Healing

First Things First: Thanks as, always, for the reviews. Another chapter…I’m becoming almost good at this. One more chapter after this one, and I’m not sure whether or not an epilogue will be necessary. I suppose after I write the next chapter we’ll soon see. So, what’s happened since last I wrote? Well, in the last chapter Tristan arrives to school Tuesday to discover that he has a rose in his locker and by Thursday he has a secret admirer, who’s identity is a complete mystery… We rejoin these characters I don’t own on Friday in Tristan’s physics class. By now, half the school has heard that some mystery (man) is leaving roses… And Seto’s had that same bitter look on his face since this entire thing began…


Disclaimer: Oh… if only I did own something….

Chapter 6: Meat Market



Tristan held rose number 4 in his fingers as he opened the door with the other hand. They had lab today. They had had lab everyday this week, he wasn’t sure why exactly, but he supposed there were more important things to worry about. Seto was sitting at a lab station, the same one they worked at every time they had lab. Tristan wasn’t sure what could possibly be said about the rose in his hand, his secret admirer had kept it brief this morning, only writing those six taunting words: To Tristan. From your secret admirer. The handwriting was not anyone’ kne knew, not Duke’s, not Seto’s, not Yami’s, not anyone’s, Tristan had pretty much given up on figuring out who the Hell had been toying with him…

And that was bugging the shit out of him.

“What, is your boyfriend a florist or something, Tristan, that’s like the fourth rose I’ve seen…” Tristan spun around. The hottest, openly gay boy in probably the entire school besides Seto Kaiba was looking at him with gorgeous hazel eyes and deliciously blunt smile. “And you come waltzing into the room with it in your hands with that same self-satisfied look on your face.”

Tristan thought for a moment. Technically, this was only the third rose he had “waltzed” into the room with. On Tuesday his secret admirer had delivered the thorn-less flower after physics class, Hell he hadn’t seen the flower until lunch. How did Ken Michio know that there had been four roses? Was this a clue, or did he simply hear about the buzz going around?

“It’s not from my boyfriend, I don’t have one,” Tristan finally stated, giving Ken a look. He handed the boy the flower, perhaps he would need to take a look at Ken’s handwriting.

“Secret admirer, huh? Yeah, I heard about it, the guy’s sending you eleven flowers and when the 12th day comes he’s going to reveal who he is right?”

“You make it sound like you’re my secret admirer, Ken,” Tristan teased. Was he flirting with Ken Michio, the guy was completely out of his league, Hell compared to Ken Tristan didn’t even know how to play the game. But that wasn’t entirely true, he had seduced Seto Kaiba after all, but nobody really knew about his success, and even if someone was suspicious of their relationship, he hardly figured Ken would care either way. “So, is this from you, Ken?”

“Could very well be, Tris.”

Tris?

Nobody ever called him Tris… Ever

Except Joey and Duke, but that was different.

They were friends.

Ken Michio was a hot, unattainable guy.

He had chocolate brown hair that was cute short and spiky. And incredibly pretty green eyes. They weren’t as brilliant as Duke’s were, but then again Tristan supposed he was thinking that because Duke was a fr, an, and he got to look into those beautiful cat eyes on a regular basis.

And of course, like he had already thought, Ken Michio was completely in a class by himself.

And Ken Michio was also smiling at him.

And was it just his imagination or was Seto Kaiba watching the whole exchange whole heartily.

And then Ken asked, “So, do you have a lab partner?” And he gave Seto an interesting look. Seto said nothing, he was emotionlessly sitting in his seat, except for a flicker of anger in his eyes.

“I always partner with Seto,” Tristan answered, waiting for Ken and Seto to break their gaze.

“Oh yes, Seto. How could I forget, you have a thing for unemotional rich guys.” Ken handed the flower back, clearly his pride had been hurt. Tristan knew better, you just didn’t reject a guy like Ken. And Tristan, effectively…. Had.

“It’s nothing personal, Ken. We just…”

He had to fix this. Somehow. Lest the off, impossible chance that this Adonis was his Secret Admirer.

“I wouldn’t take it personally, Tristan.”

Guys like Ken weren’t suspects in this mystery, because guys like Ken would never be interested in a guy like him.

Then Ken smiled. “What are you doing tonight?”

Did Ken Michio just ask him out….

Not possible.

“Well Tris?” I umI um, my friends are… we’re supposed to be doing something tonight….My friends and I…”

Ken smiled again, he relished being back in control, and once again desired.

“What about Saturday night, Tris?”

“I’m not doing anything.”

“Good. I’ll pick you up around seven.” Ken started walking towards a lab station, returning to his original partner. “I’ll be seeing you, have a nice time with Kaiba.”

There was a hard swallow.

And Tristan was once again sitting across from the blue-eyed dragon.

Livid. The only word for the look on Seto’s face. Completely and utterly, livid. Of course Seto’s face was a sheet of ice. But those eyes were giving him away, and damn if Seto didn’t know it, that was the one facial feature he couldn’t hide. Before he could change the subject before it started Tristan spoke.

“I have my doubts that this secret admirer is Ken Michio. Guy’s like Ken are always looking for one thing.”

“Of course he is, I’ve already told him you were a good fuck while we were in gym class.” Seto’s voice and expression was even. But it was clear he was making a joke and Tristan laughed.

“I wasn’t joking with you, Tris,” Seto rebutted, using the same voice and name Ken used. Tristan smiled.

“You don’t have to go getting all jealous on me, it’s just a date. It’s not like I’m going to jump into bed with him.”

