Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Family By Choice ❯ chapter22 ( Chapter 22 )

Family By Choice

by Dragondreamer & Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, it would be illegal for Tristan and Seto to be clothed.

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 YAOI (MALE/MALE SEX)! DON'T LIKE IT? DON'T READ IT THEN!!

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: Gods, this chapter has everything!

YD: Yeah, some lime, so angst, and Lexi being cute.

Bakura: Says you!

Ryou: Oh, come on! She was curious!

DD: Just to let you guys know, we're closing the shop. If anyone wants to put an order in from the website BEFORE Saturday, you'll get 50% off!!

~*~*~*~*~

Seto picked up the coffee pot, setting it on the tray and turning to Yugi with a smile.

"Love you." Yugi said, slipping his arm around Seto's waist and smiling back at him.

Seto leaned down and kissed Yugi on the forehead. "I love you too, baby. I was thinking…we should take the kids to see Mokuba tomorrow."

"Sounds like a good idea. Tristan said he needed to go into the office, so we can probably take Lexi too." Yugi turned to head out of the kitchen and ran right into Sadie.

`Yugi…Seto…come quick!' The AI seemed very excited about something. `You have to come into the den!'

"What's wrong?" Seto asked.

`Nothing! Just come on!'

As Sadie disappeared, Seto and Yugi ran from the kitchen, heading to the den where Ryou and Claudine were with the children.

Seto skidded to a halt in the doorway, causing Yugi to crash into him.

"Seto! Move!" Yugi tried to look around his tall husband.

"Gods…Matthew." Seto moved into the room, going to where Ryou, Claudine and Justin were sitting on the floor.

Matthew looked up at his father, giggling. He was crawling between Ryou and Claudine. Actually crawling.

Seto dropped down on the floor and held out his hands. "Come here, baby boy."

Matthew, forgetting that he needed his hands to crawl, reached out to Seto…and fell flat on his face.

Yugi sat down next to Seto and scooped him up before he could start crying. "Look at you! Look at our big boy!"

Matthew laughed, reaching up and yanking on Yugi's bangs before trying to get one of the blond spikes into his mouth.

//Yami! Tell me you saw that!//

[[I did.]]

Yugi felt a wave of sadness come from his dark half. //Oh, Yami. I'm so sorry.//

[[I wish I could be there, Aibou, but I still don't have the strength.]]

"Give him here." Seto said, taking the baby from his husband. He put his son on the floor. "Go to Claudine, Matthew."

Claudine held out her arms and Matthew laughed, crawling toward her. Making it the few feet, he pushed himself up on her leg, drooling. The nanny lifted him into her lap and wiped his face, kissing the top of his head. Mathew giggled and clapped his hands. Everyone clapped with him, praising him.

"It's a good thing Uncle Tristan's not here." Justin said solemnly. "Matthew would be flat as a pancake."

"Most likely." Seto grinned. He reached out to Tristan, wanting to share what was happening with him. Fear and anger crashed through the bond and Seto grabbed his head, moaning in pain. "No…Joey…"

"Seto?!" Yugi grabbed the brunet by the arm, his eyes widening at the sight of the hazel strands swirling across Seto's irises. "What's wrong?!"

"It's Joey." Seto ground out through clenched teeth. "Flashback…gods…Tristan…"

"Come on!" Yugi jumped to his feet, yanking on Seto's arm. "Ryou, come with us."

Ryou scrambled up; helping Yugi steady Seto as the taller man struggled to put up his barriers.

Finally managing to, Seto tore from their grasp and bolted for the door, leaving the two other men to try and keep up.

~*~*~*~*~

Otogi pulled on Tristan's arm, trying to get him to let go of Joey. It was useless. The brunet was too strong.

"Tristan, you're scaring him." Otogi tugged at Tristan. "Let go!"

"Back the fuck off, Otogi." Tristan growled.

"Please, Keith…please." Joey whimpered, his eyes wide with fear. "I'm sorry! Don't hurt me! Tell me what I did wrong…please!"

"Joey, baby, it's me." Tristan said, tightening his grip on the blond to keep him from pulling away. "It's Tristan. I'm not going to hurt you."

"No…" Joey clenched his eyes shut, cowering.

"Tristan, you're making it worse." Otogi insisted. "Let him go."

"Shut up." Tristan said, trying to beat down the fear he was feeling. "I've been here before. I know what I'm doing."

"You're scaring the shit out of him!"

"Please…let me go." Joey begged, twisting in Tristan's grasp.

"Joey, stop." Tristan said, trying to keep his voice calm. "You're going to hurt yourself." His eyes narrowed on Otogi as the smaller man pulled at him again. "I SAID back off!"

"Damn it, Tristan, let go!" Otogi tugged on Tristan's arm harder.

Tristan snarled at the raven haired man, releasing his grip on Joey with one hand and swinging his arm back, catching Otogi in the chest and sending him crashing into the leg of the table.

"Tristan! Stop!"

Tristan looked up to see Seto, Yugi and Ryou running into the room.

Ryou immediately scooped up Lexi, who was standing in the doorway, crying, while Yugi ran to Otogi, slipping an arm around him and helping him to sit up.

