Beauty

STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP…this is a double chapter update…so if you didn’t read chapter 27 you should go read that first. Plus there’s a lemon…hehehe….

Chapter 28: Regret

We had a life, we had a love
But you don't know what you've got till you lose it
Well that was then, and this is now
And I want you back
How many times can I say I'm sorry, oh yes I'm sorry

How could something so good go so bad?
How could something so right go so wrong?
I don't know, I don't have all the answers
But I want you back
How many times can I say I'm sorry, oh yes I'm sorry

You can run and you can hide
But I'm not leaving unless you come with me
We had our problems but I’m on your side
You're all I need, please believe in me

I only wanted you as someone to love
But something happened on the way to heaven
It got a hold of me and wouldn't let go
And I want you back
How many times can I say I'm sorry, oh yes I'm sorry

~Something Happened On The Way To Heaven
Deborah Cox



“Here you go, Yami.” Yami smiled and took the box. “Seems like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“You weren’t here last Saturday and I wasn’t here the Saturday before that, so it’s been a while,” Yami agreed with a nod. “How have you been, Ken?”

“I’ve been good,” the brunet answered smiling. “How about you?”

“Things could always be worse. But life goes on, right?” The brunet nodded. “Can you go get the last three boxes for me, so I can catalog these in?”

“Sure.” The brunet took off. Yami checked off the box number in the log. He had been at the clothing drive for four hours, and if no one cared he wanted to stay the rest of the day. He tried to spend time at the animal shelter on Saturdays as well, but today was the day they gave the dogs baths, and he always hated how messy he got afterwards.

Besides there were at least 200 hundred coats that needed to be checked and cleaned and boxed up.

He was thinking he’d come back tomorrow to see if they still needed more help. Even though he tended to only volunteer on Saturdays. Yugi had invited him to go to his grandfather’s house tomorrow. His birthday was tomorrow, and Yugi had ordered him a small cake and wanted to spend time with him. Yami hadn’t promised anything. Yugi’s grandfather never much cared for him, and spending part of an afternoon with Joey and Bakura would probably be a bit uncomfortable.

Ken returned. “Here you go, Yami.” Yami smiled. “Let me get the other two boxes.”

“Thank you.” Yami checked the box number and picked up the box with a struggle. Who knew coats could be this damn heavy. Yami struggled with the box, trying to walk and found that the only moving he was doing was falling over. “Shit…”

“Here, let me help you with that, Sweetheart.” Seto grabbed the other side of the box before his estranged fiancé could topple over.

“Seto…what the hell are you doing here?”

“I came to help.”

“What?”

“Yami, here’s the third box.” Yami turned. “Oh, hi Mr. Kaiba. I didn’t know you were coming today. Yami didn’t mention it.”

“It was a little surprise,” Seto answered the brunet. “How have you been, Ken?”

“I’ve been well, thank you.” Ken gave Seto a polite smile and looked at the shorter male. “I’ll go get that last box for you.”

“Thank you, Ken.” Yami took a few steps and finally got the box where it was supposed to go. He gave Seto a look and lifted an eyebrow. “I’m not going to ask you again. What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you, so I thought I’d volunteer.”

“You’ve hated doing charity work forever and a day, Seto.”

“I can’t help?”

“No, you can’t help. Why don’t you go back to the mansion and plot a way to take over the world like you usually do on Saturday afternoons.”

“I’m official, I signed up and everything. See.” Seto pointed to the pin on his t-shirt, signifying him as a volunteer.

“Here’s that last box, Yami.” Yami looked at Ken.

“Thank you, Ken. Actually, could you go ask Ms. Mitzawa if she wants Seto to help load the trucks?”

Ken looked at Seto a bit questionably. Seto Kaiba loading a truck didn’t seem very logical, but he decided not to ask. “I’m sure she could use more help out on the trucks. I’ll go find out.”

As soon as Ken took back off Seto grabbed Yami’s shoulder. “Is there any need for you to be so spiteful?”

“You told me you wanted to help. They always need help loading the trucks. If it’s any consolation, some of these coats are going to needy children at homeless shelters.” Seto narrowed his eyes. “What is it, Seto…hmm? I told you I didn’t want you showing up at the hotel unannounced so now you’ve taken to showing up other places? In the future I’d like a phone call.”

“Are you always this much of a bitch, or is it just around me.”

“It’s just you,” Yami answered, narrowing his eyes. “I cannot believe you came here.”

“I thought things were good between us.”

“They were until you came here, Seto. Besides, I thought you were going to go play squash with Tristan.”

“That’s tomorrow.” Seto leaned over and placed a kiss on Yami’s cheek. “Today I plan on spending with you.”

“The hell you will. I’m not in the mood today, Seto.”

“The more you say no the more I’ll insist, Love. You can’t fight forever. Eventually I’ll wear you down.”

“Or I’ll get a restraining order.”

“You’re such a flirt.”

“She said she would love help loading up the trucks,” Ken announced. Yami gave Seto a look.

“Alright.” Seto gave Yami another little kiss and followed Ken. Yami watched a bit surprised Seto was actually going but said nothing.


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


“Just say yes, Tristan. Don’t give me some stupid excuse.” Tristan looked at Bakura for a while. “Just me and you. We’ll go to Tokyo, and just unwind. Alright?”

“How are we supposed to unwind in one of the most populated cities in the world, Bakura?”

“We’ll go club hopping.”

“I don’t want to go back to Tokyo. It’s painful memories.”

“We won’t go to the same place we went for Joey’s birthday two weeks ago. Look, I’d say we could just go to the Pyramid, but if I have to see the inside of that bar one more time I’d probably kill myself.”

“Look, Bakura, I appreciate the thought. But I mean… I’m not ready for…”

“It doesn’t have to be about all of that. I never said anything about picking some other guy up. But if Joey and you haven’t talked in like two weeks you have to think that at the very least you’re separated right now. And there’s no rules that say you can’t have fun while you’re not with him.”

Tristan sighed. “I’m not going to win this argument, am I?”

“You could file it under the not fucking likely category.”

“Fine, we’ll go out. Just me and you. Don’t go inviting Yugi or some other guy. Just the two of us.”

“It’ll be a date.” Tristan made a face.

“You’ll agitate my ulcer if you keep saying shit like that.”

“Awww, does this mean you won’t dance with me?” Tristan took a sip of the soup Bakura had made him and made another face. “So I guess getting a goodnight kiss from you afterwards is out of the question.”

“Oh shut up, Bakura.”

“But you’re so sexy…I can’t help myself around you.” Tristan rolled his eyes.


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


Yami didn’t see Seto for another hour and a half. The truck loading completed, and all the boxes cataloged and there wasn’t anything else left for Yami or Seto to do.

“You’re a complete mess, Seto Kaiba,” Yami remarked, admiring the sweat stains on what had been a crisp clean blue t-shirt.

“That wasn’t so bad. Though I couldn’t imagine doing that if I didn’t go to gym twice a week.”