“I’d hope not, it’d make our three encounters together seem so ordinary.” Tristan gave him a look, Seto smirked.

“Listen, I forgot to tell you, Mokuba called me last night some time after one in the morning.”

“Did he?” Seto wasdly dly interested.

“Yes, he told me that Kimi had called him and that Kimi said that she was calling because she had had a nightmare. Anyway, it sounded to me like Kimi was pulling the dream card the same way I told Mokuba too… and Mokuba picked up on it so he invited her over to your house tonight, and he thinks it’s a date. So he wanted to know if I could tell you for him and then distract you and get you to leave the house.”

Seto said nothing. Unsure if he had heard Tristan right. “Mokuba mentioned that you weren’t going into the office today, so he was hoping I could take you with us tonight. Well, technically, we’re not going anywhere, we’re just eating pizza in our boxer shorts and watching movies. We were going to do it at Duke’s house, but since my parents won’t be home this weekendigurigured we could do it at my house. And don’t say no on principle.”

“No.”

“Seto…”

“I was saying no because I refuse to spend an evening with your friends.” Tristan gave Seto an exasperated look. “And Mokuba will most certainly be getting a talking to.”

“This is his first date, Seto. If you ruin it for him he’ll never forgive you.”

“What is he afraid I’ll do? I’m not going to be in the room with them. Of course they will be in the living room, in plain view so that I can make sure nothing inappropriate is happening.”

“Come on, Seto, you owe him one. He could have easily told everyone that he found us in your bed in a sweaty heap. But he didn’t. Besides, he wants you to have fun, he says you work too hard.”

“And just who would be watching him while he’s on his little date, Tristan?”

“Your house staff. Housekeepers, chefs, who knows. That one housekeeper, the Latina one, Marie. Sikesikes me, Mokuba said so, and I’m sure if Mokuba couldn’t charm her I could. She’s really a sweetheart, it’s a shame she has to work for such a heartless prick.”

“Tristan the answer is no. Now, later, forever. No.”

“Maybe I’ll invite Ken instead then. I’m sure he’s not intimidated by my friends.”

“Nobody’s intimidated by your friends, Tristan. They just don’t like the idea of losing brain cells by being in their presence for long periods of time.”

“I bet Ken would be a pretty good lay.”

“I’m sure of it, Tristan. Why don’t you take him for a ride.”

“You’re telling me you’re not the least bit jealous?”

“Tristan, if you’re not smart enough to realize that any guy who now suddenly shows interest in you is only doing it because you’re being publicly pursued by some would be Casanova with a rose fetish, I feel sorry for you.”

“So you won’t be showing any interest in me because doing so what only make it appear like you were doing it out of a last ditch effort to win ver?ver?”

“That and I’m still uninterested.”

“Yeah the same way you were uninterested in the conversation I was having with Ken two minutes ago.”

Seto narrowed his eyes.

“Just say yes, Seto, and save yourself the trouble of having to listen to Yugi and Mokuba’s combined whining and pouting effort.”

Seto sighed.

“Is that a yes then?”

“I’d probably stay for a half an hour. Tops.”

“Okay, Seto.” Tristan smiled.

~.~

Tristan had never been ashamed of his body. But being in the boy’s locker room was really, truly, getting to him. Duke noticed Tristan’s unease, and Tristan tried to act as if nothing was wrong, although he knew that Duke saw right through the act. But how exactly could he explain this to the game creator without Duke thinking he was trying to be an egotistical jerk.

People, guys, were starring at him.

Domino High, Hell, the entire town, had a healthy sized gay community, and it seemed every gay, bisexual, or bi-curious guy in school was in his gym period, sizing him up. He could feel eyes boring into him, and he knew this was his secret admirer’s fault. By now more people knew about it then didn’t, and Tristan had already suffered through repeats of Physics class.

A guy in his math class had asked him what he was doing next Friday. Another guy in the class openly winked at him. He felt like a piece of livestock, something to be auctioned off and won. Seto had been right as well, so far it seemed most of his would be suitors were only interested in him now that someone else was. And everyone was talking about who that guy was.

Duke gave him another concerned look. Tristan sighed and finished getting dressed. He waitiniting for someone else to put the moves on him, it seemed he was the hottest property item in school at the moment. He didn’t have to wait long. That “cute guy” that Duke and him had often lusted over in this class walked over to them.

“Hi, guys. Hey, Duke, Hey Tristan.” He smiled.

Duke and Tristan exchanged a look. Neither of them had any idea what the guys name was. He was just “that cute guy”. He was a year older than them, and they weren’t even sure if he was gay. He had really just served as eye candy. Both of them spent many a day in the locker room staring dreamily at that god. He had caught them looking more than once and had even smiled at Tristan a few times.

“How’s it going?” He continued. Duke and Tristan still said nothing, not sure they really had voices to speak.

Duke had teaTrisTristan the other day about his mystery man being this guy. And now that he was talking to them perhaps Duke’s theory was accurate. The fact that he knew both of their names was definitely a plus.

“I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?” the boy continued, lifting an eyebrow.

Had he always been this hot? Hell, they had never gotten this close to him before. Ken Michio had nothing on him.

Beautiful wheat colored hair, Tristan wasn’t sure if he liked blonds, but this guy would definitely be an exception. He had dark brown eyes, huge large emotional eyes. The kind that you could find yourself lost in. And that smile was killing him.

“I’m Takashi Jun.”

Duke had the biggest, dopiest look on his face… a smile, and Tristan wasn’t quite sure if his jaw was still attached at this point.