Seto approached Tristan and Joey, going down on his knees and slowly reaching out. "Joey?"

"Seto! Oh, gods!" The blond sobbed. "Make him stop! Please! Get him away from me! Don't let him hurt me!"

"Tristan," Seto said quietly. "Let go of him."

"I don't want him to…" Tristan began, closing his free hand over Joey's arm again.

Joey shrieked, trying desperately to get away. "NO! KEITH! DON'T!"

{Tris, you have to let go of him. Take a look around. Lexi is terrified and you've hurt Otogi.}

/Lexi…/ Tristan looked over his shoulder, seeing his daughter crying in Ryou's arms, looking at him with huge, scared eyes. His gaze went to Yugi, crouching next to Otogi on the floor. The amethyst eyes held a look of reproach. /Oh, gods. What have I done?/

Tristan let go of Joey, standing up and backing away. He winced as Joey threw himself into Seto's arms, sobbing.

"Seto!" Joey clung to the taller man. "Please make him leave!"

"Shh, Joey," Seto stroked the blond's hair. "It's okay."

"Please, Seto…please. Take me home." Joey's eyes became even more distant, not really focusing on Seto's face. "Take me home to Tristan. I need Tristan, Seto."

"Tristan's right here, Joey." Seto nodded to his friend.

Joey shook his head frantically. "No. That's Keith. I need Tristan."

/Gods…Seto…/

{He's out of it, Tris.} The worry Seto was feeling filled the bond. {I've never seen him this bad. What the hell happened?}

/I don't know./ Tristan stepped back further, making a clear path to the back stairs. /Take him upstairs to our bedroom. Maybe that'll help./

"Come on, Joey." Seto rose to his feet, struggling to lift the man clinging to him.

"Are you taking me home?" Joey's voice was so pitiful; it brought tears to everyone's eyes.

"Yes," Seto replied softly. "I'm going to take you home."

Joey straightened, keeping close to Seto, not seeming to be aware of anyone else. "Will Tristan be there?"

"Let's get you there first, okay? Then we'll get him."

"Okay. Just…just don't let go. Keith might come back."

"He won't. I promise." Seto kept an arm around Joey as he led him away.

As soon as they were gone, Tristan went to Ryou, reaching out for his daughter. "Lexi…baby girl…"

"NO!" Lexi screeched, grabbing onto Ryou in a chokehold. "NO TUSH!"

"Lexi," Ryou looked shocked at the little girl in his arms. "Honey, it's just Papa."

"Papa no tush Lexi!" The child tightened her grip. "Papa `urt Togi. Papa mad. Papa mad…Papa `urt Lexi."

"Sweetheart, I'm not going to hurt you." Tristan reached for her again. "I'd never hurt you."

"Papa `urt Togi! NO TUSH LEXI!"

Ryou winced, seeing the look in Tristan's eyes as the big brunet took an involuntary step back. "Lexi, Papa's not going to hurt you."

"Papa `urt Togi." Lexi turned her face away from her father and Ryou swore he heard Tristan's heart break.

"Lexi," Otogi struggled to his feet, approaching them. "I'm fine."

"Togi." Lexi reached out to the emerald eyed man. "Togi…tay way a Papa. Papa `urt Togi d-den."

Otogi took Lexi from Ryou, looking over his shoulder at Yugi. "Yugi, could you upstairs and help Seto with Joey? Ryou, can you please go too?"

Ryou nodded and, casting a last look at Tristan, left the room with Yugi.

Tristan tried to approach his daughter again, but she clung to Otogi, holding out a hand as if to ward him off.

"Papa tay way a Togi!" The child said in almost a snarl, looking a lot like her favorite uncle. "No tush!"

"Lexi, Tristan's not going to hurt me." Otogi tried to reassure her.

"Is too! Papa dot mad an Papa `urt Togi. Lexi no wike. Is bad!"

"Lexi, please," Tristan said. "I didn't mean to."

"Papa wie! Papa dot mad!"

"I'm not lying to you. I…I'm sorry."

Lexi's eyes narrowed on her father. "Papa tay torry a Togi. Papa do mean ting a Togi. Tay torry!"

"Otogi…" Tristan looked into Otogi's eyes, his own pleading for forgiveness. "I shouldn't have…I'm sorry. I am." He held out his hand. "Forgive me."

Otogi immediately reached out and took Tristan's hand in his. "Of course I forgive you. I know you didn't mean it."

"Lexi till mad a Papa." The little girl glowered at him. "Lexi no wike Papa mad. Papa do mean tings. Not dood."

"You're right, Lexi." Tristan replied quietly. "I did get mad. And I did something I never should have." Tristan gently squeezed the hand in his. "I'm just lucky Otogi is willing to forgive me."

"Lexi no wike." Lexi started sobbing again and reached out to Tristan, being taken into his arms and held close. "Lexi no wike Papa mad. Is tary."

"Oh, Lexi." Tristan buried his face in his daughter's hair. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. It's just…Daddy was…"

"Waz wong a Da-ee?" Lexi looked up at Tristan, her little face streaked with tears.

{Tristan, you'd better get up here.}

/What's wrong?/ Tristan felt a wave of panic coming from Seto.

