Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Family By Choice ❯ Chapter3 ( Chapter 3 )

Family By Choice

by Dragondreamer & Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, the boys would be running around naked all the time and we'd never get ANY work done.

Warning: This story contains shouenen-ai (guy/guy relationships) and yaoi (guys having sex with guys). It also contains coarse language and violence. If you don't like it, or become offended by such things, take off already!

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

[[…]]Yami's thought and mind link to Yugi

//…// Yugi's thoughts and mind link to Yami

{{…}} Otogi's thoughts

`yak, yak' Sadie's(AI) voice

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi: So, do we FINALLY get to see what's in the box.

DD: Yes.

YD: Eventually, I wanna torture Otogi first.

Otogi: *groans* Lucky me.

~*~*~*~*~

"Come with me." Jack said, leading Joey down the hallway.

Joey raised an eyebrow and followed, wondering what Jack was up to this time. They stopped in front of an oak door with a brass plaque on it. Joey shook his head, reading it.

Joseph A. Wheeler

"Awfully sure of yourself, weren't you?" Joey grinned.

Jack shrugged. "I knew you wouldn't turn me down."

Jack opened the door and led the way inside. Joey stopped halfway into the room, his grin widening. His new office was absolutely beautiful.

An aged oak desk stood by one wall, to the right of a wall full of windows. The opposite wall held a bookcase and another door that led to a small bathroom. Also on that wall were a leather couch and a free standing mirror. The walls were oak paneling and the room had a warm, cozy feeling.

"I haven't told Jacob who he's working with yet." Jack said, breaking the spell. "Would you like me to send him to you?"

"No," Joey shook his head. "I'd rather meet him somewhere neutral. Maybe outside."

"Good idea. He had a rough night last night."

"How so?"

"Nightmares, hallucinations…that sort of thing."

"Poor kid." Joey shook his head. "Give me about fifteen minutes. I want to take another quick look at his file."

"Sounds good." Jack smiled, turning toward the door. "I'll have him meet you under that big tree in the yard you like so much."

"Jack?" Joey stopped him.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For everything."

"Don't mention it." Jack said, leaving him alone.

Joey walked over to the desk as the door closed behind Jack. He dropped the file he had been carrying on the polished surface and sat down in the leather chair. He tilted the chair back, propping his boot-clad feet up on the desk.

"I could DEFINATLY get used to this." Joey said.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out an elastic band, gathering his long hair at the nape of his neck and tying it back. He picked up the file and opened it to his patient's vital statistics.

Name: Jacob Donaldson

Age: 15

Height: 5' 10"

Weight: 132 lbs (at time of check-in)

Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington. USA

Next of Kin: James and Michelle Donaldson (parents)

Blood Type: AB neg.

Allergies: None

Admitted for: Cocaine and marijuana use. Suicide attempt. Possible early childhood sexual abuse.

Joey looked at the picture. Dull, bloodshot green eyes stared back at him. Black hair, pale skin…he reminded Joey of Otogi. And he was painfully thin. Typical of an addict.

Joey shook his head sadly. This kid had a long way to go.

Closing the file, Joey stood and headed out of the office, making his way outside. There were a few people out, residents of the clinic mostly, accompanied by nurses or family.

Sitting under the tree where Joey had spent a lot of time, was a lone figure. A few feet away, stood Will, looking in the direction of the main building. He smiled as Joey approached, but didn't speak. The big man discreetly left as the blond reached him.

"Mind if I sit down?" Joey asked.

Lifeless eyes met his and the boy shrugged. "If you want."

Joey dropped down to sit cross-legged next to the teen. "I'm Joey."

"Jacob." The voice was as dead as the eyes.

"Nice to meet you, Jacob."

Jacob shrugged again, looking at Joey with a little more interest. "How come you're here? You don't look like you're hurting on anything."

"Actually, I work here."

The green eyes widened. "You do?"

"Yeah." Joey grinned. "Why are you so surprised?"

The boy took in the motorcycle boots, loose leather pants and long blond hair. "You just don't look like a shrink."

Joey laughed. "How do you know I don't work in the kitchen or something?"