“You really helped them, didn’t you, you didn’t just disappear for a while and pretend like you were out there, working up a sweat.” Seto made a face. “I thought for sure you’d get some urgent phone call and leave.”

“I told you I came to help.”

“But why would you come to help, that’s what I’m lost on.”

“This means a lot to you, volunteering. So I wanted to be a part of that.”

“And seeing me here was what, a bonus?”

“Something like that.”

Yami gave Seto another look, then stroked his cheek. “You really are a mess, Seto. A filthy mess. I can’t do anything with you like this.” Seto shrugged. “I guess I’m just going to have to give you a shower first, won’t I.”

“Sweetheart…”

“Come on, before I change my mind.” Yami took Seto’s hand in his and led him to his car.


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

“What time is Bakura coming to pick us up?” Joey asked, finishing off his cereal.

“Should be here by 1:30, Babe. He’s gonna stop and pick up the birthday cake first.” Joey looked at his best friend for a moment and then back to his breakfast. “What’s with that far off look on your face?”

“Nothing, I’m just tired.”

“Seems you’ve been pretty tired for the last two weeks. But then who’s counting?” Joey narrowed his eyes. “Any reason why you’ve been so tired for two weeks?”

“I’m just tired, there’s nothing else, Yug.”

“Sure about that?”

“When something else is the matter I’ll let you know. You’ll be the first to be informed.” Joey got up and dumped his bowl into their sink.

“I guess Tristan not calling you Friday or yesterday probably didn’t help your efforts in getting any sleep either.”

“I told you I didn’t want to hear anything about what’s his name.”

“Oh yes, the Fool Part 2, my apologies, I forgot your mandate, Babe.”

“Don’t get smart with me, Yug. Why should I care whether or not he calls me? We’re not exactly together right now.”

“Exactly. I’m sure a young, attractive guy like old what’s his name would easily find something to occupy his weekends. Kura and him went to Tokyo last night. Bakura said they hit all the hot spots, I’m sure Tristan found a cute little number to take home with him.”

“It’s not going to work, Yugi. I don’t care. Let Tristan be with someone else. Even more reason for us to never make up.”

“Then you can get even less sleep than you’re getting now, and just continue to look like shit. Good plan.” Joey cut his eyes at Yugi. “Hey, I think it’s nice you’re handling this maturely. Here I thought you’d be childish when Tristan told you about Duke, but you’re really being a man about the whole thing. I love the part where he calls you two times a day and you hang up on him.”

“I’m going to hop in the shower,” Joey announced with as much venom as he could muster. Fuck Tristan. Let him fuck some other fucker. Fuck it. I could give a flying fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Joey slammed the door to his bedroom door shut.


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


Cold water wasn’t helping. Ice cold water, and no change. It was devastating really. Tristan shivered, and conceded that it had been too long, and his body could no longer be denied release. It wasn’t like he was trying to save himself, he just hadn’t wanted to. He wasn’t a teenage boy with wet dreams of his high school’s locker room. He was a man, and a man didn’t give into his desires like a 15 year old did.

Clearly his body hadn’t gotten the memo.

Tristan made the water warm again, and took himself in his hands. The stokes were slow at first, but it wasn’t like he forgot how to do this and in moments he was doing this with a new found determination. He pressed his hand against the wall of the shower, and pleasured himself.


Joey turned and smiled at him. “You’re such a jerk, do you know that?”

“Oh? I’m a jerk now, am I?” Tristan asked the shower spray.

“You’ve always been a jerk, Tristan.” Joey wrapped his arms around him. “But you’re my jerk, and I love you.” The blond leaned in and placed a smooth kiss on Tristan’s trembling lips. “Tris, Tris…why do I keep falling in love with you?”

“Joey…”

Joey was moving down, exploring the smooth planes of Tristan’s chest with skilled hands and sweet kisses. “I could never stop loving you, Tris.”

“I love you too, Baby. Always. Forever.”

“Forever isn’t enough, Tris…let me make you feel good.” Joey was kneeling in front of him now, kissing and caressing. “I want to make you feel so good, Tris.”

“Joey…” Tristan was moaning, his cries of wanting echoed off the shower walls and into his ears. “Joey…” And then it came, his release came…and that empty feeling washed back over him.

Tristan sank to his knees, and let out his grief. Hard tears, burning his eyes as they made their quick escape. “Joey…”

The dizziness came next…that sickening dizzy feeling. He couldn’t hold it back anymore, and up came his breakfast. Tristan watched it swim around, trying to find it’s way down the drain with sick fascination.


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


“Happy birthday, Grandpa!” Yugi said, with a big smile. His grandfather looked up, his smile brightening.

“Joey, Yugi, Kura, how are you guys?” Joey and Bakura gave Yugi’s grandfather a smile. “Yugi, I thought you were bringing your boyfriend today?”

“I did…you remember, Bakura, Grandpa.”

Yugi’s grandfather made a face. “I thought this was Kura?”

“Kura is short for Bakura. Remember, he came by that day.”

“Oh yes, the body guard with the four different names, I remember, now, how are you son?” Bakura smiled.

“I’m fine, it’s good to see you again. Happy birthday.”

“Are you treating my grandson well? Yugi is he treating you well?”

“Yes, Grandpa, Bakura is treating me very very well.” Yugi ushered his grandfather into the living room. “We got you a cake, Grandpa, for your birthday. And Bakura’s going to make you a special lunch.”

“A lunch…oh that’s very nice of you. But I thought Kura was the one who could cook. Wasn’t he taking cooking lessons?” Yugi rolled his eyes.

“This is Bakura, Grandpa. He’s the one in cooking school. Why don’t you open the present we got you while Bakura gets started? Okay?”

“You guys didn’t have to.”

“It was no trouble at all,” Joey assured him.

“It’s so good to see you again, Joey.” Joey smiled. “So tell me what’s wrong.”

“Grandpa, that’s rude.”

“It’s a question,” Yugi’s grandfather insisted. “I can tell when something is wrong. Can’t get one past me.” Joey and Yugi exchanged glances. “So, are you going to tell me what’s bothering you or am I going to have to pester you some more?”

“It’s nothing really, I just…I’m having some personal trouble…”

“It’s your boyfriend, hmm? What did he do?” Joey sighed. “Come on, let’s hear it, Joey.”

“Grandpa, that’s personal, Joey doesn’t want to discuss his problems with you,” Yugi tried to insist.

“Is your name Joey?” Yugi made a face and Joey couldn’t help but smirk.


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


Seto ducked the ball and put down his racquet. “Look, Tristan, I guarantee I’m not gonna give you a raise just because you throw the game. Are you going to try or should we just call it quits for today.” Tristan shrugged. “I thought you said you and Bakura went to the city last night to unwind.”

“I didn’t unwind,” Tristan answered, sitting on the ground. Seto and him were playing squash, at least trying to. But Tristan wasn’t exactly concentrating. “I don’t know…this guy started hitting on me and I just walked away. I didn’t dance, I didn’t talk, I just stood there, like I was needed to hold up the ceiling or something. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Have you tried talking to Joey?” Tristan shrugged. “I’ll take that as a no.”

