Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Family By Choice ❯ chapter23 ( Chapter 23 )

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

~*~*~*~*~

Joey was tidying up the dresser when he knocked Otogi's wallet to the floor, spilling the contents.

He reached down to pick up the several pieces of plastic, smiling at the picture on the driver's license. He was just tucking Otogi's birth certificate back inside when something caught his eye.

The names weren't the same. The one on his driver license said Otogi Kiotou. But on his birth certificate, it said Ryuugi Otogi.

He was still standing there, frowning, when Otogi came out of the bathroom, a towel covering his dripping head.

"S'up, Joey?" The green eyed man asked.

Joey handed him the wallet and the two pieces of identification. "I knocked your wallet on the floor. I didn't mean to pry, but…how come your name's not the same on your driver's license?"

Otogi took the items from him, putting them back inside. "Well….Otogi's my family name."

"Huh?" Joey's mouth dropped open. "But…"

"I had it changed." Otogi replied with seeming disinterest, tossing his wallet back on the dresser.

"Why?"

Otogi sat down on the bed and unwrapped the towel from his hair, beginning to dry it. "I did it just after I got out of the clinic. My grandparents had done so much for me…I…I wanted to show them how much I loved and appreciated them."

"But why not just add their name to yours? And why would you want to be known by your surname?" Honest curiosity shone in the blond's amber eyes. This was something he didn't know about his lover and it struck him as something that should be more important that Otogi was letting on it was. "I mean, we've all been calling you Otogi, and we should be calling you Ryuugi."

"No." Otogi shook his head adamantly. "I'm Otogi."

Eyebrow raised, Joey sat down on the bed next to Otogi, automatically taking the wide-toothed comb from his fingers and beginning to work the tangles out of his damp hair. "I don't understand, love."

"I'm proud of my family name. And I never really liked my name anyway."

"I like it." Joey smiled.

"I don't." Otogi winced as Joey pulled at a knot. "My mother named me after her brother and…I don't get along with him very well. When I came to live with my grandparents…after I got clean…I had a chance to, I don't know…forge a new identity for myself. Changing my name was a step toward who I wanted to be."

"Hmm…I suppose that's one way of looking at it." Joey set the comb aside. "Want me to braid it?"

"No thanks."

"Hey, feel up to going out?" Joey stood up.

"Where?"

"I need to go over to your grandfather's. I'm low on a few things and we're almost out of coffee too."

"Yeah," Otogi reached for the shirt he had laid out on the bed and pulled it on. "I need to talk to him about…a few things."

Joey raised an eyebrow at the slight hesitation. "Everything okay?"

Otogi nodded. "It's just…Joey, I know I'm okay now and…Tristan…Tristan says he won't until Grandfather says I am."

"Otogi, he's only concerned for your health." Joey sat back down and put an arm around his lover. "He doesn't want to hurt you. And neither do I."

"I need you, Joey." Otogi turned, burying his face in the blond's hair with a small whimper. "I need you both."

"Oh, baby." Joey pulled Otogi to him and held him gently. "I know. I need you too, but I don't want to cause you any pain. When we make love, there should only be pleasure."

Otogi nodded, shifting closer.

"Come on. Finish dressing, beautiful. Let's go see your grandfather."

"Okay." Otogi untangled himself from Joey and stood, buttoning up his shirt.

He watched Joey as the blond went to the phone to call Tim. He only hoped his grandfather would tell him what he wanted to hear.

He didn't know how much longer he could wait.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan stood up from his desk, pocketing the bullet and the piece of paper.

He reached out to Seto as he left his office and all he got back was a steady stream of curses. /What's wrong?/

{Shit, shit, shit. I can't fucking believe this!}

/Seto, what's WRONG?/ Tristan pushed aside his own concerns as he stepped into the elevator. Seto was highly pissed about something.

{I've lost the damn psychologist at the orphanage! Fuck! What the hell am I going to do now? I don't believe this!}

/Gods, calm down./ Tristan got off the elevator and made his way into Seto's outer office. "Hey, Gina."

"I hope that you can get him calmed down." Gina rolled her eyes. "He's been cursing ever since he hung up the phone."

"I'll see what I can do." Tristan said, going into Seto's office and shutting the door behind him.

Seto was sitting behind his desk, glaring at the surface, the tense set of his shoulders letting Tristan know just how mad he was.

The blue eyed brunet looked up at his best friend, frowning. "I just got a phone call from the therapist at the orphanage telling me she'd be dropping her resignation off today. Her husband's being transferred to Hong Kong and she's leaving with him. Where the fuck am I supposed to find a competent child psychologist in two weeks?"

"Well," Tristan perched on the edge of Seto's desk, a small smirk crossing his lips. "I do know this one guy. He's great with kids, he's very competent and he's an animal in the sack."

