Beauty

First Things First: Thanks as always for the reviews. I quite enjoyed writing this chapter. It’s nice to finally get some substantial back-story. And besides that, I just really like the way this chapter turned out. Anyway, this is sort of a break from the drama… but I mean things can’t be falling apart at every moment. There has to be some down time. And this chapter is it. But don’t get too comfortable, there will be plenty of drama coming up. Hehehehe…

Disclaimer: I don’t own it.

Song notes: It’s Over Now (Junior Vasquez Anthem Mix) by Deborah Cox, Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here (Dance mix) by Deborah Cox, Breaking All The Rules By Shemoves, Haopy Together by The Turtles, and Love Wouldn’t Count Me Out by Brandy. The lyrics I provided scream Yugi and Yami, I just had to include them. Though they could apply to both Yami and Seto and Joey and Duke as well. And Duke sings a small snippet from Happy Together.


Chapter 22: Proceedings



I believed in everything you said
If your vow couldn’t make it
You shouldn’t have made it
How could you let me believe
You couldn’t leave me
If you never loved me
If you are in love than why you let go?
Tell me please, what’s happened baby?

It used to be that
You couldn’t live without me
But now you think you’re better without me
So now it’s over
I guess it wasn’t true
When you said I love you
Because love just wouldn’t count me out

I wonder why you hurt me
I question all the pain
What would make you wanna leave this way
What made you say it’s over
What is taking over
I cannot believe that I loved ya
But it wasn’t meant to be
Because love wouldn’t do this to me
It used to be….

~Love Wouldn’t Count Me Out
Brandy


“Sweet dreams, Aibou.” Yugi nodded and curled up into a ball. Bakura hadn’t spent the night so Yami and him were sharing Yugi’s bed one last night. Tomorrow, Monday, Yami was moving into a hotel. Until things between Seto and him were figured out. Were they broken up? Yami still had on the ring, but there had been so much finality in Yami’s voice, like the CEO and him had come to the end of the road.

They had been together for over a year. Getting together shortly after things between Yugi and him had finally ended. It was strange to have Yami, sleeping naked in his bed. It was strange to feel close to Yami again. He had hated him at one point. But now, it was as if the events of last year hadn’t really happened. Like it had all been a bad dream that he was now just waking from. All those old emotions were surfacing again.

Yami had been one of bes best friends. They had been inseparably. And then when Yami had shown up at his doorstep in tears Wednesday night… “I’m sorry I hurt you, Aibou. I’m sorry I left you to be with a monster.”…everything changed in an instant.

Yugi stroked his wrist, feeling the scar in the dark. He glanced at Yami, who had his back to him, snuggled deep into the covers. How was he supposed to feel about this man sleeping next to him?

Yugi sighed and rolled over so his back was to Yami. He had been so dopey back then. So idealistic. Gods, he should have known that love boat was going to gwn iwn in flames. Their interactions played out like a badly scripted made-for-television drama.

Yugi giggled again. “Yami! That tickles.”

“What tickles?”

“THAT…stop it… YAMI!” Yugi wiggled away as best he could but Yami rolled on top of him. “I thought we were going to go to sleep…I didn’t think you were going to play squish Yugi!”

“But squish Yugi is my favorite game, Little One.” Yami laughed as Yugi squirmed helplessly. He gave up and looked up at Yami with big purple eyes.

“You don’t play fair, Yami.”

“That’s why I always win this game, Aibou.” Yugi smiled as Yami ghosted sweet little kisses onto his neck. “You’re my precious little one, Aibou. You’re everything right in this world.”

Yugi felt himself blush as Yami’s kisses went from teasing to passion-filled. He should have known Yami was going to take full advantage of their time alone. Joey was visiting his sister and not crashing at the apartment so Yugi had his place to himself. He didn’t mind when Yami and Joey spent the night since both of them still lived with their parents.

Yugi’s parents had reappeared three weeks ago and given his grandfather a bunch of money to give to him. Yugi hadn’t wanted their guilt monut hut his grandfather insisted. And it did help pay for school, and the security deposit and two months rent for this new apartment. Both Yami and Joey were thrilled Yugi found the quaint little one bedroom, and Yugi loved when they crashed since living alone got lonely.

“You taste so sweet, Little One. Like honey.” Yugi could only moan as Yami’s kisses fell on his chest. “Aibou, I want us to be together. I want us to become one. I want to make love to you, my beautiful one.”

“You want us to…have sex?” Yugi opened his eyes and looked into deep crimson. Yami nodded and gave Yugi a little kiss.

“Yes, Aibou. When you’re ready of course.” Yami smiled at him warmly, melting away all of Yugi’s insecurities. Yami wanted them to be together. Yami wanted them to be one. Yami could have anyone on the planet. And he wanted him. What had he ever done to deserve someone like Yami?

He’d do absolutely anything to please him. Without question. His life was Yami. As much as he cared about Joey, his love and devotion to Yami was unparalleled. Yami was ethinthing. Life. After everything bad that had happened to him in his life, Yami was the bright spot, the light at the end of the tunnel. The rainbow after the storm.

He had never expected to find happiness. Not with someone as amazing as Yami. He wasn’t good enough for Yami. Not nearly good enough. He only hoped he could continue to please him. To continue to keep Yami happy. He didn’t know what he would do if Yami ever realized that he was wasting so much time on him, when it was obvious Yami could be with anyone he wanted to.

That was his biggest fear, of course. That Yami would wake up and leave him. Yami promised him all the time that they’d be together forever. Yami promised he loved him. And Yami had no reason to lie to him. Even Joey seemed to like Yami. Was it possible that something in his life was finally going right? He hadn’t been this happy since Joey had come into his life. Well, that wasn’t fair, Joey hated him in the beginning. But that was another bedtime story.

“There’s no rush, Aibou. We’ll only take that step when you’re ready.”

“I guess I’m a little scared, Yami.”

“It’ll be so good. I promise.” Yami shifted, pulling Yugi with him and allowing Yugi to fall firmly into his embrace. “You and me, Aibou. Life doesn’t get any better than that. It’s heaven on Earth.”

“I love you so much, Yami.”

“I love you so much too, Aibou. My precious everything.” Yugi kissed Yami’s neck and sighed. “Sleep now, Aibou. I love when you fall asleep in my arms.” Yugi shivered. Yami had convinced him to sleep without clothes like he did, and the naked touch of the taller man’s skin against his bare body was delicious. “Mmm…Aibou.”

“I love you, Yami…forever. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Yami. Nothing. I promise.”

“You’ll always be my special little one, Aibou. Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you. I’ll always be here to love you.”

“Yami, I feel so safe with you, like nothing bad can happen as long as we’re together…”

“Nothing will ever happen. I promise. Together forever, Aibou.”


Yugi forced his eyes closed. He didn’t want to think about this anymore. Yami coming back like this way messing everything up. What was he doing?

Yugi sat down and looked at Yami for a while. Had he heard Yami correctly? “You know we’ll always be friends, Aibou. And I’ll always love you.”

“It’s Seto…you’re with him…”

“No, Aibou…it’s not about Seto.” Yugi felt hot tears run down his face. “Don’t cry, Little One. Let’s not make this any more difficult than it has to be.”

“You said you loved me.”

“I do, Yugi. I love you so much.”

“Then why are you leaving me?”

“It’s complicated. Aibou, I just…I can’t give you all of myself. And it’s not fair to you.”

“You said you loved me…” Yugi was sobbing now…the tears streaming down steadily. “I hate him…why does it have to be him…”

“This isn’t about Seto. Nothing has happened between the two of us. I would never do that to you.”

“But if you leave I’ll be alone…please…I don’t want to be alone, Yami…please…Yams…”

“Aibou, you won’t be alone. You’ll have Joey.” Yugi shook his head no. Yami got onto his knees in front of Yugi who was sitting, trembling on the couch. “Joey loves you. And you love him. I know you’re in love with him, Little One.”

“NO… I’m in love with you…Joey has Duke… he’s his fiancé. I can’t be with Joey…I love you, Yami. You. Please…don’t leave… you said forever…”

“I didn’t think I’d ever feel like this, Aibou.”

“You lied to me…you said forever…you were supposed to be my forever…you said I was yours… I was your aibou…I was your precious little one..”

