Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Family By Choice ❯ chapter21 ( Chapter 21 )

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!

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS EXPLICIT YAOI (MALE/MALE SEX)! IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, GO READ SOMETHING ELSE! YOU DON'T NEED TO BE HERE!

A/N: We would like to credit Tris' flashback to our awesome bud and sounding board, Terra. If it wasn't for her, we would have been stuck on this chappie forever. Thanks, baby! If you haven't read her fic I Give My Heart to You, go do it now! It kicks!

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

*…* Mokuba's thoughts

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

~*~*~*~*~

DD: Okay. This chapter was NOT fun to write.

YD: I had fun with it.

Tris: *rolls eyes* You would.

Otogi: Why do I get the feeling we're ALL in for it?

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan walked into the house, finding it silent.

He glanced at his watch, noting just how early it still was. /Everyone must still be in bed./

That thought was shot as he heard a very familiar giggle come from the kitchen.

He made his way into that room, finding Matthew sitting in a highchair obviously brought over from Seto's, his face and hair covered in oatmeal.

"Good morning, Tristan." Claudine greeted him.

"Morning, Claudine." Tristan bent and, finding a relatively clean spot on the baby's face, kissed him. "Morning, little man."

"Tee!" Matthew reached up with cereal coated hands.

"Oh, no you don't." Tristan backed away.

"Tee!" Matthew reached out further, managing to snag Tristan's shirt.

"Eww. Gross." Tristan untangled the child's fingers and went over to the sink, grabbing a cloth and trying to wipe the mess off his clothes.

"Did you hear what he just said?" Claudine asked.

"Huh?"

"He just called you "Tee"." Claudine smiled, ruffling Matthew's pabulum-laden locks. "What a good boy!"

Matthew laughed, reaching both hands into his cereal bowl and coming up with two fistfuls of his breakfast. He stuffed both hands into his mouth at the same time, making happy, grunting noises as his attention was captured by his food.

Tristan smiled. "He did, didn't he? Seto was saying he called him "Da-da" the other night. I think our little boy is learning to talk."

Claudine pulled Matthew's fingers from his mouth, over the baby's protests, and began wiping his hands. "Do you know what's going on today?"

"I'm not sure." Tristan leaned against the counter, staying well out of reach of the sticky hands. "Yugi's home. He and Seto are going to want some time alone together."

"You look tired, Mr. Taylor. Why don't you go up and go to bed?"

"Claudine…how many times have I told you? My name is Tristan."

"I'm sorry, Mr.…Tristan." The woman flushed. "Well, go on upstairs. Everyone else is still asleep. Perhaps I'll call Bruce and see if he could come and get me and we'll take the children to the park or something. Mr. Wheeler…I mean Joey…said something about taking them to see young Master Kaiba today. Do you think…do you think anyone would mind if I went too?"

Tristan sighed, seeing tears in Claudine's pretty brown eyes. He knew Mokuba was a favorite with the servants. "Why don't you go with Joey when he takes the kids? Just make sure Bruce goes with you, okay?"

"Thank you." Claudine quickly busied herself with Matthew, hoping the man standing next to her didn't see the errant tear that coursed down her face.

Tristan pushed away from the counter and placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's going to be okay, Claudine."

She nodded, not looking up from where she was wiping her charge's face.

Tristan took off his jacket and slung it over the back of a chair. "Keep your grubby little paws of my jacket, monster. Umm…Claudine? He has oatmeal in his ear."

Claudine rolled her eyes and, picking up the washcloth again, proceeded to try and remove the offending substance from Matthew's ear. "I think I'm going to have to give you a bath."

Tristan chuckled and headed up the back stairs, wanting nothing more than to go to bed and cuddle up with Joey. He couldn't remember ever being so exhausted.

Entering the bedroom, he paused. Joey was lying on one side of the bed on his back, snoring as usual. Otogi was lying next to him, curled up on his side in the middle of the bed. The covers were down around the raven haired man's waist and Tristan could see the nearly faded bruises on his body. They had dulled to a sickly yellow color and looked worse than they had the day Tristan had found him tied to his own bed, barely conscious.

Tristan pulled his clothes off, leaving them where they fell, and got into bed on Otogi's other side. He reached across the raven haired man and pushed Joey's hair out of his face, smiling when the blond grumbled and turned over, his back to them.

Tristan lay quietly, not quite ready to give himself up to sleep. Hazel eyes regarded Otogi carefully, noting how peaceful he looked when he was asleep. Reaching out, he trailed his fingers gently over Otogi's face, noticing for the first time that the bruise was gone from around his eye and his lip had completely healed.

/Gods this reminds me way too much of Joey. How many times did I lie next to him while he slept, looking at the bruises and cuts on his face?/ A feeling of possessiveness rose up in Tristan. /I hope Bakura gets me some information on Dan soon. I'm going to see to it he never comes near you again, kitten./

Otogi shifted in his sleep, moving up against Tristan and throwing an arm over him. Tristan put his arms around the smaller man and drew him close, resting his chin on the top of Otogi's head.

