Protection

Chapter 8 – A Journeys end

Summary: After suffering at the abuse of his father Jonouchi Katsuya needs the thing he's given to everyone else, protection. Wishshipping
Warning: Bad language, violence, Yaoi, Lemon, O.O.C
Disclaimer: No matter how hard I try I don't own YuGiOh

-xx-

Yugi gazed longingly at the golden strands masking the nape of his lover's neck. He loved to admire the sculpted and toned muscles on Jonouchi's back; the first time he saw him from behind without a shirt on he swore if he'd stared much longer he would have seen the soft white protrusion of angel wings from his shoulder blades. He always saw Jonouchi as some sort of divine guardian, a gift from the Egyptian gods for completing the millennium puzzle. Gently, he leant his head against Jonouchi's back and savoured the moments they had left until having to get out of bed. It was Jonouchi's birthday, Yugi knew he had to get up early to sort out things for the party but he wanted to allow him to sleep in.

When nine o'clock came around, Yugi knew it was time to tear himself away and start doing some work. He moved off the bed as gently as he could and then started to dress, this was the first party he had ever organised for someone; he was a sickly mix of nervous and excited. Once dressed, he went down stairs were he found his grandpa sat eating breakfast.
"Ah, the birthday boy still in bed I see." He chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't wake up until everyone gets here."
"I'll make sure he's up by midday."
Between Yugi and his grandpa they were going to set up the house for the guests, Jonouchi refused to have anything but a small party at the house. Guest list was the usual foursome with the addition of Shizuka and the Kaiba brothers (Jo said it was only for Anzu and Mokuba that Seto was invited but secretly he did want him there).

-xx-

Anzu was walking to the game shop to go help Yugi prepare food when she saw (or rather heard) something rather odd. She could hear a boy, a boy shouting at the top of his voice. As she drew closer to the building she realized what was really going on. She saw Jonouchi, only in his underwear, calling out to the world from Yugi's window. It was his birthday and he wanted the world to know.
"Get inside and put some clothes on!" Anzu called up to the window.
"Ah! Don't you have something to say to me first!"
"Happy birthday you big idiot!" She rolled her eyes as he flashed her a grin then dived inside.

Jonouchi was forced to stay upstairs while Anzu, Yugi and his grandpa sorted out the party things. He watched out the window as Honda and the Kaiba's showed up, all with gifts. He didn't know why he was so surprised that they'd bring him presents; he'd never show up to a birthday without one so why would they. He hadn't seen his sister yet but much like him, she has a habit of being late.
"Jo-kun, you can come down now." Yugi was stood in the door way, he was all dressed up in his leathers; he wanted to look nice but not seem too formal. Jonouchi joined him in the door way and just looked at him; Yugi tilted his head in confusion. Jonouchi slid both hands up into the little ones hair and tilted his head up, closing the gap between their lips. Yugi went to pull away but found himself held against the door frame with Jo's body, secretly, he liked feeling helpless against Jonouchi's advances.
"Oh come on you two," Honda said very embarrassed. "We're all waiting down here."

Everyone gathered around the birthday boy, after much persuading he agreed to open their presents and then open Shizuka's when she got there. They all gathered in the living room (that now had all its furniture pushed up against the walls) with Jonouchi in the middle. He got clothes and new cards and other things, all gifts he thoroughly enjoyed. Music was turned on and they all sat together eating and laughing. Time passed but Shizuka never showed up. Jonouchi took himself outside and rang her, he didn't mind if she couldn't make it as long as he knew.

-x- Jonouchi's POV -x-

*RING RING* "Jonouchi-kun?"
"Hey, Shizuka, where are you? You still coming or can't you make it."
"Well I'm waiting at dad's, I thought you were coming here? He called me earlier."
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING! Get out of there and come to Yugi's"
"But I haven't seen dad in ages!"
"I'm coming to get you now!"

I seriously can't believe that girl! Has she forgotten the reason I'm at Yug's! She is always forgiving him and going over there. He's never touched her before, he wouldn't still be here if he had but I'm not going to give him the chance! Bastard!

