he says, waving Joey away with his hand. “He got lucky, that’s all.”
“Didn’t look that way to me. Looked like he was leading you by the nose the entire duel. And you say I look good on my knees!” Joey gives a flirtatious wink. “Takes one to know one, Kaiba.”
If Joey didn’t know better, he would swear that Rich Boy went a little red just then. Nah, trick of the light. Or maybe he’s going red from the exertion of not punching Joey in the face.
“I’m not even going to dignify that with a response,” Kaiba sniffs, before he turns on his heel and struts away.
Joey should let him go, but… aww, fuck it. Restraint has never really been his thing, and he’s tired of letting rich assholes like Kaiba walk all over him.
“You know, Kaiba, there’s a little rumor going around,” Joey calls after him. “That something else was on the line besides your massive ego. People are saying you’ve got the hots for the Pharaoh, and that’s why you challenged his boyfriend to a duel.” Joey laughs mockingly. “It must be so frustrating for you! Yugi and Atem are so happy together, and you’re all alone. Sad.”
Kaiba freezes halfway through Joey’s little speech, hands balled into fists. Back still facing Joey, Kaiba glares at him out of the corner of one slitted eye.
“Fuck off, loser.”
“Ooo, striking a nerve, eh?” Joey grins. If Kaiba’s been reduced to swearing, he must be really upset. Joey goes in for the kill. “There’s more rumors too, you know, about what Yugi made you do when you lost. I heard something about a dog tail and ears. Are there pictures? Can I see?”
Kaiba doesn’t say anything, just flips him the bird and walks away.
Again, Joey should let him go, but the thrill of getting under Kaiba’s perfect skin is too much to resist.
“What’s the matter, Rich Boy, can’t take a little joke? You started it!” Joey shouts. “Try taking that stick out of your ass sometime. Or better yet, put something more fun up it instead. Maybe if you actually got laid once in a while, you wouldn’t be so cranky.”
Kaiba’s back tenses, and for a moment, Joey wonders if he’s going to turn around and punch him in the face. Did he go too far? Nah, Kaiba deserves it. Anyway, Rich Boy doesn’t look too upset as he beckons to the goon with the earpiece and sunglasses.
“What was the name of tonight’s catering company, again?” Kaiba asks in a smooth voice. The man whispers something in his ear, and Kaiba nods. “Cross them off the list for next time. KaibaCorp shouldn’t be associated with them, if this is the kind of riff-raff they employ.” He throws Joey an evil smirk over his shoulder and struts away.
Ah, shit. Figures he would pull something like that. Joey was so caught up in their verbal sparring that he didn’t stop to think about the consequences. His boss is going to kill him.
Joey slinks off to the kitchen, ignoring the dispersing crowd’s snide glances and loudly-whispered remarks. Needs to refill his tray, anyhow. And think of a way to explain things to his boss.
Shit. He is so fired.
Seto Kaiba downs the glass of champagne in one long gulp.
“More,” he growls.
The diminutive waitress squeaks in protest, “Um, I’ll have to get more from the back…”
“Don’t bother. I’ll go.” And Kaiba stalks off in the direction of the kitchens.
“Mr. Kaiba, sir, are you certain this is a good—“
“It’s fine, Roland. I know what I’m doing.” Better to have his shareholders think that their fearless leader had one too many to drink. If those vipers knew that the mutt had actually gotten to him…
“And Roland,” Kaiba pauses his stride. “I didn’t think it was KaibaCorp policy to employ canaries. Take care of it, would you?” Those rumors the mongrel had been yapping on about… distressingly accurate. Need to nip that in the bud.
“Of course, sir. Right away, sir.”
“No, not right away, you—“ Kaiba heaves a deep sigh. “Just make sure no one follows me, got it?” And he sets off once more to the kitchen.
“Very well, Mr. Kaiba.”
Chin up, eyes forward. Breathe in, breathe out. Satisfied that he is still in control of himself, Kaiba makes a show of stumbling over his own feet. Not too much, just enough to sell the story. Got a bit tipsy at his own party, that’s all.
Now to make it actually true. And maybe the alcohol will dull the itch of humiliation crawling all over his skin.
Stupid stupid stupid!
Bent over the sink, Joey splashes water on his face. What on earth was he thinking, provoking Kaiba like that! He wasn’t thinking, that’s the simple fact. Joey Wheeler never thinks.