“You are, Yugi. I still love you, I always will, but it’s not the kind of love you feel for me. And I can’t lie to you.”

“But you already lied! Yami, please…” Yami stood up, shaking his head. “Please…don’t leave me… I’ll do anything…I’ll do anything…please…whatever you want…”

“Yugi, we can’t…it’s not going to work…”

“We can try…Yami…please…tell me what you want…I’ll do anything for you, i promise… please…” Yugi grabbed Yami’s wrist. “Anything, Yami.”

“It’s over, Aibou.” Yami pulled away, a little harsher than he meant to. “I’m sorry.”

“No…please…Yami…please…don’t leave me alone…”

“You’ll never be alone. We’ll always be friends. Always. And hav have Joey, Aibou.”

“I don’t have Joey…and now…if you leave…I won’t have anyone…I can’t be alone…why would you leave me…you said you loved me…Yami…please…”

“I’m sorry, Little One.” Yugi launched himself at Yami and clung to him.

“Please…please…please…please…please…” Yugi was whispering softly. Yami couldn’t leave him… he couldn’t…he would die…. Without question. He would die.

“If I stay I’ll only make this harder…” Yami gave him a kiss. “I should just go…”

“No…please…”

Yugi collapsed on the couch, Yami’s words blurring into mush as he finished what he had to say and shattered his heart into minute fragments. Yugi was shaking so violently he could barely pick up the phone. Joey…he had to talk to Joey…

Joey’s cell phone was off. He tried the apartment. Yugi cringed as he heard the sound of Duke’s voice: “Hi, you’ve reached Duke Devlin and Joey Wheeler…we’re not available to take your call right now. Either we’re out or we’re here fucking like rabbits.” Joey’s voice came on, protesting… “DUKE…don’t say that on the message…” The machine beeped.

Joey had once explained the reason Duke and him never got around to erasing the message was because as Joey protested Duke dragged him into their bedroom to make their message a reality.

“Hi, Joey…it’s me…call me back…please…”

Yugi pulled himself up and headed into the bathroom. He had always hidden in the bathroom when he was a kid. He didn’t know why, but he felt safe there. He took the phone with him in case Joey and Duke stopped fucking like rabbits and Joey got the message. He slid onto the cool tiles, legs curled up underneath him and let the tears flow unchallenged.

He wondered if he got into the tub and dropped the phone in with him if he’d electrocute himself. Yugi shivered violently, hugging himself. Where was Joey…he didn’t trust himself to drive like this to get to the blond…he could see himself going off the side of the road. Intentionally.

Joey rolled onto his stomach, trying to figure out how he was supposed to fall asleep when he was worried about Tristan. He supposed he was something of a worrier. But then again the people in his life had always given him something to worry about. Yugi being on the top of the list. He had always felt this urgency, always felt it was his job to protect him. But he had failed him twice now.

How exactly did he think he was going to be able to help Tristan if he couldn’t even help Yugi? And the thing that upset him the most was that both times, the suicide attempt and the rape had occurred because he had been too wrapped up with his relationships to take care of Yugi like he was supposed to. And now with Yami around again and things getting complicated the blond felt himself being pulled.

Tristan, who clearly needed him right now was resisting his help. And Yugi in the meanwhile was falling into Yami’s crap all over again. Joey liked Bakura now…as much as he was going to. But this had nothing to do with that. Yami was good at talking a whole lot of garbage. But he had had his chancnd nnd now that things with Seto were up in the air Joey would be damned if he was going to get a second chance and have a part two with Yugi.

It was Yugi’s life, he knew that. But despite all the shit Yugi had gone through there was still that innocent little boy inside. The boy who woke up to find his parents gone and the world an unforgiving place. Joey had seen that boy, more than anyone ever had…and he had appointed himself the boy’s guardian. He hadn’t been doing a great job. He knew that. But at the same time he didn’t know what to make of the situation at hand. At least with Yugi he knew him better than he knew himself.

Tristan was a puzzle.

And how was he supposed to be able to take care of them both? He had his own problems…everyone had problems it seemed.

Joey slid off his shirt and gave Yugi a pointed lo “Th “Thanks for letting me crash here tonight, Yug. Dad’s being a dick this week. I’m surprised the fucker doesn’t charge me rent.”

“You know I love when you spend the night, Joey.” Yugi smiled at him brightly. “Besides, Yami’s god knows where. He had to work all weekend.

“He makes good tips on the weekends though.” Yugi nodded. “Maybe I should become a waiter.”

“What’s wrong with where you work now?”

“Nothing, but if I want to save up to get a place I have to make more.” Joey dropped his pants, Yugi watching silently. “I don’t know… it’s so expensive to live in this city. Wish my shitty parents gave me some money.”

“Your mom gave you money for school.”

“Big deal.” Joey jumped onto the bed. “She owed me for being a bitch.”

“You shouldn’t speak about her that way, Joey.” Yugi undressed quickly. “Granted she won’t be winning any mother of the year awards, but if she hadn’t been with your dad I wouldn’t have you.”

Joey smiled and then tackled Yugi onto the bed. “You goof ball.”

“JOEY! Stop it! Why do you and Yami insist on squashing me to pieces?”

“It’s fun.” Yugi struggled out of his best friend’s grasp. “It’s your own damn fault for being so cute.” Yugi only rolled his eyes.

“Oh, before I forget to ask, did he call you back?”

“He who?”

“Your knight in shinning armor from the Pyramid the other night.”

“Oh.” Joey smiled. “That guy.”

“Yeah, that guy. What was his name again? Dan, Doug?”

“Duke.”

“That’s it. So, did he call you?” Joey nodded, still grinning. “Awesome. So when you guys going out.”

“Not sure. I don’t want to mess this up. Every time I talk to him it feels so…magical…like there’s a symphony playing in the background…birds singing…maybe you and Yami and the two of us could all go out to lunch or something, like a double date.”

“Of course, Joey. But you have to do me a favor.”

“Anything, Yug.”

“Help me come up with a nickname for Yami. If we’re going to be together I have to call him something.”

“I never liked pet names. I feel uncomfortable using them. I hope Duke doesn’t mind. Some guys get offended if you don’t call them baby and stuff like that.”

“Easy there, Joey…go on at least one date with the guy before you worry about calling him something. Yami and I have been unofficially unofficial for a year now…we first started messing around about this time, last year, right before his 19th birthday. I think I need to call him something.”

“Well, what does he call you? Little One?” Yugi nodded. “Call him Big One. That should stroke his ego some more. Not that the guy doesn’t already have a sizable one.”

“You’re being silly. Besides, the other night when we were talking and he said he wanted us to sleep together he called me “Aibou”. Now he has two names for me and I have none. Come on, Joey…help me.” Joey sat up on his elbows and thought.

“What’s wrong with “Baby”? Or “Babe”? It’s short, it’s simple.”

“I don’t feel comfortable calling him that. I’d only call my boyfriend that.”

“Well, he’ll be your boyfriend soon, won’t he? What’s the problem?”

“I don’t like “Baby”. “Babe” has potential. But Yami doesn’t look like a “Babe”. He’s too sexy.oey oey laughed. “It’s not funny. I think of a “Babe” as someone who’s cute. Like you.”

“Babe? Pl, I , I don’t look like a babe.”

“Yes you do. I’m going to call you that from now on.”

“The hell you will.”

“Babe, Babe, Babe. That’s your new nickname.”

“Don’t think so.” Joey rolled on top of Yugi. “Don’t call me that.”

“Why not, Babe?” Yugi gave Joey a kiss on his nose. Joey tried narrowing his eyes but Yugi was just too cute for him. And he had to admit, Yugi sounded cute calling him that. It would never stick, of course. Yugi would forget about it by the end of the week.

“My little Yugi’s going to be a man soon…hum?” Joey kissed his cheek. “What am I going to do once my sweet innocent Yugi is deflowered?”

“I’m scared. I know it’s going to hurt.”

“Not with the penis Yami has it won’t.” On nigbothboth Yami and him slept over Yugi’s apartment Yami still insisted on being naked, showing off all his salami.

“I like Yami’s penis. Itice.ice. It’s perfect. Just like him.”

