Beauty

First Things First: As always, thank you for the reviews. I’m glad you guys liked the last chapter. I amused myself having Seto show up out of nowhere. Of course now that Yugi knows about Joey and Seto things can only get more complicated. But darn it, it’s not good unless it’s complicated. Well at least in my opinion. Sorry this update took so long, but I had a surprise party to go to over the weekend and that took up all my free time that wasn’t spent at work. This chapter’s not super long, but it’s decent. Actually not that much happens, but we get a small peak on what Yugi and Tristan have been thinking over these last few weeks. I can’t stress this enough, things get more intense and angsty the next few chapters. It’s not too late to jump ship…But anyway, enough stalling. Joey’s meeting the Taylor’s. On to the fun. ^_^

Disclaimer: No Yugioh’s for me.

Song Notes: Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, Born To Make You Happy by Britney Spears, Rock the Casbah by Solar Twins, Smile by Tamia, and Pretty Baby by Vanessa Carlton. The lyrics contained in the chapter are Michael Jackson, in case it’s not painfully obvious.

Chapter 12: Connotation

You light me up and then I fall for you
You lay me down and then I call for you
Stumbling on reasons that are far and few
I’d let it all come down and then some for you

Pretty baby don’t you leave me
I have been saving smiles for you
Pretty baby why can’t you see
You’re the one that I belong to
I’ll be the embrace that keeps you warm
For you’re the sun that breaks the storm
I’ll be alright and I’ll sleep sound
As long as you keep comin’ round
Oh pretty baby

~Pretty Baby
Vanessa Carlton

Yugi woke up, inhaling the scent of cheap cologne as he rolled over. He had fallen asleep against Brian’s chest. He hadn’t meant to sleep so long, as he glanced at the digital display on the alarm clock. He was thankful it was only four in the morning. That was the hardest part about one-night stands, waking up after sex. He crawled over the lifeless body next to him and flopped to the floor.

He didn’t want to have sex tonight. He hadn’t been in the mood. He had been studying in the library for an exam and some guy came over to him. He wasn’t even trying, and there was some fool. He had all intentions of blowing the guy off, after he got his hopes up. He didn’t know why, but he got amusement from rejecting people. More so now than ever.

Of course deep down he knew why that was. He was bitter that Yami had rejected him, so he took out his anger and hurt others. Fuck it, he was having fun. These guys shouldn’t be approaching him. If he were interested he’d go to them.

Yugi pulled up his pants and looked for his shirt in the dark.

As for his latest conquest, Brian Whoknewhislastname, Yugi was just about to send the guy away when he started some sob story about not being able to meet anyone as wonderful as his last boyfriend.

Tristan.

At that, Yugi knew he was going home with the guy. What annoyed him were the false pretenses. Why start the sob stories about being lonely when all you want was a fuck? Just say you want to get laid, don’t try the sympathy card. When would they ever learn?

As for fucking Tristan’s ex-boyfriend, Yugi had quite enjoyed it. He wasn’t usually a malicious person. And he had absolutely no intention of talking to this Brian character again. But he had no choice. Tristan and Joey were getting hot and heavy, and it needed to be stopped.

Yugi flipped open his cell phone and used it as a makeshift flashlight so he could locate his boots.

Of course the only way Tristan would be hurt by this was if Yugi casually mentioned to Tristan that he had fucked his ex. How he was going to do that, he didn’t know. Then again once Tristan found out he’d tell Joey. That was the one flaw in his plan. If he kept hating Tristan and Tristan didn’t return the feelings Joey would think he was the problem. He wanted to provoke a fight with Tristan, and in that case Joey would have to choose him. And Tristan would just have to go elsewhere.

Yugi walked out to his car.

He refused to feel guilty about this. Besides, Brian had gone after him. He was minding his own business, when he approached. No, he wasn’t going to feel bad about this. Joey did the same thing. Well, it was worse, because as far as he knew Yami was with Seto Kaiba when Joey had slept with the CEO.

Did Tristan know about it? Yugi wasn’t that malevolent, he wasn’t going to say anything to Tristan or Joey. He’d wait on it for a while. The only person who knew was Bakura ,who didn’t believe it. Yugi wasn’t sure what to believe.

Yugi caught a glance of himself in the driver’ side window.

You’re a bastard. Why would you sleep with Tristan’s ex-boyfriend? It doesn’t matter that you don’t like Tristan. Hell, you don’t even have a reason to dislike him. You have an exam first thing in the morning, and you’re out fucking someone? Not only are you lying to Bakura and Joey, but you’re not even being careful. What the fuck is wrong with you?

Yugi opened the door and slumped inside the car. He had cried twice in his car after that night Bakura had yelled at him. Bakura had forgiven him, given him another chance. And this was how he was repaying him? Why was he doing this? He didn’t even want it. He didn’t want it as he followed Brian back to his place, stripped himself and got on his bed.

He knew nothing about Brian. Accept that Tristan had broken his heart. According to Brian at least.