With a sigh, Joey eyes his empty serving tray. Better get back out there; he can’t hide in the kitchen forever. He musters up what’s left of his dignity and prepares to face that sea of judgmental faces.
“Oh, great. You’re still here. I thought we tossed you out with the rest of the garbage.”
“Kaiba,” Joey growls, gripping the sink with both hands. He turns around to see Mr. Moneybags himself, holding a half-empty champagne glass in one hand. “What are you doing in here. Are you following me?”
Kaiba smirks, his pale face flush with intoxication. “In your dreams, Wheeler. I own this place, I go where I want.”
Grumbling, Joey fills his tray with full glasses of champagne. “Just leave me alone,” he mutters.
“No, no, I want to see what mutts get up to in their spare time.”
Joey grits his teeth. “Lay off, Kaiba. You’re gonna get me fired.”
“Oh?” There’s that smug smirk again. “I thought that was a given. Apologize to me, and maybe I’ll put a good word in for you at the city dump.”
“Is that all you want, an apology?” Joey snorts. “I’m sorry, alright? I didn’t mean half the things I said. Good enough for ya?”
“Not even close,” Kaiba purrs. He downs the rest of the champagne in a single gulp and sets the glass down gently, eyes blazing with malice.
All of Joey’s alarm bells are blazing. Danger! Danger! He glances around, but there’s no one here. No witnesses. Shit. Where did all the kitchen staff go? Kaiba’s not gonna, like, stab him, is he? Finally take their years of animosity out of the realm of card games and into the streets? Joey balls his fist. Let him try; he can take ’im.
Kaiba takes a step closer, blocking off Joey’s escape route. Joey’s mind races, trying to think of a way out of this mess.
“What do you want me to do, eh, Kaiba? Get on my knees and beg for forgiveness?”
“That would be a good start.” Kaiba’s sharp blue eyes bore into him. Joey gulps.
Oh, this is bad. A familiar tingling feeling creeps into Joey’s loins. You’d think he’d be over his little crush by now, but one look from Kaiba was enough to remind Joey why he had the hots for this rich jerk in the first place.
“Um, please?” Joey bites the inside of his cheek and pictures the most unsexy thing he can think of. Yugi’s grandpa in a tutu, that’ll do it. Because if Kaiba sees him pop a boner now… Well, Joey’ll probably die of shame on the spot.
A low chuckle, as Kaiba takes another step closer. “Come now, you can do better than that.”
Joeys head spins. Surely he is misinterpreting the situation. Surely there is some other reason why Kaiba is getting so close to him. You know, besides the obvious. Kaiba’s not gay! And even if he was, surely Joey Wheeler is the last person on the planet he’d go for.
But all rational explanations are slowly leaving the building as Kaiba backs Joey up to the sink, placing a hand down on the counter on either side of his hips.
“Please, Mr. Kaiba? Sir?”
“Better.”
Kaiba’s mouth is so close, Joey can feel his breath ghosting on his skin. He’s so damned close, but still not actually touching him. But unless that’s a knife in his pocket, Joey is pretty sure Kaiba doesn’t want to stab him. Not in that way, at least.
Holy fuck. Is this actually happening? Joey pinches his leg to make sure. Nope, Kaiba is still there, inches in front of him, radiating heat from every surface. Joeys mind goes blank. What’s a guy to do when his greatest fantasy is staring him in the face?
Kaiba leans over to whisper in Joey’s ear, close enough to touch, but still frustratingly not. “Did you mean what you said before, Wheeler?”
“Huh?” Joey racks his frazzled brain. “I said a lot of things before.”
Kaiba lets out a soft chuckle. “About being a people pleaser.”
“Oh, that? Yeah, I guess…” Joey licks his lips and tries to avoid looking at Kaiba’s.
Kaiba smirks. “Then please me.”
And then Kaiba’s mouth is crashing into his, and all rational thought flees Joey’s brain.
Kaiba. Is kissing him.
Kaiba? Is kissing…him?
And Joey isn’t even wearing a dog costume this time!
Can’t be a dream then. Because holy fuck, this is way better than a dream. The fact that it’s actually happening, for one thing. And then there’s all the physical sensations lighting him on fire. Joey’s slightly stubbly chin, scratching against Kaiba’s clean-shaven one. The sweet taste of wine on Kaiba’s lips. That musky aroma, probably some thousand-dollar cologne but Joey doesn’t even care because it’s driving him crazy.