You’re so hot, Takashi Jun. Duke swallowed and spoke. “I’m Duke, this is Tristan. We’re good. How are you?”

“Good.” Takashi smiled. “I’m sorry, this does seem a little forward, I usually don’t do things like this. But I’ve noticed you guys for a while and I’ve always wanted to say hello. I just never knew if…well, to be blunt…if you guys were gay or not.”

“Why, you only talk to gay guys?” Why the Hell did I just ask him that?

“No, but all my close friends are females. I find it difficult to keep a friendship with guys because I always end up fucking the shit out of them. And that kind of ruins the friendship. But I hear there’s all this buzz going on with you, Tristan.” Then Takashi looked at Duke. “And of course your friends.”

There were traces of droll on Tristan Taylor’s chin.

The brunet teen looked like he was comatose.

“Any idea who your secret admirer is, Tristan? I find the whole thing terribly romantic. I only wish I could come up with someg hag half as good.”

Duke answered, “No, we’re still looking for clues, taking handwriting samples, dusting for fingerprints.”

“I see. I’m sure deep down you already know who it” A” Another smile.

“Tristan, here, thought it could be you.”

Tristan shot Duke a horrified look and turned a dark maroon. Duke was going to wind up stuffed in Tristan’s gym bag. Takashi smiled.

“I see. Well, honestly, I don’t think I’d be able to come up with something so original.” There was another smile. “Although I admit to having a weakness for guys with brown hair.” Tristan looked like he was going to go into convulsions. “Anyway, I have to get going. But it was nice talking to you guys. Bye, Tristan.”

And then he left. Tristan stood up slowly, shakily and looked at Duke out of the corner of his eye.

“I told you he was gay!” Duke exclaimed.

“I don’t believe ame ame up and talked to us like that.”

“I don’t believe he was shamelessly flirting with you. He basically told you he wasn’t sure if you were gay, but once he knew you were decided to say hello. Then he admitted to having a weakness for brunets, and Hell, the guy even said he’d fuck you.”

“You think he’s my secret admirer, or another guy trying to make a move?”

“I don’t know.”

“Wait a minute, there was something he said… he said something about me knowing who it was. What did he say?” Tristan was frantic.

“He said, deep down you already know who it is.”

“Shit.”

“Shit what?”

“That’s exactly what that note on Thursday said, Duke.” Duke cocked an eyebrow.

“I think we’re going to have to ask him for his autograph, Tristan.”

“Now I have two suspects. Although I doubt it’s Ken Michio, but he did know about the fourth flower. God, I hate this. I hate guessing games.”

“Tris, you have the hottest gay guys in school putting moves on you and you hate this? What are you nuts?”

“I don’t want it to be the hottest guy in school. I don’t need a boyfriend that’s prettier than me or is more maintenance.”

“What about, Kaiba? He’s both.”

“Kaiba was never my boyfriend. That was a tryst.”

“I’d hope you weren’t trying to bth Sth Seto Kaiba.” Duke and Tristan looked back. There was Takashi Jun again. How long had he been standing there? What was he some sort of stalker? “You could do so much better than Kaiba, don’t you think?”

“He’s a friend,” Tristan managed, a little perplexed that this guy was talking to them once again.

“I’m glad. I’d hate to see someone as soulful as you end up with something as cold and stoic as that.” Takashi grabbed his calculus book. “I forgot this. Bye again.”

They waited until he left the locker room and lookt eat each other. “Okay, that was a little odd.” Tristan nodded.

“Why does he care about what I do with Kaiba?”

“Tristan, I was thinking something, this secret admirer of yours dislikes Kaiba. He mentioned him specifically. And now we know that Takashi dislikes him as well.”

“Duke, everyone dislikes him.”

“Not true. People respect him, and some are jealous, but I don’t think they dislike him, after all, when Kaiba missed school the other week people were asking us left and right what had happened to him. And Kaiba has a fair amount of admirers himself. I think anyone who dislikes him now is most likely disliking him because you’re spending so much time with him.”

“But like Takashi said, he’s cold and stoic.”

“Yes, cold, stoic, and completely infatuated with you. He hates everyone, yet you’ve beeendiending afternoons and nights at his residence, and if this secret admirer knows anything about you, which he does based on him knowing your locker number, than he has to feel threatened. Or of course there’s another possibility.”

“Which is?”

“Your secret admirer isn’t threatened by Seto Kaiba, and Bakura was misunderstanding the message in the note.”

“Well, either way I think Seto is the missing piece to this puzzle.”

“What makes you say that, Tris?”

“The bottom line, every time Seto’s name comes up in conversation these guys who are suddenly interested in me get turned off. Whether or not they view him as a threat or just don’t like him is secondary. And I wonder if Seto gives a crap. I thought maybe this secret admirer thing would make him jealous, I think it’s turned him off to me even more.”

“You want him to be jealous?”

“Yes. I know this is so stupid, that I’m setting myself up for some pain and torment here, but I want him to be jealous, and try to win me back.”

“You make it sound like you’re your own secret admirer, Tristan.”

Tristan smirked. “No, I’m not that desperate. I just don’t like being rejected. I think it comes down to this. Betwmy smy secret admirer and all these other guys who have suddenly come out of woo woodwork I’m almost turned off because I know that I could have them if I wanted to. But Seto Kaiba, he’s like the Holy Grail right now. I have one less than satisfactory conversation with the guy and my heart stops. It’s ridiculous, Duke. Absolutely ridiculous.”