Nothing could come of this. He would never date Brian, he would never see him again, so why did he spread his legs and allow this guy to fuck h Yug Yugi bit his lip to try to relieve some of the pressure. He didn’t want to cry again. He had to get home. He prayed Joey wasn’t around.

What did Joey think of him now? He could only imagine what the blond said about him to Tristan. Even if he let it slip that he had slept with Brian Tristan probably wouldn’t be surprised. Joey either.

Yugi found himself in someone else’s bed three or more times a week now. It had never been this bad before. But he didn’t hcontcontrol of it anymore. He craved it… it was the only way he could validate that he was still alive. That he was still worth something to someone.

Even if Tristan were out of the picture. Even if he didn’t love Bakura. (Yes, he was pretty sure he loved Bakura at this point) If it were just Joey and him again, what would Joey want with him? Kaiba said it the other night. Nobody wants a slut for a boyfriend.

Yugi had always liked flirting, getting attention. He enjoyed enticing and teasing. Look but don’t touch. But now, everyone touched, Hell, he gave people multiple helpings. It wasn’t fun anymore, it wasn’t exciting, he disgusted himself, he made himself sick. But he couldn’t help it, being a little sex toy was all he knew how to do.

He had tried love. And love had spit in his face.

Love had found himself with a slut of his own.

At least he was unattached, at least he wasn’t leading Bakura on too much. He admitted to Bakura when he was with other guys, if Bakura asked him. What the fuck was the CEO of Kaiba Corp doing? HE was fucking engaged. What was it with people in this damn city proposing and cheating? Don’t propose. Don’t be in a relationship.

If he got himself under control again, and got with Bakura he’d never cheat. He wouldn’t even look. Was it that difficult to be faithful? Why wasn’t Yami good enough? Why hadn’t Joey been good enough? He wondered if Bakura and Tristan had ever cheated on their significant others. Bakura had never told Yugi about any of his other boyfriends besides Ryou, who was supposed to be a psychopath. And even if Tristan had cheated in the past, he seemed devoted to Joey well enough.

That didn’t mean he liked him, of course.

As for Seto, he actually ran into the tall brunet last week, and the CEO mentioned that his offer still stood:

“I think we should definitely try the threesome. Of course Yami’s not into that sort of stuff, so it might wind up just being the two of us.”

“Why would I have sex with you?”

“Why not?”

“Does this shit work on anyone?”

“Worked on your roommate.”

“Fuck you.”

“That’s what I’m trying to arrange.”


Despite what he told that Malik person, the blond he had ran into at the Pyramid a while back, he didn’t sleep with people who were attached. And even if Seto wasn’t attached he wouldn’t. Seto wasn’t a good person, and maybe sleeping with Tristan’s ex tonight was a bad move, but he was nothing like Seto Kaiba. He didn’t want to end up like him. Seto had someone at home who loved and adored him and he still did this.

Why was his life so fucked up? Why did he sleep with Brian? Yugi felt sick to his stomach thinking about. He wasn’t sure what upset him more, the fact that it was Joey’s boyfriend’s ex or the fact that he probably would have slept with anyone who approached him tonight.

When he wasn’t busy sleeping around he avoided going back to the apartment. He couldn’t face Joey. And he couldn’t watch Joey’s eyes light up when Tristan called. Joey was finally happy. No thanks to him. And what was he doing, trying to screw it up.

And of course there was the Bakura issue. Bakura was getting more and more annoyed by the day. Granted, out of the three or so times a week he woke up in someone else’s bed, at least one or two of those times was with the culinary chef in training. Of course he couldn’t escape the fact that he was still throwing out mixed signals.

Bakura had stopped short of declaring he loved him.

And what was his response? He got hostile and acted like an asshole. There had been four occasions he had gone over Bakura’s house after sleeping with someone else. Bad enough he was a slut, but he was a dirty slut.

And of course there was that Malik person. Malik had been calling him repeatedly, asking when they could meet. According to Joey, who heard from Tristan, Malik was supposed to be bad news. Joey hadn’t given him any details as to why Malik was a bad guy. Yugi also got the impression that Tristan had slept with the platinum blond as well.

It was late, and he should be sleeping, or studying.

Yugi sighed and put the car in reverse and headed home.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


Joey squirmed in his seatbelt as he admired the finely manicured lawns and white picket fences. He felt completely out of place, as Tristan drove closer to their destination. These houses were huge, and the yards were expansive. Joey knew he wasn’t in Domino anymore when he saw the first statue.

This was clearly a mistake. Tristan’s parents were going to eim fim for breakfast. Tristan had insisted that he wasn’t rich. That he was “comfortable”. Joey was comfortable, this was rich. Was it necessary to have a gated property? No. The Taylor’s lived in opulence. And Mrs. Taylor, or Emily as Joey was supposed to call her, would not be at all impressed by him. A woman who had a crystal chandelier in their cabin in the woods wasn’t looking for a son-in-law from the wrong side of Domino City.

