Beauty

First Things First: Thanks for the patronage. Thanks for the reviews. I appreciate it. This chapter is really just a background chapter. So far we’ve only ever heard about Yugi and Joey’s relationship. Now it’s time to learn about Joey’s other past situations, most importantly Duke. What Duke did was far worse than merely cheat on him. All kinds of fun… in the form of flashbacks… Read, review, and enjoy… ^_^


Disclaimer: I swear, I don’t own YGO. Or the songs, or the lyrics.


Song Notes: Beautiful by Christina Aguliera, Always Be My Baby by Mariah Carey, U Don’t Know Me (Like U Used To) by Brandy, Red Light by Johnny Lang, and Never Again by Justin Timberlake. Truth be told, the lyrics could apply to Yugi and Yami as well…but Yami technically never cheated on Yugi. Duke certainly cheated on Joey.


Chapter 4: Precedent


Sadness has me at the end of the line
Helpless, I watched you break this heart of mine
Loneliness only wants you back here with me
Common sense knows that you're not good enough for me

And all you had to do was apologize
And mean it

But you didn't say you're sorry
I don't understand
You don't care that you hurt me
And now I'm half the man
That I used to be when it was you and me
You didn't love me enough

My heart may never mend
And you'll never get to love me...

…Again

~ Never Again
Justin Timberlake


Joey woke up, it taking a moment for him to realize that he was still in Tristan’s arms. So last night hadn’t been the best damn dream of his entire life. He shifted a little, trying not to wake the brunet. But he had to go the bathroom…damn alcohol. He slipped out of Tristan’s grasp and padded into the washroom.

Why had that been one of the best nights of his life?

Joey couldn’t help but be jaded by the whole situation. Tristan seemed wonderful…but that’s how they all start…wonderful…assholes can’t come off as assholes at the beginning. They have to surprise you with it. Joey had the annoying habit of always fallior tor the same type of guys. The wrong type.

That wasn’t necessarily true. Mako hadn’t been wrong. Well, he had just been wrong for him. He cared for Mako, in a way that no other guy after him could ever challenge. He was his first. His first kiss with a guy, and his first sexual experience period. Joey had always imagined he’d wind up with Yugi. It seemed like an obvious choice. Yugi announced that he was gay, and seemed happy about it. Joey was anything but happy about being gay…but maybe that had more to do with his dad then anything.

The real reason he always assumed he’d be with Yugi first was because he always thought the little guy had a crush on him. He was always a little touchy-feely, even before Joey came out to him. Of course any feelings Yugi had for Joey back then were squashed by Yami. Joey didn’t mind, he cared for Yugi…but not in that way…and he was afraid that if they ever got together the friendship would be ruined.

And besides, there was Mako.

Mako had always just been around. They had been friends for a while. Yugi was wrapped up with Yami, and Joey didn’t mind the companionship. Joey really didn’t think he was into him until the day Mako kissed him:


Mako glanced at Joey again, Joey was beginning to get uneasy. “What? Do I have something in my nose or something?” Joey asked, finally.

“You’re gay, right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“I am too.” Joey made a face. What was the point? “Joey, can I kiss you?”

“You want to kiss me?”

“I’ve never kissed a guy before. Can you be my first?” Joey made another face.

“Why me?”

“Because you’re beautiful.” Beautiful? No one had ever called him beautiful before. He had been used to being a waste of space to his father. Yugi cared about him, the way a best friend should, but Yugi was really the only person he was close to. His only real friend. And Yugi had simply never called him beautiful. Cute, perhaps…but never beautiful. “Please, Joey?”

“Um…okay…” Joey made yet another face as Mako leaned in and kissed him. The kiss was quick, painless, but Joey still felt his face turn a bright red color. “That’s it?” Joey asked, giving Mako a look.

“You don’t like me, I understand.” Mako shifted so that he was as far away from Joey as he could possibly get, while still sitting on the couch next to him.

“It’s not that. I’m just scared. I’ve never done that.”

“Not even with, Yugi?”

“No.” Mako looked at him. Joey felt awful. Why was he acting like this? Mako had always been nice to him, and they had a lot in common, including their fathers. Mako’s had died during a fishing trip, and Joey’s father was nonexisteveneven though he was still alive. He had always liked Mako…always thought he wasn’t bad looking.

He moved closer to the other teen. “We could try again, if you want.”

“Are you sure, Joey?”

“Yeah.” Mako smiled at him and kissed him, harder this time. Mako had had a few girlfriends in the past, so he knew what he was doing. Joey was taken off guard, he had never submitted to a kiss before…but Mako was more skilled than he was…and dominated him easily.

When the kiss ended Joey was red again.


That afternoon had been pretty nice, both boys exploring each other’s mouths. By the time Joey went home he had grown to really like Mako. It only took two weeks before Mako was asking Joey out and Joey was accepting. Yugi and Yami both thought that the match was perfect.

It wasn’t.

Mako treated Joey wonderfully, he adored him. But Joey never felt the same. There were elements of love there…but it didn’t go as deep as it did on Mako’s side. By the second month Joey and Mako had begun having sex. Joey felt obligated to; Mako was buying him all kinds of gifts, calling him “beautiful”, listening to his problems. Mako would have waited, but Joey figured it was the only way he could pay Mako back for all his loving.

Joey learned an important lessonm thm the relationship though. Love wasn’t about paying the other person back. The way Joey did with sex. It was unconditional, and that was what Mako tried to explain to him when he’d buy Joey things. He never expected anything in return. But Joey never got that. Not then, at least. And it became a strain to tell Mako he loved him. He did…but he knew that Mako Tsunami wasn’t the guy he was going to marry.

He didn’t feel about him the way Yugi felt about Yami. He just didn’t know what it was Yugi felt for the other boy. Yugi explained it to him one night. Joey wasn’t in love.

Unfortunately, Mako was.

Yugi said that being in love was scary. And that you never knew what would happen to you. Yugi explained how terrified he was of what would happen with Yami and him, even though at the time, Yami and Yugi weren’t actually doing anything. They weren’t even dating yet. Joey didn’t understand why he wasn’t in love with Mako. He tried to be…but he couldn’t. But Yugi patiently explained that being in love just happened, it couldn’t be wished… if he fell in love with Mako he’d know.