A small smile crossed his lips as Otogi snuggled in closer, sighing. /This isn't so bad. I think I could get used to this./

His last coherent thought was that it felt just as good to hold Otogi as it did Joey.

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi pulled back from Seto and wiped the tears from his husband's face.

He didn't know how long they had lain there; holding each other, crying, but Yugi couldn't stand it any longer. He looked into Seto's eyes, seeing the sapphire orbs sparkling with a fresh flood of tears.

"Yugi," Seto's voice was hoarse. "Please…whatever I've done…I'm sorry. I need you to forgive me. I don't know what I did but…I'm sorry."

"No, love." Yugi pushed Seto's hair off his face. "You didn't do anything wrong. It was me. I'm the one who pushed you away when you needed me the most. I was wrong to blame you. What happened to Mokuba wasn't your fault. I'm sorry."

Seto fisted his hand in Yugi's shirt and pulled him close, his mouth closing over the other man's. He kissed him deeply, sobbing softly and trying to ignore the pain in his split lip.

Yugi moved back, his fingers reaching and wiping away a minute trickle of blood from the corner of Seto's mouth. "Oh, gods. Love…this is all my fault. It's my fault you were driven to this." Guilt flashed in the sad, purple eyes. "That Tristan was driven to this. Gods…can you forgive me? Will Tristan be able to?"

"There's nothing to forgive, baby. And I pushed Tristan. He didn't want to do it."

Yugi forced back the tears, not wanting to start crying again. Instead, he leaned in and gently brushed his lips against Seto's, murmuring softly that he loved him.

"Yugi…I love you." Seto tugged the hem of Yugi's shirt from his pants and slid a hand up inside to rub his chest. "I need you. Please…I need you, Yugi."

Yugi ran his hands down Seto's body, one hand reaching to cup his growing member. "I need you too, love."

"Please…" Seto's voice was desperate as he began to pull at Yugi's clothes.

Yugi disengaged the brunet's hands and rose from the bed, taking the Puzzle from around his neck, laying it on the bedside table and quickly divesting himself of his clothing. Seto reached for him and he lay back down, shivering as Seto pulled him close and buried his face in his neck with a sob.

"Yugi…Yugi…oh, gods…don't leave me like that again." Seto begged.

"Never." Yugi replied, stroking his hand through Seto's tangled hair. The realization that his husband wasn't as strong as he pretended to be suddenly crashed into Yugi with the force of a tidal wave. "Oh, Seto. I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Seto clutched Yugi to him, the need for his lover overpowering him. "Please, baby…I need you now."

Yugi removed himself from Seto's grasp and turned, reaching for the tube of lubricant. He handed it to Seto and lay back. "Don't wait. Take me, love."

Seto's hands were trembling as he opened the tube and squeezed some of it's contents onto his fingers. He needed to be inside Yugi so badly he didn't know if he could wait. He reached between Yugi's spread legs and gently pushed two fingers into his tight passage.

Yugi moaned, feeling a spike of arousal shoot through his body. He grabbed the lubricant from Seto and squeezed some into his own hand before placing it back on the bedside table. He reached out and wrapped his fingers around Seto's arousal, spreading the oily substance over the hardened shaft even as another moan was torn from him as Seto began to stretch him.

"Yugi…" Seto leaned down, his tongue tracing a hot path over the smaller man's neck. "I…I can't wait."

"It's okay. Take me, Seto."

Seto withdrew his fingers from Yugi's body and swung over him, his eyes filling with tears as Yugi wrapped his legs around his torso. He pushed slowly into his husband, a whimper escaping him as he became completely engulfed in Yugi's tight heat. The tears spilled down his face as he began to move and a harsh sob fell from his lips.

"Yugi, please…don't leave me again." He whispered brokenly.

"Never again, my love." Yugi promised him, fighting back his own tears. "Never again."

Seto could feel his climax bearing down on him already, but he couldn't fight it. He needed it…needed to show Yugi that he loved him. "Yugi…I can't…I can't hold on. Baby…I love you"

"I love you, Seto. Let go. It's okay."

Seto cried out as his release claimed him and the second Yugi unwound his legs from his body he collapsed, sobbing, on Yugi's chest. He could feel Yugi shivering with need beneath him and he gathered what little strength he had, withdrawing and moving to lie on his back.

Yugi pressed up against him, kissing his chest, his hands wandering across Seto's sweat-drenched skin.

"Love me, Yugi. Please…love me." Seto reached up and cupped Yugi's face in his hands. "I need you inside me. I need to know you still love me."

"Oh, Seto. Of course I still love you." Yugi said softly, his lips brushing against Seto's shoulder. "Do you want me to make love to you?"

"Yes. I've wanted you to since you pulled away from me the day Mokuba was shot." Seto leaned up and kissed his lover. "I've missed you so much."

"I missed you too." Yugi admitted, feeling another flash of guilt.

Seto pulled Yugi down on top of him and, ignoring the pain from his bruised mouth, kissed him deeply. Yugi moaned, his tongue finding it's way past Seto's lips to tangle with the brunet's.

When the kiss broke, they were both gasping for air and Seto felt himself become instantly aroused again as he stared into Yugi's eyes.