~.~

Seto reluctantly rang Tristan’s doorbell, he couldn’t believe he’d be spending time with these people. Mokuba had been thrilled Seto was getting out of the house and leaving Kimi and him alone. He was also thrilled he was spending time with Tristan, thinking that Seto really did need to do something before Tristan’s secret admirer got closer.

Tristan opened the door. “You’re right on time, the pizza just got here.” Tristan was smiling. He was standing in a pair of hunter green boxer shorts.

“I see you were serious when you said you’d be in your boxers.”

Duke, Yugi, and Ryou smiled warmly at him.

“There’s some pepperoni left, we know it’s your fav,” Yugi said standing up and walking over to Kaiba to give him a hug. Seto didn’t hug him back, a little miffed that the shorter teen was in such a friendly mood. He was sporting boxers with happy faces on them.

It seemed they all on bon boxers that matched their personalities.

Especially Bakura and Yami in their nearly identical blood red boxers.

“You’re over dressed, Kaiba,” Duke teased, smiling im. im.

“At l tak take off your coat.” Tristan walked up behind him and helped him. This was going to be one of the strangest nights of his life. He stood silently, not sure why he was here, but having the biggest urge to leave the way he had come.

“Sit down on the couch, there’s plenty of room.” Joey was pointing. Seto did as he was asked, shifting uncomfortably. This was a very very bad idea. Damn Tristan, damn his stupid schoolboy crush. Who was he kidding, he waslovelove with the other brunet. That was the only reason he was here.

“Here, you go.” Tristan was smiling as he handed Seto a plate. He sat down next to the CEO.

“What exactly do you guys do?” Seto finally asked, watching them inhale their food.

“Sit in boxers and eat pizza, usually we wind up having hot monkey sex, but that’s not until later,” Duke answered.

“I see. And I forgot my cherry flavored lube at home,” Seto replied, his facial expression unchanged.

Joey smirked. “That’s okay, Tristan always has extra.”

Seto turned and looked at Tristan with a little glance. “Oh, I don’t doubt that, Puppy, cherry’s his favorite flavor.”

Bakura started laughing. “Hey, Kaiba, your not so bad after all. You up for a little poker?”

“You guys play cards?”

“Among other things,” Yami answered. Yugi curled up in his other half’s lap. “Bakura and Malik like renting movies, but usually they wind up renting things that are inappropriate at best.”

“Tonight’s selection is case in point.” Tristan handed Seto the movie rental.

“The Handy Man? You must be kidding? What is this some cheesy slasher flick?”

“Worse, it’s some cheesy porno.”

“How did you rent this, aren’t you underage?” Seto asked, peering at the movie.

“Kura just made the clerk an offer he couldn’t refuse,” Malik answered, giving Seto a look.

“He is still alive right?” Ryou asked, seeing the devious look on his spirit’s face.

“Technically speaking yes.” Ryou sighed.

“Tell me we’re not seriously going to watch more low budget sleaze,” Duke asked, making a face.

“He’s guaranteed to take care of your leaks,” Bakura explained. “And of course cause some of his own.”

Seto couldn’t help but smirk as he read the description. “Jonathan Newman needs some TLC so he calls Butchends. This is ridiculous.”

“Start it, start it,” Joey said. Tristan took the movie from Seto’s hands and put it in the DVD player.

“You guys just spontaneously watch gay porn? And you’re telling me you don’t have orgies.”

“We do, Kaiba, we just didn’t want to scare you off so kly,kly,” Yugi answered. Seto actually smiled at the small teen’s response.

“Actually we usually play a game while we watch porno. Whoever doesn’t get hard wins. Which is why you really are overdressed for this game,” Joey answered. All eyes were on the billionaire. This was truly ridiculous. He was about to laugh hysterically at how ridiculous this really was.

“Yeah, Seto. The winner gets a very nice prize,” Tristan teased, sitting back on the couch.

Seto was trying to keep his emotions in check, but the other boys were definitely having an effect on him. He was enjoying himself. “And what kind of prize would that be?” he asked.

“Yugi gives the winner a blow job,” Bakura announced.

“Shut up, Bakura,” Yugi grumbled, blushing, he threw a pillow at the other. Yami chuckled to himself.

Yami laughing? ow, ow, this was weird.

Seto just prayed he wasn’t having some weird, distorted sex dream.

“We can’t tell you whhe phe prize is, Kaiba. You have to be in it to win it,” Ryou answered.

“Kaiba, take off your pants,” Duke said, smiling at him.

“I’m fine. I’ll just be a casual observer.”

“No, come on it’s really fun,” Malik added.

“Yeah, we’d like to see what you’re working with”, Bakura continued. “Malik and I were discug yog your penis just the other day. And Malik was saying how nice it would look inside his mouth.”

They all laughed. Even Seto smirked a little.

Yes, it was official. He was having a good time.

“Bakura is certainly fresh tonight, who let him eat those chocolate bars?” Joey asked.

“That would be Yami’s fault, he left them on the table,” Yugi answered.

“Come on let’s start the game, Kaiba can be the judge,” Ryou decided.

“I want to be the judge, how come Kaiba gets to look at everyone’s package?” Joey grumbled.

“Stop complaining, baby, you get to look at mine all timetime.” Joey blushed and Ryou laughed.

Yes, Seto was really really enjoying himself.

“Duke come sit with us,” Malik started, signaling the other boy over. Duke squeezed in between Malik and Bakura. Seto wasn’t sure what to make of the two Egyptians. He had thought they had been seeing each other, but maybe he was mistaken.

Tristan started the movie.