But he never got the chance.

Their relationship ended five months after it started. In truth, Joey always regretted waiting so long for it to be over. Mako was falling deeper in love with each passing moment, and Joey wasn’t. He liked having Mako as a boyfriend, he enjoyed being doted on. He had been selfish, and foolish back then. Still really just a young kid. Mako and him had started dating the summer after they graduated from high school.

Even the way the relationship ended was awful.

Yugi had suggested they all go to the Pyramid. Joey didn’t see the need to go to the bar. Especially since none of them had gone through the Seijin no hi, or the Coming of Age, festival yet. They were only 18 and they weren’t of legal age to do anything until their 20th birthdays. Yugi explained that the bartenders looked the other way when it came to underage drinking. Yugi had all intentions of going but was too afraid to ask Yao goo go with him alone. It would be too much like an actual date. So Joey agreed to go, taking Mako with them of course.

Yami, Yugi and Mako were dancing on the dance floor on the upper level, having fun. Joey watched, since he didn’t dance. Yugi had been right about the bartenders. Joey was able to order drinks without problem, and eventually he wound up getting pretty drunk. And then the real fun began.

What made him go out on the dance floor and tell Mako he wanted to fuck him in the bathroom, he didn’t know. Mako didn’t understand what it was Joey was talking about. Neither did Joey. They got into an argument, Joey saying some pretty nasty things to him, and then walking out of the bar. Mako followed him, upset and confused. Looking back on it, Joey assumed he had caused the scene because he wanted Mako to dump him. Joey just couldn’t bear to hurt him by getting rid of him.

Mako didn’t take the bait, so Joey just kept pushing it. Until he finally just told Mako that the relationship was over.

When Joey did sober up he slept with Mako one last time, and then they had a serious talk. It was a rotten thing to do, break up after they had finished having sex. But Joey had put it off for so long that he just didn’t care anymore.

The whole thing with Mako had gone horribly, Joey had felt like a jerk afterwards. And maybe what he did to Mako came back to him tenfold when he met Duke. No, thasn’tsn’t fair to say… he had hurt Mako by breaking up with him…but breakups usually hurt… he never maliciously toyed with Mako’s affections…well, that Pyramid incident had been bad…but he was drunk… not that that was an excuse. He had only done that to make Mako leave him…he hated the idea of hurting Mako. He was scared of hurting him.

No. He wasn’t as bad to Mako as Duke was to him.

He never asked Mako to live with him. He never proposed to Mako. And he didn’t cheat on Mako for a full three months.

Joey sighed and flushed the toilet, not sure if he wanted to get back into bed with Tristan or not. He hadn’t been held since that fool, Duke. That was probably the hardest thing to adjust to. Yugi and him cuddled, but Yugi was tiny…so he held him. For w mow months after he had moved out, Joey had dreamt that he was in Duke’s arms, only to wake up in bed alone, and feeling empty again.

What Duke did to him was…soul murder. That was the only way to describe it:


Once again Joey found himself at the Pyramid. He hated the place, but Yugi had wanted them to go out the way they used to, before Yami or Mako. Of course this was the first time the best friends had been out along in months. Joey reluctantly agreed. Yugi had mentioned that Joey could probably pick himself up someone.

Joey didn’t see himself meeting anyone. He sat at the bar, unimpressed. He hadn’t really dated anyone seriously since Mako. He hadn’t really had feelings for anyone. He thought perhaps he had feelings for Yugi…but Yugi was completely infatuated with Yami, and Yugi had just mentioned last week that Yami wanted to sleep with him.

So there went that plan.

Of course maybe he didn’t really have feelings for Yugi, maybe he only thought he did because he was lonely.

He had no idea where Yugi had gotten to. Even though they were both now 20, Yugi liked the bar scene a lot more than he did. Joey felt uncomfortable, especially up here, on the second floor of the Pyramid…but Yugi had wanted to dance. All he wanted to do was sleep… he had studying to do. This was the last way he wanted to spend his Friday night.

“Here.” Joey looked up at the bartender, his eyebrows meeting.

“I didn’t order this,” Joey thought, studying the beer as if he had never seen one before.

“He did,” the man mentioned, pointing across the bar. Joey looked, and a blond smiled at him. Then stood up. Joey felt his face grow red as he was approached.

“Hi, Cutie Pie. Never seen you here before.” Joey gave the older man a look but said nothing. He never liked being hit on. It made him uneasy. Especially when the guy turned out to be a slime ball. “I’m Keith.” Like this “Keith” person.

“Joey.” Keith smiled and sat next to him. “Thanks for the drink.” Keith nodded. Joey eyed the drink, wondering if this person might have asked the bartender to drug it or something. You could never be too careful. Joey didn’t even let Yugi near the bar without him or Yami.

The little guy just never seemed to get it. He was a little too cute and innocent looking for his own good. Thinking about it, he didn’t like the idea of Yugi alone on the dance floor either. He was glad Yugi wasn’t shy anymore…but he couldn’t defend himself, and Joey often played the role of big brother. Yami didn’t look like he could defend himself either…let alone Yugi.

“So, do you want to get out of here or something?” Keith asked, interrupting Joey’s thoughts. Joey made a face. No, he didn’t want to get out of here…Not with this guy. There was something about him that Joey just plain didn’t like. He had learned a long time ago to follow his instincts. And all his instincts told him this guy was no- good. Despite how things had ended for Mako and him, Mako was still the guy he measured all other guys against. He had long since decided that any other potential boyfriend had to treat him like the king Mako told him he was. Mako made him feel beautiful… this guy…this Keith person… made him feel like a Salisbury steak on the cutting block.

“I’m here with someone. I can’t leave.”

“Come on, have a little fun. You only live once.” Joey sighed.

“I don’t make it a habit of going home with strange guys I meet at bars. It’s nothing against you.”

“Well, come home with me and I’ll let you get to know me a little better.” Joey made another face. What the Hell? Why did he always meet the jerks? Keith leaned closer to Joey, his hand finding itself on Joey’s thigh.

“Look, I’m not looking for anything right now.”