"Well, if you weren't a shrink, you'd be wearing white. Like the rest of them." Jacob replied. "Only the shrinks wear civvies."

[Hasn't been here a full day and he's already got everyone pegged. Maybe he's not as bad as I thought.] "Yeah, well…I don't do things normal. Never have."

The black haired teen twitched suddenly, hissing in pain.

Joey winced sympathetically. "Okay?"

"I guess. It hurts a lot though."

"It's gonna hurt for a while, kiddo." Joey felt a connection to this boy and something made him want to help him…something beyond the normal drive to help kids.

"Why do you care?" Jacob asked, suddenly sounding defensive.

Joey shrugged. "I just do."

Jacob looked skeptical. Especially when Joey didn't offer any further comment, just sat there quietly, his eyes closed and his face tipped up to the sun.

[Just stay quiet and let him talk. He will sooner or later.]

After about ten minutes, Jacob began to fidget. Joey still didn't say anything.

"Are you going to be my shrink?" The boy burst out.

Joey opened his eyes. "Do you want me to?"

The green eyes regarded him seriously. "I don't need one."

"That's cool. Tell you what…we can just hang out. If you want to talk, talk. If you don't, don't."

"But…you're supposed to make me talk about stuff."

"Other people have tried to make you talk to them?"

"Yeah. My parents have been sending me to shrinks since I was ten."

"Well, I'm not going to try to make you talk, Jacob." Joey shook his head. "Why should you? You don't even know me."

"What…what are we suppose to do then?" Jacob looked a little nervous faced with an adult that wasn't trying to tell him what to do.

"I dunno." Joey grinned, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out his dueling deck. "Ever play Duel Monsters?"

Bloodshot eyes it up. "No. But I always wanted to learn."

"I can teach you." Joey tried not to be too smug. "I'm still second ranked."

For the first time since Joey had sat down, Jacob smiled. "I'd like that."

~*~*~*~*~

Master Kiotou handed Tristan a cup of tea, frowning. "Tristan, you do not look well."

"I'm fine." Tristan replied. "Just been kinda tired."

"And stressed." Seto put in.

Master Kiotou leaned across the counter, looking closely at the shorter brunet. "Your color is not right. Have you been taking your medication?"

"Yes."

"Give me your hand."

Tristan placed his hand in Master Kiotou's gnarled one. The old man reached down the counter, picking up a small needle and, without hesitating, pricked Tristan's thumb with it.

"Ouch! Hey! What was that for?"

Master Kiotou didn't reply, just picked up a piece of gauze and wiped the blood away. He frowned as it quickly beaded up again and ran down Tristan's hand, swiftly pooling in his palm.

He pressed the gauze firmly on Tristan's thumb. "Keep pressure on it."

Tristan did as he was told, watching as the herbalist turned to the drawers lining the wall, opening one and removing a pinch of powder. He removed the makeshift bandage from the small wound and sprinkled the powder on it, watching in satisfaction as it stopped bleeding.

"What's wrong?" Seto asked.

"I believe we need to increase your medication." The old man said to Tristan. "Such a small wound should not have bled as much or as quickly as it did."

"Is that normal?" Tristan asked.

"I do not know." Master Kiotou answered. "I have never treated anyone for this type of blood disorder before, and it is very rare. I must do some research. In the meantime I want you to increase your medication by half again what you are taking now."

Tristan nodded. "Okay."

"But you must be very careful." The herbalist cautioned. "It will take fourteen days for the new dosage to take effect."

Tristan nodded again, accepting the wet rag the elder handed him, using it to clean the blood from his hand.

"I am glad you both came today." Master Kiotou said. "I have something I wish to speak to you about."

{Why do I get the feeling I'm going to get a headache?}

"I have managed to trace your past lives."

Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"In the two lives before this one, you were as you are now…both best friends and lovers." The old man began. "The life before those you were identical twins. But it was the one before that which intrigued me the most."

"Why's that?" Seto asked, wondering why he wasn't feeling skeptical about the man's words…something about what he was saying just felt right.

"You were one person."

"What?!" Tristan was shocked. "Are you kidding?!"

"I am not."

"Is that even possible?" Seto asked, not really willing to believe it.