Joey leaned against Ryou, placing his head in the other’s lap. Yami leaned back, Yugi bouncing happily on top of the other. Seto just didn’t get those two, Yugi was such an innocent, he wondered how it was Yami just didn’t fuck him senseless just because he could.

Or maybe he did, Yugi seemed to be smiling as the main credits began.

Tristan leaned over Seto, brushing against him, shaking the other of all thoughts about his dueling rivals’ sexual adventures.

“Sorry, I just had to get the lights.” Tristan turned them off and looked back at Seto. “Want something to drink, I forgot to ask.”

“Water’s fine.”

“Okay.” Tristan got up.

“You don’t have to get jus just tell me where you keep the glasses.” Seto stood.

“No, you’re a guest, sit.”

“It’s okay, Tristan.” Seto followed Tristan out of the room.

“So, are you having an okay time? I’m sorry my friends are really blunt… they’re just… I don’t know…”

“No, I’m amused.” Seto smiled. Tristan smiled back. “Do you guys do this often? Watch porn?”

“Yeah. This game is so much more fun then Duel Monsters or cards.”

“But what happens once everyone gets hard?”

“We sit around in a big circle and jack each other off.” Seto lifted an eyebrow, Tristan laughed. “You’d think the sexual tension in the room would be a problem, but we’re all like a big family of brothers, things are always okay. Anyone who feels like they need to take care of his problem usually retreats to the bathroom.” Tristan handed him the water. “Come, I’m sure we’re missing some really important plot building dialogue.” stanstan smiled again.

Seto and Tristan sat back on the couch. Evee wae was in their own little corners in the room, barely visible except from the light from the TV. Seto looked around, trying not to appear obvious, Joey and Ryou were definitely making out, and Yami had aher her interesting look on his face, with Yugi leaned against him the way he was.

“You okay, Seto?” Tristan whispered, tapping him on his shoulder.

“Um hum. Yes.”

“You sure, you look distracted.”

“I’m fine.”

“Sure you don’t want to drop your pants for me?” Seto flushed, thankful that his cheeks were hidden in the dim lighting.

“Like I said, I’m just a casual observer. As soon as Mokuba calls me and tells me he’s done with Kimi retureturning to my normal life.”

“Afraid of getting hard in front of me, it’s nothing I haven’t seen.”

“Please, Tristan. I’m not going to be getting hard watching this crap.”

“I think I might have the right tool for the job, John,” Butch announced. Tristan smirked at the television and looked back at the taller teen.

Seto knew was was a really bad idea, but Hell, he was getting aroused by the entire situation. The cheap trashy music, the bad acting, Ryou and Joey making out, and Tristan sitting so damn close to him…

So he shifted a little and took up more space on the couch. Tristan immediately responded by also shifting. They continued shifting until Tristan was leaning against the other. Then he smiled at him.

If the rest of Tristan’s friends weren’t in the room Seto would have fucked the shit out of him right on the couch.

~.~

An hour later when the ending credits began to roll everyone stretched and looked around. That had been complete pou pounding smut, but it had been quite entertaining. Tristan leaned over Seto and snapped on the light, everyone wincing at the sudden shock of light. Of course Tristan had been pressed against Seto the entire time, on purpose of course.

“Okay, who won?” Bakura asked standing up.

“Well, it wasn’t you, Kura,” Malik answered with a smile. Bakura looked down.

“You know, I was fine right up until the part when Butch had to make one more inspection.”

“Yeah, that was pretty intense.” Duke rolled over. “Yeah, I lost too after that.”

“Anyone, okay?” Tristan asked.

“I don’t get so easily aroused by tawdry film,” Yami answered.

“Whatever, Yami, what was that poking me then? A pencil?”

“Aibou…” Yami smirked. Then they all started laughing.

“So, who won? Nobody?” Ryou asked.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to the bathroom,” Joey answered, using his long t-shirt to conceal his defeat. Nobody, not even Seto, was surprised when Ryou stood up and followed him.

Seto’s cell phone rang.

“Hello? Yes. Okay. Okay. Okay. I’ll see you soon then. Goodbye.” Seto hung up and slipped his phone back into the inner pocket of his coat.

“Mokuba?” Tristan asked.

“Yes. He said Kimi and him are done watching the movie and that Kimi kissed him on the cheek before she left.”

“She’s a coy one, that Kimi,” Yugi said with a smile.

“We’re sure she’s not a gold digger or anything right, sometimes these people start early,” Duke joked.

“She’s only eleven,” Tristan answered.

“I did a background check, her father happens to be on the board of directors at a top advertising agency. She doesn’t need Mokuba’s trust fund, because I’m sure her daddy’s given her her own.” Seto stood up, everyone automatically looked below his waist.

Seto narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

“I’ll walk you to the door.” Tristan stood up, showing everyone that he had also lost.

“I hope this evening was okay, I know my friends and I are probably the last people you envisioned spending part of a Friday night with but I hope that it wasn’t too bad and…”

Seto cut off Tristan’s rambling with a kiss.

Tristan moaned into Seto’s mouth, immediately savoring the familiar flavor of the CEO. It had been entirely too long since they had done this, and all the old feelings were coming back, Tristan waslingling all over again. Seto’s tongue began its all too memorable assault. It was a bittersweet reunion, Tristan wasn’t sure what would happen once the kiss broke, what would be said, what would be done… he could only imagine him being terribly upset the rest of the night once the kiss ended…

It ended.

Seto pulled away slowly, Tristan opening an eye, not sure he really wanted to look into those eyes, ocean blue.

There were no words. Seto relished in Tristan’s slightly parted mouth, and the redness that lined his face.

“Seto?”