“It’s been two weeks, he doesn’t want anything to do with me. Maybe I should just cut my losses and move on.”

“Maybe.”

“I’m sorry, can I have a rain check. I’m just not much of a competitor right now.”

“Take a shower and relax. All this stress is going to upset your ulcer, and I definitely can’t have you missing work now that you secured the Peterson account for us.”

Tristan nodded, and stood up. He picked up his gym bag. “I should just throw myself into work. Bury myself up to my eyeballs in it. Anything to get my mind off of what’s going on. Speaking of which, how did things go with Yami yesterday?”

“Alright. Actually, since the orphanage fund raiser dinner, things are definitely moving in the right direction.”

“I still can’t believe you convinced him to spend the entire weekend at the mansion.”

“It was like he was home again. It felt so wonderful. Actually we’re supposed to have dinner together tomorrow night.”

“It’s like you’re dating again, huh?”

“Yes. For the first time in six weeks, since we first separated, I really feel like this could be it. That all that wondering and waiting could finally yield results. Valentine’s day is this Thursday. I think if the rest of this week goes well I’m going to ask him to move back in.”

“You think he’ll go for it?”

“I don’t see why not. Even when he’s upset with me…it’s like old times. He keeps saying how he doesn’t want to fight anymore, how he doesn’t want to keep going in circles. He said he wants this resolved.”

“So Valentine’s day. You’re going to invite him to the mansion. And ask him to come home?”

“Yes. I’m hoping this Valentine’s day will be one to remember.” Tristan looked at Seto. At least one of them would be happy.


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


The word’s Yugi’s grandfather left him with still haunted the blond three days later. He had thought about it all day Monday and Tuesday. Here it was Wednesday and he still was haunted, even though he wasn’t sure exactly why. Actually he had told Joey a story, a story, which didn’t seem to apply to him in the slightest, but a story that stayed with him just as well.

All he knew was that he had put off the inevitable long enough. It was time he saw Duke. It was time he faced his demons. And so after work Wednesday afternoon he headed out to see his former lover.

Joey locked the car and started counting each step. If there are less than 75 he won’t be home. But that meant he’d have to come back. No, he wouldn’t. If Duke wasn’t home he’d simply lie, he’d simply pretend Duke was home and that he had had a talk with him. That was all. No one would ever know.

Except him of course.

Joey stood on the porch, unmoving, unflinching. It wasn’t too late to run away. It wasn’t too late to forget about this. It had been less than 75 steps, Duke must be home. Right? Damn it, what was he doing? It had been nearly 2 years ago. Certainly more than enough time to be alright. But he wasn’t. He wasn’t.

It was cold, bitterly so. And here Joey was, standing on the doorstep of the house of his former fiancé. Knock, damn it. Knock.


Knock me a little kiss, Joey. Aw, now you made the other side jealous.


He can’t hurt you anymore. Knock on the fucking door, Joey. Knock on the fucking door. Joey picked up his hand and knocked, hard. Then he held his breath.

He heard movement in the house. Anyone could open the door. The lover after him maybe, Duke’s new beau. Or a housekeeper. Or a distant aunt. He had no way to know if the raven-haired man was even home, let alone home alone. Or maybe the noises he heard were a burglar…

The door opened, and Joey was sure, absolutely sure that his heart stopped momentarily before beginning to beat in double time. The first thing to catch him were those striking emerald eyes. They pinned him, rendering the muscles in his entire body useless.

“Joey.” It was neither question nor statement. It just was. There was no movement, Joey could feel a lump in his throat, but was unable to swallow it. He stood there, frozen to his spot, his eyes locked on the man he had come to see. “Is that really…you…”

Joey was unable to respond verbally. He managed a weak nod.

“Joey…” The word hung in the air. “Joey.” Joey only bit his lip. His mind was swimming, his heart racing. “It’s been…it’s been a long time.” Joey nodded again, so slightly it hardly involved any movement. “Where the hell are my manners, gods, you must be freezing out there. Please, come in. Sorry the house is a mess, I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

Duke stepped out of the way, and let Joey in. Joey snapped out of his daze. “I…meant to call first, but…I…I don’t mean to intrude. I’m sure you’re probably busy right now…I could come back another…”

“Here, give me your coat, Joey. Take off your shoes, get comfortable. Please. What a pleasant surprise.” Joey didn’t object as Duke came up behind him and helped him slip off his winter coat. “It must be nasty out there, huh? Looks nasty. I wanted to go grocery shopping, but you know I’ve never been one for cold weather.”

“Yeah.”

“Take off your shoes. Please.” Joey slipped his boots off and put on the house slippers Duke offered him. “Can I get you something to eat, Joey? Or a drink. Did you drive up all the way from Domino?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s a long drive.”

“Two hours.”

“Yes. Come, into the kitchen, let me get you something.” Joey padded behind the other man, looking around the house. “This is my humble kitchen. Have a seat. Let me fix you something.”

“No, really…that won’t be necessary. Don’t go through any trouble on my account…”

“Nonsense, Joey.” Duke pulled out a chair. “Sit, here. Please.” Joey did. “I could warm up some leftovers, Joey. Would you like that?”

“Really…it’s alright.”

“I have sweet pork, and shrimp fried rice, I know they’re your favorites.” Duke looked at him with a smile. “Don’t worry, they’re store brought. I didn’t attempt to cook them myself. I know my cooking is nothing compared to yours.”

“I’m a horrible cook,” Joey remarked.

“I never thought you were a horrible cook. You weren’t the iron chef, but you did fine. I loved coming home to a hot meal made by you night after night.” Joey gave Duke a look and then looked at the table he was sitting in front of. “I mean it, Joey.”

“I know you do,” Joey answered softly. “No one ever likes my cooking. You were always the only one who did.” Joey looked back at the table.

Duke swallowed. “So the Chinese will be alright then?”

“Yes. Thank you.” Duke popped the food on a plate and into the microwave.

“How’s Yugi doing?”

“There were some dark moments after the suicide attempt, but he gets stronger every day. He’s in therapy, and he met someone.”

“Did he?”

“Yeah. The guy really loves him, I couldn’t be happier for him. Yugi’s finally settling down.”

“I’m surprised you guys aren’t married with kids by now. Yugi always loved you so much. But I guess this way the friendship will never be tarnished.” The microwave beeped and Duke pulled out the food. “Here, what can I get you to drink?”

“Do you have any ice tea?”

“Yep. Coming right up.” Duke handed Joey the plate and pulled out a glass. “How’s your sister doing?”

“She met this American in the states. She’s supposed to bring him to Japan end of this term so I can meet him.”

“Here you go.”

“Thanks.” Joey took the glass from Duke’s hands and took a nervous sip. “You have a lovely home. It’s a very nice neighborhood.”

“It’s quiet. Nothing like Domino. Good place to raise kids, I guess.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll show you the tour once you finish eating.”