{He's freaking out again. He wants you.}

"Lexi, I have to go see Daddy." Tristan handed her back to Otogi. "Stay here with Otogi, baby girl."

"Is he okay?" Otogi asked.

Tristan shook his head. "I'll send someone down."

{Tris! Get up here! NOW!}

Tristan could hear muffled screams coming from upstairs. He spun on his heel and raced up the stairs, hearing Joey pleading for him to come get him and take him home.

He stopped short of bursting into the bedroom and let Seto know he was coming in. He stepped over the threshold into the room, his heart shattering into a million pieces.

Joey was crouched in a corner, ignoring Yugi and Ryou's attempts to reach out to him. His eyes were focused on Seto.

"Seto," The blond whimpered. "You promised. You promised me you'd take me home to Tristan. Where is he? Please, I need Tristan."

"I'm right here, love." Tristan said quietly.

"Tristan!" Joey sprang to his feet, knocking Ryou and Yugi aside, and threw himself at the big brunet.

The second Tristan's arms came around him; he stiffened, looking up at his husband with terrified eyes. His hands went to Tristan's chest, frantically pushing at him.

"No…no Keith, please." Joey sobbed. "Please…let me go. Let me go home to Tristan."

Tristan's breath caught on a sob and he let go of Joey, backing away. /Oh, gods. What's wrong with him?/

Joey looked at him through his tangled bangs. "Tristan?"

"Joey, it's me."

"But…Keith…" Joey said, confused.

"He's not here, baby. It's just me." Tristan cautiously reached out to Joey again.

Joey reached out as well, his hands wrapping around Tristan's biceps. His eyes went wide and he flung himself away, running to Seto and clinging to him.

"Seto? Oh, gods!" Joey buried his face in Seto's chest. "What's happening? Where's Tristan?"

Ryou approached Tristan and slipped an arm around his waist. "Tristan's right here, Joey."

Joey looked up, his glassy, amber eyes filled with tears. "Tristan?"

"Ryou," Seto looked to the white haired hikari. "Bring Tristan over here."

Ryou guided the trembling brunet over to his best friend and his husband. "It's okay, Joey. Here's Tristan. He's come to get you. You're safe now."

"Joey," Tristan held out a hand to the blond. "I'm here, baby. Come on. Take my hand."

"But…but Keith…he was…here." Joey tentatively reached out, letting Tristan grasp his hand. "He was here. In this room. Where did he go?"

"He was never here." Yugi approached them, stepping up on Tristan's other side. "Joey, you're having a flashback. Do you understand?"

"Flashback..?" Joey shook his head. "What?"

{Tris…don't.} Seto tightened his grip on Joey as he saw the other brunet begin to pull away from Ryou. {Stay where you are.}

/But, Seto…/

{No. Let him come back on his own. If you try to hold him, he may think you're Keith again.}

Tears filled Tristan's eyes and he loosened his grasp on Joey's hand. "Joey, look at me. It's me. Keith isn't here. You're safe with your family. Keith can't hurt you."

"But he was here." Joey insisted.

"That…" Tristan paused, biting his lip as he struggled to say what had to be said. "That was me, Joey. You thought I was Keith."

"I…I did?" Joey's eyes finally came into complete focus as he saw a single tear trail down Tristan's cheek. "Oh, gods…Tris…"

Tristan pulled away from Ryou and let go of Joey's hand, just standing there and letting Joey decide whether or not he wanted to come to him. Joey immediately let go of Seto and moved up against Tristan, his arms going around the bigger man's waist, burrowing against him. Tristan didn't move, didn't put his arms around his husband.

"Please, Tris." Joey's tone was pleading. "Please…hold me."

Tristan carefully brought his arms up, holding Joey loosely. He buried his face in Joey's hair, a small sob escaping him.

Seto met Yugi's eyes, inclining his head toward the door. Yugi nodded and, motioning to Ryou, the three men left the two lovers to themselves.

"Baby," Tristan said softly, so as not to startle the man in his arms. "What happened?"

"I…I heard you singing." Joey said, clutching onto Tristan tighter. "It was…when I was with Keith. He…I was playing that song. He grabbed my guitar and…I can't really make sense of it. I thought it was Dad. I thought he hit me. I can't…I don't…"

"It's okay." Tristan kissed the top of Joey's head. "It's over."

"It's never going to be over." Joey whispered.

"Of course it is."

"Tris…I'm sorry."

"No, baby. Don't apologize. I should be the one apologizing." Tristan gently stroked Joey's hair. "I should have let you go when I realized what was happening. But…I was afraid you were going to hurt yourself."

Joey's body went rigid and he pulled back, looking up at Tristan with wide eyes.

Tristan quickly let go. "Joey?"

"Oh, gods! Tris…Lexi…Lexi saw that, didn't she?"

"She did."

"Oh, no." Joey buried his face in his hands. "Lexi…"

"She's okay, love." Tristan laid a hand on Joey's shoulder. "She's more upset with the fact that…that I hit Otogi."

"What?!" Joey's head jerked up. "You HIT him?!"