Getting ahead of yourself, Joey? Tristan hasn’t proposed. Maybe it’s only a matter of time before he gets sick of slumming and finds someone else to be infatuated with.

“Almost there. Baby. You excited?” Tristan asked, smiling as he glanced at his blond passenger. Joey nodded. Well, he had bubbles in his stomach. But that felt more like indigestion than excitement. His stomach had been in knots for two weeks. This was a big deal. Despite what claims Tristan made, he was clearly a mama’s boy. He called his mother practically everyday. And he valued his mother’s opinion.

Once Emily Taylor decided that Joey was unacceptable that would be it.

Of course there was the remote possibility that his parents could love him. What would be worse, being rejected by the parents, or by Tristan? Joey couldn’t help it, he was waiting for it to hit him, waiting for some catastrophe to happen. Things were going too good to last. He’d break something expensive over the weekend. Or he’d burp during dinner. Damn it, this was a horrible idea. This could only end in disaster.

“This is my street.” Joey swallowed the lump lodged in his throat. Well, this was it. No turning back now. It was fun while it lasted. At least Tristan liked him for nearly two months. “Don’t be nervous, Joey. She’ll love you. They both will.”

“You sure?”

“Positive, Baby. No fears.” No fears? What in the world was Tristan smoking? “This is going to be perfect, Joey.” Yeah, perfectly bad. Whatever Tristan was smoking Joey wanted some.

Tristan pulled into the driveway. Next to a Jaguar. Not rich my ass. This can only get worse. “Baby, you’ve been quiet the whole way. Yugi sayethiething to you again?” Joey shook his head no. Yugi hadn’t been home enough to lecture him. He claimed he was with Bakura, but Joey got the impression he was lying. At least part of the time.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right here. Although I do apologize for anything inappropriate my mother says. Apparently she’s been trying to write an autobiography, and she’s just gotten to me, and who knows what crap she’s thinking of including. If she starts acting stupid just ignore her.”

“Tristan, I’m… I don’t know about this.”

“It’s gonna be okay. I promise.” Tristan got out of the car and walked over to Joey’s side. “Take off you seatbelt, Baby.” Joey swallowed again and did as Tristan asked. Tristan helped him out of the car. He closed the door and went to the trunk to get their bags. Joey stood still and watched in terror as the front door to the palace Tristan’s parents lived in opened.

“Tristan!” Joey’s heart jumped. He watched with concerned amber eyes as Mrs. Emily Taylor walked over to her son. Tristan dropped their bags on the stone driveway and smiled.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Give me a hug, Honey.” Joey watched out of the corner of his eyes, his other eye on TaylTaylor who stepped out of the house. They looked exactly like they did in the pictures Joey had seen. Joey hoped nobody noticed he was here, and he could catch a cab back home. He wanted to leave. Bad.

“Tristan, good to see you.”

“Hi, Dad.” Tristan gave his father an equally big hug. The Taylors were both smiling. Joey knew the smiles would fade once they spotted him.

Shit, she saw me…

“You must be the infamous Joey.” Emily walked over to the blond who looked like a deer caught in headlights. Joey handed her the flowers he had purchased, Mrs. Taylor smelt them and smiled. “Oh, Joey, you didn’t have to. Let me get a look at you.” You’re not going to like what you see… Mrs. Taylor walked over to where Joey was standing. “Tristan, you didn’t tell me how cute he was.” Joey blushed and met pretty hazel eyes. Emily wasted no time giving Joey a hug. Maybe this won’t be horrible. “It is so wonderful to finally meet you.”

She released the blond. “You too, Mrs. Taylor.”

“Joey… what did I tell you?”

“Emily,” Joey corrected.

“Mom, can you at least wait until we get in the house before you start badgering him.”

“Shush, Tristan.” Tristan made a face. “You must be tired, and I hope you didn’t eat, I made dinner.”

“We stopped dri drive thu, Mom. Joey didn’t want any of your cooking.” Joey looked at Tristan who had a mischievous look on his face.

“Joey’s obviously going easy on you, Tristan.” Mrs. Taylor regarded her son for a moment before turning back to his boyfriend. “I told you, he needs a good smack now and then. Then he’ll stop being so fresh.” Joey smirked in spite of himself.

“Oh, so I see you’re on her side,” Tristan grumbled, but smiled.

“Of course he’s on my side. Everyone on this driveway knows you’re cocky.” Joey grinned. “Joey, I want you to meet Tristan’s father. This is Charles.”

“Nice to meet you,” Joey replied. Mr. Taylor shook his hand.

“All Tristan ever talks about is you. Nice to put a face to a name.”

“And he’s just too cute.” Emily pinched Joey’s cheek in jest. “Tristan I’m impressed.”

“Mom, I can get anyone I want.”

“And you wonder why you need a smacking now and then?” Mrs. Taylor asked, quirking an eyebrow. Joey smirked again.

“What I was going to say was that I can get anyone I want, but Joey’s the only person I’m interested in.”

“Don’t try changing it now. Come on boys, dinner will be ready soon. Just enough time for Tristan to give you the tour.” Mrs. Taylor walked into the house, holding Joey’s hand the entire way.