“This doesn’t have to be anything. All I want to do is fuck you, Joey.” Keith leaned closer, pressing himself against the blond. Joey blushed. He felt vulnerable. The way Keith was looking at him, undressing him with his eyes was sickening him. But as easy as it was for Joey to go to bat for Yugi, he found it difficult to defend himself. He never understood why, but anytime Joey ran into an asshole he always froze. Eventually his defense mechanism kicked in and he was back to no. B. But for a while, he always found himself at a loss. “How many drinks do I have to buy you so that you’ll loosen up?”

“None. The answer is no. You can take your drink back if you want. I didn’t touch it.”

“Um..um…I know you’re saying no, but what you really mean is yes. A hot piece of ass like you doesn’t sit at a bar and not go home with someone.”

“Leave me alone! Get off of me!” Joey pushed Keith away from him as Keith placed a drunken kiss on his cheek.

“Come on, Baby, I know you want to ride this…” Keith made an obscene gesture to his crotch.

Why wasn’t he fighting back the way he wanted to? Why was he giving this asshole anymore of his time? If Joey wasn’t in so much of a panic he would have noticed that he had drawn the attention of another man. A man who was watching the exchange and growing angry. He walked towards the pair of blonds and got behind Joey.

“There you are, Baby… who’s your friend?” Joey looked at the raven-haired man that had approached him.

“And just who do you think you are?” Keith asked, giving the male a look.

“His boyfriend. And you were?”

“This is your boyfriend?” Keith asked, looking at Joey who tried to hide the confused look on his face. Joey nodded, thinking he understood what was going on. This green-eyed beauty was saving him from Keith’s endless attempts at trying to score.

“You miss me, Baby?” the guy asked, smiling at Joey.

“I always miss you when you’re gone, sweetheart,” Joey answered, thanking God. Keith had been relentless, he didn’t think he’d ever get away from him.

“I hate to break up the love, but your boyfriend just let me buy him a drink,” Keith pointed out.

“Yeah, I tell him to do what he wants. If some sap wants to buy him a drink that’s his business. At the end of the night my Baby’s going home with me.” And then, to make sure the other blond haired man was convinced the raven-haired man leaned in and kissed Joey.

Joey was stunned, but kissed the other back, not wanting to look suspicious. Joey was nervous at first, but this mystery rescuer was gentle. He coaxed Joey’s tongue out of his mouth and caressed it lovingly. It was weird…the whole reason this guy was kissing him was to convince that Keith asshole that they were dating. But as the kiss continued Joey was convinced he was dating him too.

Joey idly wondered why the guy who was now kissing him wasn’t in Keith’s position? Joey wouldn’t mind being hit on by this guy. If his kissing skills were any indication, this guy was more than perfect. Joey found himself melting into him. Neither noticed that Keith had taken off, and had taken the drink with him.

The other pulled away and studied the stunned look on Joey’s face.

“You just looked like you could use a little help with that guy.” Joey nodded, and swallowed. “I’m Duke Devlin. Nice to meet you.”

“Joey. Joey Wheeler.” Duke smiled. He had an amazing smile. And he was cute. Dark eye make up, like Yami liked to wear, but it looked sexier on him. Long black hair, his hair reminded him of Mako, but it didn’t look like it was quite as thick. And piercing green eyes. Was this love at first sight?

“You’re a pretty good kisser, Joey Wheeler.” Joey blushed. “You’re cute too.”

“That’s what the other guy said.” Duke smiled. Yes, his smile was his best quality.

“Yeah, but I’m not that other guy.”

“No. You’re Duke Devlin.” Duke nodded, and Joey cracked a little grin.


Joey found himself growing very attached to Duke after that first night. He was also surprised that Duke was a successful businessman, owning his own shop and only being as old as he was. They had gone to the movies and to dinner for their first official date, although Duke took him out multiple times before that.


Joey looked around Duke’s apartment, shocked he lived in such a nice place. But Duke had mentioned something about having some money. It obviously went to this.

“I can fix us a couple of drinks if you want, Joey?”

“Not thirsty.” Duke smiled at him and walked over, placing a firm kiss on his lips.

“You hungry?”

“For what, for you?”

“You said it, not me.” Joey blushed, Duke pushed Joey until his legs hit the couch and he was forced to sit. Duke straddled his legs and kissed him, Joey melting at the contact. He was moving way to fast with this guy. This was only technically their first date, even though they had gone out with Yugi and Yami a few times. And they had gone to lunch a couple of times. But when Duke had called him two days ago to take him out on a “real date” Joey’s heart stopped beating.

“You’re just too cute to put into words, Joey. Why do I feel this way when I’m around you?”

“What way?”

“This way…” Duke couldn’t find the words he was looking for and let his lips finish his thought as he leaned in and kissed him again. The kiss was fierce, both of them getting erections by the time Duke freed Joey’s mouth.

“I think we should move this to my bedroom,” Duke suggested, standing up suddenly. Joey followed Duke into the room. Duke wasted no time, pushing Joey back on the bed. Joey giggled as Duke’s mouth found its way to his neck.

“Are we going to fast?” Joey asked between kisses.

“You tell me, Joey.” Joey moaned an answer.

“More…touch me…Kitten…”

“Gods, you know I want to…”


Joey never regretted sleeping with Duke that first night. He had been anxious to sleep with someone he loved. Yeah, he felt love for Duke. Even though he hardly knew him. And it was different than Mako. With Duke he felt knots in his stomach. Butterflies. Duke was wonderful that first night. Gentle, loving… caring…everything Mako was…but this time…he felt it in return…


“You’re always so cute when you first wake up, Joey.” Joey’s hair was a tussled mess. He had spent another night at Duke’s. He practically lived there. It had only been three months. Three wonderful months. But Duke had already told Joey he was in love with him. And Joey had already said the same. “I love you, Joey.”

“I love you so much,” Joey returned, climbing out of Duke’s bed. He wasn’t wearing any clothes. Just the way Duke liked him. Duke slept nude and Joey had gotten used to doing the same.

“I want to bathe you, Joey.” Joey gave Duke a look. “I drew us a bath.”

Joey allowed himself to be led into the bathroom. “Bubbles!” Joey's smile grew to Yugi proportions as he leaned over to touch them. “I don’t think I’ve taken a bubble bath since I was eight or something.”

“You’re overdue.” Duke slid his hand on Joey’s ass, Joey flushing but smiled again. “Get in, Baby.” Joey did. The water was a perfect temperature. Duke knelt down, smiling.