"It would explain a lot of things." Master Kiotou said. "Your bond, for one. You are one soul in two bodies. I believe that since you were twins, you have been drawn together, seeking to complete each other. To become one again."

"I don't understand." Seto shook his head.

"It is why in this life, as in the two previous, you are lovers. That physical and emotional connection is the closest you can come to being a single entity again."

Tristan stared down at the scarred countertop. He didn't want to have this conversation now. It was something he had wanted to discuss with Seto in private.

Master Kiotou sensed his hesitation and decided to drop the subject. "Seto, there is something else you need to know."

Seto gave him a questioning look, afraid to ask.

"Yugi's abandonment issues are going to be tested to the fullest." The elder said. "It would be in his best interests if you acceded to his request. It will be one of the best decisions you have ever made."

{Here comes that headache.} "I suppose it's useless to ask what the hell you mean by that."

Master Kiotou gave the tall CEO a wicked grin. "You may want to remove your phone from your pocket."

"What? Why do…" Seto jumped as his cell phone rang. He rolled his eyes and pulled it out of his coat pocket. "Kaiba."

Tristan met the wise old eyes, tuning out his friend.

"You must talk to him about this, Tristan." The old man said. "I do not understand why you are so hesitant. He needs you as much now as he ever did. If not more. Your bond is indeed weakening. Give him what he needs…what you both need…and all will be as it once was."

"Tris, we've got to go." Seto turned to the shorter man. "Security found a package at reception and they think it may be a bomb or something. They've gotten everyone out of the lobby until they know for sure."

Master Kiotou handed Tristan a paper bag containing his medication. "Remember my words, Tristan. Do not let this go for too long."

"Yes, sensei."

"Tell Yami and Yugi to come to me tomorrow, Seto. I will be able to provide them with the information they need."

Seto sighed and shook his head. "I'll tell them."

~*~*~*~*~

Otogi groaned as he woke, his entire body throbbing with pain.

He remembered coming home sometime in the middle of the night, but he didn't remember going to bed. He glanced at the clock and winced. It was three in the afternoon. He hadn't planned on sleeping so long.

He reached for the phone on the bedside table and called the store. Luckily there weren't any problems that required his attention…for once.

A hiss of pain escaped him as he hauled himself out of bed. He stumbled down the hall and into the bathroom.

Bracing his hands on the counter, he looked at himself in the mirror.

{{You look like shit, Otogi. Why do you keep doing this to yourself?}}

There were dark circles under his eyes, a testament to a lack of sleep. He had spent almost the entire weekend in Dan's bed, allowing the other to have his way with him. And he had been a brutal, almost sadistic lover, with a penchant for causing pain.

That much was obvious in the cuts and bruises marring his pale skin.

{{I like it that way. I always have. I just wish to hell he had been more careful to leave the marks where no one could see them.}}

All his previous lovers had been like Dan. Demanding, forceful, rough…and brief. Especially since he had returned.

He looked at his reflection critically. {{Five men in two months. What does that say about you, huh?}}

Shaking his head, Otogi pushed away from the sink and turned on the shower. He stepped in; clenching his teeth against the agony the hot water caused his battered body.

He couldn't help but wonder if Tristan and Joey would be such lovers. Somehow, he couldn't imagine Joey being that way…not after what he had been through. Plus, Otogi just didn't think he had it in him. He didn't have the temper for it.

Now, Tristan on the other hand…

Otogi had seen him mad. It wasn't pretty. Tristan had a one hell of a bad temper when provoked, and he had to wonder if he didn't carry that into the bedroom. He didn't see the brunet being like that with Joey. He was always so gentle with him. But would he be like that with someone else? With him maybe?

The entire weekend replayed itself in his mind, only it wasn't Dan he was seeing…it was Tristan.

The raven haired man moaned softly, his hands drifting across his body as he let his imagination run wild. {{Tristan…}} He slumped against the shower wall as the tension in his body released itself.

He buried his face in his wet hands and began to sob.

~*~*~*~*~

Bakura ran across the lobby and grabbed Yugi by the back of the shirt, yanking him away from the box.