“It still wouldn’t be able to do any damage.” Joey slipped off Yugi and groped himself. “Now if you and I had sex you’d probably have some problems.” Yugi giggled.

“You’re so silly, Babe.” Yugi rolled onto Joey, then sat up, straddling him. “I’m sure Yami will be gentle.”

“Yeah, he will. And if he’s not you let me know and I’ll deflower him.”

“You think Yami’s really a virgin? He was with that guy from school for over two years.”

“That guy liked it up the ass, Yug. I’m sure Yami didn’t have to bottom. But he’s your man, you should know if he’s a virgin or not.”

“Yami doesn’t seem like the type that could stay a virgin very long. He’s too attractive.”

“So he tells us.” Yugi only giggled again. “I love Yami just like you do, but I swear, he’s a diva in training.”

“He’s very down to Earth behind all the rest of that stuff he says. And really, I keep wondering what it is he sees in me. He’s so out of my league.”

“Why would you say that, Yug, that’s not true.”

“Yes it is. Yami could have anyone he wanted to. Same as you.”

“Don’t make me laugh. Besides, back in high school it wasn’t as if anyone was really comfortable in his skin. It’s not easy being gay.”

“No, it’s not.” Yugi rubbed Joey’s chest with his fingers. “But Yami always seems so comfortable in his skin. He’s so confident. Sometimes I think I’m not good enough for him. I wish I could be better for him.”

“Oh stop that nonsense. You’re the most loving person I’ve ever known, Yug. Half the time I wonder what would have happened to me if we weren’t friends.”

“I think the same thing about me, Babe.” Yugi lay against Joey’s chest, contented. “But I need you more than you could ever need me.”

“Bullshit.”

“It’s true. I was a scared little boy when we met. And you were this confident, strong, handsome man.”

“Oh shut up. I was not. It was all an act. Behind it all I was just as scared as you were. And I was a dick to you. I was horrible to you, Yug.”

“You weren’t horrible. Aki was horrible.”

“I thought we agreed we wouldn’t mention that name again.”

“If you hadn’t come along when you did I would have slept with him, Joey. Without question.” Yugi snuggled up to Joey. “I would have slept with you too. If you had asked me to. There were nights when Grandpa left the house and you and me were alone and I wanted to ask you if you wanted me. I thought that was the only way to ever thank you for loving me.”

“Yug…” Joey held him tightly. He hated when they talked about this. But he supposed he should be thankful their high school days were behind them now. “I only wish you would have let me take care of him the way I wanted to.”

“You know how I am about violence, Babe.”

“But he wanted to hurt you.”

“He made it clear that the only way we could remain friends was if I started having sex with him. He threatened to leave me. That was the extent of it. I doubt he would have tried to hurt me. To tell you the truth, I thought maybe if I did it he would be my boyfriend. But he didn’t want anyone to know he was gay, and I would have just been his little undercover slut.”

“It’s not just about physical hurt. He hurt you emotionally. He took advantage of your vulnerability. He used the information you told him about your parents as an in. He was a bastard, and I still wish I could have handled things my way.” Joey held Yugi firmer. “It doesn’t matter who you’re dating, Yug. You’ll always be mine. My responsibility.”

“I want to marry Yami. I want to be with him forever.”

“Yami’ll do. You know I have to approve of anyone you look at. And if they’re unworthy I’m telling them to hit the road.”

“You’re so silly, Babe.” Yugi kissed his cheek. “But I love you just like that.” Yugi thought for a moment. “You know, Joey, Yami told me the other night that he was intimidated. When we first started hanging out with him after graduation. He said he liked me but thought that me and you had something going on.”

“A common misconception.” Joey kissed Yugi back. “But that’s your fault because you look cute with me.” Yugi smiled.

“When I told him we were just friends he thought we were still sleeping together at the very least. Actually, I always assumed you’d be my first.”

“Yeah, me too.” Yugi sat up a bit so he could look into Joey’s amber eyes.

“How come you never slept with me?”

“I wouldn’t do tha you you, Yugi. I knew if I asked you you would have said yes, despite how you felt about me, and I didn’t want to make you do something you weren’t ready for. Though I have to admit there were nights you got me pretty worked up.”

“Really? Me?”

“Yes, you. You cute thing you. Crawling into my lap, kissing me. You can’t tell me you never felt my boners.” Yugi only giggled. “And that giggle. You’re too cute for your own good.”

“Gods, Joey…I had the world’s biggest crush on you in high school. I guess I’ve always had a crush on you.”

“Yeah, I know. Me too.”

“What do you mean you know?”

“You didn’t think I didn’t notice the drool forming on your mouth? And as for my crushing, you can’t me me you didn’t suspect something. Why did you think I was such a dick to you in the beginning. I had a thing for you before I even realized I was gay.”

“But, Joey…if you knew I liked you…and you liked me…”

“Yug, I don’t know how it would be living without you as my boyfriend. But I damn well know that if you weren’t my friend I’d die. And I didn’t want to mess that up. And then of course Mako showed up. And now you’re sort of with Yami, making wedding plans.” Yugi looked at Joey for a while. “I swear though, Yug. If he ever hurts you. If anyone ever hurts you…”

“I love you, Babe.” Yugi attached himself to Joey. “Forever. Okay?”

“Yes, forever.”

“I have a good feeling about this Duke guy. We could have a double wedding. Me and you.”

“Now you’re the one being silly.” Joey rolled over, back on top of Yugi. “No guys will ever come between us. Okay? We’ll always be friends first.”

“Okay, Joey.”

“I love you, Yugi.” Joey gave Yugi a soft kiss.


As much as he loved Tristan…Yugi would always be number one in his heart…and he didn’t feel guilty about that. Tristan reminded him so much of Duke sometimes…and Duke was still an anxious tension in his heart…Yugi had never hurt him. He almost wished Duke had been a jerk the entire relationship. It would have taken some of the sting off. And it didn’t help matters that that chapter of his life was never really closed.

He had to see Duke. He had to tell him all the things he had wanted to say over a year ago. That had to be his New Year’s resolution. To settle things once in for all. He couldn’t help either Yugi or Tristan if he didn’t help himself first. He wanted to be strong for both of them. Especially Tristan. He was a stubborn one…not wanting help…if only he knew what was wrong with him. Duke had been stubborn too…not wanting help… of course that had been because he was getting some on the side.


“I really love the way that ring looks on you, Baby.” Joey looked up as Duke sat down next to him. “I can’t wait until we’re married.” Joey accepted a kiss from his fiancé willingly. “I can’t see me loving nobody but you, for all my life.”

“Are you slipping into song now?”

“Me and you, and you and me…no matter how they toss the dice, we’re meant to be…” Duke sang sweetly. “The only one for me is you, and you for me. So happy together.” Joey blushed. “I can’t see me loving nobody but you, for all my life.”

“Did I tell you I loved you today?”

“Exactly six times.” Joey grinned. “Mmm…how I love you, Baby…” Duke pulled Joey onto his lap. “How did I get lucky enough to end up with you?”

“I don’t know.”

“I always roll snake eyes when it comes to love. Then you changed all that. I just love being in love with you.”

“Hey, I’m already going to marry you, you don’t have to keep buttering me up, Kitten.”

“Well maybe I want to fuck you tonight.” Joey laughed. “It’s not funny.”

“You think just because I live here I’m going to give you some?”

“Yes, that’s how it works.”

“You can really be a jerk when put your mind to it.”

“Can I help being horny around you, Baby…maybe you should try not being so cute.”

“I’ll work on it.” Duke smirked.

“Knock me a little kiss, Baby.” Joey gave Duke a small peck on the cheek. “You’re making the other side jealous.” Joey kissed the other side and smiled. “So what’s the probability of me getting laid?”

“If you catch me you can have me.” Joey got off Duke’s lap and sprinted across the room.

“Hey…get back here…BABY!”


Tristan knelt in front of the porcelain throne in his bath and and expelled the contents of his stomach. He put the seat down and placed his throbbing head on the seat cover and waited for his head to stop swimming so he could chance trying to get back to his bed. He idly glanced at the wall clock. 3:30. Lovely.