“Aren’t you getting in, Duke?” Duke nodded. “What are you waiting for then?”

“Here.” Joey gave Duke a childish grin as Duke presented him a rubber duck.

“A present?”

“Yes.” Before Joey had a chance to look up into Duke’s mischievous grin the raven-haired man was slipping into the tub.

Duke fused their lips together, pulling the half startled blond onto his lap for better access. When the kiss broke Duke mouthed, “I love you, Joey. Move in here with me.”

“Huh?”

“Please. I need you here with me. I know it’ll only be four months. But I’ve never felt about anyone what I feel for you.” Joey swore he stopped breathing at that moment. “I’m so in love…please, Baby.” Duke was kissing Joey’s neck, and Joey was falling in love all the harder.

“Yes…I will…” Joey was whimpering now. “Duke, please…Duke…take me…I need you inside of me…”

“I’m going to bathe you first. And afterwards, we can have fun making you a mess again,” Duke murmured against Joey’s skin.


Joey moved in on their fourth month anniversary. It was really a blessing in disguise since Joey was tired of living with his dad. His dad hadn’t taken Joey’s admission of being gay well at all. But by the time Joey had found himself with Duke things had escalated to hatred. In fact the first time he had met Duke he complained saying Joey was an idiot for letting fem feminine looking fag fuck him like he was a bitch. At least with Yugi his father explained, he could take the little fruit. Yes, Joey’s dad had been quite the supportive parent about his sexuality.


Joey was busy cooking dinner for Duke and him. Joey never thought he was a good cook, and he hated doing it, but with Duke he enjoyed it. Duke worked a lot, but Joey never complained, it had been a month since he had moved in with him, and some how despite Duke’s busy schedule he made time for him. Besides, Duke paid the whole rent and all their bills, food, credit cards, everything, not accepting Joey’s money. And he had been quite slick about it too. Anytime Joey gave his green-eyed beau cash Duke put it in the account he had set up under Joey’s name.

Joey had only learned last week that Duke had set up a savings account for him.

Duke wanted to take care of Joey completely. Provide for him the way a husband would. Joey could see himself being Duke’s husband, he could see himself marrying this dream. Every time Duke told him he loved him Joey had to resist the urge to turn around to see who he was speaking to. How could someone as good as Duke care about him like this.

Joey had chalked up the whole thing to fate. He was meant to meet Duke in the Pyramid that night, Duke was his angel on Earth. Every morning Joey eagerly got up and made Duke his coffee and prepared breakfast. Duke would pull Joey onto his lap and feed him. Then he'd kiss him goodbye, saying his now trademark, “goodbye, my beauty”, before he left.

On days he wasn’t super busy Duke would come home for lunch. Joey had class of course, but somehow they made the arrangement work. He loved playing house with him. He loved running to the door as his boyfriend got home for the evening. So many nights Duke had a rose for him, or a little gift. Duke loved gifts. And with his birthday coming up Joey could only imagine what Duke had planned.

Joey patiently explained that all he wanted to do was go ice-skating for his birthday. There wasn’t much else one could do in January. Duke had only smiled, saying that Joey would have a very nice 21st birthday. Joey wasn’t sure what that meant but he had a feeling that Duke was planning something big…

“Where’s my baby," Duke asked. Joey spun around, smiling. “There he is. There’s my baby.”

“Kitten!” Joey wrapped his arms around the other’s neck. “You’re early.”

“Yeah, well, I had some stuff I had to do so I left work early. I missed you, Baby.”

“Missed you more,” Joey cooed.

“Knock me a little kiss, Joey.” Joey did, kissing Duke’s cheek. “See, now you made the other one jealous, Baby.” Joey smiled and kissed the other one. Duke loved when Joey kissed his cheeks. He had to ask Joey to knock him a kiss at least three times a day. Duke kissed him on the lips, Joey submitting without question.

“I love you, Joey.”

“I love you so much, Duke.”

“Dinner smells so good, Baby.” Duke kissed Joey on his neck, Joey’s toes curling. Gods, how he loved this man. Everything about him. “I see you're wearing my clothes.” Joey looked at himself. He hadn’t had class. And when he bummed around the house he had a habit of wearing Duke’s clothes. He just liked the thought of Duke always being with him.

“Do you mind?” Joey asked, leaning against the counter.

“Never. You know you look cute in flannel. I’d jump you right now if it wasn’t almost time to eat.”

“Oh, yes. That’s right. Flannel gets you hot,” Joey teased.

“You get me hot.” Joey moaned as Duke kissed him again. He was acting like he had been deprived of his boyfriend for weeks. He had seen him this morning. But he couldn’t help it. This was the price for falling in love.

Joey and Duke ate dinner in a hurry, Joey already knowing they were going to have to tape their favorite anime because they were going to miss it. Duke had a look in his eyes that clearly said Joey was going to be in for it tonight.

“Baby, I want to show you something. Then we can screw.” Joey looked at Duke and nodded. Joey was more than a little confused when Duke told him that what he needed to show him was outside. “Joey, you know how I borrowed your car this morning cause I couldn’t find my keys?”

Joey nodded, getting a little uneasy.

“Joey, Baby, something happened to it.” Joey swallowed hard.

“Something happened to it?” Joey asked. Was that why Duke got home so early? Was Duke serious, was he really going to show Joey that his car was now a wreak and then expect Joey to willingly hop into bed with him?

“Look, see, Joey.” Duke pointed to Joey’s reserved parking spot.

“Where’s my car, and who the hell’s car is this in my spot?”

“That’s your car.” Joey made a face. “I told you, Baby, something happened to it.”

“Duke?”

“Happy birthday, Beautiful.” Joey’s face nearly fell to the floor. Duke beeped off the alarm before he got into the car. Joey was screaming incoherently as Duke pulled the new car out of the parking spot so Joey could get a better look at it.

Was that a Spyder? Holy fuck, it was…Joey had loved that car since he had first seen it. Duke and him had had a conversation about them once. Joey had mused that he didn’t really like the Mitsubishi Eclipse as much as the Mitsubishi Spyder.

Duke got out of the car, Joey was now in near shock. “Baby, this is for you. It is a small reminder of how much I love you. You’re it for me, Joey. You’re everything wonderful in my life. You and me, forever.”