He stepped closer, looking inside. "What the fuck…"

"What did I tell you about using that kind of language in front of my son, Tomb Robber?" Yami said, casting a quick glance at Justin and Lexi where they were standing out of the way with a security guard. "I swear, sometimes you're so…" Yami's breath caught as he looked into the cardboard container. "Oh, sweet Isis."

There was a commotion at the locked doors and Yami turned to see security letting Seto and Tristan into the building. The two brunets ran up, just as Yugi pushed between Yami and Bakura, reaching into the box.

"Don't touch it, Yugi." Bakura said. "You don't know where it's been."

"What's going on?" Seto asked, looking over the other's heads. "Gods!"

A high, thin wail pierced the air as Yugi picked up the blanket wrapped bundle. He cradled it against his chest, turning to the others.

"It's…a baby." Tristan whispered, his eyes wide.

"No shit, slim." Bakura said.

Yugi looked up at Seto, his eyes teary. "Seto…"

A piece of paper fluttered to the floor and Bakura bent to pick it up. He quickly scanned it and handed it to Seto. Tristan leaned over the taller man's shoulder to read it as Yugi did his best to comfort the crying child.

Mr. Kaiba,

I saw on the news that your company

has taken over the orphanage that

your son came from.

If you could find it in your heart to

find a home for my son, I would be

eternally grateful. I can't take care

of him anymore. He deserves a better

life than I can provide for him.

Please don't try to find me. I can't be

found. I don't want to be found.

Tristan took the paper from Seto, turning it over. There was no signature. He handed it to Yami so he and Yugi could read it.

Tears began to flow down Yugi's face. "Oh, gods. His own mother…abandoned him."

"It's okay, Yugi." Seto reached out to him. "We'll take him to the orphanage and find a good home for him."

"I don't want to take him to the orphanage!" Yugi clutched the infant to his chest. "She left him here, Seto! She left him!"

"Yugi…"

"No!"

The child began crying louder as Yugi's voice rose in volume.

"Sir," Walters ran up to them. "Is everything alright?"

"Does it look like everything's alright, you idiot?" Bakura growled.

Tristan shook himself out of his daze. "Let's go upstairs. Walters, once we're gone you can let everyone back in. But NO ONE is to know what's happened, understand?"

"Yes sir, Mr. Taylor."

"Tristan…" Yugi began.

"Come on, Yugi." Tristan laid a hand on his arm. "Let's take this up to Seto's office."

"Papa?" Lexi came up to her father, Justin in tow. "Ooh bewongs a da baby?"

Tristan picked the little girl up. "We don't know yet, baby girl. I think you and Justin should go to daycare. And NO leaving until someone comes to get you."

"O-tay, Papa."

"Bruce," Tristan called to one of the security guards. "Take the kids to the daycare. And stay with them, please. Don't let Lexi out of your sight."

"Yes, sir."

Lexi reached out to the man, smiling. "Tarry Lexi, Boos."

The guard took her from her father, and held out his hand to Justin. Justin looked at his fathers, hesitant.

"Go with him, son." Seto said. "Someone will be down to get you soon."

Justin reluctantly took Bruce's hand and left the lobby.

Without another word, Seto turned and headed to the elevator, the others following. The only sound heard the entire way to Seto's office was the pitiful cries of the baby.

Gina's head snapped up as they entered the outer office. Tristan shook his head, forestalling her questions.

"Hold my calls." Seto said, opening the door to his office.

Entering the room, Yugi immediately sat down in the chair in the sitting area, cuddling the baby. He stroked the child's face and the little mouth opened, bird-like, and he managed to get the tip of Yugi's index finger into his mouth. He sucked on it for a moment before letting go; crying again.

"He's hungry." Yugi said, looking up and finding himself locked into a pair of concerned blue eyes. "Please, Seto…we need to feed him."

Tristan could feel the conflicting emotions brewing just under the surface of Seto's supposed calm demeanor. The most prevalent was worry…for Yugi.

He walked over to the amethyst eyed man, holding out his arms. "Let me take him."

Yugi hesitated.

[[Aibou, give the baby to Tristan.]]

//I don't want to.//

[[Please, my light.]]