"Just take me." Seto whispered. "Get inside me, baby."

Yugi grabbed the lubricant again, using a generous amount to cover his erection. He moved between Seto's legs, pushing them up against his chest and pressing into him.

Tears of pleasure and need coursed down Seto's face as Yugi became firmly embedded inside him. There was no pain, only pure, raw joy pouring through his body as Yugi began to move on him.

"Seto…oh, Seto…I love you." Yugi moaned, driving deep into the pliant body beneath him.

"I love you too, Yugi. So much. I can't live without you." Seto's hands closed over Yugi's wrists and he began to move with him. "When you pushed me away…I thought I was going to die from the pain."

Yugi sobbed, the tears he had been trying to hold back escaping. "I'm so sorry! I love you, Seto! Gods…please forgive me!"

"It's forgiven, baby…it's already forgotten."

//I wish I could be sure. You may have forgiven me, but will Tristan? I've hurt you too much for him to forgive me as easily.//

Showing unusual restraint, Yugi held back until Seto was whimpering in desperation, thrusting up to meet his every stroke, his eyes pleading for completion. Yugi wrapped his hand around Seto's length, pumping him hard, his eyes locked in an azure gaze.

"Seto…"

"Come, Yugi. Please…I want to feel you come."

Yugi tumbled from the edge with a throaty growl, collapsing as he heard Seto's passion-laced cry echo in the room. He sighed in contentment when Seto's arms came around him. He had missed having Seto hold him. He had needed it so badly over the last few days, but his unfounded anger hadn't allowed him to admit that need.

He felt a tug in his mind, alerting him to the fact that Yami was awake. He lifted his head and looked at Seto. The brunet was laying still, his eyes closed.

"Seto?" He whispered. "Are you asleep?"

"No." A small smile crossed Seto's swollen mouth. "Just enjoying myself."

Yugi grinned. It was like nothing had happened, like they had never fought. He pushed himself up and gingerly removed himself from Seto, rolling over and grabbing the Puzzle from the bedside table. The second he put it around his neck, Yami spoke.

[[Aibou?]]

//Hey, Yami. How long have you been awake?//

[[Almost since you came home. I didn't want to disturb you. I take it everything is better now?]]

//I think so. With Seto at least.//

[[Ah, yes. You're going to need to talk to Tristan.]]

//I'm not looking forward to that.// Yugi moved to lay next to Seto again, arranging the Puzzle so it didn't dig into his skin.

[[May I talk to Seto?]]

//Of course.// Yugi's eyes focused on his tall husband. "Seto? Yami's awake. Do you want to talk to him?"

Seto's eyes opened and he turned on his side. "Can I? Please?"

"Sure, love." Yugi leaned in and brushed his lips against Seto.

When he pulled back, Seto found himself staring into crimson eyes. "Yami!"

Yami threw his arms around Seto and hugged him tightly. "My dragon. My poor, wounded dragon. It's alright."

Seto clung to the darker of his lovers, finding himself on the verge of tears again. "I miss you."

"And I miss you. I'm sorry I can't…" Yami pulled back to look at Seto, his eyes widening at the sight of the bruise. "Oh, sweet Isis!"

Seto averted his eyes, not able to look into Yami's face, suddenly afraid of the reproach he might see there. He shuddered as gentle fingers touched his mouth.

"Tristan." Yami said. It wasn't a question. "Oh, Seto…"

"When can you come back?" Seto asked, laying his head against Yami's chest.

"I think tomorrow. Give me another day, my love. Leaving the Puzzle takes a lot of energy." Yami stroked Seto's hair. "Seto, I'm not upset with you. Or Tristan."

Seto looked up, seeing the truth in the ruby eyes. "Thank you."

"I've never judged either of you in any aspect of your relationship. I'm not about to start now." Yami smiled at his husband. "Kiss me, Seto. I have to go. I need to conserve my energy if I'm going to return tomorrow."

Seto dutifully pressed his lips to Yami's, sighing as he felt the change in the feeling of the mouth against his. He moved back and Yugi smiled at him.

"Yami said he should be back tomorrow." Yugi's eyes sparkled. "Mokuba will be so happy to see him."

"So will the boys." Seto drew Yugi into his arms, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And so will I."

"I know how much you miss him, Seto."

Seto nodded and moved as close to Yugi as he could get. "Will you hold me?"

"Of course." Yugi's arms tightened around his husband as Seto laid his head on his chest. Before he knew it, Seto's body went limp. He was sound asleep. "Sleep, my love. I won't leave you again."

~*~*~*~*~

Joey woke with a start, unsure of what had brought him to such rapid awareness.

He looked to see Tristan lying next to Otogi, the two of them wrapped in each other's arms, sound asleep. A smile broke out and he pressed up against Otogi's back, throwing an arm around both of them.

[Oh, hell, yeah.] Joey sighed. [This is the stuff.]

He was just beginning to drift off again when the door banged open and Lexi flew in, running straight to the bed. She hauled herself up and jumped on Otogi, startling both him and Tristan awake.

"Dood morn-aging!" Lexi threw herself down between Otogi and Joey, snuggling into the raven haired man. "Da-ee. Dere's tum-bobby on a teffelone. Nee a tak a Da-ee."