“That’s why you “lost” your keys this morning?” Duke nodded. “Duke, I…I just…” Joey was nearly in tears. Duke smiled. And that did it. His smile told him that Duke meant every word. “I can’t even…” Joey was crying now.

“Baby, it’s not returnable. So you’re just going to have to get used to driving stick.”

“It’s stick!” Joey squealed in delight.

“Of course it is, from our countless encounters in the bedroom I can tell how well you handle sticks.” Joey blushed. “Come on, we have to take your car for a test drive.”

“Duke…I can’t…you do everything for me…I can’t accept this…”

“Don’t, Joey. This is your birthday present.”

“We’ve only been together five months.”

“The best five months of my life. I like doing this for you, Baby. I like providing for you.”

Joey knew it was pointless to argue. “I…I love you…Duke…so much…I…you’re so wonderful… you’re my angel…I don’t deserve to be with you…I don’t deserve to be treated this well…you could have anyone in the whole world…and for some reason you’re with me…I…just…thank you…” Joey was still crying, still sniffling.

“Always, Beautiful. You and I, always.” Duke kissed him softly. “I want to go take your car for a spin, and then I’m going to make love to you until the sun comes up.” Duke kissed Joey’s tears away. “Forever, Joey.”


Joey still got chills when he recalled how making love with Duke that night had felt. He was home, with Duke inside of him. He was home. He was going to marry this man, he was going to have children… a life. He had never really known what it was to be truly happy…nothing in his life up until that point had ever felt this good. This right. Duke often mused about what it would be like once they were married. He said he wanted to wait until Joey was finished school, so they’d have a fresh life together.

Yes, things with Duke moved at lightening speed. But Joey was so in love with him. He barely noticed. At the time he was half convinced there was a good chance Duke was his soul mate. They were so different but a like at the same time. And Duke had so many plans for the two of them, a house… kids…life…happiness…everything Joey had never realized he wanted until he met Duke and became enamored.


Joey yawned a little as Duke leaned over him and kissed his neck. Joey was sitting on the couch, studying for another exam. “It’s Friday night, Baby.”

“I know but I have the test Monday. And I know I won’t get any studying done tomorrow night.” Joey knowingly knocked Duke a little kiss on his left cheek.

“What about the other one, Joey?” Joey smiled and kissed the adjacent cheek. “Baby, it’s not natural to study on Friday.”

“Duke, I won’t get anything done tomorrow. I can only imagine the things you have planned for us.”

“What are you talking about? What’s tomorrow?” Joey rolled his eyes.

“Our sixth month anniversary, Duke.” Duke made a face.

“Really, I hadn’t noticed.” Joey made a face of his own. “Sure you haven’t. That’s why you’ve been acting suspicious for two weeks.”

“If you say so. Am I supposed to get you a gift or something?”

“I told you nothing over the top. Duke, you better not have gone overboard. I mean it, I’ll make you return it. I don’t want you spending a lot of money on me. You buy me everything.”

“So.”

“So, it’s not right.” Joey and Duke had argued about this countless times. Certainly their relationship wasn’t paradise all the time. They fought, but making up was almost worth the arguments. And there was more love and carrying then fighting anyway. There relationship had gone wonderfully for these amazing six months. Joey had no reason to complain.

“I’m going to take a shower, okay, Baby?” Duke mentioned, changing the subject.

“Yeah.” Joey looked at him. “Of course we were discussing something, Duke.”

“I’m not going to argue with you tonight. At least wait until the end of the anniversary weekend to yell at me.” Joey gave Duke a look but nodded.

“Fine. But I mean it, Duke. If it’s expensive and I don’t need it I suggest you return it before we exchange gifts tomorrow.”

“I’ll be in the shower, Joey.” Duke left the room. Duke had been acting strangely all day. Like he was on edge. Joey had the feeling Duke had done something crazy for their anniversary. Joey hadn’t really wanted to do anything fancy. He would have been content to spend the evening at home, in boxers watching the basketball game on television.

Duke would have no part of . S. So Joey said that he’d be open to going for a quiet romantic dinner. Duke said that was a good start. Joey was nervous. Duke was unpredictable. And there was nothing Duke liked more than surprising him. Who knew what his boyfriend had up his sleeve for tomorrow.

Duke got out of the shower, his hair still dam“Foo“Food here yet?” Duke had ordered Chinese food for dinner, Joey’s favorite.

“No.”

“Done studying for the night?”

“No.” Duke sighed. “I’ll take a break after dinner and we can fuck, will that make you happy.”

Duke flashed that smile of his. “Immensely, Baby.” Joey stuck his tongue out at him.

The buzzer rang. Duke jumped and ran to get it, Joey not having a chance to even think about getting up. Once Duke had the food in his hands he scrambled into the kitchen.

“Need help?” Joey called over his shoulder.

“No!” Joey’s eyes narrowed. “Sorry, just sit there, I’ll bring the food to you.” Joey put the book away and waited. Jumpy, wasn’t he? What the Hell was Duke’s problem today?

“Here, Baby.” Joey accepted the egg roll and started to eat. “Joey, when’s the last time I told you I loved you?”

“What are you talking about? You said it this morning, Kitten. Duke?”

“I don’t think I say it often enough.”

“You do. Stop thinking about tomorrow. Eat your food so when can get to the sex.” Joey smiled but Duke didn’t. He looked troubled. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just thinking. I was thinking what life would be like without you, Baby.”

“But you’re not without me. I’m yours, Duke. Always.”

“I know. And I love you for that.” Joey smiled warmly. Duke smiled back. Joey studied the look on Duke’s face as he started to eat his rice. He had a lot on his mind, and he was only picking at the food.

“You’re not eating, Duke.”

“Not that hungry. Just finish eating.” Joey did, they ate in silence. Duke barely eating anything. Why was Duke acting this way? Joey was getting nervous. There was something wrong.

“All done, Joey?” Duke asked, standing up. Joey nodded. Duke cleared the plates.

“Where are the fortune cookies?” Joey asked.

“Oh, I left them in the bag in the kitchen, I’ll bring them in.” Duke returned and handed Joey one. “It’s not Chinese food without fortune cookies, huh, Joey? Since I’ve met you, you’ve never been satisfied unless you had a fortune cookie.”