“Goodnight, Tristan.” Seto opened the door and headed out to his sports car.

~.~

“Hey, we’re back. What happened to Kaiba?” Joey inquired sitting on the floor. Ryou sat next to him.

“He left, Mokuba’s date ended,” Duke answered.

Ryou ed aed around the room. There was a lot of tension, and he wasn’t sure if he really wanted to know what the cause was.

Even though it was quite clear what Joey and Ryou had been doing for the past twenty minutes, the white haired teen knew that it wasn’t Joey and Ryouramaramatic exit and subsequent return that had everyone uneasy. “Something the matter?” Ryou asked finally.

“Kaiba kissed Tristan before he left,” Yami stated simply, obviy sty still angry.

Tristan looked at Yami but said nothing.

“He kissed you, Tris?” Joey asked. t abt about your secret admirer?”

“What about him, Tristan still has feelings for Kaiba,” Bakura explained.

Tristan glanced at Bakura, but kept silent.

“But what if his secret admirer was someone better than Kaiba. And I thought Kaiba just ended your fling last weekend, what is he looking for here? Part two?” Ryou wondered.

“His intentions are unclear. Since he’s spent time telling Tristan that he’s unimpressed by the secret admirer. It seems to me he’s using Tristan’s feelings for him for his own purposes,” Yami explained.

Tristan looked back at Yami, his lip a fine line now.

“Well what Tristan needs to do is confront Kaiba once and for all and ask him what the Hell he wants, is it really fair for Tristan to have to sit and wonder what kind of game he’s playing? For allknowknow, Kaiba’s only doing this because he sees that other people have shown interest. He may not be completely sincere,” Yugi added.

“I thought we thought he did love, Tristan,” Joey asked.

“He has a rotten way of showing it, come on… what is he doing?” Malik put in.

Tristan shifted.

“I think Kaiba’s going to have to try harthanthan some kiss, if he wants to win over Tristan he’s going to have to prove he’s committed,” Ryou continued.

“I agree. Tan, an, tell that prick to get his act together. You’re tired of putting up with his bullshit,” Joey finished.

Tristan stood up and left the room.

“Tristan, where are you going? Tris?” Joey called.

“What’s his problem?” Bakura continued.

“I’d think it’d be fairly obvious.” Duke got up and chased Tristan up the stairs.

~.~

“Tristan, please. Open the door. It’s just me. Please, Tris.” Duke could hear the familiar sounds of the door unlocking and flinched at the look on his brunet friend’s face.

“Can I come in for a moment?”

“I guess so.” Duke walked inside and gave Tristan a sympathetic look.

“Tough crowd downstairs, huh?”

“Understatement of the year.”

“They don’t mean to be obnoxious with their advice and opinions, they’re just worried about you.”

“I’m not impressed by their worrying.”

“Tristan, listen, I think it’d be better for everyone if you just kept what was going on between you, the secret admirer, and Kaiba to yourself. We won’t ask, and you won’t tell. By the time this is over you’re liable to hate all of us.”

“Not all of you,” Tristan answered smiling at Duke. Duke blushed a little. “I know they mean well, but I’med oed of being lectured and chastised. I’ve tried to figure out how to handle this situation, but it’s not that easy. I can’t just pretend I don’t like Seto. And I don’t want to give up on whoever this mystery gu bec because of him either.”

“It’s a hard spot to be at. I can’t begin to imagine what you’re going through. But I’m sure Kaiba does love you. And I’m sure whoever this secret admirer likes you too.”

“I just wish I knew who the hell it was, damn it, it’d make my life that much easier. I can’t stand not knowing.”

“We’ll figure it out, Tris. It’s only a matter of time. You have two good suspects already. And when you go out with Ken tomorrow night maybe you could get him to write something so we can compare the handwriting.” Tristan smiled.

There was another knock on the door.

“Come in.”

“Tristan?” Joey had those big affectionate puppy eyes. “We’re sorry we upset you, we got carried away.”

“This is your problem and instead of helping you we’ve been badgering you, we apologize,” Yami added.

“Please don’t be mad at us, we’ll try harder,” Yugi promised. How could Tristan possibly stay mad with those violet eyes pleading at him?

“It’s okay, you guys were only trying to help. But you have to promise you won’t give me anymore unsolicited advice until after this thing clears up. Okay?”

“Yes, we promise,” Ryou answered, smiling.

“Good.”

~.~

Three hours later everyone was sleeping except Duke and Tristan. Ryou and Joey were on the couch, Yugi and Yami on the easy chair. Malik and Bakura were sleeping on the floor. Duke and Tristan had spent the time looking in the yearbook, speculating who could be Tristan’s secret admirer.

“You know what, with my dumb look it’s going to wind up being some geeky first year with bad breath and a hygiene problem.”

“Well, what did that note say, Tris, it said that deep down you already know who it is. So unless the person’s lying to you, it has to be someone you have some kind of contact with,” Duke explained.

“I guess so.” Duke smiled and flipped the page.

“Maybe it’s this guy.”

“Duke, that’s a girl.” They laughed.

“Oops.”

Tristan gave Duke a look.

Maybe deep down I do know who it is… Is it you, Duke? Are you the one who’s going to be there for me when Seto tramples my heart again?

~.~.

“Mokuba, as fascinating as every minute detail of your evening with Kimi is, I really do have to go to sleep, it’s late.”

“Okay, Seto.” Mokuba curled up into the covers.

“Goodnight, Mokuba.”

“Wait, you have to tell me how things went with Tristan and the others tonight. Did you have fun, Seto?”