"I…I didn't mean to." Tristan shook his head in denial. "It's just…he…"

"You HIT him?!" Joey repeated, his look begging for Tristan to deny it, to take the words back.

Tristan looked Joey straight in the eye, guilt evident in his own. "I did."

Joey backed away from his husband, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Did you hurt him?"

"I don't…I don't think so." Tristan replied, aching to reach out to Joey, but he could see the anger growing in those amber eyes and he didn't dare. "Joey…I…I apologized. He forgave me."

Joey shook his head. "I'm going to see him and talk to Lexi. I don't want you with me."

As Joey stalked from the room, Tristan dropped down to sit on the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands.

/I've royally fucked up this time./

~*~*~*~*~

Joey came down over the stairs to find that Bakura had arrived.

"Da-ee!" Lexi scrambled off Bakura's lap and ran to him.

Joey picked her up and sat down on the couch next to Otogi. "Shh, baby. It's okay."

Seto opened his mouth to ask Joey if he was okay when his gaze was drawn to the ceiling. He could feel Tristan's sorrow and it drew him like a magnet. He rose without a word and left the room.

"Are you okay, Joey?" Otogi asked, putting an arm around the blond.

"Are YOU?" Joey countered.

Otogi nodded. "He didn't mean it, Joey."

"That's besides the point…" Joey began.

"Da-ee?" Lexi interrupted. "Da-ee o-tay now?"

"I'm fine, honey." Joey replied, kissing his daughter on the cheek.

"Wha `appen a Da-ee?"

Joey sighed. He had no real idea how to explain what had happened to Lexi…to put it in terms she could understand. But he had to try.

"I got scared." He said.

"Ow tum?"

"Well," Joey shifted the child in his lap so he could look at her. "Before you came to live with us, some…bad things happened to me."

"Weel-wee?" Lexi's eyes were huge.

"Mm-hm." Joey nodded. "And sometimes something happens that remind me about that and I get really scared."

"Da-ee t-reamed. Lexi dot tared."

"Oh, sweetie," Joey hugged her hard. "I'm sorry I scared you."

"Is o-tay, Da-ee." Lexi reached up and pat Joey on the chin. "Da-ee bedder?"

"I am." Joey said, relieved that his simple explanation seemed to be enough.

"Papa dot mad." Lexi said, glancing over at Otogi. "Papa `it Togi. Lexi dot mad a Papa. Papa tad?"

"Lexi, honey," Otogi interrupted. "Papa didn't mean to get mad."

"Papa `urt Togi doe." Lexi insisted. "Lexi no wan Papa tad doe. Da-ee? Is Papa tad tuz Lexi dot mad a Papa?"

Joey sighed. "Papa's…not sad, baby. But…he shouldn't have done that."

Bakura looked over at Ryou, a silent communication passing between them. "Lexi, why don't you come home with Uncle Ryou and me tonight?"

"That's a good idea." Yugi said. "Then Uncle Seto and I can take you to the hospital to see Uncle Mokuba tomorrow."

"That is a good idea." Joey put in, grateful to his friends. The three of them needed to be alone to work this out. And he didn't want Lexi there if things got heated. "What do you say, Lexi?"

"O-tay." Lexi said reluctantly. "Lexi nee tee Papa tirst doe. Lexi nee tee Papa no tad."

Yugi glanced toward the door, a pensive look on his face. "Give Papa a few minutes, honey. Uncle Ryou and I will go pack you some clothes."

"O-tay, `ugi." Lexi slipped from Joey's lap and ran to her toys to pick some out to take with her. "Ba-ra! Tum `elp!"

As Bakura rose to help his daughter and Yugi and Ryou went upstairs to pack for her, Joey turned to Otogi, pressing against him. "Hold me."

Otogi brought his other arm around his lover and pulled him close, kissing the top of his head. "I'm here, Joey."

"I know." Joey replied quietly, letting himself get lost in the feeling of the man holding him.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto stepped into the bedroom, his eyes immediately going to Tristan sitting on the foot of the bed.

He approached and dropped to his knees in front of him, reaching out. {It's okay, Tris. I'm here.}

Tristan brought his hands away from his face, revealing devastated eyes. /Gods, Seto. What have I done?/

{It's going to be okay.}

"I…shit, Seto...how could I have…" Tristan looked away, his emotions in turmoil.

Seto rose and sat next to him, gathering the bigger man into his arms. He held him close, staying silent. There was nothing he could say.

"Why, Seto? What happened? Why does he think I'm Keith? What am I doing wrong?"

"Tristan…" Seto pulled back, looking Tristan in the eye.

"Why?"

Seto reached out, closing his hands over large biceps. "This is why." He let one hand drift to the other's muscled chest. "And this. When he's like that and you touch him, all he feels is this. Tris, you're bigger now than Keith ever was. It scares him. You've gotten huge. When he left, you weren't much bigger than you were in high school."

Tristan shook his head miserably, not replying.

"When was the last time you weighed in?" Seto asked.

Tristan shrugged. "I dunno. Two or three months ago."

"And how much did you weigh?"

"Two thirty something."

Seto's eyes went wide. "Gods, Tristan! You've got to stop working out like a frigging maniac. Keep this up and you'll scare the shit out of him every time you touch him."