He didn’t remember what it was that caused him to jump out of bed and vomit, but he had the distinct feeling it had a lot to do with the revelation that he had been the one to sleep with Duke when he was still Joey’s fiancé. He probably had a nightmare about it. He had woken up in a sweat, his chest heaving as he tried to force enough air into his lungs to sustain life. Another panic attack. It wouldn’t be long before he’d be breathing out of a paper bag.

Whaactlactly was he supposed to tell Joey? How could he even bring it up? Next time Joey mentd hid his ex: “Yeah, speaking of ex’s did you know I fucked him. Yeah, that fiancé of yours, Duke. Yeah. We screwed. Lots. Small world, huh, Baby?”

Tristan shivered. Every time his mind wrapped around the idea that he had been the one to cause Joey so much pain he felt nauseated. He didn’t even see himself confessing to Bakura. He just kept thinking if he ignored it the problem would go away. But damn it, this wasn’t the type of problem that vanished. Would it be better to fain innocence? Let Joey see Duke and let the creep tell him. No, that wouldn’t’ work, because now Joey knew that Tristan knew it was Duke.

At this point this could only get worse the longer he delayed. He couldn’t pretend he didn’t know. He had even used Duke’s name. Now he had two options, convince Joey it would only be too painful to see Duke and that it would be better to forget all about him and move on, then bury this secret away and perhaps tell him one day after the grandchildren went out to play. Or he could do the right thing and confess. Tell Joey the entire truth. And risk pushing him away. He promised Joey his honesty… but how could he tell Joey he had done such a thing.

At the time he didn’t know that Duke was with anyone else. Sure both of them were free to see other people, and he didn’t doubt Duke was doing his thing when they didn’t see each other, but he certainly had no idea that the fucker was engaged. What bothered him the most was he wondered if knowing Duke was engaged would have actually changed anything. Would that have changed the scenario at all? He met Duke at a point in his life when he was running through guys like people change their boxer shorts. None of them meant anything. And the thought that one of them wanted him enough to cheat on his fiancé would just add to his ego trip.

If he had never met Joey and found out that Duke had cheated on his fiancé for him he still wouldn’t have lost any sleep over it. He would have felt a little silly for not realizing it. Or not wanting to realize it, but he would have chalked up the entire situation to a point in his life when he just couldn’t keep it in his pants and had no desire to try. He had standards of course, he didn’t go for just anything. He was picky, but he usually got anyone he wanted with little effort, so it wasn’t like it mattered anyway.

Now he knew Joey, now he had fallen in love with him, now the victim of Duke’s infidelity had a name, a face, a heart. Even if Joey and him were just friends he’d feel terrible. And the fact that he was Joey’s boyfriend added to that guilt ten-fold. It felt like his entire world was crashing down around him. Every time he smiled in Joey’s face he was lying to him. He was misleading him. He was hurting him.

What in the hell was he supposed to do? That part of him that was faced with the task of keeping all the negative emotions in check was breaking down. He had this urge to track down Duke himself and run him over with a semi-truck. He was a victim too. Duke had lied to him as well. Though he didn’t profess to be hurt by Duke’s double life. For the love of god, not only had he fucked around on Joey, but he had done it with a guy who told him in so many words that he meant little to him and could easily be replaced. He had such an ego in those days… like he was doing Duke a favor by sleeping with him.

Tristan felt the dizzy feeling engulf him again. God, that first time with him… could he have been more of a jerk?


Tristan picked up the phone. “Hello?”

“Hey, Tristan?”

“Yeah, what’s up? Who’s this?”

“Duke.”

“Duke? Duke who?”

“The guy you met at the dry cleaners.” Tristan thought for a moment. That black haired guy. the the earring? He hadn’t thought he’d ever get called back. It had been two weeks. “Remember?”

“Yeah, I remember. What’s going on?”

“Not much. My brother is driving me nuts. He’s so clingy and I’m just tired of it. You think maybe I could stop by tonight and we could get better acquainted?” Tristan thought for a moment. From not a call in two weeks to stopping by?

“You want to meet at the Pyramid first or something, get a drink.”

“No.” Duke answered. “It’s better if I just come over. I could bring a bottle of something if you want.”

“I have plenty of stuff. I’ll see you about 8:30?” Duke agreed. Tristan smirked. He still had it. Or maybe this Duke guy was just a slut, coming over his condo without expecting at least a drink. Oh well, why look a gift horse in the mouth. How could he turn down ass he didn’t have to work for?

It didn’t take Duke long to arrive at the condo and Tristan wasted no time. As soon as the shorter man was inside he locked the door and closed his mouth over his. Duke was taken aback, pressed up against the door, in a daze.

He pushed away and caught his breath. Tristan hadn’t meant to be so forward, but he was horny, he quite enjoyed guys coming over just for sex. No dinner, no movie, no bullshit, just sex sex. Turned him the fuck on. And Duke happened to be pretty good looking so that only heightened his excitement.

Duke’s emerald eyes met Tristan’s and he swallowed. “I just got here, I thought we could talk or something first.”

“Why, you didn’t come here to talk. And if you did you came to the wrong condo.”

“I’ve never done anything like this.”

“Well, let me show you how it works then..” Tristan went back in for the kill, this time it wasn’t just his lips and tongue that did some exploring. His hands roamed under the other’s shirt, tweaking a nipple, caressing the smooth muscles.

Duke pushed away again.

Tristan sighed, annoyed. This was taking too long for his taste.

“Maybe you could fix me a drink first?” Duke asked, hopeful.

“Alright. Follow me.” Duke slipped off his shoes and followed Tristan into the living room and over to where a modest bar was set up. “What’s your poison?”

“I’m not picky.”

“Tequila it is then.” Duke gave him a look. Tristan smirked. “You should loosen up a bit.” Tristan thought for a moment. “Actually, I’ll do the loong, ng, you just relax.”

Duke blushed. “Listen, I don’t bottom very often. I can’t tell you the last time I was catching instead of pitching.”

“So you’re tight, whayouryour point?”

“I just assumed you’d be receiving.”

“Nope.” Tristan poured some liquor into a shot glass. “Here, this will help you relax.” Duke took the shot and gulped it “Nervous?”

“Yes.” Duke put the shot glass down. “Hit me again.”

“You’re telling me you’ve never met a guy and gone home with him?”

“No.”

“No wonder you’re tight.” Tristan poured him more alcohol. “How have you managed not to wind up going home with someone living in this town?”

“I’ve just been in relationships, that’s all.”

Tristan considered what Duke was telling him. Or what he wasn’t telling him. “Look, Buddy, you’re cute. And the fact that you’re tight is turning me on more. But I don’t know what you thought this was…are you looking for some type of commitment from me?”

“No. I don’t need any sort of commitment. I really don’t think I’ll ever see you again.”

“Moving too fast for you?”

“It has nothing to do with that. I just ed ted to get this out of my system. That’s all.” Duke looked at his shot glass for a while. Contemplating. “Sometimes you just want to see what else is out there before you give up on it.”

“I guess my problem is I don’t want to give up on it. Maybe that’s why I’m shitty when it comes to commitment. There’s always something out there I haven’t tried yet. And maybe I just don’t want to get left out there alone. It’s easier to abandon things.”

“You’ve never wanted to find a soul mate, settle down with someone? Spend the rest of forever with them?”

“No. Never. I can’t imagine myself ever being able to maintain a relationship longer than a few months before it would all just come ue.” e.”

“You’ve obviously never been in love.” Duke handed Tristan his empty shot glass. “Hit me again, please.”

“No, never been in love. I don’t have much use for it. Love’s for people who believe in it. And I don’t.”

“When it’s good, it’s great. When it’s bad…heaven help you.”

“That’s exactly why I don’t mess with messy emotions. Why be in love? You don’t have to be in love to fuck.”

“I suppose you don’t.” Duke downed another shot. “More?”

“I think you’ve had enough. You’re going to be walking funny soon. And I’d rather you walk funny from me than from my liquor cabinet.”

“You talk a lot of shit, Tristan. I wonder if you live up to your boasts.”

“Why don’t we go upstairs and you can attempt to prove me wrong.” Duke’s face flushed, partially from the alcohol and partially from embarrassment.

Tristan took Duke’s hand and led him upstairs to his bedroom. “Mirrors? You really are something.”