“It was a night I won’t soon forget. Although, I don’e mye myself doing that again.”

“Did anyone talk about Tristan’s secret admirer?”

“No.”

“Who do you think it is, Seto?”

“I could care less, Mokuba.”

“You must have an opinion.”

“I don’t care, Mokuba. The thing between Tristan and I is over.”

“I bet if you told Tristan the truth about how you feel he’d forgive you.” Seto narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have to be so hissy about it.”

“You’re implying that I did something wrong in ending things with Tristan.”

“I didn’t mean to imply anything, Seto. I meant to say it directly.” Seto’s eyes became angry little slits.

“Mokuba, this isn’t going to end the way you want it to. I’m not going to get with Tristan. It’s done. Finished.”

“Why couldn’t it work?”

“Because it can’t.”

“So you’d rather let Tristan wind up with Duke?”

“Duke?”

“Come on, it’s the most obvious answer. And you’ve always said that the most obvious answer is usually the answer. Who else could it possibly be? He’s always been there for Tristan, they’re very close. And once Tristan finds out it is Duke, you can kiss your chances goodbye.”

“So Tristan thinks it’s Duke?”

“Everyone thinks it’s Duke. Hell, we all know it’s Duke. Nobody else would hgottgotten Tristan’s locker combo without asking one of his friends. But that would have given them away.”

“Well, if Tristan wants to wind up with Duke that is his choice, I’m not going to be getting jealous and stupid over him. He can do whatever he wants. If he’s so sure it’s Duke why doesn’t he just confront him and get it over with?”

“Maybe he wants to be wowed when Duke finally reveals himself.”

“I see. Well, that’s good for the both of them then. Goodnight, Mokuba.”

“Seto, you’re only bringing this on yourself. You have only a week left. Next Saturday someone, most likely Duke, is going to woo Tristan, and you’re going to be alone.”

“I’ve never had a problem being alone. Goodnight, Mokuba.” Seto left the room fuming.

Duke.

Tristan knows it’s Duke.

And Mokuba expected him to do something about that?

No.

He refused.

And how could he forget that he was going out with Ken tomorrow night.

Ken.

The guy had probably slept with so many people he probably had lost count.

Was Tristan going to sleep with him too? Be number 587 or whatever it was at this point.

And here he was thinking about it.

And he had kissed him.

Really kissed him.

And Tristan had really kissed him back.

Did Tristan always taste that good. Damn it all. This was too much. Between Tristan thinking the secret admirer was Duke and all these other would be Romeo’s Seto was completely beside himself.

Whatever happened at this point, he just couldn’t care anymore.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

“So, did your secret admirer leave you a rose today?” Ken asked, putting the car into drive. He had just come to pick Tristan up for their “date”.

“Yeah, it was sitting in the mailbox.”

“Hum.”

“Ken, can I ask you something?” Tristan turned to look at the other boy. Ken gave him a look. “Are you really interested in me, or is this some kind of sex thing?”

“Sex thing? Is that what you think this is about, Tris?”

“I don’t know what this is about, that’s why I’m asking. I don’t mean to offend you, but you do have a reputation, and well, I just… I find it convenient that you suddenly decided to make a move on me, now.”

Ken snorted. “Tristan, I just don’t get you. Honestly, anyone else in your position would be thrilled people are showing interest. You act like it’s an annoyance.”

“It is, Ken. Especially when people who didn’t seem to have any idea about me Monday are making moves on me on Friday. I feel like I’m in the middle of a meat market and I’m the only piece for sale.”

Ken frowned. “It must be hard for you. I never thought about it that way.”

“Well, it’s not your fault. I’ve just been on edge since this started. Plus I’ve been worried about Mokuba.”

“Kaiba’s brother?”

“Yeah, he’s gotten a lot better, but he’s still been running a fever almost every night, and if he’s not medicated he’s coughing up a fit. He looks healthier, but really he’s still fighting.”

“You’re worried about him?”

“Yes. And about Seto too. I know that probably sounds weird… but I am, I just don’t want him to push himself too much.”

“You have such a big heart, Tristan, you care about everyone, your friends, little kids, coldhearted businessmen. It’s really sweet.” Tristan gave Ken a look.

He was patronizing him.

~.~

“So it didn’t go well I take it?” Duke asked, eating Chinese food out of the box. He was over after Tristan’s “date”.

“No, Ken kissed me at dinner, the kissed me when we got back to my place. I always thought having a hot boyfriend like Ken would be the ideal. It’s not. He’s a cocky idiot, everything I told him he nodded at. I could have told him I enjoyed juggling rats naked and he would have nodded and said that it was interesting. He’s not my secret admirer.”

“Sure this wasn’t just a rouse to throw you off his trail.”

“Positive. After he started talking about the different kinds of condoms he likes I realized that the only place he wanted the date to end up was in his bed.”

“Well, Tris, you are a hot piece of ass.” Tristan rolled his eyes. “But I wonder something, you said you thought you’d want a boyfriend that was good looking. What about Kaiba, don’t you think he’s good looking?”

“Of course I do. But he acts different about it. He’s got an “I’m superior to you” look on his face regularly, but it’s not because he’s gorgeous.”

“Are you going to tell him about your night with, Ken?”

“Of course I am, I need him to know so that his jealousy can continue.” Duke laughed.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

“So did Tristan get another flower today?” Malik asked walking up to Joey Monday afternoon.

“Yes. And a note. Look at it.” Joey handed the note to the other blond.

“Why do you have it?”