Joey looked back at his food. “I really should have called first, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be silly. It’s fine.”

“I just…I wanted to see you.”

“I’m glad you stopped by, Joey. I must have picked up my phone a hundred times to call you but I was always too much of a coward. I didn’t really think you’d talk to me anyway. Not that I blame you for that.” Joey didn’t respond, and continued to eat. He was famished, he wasn’t sure why. But he ate eagerly.

“How’s the business?” Joey wondered, looking up. He wanted to talk about two years ago, he needed to. That was why he was here, after all. But he wasn’t ready to dive right into that so quickly.

“I sold part of the company. I work from home most of the time now.”

“I see.” Joey looked at Duke and back at his food. This wasn’t going like he thought it would. Not that he had really known how it would go. He just didn’t think it would go quite like this. It wasn’t like he had plans of coming to see his ex and beating him to a bloody pulp. As they played catch up like this he just couldn’t help thinking about the good times they had had.

And there had been too many to remember. He had made Duke into this caricature, villainized him and turned him into this monster. Duke had hurt him, of course, but he wasn’t a monster. And talking to him after having no contact with him for two years was reminding him why he had been in love with Duke.

“Let me take your plate from you.” Joey watched as Duke walked back to the sink. He had always loved the way Duke walked. He could switch with the best of them. He was almost as good as Yami was. “Would you like to see the grand tour?”

“Sure.” Joey got up and followed the black haired man around the house. The tour ended in the master bedroom. “This is nice.”

“I only got one of the other bedrooms done, and made it into a guest room. The other two are still bare.”

“Well, you have time. Unless you’re pregnant.” Duke rubbed his stomach and smiled.

“Haven’t taken a pregnancy test in a while, but last time I did it came up negative.” He watched as Joey walked over to his nightstand and picked up a frame.

“This guy’s picture is up all around the house. He must be your boyfriend.”

“Husband.” Joey looked back at Duke. Husband? He could feel his heart breaking. It wasn’t that he was still in love with Duke. But…he had spent a year trying to get over him… a year in misery, and Duke had met someone new…gotten engaged…gotten…married. It hurt…it stung.

“His name is Raphael. We’ve only been married three months. It was a quick engagement.” Duke walked over to Joey, taking each step slowly. “I always did have a weakness for blonds.”

“I guess so,” Joey responded, slowly. He stared at the picture, Raphael wasn’t hard on the eyes. Joey didn’t like the side burns all that much, but other than that, he looked pretty good. He was very much a top, this guy…it was weird to think of Duke as a uke, especially given their relationship. But of course Duke had gotten a taste of submitting with Tristan, hadn’t he?

“You guys look happy together.”

“He makes me happy.” Joey looked at Duke and noticed the rock on his finger. Why he hadn’t noticed it before was beyond him.

“Wow, look at that…makes the one you got me look like a few grains of sand. It’s gorgeous.”

“Joey…”

“Not that the one you got me wasn’t nice, of course. I wonder sometimes if I made some homeless person living underneath the freeway rich when I threw it out the car window.”

“Joey…you should know, I never really got over you. There’s still a part of you in my system.” Duke took the picture frame from Joey’s hands and put it back on the nightstand. “There always will be a part of you in my heart, Joey. You’re the one who got away.”

“What does Raphael do for a living?”

“Manages the family business.”

“So he’s loaded, right?”

“We’re comfortable.”

“Very comfortable if you can play housewife while he works all day.” Joey walked over to the dresser and looked at Duke through the mirror. “Where did you two meet?”

“Business trip.”

“When you’d meet him?”

“About five months after you walked out on me. We were just friends for a long time, before things got serious. It was very hard to get over you.”

“But you did.”

“Huh?”

“You got over it. You got over me. You met someone else and you got married.” Joey turned around and looked at Duke for a moment.

“I am sorry, Joey. I’m sorry I hurt you so deeply. I wasn’t much of a man then.”

“Why didn’t you call?”

“You would never have talked to me again, Joey.”

“You could have tried.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t face you. I couldn’t face what I had done to you. I fucked up the best thing that ever happened to me because I wasn’t strong enough for you.”

“I didn’t want to hear a fucking, it’s not you it’s me speech from you then, and I don’t want to hear it now.”

“It’s the truth, Joey. It was me.”

“I loved you, Duke. That’s the part you never got. I would have forgiven you, I would have taken you back if you were a fucking man about it.”

“I didn’t deserve to be taken back.”

“You were my universe, didn’t you know how much I loved you?”

“I knew you loved me. I never doubted your love for an instant.”

“Then what was it, did you fall out of love with me? Did you fall in love with him.”

“It wasn’t that simple, Joey. Try to understand.”

“Tell me how it was then. Because I spent a year trying to understand. While you found your future husband a part of me was still devastated. It’s a year I’ll never get back Duke. A year is a long time, and I was your fiancé for god’s sake. I deserved an explanation, whatever it was. Instead you took the easy way out.”

“You’re absolutely right, Joey. You were worth more than that. I always hoped you’d find someone else who could treat you better.” Duke gave him a look.

“Are you asking me about my love life?” Joey asked, looking at him for a moment, and then looking away.

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. I just hope you know that you deserve the best, that’s all.”

“I met someone. We’ve been together for a few months. His name’s Tristan Taylor.” Joey didn’t look at Duke and took a sigh. “Turned out we had you in common.”

“Joey…” Joey took a breath and looked at Duke. “So that’s why you decided to come see me.”

“No, Duke. That’s not why I came to see you. I came to see you because I wanted closure. My current boyfriend being the guy you fucked behind my back was just God’s way of playing a practical joke.”

“I swear, he had no idea.”

“Because he didn’t want to know.”

“Maybe he didn’t. But I was the one who pursued it. From word go, it was just a sex thing. I gave him no reason to think I was involved with someone else.”

“I’m sure he could have figured it out if he wanted to.”

“Joey, I’m the one who fucked up. Not him. Tristan was a mistake. I never loved him, I never cared about him the way I cared about you. If you want the truth, I was attracted to him, there was something about him that I found charming. And I felt like I was drowning in a relationship with you. I felt like I wasn’t being honest with myself.”

“So Tristan unleashed the hidden uke in you, is that what it is? That’s why you wanted to end it with me?”

“I never wanted to end it with you. There was never a moment I didn’t love you.”

“Wasn’t a moment? You cheated on me. It wasn’t a one-time incident. You went over to his condo and had him fuck you, Duke over and over again. God, how can you tell me you loved me after that? And then you were a coward and didn’t tell me the truth. I just couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t enough for you. I couldn’t figure out what else I could have done to make you happy.”

“Joey, please. I swear on my life, it wasn’t you. I fell too fast, and I got scared. It’s not an excuse, it just is, Joey. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t Tristan’s fault. It was me.”

“But after we broke up you were still seeing him.”

“I needed comfort, I was an emotional mess. But I broke it off with him because the sex left me feeling empty. Here, Joey.” Duke bent under the bed and after a few moments Duke handed him an envelope. It was addressed to Joey, complete with a stamp.