“Just put them up two weeks ago. This guy I was trying to screw said he was into them so I bought some. As it turned out he was lousy in bed. Go figure.”

“Is that all you’re about, sex? You’ve probably been with everyone.”

“That a bad thing?”

“I just…don’t you worry about infections.”

“I don’t have sex without protection. You just don’t like the idea that I’ve slept with more guys than you have.” Tristan took off his shirt and tossed it across the room. He walked over to his stereo and found some mood music. The heavy beats and bass pounded against the walls. “I bet you’ve only been with three guys your whole life.”

“Four.” Duke stood and watched as Tristan yanked down his own pants. He stepped out of them.

“You have some catching up to do, get undressed.”

“What about foreplay?” Duke wondered, uneasily.

“I’ll suck your dick before I fuck you.” Tristan pulled off his boxer shorts and they flew off to an unknoocatocation.

“I don’t think I can do this.” Duke focused his attentions on the growing appendage in between the brunet’s legs. “I think this was a mistake.”

“No, you can do this. I’ll help you.” Tristan closed the distance between them and was helping the black-haired man pull his shirt over his head.

“Tristan…I…I shouldn’t…”

“You came this far…why not?” Tristan met his eyes and undid his jeans without looking. “Drop your pants for me, baby…I want to see what you’re trying to hide from me…”

“Tristan…listen…”

“You’re hard for me…just like I knew you would be.” Tristan was on his knees, revealing more of Duke’s skin. “Let’s see what we have in here…shall we?”

“Tristan…” Tristan removed his jeans and shorts in one yank and smiled up at him. “I…this is wrong…”

“Then why does it feel so right?” Tristan took the entire length of Duke’s penis in his mouth. Duke bit his lip to keep from moaning. Tristan smirked. He liked when they tried to hold back their moans…that only made him want to tease them more. Duke could barely stay on his feet… his knees turning to gelatin.

“TRISTAN…FUCK…” He had never gotten a blowjob so intense before and he could already feel himself close to the edge before it really began. Tristan hummed hard and that sent him over, screaming.

It was a few moments before Duke’s mind caught up. He was now sprawled on the bed and Tristan was over him. “My turn…”

“I just…this is so wrong…”

“No regrets. I’ve always lived my life with that philosophy. You can never regret something that makes you smile. Or moan.”

“One time…it’s only one time…” Duke whispered, not loud enough for Tristan to hear. Tristan didn’t pay any more attention to the man lying on his bed as pulled out a condom from a bowl on his dresser and shifted through lube.

“Do you like coconut?” Duke looked at him a far off look in his eyes. “I guess that’s a yes.” Tristan poked two fingers inside, meeting resistance. Tight wasn’t the word for what was going on…this guy really didn’t bottom at all. “Hey, pretty eyes, look at me…”

Duke met his eyes and blinked twice. “You have done this before, haven’t you?”

“I just don’t bottom very often…”

“Are you going to be okay?”

“Let’s just get this over with.” Tristan made a face. “I want this…”

Tristan didn’t believe him of course, but his penis could really care less at the moment “Relax, it’s fine…I won’t hurt you…I’m gentle, eager, but gentle.”

“You’re big, bigger than I’ve ever had before…”

“It’s okay, I’ll make you feel so good…” Tristan trailed little kisses along his jaw line to help him unwind. It wasn’t long before he could stretch the raven-haired man without him wincing. He really couldn’t wait much longer, and even though he was aware Duke wasn’t as anxious to get fucked as most of the guys he brought home were he was a little bit too horny to give a shit.


The next morning Duke was still fast asleep on his bed, the tequila knocking him out cold. When he did finally get up he declined breakfast and mumbled something about his brother worrying about him. He checked his cell phone and shook his head at how many missed calls he had and left. Tristan hadn’t thought he’d see him again.

But Duke had called him a week later and after that he made regular trips to the condo. Usually after work. Tristan usually made dinner or ordered something and after they ate things always wound up in bed. Tristan found it weird that Duke wasn’t use to bottoming before they had gotten together, especially since as their situation progressed Duke became more willing to do all sorts of submissive things. Tristan had even felt a little proud that he had sculpted this submissive side to Duke, molded him into the perfect bottom.

Which made it all the more disturbing that he topped Joey. It seemed to Tristan, at the time, that Duke was the type who needed himself a Daddy. An older man to take care of him. And he’d be the faithful wife. He had to really have been going through something to be a completely different person with the two of them. Tristan never saw the Duke Joey knew. And Joey didn’t see the Duke he did. It was like he had multiple personality disorder or something, becoming a different person depending on the situation he was in.

Tristan wasn’t sure how he had felt about him. He had been casually seeing him for about 4 and a half months. He wasn’t in love with him. But he liked him. He felt something more for him than he did the other guys. If Duke hadn’t started acting weird towards the end he might have considered trying an actual relationship with him. ouldould tell Duke wanted stability. Who knew that he had it with someone else.


Tristan looked up from his food. He had gotten off work early, taking a half-day this Friday like most of his co-workers. Michael didn’t mind, and Seto Kaiba hadn’t even come in today, so it was no biggie. The rumor mill was in full swing, Seto was seeing someone… or so people thought. Would explain why he hadn’t been so damn uptight lately.

He couldn’t imagine running a company. Like Seto…or Duke even. The raven-haired man in question sat across from him. He had taken off from work early as well, so they could meet before he had to go out tonight. “You’ve been awfully quiet. Something on your mind, pretty eyes?” Duke looked up and shook his head. “You’re lying.”

“And what if I was…”

“Just tell me what the problem is.”

“You never call me baby…”

“Should I?” Duke shrugged.

“I didn’t really think I would like hearing that kind of thing unmy bmy boyfriend called me Kitten.” Tristan made a face. “I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m just distracted.” Duke stood up and dumped his plate. “Let’s just go upstairs.”

“You don’t have to be so grim. Don’t sleep with me out of obligation.”

“I sleep with you because you’re a good fuck, Tristan.” Duke considered his brunet lover for a moment. “Do you want me to call you a pet name? Baby or something?”

“Don’t if you don’t want to. I guess if I was inelatelationship I’d like hearing it. But whatever. This isn’t much of a relationship.”

“No. But then again, you don’t do commitment.” Tristan nodded. “Upstairs then?”

“You don’t want to talk first?”

“I didn’t come here to talk. Besides, I have to get home early to change. My brother is dragging me out tonight. It’s his best friend’s birthday tonight. We’re all going to the Pyramid.”

“You don’t sound like you want to go.”

“His best friend and his boyfriend…or whatever they are annoy me. They’re too lovey dovey….the guy calls my brother’s best friend Aibou for Christ sakes. It’s so much bullshit.”

“I thought you were a romantic at heart.”

“I’m giving up on romance. It’s all bullshit. You’re right. You don’t have to be in love to screw. Who needs love anyway.”

“You’re becoming a cynic. My doing?”

“No.” Duke headed up the stairs, not looking back to see if Tristan was following him or not.

“Maybe I coulme wme with you guys. Tag along. Meet this brother of yours. He’s probably so uptight because he needs to get fucked.”

“No, I wouldn’t make you come. My brother’s friends are just…too much…his best friend’s boyfriend type guy is like practically dating someone else. It’s like this love triangle going on.”

“Well maybe your brother could go out with his best friend.”

“I’m sure he’s probably in love with him. They probably fuck each other when I’m not around.” Duke was almost bitter a ope opened the door to Tristan’s bedroom.

“Why are you going tonight? Tell your brother you don’t want to go. Tell him you’re spending the night with me.” Duke glanced over his shoulder. “He must know you’re fuckinoundound.”

Duke almost blushed at that. “I have to go. I’m expected to go. And I guess his best friend’s man is eye candy. He is pretty hot.”

“Have your brother and his best friend and this hot guy have a threesome then.”

“I’m sure they already have had one. They’ve been really close for a long time. So close.”

“If you have to go, let me come with you. I bet you’re a good dancer.” Tristan rubbed himself against the shorter male.

“How would you know I’m a good dancer?”

“Because you’re good in bed.” Duke smiled. “I’ll come. It’ll be great. I love that place.”