“Tristan told me to compare it with guy’s handwriting in my classes. He’s really trying to figure out who this person is.”

Malik scanned the document: Tristan, I feel you’re no closer to guessing my identity than you were last week. You haven’t approached me yet, and I fear that means ll bll be disappointed by me on Saturday. Regardless, I will hold up my vow, and reveal myself as promised. Your friends are certainly creating quite a buzz about this, and I know they have all formulated opinions as to who I am. I also worry that your relationship with your friends, and with Seto Kaiba will taint your opinion of me. I only hope you keep an open mind. I wait, impatiently, for the next time we can speak. Although our conversations are not nearly as long wou would like, any time spent with you, is well worth it. Until next time, Love…. Your Secret Admirer.

“This is, really a mystery isn’t it. If the person is lamenting about conversations he’s had with Tristan that means it has to be someone he speaks to. Which eliminates strangers, and hopefully a lot of unknown stalkers,” Malik decided.

“The thing of it is though, how do we know the person isn’t lying. I mean he could be imagining conversations, he could be a mental case.”

“He could also be the Grim Reaper. But if we’re ever going to keep sane about this we have to assume for the sake of argument that Tristan’s admirer is fairly normal, and is telling the truth. Break down the clues, one, the person is sure that Tristan already knows who this is. So Tristan employing you to look at handwriting is probably not the best way to figure this out. Secondly, the person is fearful that outside influences will mar Tristan’s thoughts about him. Which means that whoever it is must have a relationship with Tristan that’s tenuous. Or at the very least, not as close as he’d like. And the person also said to keep an open mind, which makes me think he really doubts his success with Tristan. Maybe he is a first year or something, after all.”

“But think of it this way, Malik. Pretend that it’s Duke. He’d have to know that we’d all be a little concerned if it was him. Although we all love Duke to death, Tristan and Duke getting together could easily cause a problem. Not to mention the fact that Duke knows better than anyone that Kaiba and Tristan have had an on going thing, including the kiss on Friday night. Nobody else could possibly know about that, because nobody else even knows that Kaiba and Tristan had anything in first place.”

“But the secret admirer never said anything about a kiss. You’re jumping to conclusions. Anyone with two eyes and half a brain has noticed that the usually icy CEO has a warm spot for Tristan. They have two classes together, they say hello to each other in the hall, rumors fly around like dust in this school, and both Ken and that mysterious guy in Tristan’s gym class have eluded to Tristan having some kind of soft spot for Kaiba.”

“This thing has taken on a life of it’s own. Tristan said two more guys started talking to him today. And Tristan still thinks that weird guy in his gym class is a very good suspect. I just wonder why the Hell Kaiba’s been taking a backseat approach. Why doesn’t he do something? Why is he pretending hesn’esn’t care?”

“I look at it like this, if Kaiba really loves Tristan he should say something, before this mystery man moves in on his territory. It’s an open challenge, the guy mentioned his name in two notes, obviously he’s provoking a response, or at the very least he wants to make sure there is nobody in the way when he moves in and sweeps Tristan off his feet.” Joey nodded at Malik, the Egyptian made a good point.

“I thought Yami said Kaiba loves him? Mokuba’s been keeping him posted with all the updates… he doesn’t have that much time left. You’d think he’d make a move.”

“Maybe he doesn’t think whoever it is is really a threat, or he doesn’t love Tristan in the first place.”

“Or maybe he thinks it’s Duke, like we do, and he knows Tristan would be quite happy giving him a chance. Especially after Kaiba’s rejection.” Malik gave Joey a look.

“Your money’s really on Duke, huh, Joey?”

“Literally. I placed a bet in the pool in my math class.”

“I heard people all over school were placing bets… I’d normally say it’s not nice to encourage such behavior, but I have to admit I placed a bet too…”

Joey started laughing. “School’s become a circus. I just want to know who it is. I hate surprises.”

“We’ll know soon enough, Joey.”

~.~

“So you’re meeting Takashi for coffee tomorrow after school?” Duke asked, running through his notebook with his fingers.

“Yeah,” Tristan answered. The teens were attempting to do their homework. “After that moment in the locker room today, I think he’s become the number one suspect”.

“He’s beaten me? I’m no longer the prime suspect?” Duke made a look like he was hurt. “Fine, Tristan, see if you get anymore thorn-less roses from me.”

Tristan smiled.

Author’s Endnotes: So, the the hell is it? And why is Seto deciding that he’d rather sit back and not do anything. Does he want to lose Tristan? Hell, at this point it seems he’s already lost him. Well, next chapter the identity is revealed, we’ll finally know who it is… and we’ll get to see rather or not Seto will do anything about it, or if he’ll give up on Tan oan once and for all. This is what’ll happen next:


“I feel bad for your secret admirer, Tristan,” Seto responded, once the kiss ended.

“Why’s that?”

“You’re meeting him in two days and here you are kissing the big bad wolf in his jag.” Tristan gave Seto a look.

“This is never going to work between us, is it? You don’t want a relationship with me. And you’re not going to chase after me. You’re going to let me meet him on Saturday and then that’s going to be it.”

“Tristan, don’t you want to be with someone who’s willing to do everything you want. Who’s not playing with your emotions?”

“Yeah, because all the guys in school lately are really concerned about my emotions.”

“I wasn’t talking about all the guys in school, Tristan.”

“Besides, Mokuba, I’d say there’s really nobody who’s shown me consistent love and support.”

“What about Duke? Everyone says you want it to be him.” Tristan and Seto exchanged a look.

“Who I think it is and who I want it to be are not necessarily the same person, Seto.”