“What is this?”

“This is what I wanted to send you, I went to the post office, to mail it, and I found out from the Domino City rumor mill that Yugi had been hospitalized. The last thing I thought you wanted was some explanation from me about why I did what I did.” Joey fingered the envelope and looked at Duke for a long time. “Read it, burn it, whatever you want. I just don’t want you to think that any of what happened had anything to do with you.”

“Was there anyone else, besides your husband…that you were…you know…”

“No. Just Raphael. I didn’t even have a rebound guy. After I broke things off with Tristan abruptly I threw myself into the company.”

“You never loved Tristan?”

“No. To be quite honest I thought he was a bit of a jerk. It was strictly physical. I could never love anyone the way I loved you.”

“What about Raphael?”

“It’s different with Raphael, Joey. Like you and Yugi. You love him in a way you could never love anyone else. That doesn’t mean the love you have for other people isn’t as strong or as meaningful. It’s just different.”

“Why didn’t you tell Tristan about me, when you were with him?”

“He didn’t want it complicated. The first day we got together he let me know in so many words that it was purely a sex thing. I also got the impression I wasn’t the only guy he was sleeping with. It was very casual.”

Joey sat on the bed. “And you slept with him because he could give you something I couldn’t.”

“No. It wasn’t that way. You and I made love. That was cheap sex. The only way it could have gotten cheaper was if I met him outside of a sleazy two star motel off the freeway.”

Joey looked at Duke for a moment and sighed. “I hated you for a long time, Duke. And I hated Tristan.”

“You hated Tristan?”

“I blindly hated him. I hated that some other guy was making you happy. I hated that I wasn’t what you wanted.”

“You were everything I wanted, Joey.” Duke got on his knees and looked at Joey. “I didn’t really realize how amazing you are until you walked out on me. You asked me why I didn’t call you. I’ll tell you why I never called, because I knew you had figured out you could do better than me.”

“Duke…”

“It’s the truth. I didn’t call because there would have been nothing to stop me from crying on the phone for you to come back to me. I lost about 20 pounds after you left.” Joey quirked an eyebrow. “I’ve since gained it back, of course, and some more.”

“You missed my cooking that much you starved yourself?”

“It wasn’t just your cooking,” Duke promised, rubbing Joey’s hands in his. “You weren’t the only one who was devastated. Please, believe it, I was hurting too.”

“You’re not just saying that?”

“I’m not just saying that. I mean it, from the bottom of my heart.”

“I don’t hate you anymore, Duke. I hate what you did, but I don’t hate you. And I think with some more time I’ll be able to completely forgive you. I want to be able to forgive what you did.”

“I don’t know how else to say I’m sorry, Joey.”

“I know you’re sorry.” Joey squeezed Duke’s hand. “I should not have let hate consume me the way it did. It wasn’t just selling the car and tossing the ring off the hi-way. I burned everything you ever gave me. Pictures, stuffed animals. Everything. Clothes. I had a big old bonfire. But I’m not that person anymore. And I’m sure you’re not the person you were either.” Joey sighed. “I should go, there’s someone I have to talk to. And I don’t want it to get too late.”

“Alright, Joey.” Duke let Joey’s hand go and sat next to him on the bed. “I hope you coming here did more good than bad.”

“It did a lot of good. Thank you for talking to me. I feel better.” Joey stood up. “There’s not that uneasiness anymore. I feel more free now. But anyway, I’m sure you have dinner to make or something. Last thing we need is your husband coming home and thinking I’m having some illicit affair with you.”

“No, I guess we wouldn’t want that.” Duke led Joey back down the stairs.

“I guess this is goodbye then.” Joey started slipping on his shoes.

“Wait, one second.” Duke ran back up the stairs. He returned with a large shoe box. “I keep this under the bed. I’ve had it for what feels like forever. I wasn’t sure what to do with some of the stuff we had while we were together, so some of it ended up in this box.” Duke put the box on the ground, knelt down and searched through it. “I hope it’s still here.”

“What are you looking for?” Duke found it and pulled it out.

“I want you to have this.” Joey took the picture from Duke’s hand. It was the two of them together, Duke was smiling and Joey was laughing.

“This was always one of my favorite pictures of us.”

“Mine too. You gave it to me, remember? For my birthday.”

“I remember.” Joey fingered the picture gingerly.

“You put it in the envelope with the birthday card. And you told me you were giving it to me because you wanted me to think of you when we weren’t together.” Duke stood up. “Please, Joey. Take it. Maybe some day soon, you could look at it and think of us. Think about when it was good. Remember that I wasn’t all bad.”

“You weren’t all bad. You were good to me, Duke. I mean that.” Joey looked at him. He felt a bit choked up, and he wasn’t even sure why. “Thank you, for the good times.”

“You too, Joey.” Joey leaned over and hugged him. It felt good to hug him again. It felt good not to hate him anymore. He wouldn’t say all was forgiven, but this had been a major step in the right direction. “Take care of yourself, alright?”

“I will.” Joey gave him a shy smile and headed out the door.


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



Tristan shifted the cordless phone so that it rested comfortably on his ear as he opened the oven door. “Alright, so when do I add the paprika?” he asked, putting the bread in the oven.

“You should have added it already,” Bakura answered over the phone.

“I’m really no good at this. I knew I shouldn’t have tried to make bachelor casserole.”

“It’ll be fine. Don’t get so worked up over it. I thought you were the one who said this wasn’t a date.”

“It’s not a date. But first impressions are very important,” Tristan insisted. “I don’t want him to think I can’t cook.”

“Why not? It’ll be the truth.” Tristan made a face. “Anyway, what exactly is tonight, if it isn’t a date.”

“I don’t know. I have no expectations. I’m just lonely, that’s all.”

“Then why didn’t you invite me over?”

“You were working tonight, so you could spend Valentine’s day with Yugi. And besides, I need more than one friend don’t I?”

“Why? I’m not enough for you now? You’re trying to make other friends behind my back. I see how it is.”

“No. I was simply lonely. You’ll always be first, Bakura, I promise.”

“Lies.”

“It’s the truth, he won’t be replacing you.”

“I don’t recall you ever making me bachelor casserole.” Tristan put the casserole into the oven and closed it back. “I’m hurt, Tristan.”

“You just said I couldn’t cook. Now you want to know why I don’t cook for you? You’re very hard to please, do you know that? Joey took up so much of my free time. And without him, I‘m miserable. I’m just lonely, that’s all.”

“Lonely enough to sleep with that intern tonight?”

“I can’t sleep with him. I would never dip my pen in the company ink. It’s not about sex.”

“Been so long you don’t remember where the parts go? Don’t worry…it’ll all come back to you.”

“I’m serious. I can’t sleep with him. He’s too young for me. I just…he practically invited himself over…and…damn it…this isn’t supposed to be complicated.”

“It’s not. Joey hasn’t talked to you in a good two weeks, don’t you think it’s time to just see what else is out there.”