Joey winds his hand around Kaiba’s neck, trying to pull him closer. But Kaiba knocks his hand away.
“Did I say you could touch me?”
“Uhhh, it was kinda implied?” Joey says, annoyed. Kaiba knows that he touched Joey first, right? He can’t be that drunk.
“Well, don’t.”
Kaiba may be a bit tipsy, but he’s sober enough to snatch Joey’s wrists in a crushing grip and pin them to the counter. Holy fuck. Joey’s erection throbs even harder. Sure, he could probably buck Kaiba off if he really wanted to. But he doesn’t want to. Fuck, what is wrong with him?
And then Kaiba claims his lips again. It’s rough, wet, and sloppy, and Joey has never been so turned on in his life. And as long as Kaiba’s tongue is probing every inch of Joey’s mouth, he can’t use it to spew more insults. Though at this point, that would probably only turn Joey on more. Shit, he’s got it bad.
A hand gropes at Joey’s ass through his pants. “Whoa, whoa, hey!” Joey wrenches his hands free and shoves Kaiba away. But not too far; it’s like there’s some invisible force binding them together. Joey smiles weakly. “Shouldn’t we talk about this?”
Kaiba’s eyes are dark with need. “What else is there to say.”
And Kaiba dives back in, going for Joey’s neck this time, pulling back his lapel for better access. Joey pants and whines as Kaiba sucks on his neck; that’s gonna be a massive hickey tomorrow. He’s marking me, Joey thinks deliriously. Claiming me as his own. The thought makes Joey’s dick throb in his pants, harder than ever. This is going to be a problem soon.
“At least…buy me dinner first!” Joey’s breath comes in choked gasps. No matter what his words say, he doesn’t actually want Kaiba to stop. “Not like you—gah—can’t afford it.”
“Seriously, Wheeler?” Kaiba pulls back and gives Joey an incredulous look. His lips are all puffy and wet with saliva, and it’s all Joey can do to stop from kissing him again. Kaiba grins seductively. “Besides, aren’t you the one who said I needed to get laid?”
“Yeah, but I wasn’t exactly volunteering!” Stop talking, Joey berates himself. Why on earth is he trying to talk Kaiba out of this? But he finds himself saying, “I’m not just some cheap floozy to get your rocks off with, Rich Boy. I’m very high class.” Joey sticks his nose in the air.
“High class? You? Don’t make me laugh.” Kaiba drives his thigh between Joey’s legs, rubbing directly against his erection. “Besides, you seem to be enjoying this plenty. How long have you dreamed of this, I wonder? Since Battle City? Since Duelist Kingdom? I’m just giving you what we both know you want.”
“That’s—!” Completely accurate. Kaiba has been a steady fixture in Joey’s fantasies for years, ever since their first duel, even before Joey admitted to himself that men turn his head, just like women do. In fact, you could even say that Kaiba was his bisexual awakening. But Joey’s not going to tell him that!
Time to shift tack. “Yeah, well.” Joey thrusts his hips forward, rubbing his own bulge against the matching one in Kaiba’s pants. “I’m not the only one enjoying it.”
Kaiba shakes his head with a little laugh. “Then stop talking and enjoy it with me.”
“Yes sir,” Joey grumbles.
“Good boy.”
And then Kaiba is on him again, sucking on his bottom lip, tugging on his hair, and Joey wishes he could run his hands through Kaiba’s hair too, but he said not to, Kaiba doesn’t like being touched, and Joey wants more than anything to be a good boy for him. Shit, if he thought insults from Kaiba were hot, hearing praise from him is even better.
The wandering hand is back, slipping inside Joey’s slacks and squeezing his ass. “Shit, Kaiba, wait!” Joey sputters, pushing him away half-heartedly. “If you do that now, I’m gonna—!” Come in his pants? Maybe. What was that about dying of shame?
“No self-control, I see. We’ll fix that.”
What’s that supposed to mean? Joey casts his gaze around the room. Still deserted. But someone could walk in at any moment.
Kaiba slips a second hand inside Joey’s pants and rubs insistently. Joey bites back a moan, but he caught that triumphant gleam in Kaiba’s eye. If he didn’t already know that Joey’s ass is his weak spot, he sure does now.