“You have a lovely home, Emily.”

“It only looks like this because we were expecting company. Nobody’s house is this neat.” Mrs. Taylor looked over her shoulder. “Tristan, sweetie, show Joey the upstairs first, I have to check on the duck and put these flowers in water.” Mrs. Taylor let Joey’s hand drop and Tristan picked up his opposite hand.

Joey glanced at the art on the walls leading upstairs as they made their way. Tristan showed him all the rooms, leaving his room for last. “Here, Baby, this is my room.” Tristan opened the door and Joey walked inside.

“You have a balcony?”

“Yeah.”

“Tristan, when are you going to admit you’re loaded and stop with this charade?”

“It’s not even very big, it’s more of a hassle than anything.” Tristan watched Joey open the door and step outside.

“Huge, picture perfect backyard with in ground pool. You’re so full of it, Tris.” Tristan came behind him and grabbed Joey around the waist.

“If staying here is an issue we can always stay in the guest house instead.”

“You have a guest house?” Joey inquired turning back as Tristan lowered his head and kissed his shoulder. “Just don’t say anything else.”

“I’ll tell Mom we’ll stay in the guest house. I don’t want to wake them with our passionate lovemaking.”

“Tristan, we can’t have sex here.”

“Why?”

“It’s your parents house. That’s a good 45 different types of wrong right there.” Tristan chuckled and nipped Joey’s neck, knowing good and well that Joey would give in to him the way he always did.

“Joey, don’t deny me. Don’t make it more difficult than it has to be.”

“Tristan, stop it.”

“I don’t take no for an answer, I told you that the first night we met. Why do you fight it? You’re going to wind up on your back anyway, you mine as well lay back and enjoy it.” Joey turned around and smacked Tristan upside his head.

“JERK!”

“Joey, ouch, that hurt.”

“We just had sex three nights ago. Why are you so horny?” Tristan leaned back in, once again wrapping his arms around Joey’s midsection. “You should try jacking off.”

“I much rather fuck you,” Tristan admitted whispering in Joey’s ear. Joey turned maroon. Damn Tristan for turning him on so easily. “I think I should take you out here on the balcony. What do you think?”

“Tristan… you ass, stop…oh gods, lower…” Tristan’s hands ghosted over Joey’s body as his mouth rediscovered Joey’s neck. “Tristan…”

“Could you imagine, Baby…me…fucking you as hard as I can right out here where anyone could see us?”

“Tristan…you’re no fair…”

“All’s fair in love and sex, Joey.” Tristan ground into him from behind. “Um, you’re making me get hard just imagining it…your hands gripping onto the side of the balcony, your breath a pant…all that hair a moppy mess, hanging in your eyes as I bring you closer to climax…I’ve always wanted to fuck someone up here…”

“You probably do it weekly,” Joey decided through clenched teeth.

“You’ll be the first.”

“You’ve never had sex out here?”

“Never. Of course I never had a boyfriend this goddamn cute before either.” Tristan pulled Joey closer to him and held him, sated.

If Joey really didn’t want to do anything this weekend he wouldn’t push it, but Joey sure did enjoy playing hard to get. Like three days ago when Joey ran out of the condo and into the back, trying to avoid capture. So Tristan took him on the grass. It was dark, he was fairly confident no one would see them, and if they did then he supposed they got a free show.

Tristan sighed, he could fall asleep standing up, holding his baby. It hadn’t been long, but he truly adored the blond. Joey still had his reservations, but he obviously felt the same way. Joey made him feel like he was floating on a cloud.

Look at me, I’m using similes now. Is this what love does to you, you get all goofy and stupid? Floating on a cloud? I need to stop, I sound like a drub store romance novel. The kind Mom reads.

Tristan pulled Joey even closer. If his boyfriend were any closer he’d be inside of him. He just liked having Joey near him, touching him. He didn’t remember being this affectionate with his other boyfriends. Who was he kidding though? What other boyfriends? Those were more like extended situations. Like Brian.

And the same went for the others, whose names and faces were of little importance to him at the moment.

He couldn’t help but analyze it though. He had been thinking a lot about his past relationships and sexual behavior lately. Joey had mentioned repeatedly that he was worried about his roommate, and every time Joey said something about Yugi Tristan couldn’t help think about himself. Yugi and him weren’t that dissimilar. Yugi was going through what he had gone through a good two years ago.

Tristan was a little surprised that Yugi had so many guys he was fooling around with, when Bakura was around. Bakura didn’t strike him as someone who would put up with being one of many forever. Especially now that the white-haired bouncer was smitten.

Actually, Tristan spoke to Bakura fairly often. Through emails. Ever since Tristan needed a picture for the frame he got Joey when they went away last month they had kept a regular email correspondence. Why, Tristan wasn’t exactly sure, but Bakura seemed to trust him, and Mai had even told the brunet that Bakura had asked about him.