“It’s way too early for another relationship, Bakura.”

“I said nothing about relationship. I said sex.”

“I don’t want just sex…I want something real. Something of value.”

“Wow, what the hell happened to you, Tristan? Where’d all that bravado go?”

“I’m at a point in my life where I don’t want to run through guys anymore. Unfortunately, the guy I want wants nothing more to do with me.”

“Well then, make sure you don’t put on aftershave.”

“Aftershave? I already put on aftershave. I’m pouring my heart out to you and you’re talking about aftershave? What a disappointment this conversation is shaping up to be.”

“Keep on the cologne, but if I were you I’d wash off the aftershave, it’ll send out the wrong signals. And you’ll lead the puppy on at the very least. At most you’ll end up driving in to work together in the morning.”

“What signals could I be sending out to Hiro with just aftershave on my neck?”

“Kiss my neck, for starters.”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

“I speak the truth. Come on, Tristan. You know what you do to guys. So if this is supposed to be innocent then no aftershave, no dancing, no winking.”

“I hardly ever wink. And dancing, what can I say…I’m a queen who likes a good club song, I wasn’t aware that had become license to hit on me. It’s a Wednesday night, it’s not even a date night. You’re overreacting.”

“Tristan…I’m saying this as your friend. No dancing. You should see yourself sometimes when you dance. If you weren’t such a seme I would have fucked you a long time ago.” Tristan rolled his eyes.

“Really, Bakura, you gross me out when you say that. I know I’m irresistible, but you’ll have to contain yourself.”

“I wet myself just thinking about that sexy body of yours.”

“Yuck.”

“And you’ve been working out a lot more since Joey’s left you. No wonder Seto wants to go to the gym with you…he gets to see all that sweaty muscle.”

“I plan on eating tonight, Bakura, so if you don’t mind, could you cut it out so I’ll still have something of an appetite.” The doorbell rang.

“Was that the door?”

“Saved by the bell.” Tristan checked his watch. “He’s early. Oh well, alright, I guess I should go.”

“Yeah, have fun, just don’t do anyone I wouldn’t do.” Tristan smirked. “I got to get back to work, damn Pyramid, this bouncer thing gets annoying.”

“But you’re so good at it, Bakura.” The doorbell rang again. “Alright, I’ll call you later.”

“Sounds good. Bye.”

“Bye.” Tristan ended the call. Tristan made sure the kitchen looked good, straightened one of the wine glasses, and walked towards the door. Out of habit he did a quick check in the mirror.

Tristan opened the door; his breathe instantly catching in his throat. Two beautiful amber colored eyes blinked back at him. Their owner’s gaze focused steadily on the brunet, before finally dropping to the porch. “I should have called first,” the blond began simply. “I should have called first, but the truth of the matter is, I didn’t know I was coming here until I ended up on your doorstep.”

“Joey.” Joey looked up at the sound of his name. “This is a surprise.”

“Could I come in, I wanted to talk to you. I’ve had a two and a half hour drive, and I’ve had plenty of time to think, trapped in my car all by myself.” Joey didn’t wait for an invitation and simply pushed past Tristan, who moved out of the way to allow him entrance. “I know, you’ve wanted to talk for weeks, and I’ve made that impossible. But I wanted to rectify that now.”

“You were pretty angry at me.” Joey nodded. “I didn’t really think you’d ever want to speak to me again.”

“I didn’t think so either, to be honest with you.” Joey slipped off his shoes and walked towards the kitchen as Tristan shut the door. “I need something to drink.”

“I could fix you something.”

“No, just water. I can get it.” Tristan bit the edge of his lip as the blond went into the kitchen. Tristan trailed behind slowly. “Smells good in here, Tris.”

“I was making dinner.”

“Smells like it. Smells like bachelor casserole, Bakura made Yugi and I some the other night. It’s good stuff, I…” Joey’s eyes studied the setup on the table. Two wine glasses, two forks, two plates. “Are you expecting someone?” Joey asked, his voice low, so low in fact it was barely audible, of course Tristan knew exactly what the blond had said.

“Just a co-worker, from work. It’s nothing formal. He’s not do over here for a while yet, I can call him and cancel.”

“No, I mean if it’s business related I understand. Bakura told Yugi, who told me, that that Peterson project of yours came out good. You must be really busy. We can talk later.”

“No, it’s not like that. It’s not about work. I’ll just call him and cancel it.”

“Don’t do that, Tris. It’s not a big deal. I should have called first. It was a spur of the moment thing.” Tristan was already picking up the cordless phone. With any luck, Hiro hadn’t left his apartment yet. Joey was over to him, trying to grab the phone from his hands. “What are you doing, Tris. You’re being ridiculous. Don’t do that. It’s not a big deal.”

“I want to cancel. Please.”

“No, I won’t ruin your plans.”

“I told you, Joey, it’s not a big deal. I don’t need to see him tonight. It’s not about work.”

“Whatever it’s about, please, just stop, I should have called first, Tris. Put the phone down.” Joey tried pulling the phone from Tristan’s hands. “Tristan, stop fighting me. I’m going to leave, all right. I’ll call you later this week. Maybe if you’re free sometime this weekend we could talk, that is if you’re not planning another trip to Tokyo.”

Tristan stopped fighting the blond momentarily. “Joey, nothing happened in Tokyo. Nothing. I swear.”

“I’m not saying it did.”

“It didn’t. It’s not like that. Not at all.”

“I believe you, you don’t need to be acting like a cat after a canary here. It’s really not a big deal. It’s not like you have some kind of date…” Joey’s eyes met Tristan’s, “tonight.”

“Joey, it’s…” Joey was already letting go of the phone and stepping back a few paces. “It’s not like that. It’s not a date. He’s just…a guy…”

“What guy?”

“A guy from work…it’s nothing.”

“Is it Seto?”

“No. Of course not.”

“Well, you never mentioned any other of your male co-workers before. If it’s not Seto then who is it?”

“This guy, he’s an intern. It’s not a big deal. I spilled coffee all over him and I felt bad so I asked him over for dinner. It’s not a date.”

“Is he gay?”

“I don’t see what his sexual orientation has to do with an innocent dinner.”

“If he weren’t gay you wouldn’t have just said that. And if it were so innocent you wouldn’t have tried to cover up that he was gay. And if it were innocent you wouldn’t have been so frantic to cancel.”

“I wanted to talk to you. It had nothing to do with him. I can see him anytime. I haven’t seen you in two weeks, Joey. You can’t blame me for being eager to talk to you. Hiro’s living here for school, for his internship, he doesn’t have any friends out here, they’re all back in Tokyo. I was trying to be polite”

“And you decided to make him feel right at home in Domino?”

“It’s not like that. It’s not a date.”

“If it’s not a date then why are there wine glasses?”

“He was bringing wine. It’s not like it seems, his father owns a winery.”

“An answer for everything.”

“What are you accusing me of here, Joey? Huh? You hear I’ve invited over a gay male co-worker and you’re ready to call the executioner. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about it, but if I recall we haven’t really been on speaking terms lately.”