Tristan reached across Otogi and yanked Lexi to him. "Good morning, baby girl."

Lexi giggled as Tristan buried his face in her neck, growling. "Morn-aging, Papa."

Joey smiled as he reached for the phone on the bedside table. "Hello?"

"Joey." It was Jack. "We need you to come in as soon as you can. There's a problem with Angela."

"What happened?" Joey's heart went into his throat. So far, he still couldn't get her to talk to him, and she hadn't left her room. He had been considering taking stronger action with her, but with everything that had happened in the last few days…

"Gwen went to take her breakfast to her this morning and…Joey…she broke into the medicine locker last night. She's stoned."

"Shit." Joey sat up in the bed, reaching for his pants. "What did she get into?"

"Codeine."

"Damn it. I'll be there as soon as I can, Jack." Joey hung up without waiting for a reply.

"Problem?" Tristan asked.

"Yeah. I've got to get in to the clinic."

"Go grab a shower, baby." Tristan reached over Otogi for the phone. "I'll call Tim."

"Thanks, angel." Joey bolted for the bathroom.

Otogi lay, cuddled up to Lexi as she played with his hair, watching as Tristan called Joey's driver. He had woken up with Tristan's arms around him, and damn if it hadn't felt good. {{When did he get back? He was with Seto last night.}}

"Togi!" Lexi claimed his attention. "Ree talled! Ree a Pill a Boos a Ba-deen iz tate-ing Lexi a Jut-in a Matt-chew a da part!"

Otogi looked at her, confused. He had no idea what she had just said.

Hanging up the phone, Tristan grinned at the look on Otogi's face. "Ryou called and he and Phil are coming over with Bruce so they can take Claudine and the kids to the park."

"Oh." Otogi smiled at Tristan, glad for the translation. {{I need a Lexi dictionary.}}

"Jut-in tate-ing bore-eber a `ave beckfat! Lexi `ave tear-real a beckfat! Tum dood!"

/Gods, I'm going to snap her in two./ Tristan grabbed Lexi, lifting her up over him. "Who says you're allowed to be so cute so early in the morning?"

"Ba-ra." Lexi grinned down at her father.

"Tristan, don't do it." Otogi warned the big brunet.

"But…but…I wanna." Tristan lowered Lexi down onto his chest, wrapping his arms around her.

Lexi shrieked, squirming in Tristan's grasp.

"Ow." Otogi dug a finger into his ear. "There goes my hearing."

"Don't worry." Tristan grinned, not letting go of the struggling child in his arms. "It only takes about an hour for the ringing to stop."

"Uncle Tristan?"

Tristan let go of Lexi, who scrambled over Otogi and out of reach, and propped himself up on one arm. "Hey, Justin." He held out his arms. "Come here."

Justin approached the bed, a little smile coming to his lips as Tristan hauled him up. He cuddled into Tristan as the brunet lay back down and put his arms around him. A blissful sigh escaped him.

"What's up?" Tristan asked, noticing the peaceful look on the boy's face. /I think someone's missing his daddies./

"Is Daddy home yet? Is Dad okay? How come you stayed at my house and I had to stay here last night? Is Dad mad about something? Can I go see Uncle Mokuba today? Where's Pharaoh? Did he have to go somewhere?" The questions tumbled out without pause.

Tristan heard Otogi snicker and he looked over at him, meeting amused emerald eyes.

"Well, umm…" Tristan tried to get the questions straight in his head before answering. "Daddy's home and Dad's fine. Your dad wanted me to stay with him last night and I thought it was best that you and Matthew stay here with Uncle Joey. Dad and Daddy will take you to see Uncle Mokuba tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay." Justin looked up at Tristan over his glasses. "But where's Pharaoh?"

"He'll be back soon." Tristan assured the child. He didn't know quite how to explain Yami having to go into the Puzzle. Best to leave that to his parents.

"Papa?" Lexi interrupted, much to Tristan's relief. "Lexi wan doe det d-wessed."

"Okay." Tristan untangled himself from Justin, picking him up and setting him between himself and Otogi.

Otogi's eyes widened as Tristan rose from the bed. He cut a quick glance at the two children but they didn't even seem to notice that Tristan was completely unclothed.

Tristan pulled his robe off the hook on the back of the door and slipped it on. "Come on, baby girl. Let's get you dressed."

Lexi grabbed Otogi by the bangs, pulling him in and giving him a sloppy kiss before bouncing off the bed and running out the door, leaving Otogi alone with Justin. Otogi eyed the boy, afraid he was going to start asking questions again. Luckily for him, Justin slid off the bed and headed for the door without a word, following after Tristan and Lexi.

Otogi shook his head. It was going to take him a while to get used to that.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey came downstairs, his hair still damp, just in time to kiss the kids goodbye.

He saw them off, admonishing Ryou to make sure Lexi didn't pout her way around Bruce. His daughter's bodyguard was becoming a victim to his young charge's charm.

Heading to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before Tim showed up, he found Tristan taping up his hands. He eyed his husband warily, seeing the tense set to the big brunet's shoulders.