“No…it’s okay…I won’t ruin your night…” Duke slipped off his shirt. “Just forget I mentioned it.”

“Why? I could meet you guys there, casually bump into you.”

“No…really, Tris…it’s not going to be a good night.” Duke pulled off his pants. “Forget it, really.”

“Sure?”

“Positive. It would be better if you didn’t come.” Duke finished undressing and got onto Tristan’s bed.


Yami got up to get a glass of water. Yugi had kicked him in his sleep and practically knocked him off the bed. It had to be four in the morning, and here he was, now wide-awake. Sleeping with just Yugi was still better than when he spent nights with Joey and his aibou. Joey was really a kicker in bed.

It had been interesting going out shopping with aibou and Joey tonight. It felt like old times, but so much had changed since the last time they had all been close. Well, to be fair, Joey had always been apprehensive of him. He had often wondered why he hadn’t just come up to him and demanded he stay away from “his Yugi”.

And didn’t help matters that Joey was in love with him. Becoming friends with the both of them after high school had kind of just happened. He had broken up with his boyfriend, and since they had all the same friends Yami was kind of screwed. And then he run run into Yugi and Joey at the mall, and the rest had been history. In high school they had little interaction. Yami had the popular crowd and barely noticed Yugi…he was aware that Yugi was probably gay… but he had been too shallow to have any interacs wis with him… not that Joey would have let him.

He had thought Yugi and Joey were together….not even realizing that Joey was gay as well until their reunion. Strange how life worked out though. It wasn’t like Joey’s dislike for him developed after Yugi an him were over. Joey had always resented him, though he was clueless as to why exactly. It wasn’t just about Yugi…there was something else there.


Yugi sat down and held up two DVDS. What do you guys want to watch?”

“Doesn’t your grandpa have any porn, Yug?” Joey asked, gobbling up popcorn.

“JOEY! No, Grandpa doesn’t have porn. He’s old.”

“Doesn’t mean he doesn’t have porn. I thought you assumed he was gay.”

“Your grandfather is gay, Little One?” Yami asked. Yugi sighed.

“We’re not watching porn.”

“Then let’s make our own…” Joey jumped up and did some pelvic thrusts to get the two other guys’ attentions.

“Do you think Yugi and I want to sleep with you, Joey?” Yami asked, rolling his eyes.

“You know you do, Sweet Stuff.” Yami laughed.

“Yes, you’re right. Let’s fuck.” Yami got up, crashing his hips against Joey’s. “Come on, Little One, let’s have a threesome.”

“You guys…stop…we were going to watch a movie.”

“I’d rather fuck. Yami, would you give me a blowjob?” Joey started undoing his pants.

“How come I have to give you a blowjob?” Yami asked, getting onto his knees to Yugi’s horror.

“Because out of the three of us, you’re the biggest slut.” Yami gasped, in mock surprise. “Who was the one who insisted we sneak into that bar’s grand opening?”

“I told you, the Pyramid staff doesn’t care. And I only promised that guy I’d make it worth his while, I didn’t do anything with him. You have to admit, that was a pretty amazing bar, Joey. Too bad Yugi looks like he’s ten and gave us away.” Yami looked at Yugi with a grin. “Yugi’s jailbait.”

“I’m older than yYamiYami. By three months. And you should have known they were going to give us a hard time. Every gay man in Japan tried to get into that bar opening weekend.” Yugi gasped. “Yami….you’re not really going to give Joey a blowjob, are you?”

“You can help me. You get one side, I can get the other.” Yami slipped Joey’s boxer shorts off.

“YAMI!” Yugi got off the couch.

“Don’t worry, Little One. When I’m done with Joey I’ll put your cock into my mouth. If I’m going tothe the slut out of the three of us I have to start somewhere.”

“I just hope you swallow, Yami,” Joey said, holding himself and giving it a little teasing stroke.

“Of course I do.” Yami smiled mischievously.

“Guys, cut it out! Don’t!” Yami and Joey looked at Yugi and burst out laughing. “Why do you guys always tease me?”

“It’s so much fun…that’s why…” Joey grabbed Yugi to tickle him.

“You fall for it every time, Little One.” Yami helped in the tickle torture.

“I think we should just tie Yugi to the bed and have our way with him.”

“Mmm…that’s a great idea.” Yami smiled. “Take him to the bedroom so we can do our bidding.” Joey hoisted Yugi over his shoulder effortlessly, Yugi squealing.

“You’re a brute! Let me go…when Grandpa comes home I’m going to tell him you guys are abusing me.”

“He won’t believe you, Yug. He loves me,” Joey promised, tossing Yugi onto his bed.


Yugi was quite fun to tease. And Yami had felt strongly about him. He had never imagined that things would have gone the way they did. If Seto had never come along when he did he could see himself marrying Yugi and having kids and a happy ending. But from the moment he rediscovered Seto Kaiba there was just something he had that Yugi didn’t. A magnetism.

i toi toi took off his smock and was just headed from Chez Pierre’s when he spotted a familiar face. “Seto? Seto Kaiba?” Seto narrowed his eyes. No one ever called him by his first name. He looked towards the direction the voice was coming from. “Seto! Hey, it’s me…” Yami worked his way through the tangle of outdoor tables to get to where the brunet was sitting. “It’s me, Yami. From high school.”

Seto looked up into warm crimson eyes. Yami was dressed in a free flowing white shirt and black leather pants. He was holding a wallet and a white linen smock, the same kind the waiters and waitresses at the bistro wore.

“You don’t remember me, huh?” Yami asked with a small smile.

“No. I mean, no, I do, remember you.” Seto frowned at himself. He sounded like an idiot. “Do you work here or something?”

“Yeah. Just got off. I finished with my last table an hour ago, but you know the restaurant business.” Seto nodded. “Lunch break?”

“Yes. I needed to get out of the office for an hour. Clear my head. There won’t be too many more nice days, summer’s going to be over next week. I figured I wouldn’t get another opportunity to sit at one of the outdoor tables.”

“Do you come here a lot? I’ve never seen you here.”

“No, I haven’t been here in a long time. But my secretary, Dana, was eating something from here the other day and she let me have some and I remembered how much I always liked this place.”

“So you popped by?” Seto nodded. “Nice.” Yami put his hands on the back of the chair he was standing in front of and smiled. “How’s life been treating you since graduation. I haven’t seen you in about two years.”

“Well, business is good. It’s easier to run Kaiba Corp without having to go to school during the day.”

“How’s Mokuba?” Seto gave Yami a look. He didn’t know Yami knew his brother’s name. Yami and him hadn’t spent anytime together in high school. Yami had his popular group and Seto preferred the company of himself. The only person he ever paid attention to in school was Yugi, and that was only because the half pint was the only one in school who challenged him academically. Then again, it wasn’t as if Mokuba had been out of the spotlight. Surely Yami had heard the name on television. “Seto?”

Seto looked at Yami, recalling he had been asked a question. “Mokuba is good. High school. And all that entails.” Yami nodded, knowingly. “I’m being rude, would you like to sit.”

“I wouldn’t want to interrupt you. You obviously chose to come to this quiet, hole in the wall place alone because you wanted your privacy.” Yami smiled a little brighter. “It’s not everyone who has mastered the art of eating alone. But you have. You cast off this mysterious vibe, you intrigue people by looking like you are quiet pleased with your own company.”

“It’s just not easy for me to trust people.” Seto gave Yami a look. It was obvious he didn’t admit that fact about himself very often. “I’d feel more comfortable if you sat. I don’t like looking up to converse with you.”

“It’s not like you’re looking up that high. I’m practically a little person.” Yami sat down. “Do you know how hard it is to find a woman who’s taller than me at this height? Maybe that’s why I like men.” Yami winked.

Seto let out a small smile. He hated to admit that he was intrigued. Yami was simply gorgeous, and what intrigued Seto even more was that Yami was well aware of the fact. “So what have you been doing since high school?”

“Working at a strip club. Shaking my moneymaker. Scaled the Himalayas. Cured cancer. You know, that sort of thing.”

“All that and a waiter job too. How do you find the time?”

“It’s hard but someone has to do it.” Seto smirked. “We can’t all be CEOs, now can we?”