“Of course not. Not that I think that I’ll learn my fate reading them, but I don’t know. It’s just something me and Serenity always did.”

“I know, Baby.” Duke cracked open his, without thought.

“What’s yours say?” Joey was still taking off the wrapper on his.

Duke looked into honey eyes. It says, “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” Joey nodded.

“Listen to your cookie, Duke.” Duke said nothing, the weirdest expression on his face. He looked like he knew the world was about to explode. “Are you alright?”

“Yes. Open yours. I just want to be inside of you.” Joey blushed a little. He cracked his in half and a small object tumbled to the floor.

“What the…” Joey bent down, and picked it off the floor. A ring? “Duke, there’s a fucking ring in my fortune cookie. Holy shit…” He looked into Duke’s eyes.

“Read your fortune, Joey.” It wasn’t a demand, or a question… Joey looked into green eyes. There was no way… there was absolutely no way…

Joey’s hand trembled as he looked at the slip of paper:

Will you marry me, Joey Wheeler.

Joey looked back up. “I love you. You’ve made me happier than I had any right being. I want to share the rest of my life with you. Please, marry me. Make me complete, Joey.”

Joey could feel himself hyperventilating. “I got the cookie made special. I’ve had it for two weeks. I just… I didn’t know when to ask you…but tonight just felt right…”

Joey could feel tears coming to his eyes. He was falling apart. He was coming unglued. “Baby, please… say something…say anything.”

“Oh gods, Duke…oh gods… yes…yes…yes…yes…” Joey whispered. Duke took the ring from Joey’s quivering fingers and slipped it on Joey’s hand slowly. Joas sas stunned Duke even knew his ring size. The ring was gorgeous. Joey wasn’t a jeweler but he could tell that it was a sapphire. The rock was huge…

“I love you, Joey Wheeler,” Duke whispered.

“I love you so much, Duke Devlin. I can’t wait to share your last name.”

“Joey Devlin has a cute ring to it…”

“I can’t wait to share forever with you.”

Duke leaned over and grabbed Joey’s lips with his own. Joey could feel his mouth being explored with Duke’s tongue… if this was all some dream then he wanted to die in his sleep…

“Forever, Joey…forever…”

“I need you, Duke, right now…make love to me…” Joey whimpered against his mouth. Duke stood up and grabbed Joey’s hand, grazing the ring as he did so. Joey allowed himself to be led to the bedroom.

It didn’t take long for them to undress each other. They were both too caught up to even think straight. “I’m never letting you go, Joey…”

“I love you…you’re my everything…”

“Lay down, Joey…” Duke was kissing Joey so softly it felt like his lips were made of silk.

“I can’t wait, Kitten…please…” Joey was never good at foreplay, at least not with Duke. “Take me…love me…” Duke could see how impatient his fiancé was so he decided to be merciful. Tomorrow he’d take Joey slowly…tonight…he’d give him what he wanted.

Duke reached into the drawer and pulled out a tube of lubricant. Joey opened his legs so that Duke could squeeze in between them. “Please…Duke…”

“Shush…it’s okay…Baby…” He poked a lubricated into him, Joey hissing at the contact. He needed Duke… he needed to remember why he wanted to spend his life with him. Duke twisted his finger around until he found Joey’s special spot and Joey moaned.

“Take me…” Duke added a second finger to stretch his lover. Joey whimpered. When Duke was satisfied he threw the lubricant onto the ground. “I’m so in love with you…”

“I know you are…” Duke leaned over and kissed Joey’s neck to distract him as he pushed inside of him. Joey moaned at the feeling…he loved being filled up by his lover…he loved how snug it felt. Often times after they finished making love he asked Duke to stay inside of him. He wanted to contact as long as possible. “You feel so good, Joey…” Duke’s voice was a breathy noise, his words being delivered in Joey’s ear.

“Forever…you and me…” Joey’s words trailed into a moan as he felt Duke move. “Oh gods…”

“It feels like I’m dying…Joey…it’s good…” Joey’s walls felt like velvet caressing him as he established a slow but steady pace.

“I love you…I love you…I love you…” Joey felt Duke’s fingers trace themselves onto his member, Duke began stroking him…and Joey cried his name in a chocked sob.

“Show me how you love me, Baby…tell me…”

“I love you…I want to be with you…always…” Joey thrust his hips to meet Duke, both men feeling it. Duke moved one of Joey’s legs over his shoulder so he could drive in deeper. “Fill every inch of me…Kitten…fill me with your love for me…”

The speed didn’t increase, and it wasn’t long before Joey came into Duke’s hand. Duke came deep inside of him. Joey wrapped his hands around his fiancé’s neck and drifted off to sleep.


Looking back on it…that was the beginning of the end. After Duke and Joey got engaged things took a bad turn. Duke started working a lot more than he used to. Joey secretly wondered if it was because Duke was now paying Joey’s car note, and paying for the engagement ring along with everything else. Joey made sure to pay all his bills himself, but he still knew that Duke was probably working so hard to make sure he could give Joey everything he could ever want. Joey didn’t complain about Duke’s work at first. He had vowed he was going to be a supportive husband. He was wrapped up with school anyway.

Things didn’t really start turning bad until April.


“Where were you, it’s after eleven.”

“Inventory, at the game shop. I told you.”

“You didn’t call.”

“I need a shower. We’ll talk about this later.” Duke said nothing as he went into the bathroom and shut the door. That had been the second time this week that his fiancé had come home late, no real explanation, went straight until the shower with not much talk or even a kiss. Gone were the days of Joey running up to his kitten and throwing his arms around him. Joey was getting sick of Duke’s attitude.

Duke emerged from the shower forty-five minutes later. Joey ran into him in the hallway. “Took you long enough,” Joey said, only half serious. “I bet you used up all the hot water.”

“Do you have to pick a fight with me every fucking night?” Joey frowned.

“Don’t curse at me.”

“You started it.”

“Started what? What are you talking about?” Duke didn’t answer and headed into their room.

“Duke! Don’t turn your back on me.”

“Forget it. I’m going to sleep.”


It started out with little fights. Joey had figured that they had burned themselves out with each other. All that loving was too much after a while. They gave each other their space…well, Duke gave Joey space… a lot of space…


Joey’s eyes opened as he heard Duke coming into the house. He looked at the clock. It was now after one in the morning. Joey stood up and headed into the living room. His boyfriend was not getting away with this again.