“I don’t care, you can see or do whoever you want. I just don’t want you to lie about it. That’s all.”

“I’m not lying. It’s not a date.”

“Then why are you wearing your heat, seek, and destroy aftershave?”

“Joey, you’re being ridiculous.”

“Here you go again. God forbid I tell you how I’m feeling without you dismissing my emotions as ridiculous.”

“I can’t win with you. We don’t talk for two weeks on your call, and the night you decide you finally want to talk I happen to have plans and you freak out. What do you want from me, Joey? I’m starting to think I could never make you happy.”

“I just want the truth. Why are you so afraid to tell me the fucking truth? If you’re on a date, you’re on a date. I’ll deal with that. But to sit here and lie to my face because you think I can’t handle the truth…that’s what hurts.”

“First of all, you don’t exactly have a good track record as far as hearing the truth is concerned. And secondly, and much more important, I told you the truth. You just want to believe what you want to believe. It’s not a date. End of story.”

“Does he know that?”

“Fucking A, Joey. I give up. I’m done. You think whatever you want to think. Maybe while you’re at it you can think about the way you act every time you find out about anything I’m doing. It’s suddenly a huge deal. It could all be so simple, but you’d rather make it hard.”

Joey looked down. This wasn’t at all how he thought talking to Tristan again was going to go.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. I’ve been so wound up, since you left me. I guess it’s the lack of sex.” Joey met his eyes, his full of anger. “I was only trying to make a joke, lighten the mood. I didn’t mean anything by that. Baby, please.”

“I don’t want to fight with you anymore.”

“I don’t want to fight either.”

“Could we just start this conversation over, Tris, please, before it turns into World War III?”

“I’d like that very much.” Tristan offered a small smile. Joey smiled back a bit. “There’re just a lot of emotions flying around right now. A lot of feelings.”

“Yeah.” Joey took a step towards him. “It’s been a pretty emotional day for me. My heart’s been on my sleeve.”

“It’s been a pretty emotional two weeks for me, Joey,” Tristan responded. “It’s taking all of me not to grab hold of you and never let go right now.” Joey looked at him and down.

“You always embarrass me when you talk like that, Tris.” He sighed. “I’ve been so difficult, I was just really hurt.”

“I know you were. You have every right to be hurt. I really fucked up.”

“Yeah, but part of it was my fault. I overreacted a bit…some of the things I said to you were harsh, and uncalled for. I should not have called your love into question. I know without a doubt that you’re in love with me. I was just lashing out in anger.”

“I was hoping you thought that.” Joey made a face. “I was afraid you really felt that way. And when you didn’t call…” The doorbell went off. Tristan checked the wall clock behind Joey’s head.

Hiro was early.

“You should answer your door, Tristan,” Joey said, softly. The reality was back, full force. Tristan’s date was here. Joey could only imagine what hot little thing Tristan had picked up at the office. The Kaiba Corp building was full of young, good looking male employees. But then why wouldn’t it be, Seto Kaiba liked young, good-looking guys. The bell rang again. “Your door, Tristan.”

“Joey.” Tristan swallowed.

“What are you just going to pretend you’re not home? Just open your door.”

“Joey, please.”

“Open your door.” Tristan looked at Joey with pleading eyes. “Open it, goddamn, just open it.” Tristan walked out of the kitchen, Joey behind him. He took another breath before he opened it.

“Tristan, hey. Sorry I’m a bit early, I hope you don’t mind.” Hiro came in, placing a small kiss on Tristan’s cheek. “I brought merlot, I wasn’t sure what you were cooking, but it’s a great year, so I thought it would be alright.” Tristan looked off to his right. He didn’t really want to see Hiro’s reaction to Joey. And as for Joey’s reaction, he didn’t need to be facing Joey to know exactly what the blond’s reaction was going to be. “Oh…hello…” Tristan took another deep breath.

“Hiro. This is Joey. Joey this is Hiro.” The fact that Tristan wasn’t looking at either of them wasn’t helping the matter at all.

“Joey, hi. Tristan’s told me all about you.” Hiro was trying to save face in an increasingly bad situation.

“Pity I can’t say the same,” Joey said simply, the revelation that Tristan had spoken about him to this young puppy was already eating at him, but Joey let it wash over him as he studied the kid. “Tristan mentioned something about you living in Domino during school. You’re in what, first grade now?”

“Hiro’s an intern,” Tristan answered, giving Joey a look.

“I go to Tokyo University.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Joey gave Tristan a pointed look before he looked back at the kid. He was cute. Too young for Tristan, that was for sure, but he was cute. Definitely the kind of guy Joey would think would be the brunet’s type. “Well, I think we’ve all had enough awkwardness for one evening. I’ll leave you two to your dinner.”

“It was nice to be able to put a face to the name,” Hiro returned. Joey’s left eye twitched. So, Hiro had already begun marking Tristan as his new territory. Joey had to wonder how many times Tristan had spilled coffee on the puppy before this dinner date. The kid knew what he wanted, that was for sure, Joey could read it all in his eyes. He wanted to end the evening with breakfast in the morning.

“Goodnight,” Joey began, slipping on his shoes. “Oh, Hiro…you should try using club soda to get out that coffee stain.”

“Coffee stain?” Hiro asked, giving Joey a confused look. Tristan gave Hiro his own look.

“Perhaps you should ask Tristan about it, during your date.” Joey slipped out of the door in a smooth motion and headed for his car.

“Joey…” Tristan walked outside. “JOEY…” Joey walked a little bit faster. He just needed to get to his car. Once he got to his car he’d be all right. He couldn’t look back now, he couldn’t let Tristan see the tears coming down his face.

Joey was concentrating so hard on not looking back, and making it through the condominium parking lot that he was quite startled when Tristan’s hands grabbed him. “Stop it right now, Joey…don’t walk out on me.” Joey jerked away, hoping in vain that the dark February sky would mask his tears. “Baby…please…don’t cry…”

“Let me go! You fucking jerk. You lied to me.”

“It wasn’t a date.”

“What about the coffee…you spilling it on him…”

“That did happen…I don’t know why he’d deny it.”

“You’re still lying to me!”

“I don’t know why he reacted like that. I did spill coffee on him. It happened. It wasn’t supposed to be a date, Joey. Dana was standing right there, she witnessed the whole thing.”

“Who the fuck is Dana?”

“Dana’s Seto’s secretary.”

“She in on it too?”

“There’s no vast conspiracy here, Joey.”

“You’ve probably fucked him too. Didn’t you?”

“No. I haven’t. I wouldn’t.”

“Why’d he kiss you then? Why he’d look at you with those eyes filled with lust?”

“He’s attracted to me. He wants me.”

“So you admit to it being a date.”

“It wasn’t a date.”

“You invite over a guy who has to be at least six years younger than you, who clearly wants you to fuck him, he comes over with a bottle of merlot and you make him a gourmet dinner but it’s not a date? What the hell, Tristan? Is this how things go when you spill coffee on all your co-workers? Or just the cute ones that happen to want to get in your pants.”