Joey and Yugi had no idea that such an email relationship had begun, and as far as Tristan could see, there was no reason to tell them. Bakura actually gave Tristan insight about Yugi that Joey missed since he was so close to his roommate. And it was Bakura who first told him that Yugi didn’t like him. At all.

Not that that came as a shock. Joey didn’t like Bakura either. The two of them were very protective of each other. Although Tristan got the impression that in Yugi’s case it went beyond that. Tristan was at ease when he learned in Bakura’s last reply that Yugi swore up and down that he wasn’t in love with Joey.

That was the last thing he needed. To be caught up in a high school love triangle.

Especially since he had the feeling he’d lose to the tri-colored-haired best friend any day of the week. Joey loved Yugi, he’d always loved Yugi. Yugi had never hurt him, Yugi had always been there, he was the confidant, the lover, the companion. There was no way he could compete with that. He couldn’t even rely on his looks, Yugi was pretty damn cute, and who could resist those leather pants and dance moves.

Hell, Joey had even asked Yugi to marry him.

If Yugi was in love with Joey Tristan was going to find himself out of luck. But Bakura swore that Yugi wasn’t. So why did Yugi dislike him so much? He went out of his way to be nice to him. Be friendly. But Yugi was uninterested. He didn’t want to play nice, he didn’t want to be friendly. He had made up his mind about him. And he let his feelings be known.

To Joey.

But Yugi was a walking contradiction. He was mad that he was with Joey, but Yugi spent hardly spent anytime with the blond as he went around town with every Tom, Dick and Bakura he came into contact with. Being jealous of him isn’t going to help the situation, is it? He’s probably just as jealous as you are. You’re infringing on his territory. It doesn’t matter how many boys Yugi has to play with. Joey is his. Always has been, always will be.

“What happened to me turning you on, Limp Dick?” Tristan gave Joey a look. The blond was smiling.

“Joey, thank you for coming, I know you were scared.”

“Your parents are very nice, Tristan. I really like your mom.”

“She really likes you, I haven’t seen her eyes sparkle like that in a while.”

“You think she likes me, Tris?”

“How could she not, Baby?” Tristan kissed his cheek.

“I love you, Tristan.”

“I love you too, Baby.”

I’ll get to the bottom of this. I’ll figure out something and force Yugi to like me. He liked me in the beginning, I’ll just have to remind him of that. I can’t lose Joey to him. He doesn’t even want Joey, he just doesn’t want Joey with me. So I’ll kill him with kindness.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Yugi was just stepping out of the shower when his cell phone rang. Yugi looked at the caller ID. It was Malik. Again.

He waited until the phone went to voicemail and began towel drying his hair. It had to be something in the air, maybe it was full moon. Bad enough Malik had called, but Seto Kaiba had called earlier.

The Seto and Joey thing was really bothering him. He wasn’t sure if he should believe it or not. If it was true, why would Joey do it? Especially since he knew the pain of having a fiancé who cheated on him. And why would Joey keep this from him? They told each other everything. No matter what was going on with the two of them they always talked. Even if there was some explanation, not that there was an acceptable reason for doing such a thing, why in the world would Joey not say anything?

And why the hell had Seto Kaiba called him? He didn’t know whether to be disgusted or flattered. He was really getting sick of this crap. He needed to get a handle on this. If Seto propositioned him again he was tempted to go to Yami. It was bad enough the billionaire was sleeping around, but he wanted to sleep with Yami’s friends?

His cell phone rang again. “Now who is it?” Yugi checked the caller ID on the cover of his phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, Baby…it’s me. Mike.” Yugi made a face. Strike one. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing.”

“Want to come by, I just ordered a pizza.”

“You can’t eat alone?”

“Well, I thought maybe we could do something after that.” Strike 2

“Just tell me what you want. I’m not into subtlety.”

“I thought we could fool around.” What a loser. Yugi thought about it for a minute. He was supposed to be meeting Bakura at nine. “What time is it now?”

“Seven-thirty. Come on, don’t you remember how much fun we had the last time?” Yugi thought about it. He couldn’t remember if this was the Mike with the crooked dick or not. If it wasn’t then he did have a good time. If he was then he didn’t. “Come on, Yugi, I know you want to come over. Get it, come?”

Which ever Mike this was, he was an idiot.

“Fine, give me your address.” Yugi jotted it down. “See you later, don’t start without me.” As soon as Yugi hung up he tossed the paper in the trashcan. Maybe he’d consider it if he knew which Mike that had been, it wasn’t like he could have asked the guy if he had a crooked dick. And besides, he wasn’t going to sleepi with anyone else tonight. He was going to see Kura.

His Kura had actually taken off tonight so they could be together, although Yugi couldn’t help getting the feeling Kura didn’t want Yugi to go back to the Pyramid again. He hadn’t after that night he ran into Malik and Bakura had gone protective boyfriend. He promised Bakura he wouldn’t go to the bar without him and he had kept his promise.