Tristan looked down at his hands, fighting the tears. "It's the only thing that gives me any measure of peace anymore, Seto."

"There's got to be something else." Seto said, putting his arms around Tristan again and pulling him close. {Tris? What about if you started going back to the temple? You haven't been since your grandmother died. How come?}

"It just didn't feel right with her gone."

"Maybe you should."

Tristan laid his head against Seto's shoulder with a sigh. /I don't know. Maybe./

{I think she'd be happy knowing you were.}

/I guess./

Lexi came running into the room, interrupting their conversation. "Papa!"

Tristan pulled away from Seto and held out his arms, helping the little girl climb up into his lap. "Hey, baby girl."

"Lexi dunna doe a Ree a Ba-ra." She told him. "Lexi dunna ab teep-ober."

"Okay, honey. Be good for them."

"Papa tad?" Lexi asked, looking up at her father with big eyes. "Papa wook tad. Lexi no mad a Papa no mow-are. Is o-tay, Papa."

"I'm okay." Tristan assured her. "Give me a kiss and go on. It's getting late and you still have to have your bath."

"O-tay." Lexi leaned up and kissed Tristan before reaching over and grabbing Seto by the shirt, pulling on the taller brunet. "Set tiss Lexi."

Seto leaned in and kissed the little girl, smiling when she nuzzled against him. "Have a good time, little girl."

"O-tay. Set tate dood tare a Papa."

"I will."

Lexi squirmed from Tristan's lap and ran from the door. "Lexi low!"

"Love you too, baby girl." Tristan called after the retreating child.

"One less thing to worry about." Seto commented as he heard Lexi calling out to Bakura that she was ready to leave.

"I guess." Tristan sighed and stood up. "Now all I have to do is get Joey to forgive me."

"He will, Tris. Joey will forgive you anything."

/Not so sure about that./ Tristan turned to Seto, worry evident in the hazel eyes. /And I'm not so sure I deserve it either./

"Remember one thing." Seto stood and put an arm around Tristan's shoulders. "The one who should be forgiving you already has."

"Joey doesn't see it that way." Tristan said quietly, momentarily leaning against the taller man.

Seto shook his head. "This really should be between you and Otogi. Fights and disagreements between two of a three should stay that way. Unless the whole family could suffer for it."

"Is that how you guys manage it?" Tristan asked. "By staying out of each other's fights?"

Seto nodded. "Yugi and I get into it on a regular basis, you know that. We'd never drag Yami into it. It's not fair to him for us to try to make him choose sides. And he wouldn't."

"Take Yugi and go home, pal." Tristan pulled away from the gentle embrace. "I need to fix this."

Seto refused to let Tristan go, reaching for his hand. "I'll come down with you."

"O-okay." Tristan squeezed the hand in his. "Thanks."

{It'll be okay, Tris. I know it will.}

/Gods, Seto,/ Tristan's worry and fear filled the bond. /I hope so./

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan stood in the doorway, watching Joey and Otogi.

Seto and Yugi had left, Lexi was gone with Ryou and Bakura, and all distractions were removed. Now he needed to make things right.

He approached the two men on the couch almost hesitantly. Joey looked up at him, his look unreadable. Tristan opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn't come.

Seeing it, Otogi untangled himself from Joey and stood, going to Tristan and slipping his arms around the brunet's waist. He laid his head against Tristan's chest, hearing his heart thundering. He sighed and moved closer, smiling slightly when he felt Tristan's arms come around him and a gentle kiss was placed on the top of his head.

"Otogi….kitten, I…" Tristan struggled with the words. "I'm sorry."

Otogi pulled back slightly and looked up at the bigger man. "I've already forgiven you, Tristan. I understand. It was a situation that got out of hand."

"That doesn't excuse it." Joey said from the couch.

Otogi turned in Tristan's arms as he felt the big man tense. "Joey, why are you being such an ass about this? He didn't mean it. I'M the one who has to forgive him, and I already have."

Joey looked into Tristan's eyes and saw the sadness there. He also saw guilt, and a plea for forgiveness. He sighed. He'd never been able to deny Tristan anything. And Otogi was right. He really had no right to be mad if they had already come to terms.

Standing up from the couch, he went to his husband and his lover, putting his arms around both of them. He leaned up and kissed Tristan's cheek, smiling at him. "You're forgiven. But do it again and I'll skin you, got it?"

Tristan nodded, leaning down to return the kiss. "And I'll more than deserve it."

Joey dropped a kiss on Otogi's lips and pulled away. "I'm going to go take a bath. I'm kinda sore."

"Okay, baby." Tristan didn't move from his spot with his arms around Otogi. "If you need anything, just shout."

"I will." Joey grinned at them. "Don't be good, you two."

Otogi chuckled as Joey left the room. "That almost sounded like an order."

"It did." Tristan said, moving away from the raven haired man just enough to lead him over to the couch. He sat down, pulling Otogi into his lap. "I really am sorry, kitten."

"I know you are. And like I said, I forgive you."

Tristan reached up and gently grasped Otogi's chin in his hand. He turned him toward him and claimed his lips in a tender kiss. Otogi shifted slightly, turning his body toward Tristan, leaning against him as he parted his lips. He gasped as Tristan's tongue brushed against his and felt himself go weak.