"Need a few rounds with the punching bag, huh?" Joey asked.

Tristan shrugged, not answering.

Joey frowned, going up to Tristan and checking the tape. "Angel, you should wear your gloves."

"Left them at the office." Tristan said, removing his hands from Joey's gentle grip.

"What's wrong, Tris?"

"Last night…Seto…he…" Tristan looked up as Otogi came down the back stairs. "Nothing."

{{I think I just interrupted something.}} Otogi looked at Joey, an apology in his bright green eyes. "Umm…I've got some phone calls to make. I'll see you when you get back, Joey."

"I'll call before I head home." Joey went over to Otogi and dropped a kiss on the waiting lips. "Love you, beautiful."

"Love you too." Otogi smiled up into warm amber eyes.

Tristan said nothing as Otogi made a quick exit. He didn't notice the look Otogi cast his way as he left.

"Come here, angel." Joey held out his arms.

Tristan went to him, sighing as the blond took him into his arms, holding him close. His arms went around Joey's waist and he rested his chin on the top of Joey's head, a large wave of fatigue sweeping over him.

Joey opened his mouth to speak when the panel on the kitchen wall beeped.

`Joey, Tim is at the gate. Shall I let him in?'

"Yes, please, Sadie." Joey pulled back slightly and looked up at Tristan. "When I get back we'll get Otogi to occupy the kids and we can have a talk, okay?"

Tristan nodded, leaning down and kissing Joey softly. The look in his eyes tore Joey's heart in two. Something had happened last night. Something that had hurt Tristan badly.

[I was afraid this was going to happen.] Joey leaned up and kissed Tristan, smiling. "I'll see you when I get home, angel. Love you."

Tristan brought a hand up and stroked Joey's cheek, his voce a bare whisper. "I love you too, baby."

He reluctantly let Joey go and as soon as the blond left, headed for the basement.

~*~*~*~*~

Bakura looked up from the computer where he was checking the security grid to see Mako walking into his office.

"Good morning, Bakura." Mako's normally sunny smile was noticeably absent. "I was hoping I'd catch you in early."

Bakura raised an eyebrow. "Grab a seat."

Mako sat down, straightening the tie on his uniform in a self-conscious gesture. "Umm…I told you I'd keep you informed if I got any information and well…my superiors don't know I'm here."

"Do they have a problem with my knowing?" Bakura asked, surprised that Mako was here against the wishes of the higher-ups in the police department.

Mako looked distinctly uncomfortable. "They've classified some of the information pertaining to this investigation. I…I think they're wrong to. I think you need this information…if you're to do your job."

"Do my job?"

"You said…" Mako paused, obviously struggling between his sense of honor and his need to tell Bakura what he knew. "You said it was your job to keep Seto and his family safe. And Tristan is part of Seto's family…right?"

Bakura allowed himself a small smile. "Sometimes I think more than the rest of us."

"Did you notice anything about the rifle?"

"Well," Bakura leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "It's not something you can buy on the street, that's for sure. It looked pretty high tech."

"It is." Mako nodded. "It's military issue."

"It can't be. Even the military doesn't have anything that advanced."

"Special Ops does." Mako said shortly, giving Bakura a pointed look.

"Special…" Bakura's eyes widened as the meaning hidden in Mako's words slammed into him. "Oh, holy shit."

"It's just a theory…and it's my own." Mako said, looking Bakura straight in the eye. "That bullet was meant for Tristan."

"Tell me what you know." Bakura said quietly, his voice betraying nothing of the rage he was feeling.

"I contacted the military police the minute I realized that the rifle wasn't street fodder. Two days before Mokuba was shot, it went missing from the Special Ops lockup." Mako looked away, avoiding Bakura's probing gaze. "There are only two people on the whole base with keys to that particular locker. The base commander…and Greg Taylor."

"Son of a bitch." Bakura growled.

"The only thing is…he reported his keys stolen a week before the rifle went missing. If he was the one who took it…he covered his tracks." Mako shook his head sadly. "The MPs are blocking us at every turn. They're saying it's a military matter."

"Not for long." Bakura tugged thoughtfully at one batwing spike. "Why wouldn't your bosses want us to have this information?"

"I'm not sure. There's something going on in the department. My wife, Akina, overheard two detectives talking the other day. They were saying some rather…unsavory things about Tristan."

"Like what?"

"She wouldn't repeat it. Though she did say that some of it had to do with his relationship with Seto. And his…well…his sexuality."

Bakura leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk and dropping his head into his hands. "Fuck."

"Bakura…why would Tristan's father want him dead?"

Bakura looked up, seeing the concern on Mako's face. "He hates the fact that Tristan is gay. And for some reason both he and that bitch that calls herself Tristan's mother seem to think he's some sort of monster. I can't prove it, but I think they had something to do with Lexi almost being kidnapped. They think she's Tristan's biological daughter and I get the distinct impression that they don't think she should be raised by two gay men."

"Well, she DOES look just like him." Mako commented. "It's hard to believe she's NOT his."

"She's not." Bakura replied tersely. "Look, Tsunami, Tristan is gay. Just the thought of being with a woman is enough to turn his stomach."