Yugi reluctantly handed the infant to Tristan, rising and following him closely as the brunet sat down on the couch and unwrapped the blanket.

"Oh, gods…you poor baby." Tristan whispered.

Bakura stepped up to the couch and winced, seeing the state of the infant. Dressed in a threadbare sleeper, it was obvious he was underweight. The colorless pajamas were stained and smelled of stale cigarette smoke. Looking closely, he could see the child was filthy, a ring of dirt around his little neck.

Yami met Seto's eyes, his own sad. Seto bit his lip, looking from the child to Yugi, hovering over Tristan.

"Yugi," Seto said. "We really should get him over to the orphanage so they can feed him and get him cleaned up."

"No…no, Seto…his mother left him. Please…" Yugi was still crying. "She left him."

"Yugi, you can't be thinking…"

"She left him." Yugi held his hands out, pleading. "She left him here…hoping we'd find a home for him. What better home could he have than with us?"

Tristan looked up at Seto. /This could be what Master Kiotou was talking about, pal./

Seto shook his head, taking Yugi's hands. "Baby…this is not a good reason to think about adopting a child. Besides, we don't even know where he came from."

/Seto…listen to me. Maybe you shouldn't fight this. Master Kiotou said you should give in to Yugi and it would be the best thing that ever happened to you./

"Seto," Yami said. "Let's at least feed him and get him cleaned up. The poor child looks like he hasn't had a full stomach in weeks."

Seto gave in to Yami's request and went to his desk sitting down and picking up the phone. If he sent Bakura or Tristan down to the daycare to get what they needed, Lexi would want to come back. The same went for Justin and himself or Yami.

There was only one person in the daycare that would know what they needed and would keep their mouth shut. Rachael Willis. She was Josh's mother and close enough to family to be trusted.

He quickly explained the situation to her, telling her that they felt it was necessary to keep it quiet. She immediately agreed and asked for five minutes to gather what was needed.

Hanging up the phone, he sat and watched as Tristan wrapped the baby back up, picking him up and cradling him in his arms. Yugi sat as close to Tristan as he could get.

"Bakura." Seto motioned the white haired man over.

Bakura came and sat on the edge of the desk, his expression serious. "Seto, you can't send that kid to the orphanage. You'll kill Yugi if you do."

"I know, but…" Seto shook his head. "Why the hell would she leave the baby here? And what if she comes back and wants to take him?"

The pale man reached out, placing his hand over Seto's where they lay on the top of his desk. "Let me see what I can find."

"Just…don't take long."

Bakura looked over his shoulder to see that the infant had finally quieted. "I'll start at the women's shelter."

Seto nodded and stood. "Thank you."

Bakura just smiled and hopped down off the desk, heading for the door without saying anything to the others.

He opened the door and almost smacked into Rachael. "Sorry."

"It's okay." The woman smiled. "I brought up a blanket, a sleeper and some diapers." She handed the items to Bakura, along with a bottle. "I already warmed it up."

"Thanks, Rachael."

"Need any help?"

Bakura grinned. "I think we can manage."

"Okay." Rachael turned to go. "Oh, and tell Tristan I caught Lexi trying to sneak out through a window."

"Did she make it?"

Rachael laughed. "No, I caught her just in time."

"Damn." Bakura sighed. "I'll have to have a talk with her."

He closed the door on Rachael's laughter and walked back over to the others. Depositing the items on the chair, he brought the bottle over to Tristan, holding it out to the brunet.

"Here, let me do it." Yugi reached out to take the baby.

Tristan transferred the infant into the smaller man's waiting arms and took the bottle from Bakura, handing it to him.

Yami walked over to Seto, slipping his arms around his waist. "Tell me what you're thinking, love."

"I don't know what to do." Seto said quietly.

"Well, we did say we wanted more than one child." Yami said. "It seems to me this child came to us for a reason. Perhaps we shouldn't question it."

Seto chewed on his lip for a moment. "Master Kiotou said I should give in. That it would be the best decision I ever made."

"He has yet to steer us wrong, Seto. Whether you want to admit it or not, you know he sees things that we cannot."