“Joey…please…I never thought of it that way. I don’t think of him that way. Not at all. I was just lonely. I’m not over you…”

“I’m sure he can help you with that.”

“Joey…Please…Baby…please…don’t do this.”

“I didn’t do anything, Tristan! You did.” Joey pulled away, more tears coming down his face. “You’re the one who found a replacement for me.”

“Hiro’s not a replacement.”

“Are you going to take him to your parent’s cabin in the woods too? Buy him a personalized picture frame. Sculpt him some stuff? I’m sure he looks great naked.”

“Yes, Joey. I am. I will. And I’m going to fuck him the second I get back to condo too. Just throw him over my shoulder, dump him on my bed, and take him. Would you like that?”

“You would, you fucking bastard!”

“I can’t talk to you like this. If you’re not going to calm down we’ll finish this conversation later.”

“No. There isn’t going to be a later. It’s done, Tristan. We’re done.”

“You know what I think, Joey? I think you’re scared that while you were trying to figure out the fate of this relationship I was out living the high life with all these other guys. Isn’t that it?”

“I don’t care what you did, I could give a shit.”

“Yes you do.”

“I said I don’t.

“Yes you do.”

“And what if I did? Could you blame me for that? Why would you sit around waiting for me to make up my mind about you when you could go out there and have any guy you wanted?”

“Maybe because the only guy I wanted is you, Baby. Maybe because I was too busy being heartbroken to even think about other guys. You think you were the only one upset? You think Bakura’s been practically living with me for kicks?”

Joey looked at Tristan and wiped some of the tears off his face. “He’s just…he’s cute…and he likes you and…I haven’t been talking to you…and…”

“Shush…Baby…you’re really being silly.” Tristan reached for Joey, and when it was clear he wasn’t going to move away, Tristan held the blond close to him. “Why in the hell would I choose that kid over you, Baby?”

“I don’t know…I was being mean to you, I thought maybe…”

“There’s not a chance, Baby.” Joey snuggled up to Tristan a bit closer. “Please, can we talk?”

“What about your co-worker?”

“I’ll get rid of him, if he’s not already gone. Alright?” Joey looked at him and nodded. “No more tears.”

“Alright.”

Fifteen minutes later Joey was sitting on Tristan’s couch, eating bachelor casserole. “Is it alright, Baby?” Tristan asked, handing Joey some wine. “I guess it was nice of Hiro to leave the wine bottle here, huh.” Joey only shrugged. “Anything else you want, Baby?”

“I went and saw Duke today.” Tristan narrowed his eyes. “I was there for a while. We had a long talk. Turns out he’s married.”

“Married, really. Wow.”

“I came from there straight to here. So we could talk. I really wanted to talk to you.”

“Me too.”

“I guess part of the reason we haven’t spoken was because I didn’t know what to say. On Sunday, when we went over Yugi’s grandfather’s house he told me a story. Which made no sense to me, until I was driving back from Duke’s. Want to hear it?”

“Sure. Joey.”

“When Yugi’s grandpa was a young and handsome man he met this girl and fell deeply in love with her. They were very much in love and spent all their free time together. He knew that this girl was the love of his life. Unfortunately, his parents didn’t approve of the relationship. They told him she wasn’t right for him and that they should break up. He decided, after much thought, that he didn’t care what his parents said and that he wouldn’t give her up. So he asked her to marry him.”

“So what was her answer?”

“She told him she couldn’t marry him because she loved him too much. His parents would never accept her and they were only saying these things because they had his best interests at heart. If she married him she’d drive a wedge between them, and she didn’t want to do that to his family. He was very upset when she said that, and then told her that she didn’t really love him. Because if she did she’d marry him despite what his parents said. He had to live his own life, and nothing would make him happier than having her as his wife.”

“Did she change her mind?”

“She did. She told him she’d marry him. He was so happy he decided they should both rush home to tell their parents and if they still objected they’d run off and elope. He drove home as fast as he could and told his parents his decision. He told them that he was doing what was right and that he had to follow his heart. Then he rushed off to meet her at their agreed upon spot.”

“And let me guess, they ran off, got eloped and lived happily ever after.”

“Not exactly.” Joey let out a deep sigh. “Yugi’s grandfather got to the place they were supposed to meet and she didn’t show up. He waited for hours, and finally he decided to go to her house and find out what had happened. He was worried perhaps she had changed her mind. He got there and found out from her sister that she hadn’t made it home. It was soon after that that he learned she had been killed in a car accident.”

Tristan narrowed his eyes. “What? You’re kidding.”

“No.”

“That’s the most depressing story I’ve heard in my entire life. She died? On the way back to tell her parents?”

“Yes.”

“What the hell is the point of this story?”

“Actually I got three lessons from it. The first lesson is about love. Yes, he loved her very much. But you don’t meet someone and go, that’s the love of my life. Certainly he loved her, but he loved Yugi’s grandmother just as much. I loved Duke in a very special way, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you, or that what I feel for you isn’t as meaningful or as important. The second lesson is that you have to see the good in the bad. This young woman dying is a tragedy, but maybe Yugi’s grandpa wouldn’t have met Yugi’s grandmother, and if not then Yugi wouldn’t be here.

It hurt that Duke was with someone else, and that that someone was you, but if not for that, then maybe I wouldn’t have met you, and I couldn’t imagine not meeting you. And most important, life’s short, it can change in the blink of an eye. You have to treat each day like it’s your last. You can’t waste time in regrets on what may have been. You have to keep moving forward. This wise man once told me that life’s not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away.” Joey smiled. “Tristan, I haven’t breathed since the moment I met you…and if it’s alright with you, I want to keep it that way.”

“Oh, Baby…” Tristan grabbed Joey as hard as he could and held him. “I’m so sorry, Baby.”

“I’m sorry too. I am.”

“It was my fault.”

“I was to blame too. Really. Do you forgive me?”

“Baby, of course I do.”

“So we could be together again, Tris?”

“That’s all I’ve wanted for two weeks and three days, Baby. Two miserable weeks of being away from you. “ Tristan wasted no time smothering Joey with kisses. “I love you sweetheart. So much.”

“I love you too.”

Author's endnote: I know... you're thinking, where's the makeup lemon...don't worry... it's coming next chapter. Well at least someone's relationship is back on track...but I'm afraid I still have more drama to unleash. Damn soap operas. Oh well, hope the two chapter update was to your liking. It doesn't make up for the long wait, but at least you get a two for one sprcial.

"I just don't understand, I thought things were going well for the two of you." Seto only shrugged. "What are you going to do now?" Seto looked at Tristan for a while, but words didn't come to him.

"Tris, what's going on?" Joey flopped down the stairs. "Seto, what are you doing here."

"I didn't mean to interupt your personal time, Tristan," Seto said not looking at the blond. He took another sigh. "But since you're here, Joey. Maybe I should offer you an apology."