Mako raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Really."

Mako glanced at his watch and stood. "I have to go. I'm going to be late for work."

"Mako," Bakura looked up at the other man. "Thank you."

"I've always liked Tristan and Joey." Mako said. "They deserve to be happy. I'll help where I can, Bakura, but I don't know what else I can do. There's something brewing at the station…something that has to do with Tristan. I have a very bad feeling about it."

"Don't worry. Seto has people everywhere. And I have a few contacts of my own." A secretive smile crossed the white haired man's lips. "Don't put yourself in harm's way. I can take care of my family."

"I will let you know if I come up with anything else."

Bakura waited until he was sure Mako was gone before standing and beginning to pace the room. Rage such as he hadn't felt in years was bubbling up inside him. He stopped in front of a large filing cabinet, his fist flashing out and making contact with one of the drawers, leaving a large dent.

"Fuck!" He snarled. He wanted to kill someone…very, VERY badly.

"Umm…Bakura?"

Bakura turned to see Nathan standing just inside the doorway, looking like he was afraid to come any closer. "What?"

"I…I, ah…" Nathan backed up a step, noticing that Bakura's chocolate brown eyes were fired with a deep hint of red. "I found that information you needed."

Bakura took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself. He went back over to his desk and sat down, folding his hands on the surface with careful casualness.

Nathan dropped a file folder on the desk and quickly backed away. "I think I figured out where this Atkinson guy hangs out. It's a bar down on Waterside Road. It's called The Graveyard."

Bakura stiffened. "What did you just say?!"

Nathan paled and edged toward the door. "The Graveyard."

Bakura opened the file folder, removing the photograph Nathan had taken the night before. He felt the blood drained from his face.

He knew this man.

The night Joey had returned and he had gone with Seto to the bar, Keith had pointed out several men, taunting Tristan by telling him that Joey had been with them.

Dan Atkinson was one of them.

"Ra damn." Bakura growled. "Could this day get any worse?"

~*~*~*~*~

Mokuba opened his eyes slowly, wondering again where he was.

As the beeping of monitors and the sight of wires and tubes became clear, tears filled his eyes. He turned his head to see Roger lying on the cot next to his bed, asleep.

*He hasn't left my side. Every time I open my eyes, he's there.* He looked around the room. *Where's Yugi?*

"Mokuba? Baby?"

Mokuba turned his head again, seeing Roger sitting up on the cot, smiling at him. "Hey."

Roger rose and came over to his lover, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking his hand, kissing his fingers in a now very familiar and much loved gesture. "How did you sleep, love?"

Mokuba tried to fight back the tears, but they escaped. "How do you think? They come in here, stick a needle into me and I don't have any choice in the matter."

"Oh, Mokuba." Roger leaned down and kissed his lover gently. "It's going to get better."

"How can you say that?!" Mokuba asked, suddenly angry. "I can't move my legs! I can't even sit up on my own, Roger! And no one will tell me the truth!"

"The truth? What are you talking about?"

Mokuba met Roger's eyes, his own grey orbs shining with tears. "I'm never going to walk again, am I?"

"Yes. You are." Roger replied with complete conviction. "Mo, you're going to get better. You're going to walk again."

"But what if I don't?" Mokuba's voice dropped to a pained whisper. "What if I never do? You'll leave me."

"What?!" Roger pulled back, shock written all over his face. "What would make you say something like that?!"

"Why would you tie your life to an invalid? You could have someone who wasn't stuck in a wheelchair. Someone you could have a REAL life with."

"No, Mokuba." Roger said quietly. "I want you. It doesn't matter to me if you're in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. I love you. You're NOT an invalid. And you never will be." He reached out and cupped Mokuba's face in his hand, looking deeply into his eyes. "You're the man I love. You're the man I want to marry and spend the rest of my life with. I. Love. You. End of story."

"Rog…" Mokuba reached for him and pulled him close, tipping his face up, his lips parted.

A sob escaped the blue eyed boy as his mouth closed over his love's. He kissed him deeply, one hand sinking into tangled raven locks.

In his darkest hour, Roger had believed he'd never do this again. Never kiss Mokuba, never hold him. He had been so afraid he would lose him forever.

As the kiss broke, Roger leaned his forehead against Mokuba's, struggling with the tears. "Mo…oh, gods…I thought…I thought you were gone. I was so scared. I love you, Mokuba. I love you so much."

Mokuba began to cry, unable to stop the tears. "Roger…I want to go home! Please! I miss my family. I miss the kids. I don't want to be here any more!"

Roger felt as if his heart was being pierced by a thousand knives. He wanted to take Mokuba into his arms, but he was afraid to try, even if the tubes and wires connected to Mokuba's body would have allowed him to.

"Shh, baby." Roger stroked Mokuba's hair. "I know. I know you miss everyone. But they've been here every day. You just haven't been awake much. And I know Seto was planning on bringing the kids over."

"I miss the kids so much." Mokuba raised his hands, wiping the tears from his face. "I really miss Seto, Rog. I want to see my brother."