“Look,” Joey pants, holding onto his last shred of restraint. “I’m not complainin’ or anything, but, like, here?”
“Hmph.” Is Kaiba pouting? But he withdraws his hands from Joey’s pants, and Joey isn’t sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed. “For once, you make a fair point, Wheeler. Let’s go.”
And then Kaiba grabs Joey’s wrist and practically drags him through a steel door off to their left.
“Whoa.” It’s the biggest pantry Joey has ever seen, shelves stocked sky high with canned goods, bottles of cooking oil, and shiny steel appliances. Is that a fucking ladder? What kind of pantry needs a ladder?
Apparently, the kind of pantry that has a lock on the inside of the door.
“Uhhh, Kaiba?” Joey asks nervously as Kaiba turns the latch, locking them in together. “Where are we?”
“You’re not that dumb, are you?” But Kaiba sees Joey eyeing the doorknob and sighs. “Doubles as a panic room. Standard issue for all small rooms at KaibaCorp HQ.”
“Oh.”
Kaiba rolls his eyes and steps away from the door. “I thought you didn’t want to be interrupted, Wheeler. But if you want to leave, be my guest.”
Joey crosses his arms, and Kaiba smirks.
“I’ll take that as a no, then.”
“And what about you, Rich Boy?” Joey approaches Kaiba slowly, smiling in what he hopes is a seductive manner. “You wanna roll around in the mud? I thought you didn’t like to get your hands dirty.”
Kaiba’s lips twitch into a half-smirk, and he snakes his arm around Joey’s waist, pulling him closer. “You’re up to date on all your shots, aren’t you, mutt? I’ll need to take a flea bath afterwards, I suppose, but that’s a small price to pay.”
And then Kaiba’s lips are on his again, and he’s kissing him slowly, sensually, too fucking slowly! Joey whines into Kaiba’s mouth and humps wantonly against him, desperate for any sort of friction. For fuck’s sake, what is he waiting for!
Kaiba grips his hair and drags Joey’s head away from him, a string of saliva connecting their lips. “Down boy,” he says in a commanding voice.
Joey obeys, dropping to his knees instantly. Shit, he must look pathetic. Kaiba certainly looks pleased.
“You like it when people boss you around, don’t you?” Kaiba pokes at Joey’s thigh with a polished leather shoe.
Joey’s face goes hot with shame. “And what if I do?”
“Thought so.”
Joey struggles to maintain his defiant expression, but that’s very difficult when Kaiba’s crotch is two inches from his face. And then Kaiba starts to undo his belt buckle, and Joey practically salivates in anticipation. Kaiba’s fingers work quickly, like he’s just as impatient as Joey is. And then, finally, he reaches into his pants and—
“Holy fuck, Kaiba. You’re gorgeous.”
It’s the most beautiful cock Joey has ever seen, and he’s seen a few in his time. A bead of precum glimmers at the tip, and Joey shoves down the urge to lap it up. Be a good boy, he chastises himself. He stares at it instead, memorizing every considerable inch. It’s long, thick, and all for him. In short, it’s perfect.
“Can I suck you?” It comes out all breathy and desperate, but Joey couldn’t care less. He needs that thing in his mouth, now.
“Only if you ask nicely.” Kaiba’s eyes sparkle with amusement. What a tease. But two can play at that game.
Joey pitches his voice up, playing the naive schoolboy. “Please, Mr. Kaiba, sir. Can I take you in my mouth and suck you hard until you cum?”
“Hmm. Do you promise to swallow?” Barely a quiver in Kaiba’s voice. Better take it up a notch.
“Yes, anything for you,” Joey answers, with only the barest hint of sarcasm.
“Good, my dry cleaning bill is high enough as it is.”
Dry cleaning? He’s thinking about dry cleaning, at a time like this? Sheesh, Kaiba must have the patience of a saint. Either that, or he’s the biggest cocktease ever. But Joey’s not going to disobey and touch him without permission. He’s a good boy.
“Pleeeease,” Joey whines. “Please use my mouth like the slut that I am.”
Kaiba smirks. “Open up, then.” And he slowly feeds Joey his cock.
The first velvety touch hits his lips, and Joey is in heaven. Let lightning strike him down now; he’ll die a happy man. He swirls his tongue around the head, just the way he likes it himself. This rewards him with a deep groan as Kaiba grabs his hair and pulls him closer.