"Kitten…." Tristan whispered against Otogi's lips.

Otogi shivered, feeling himself becoming aroused by the husky sound of Tristan's voice. He wanted Tristan so badly, but he knew the brunet wouldn't take him. No matter what he did.

{{I love you. Gods, I want you so much.}} Otogi wrapped his arms around Tristan's neck, pressing against him. {{I'd give anything…anything for you to feel the same.}}

/Otogi…gods, I love you. I just wish…I wish you felt the same./ Tristan let one hand drift down to Otogi's lower back, pushing him closer. /I want you./

Tristan slid his other arm under Otogi's legs, breaking the kiss and lifting him from his lap. He placed the emerald eyed man next to him on the couch, gently pushing him back against the arm. He leaned in and took his lips again, moaning softly as Otogi's immediately parted.

His hand moved of its own accord, brushing down Otogi's body to cup the bulge in his pants. He massaged the hot swelling, his other hand tangling in soft, midnight locks as he deepened the kiss.

Otogi whimpered, straining against the body lightly covering his own. He wanted to feel Tristan's weight on him, but the brunet was being careful not to pin him down.

Tristan pulled back, looking down into luminous green eyes. "Otogi…I…"

"Please, Tristan." Otogi arched against him again. "I want you…please."

A bone deep shudder of arousal rocked Tristan's body and he buried his face in Otogi's hair, fighting for control. "I want you too." He whispered.

"Then take me." Otogi pleaded. "Gods…Tris…please. I want you. I…I NEED you."

Tristan couldn't stop the moan that slipped from him. He wanted nothing more than to make love to the man lying beneath him, his jewel-like eyes pleading.

"I can't." He said. "I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't care. I need you. Please. I want you." Otogi reached up, touching Tristan's face. "I've wanted you since the first time I saw you. Back in high school."

"Really?"

Otogi nodded. "Remember that day? When you bumped into me? I had seen you around and…I wanted you even then."

/Wanted me? Is that all?/ Tristan looked into Otogi's eyes, trying to see if there was more than just want there. He couldn't tell and it felt like someone was squeezing his heart, digging claws in to rip it apart. /Why do I have to love you?/

"No." Tristan shook his head. "I won't. I wouldn't risk hurting you again."

A small sob fell from Otogi's lips and tears sprang to his eyes. Seeing it, Tristan sat up, pulling Otogi with him and into his arms. Otogi clung to the bigger man, fighting back the tears.

"Please, Otogi, don't cry." Tristan pleaded.

"You…you don't want me, do you?"

"No!" Tristan pushed the lithe body back. "Don't think that. I do."

Otogi reached for him, pulling him close. "Please, Tristan. Show me."

/I want to show you. I wish I could show you how much I've come to love you./ Tristan stood, Otogi in his arms.

Without a word, he left the living room and headed upstairs to the bedroom. He set the smaller man gently on his feet next to the bed, reaching out to unbutton the single button at the neck of his shirt.

Once he had it open, he bent, kissing Otogi gently at the base of his neck before trailing his tongue across his collarbone.

Otogi whimpered, his head falling back. "Tristan…"

"Shh, kitten." Tristan reached up, sinking his fingers into inky strands. "I'll love you. But you have to trust me to know when you've had enough."

"Anything." Otogi pressed his lower body to Tristan's, grinding into him.

Tristan moaned softly at the sensation. He yanked Otogi's shirt off him, another moan escaping him as the raven tresses fell in disarray around slim, bare shoulders. He pulled Otogi tighter against him and bent to capture his lips, plundering the hot cavity.

Otogi whimpered and squirmed against the hard body pressed to his. His hands came up, trying to undo the buttons on Tristan's shirt. Tristan shifted slightly, giving him better access.

Once he had the shirt unbuttoned, he slid his hands inside, the tips of his fingers ghosting over hot, smooth flesh. He traced the hard muscle, shivering.

Tristan moved away, looking down at Otogi with glazed eyes. "Otogi, do you trust me?"

Otogi blinked. {{Where the hell did that come from?}} "Yes. Of course I do."

Tristan nodded and dropped to his knees. He pressed soft kisses to Otogi's stomach, his tongue dipping into his navel as his hands went to the button on Otogi's jeans. He quickly had them undone, freeing his arousal.

He took the length of sleek flesh into his mouth, sucking gently. He shuddered as he tasted the other for the first time, wrapping his hands around the shorter man's hips as he swayed.

"Tristan! Oh, gods!"

Tristan groaned, feeling actual, physical pain shoot through his body at the other's reaction. He released him briefly, helping him to get out of his pants, and pushed him down to sit on the bed before moving to engulf him again.

Otogi leaned back on his forearms, his head falling back as he whimpered and thrust up into Tristan's mouth. He was so close. He could feel his climax perched on the edge of his fogged awareness.

Tristan pinned Otogi's hips down and took him deep, swallowing around him. He could feel the other's release approaching and he strove to take him there.

"Please….gods…please." Otogi begged, falling back and trying to buck up against the strong hands that held him.