"I know." Seto looked to where Yugi and Tristan were sitting with the infant; Bakura perched on the arm of the couch with a small smile on his face as he looked on. "It just bothers me to think that Yugi's reasoning for wanting this isn't…sound."

"Love, you know how much he fears being left alone." Ruby eyes, filled with concern, looked deeply into azure. "To see this child, so blatantly abandoned…"

Seto bent and kissed Yami's forehead as the smaller man trialed off. "I have to try to find his mother, Yami."

"I understand, my dragon."

Seto untangled himself from his husband and went over to the couch. "Bakura, you'd better get going."

Bakura nodded and stood, opening his mouth to speak. He was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. It opened and Gina walked in.

"Seto, the police are downstairs." Her gaze flickered to the baby in Yugi's arms. "They want to know if the orphanage has taken in an abandoned baby."

"Put them in the twelfth floor boardroom and tell them I'll be with them as soon as possible." Seto replied.

When Gina left, Seto went and knelt on the floor in front of Yugi. He looked at the baby, busily sucking on the bottle, his little hands clutching it; and felt a painful tug at his heart.

"Yugi." Seto paused until Yugi looked at him. "Please understand…we may not be able to keep him, no matter how much you may want to."

Something flickered in Yugi's eyes. "I know. I guess…when I realized his mother just LEFT him…he's only a baby, Seto."

"It's okay, love." Seto said, relieved that Yugi seemed to have regained his rationale somewhat. "Let me go see what the police want and then we can discuss this, okay?"

Yugi nodded and Seto leaned in, kissing him gently.

Rising, Seto looked down at the baby again. The infant was still frantically sucking away, making small grunting noises. The look on his face could only be described as blissful.

A wave of tenderness overcame Seto and he reached down, stroking the baby's cheek.

Tristan snickered. /You're done for…Dad./

"Shut up." Seto sighed, turning away. "Bakura come with me."

Bakura smirked and, winking at Tristan, followed Seto out the door.

~*~*~*~*~

"Mr. Kaiba, I'm Detective Barrett." The man indicated the other officer with him. "This is my partner, Detective Johnson."

"Please…sit." Seto said, seating himself at the head of the conference table, Bakura to his right.

"Could you introduce us to your companion?" Barrett asked as they sat down.

"He's my bodyguard. His presence doesn't concern you." Seto replied coolly, fighting to keep the grin off his face as the two men looked askance at the white haired man.

Bakura stared back, a single eyebrow raised, until both detectives began to shift uncomfortably.

"My secretary said you wanted to know if my orphanage had received an abandoned infant." Seto claimed their attention. "Why come to me? Why didn't you just go to the orphanage?"

"We did." Johnson said, sounding somewhat peeved. "They wouldn't give us any information."

Seto allowed himself a small smile. "Well, it is a privately run establishment, Detective. What goes on there is no concern of the public sector."

"Mr. Kaiba," Barrett said. "We NEED to know."

"Why?"

"A young girl committed suicide at the downtown women's shelter today. She was seen there several times with a baby. When the workers found her, they couldn't find the child."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "Maybe she left the baby with family."

Barrett shook his head. "She was a street kid. From what we could gather, she didn't have any family here. She told one of the workers she was from Tokyo and that she ran away from home."

"How old was she?"

"Fourteen."

{Gods.} Set exchanged glances with Bakura.

"Please, Mr. Kaiba," Johnson said. "All we need to know is if your orphanage has the child. As sad as it is, there won't be a search mounted if this baby doesn't show up at an orphanage or a hospital."

"Why not?" Seto's eyes narrowed.

"Because no one cares what happens to the unwanted offspring of a street kid." Johnson paused, startled by the low growl coming from the CEO's "bodyguard". "I don't agree with it, but it's the truth."

Seto rested his elbows on the table and steepled his hands in front of him. "We received a little boy, about six months old, just a few hours ago."

"Do you intend to place him in your orphanage?"

"Yes. He's young; my people shouldn't have a hard time finding a home for him."

Barrett sighed and stood, his partner rising as well. "Very good, Mr. Kaiba. We can close this file. Good luck finding a home for the boy."