Roger glanced at the clock on the wall. "Do you want me to go call him?" He decided it was probably not a good idea to tell Mokuba that Seto and Yugi had been fighting. "Tristan came and picked Yugi up early and took him home."

Before Mokuba could reply, a nurse came in, smiling at seeing the two holding hands. "Good morning."

"Morning, Charlene." Roger greeted her.

"How are you feeling this morning, Mokuba?" The woman asked, going to check the bag on the IV next to Mokuba's bed.

"I'm not "feeling" anything." Mokuba said curtly.

The smile never left the woman's face. "Would you like to try sitting up?"

"Should he be trying?" Roger asked, feeling protective.

"We can put up the head of the bed. But first, let's get these straps off you."

Roger stood up, moving out of the way so the nurse could remove the straps holding Mokuba on his side. She took two extra pillows from the shelf above the bed, placing one behind Mokuba. She then eased him over onto his back, quickly stuffing the other pillow under his other side.

"Now, I'm going to start raising the bed." She told her patient. "I want you to let me know if it hurts."

Mokuba nodded, looking over at Roger. His lover had a tense, anxious expression on his face and he smiled reassuringly at him.

Roger's top teeth worried his lower lip as the bed began to move. He watched Mokuba's face closely for signs of pain.

"I think that should do it." Charlene said. "We don't want to push it. Are you comfortable?"

"As much as I can be, I guess." Mokuba said, raising a hand to wipe at his sweating face. "I feel so weak."

"Any pain?"

"No."

Roger clenched his teeth, and his hands, taking an involuntary step back. "I…umm…I'll be right back."

He ran from the room, bolting down the hallway, blinded by tears.

"Roger!"

Roger stopped his headlong flight, turning to see one of the Kaiba Corp. guards running toward him. He dragged the man's name out of the depths of his memory. Lenny.

"Roger, are you okay?"

"I'm…I'm fine, Lenny."

Steady blue eyes regarded the crying teen. "You don't look fine."

"It's just…" Roger stood, trembling, trying to control his tears. "Mokuba…he…and I can't…"

Lenny looked down at the boy, his heart going out to him. He had a son the same age and, acting on parental instinct, pulled Roger into his arms, hugging him hard.

The tender gesture, though give by an almost complete stranger, was Roger's undoing. He began to sob uncontrollably, clinging to the man.

He felt so lost, seeing his lover as helpless and week as a newborn baby. It was tearing him apart. He felt like there was no one he could turn to, no one who understood.

He felt alone.

~*~*~*~*~

Otogi went into the kitchen, intent on pouring himself a cup of coffee.

{{At least things are running smoothly at the store.}} He was thanking every god he could think of that he had an extremely competent secretary who knew enough to accept his story of an unplanned vacation without asking any questions.

Reaching up to open the cupboard door, he became aware of a rhythmic thudding noise coming from downstairs. He frowned, abandoning his much needed caffeine fix and going to the door leading to the basement.

He opened the door, standing at the top of the stairs, listening. He couldn't place the sound.

He descended the stairs, stepping into the half finished room that held the washer and dryer. Also in that room were a weight bench and several sets of weights scattered around it. Hanging from the bare rafters was a punching bag and standing in front of it was Tristan.

Emerald eyes widened as he watched the brunet.

Tristan was stripped to the waist, sweat pouring down his body, soaking into the waistband of his jeans. He was unaware of Otogi's presence, his attention focused on a few square inches of the bag.

Otogi winced as Tristan's left fist made contact, sending the bag jingling on the chains it was suspended from. He couldn't help but become aroused as he watched the muscles rippling beneath the bronze skin, flexing with the big man's movements.

{{Oh gods…he's gorgeous.}} Otogi was overwhelmed once again by the need to be pinned beneath that body. {{I want him.}}

"You want something?"

Otogi started, caught off guard by the sound of Tristan's voice. "Umm…I just…I heard something. I didn't know what it was."

Tristan made a noncommittal sound, his eyes never leaving the spot in front of him as he laid a powerful roundhouse on the bag.

Otogi crossed the room, staying out of reach, and hopping up to sit on the dryer. "Something bothering you?"

"No."

"Oh." Otogi looked down at the floor, put off by the abruptness of Tristan's answer. "I just thought…"

"Thought what?" Tristan turned around, his eyes hard. "I thought you had calls to make or something."

Otogi looked up, biting his lip. {{Why is he so mad at me all the time? What did I do now?}}

Tristan saw the uncertainty in the green eyes and relented a little. "Look…I've just got some stuff on my mind, okay?"

"O-okay. I…I didn't mean to…interrupt or anything."

Tristan sighed, his shoulders slumping wearily. He walked over to Otogi, moving in between his legs and reaching to tilt his face up, looking into his eyes.

"I'm sorry." Tristan said softly.

"It's alright." Otogi replied, equally quiet.

Tristan felt himself falling again, looking into those eyes. /No. I can't. I won't./ His hand dropped and he moved away.

"Tristan?" Otogi reached out, his tone pleading.