“No, I suppose not.” Seto thought for a moment. “Do you still keep in touch with your friends from school? You were quite the social butterfly back then.”

“Actually, I don’t. When me and Harrison broke up all our friends took his side.”

“Harrison, the English transfer student?” Yami nodded. “You were with that jerk?”

“Wasn’t the smartest move I could have made. He accused me of being a tease. Like that’s a crime.”

“So you admit to being a tease?”

“Very much so.” Yami reached over and grabbed a Fh frh fry from Seto’s plate and stuck it in his mouth, seductively. “I’m just selective, that’s all.”

“So you don’t talk to anyone from high school?”

“No, didn’t say that. Actually sometime after graduation I started hanging out with Joey and Yugi.”

“The puppy and the shrimp,” Seto mumbled under his breath.

“Hum?””

“Nothing.” Seto looked at Yami for a moment, not sure where he wanted this conversation to go.

“We’re all supposed to go to the Pyramid for my birthday, the Thursday after next. You should come.”

“The Pyramid? Isn’t that that gay bar?” Yami nodded.

“I’ll finally be 20. Legal.” Yami smil “We “We’re goin hav have a blast. Yugi and Joey are already 20, and I won’t have to offer to give blowjobs to the bouncers to get in anymore.”

“Why couldn’t Joey or Yugi offer?”

“Because out of the three of us, I’m the slut.” Seto’s heart jumped. “Will you come with us? We’re going to get trashed.”

“Going to a gay bar isn’t really my thing. I don’t like crowds.” Yami pouted. “Thank you for the offer though.”

“Come. It’ll be so much fun.”

“I’m not legal yet. My birthday is a week after yours.” Yami grinned. “Don’t smile at me like that.”

“We have to do something for our birthdays. Just the two of us. You have to get drunk for your 20th birthday. It’s practically a crime not to.” Yami took another one of Seto’s fries. “We could go to a strip club, I’ll even buy you a lap dance.”

Seto gave Yami a look. The only lap dances he wanted were from the smoldering hot man sitting across from him. Was Yami flirting with him or was he simply being a tease?

“Don’t say no to my offer on principle, Seto.” Seto looked at Yami for a moment, not sure what he was supposed to say. “Let me see your palm pilot.” Seto pulled it out, not knowing why he was listening to Yami at all. Yami played with it for a moment. “There, I put my phone number in it. I expect you to call me. I’m being serious, I’m taking you out you your birthday. And if you don’t call me I’m coming down to Kaiba Corp and harassing you until you agree to go.”

Seto watched as Yami stood up. “I have to go. I’m supposed to be meeting Yugi, but I expect to be called, Seto Kaiba.” Yami smiled once more and headed from the French restaurant. Seto watched Yami’s perfectly sculpted ass cheeks switch and sway as he headed off. This was definitely the wrong time to be getting involved with someone. But for whatever reason Seto resisted the urge to erase Yami’s phone number.

In fact, Seto found himself actually calling Yami on the 28th. “Hello?”

“Hi, Yami? It’s Seto.” Yami smiled and slid onto his bed.

“Hi, Seto.”

“I just wanted to call and wish you a happy birthday.”

“You remembered.”

“Yes.”

Yami rested his head in his hands as he got comfortable lying on his stomach. “How sweet of you, Seto. Thank you very much.”

“You’re welcome.” Seto sat on his bed, wondering what else he could say to avoid an awkward silence. “How does it feel to be legal?”

“Great. I’m so excited. I can finally order a drink and show ID.” Yami thought for a moment. “Don’t you want to come with us tonight?”

“I really can’t. I have reports I have to look over for tomorrow. Some of us do have to work on Fridays.”

“I don’t work Fridays.”

“I know.”

“How?” Yami wondered. Seto swallowed. How was a good question. He had forgotten just wYamiYami had told him when they met at the bistro and what he had gleamed from doing a background check. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Yami, but he didn’t trust anyone. He could never be too careful involving himself with people, lest one of them end up being a con artist or terrorist or something. “You were checking on me, weren’t you?”

“Perhaps.”

“I don’t know whether to be flattered or frightened, Seto Kaiba.” Seto swallowed again. What the hell was he doing? Why had he called, he didn’t even know. He was clearly thinking with the wrong head. But could he be blamed? He was a 19-year-old man. He had needs. And maybe it was nice to be flirted with, especially by someone as attractive as his former classmate. It had been entirely too long since he had been laid. “So, what else did you learn about me?”

“It’s not the way it seems.”

“Oh no?”

“No.”

“It seems to me that you’re infatuated.” Yami smiled. He was amused. “Really, I’m moved.”

“Now you’re patronizing me.”

“Yes, and enjoying every moment of it.” Yami paused for a second. “You sure I can’t convince you to come out with us?”

“I’m sure. I only called to wish you a happy birthday. I’m sure you have to get ready to go.”

“Well, I just got out of the shower. I was drying off when the phone rang. Now I’m sitting here talking to you naked.” Yami said nothing, waiting for Seto’s mind to come back into focus from the images that were surely now dancing in his head.

“If you need to put on some clothing I can let you go.”

“I quite enjoing ing naked, Seto. I sleep naked.”

“Do you?”

“Indeed. I have little use for clothes.”

“Is that why you’re the slut, Yami?”

“That’s one of the reasons,” Yami answered with a dark, sexy chuckle.

“You could put on your underwear at the very least.”

“I could, but I don’t wear any. I like the way the leather feels against my bare skin.” Seto swallowed, wishing he had a glass of water, his throat sticky from drying out. “It sounds like we’re having phone sex, doesn’t it, Seto? Maybe it’s because you have that deep, lusty voice. You sound delicious over the phone.”

“Do I?” Seto asked, hoping to whatever god was in attendance that he wasn’t panting.

“You sound quite tasty, Seto. Your boyfriend must love it.”

“I don’t have one.”

Yami chuckled. “No boyfriend, rich handsome thing like you? That’s shocking. Then again I know how hard it is to find someone.”

“I’m sure you must beat them off with a stick.”

“You give me too much credit. Besides, at the moment my heart is tied to Yugi.” Seto’s eyes widened. YUGI? All the men in the greater Domino City metropolitan area and Yami was with YUGI? Had Hell frozen over recently? What the fuck…Yugi? He had to have heard wrong. This was some kind of disgusting joke without a punch line, was it not? “Still there, Seto?”

“So how long have you and Yugi been together?”

“Well, we’re not. Things are moving slowly. We’re sg eag each other at the moment.”

“He’s not your boyfriend.”

“Not officially, no.”

“Do you love him?”

“A very personal question. I’m surprised you don’t already know the answer to thinceince you researched my life.”

“Is that a no?”

“I do love him, yes. We’ve been friends for a long time. He’s very loveable. It’s impossible not to love him.” Seto smiled. He liked this. He liked that Yami was involved with Yugi. This made things interesting. And he liked interesting.

“So where are we going for my birthday, Yami?”


Seto sat on the floor of his bedroom, putting more of Yami’s belongings into suitcases. Yami was supposed to be going to the hotel later today. It wasn’t that he thought that it was necessary to pack up Yami’s things at 5 in the morning, but since he hadn’t slept last night anyway he decided to at least make himself useful.

This was taking longer than necessary, but that had a lot to do wite fae fact that every item he looked over brought back memories. He held the shirt Yami had worn the night the shit hit the fan over a year ago.

Seto wrapped his arms around Yami’s waist and held him in place. He dipped his mouth low so that he brushed against the shorter man’s earlobe. “Stay.”

“I can’t. You know that.”

“Stay,” Seto repeated more firmly. “We’re getting too old to play high school games.”

“I can’t stay.”

“Give me one good reason why.”

Yami pulled away and looked at the brunet CEO. “You know why. I don’t trust myself around you. And I’m not going to betray Yugi.”

“I don’t like being teased. I don’t like being misled.”

“I never misled you. You knew the situation going in. You made the choice to pursue this. You told me up front you weren’t trying to be one of many. But instead of walking away you continued this. I belong to Yugi, Seto. You knew that up front.”

“You’ve thrown out mixed signals from day fucking one. Don’t feed me that bullshit.”

“It’s not bullshit. I told you my heart was tied to him. No one ever told you to go falling for me. My conscience is clear. You knew there could never be future in this.”