Now if only he could stop sleeping around. He hadn’t been with anyone since Brian on Monday. And here it was Friday. He was making improvements. But Bakura did have to work tomorrow night, and Joey was with Tristan for the weekend. He didn’t have any studying to do. Maybe he’d rent a movie. Ha, that was ridiculous. He wasn’t watching a movie alone.

Maybe he’d call one of the boys and see if they wanted to go to the movies. It didn’t have to be a sex thing. Bakura had been especially sweet to him this week. He actually made him a five star breakfast in bed two days ago. And despite the bullshit he fed his white-haired lover, he loved him. And the fact that Bakura loved him despite his obvious flaws made him love him all the more. He guess he loved him for a while. But maybe he just was afraid to realize it.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-

“I are you sure you don’t want help with the dishes, Emily?” Joey asked, wiping his face.

“Nonsense, you’re a guest. Besides, Tristan can do them.”

“Don’t hold your breath.” Mrs. Taylor glanced at her son and then at Joey.

“I smacked him upstairs, but I guess it didn’t take.” She smiled.

“The two of you are a nightmare.” Tristan got up and eredered everyone’s plates. “Fine, Ill do the dishes.”

“You can leave them for now, your mother wants everyone in the living room.” Charles stood up and headed into the room in question. Joey waited for Tristan to deposit the dishes in the sink and the two walked into the next room.

“Look, you have all day tomorrow to ask annoying questions. Can’t we just enjoy tonight?”

“I wasn’t going to ask annoying questions. I was going to show Joey embarrassing pictures.” Joey grinned. “Joey, did Tristan ever tell you about his awkward stage?”

“No,” Joey answered, giving the brunet a look. Tristan looked mortified as his mother pulled out the photo album. “I thought Tristan was too cocky to have gone through an awkward stage.”

“That’s what he wants you to think.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

“Hardest 15 years of his life,” Mr. Taylor continued. Joey grinned. “Beth, show Joey the picture we took at Disneyland.”

“The one where he was afraid of the clowns? Or the one when he spilled cola all over his pants.” Mrs. Taylor flipped through the book, and Joey sat next to her She She made sure the book was propped up so her son couldn’t see what they were looking at. “These are priceless, Joey.”

“Joey… sit over here, with me..” Tristan demanded, slumping onto the love seat. “Mom, you promised.”

“Here’s the clown picture. We were afraid Tris was going to poop himself he was so terrified.”

“MOM!” She ignored him and flipped the pages.

“Tristan was afraid of clowns?”

“Still is,” Charles answered. He gave a firm nod when Joey looked at him questioningly. “Terrified of the things. We got him one for his tenth birthday party and he cried hysterically the whole day.”

“Poor scardy cat,” Mrs. Taylor continued. Joey laughed. “His name was Fluffles, remember Tris?”

“I’m not talking to you. And Joey you’re sleeping in the car tonight.”

“When were you going to tell me you were afraid of clowns, Tris? Why are you keeping things from me?” Joey asked, laughing harder.

“I am not afraid of clowns. Mom, put the photo album away.”

“In that case, Tristan, the circus is in town, my boss gave me some extra tickets. We can all go tomorrow night,” Mr. Taylor suggested. The look on Tristan’s face was classic.

“Looks like he’s about to poop,” Mrs. Taylor said with a smile. Joey giggled.

“Some mother you turned out to be.”

“Why the face, Tris?” Joey asked, smiling.

“I don’t like any of you right now.” Joey stood up and sat next to his boyfriend. “Why are you over here, go back to the couch with my parents and laugh it up.”

“Tris.”

“No, I don’t want you sitting next to me,” Tristan decided, folding his arms over his chest. “Shoo.”

“Tristan?” Tristan gave him a cold look. “Tristan, we were only teasing you,” Joey continued. What if Tristan was really mad at him? The brunet waited until Joey’s face had dropped before he smiled.

“Just teasing you, Baby.”

“You’re a jerk, Tris.” Tristan smiled brighter.

“I never made fun of your fears,” Tristan pointed out.

“Yeah, well I’m not afraid of clowns.” The Taylors smirked. Tristan rolled his eyes but smiled.

“Well, since we’re done with the pictures, why don’t we let Tristan embarrass himself live,” Mrs. Taylor suggested standing up.

“MOM, NO!”

“Joey, has Tristan ever told you how much he likes karaoke?”

“No, he hasn’t.” Joey turned to look at Tristan with a huge grin. “Is he good at it?”

“One of the best. We used to do this all the time when he was a kid. You’ll never guess what his favorite song is.” Emily wasted no time getting the microphone and connecting it to the stereo system.

“Mom, put that away. Haven’t I been punished enough? You said you want me to settle down and now you’re trying everything in your power to scare him off.”

“Tristan,” his mother said simply, “it’s better he knows what’s wrong with you early on.” Joey laughed.

“That’s not true, Mom. If Dad knew what was wrong with you in the beginning he would have been long gone.” Joey’s eyes widened.

“Don’t look so shocked, Joey. It’s true,” Charles retorted. “I’m going to go wash the dishes. Be right back.” He stood up and went back to the sink.