“Mmm, not bad, Wheeler. Finally, something you’re better at than card games.” Kaiba may act like he’s unaffected, but Joey caught the little hitch in his voice. He’s starting to come undone.
Determine to show Kaiba what he can do, Joey pulls up for air, then dives back in. He starts bobbing shallowly, making sure to use lots of tongue. A thought occurs to him, and he tentatively grasps the base of Kaiba’s cock in his hand. He braces himself for an admonishment, but nothing comes. Emboldened by his success, Joey settles into a familiar rhythm, bobbing his head up and down in time with his hand.
Kaiba curls his hand into Joey’s hair and moans. “Oh fuck, Wheeler, that’s good.”
Not quite the same as “good boy,” but close enough. The praise goes straight to Joey’s neglected cock. Unable to resist any longer, he slips his free hand down and rubs himself through his pants.
Asshole that he is, Kaiba kicks his hand away. “Did I say you could touch yourself?” he snarls.
Joey pops himself off Kaiba’s cock and glares up at him. “Seriously?”
Kaiba kicks his hand again, more lightly this time, but still. “Self-control, mutt.”
Joey crosses his arms and pouts. “But I can touch you, right?”
“Of course, idiot.”
Joey rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t need to be told twice. He dives back in, wrapping both hands around Kaiba’s cock. Won’t be tempted this way, he thinks peevishly.
But Kaiba won’t let him have this one simple thing. No longer content to let Joey do as he pleases, he grabs the back of Joey’s head with both hands. Kaiba controls the pace now, and he starts slow, but gradually picks up speed until he is fucking Joey’s mouth with enthusiasm.
Joey lets his hands drop to his sides and relaxes his jaw, surrendering himself to the act. It shouldn’t turn him on so much to be used like this, little more than a fuck doll for Kaiba’s pleasure, but who gives a fuck about “shouldn’t.” The time for questioning the ins and outs of his fraught sexuality was three years ago, not now, when he’s got God’s most perfect cock filling his mouth.
But nothing good lasts forever, and Kaiba’s breathing starts to gets heavier. He’s close.
“Yes, that’s—oh fuck—!” And with that, Kaiba cums down his throat.
Joey takes it like a champ, not spilling a single drop. It tastes good, a lot better than some of the guys he’s had before, smokers and shit. Figures. Kaiba is probably as anal about his own health as he is about everything else. Bet he has his own private chef and everything. Not that Joey is complaining, especially if this is gonna be more than a one time thing.
Panting in satisfaction, Joey leans back against the pantry cabinet. Yup, that really just happened. Joey Wheeler made Seto Kaiba come like a waterfall. And no matter what happens after this, Kaiba will never be able to take that away from him.
Too bad Kaiba doesn’t look as zonked out as Joey feels. Does nothing phase this guy, or what? He’s already tucked himself back into his pants, and now he’s straightening his tie. It looks like nothing even happened between them. Kaiba cracks his neck, then turns and unlatches the lock.
“Hey!” Joey protests, scrambling to get up. But his legs have gone numb from kneeling so long, and he stumbles and falls back to the floor. “Where do you think you’re going?!”
Kaiba doesn’t answer, just smirks down at him from on high. Joey hates it. Never has the difference in power between them been more apparent. Kaiba looks completely unruffled, as if he didn’t just come down Joey’s throat, and Joey is lying there, hair mussed, bow tie askew, unable to even stand up.
Kaiba turns the doorknob.
“Hey, just wait a second!” Joey spits out. “Aren’t you gonna do me, too?”
Kaiba smirks. “Finish yourself off, Wheeler.” And he slams the door in Joey’s face.
Face burning hot with shame, Joey slinks through the back door of KaibaCorp HQ. Thank god this place has a servant’s exit. The party is still going strong, and he can’t bring himself to face all those snotty rich jerks. Not after what he just did.
Kaiba’s voice rings in his ears. “Finish yourself off, Wheeler.” And so he did. Alone in that massive pantry, with nothing around to judge him but the microwave, he did. Though on second thought, maybe it’s a good thing Kaiba didn’t stick around after all. At least he didn’t get to see how embarrassingly quickly he came.
And Joey had at least one brain cell left, so he made sure to grab a roll of paper towels from the cabinet first. Made the clean-up easy. His suit is a rental, and unlike Kaiba, Joey can’t afford to pay even a single dry cleaning bill.