Tristan growled, his fingers digging bitingly into the creamy flesh.

Otogi screamed, his back arching off the bed as he came hard. His head swam and he only became aware again when he felt Tristan lift him, placing him under the covers. Glassy emerald eyes opened as Tristan pressed his lips tenderly to his.

"Sleep, kitten." Tristan said quietly.

Nodding numbly, Otogi tumbled into slumber, not even noticing Tristan leave the room.

Also unnoticed was a pair of amber eyes watching, smiling, from the bathroom door.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan glanced toward the kitchen door, seeing Joey coming into the room.

"Hey, angel." Joey wrapped his arms around his husband. "You didn't come to bed last night."

"I came in and checked on you." Tristan replied, slipping his arms around Joey's waist. "I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to keep you guys awake tossing."

"It's okay." Joey leaned up and kissed the brunet's cheek. "You're off early this morning. Heading into the office already?"

Tristan looked into Joey's eyes for a minute before replying. "No. I'm…going to the temple first."

Joey's face lit up. "Really?"

Tristan nodded.

"Angel, that's great." Joey hugged the bigger man hard. "I think it'll help, you know?"

"Joey, I'm sorry. I….what happened last night was wrong."

"Tristan, look at me." Joey waited until he had the other man's full attention. "I love you. And I always will. What happened between you and Otogi last night WAS wrong. But I know now that it was the stress of the situation. Besides," A smirk crossed Joey's lips. "I think you made it up to him."

"I guess." Tristan buried his face in Joey's hair, sighing. "I need to get going."

Joey snuggled against his lover's body for a minute. "Okay. Kiss me and get out of here."

Tristan leaned down, kissing Joey deeply. He stroked one hand through the soft hair, a small whimper coming from him.

Joey broke the kiss, looking up at Tristan with a smile. "Give me a call later, okay?"

"I will, baby. I love you."

"I love you too, angel." Joey pressed a kiss to Tristan's chin and let go of him, going to the fridge.

Tristan watched him for a moment and then turned away, heading out the door. He didn't go upstairs to say goodbye to Otogi. Something held him back. And he knew what it was, but he didn't want to face it.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan took a deep breath of the incense laden air as he stepped into the sanctuary.

Looking around, he could see that there had been little change over the years since he had been here last.

The soft sound of sandaled footfalls reached his ears and he turned, seeing a tall, thin priest approaching him, a smile on his timeless face.

"Welcome back, Tristan." The man said. "We have been waiting for you."

A sense of peace swept through the brunet and he smiled back.

It felt as if he had come home.

~*~*~*~*~

Lexi stuck her head through the partially opened door, a little grin on her face.

She crept quietly toward the bed where the two white haired men slept, going over to Bakura's side of the bed.

Her favorite uncle lay on his side, facing her, Ryou spooned up behind him. She reached out and jabbed him in the nose, giggling softly when he grunted. Little fingers tickled him under the chin and her grin grew when Bakura smiled in his sleep. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, quickly pulling back when the yami reached up, rubbing the spot on his face.

Wanting to cuddle with him, Lexi lifted the thin sheet off Bakura's body, sticking her head inside.

Hazel eyes widened. "Waz dat?!"

Bakura jerked to full awareness. "LEXI!"

"Ba-ra? Waz dat?" She poked a curious finger at the object, giggling when it twitched.

"Lexi-child…don't DO that!" Bakura reached under the sheet and hauled her out.

Ryou cracked an eye open, looking at her over Bakura's shoulder. "Hmmm? What's going on?"

"Lexi just…she just touched my…." A hard shudder shook the spirit of the Ring.

"Ba-ra an-azer Lexi peas." The look on the elfin features was indignant. "Waz dat TING a teen Ba-ra wegs?"

A sputter was heard as Ryou buried his face in Bakura's back. "Yes, Bakura…what is it?"

"I'm not Ra damn explaining it to her." Bakura growled.

Lexi narrowed her eyes at Bakura. "Ba-ra ez-pain….now!"

Bakura sent a plea, along with promises he probably wouldn't keep, through the link to his light.

"Oh, I'll be holding you to THOSE." Ryou said, reaching over his lover and pulling Lexi up onto the bed. He turned onto his back and set the child on his chest. "Lexi, honey, that's Bakura's penis."

"Huh?" Lexi tipped her head to one side.

"His penis."

Lexi frowned and pulled up her nightgown. She hooked her fingers into her diaper and yanked it down slightly. "Lexi no ab one a doze."

"No, baby, you don't." Ryou could feel his dark's mortification and struggled not to crack up. "Only boys have them."

"Oh. Ree ab pee-niz?"

"Yes, I do."

"Lexi tee?"

"Ummmm….."

"Yeah, Ryou." Bakura grinned evilly. "Why don't you show her?"

Ryou mentally smacked Bakura. "Lexi, it's a private part of my body. It's not proper for you to ask to see it."

"Oh." Lexi lay down and snuggled into Ryou's chest. "Ree? Duz a-well boy ab pee-niz?"

"Yes, all boys."

"Toe…ummm…Da-ee dot one?"

"Yes."

"An `ami?"

"Not so sure about that." Bakura commented dryly.