"Thank you." Seto replied, finding himself immensely relieved. "Bakura, please show the detectives out."

Bakura rose and walked to the door. He opened it and waited for the two men to precede him from the boardroom.

Seto sat for a moment longer, lost in thought.

{Yami's right. Master Kiotou has never steered us wrong. It would make Yugi so happy. It's just…do I really want to adopt again so soon?}

He shook his head and stood up, heading for the door. {I need to talk to Yami and Yugi about this.}

~*~*~*~*~

"There you go, little guy." Tristan wrapped the now clean baby up in the blanket. "All clean."

"His hair is blond." Yugi said, smiling as he took the infant from Tristan and left the bathroom.

Tristan threw the dirty clothes and blanket into the trash and followed. "He's a cute little thing."

"Tristan," Yugi turned to the brunet. "Do you think we'll be able to keep him?"

"Well, I know Seto's worried about your reaction, Yugi." He took the baby back and cuddled him, grinning down at the child. "But I think he's already half in love with him."

"I know I didn't react well." Yugi went to Yami, putting his arm around him. "But…I couldn't help it."

"We know that, Aibou." Yami dropped a kiss on his light's head.

The door opened and Seto walked in, his eyes immediately going to Tristan. "His mother is dead."

"What?!" Yugi's grip on Yami tightened. "What happened?"

"Seems she left him here and then went to the shelter and committed suicide."

Tristan shook his head. "Gods."

"So, he has no one." Yugi looked at Seto.

"No, he doesn't."

"I want to adopt him."

"Yugi…"

"I mean it, Seto." Yugi looked at his tall husband earnestly. "And I know you're worried about my reasons for it. But…he needs us. He has no family. She could have left him at the public orphanage…or at a church or something. But she left him with us."

"He has a point, pal." Tristan said, approaching Seto. "And remember what Master Kiotou said."

"I KNOW what Master Kiotou said." Seto replied tersely.

"Here," Tristan held the baby out. "Hold him."

Seto shook his head.

"Hold the baby, Seto." Tristan said.

"I don't want to."

"Hold. The. Baby, Seto."

"I don't WANT to hold the baby."

Tristan narrowed his eyes at his friend. /Hold him./

Seto sighed and reached out, taking the child from Tristan. He held him away from his body, one hand under his head and the other under his tiny backside. He looked down to see the infant looking up at him.

{Oh, hell.}

The baby smiled and made a soft cooing noise, drooling on himself.

{I'm toast.}

Yami looked at Yugi, smiling. [[I think we just gained another son, Aibou.]]

//Looks that way.// Yugi smiled back.

The door opened again and Lexi ran in, Bakura behind her. Justin followed at a distance.

Lexi ran up to Seto. "Ooohhh!! Set! Lexi tee baby!"

Seto cradled the baby against his chest and knelt so Lexi could see him. Justin came to his father's side and looked at the infant.

"Dad?" Justin looked up at Seto over the tops of his glasses. "Are we going to keep the baby?"

"Well, Justin…"

"Please?"

Seto blinked. "You want to?"

"Yes." Justin nodded. "I really miss the babies at the orphanage. I used to help take care of them. They didn't care that I couldn't see good."

Seto looked from Justin to Yami and Yugi. He nodded.

"TIPPIE!" Lexi squealed. "Set dunna teep da baby!"

Tristan caught Seto's eye. "You made the right decision, pal."

Seto stood, going over to Yami and Yugi. He looked down at his husbands and saw tears in both their eyes. He knew he had made the right decision, even as Tristan had said he had.

He bent his head and kissed the baby's downy head. "Welcome to the family, son."

~*~*~*~*~

Lexi: TIPPIE! Lexi wan old da baby!!

YD: Hang on, midget. Let us get him home first.

Bakura: Joey and Mokuba are in for one HELL of a surprise when they get home.

Tristan: *punches Seto in the arm* You've gotten soft, pal.

Seto: Bite me.

DD: Please review. Oh, and Tris and Joey are moving, so if you want to send any toys for Lexi, please do so in your review.

Lexi: Yeah…Lexi ave no toys no mow-are. Mean men bokeded dem awl.