Turning back, Tristan saw the want written on Otogi's face. A certain emotion slammed into him…a very familiar emotion. Something he had only ever felt for Joey. /No! I don't want to feel that! Not again! I swore I wouldn't go there again./ A flash of anger passed through him and his reaction was one born of stress and exhaustion. /I'm damn well going to remind him of his place./

Otogi moaned as Tristan's hands came up to roughly grasp his face, the tape on his hands scraping his skin. His arms wound around the brunet's neck as Tristan crashed their lips together, kissing him harshly.

/What the fuck am I doing?!/ The realization the he was taking his anger out on the other man hit him and he tried to move away, but Otogi wrapped his legs around his waist, stopping him. /Gods! I can't do this! This isn't right!/

His hands closed over Otogi's shoulders and he pushed him back, staring at him wide-eyed. He opened his mouth to apologize, but Otogi beat him to it.

"Oh, gods…do that again." Otogi whimpered, pressing himself against Tristan.

"Otogi…" Tristan held back a shudder, feeling Otogi's arousal pressed against his stomach.

"Please." Otogi begged. "It felt…it felt good."

Tristan stared at him, incredulous. "You're kidding me. Otogi…"

"I like it rough." Otogi whispered, looking up through his bangs. "I thought you knew that."

"But…how could you? After Dan…"

Otogi took a deep breath, steeling himself. He wanted Tristan, so he was going to have to take the chance. "Dan was a situation that got out of hand."

"What?!"

"I like it rough." Otogi said again. "But Dan didn't seem to think he needed to follow the rules. I didn't ask for that. He was…too rough. Don't you remember?" Otogi reached up and touched Tristan's face. "That night at Seto's…when you kissed me. You were rough…and I loved it."

"But…gods…this isn't right." Tristan tried to push away again.

Otogi clung to him, not wanting to let go. "Please, Tristan. I want it. I need it."

Tristan shook his head. "Please tell me you're not asking Joey for this."

"I'm not. I wouldn't do that to him. Not after what he's been through."

Tristan stared down at Otogi, feeling that unwanted emotion filling him again. /Damn you. Damn you, Otogi. I love you./ He fought back the urge to cry. /Why did you have to do this to me?/

"Tristan?" Emerald eyes pleaded. "Don't you want me?"

"We can't do this. Not now. And not until your grandfather says you've healed." Tristan untangled Otogi's arms from him. "I need…I need to think about this."

"Are you…upset with me?" Otogi asked, avoiding Tristan's eyes.

"Why do you need it?" Tristan countered.

"I don't know." Otogi shrugged. "But I do."

/Why? Gods…you're so much like Marc. Why do I have to love you? You don't love me and neither did he./ Tristan turned away, heading for the stairs. "I need a shower."

"Do you want some company?" Otogi asked hopefully.

Tristan ascended the staircase, not even looking back. "No."

Otogi stayed where he was, hearing the door at the top of the stairs slam. {{Gods…that was…damn it!}}

Otogi hopped down off the dryer, heading up the stairs. His body was on fire and he knew all he had to do was push a little bit more and Tristan would give him what he wanted. The big brunet was certainly toeing the line for a full meltdown from the looks of him.

And he'd be damned if he wasn't going to take advantage of it.

~*~*~*~*~

Otogi waited until Tristan was in the shower before making his move.

He quickly undressed, leaving his clothes in the bedroom, and loosely braided his hair, slipping silently into the bathroom. True to form, Tristan had forgotten to close the shower curtain and Otogi stood for a moment, entranced, watching him.

{{He's beautiful.}}

Tristan jumped, feeling a pair of arms wind around his waist. /I'm getting sick of people sneaking up on me in the shower./ He pried the arms off him and turned around.

"I thought I told you I wanted to be alone." He said angrily.

Otogi bit his lip, backing away. "But…I thought…I thought you wanted me here."

"What part of "no" don't you understand?" Tristan asked, angered by the meekness in Otogi's posture. /I will not loose my temper. I will not loose my temper./

"I'm sorry." Otogi dropped his head.

"Look, Otogi…"

Otogi looked up, moving toward Tristan again. "But…I want you. Please, Tristan…I need you."

Tristan shuddered as Otogi warm, wet skin came into contact with his. "Otogi, stop."

"Please." Otogi wound his arms around Tristan's neck, rubbing against him.

"Gods," Tristan moaned, feeling himself becoming aroused. "Don't."

"Don't you want me?" Otogi asked, grinding himself into Tristan.

"Stop." Tristan begged. Any minute, he was going to throw Otogi down right where they were standing and take him, heedless of his injuries.

"I want you to take me, Tristan. Right here." Otogi molded his body to the bigger man's. "Do it. Fuck me. Make me scream. Make me your whore."

Rage ripped through Tristan, so hard it made his vision blur. He slammed Otogi against the wall, not even hearing his cry of pain as the emerald eyed man's head cracked against the tile.

"My whore?!" He yelled. "Is that what you want?! You just want me to fuck you, is that it?!"

Otogi moaned, desire flaring through his body, making him weak. "Yes."

"No." Tristan whispered.

~*~*~*~*~

FLASHBACK

~*~*~*~*~

and I loved it."... d touched Tristan'e rules. ke the chance.