"Bakura." Ryou admonished. "Yes, honey. Yami is a boy."

"Toe Jut-in ab pee-niz?"

"Mmhmm." Ryou nodded. "But don't you be asking him to see it, understand? Your papa and daddy probably wouldn't like that."

"O-tay, Ree." Lexi smiled up at him. "Ba-ra dot tum big pee-niz."

"Why, thank you, Lexi-girl." Bakura grinned.

Ryou rolled his eyes and sat up. "Off with you, munchkin. Let Uncle Bakura and I get up. Go play with your toys."

"O-tay!" Lexi grabbed Ryou by the hair and kissed him, rolling off him and onto Bakura, her little foot coming into contact with the subject of their discussion.

"Ow!" Bakura lifted her off him. "Watch the feet, monster."

"Oh. Did Lexi `urt Ba-ra pee-niz?"

Bakura shook his head and lowered her just enough to kiss her before setting her back on the floor. "Get, you."

Lexi ran from the room, slamming the door behind her.

Bakura turned to Ryou, reaching out and drawing him against his body, letting him feel what Lexi had discovered. "I figure we're good for five minutes. Should give you enough time to fix this little problem of mine."

Ryou grinned as he disappeared beneath the covers. "Hmmm…Lexi was right about one thing. It sure is big."

~*~*~*~*~

"Uncle Mokuba!"

Mokuba lifted his head, smiling as his oldest nephew ran for the bed. "Justin!"

The boy skidded to a halt as he reached the bed, his eyes wide over the tops of his glasses as he stared at his uncle's pale, disheveled appearance. He bit his lip as Roger lifted him and set him on the edge of the bed.

"Little brother." Seto's expression was grave as he came over with Matthew in his arms, Yugi at his side.

"Seto." Mokuba reached out, grasping his brother's outstretched hand.

"Uncle Mokuba?" Justin said, claiming the young man's attention. "When are you going to come home?"

"Not for a little while, Justin. I have to heal up first."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, little guy." Roger stroked the boy's hair. "It won't be long."

Mokuba tried to smile as Seto let go of his hand to shift Matthew. His eyes narrowed as the elder Kaiba moved the baby so he was in front of him, his little legs trying to wrap around his father's slim waist.

*Why is he holding him like that?* Mokuba watched as Seto looped one arm around Matthew's back, the other hand going under the child's backside. *That's not right.*

Before he could question it, Justin reached out, laying a hand against Mokuba's leg. "Can you feel that, Uncle Mokuba?"

Mokuba shook his head. "No, little buddy, I can't."

"So…you can't feel ANYTHING?"

"Not in my legs, no." Mokuba replied honestly. "Not yet anyway."

"It's great to see you sitting up." Yugi said, quickly changing the subject.

Matthew made a gurgling noise, reaching out to Roger. The pale eyed teen took the baby from his father, sitting down next to Justin and settling the baby into his lap. He wrinkled his nose as a smell hit him.

"Ummm, Seto?" Roger held the child out. "I think he needs to be changed."

Seto grinned and took his son, reaching out and pulling the diaper bag off Yugi's shoulder. He went over to the cot and lay Matthew down to change him.

Mokuba watched him carefully, hardly hearing what the others were saying to him. There was a sick, heavy feeling in his stomach as he watched Seto with the boy. Something about the way his brother was touching the baby didn't seem right. Something that made him want to get up out of the bed and stop him.

As Seto picked up Matthew and brought him back over, Mokuba frowned, seeing the smile on his brother's face. *I'm imagining things. Seto would never do that.*

He tried to put the thoughts aside, tried to concentrate on visiting with the family he had missed so much.

It wasn't until Bakura showed up with Lexi that he was able to distract himself enough to do it. Or so he thought. His eyes kept drifting to his brother's interactions with his nephew.

*Seto would never do that. Never.* He watched as Seto snuggled Matthew, kissing him. *Would he?*

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan became aware of Seto entering the office tower and let him know to send Lexi straight to daycare with Justin.

He was swamped and it would take him a good half hour to get through just sorting his messages. Once he had that done, he'd go see his daughter.

He shoved aside a pile of files, looking for more messages. He frowned as something hit the floor. Looking down, he saw a small box, almost like a jewelry box.

Bending down to pick it up, Tristan wondered where it had come from. Then he saw his name printed on the cover. He placed it on a clear spot on the desk and lifted the lid. Inside was a small, crumpled piece of paper.

He opened it and something fell with a small clatter on the cluttered surface of his desk. All the color drained from his face when he saw what it was.

He reached and picked up the pointed, cylindrical object with shaking fingers.

It was a hollow-tipped bullet. Just like the one that had torn through Mokuba's body, nearly killing him and possibly condemning him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Bringing the bullet closer to examine it, his other hand clenched around the paper the bullet had been wrapped in.

He set the projectile down and opened the paper fully. There was writing on it and the two words made his stomach churn.

EVER CLOSER

~*~*~*~*~

Tris: Gods! You guys!!

YD: What?

Tris: I'm never going to catch a break, am I?

DD: Not likely.

YD: Next chapter of Soulmates is on the way, hopefully some time this week.