“Tristan gets his cockiness from his father. As for you, Tristan, if you don’t get up here and show Joey what you got I’m going to have to tell him about your other phobia.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“I would.” Mrs. Taylor started the music. “Tristan loved Michael Jackson as a kid. Now that I think about it, that should have been our first sign he was gay.”

Joey giggled at the look on Tristan’s face. “I never liked him like that, Mom. At least I don’t think I did.”

“He spent a summer teaching himself how to mook,” k,” his father piped in from the other room.

“This I have to see, Tris,” Joey decided. Tristan sighed and looked at his mother who nodded.

“Go on, Tristan. Show Joey what you’re made of.” Tristan stood up.

“You and Dad are both going to be in the worst old people’s home I can find.” Tristan took the microphone. And sighed again. Joey beamed at him.

“People always told me, be careful what you do, don’t go around breaking young girls hearts, and mama always told me, be careful who you love, be careful what you do, because the lie becomes the truth. Billie Jean is not my lover, she’s just a girl, that thinks I am the one, but the kid is not my son. She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son.”

Joey’s smile took up his whole face as he watched Tristan get into it. He dropped the microphone so he could concentrate on the dancing. His brunet lover was fabulous. All he needed was a white glove and a leather jacket.

“Moonwalk, Tris!” Tristan winked at Joey and did as the blond asked. Joey applauded. “You’re so good at this!” Tristan grabbed himself and then started breaking dancing.

“He’s always been like this, loves showing off,” his mom said with a smile.

Tristan signaled with his finger for his mother to join him. His mom smiled and allowed Tristan to pull him up. Joey couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he watched Tristan dancing with his mother. “He got all his moves from me,” his mother told Joey.

“I taught her everything she knows.”

Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl
Who thinks I am the one
But the kid is not my son
Billie Jean is not my lover
She’s just a girl
Who thinks I am the one
But the kid is not my son

“Come on, Joey, join us,” Tristan’s mother insisted.

“Come on, Baby.” Joey stood unsure.

“You’re going to have to move, Joey.” Mrs. Taylor started bumping him with her hip. Joey smiled and bumped her back.

“Lame, watch this…”

Joey gasped as Tristan got on the floor and spun around on his ass. “You always knew how to do that, Tris?”

“He used to be able to do that on his head, but he’s getting rusty.”

“That and I don’t want to break my neck, Mom.”

“I saw this on a music video the other day,” Mrs. Taylor said lifting her hands in the air.

“Please don’t tell me my mother just tried raising the roof.” Joey laughed.

“Why don’t you try spinning on your head, I want to watch you break you neck.”

“You’re verbally abusive, Mom.”

“And you love me that way.”

“If you guys are done embarrassing our guest I got dessert,” Mr. Taylor said coming back into the room. Mrs. Taylor switched off the stereo.

“You’re just as bad as, Tristan. Come boys, we’ll go eat in the sunroom.” Mrs. Taylor followed her husband out of the room.

“Enjoying yourself, Baby?” Tristan asked, fixing his boyfriend’s hair, which was now all over the place.

Joey grinned. “They’re soooo nice, Tristan.”

“It’s an act. We just lured you here because we need a human sacrifice.” Tristan kissed him. “Glad you’re having a good time, Baby.”

“I am. Your mom is perfect. Just like you.” Tristan smiled and kissed him again.

“I’m not so perfect, am I, Baby?” the brunet asked with a grin.

“Well, as perfect as a Michael Jackson crushing, clown fearing virgin can be.”

“Keep it up, Baby. You will be in the car.” Joey smiled. Tristan took his hand and they walked towards the sunroom.


-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


Bakura opened the door and grinned. “You’re early, Babyface. Dinner’s not ready yet.”

Yugi shrugged. “So?” Bakura picked him up and Yugi wrapped his arms around him. Yugi kissed him hard, until neither one of them could breath. No matter what else was going on in his life, when Bakura was with him everything was okay again.

“Ummmm, Kura…I missed you.”

“I missed you too, Babyface.” Yugi cooed as Bakura sucked on his neck. He would have plopped Yugi on the counter but it was cluttered with things for dinner. When he was done peppering Yugi’s face with little butterfly kisses he dropped him back on the floor.

“What am I supposed to do to entertain you for a whole half hour?” Yugi grinned and dropped to his knees.

“I have a few ideas, Kura.”

“Babyface. I thought we were going to eat first?” Yugi looked up at Bakura with a smirk and started undoing his lover’s pants.

“You don’t want this, Kura? I just wanted to wet my appetite. Cum makes everything taste so much better.”

“Only you would say that, Babyface.”

“That’s because I’m naughty.” Yugi licked his lips.

“Shit, Babyface…I love when you do that.”

“Um…I need an appetizer, Kura…”

“Tell me what you want,” Bakura asked, his voice already husky.

“I want to taste it.”

“Babyface, after dinner.”

“No. Now.” Bakura picked up Yugi and took him to the table where he sat him down. “Why don’t you want to do this now?”