-xx-

Jonouchi ditched the party without a word; he promised them all he would never go any were near his father's place but he had to. He stormed right up to the front door and banged on it and started shouting.
"Jo-kun! Why are you making so much noise?" Shizuka said opening the door. Jonouchi held onto her tight and tried to pull her out the door. "Jo-kun!" she giggled. "Calm down and just come in for a few minutes, dads gotten you a present and everything." She dragged him into the living room by his wrist. His dad was a little better dressed than normal, he had jeans on and a vest, he still looked like a slob though. He had cleaned up a little bit too but Jonouchi knew he hadn't changed a bit.

"Ah, my lovely little boy has graced me with an appearance. Is that all it takes to make you visit your dad, you're a few words from your little sister."
"Come on Shizuka, we're leaving."
"I don't think so; you haven't even had your gift yet."

His dad tossed him a small package; cautiously he opened it and unfolded the fabric inside. It was a floral print dress.
"What kind of gift is this!" he threw the dress back at his father.
"Well since my ONLY SON is a fucking bender I thought I should get him a gift to fit!"

Jonouchi tried his best to contain himself. He grabbed Shizuka by the arm and pushed her out of the dirty little flat and told her they were going to Yugi's. But, before Jonouchi could make it out with her the door had been slammed, locked, and he was face to face with his father.
"Not this time, no son of mine is going to go around fucking men. You're disgusting."
"Disgusting! Rich coming from you! I don't care what you think of me, I'd gladly not be a son of yours! Now get out of my way before I remove you!"

Shizuka could be heard banging on the door and shouting for her brother, she knew nothing good could come from them being alone. She stopped banging and tried to listen to what was going on. All of a sudden a loud cry and a thud hit the door, Shizuka screamed. THUD! Again, something hitting the door, she started crying. THUD! All went frighteningly quiet. The police were called.

-xx-

Yugi ran up to the desk at the hospital and demanded to know where to find Jonouchi. His cheeks stained with tears and with the whole gang in toe, he was shown the room but only one was allowed in as Shizuka was already in his room. He entered quietly, Jonouchi was asleep and Shizuka was resting in the chair next to the bed.
"The doctor said Oniisan will be fine," she said quietly. "My dad was arrested; they had to break the door down…"

Yugi placed his hand gently on her shoulder, he was sure she was crying. He sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the sleeping face of his lover and best friend. Another black eye, more stitches, bruising all over. He knew Jonouchi had taken worse but it didn't make him feel any better. He was beaten unconscious by his father because he had been with a boy. Yugi would never forgive himself for causing this. He kissed the sleeping boy on the forehead and got up to leave, he wasn't ready to face this.

He sat on the floor outside, hugging his knees. He told the others they should all go in and talk to Shizuka, he'd wait outside. One by one, the group all went in to check on their friend and talk to the still crying younger girl; everyone but Seto.
"How you feeling Muto?" he sat on the floor next to the smaller boy
"I'm fine, its Jo-kun you should worry about."
"Well at the moment, I'm concerned about you. Sat here with the world on your little shoulders, the only time you should look this stressed and worried is when you're duelling me."
Yugi had to break a smirk at that, he may never act confident but he knew he'd always duel circles around Kaiba, no matter how good Kaiba's cards where.
"I'm just not quite ready to face up to my responsibilities."
"Responsibilities?"
"Seeing Jo-kun like this, because of me, because of what I convinced him to do, because people wanted to have a story and used me to do it. I dragged him into all this and he's paying the price for it. It should be me being beaten up, not him. I wouldn't blame him if he never wanted to talk to me again and moved out tomorrow."

The door Yugi was leaning on opened slowly and the support to his back was replaced by something much warmer. Yugi became engulfed in the tight embrace of the person he cared so much for.
"Don't talk dumb, Yug." Yugi couldn't help it, there on the hospital floor he cried. He cried for longer than he'd ever cried before, it made him feel like a child. This was how their journey had started but this would not be how their journey ended. The feelings they had for each other would always mean more than the things they had to face.

If the strength of their friendship could save the world, then the strength of their love is something unstoppable.