“Where the hell were you?”

“Playing poker with my friends.”

“Bullshit.”

“Joey, not tonight, fuck… I’m not in the fucking mood for your housewife crap.”

“I asked you a question, I want an honest answer. You weren’t with Rex and Weevil until one in the morning.”

“I just said I was. Are you calling me a liar?”

“Yes.”

“Fuck you, Joey.” Duke pushed past him and headed for the shower.

“Don’t walk away from me, Duke Devlin!” Joey grabbed the door in his hands before Duke could slam it in his face. “Tell me where the fuck you w”
”

“I was playing poker. Goddamn it, Joey. Get a fucking grip.”

“You’re lying, I can always tell when you’re lying.”

“Whatever.”

“You’re not even looking me in the eyes, you asshole.” Duke’s eyes met Joey’s. Joey’s heart jumped. “Why didn’t you call me?” Joey asked, his voice softening at Duke’s look. He was giving in. Damn it, he was giving in again.

“I was at Rex’s house. I swear, Baby. I forgot to call you. By the time I remembered it was late, I figured you were asleep.” Joey made a face. “Joey, let’s not fight. Please.” Joey looked at him. He didn’t believe him, not at all…but he dropped it.

“Fine.”

“Knock me a little kiss, Joey.” Joey did, absently. “Let me get a shower, then we can make up, properly.” Joey smiled a little.

“Or I could join you in the shower.”

“It’ll be quick,” Duke answered. And then he closed the door in Joey’s face before Joey could say anything else.

It didn’t take a rocket scientist to put two and two together. Duke was acting suspiciously. He didn’t make love to Joey that much, the sex was rougher…


“Stop! It hurts…” Duke withdrew. Joey looked at him for a minute then sat up.

“Why are you so tense tonight, Joey?” Joey made a face.

“You were going too hard. I told you that…”

“You never complained before.”

“You never hurt me before.” Duke’s expression hardened. “I know you didn’t mean to…but you can’t take your stress out on me.”

“I wasn’t trying to.”

“I know that. Let’s just go to sleep.”


Duke’s nightly routine, when he got home, was to say hello to Joey and hop in the shower. Joey had asked him repeatedly why he did that. Duke explained that it calmed his nerves. He didn’t like feeling so on edge around Joey, and this was the only way he could think of that would relieve some of the stress.


Joey opened the bathroom door and slipped off his clothes. Duke didn’t hear him, which was what Joey was hoping for. He got into the shower and wrapped his arms around Duke. Duke jumped, startled.

“What the fuck, Joey?”

“Hey, Kitten….maybe I can clean you up…hum?” Duke’s eyes looked deadly. “What?”

“Why did you sneak up on me?”

“I wanted to surprise you. We haven’t been together at all this week.”

“You’ve been studying for finals.”

“I’m not the only reason we haven’t been together.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? What are you implying?”

“Nothing. Duke, what is with you?”

“Bad day at work, Joey.” Duke dipped his head back under the spray.


After that incident Duke began locking the bathroom door while he showered. By the end of May things had gone from bad to worse. Joey was out of school for the semester but once it was summer Duke began working even harder than he had been. Joey busied himself with his own job. Yugi had been calling him a lot. Yugi was having problems with Yami. But Joey had his own problems.


“He was fucking hitting on you, Joey!”

“What the hell is the big deal? He didn’t know I had a boyfriend!”

“Fuck it. I’m not arguing with you tonight.” It was June 4th, Yugi’s 21st birthday. Yugi was already pissed off that Yami had invited Seto Kaiba to his birthday celebration at the Pyramid. Joey knew his best friend was not going to appreciate him and Duke going at it. But Duke was starting it. “I hate when you act like this, Joey.”

“Act like what? You’re not even making any fucking sense! Goddamn it.”

“Joey…” Yugi was approaching him. “Joey, what should I do? Yami’s been dancing with Seto for a half an hour…”

“Tell him you want to dance, Yug…” Joey didn’t know. Why was Yugi bothering him right now?

“I was talking to you, Joey.” Joey looked back at Duke.

“And I was talking to my best friend, Duke.”

“He’s more important to you then I am?”

“I haven’t seen him in three fucking weeks. You see Rex and Weevil all the damn time. If that’s where you really are… Just shut the fuck up!”

Yugi watched silently.

“Don’t change the subject.”

“What subject? I just told you, he didn’t know I had a boyfriend. What did you think, I was going to go home with him or something?”

“Who the hell knows, Joey! Remember how we met, you were about to go home with that Keith person.”

“FUCK YOU! I hate you…when did you turn so possessive…”

“Yeah, whatever. Fuck you too, Joey…” Duke turned to leave.

“Where the hell are you going?”

“Home.”

“You drove me here.”

“Have your best friend drive you home. Or that guy from the bar.” Duke stormed down the stairs.

“Joey?” Yugi asked, slowly.

“Not now.” Joey took off after him.

“Don’t fucking run out on me!” Joey yelled in the parking lot.

“You just told me you hate me, Joey…you find your own way home!”

“What the hell is wrong with you! GODS! I did nothing to you. You were never like this before. Why are you suddenly so worried I’m looking for someone else, Duke? I have you, I don’t need anyone else…”

“I’m not talking to you, right now.”

“Fuck this…Duke…fuck it… I can’t take your mood swings! You need fucking help!”

“You’re a fucking bitch, Joey. Go to hell.” Joey’s heart sank. Duke turned on his heel and headed for his car. Joey watched him leave, tears coming to his eyes. He cursed himself for being an emotional idiot, as he watched Duke drive away.


What a wonderful birthday for Yugi. Not only did Yami spend most of the evening with Seto, but Yugi had to wind up comforting Joey as he sobbed hysterically outside of the Pyramid. Joey should have known at that point to end the relationship. Duke had become a stranger to him. And Duke’s sudden need to accuse Joey of cheating was obviously a cover-up for his own creeping around.

Joey spent the night with Yugi. When Duke came by the next morning he was sorry. A little too sorry. He took Joey out for breakfast and brought him two- dozen roses. Joey should have dumped him that weekend. It was painfully clear that Duke was cheating. Like Seto Kaiba, Duke had been trying too hard.