“How many nights were you here when you should have been with him? How many days were you on the phone with me when you should have been tng tng to him? And now that I’m telling you how I feel you’re running away claiming I read to far into this. I only responded to what you threw at me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m with Yugi, Seto. There’s nothing else to discuss.”

“You’re not even in love with him.”

“How dare you tell me how I feel about him. You know nothing about this.”

“I know that you’re acting like a bitch. I know that you’re lying to yourself.”

“Yugi needs me.”

“If the only reason you’re staying with him is out of some fucked up obligation to him then I pity the both of you.”

“I’m leaving, I’m not talking to you anymore. Consider it a wrap.” Yami turned to leave Seto’s bedroom, but Seto held his wrist. “Let go.”

“You can walk out and go back to him but don’t think for one moment I don’t know what is really going on here.”

“Fine. I like you. I admit it. I admit to crushing on you a little. Is that so wrong?”

“It’s more than that.”

“Don’t get it twisted, Seto. Don’t think that it constitutes me leaving him to be with you.”

“Look me in the eyes and tell me you’re in love with him and I’ll drop the whole thing.”

“Let my wrist go!” Yami yanked as hard as he could but Seto held fast. “Let go. I told you it’s a wrap, Seto. Release me.”

“You’re such a bitch, Yami, you think you can around playing games and there won’t be any consequences. You’re wrong. You might get away with it around Yugi, but I won’t be made a fool of.”

“You’re a fucking jackass!” Seto pulled Yami into him and they both wound up on the bed, Yami half in Seto’s lap. Yami struggled some more, finally settling on Seto’s lap, straddling his hips so that they were facing each other. “What is it you want from me?”

“The truth. No more shit from you.”

“You’re only in lust. You don’t love me. You’re just aroused, you’re suffering from a prolonged hard-on. That’s it.”

“It’s not fucking lust.”

“You just want to get in my pants, that’s all this is about.”

“If that’s all I was after you would have been on your back months ago, Yami.”

“Go fuck yourself.”

“Why are you denying how you feel about me? Why does Yugi mean more to you than I do? Do you think Yugi is the only one who loves you? You think he has an exclusive on that?”

“It’s complicated, Seto,” Yami whispered, his head lowered so that he was no longer looking in Seto’s eyes.

“You’re here with me, and not with him. To me that’s not complicated. That’s simple.” Yami didn’t say anything. Seto took Yami’s chin in his hand and tipped his head up. “I love you. And I want you. If you want this to be over it will be. You say the word and we’ll end it.”

“You know I can’t say that,” Yami whimpered. Seto took the initiative to close his lips over Yami’s, fusing them together for a soul-searching kiss.

Seto folded up the shirt Yami had worn on their first date. They hadn’t gone out until maybe a month and a half after Yugi and Yami were no longer together. Yami was worried about Yugi, wondering if he had made the right decision. Especially since Yugi had ended up trying to commit suicide shortly after the split.

The truth was, Yugi was clearly not stable enough for a relationship. And Yami had to agree. Seto admitted that in the beginning of his pursuit of Yami he had only been in it to stir things up, to see what he could do ugi ugi and Yami’s relationship. But somewhere along the way he had actually fallen for Yami. And by the time they had been seeing each other for two months Seto was in love with. .

“I hate to be picky, Seto, but I’m a burger and fries kind of guy. I don’t feel comfortable eating at this kind of place.”

“But I had to make the reservations two weeks ago.”

“This just isn’t my scene, Seto. But if you want to eat here we’ll stay.”

“No. It’s fine. I’ll call the limo driver to come pick us up.” Yami got up from his seat.

“No limo. None of this crap. Just me and you. Let’s walk around. It’s not going to be summer for tooh loh longer, Seto.” Yami took Seto’s hand and they left the restaurant. “We’re in the heart of the city, there’s this great hotdog stand about two blocks from here.”

“How am I supposed to impress you then?”

“By being kind and generous. And showing me that your money isn’t the most important thing to you.”

“I just have so much of it, I’m use to spending all the time. If this is going to develop into something, Yami, you’re going to have to get use to that.”

“You don’t have to flash your credit card every time you want to have a good time though, Seto. Haven’t you just walked around the city at night, took in the sights, the sounds. I don’t know if I’ll ever get comfortable living in the laps of luxury.”

“You’d be surprised what you’d get use to.” Yami rolled his eyes. He couldn’t see himself becoming some spoiled pampered diva.

“Let’s play twenty questions, Seto.”

“Twenty questions?”

“Yes, I’ll go first. We take turns asking each other yes or no questions. Ever considered dying your hair?”

“I had a dream my hair was green once, but besides that no.” Yami smiled. “My turn to ask a question?” Yami nodded. “Ever gone home with a guy you met at a party or at a bar?”

“Me? No. Never.”

“Ever considered it?”

“It’s not your turn to ask a question,” Yami teased. “Okay, do you want kids someday?”

“I don’t know.”

“It’s a yes or no question.”

“But that’s my answer.”

“You’re no fun, Seto Kaiba.”

“I never claimed to be fun. It’s my turn anyway. What would be your dream job?”

“Party planner. But for stars and famous people, you know those kinds of parties that end up being covered in all the glamour magazines.” Seto smiled at him. “I think I’d be good at that.”

“Me too. You’re like the first gorgeous person I’ve ever known to actually have a personality.”

“I guess I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You’re not afraid to say exactly what’s on your mind. You’re the first person I’ve ever taken to that restaurant that admitted he was uncomfortable.”

“You’ve obviously been dating the wrong types of men, Seto. My turn to ask a question.”

The questions kept coming. They continued to talk and walk for another two hours before Seto finally called for the limo driver. “Are your parents going to expecting you home tonight?”

“No, they’re not. Are you asking me to come home with you?”

“I’m not asking you.”

“And what exactly do you think will happen between us tonight?”

“I think this date deserves some sex, don’t you?”

“Because you bought me a hotdog? You’re going to have to do better than that to get sex from me.”

“You damn tease you,” Seto grabbed Yami from around the waist and pulled him close. “It’s been a year with you, flirting with you, hitting on you, watching as you waltz around in those tight pants of yours. I’m fucking frustrated. I’ve barely gotten more than a kiss from you. I thought you were supposed to be a slut.”

“I tease you to keep you interested.”

“Is that what it was? I thought you teased me because you’re keeping count on how often you can get me hard.”

“That too.”

He would have to call Yami and determine what time Yami wanted him to drop off the suitcases at the hotel suite. This would be the first time he’d see Yami since Wednesday of last week. Maybe they could talk for a few minutes. Not that there was much to talk about. Seto finished packing up a decent amount of Yami’s stuff and dragged himself into the bathroom to take a shower. If he was going to cry again he wanted to do it some place he could be sure no one would be able to hear him.


Author’s Endnotes: Wow, this chapter was the longest yet, and to think there wasn’t any sex. So whatcha think? Kind of fun to look at things from the other side. Which is why the flashbacks concer Duk Duke and Tristan and Seto and Yami were so much longer than the other ones. And who doesn’t love some good old fashioned fluffy moments between Joey and Yugi. Gods, I could write a fic on the events of last year if I wanted to…but let us worry about this now. Throwing up isn’t a good sign, our dear Tristan. And just so you know… Tristan will be getting more and more stressed out next chapter. And there’s some more revelations to be heard next time concerning why Yugi’s so frightened to try having sex again. Oh, it’s really getting deep now…


“Tristan…stop…STOP!” Joey pushed Tristan as hard as he could. Tristan rolled off of Joey and onto the floor. Joey sat up, in a panic, trembling. “What is wrong with you, Tristan?”

Tristan didn’t answer, he sat up and looked at the ground, also shaking.

“What did you think you were doing, didn’t you hear me when I said no?” Still no response from the brunet. “What is going on with you, Tristan? Tell me. Please. It’s like I don’t know who you are anymore.” Joey stood up, and zipped and buttoned his pants back up. “SAY SOMETHING, DAMNIT.”

No response. Tristan didn’t even bother to look at his boyfriend.

Joey blinked back a few tears and left the condo.

Tristan remained on the floor and began to sob.