“Because I want to eat, then you promised me we’d play strip poker.”

“If I win you have to let me be seme.”

“Please.”

“Yes, Kura.”

“Not going to happen.” Yugi pouted.

“That face doesn’t work on me. Might work on Blondie but I’m immune.” Yugi made a face and Bakura kissed him. “I told you, there’s not much you can do.”

“We shall see. We aave ave a weakness, and when I figure out what yours is I’m going to exploit it.”

“What do you mean when you figure out my weakness. I’ve been pretty damn transparent, Babyface.”

Yugi looked into chocolate eyes and blushed. “You damn Achilles heel you.”

“So if I’m your weakness how come you won’t let me take you?”

“That’s unnatural.”

“There are people who say gay sex in general is unnatural, what’s your point, Kura. I want to fuck you.”

“Not going to happen. I don’t bottom. It’s nothing against you, but I don’t.”

“Then what do I get if I win strip poker?”

“I never said there was a prize.”

“So cheap.”

“Yeah, okay, in that case you owe me some money for the movies last weekend, and the trip to Tokyo, and about forty other dates I took you on.”

“Maybe I’m not in the mood to put out tonight, have you thought of that, Kura?”

“Fine. I don’t keep you around for the sex.”

“Why do you keep me around then?” Bakura cocked an eyebrow and made a face.

“I’ll give you a hint.” Yugi giggled as Bakura leaned over and kissed him again.

“Um….Kura…you’re so good to me…I can’t get enough of you.” Dump the rest of the guys then, Babyface. How long do you want me to wait?” “You’re always there for me, I don’t know what I’d do without you, Kura.”

“I care about you too, Babyface.”

“Kura. Next week, I’m going to give you my black book. You can hold on to it, or burn it, or whatever you want.”

Bakura made a face. “I mean it, Kura. I’m giving it to you.”

“What are you saying?”

“I haven’t been trying as hard as I should. But I really want to be with you. I didn’t just say that. I know I’ve been wishy-washy. And I’ve been unclear. But every time I’m with you it feels right. Ando wdo want to make a real effort.”

“So does this mean you won’t call any of your boys?”

“How can I call them if you have my book?”

“Don’t be cute, that’s not an answer.”

“I won’t call anyone. If someone calls me I may or may not return his call.”

“Look, it’s time to cut this. Let go of them.”

Yugi made a face. “Don’t start, Kura.”

“I believe the word is baggage.” Yugi narrowed his eyes. “Don’t give me your book if you plan on continuing to go see these guys, Yugi. I don’t want a partial commitment. Either you’re my boyfriend or you’re not. But this pseudo relationship crap isn’t doing it.”

“I’m so sick of you badgering me. I am trying.”

“It’s been a while Yugi. This is something that I’ve put up with since September. It’s November 1st.”

“Why are you being like this, Kura?” Yugi looked away.

“How long do I have to wait, Yugi?”

Yugi resisted the urge to lash out and run away. Bakura looked at him for a long time. “I just want to be with you. I just want you to myself. You can call me selfish. I’m damn selfish.”

“Kura, they keep calling me, they keep asking me to come over.” Yugi’s voice was low and he didn’t look up at the other male.

“Give me names and addresses and I’ll shove their phone’s down their throats after I strangle them with the cords.”

“Kura, I’m being serious.”

“So am I.” Yugi looked up. “You think I wouldn’t hurt someone who touched you?”

“Would you ever hurt me? Would you hit me or something?” Bakura’s face softened.

“How could you ask me that? I’d never hurt you, Babyface. Never.” Bakura kissed Yugi gently.

“But you would hurt someone who hurt me?”

“I wouldn’t bat an eyelash.”


Author’s Endnotes: Such a long wait for this chapter, and it wasn’t all that long. Hell, not that much happened, unless you count Yugi sleeping with Brian. Haha, I really am a bitch. Don’t worry, Yugi will have a discussion with Joey about his sleeping with Seto. And Tristan will find out about Brian. Next chapter there’s some flashbacks of the boys Yugi was fooling around with over the last two and a half weeks. We also get to read some emails Tristan and Bakura send each other. And we’ll see just how bad Yugi and Joey’s relationship has gotten. Guys, now would be a good time to bail out. If you don’t like angst get out now…things will be getting prettd chd chapter 14. But alas, I promise you a lovely happy ending. Well, anyway, here’s a preview of chapter 13 and there will be some lemony goodness too next chapter… I know you can’t wait. Anyway, here you go:


Tristan scanned the document three times before he came up with a response. He knew that Joey and Yugi were at odds at the moment. But he didn’t know it had gotten this bad. Either Yugi had stretched the truth to Bakura or Joey was keeping this from him. But why would Yugi say this if it wasn’t true? Tristan sighed. He didn’t know what to type, but decided that he’d tell the bouncer that he’d have a talk with Joey about it. He also wondered what Yugi had said to him to provoke Joey in the first place.

He had to do something, though. If Bakura had his way he’d deal with Joey in his own way.