The relationship ended in August. The same month of Yugi’s suicide attempt. It happened after Yugi’s attempt. Yugi was staying with his grandfather, Joey was on his way back to Duke and his apartment…

This wasn’t his hair. His hair was blond. This hair was brown. And Duke’s hair was black. The hair was everywhere, all over his pillowcase. The entire room reeked of sex. He stripped the sheets…and saw the cum stains…

Joey wasn’t sure what to do… his emotions were out of control. He went out into the living room and waited calmly until Duke returned.

Duke didn’t get home until late. “Hey, Baby.” Duke was smiling at him. Joey had grown to hate that smile. “When did you get home?”

“After you.” Duke made a face.

“Hum?”

“Do you always fuck him here and you vacuum up after you’re done, or was today the first day?”

Duke was still smiling. “Joey, what are you talking about?” Duke was lucky Joey was too emotional to wipe that smile off his lips. Yugi was his first priority now, he needed him…Joey wasn’t going to have a blow out fight with Duke… he was just going to end it and then he was going back to his best friend. “Joey?”

“How long has it been going on?”

“What been going on?”

“You…fucking someone else.” Joey’s voice was even. Duke’s smile faded. “I’d estimate at least three months. Ever since your nightly showers first started…”

“Joey, you’re being ridiculous. It’s you and me forever, Baby.”

“Do not call me baby… just tell me the truth. You owe me the truth, if you ever loved me at all, please…”

“Joey…I wish I knew what you were talking about.”

“There are brown hairs on MY PILLOW. BROWN. The room smells like you and your other boyfriend had a good time this afternoon…”

“Joey…”

“THERE IS CUM ON MY FUCKING SHEETS!” Duke jumped at Joey’s sudden change in tone. Joey swallowed hard. He had to be strong for Yugi. He was not going to fall apart in front of Duke. Yugi needed him. “Just tell me the truth…”

“This was the first time, Joey…”

“Why are you lying to me? You’re not even looking me in the eyes…just please…tell me the truth…tell me who it is…that’s all I want to know…”

“No.” Joey looked into green eyes. He knew at that moment that he’d never look into Duke’s eyes again and see what he saw that first night they met. He’d never hear Duke’s chuckles, he’d never again be bathed by him… They’d never eat Chinese food together…they’d never fall asleep in each others arms…no more “I love you, Baby’s…” It was all over…gone…obliterated… he’d never have a happily ever after with this man…

What Duke didn’t get… What Duke was too stupid to realize was that Joey would have forgiven him. He would have taken him back…Duke was his entire world…and three months in the face of nine months of happiness…Joey would have let Duke in again…because Joey loved him…he was so in love with him it hurt…All Duke had to do was tell him the truth…and apologize…but he didn’t…

All those beautiful words had meant nothing. And what hurt the most…what caused the most pain… the most sadness…was that he knew, in the end… that Duke loved him. Despite all of it… Duke loved him. Why had he done this to him… why had he ripped out his heart and smashed it…why had he been blessed with an angel… and then cursed…

How could he ever love anyone again…how could he ever put himself together again…that’s why it had been a year…that’s why he cried himself to sleep on nights he knew Yugi wouldn’t hear him. He would never get over Duke. No one, would ever change that…he would always be numb… he never got closure…the coward had never evend hid him who it was… he had never even admitted to his cheating…he had watched Joey pack up his belongings and said nothing… NOTHING… a year… of love… of life… of building a future… of happy times… of sad times… everything…

And nothing…and it ended in nothing…

Duke had touched his soul…

And then he had killed it…

If not for Yugi… Joey knew, in his heart he would have died…he was close to it the night he left Duke…


Joey watched as the light turned red, but he didn’t bother to hit the brake. He could run the red light and that would be it. He’d be hit from the side and probably die on impact. He was going fast enough that the little sports car would be destroyed. Joey smirked, maybe Duke would get the insurance and get his new boyfriend a car too.

Joey got closer to the intersection. His foot hadn’t grazed the brake once. He had already thrown his engagement ring out the window on the highway. Now it was time to finish this…

His cell phone started ringing…it was the ringer he had chosen for Yugi. Yugi… Yugi was calling him…

Joey slammed on the brakes at the last possible moment…a truck driver gave him a nasty look as he was forced to swerve so that he wouldn’t hit Joey’s car which had stopped with half of the front in the intersection…


“Joey, you’ve been standing there for a ten minutes, you’re starting to scare me, buddy.” Joey jumped and looked at Tristan.

“Sorry.”

“It’s early. Come back to bed.” Joey looked at him and slipped back into the covers. He was shivering. “You okay, Joey?” Joey nodded.

“Yeah.” Tristan held Joey close. Joey snuggled up to him and laid next to Tristan silently…

Please…Tristan…please…don’t hurt me…I might not hit the brake next time…


Authors Endnotes: Just in case you care, the legal age for voting, drinking, and smoking in Japan is 20. The Seijin no hi is a national holiday celebrated in January, and everyone turning 20 in that year celebrates. Alright… writing that chapter made me cry…I had to get into Joey’s head… and damn it… I started crying…I don’t think the chapter was all that sad… but Joey’s story got to me…So… Duke… is he worse than Yami? Did he really love Joey? I think he did…but how could someone who claimed to be that much in love fall out of love so quickly? Then again he did fall in love quickly as well. What did you think of the proposal? Bittersweet I guess… this whole chapter was bittersweet…but that’s just this writer’s opinion. We’ll still see the lemon between Seto and Joey… and we’ll also learn about Joey’s two week long rebound situation…which consequentially is the guy Joey always assumed was the other man who was cheating with Duke… Anyway, until next time. Please review…. Sorry this chapter took so long to come out… but I couldn’t write it all in one sitting… Until next time my lovelies:

“Weren’t you just with that Paul guy last night, Yugi?”

“We were only studying, Babe.”

“Yeah, each other’s bodies.” Yugi giggled. “Yugi, is it really necessary to see Bakura tonight?”

“You’re going to be with Tristan. I want to have a little fun, Joey…and besides, Bakura’s bringing me dinner…”

“That’s besides the point. So what if he brings your dinner. He’s still using you, Yugi.” Yugi sighed. He was tired of this conversation.

“He’s not using me anymore than I’m using him, Joey.”