“Dry cleaning,” Joey mutters to himself, shaking his head. He’s worked this job long enough to get a handle on the lifestyles of the rich and famous, but some things still baffle him. Like how all these shitheads care about is appearances, but only enough to hide the rot underneath. He vaguely remembers that this event was supposed to be some sort of charity auction. Bet those snobs feel all gooey and charitable now, dangling their money so the monkeys will dance. How’d they get all that money, anyway? By sitting on the backs of honest, hardworking men like himself. And then they see fit to give some of it back and call it generosity. Joey sees right through them. They’re vile, blackhearted snakes, the lot of them.
And Kaiba’s no different. Why should he be? Because he was an orphan once? Because he should know what it’s like, to not know where your next meal is coming from? To have someone depending on you, so you give up your own food so they can eat? Clearly not. Moneybags left his old life in the dirt long ago.
Joey kicks his old beater of a car and instantly regrets it. “Ouch!” He punches the car door and immediately regrets that too. “Son of a—!” He fumbles in his pants for his keys, and then yanks the car door open.
Good thing Kaiba can’t see him now. “Running away with your tail between your legs?” He can almost hear Kaiba’s voice echoing in his head, taunting him. The engine sputters as Joey jams his key into the ignition. “Come on, you—fucking—thing! Gah!” He hits the steering wheel in frustration. His baby needs a tune-up, more than his own measly mechanical skills can provide, but between his gym membership and Serenity’s singing lessons, their savings have been vanishing as quickly as they build up.
“Come on, baby, I’m sorry,” Joey croons as he pets the dashboard. He gives the ignition another try, but the engine only coughs and sputters. “Great, just great.” He leans back against the headrest and stares at the ceiling.
Brrrriiing!
Joey’s cell phone vibrates in his pocket. He fishes it out and wishes he didn’t. MM, aka Mega Mofo, aka Mr. Murphy, his boss. Calling to chew him out for leaving without finishing his shift? Or worse, to fire him for giving his company a bad name in front of every rich asshole in the city?
Jamming his thumb against the cracked screen, Joey accepts the call. “Hello? Mr. Murphy?”
“Wheeler, you’ve got some explaining to do!”
“Uh, what’d I do now?” Best not to give anything away too soon.
“I had no idea you knew Seto Kaiba personally! You need to tell me these things, lad!”
“Uh, sorry. I thought you knew.” Didn’t Joey mention that when he was trying to get out of this gig in the first place? But Mr. Murphy is notoriously forgetful.
“Water under the bridge, my boy, water under the bridge!” Mr. Murphy sounds uncharacteristically happy. Did he really not hear about Joey and Kaiba’s little squabble? This isn’t the way Joey expected this conversation to go.
“So I’m not, like, fired?” Joey asks, not daring to hope too much.
“Fired? Of course not, my boy, you’re being promoted!”
“Huh?” Joey’s mind must be moving too slowly to process words. Because he thought he just heard his boss say “promoted.”
“Yes, lad, to Banquet Captain! After all, it’s thanks to you that Mr. Kaiba agreed to make Murphy’s Catering Kitchen his exclusive contract for all future KaibaCorp galas! And there’s another one next week! We’re gonna be rich!”
“Huh?” Joey’s brain is molasses. None of this makes any sense.
“I don’t know what you said to him, my boy, but you certainly made a big impression. I’ve already dropped a bonus in your bank account. Don’t spend it all in one place!” Click.
A notification dings on Joey’s phone. Sure enough, a new deposit just went through. He has to laugh at Mr. Murphy’s notion of “generosity,” though. It’ll barely cover one grocery trip. But that’s one more grocery trip covered than he had before, so it’s better than nothing. And maybe now he can actually afford to give his baby the care she needs. Bet the guys at Mango Automotive can swing him a discount. He pets the car dashboard fondly.
“Come on, baby, sing for me.” He turns the key in the ignition, more gently this time, and this time, it does the trick. The engine hums to life. “That’s my girl,” Joey croons. “I knew ya wouldn’t quit on me.”
He backs out of his parking spot and gives the shining tower of KaibaCorp HQ one last look. Maybe this night wasn’t so bad after all, he thinks. Maybe there really is a god out there, smiling down on him.
If only Joey Wheeler could be so lucky.