Seto blinked.

"Joey, you idiot." Tristan smacked Seto lightly on the head.

"Joey…oh, yeah."

Tristan shook his head in amusement as he saw the light bulb go off. "He's home today if you want to give him a call."

"Do you think he'd want the job?"

"You can ask him." Tristan shrugged. "I don't see why not though."

Seto nodded. "Okay. It would certainly solve my problem." His eyes narrowed on Tristan. "What brings you here?"

Tristan sighed and dug into his pocket, tossing the reason for his visit in front of Seto. "This."

"Holy shit." Seto whispered, picking up the bullet. He looked at it for a minute and then shuddered, placing it carefully on the desk and picking up the note. He read it, the color draining from his face. "Gods…Tristan…"

"What I want to know is where it came from and how the hell did it get into my office."

Seto grabbed the phone, calling Gina and telling her to find Bakura immediately. He hung up and stood, putting his arms around Tristan wordlessly.

Tristan leaned his forehead against Seto's shoulder with a sigh, also saying nothing.

They stayed that way until Seto's office door opened, admitting Bakura.

"What's going on?" The white haired man asked, seeing the two brunets in the familiar huddle.

Seto pulled away from Tristan and pick up the bullet, holding it out. "Tristan got a little…gift this morning."

Bakura took it, a quiet growl rumbling in his chest. He saw the piece of paper and snatched it up, reading it. "Fuck."

"That's an understatement." Seto said, sitting back down and folding his hands on the top of the desk. "How did this get through the mailroom? We have X-ray and metal detectors in there."

"I don't think it came in that way." Tristan said. "It was in a plain box, just sitting on my desk."

"Which means we have someone who can access the executive floors that either has a sick sense of humor or was involved in Mokuba being shot." Bakura dropped down in one of the chairs in front of Seto's desk and looked up at Tristan. "Listen, slim, there's something you don't know. Mako came to me with a theory that I think you need to hear."

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like this?" Tristan asked, turning on the desk and giving his complete attention to Seto's head of security.

"Probably because you're not." Bakura replied with a grim smile.

He went on to tell them what he and Mako had discussed, and what he had found when he had done some digging of his own. He watched Tristan carefully as he spoke, seeing the rage growing under the supposed calm demeanor.

"Everything points to your father." Bakura finished. "The only thing is…I can't prove it."

"Tris?" Seto reached out, laying a hand on the other brunet's leg when he said nothing. "Come on, buddy, talk to me."

"I don't want anyone knowing about this." Tristan said quietly, the ice in his voice making both Seto and Bakura flinch. "Especially not Joey. Understand?"

"Tristan…"

"No, Bakura. We keep this under wraps. NO ONE finds out. No one."

Seto squeezed Tristan's leg gently. "Tris is right. The last thing we need is word of this leaking out. But we need to find out who planted it. Bakura, I need you to run fresh background checks on everyone who has access to the top four floors."

Bakura nodded. "I'll have Nathan help me with it. We should be done by the end of the day."

"Tris, go pack up your office. You're moving up here with me." Seto raised a hand to stop the protest he saw coming. "Look, we discussed this before and now it needs to be done. Besides, I'm having the office next to this one converted for Justin so the tutors can work with him here. It can't hurt to have Lexi where we can keep an eye on her too. You can take the other office."

"Seto, we need tighter security." Bakura said. "There's too many ways for people to access this floor."

Seto shook his head. "I disagree. I wrote the programs myself."

"Well, that doesn't make them foolproof. I'm telling you, anyone with some experience and determination can get into your office."

"I'll look into it." Seto replied. "In the meantime, we need to find out who did this and get Tris moved in up here."

"I'll give you a hand, slim, before I get to work on those profiles."

"Mm…okay." Tristan stood up, looking down at Seto. /I still think this is unnecessary./

{I'm not messing around with your safety, Tristan. I almost lost my brother; I'm not going to lose you too.}

Tristan held out his arms, feeling a wave of sadness and worry coming from Seto. /Come here./

Seto stood and went to Tristan, neither one of them noticing Bakura's discreet departure.

/Gods,/ Tristan pressed close to Seto with a sigh. /It's been a rough couple of days./

{Yeah. It has been. Tris? Could we…be together? I was thinking…we have those meetings coming up at the retreat. Will you stay with me?}

Tristan pulled back and smiled into Seto's eyes. /I'd like that very much./

{It's been a very long time since we made love just because we wanted each other. For no other reason than to just be together.} Seto leaned in and kissed Tristan lightly. {I miss it.}

/So do I. Why don't we go the night before?/

Seto smiled and nodded, bringing his hands up to cup Tristan face. {Let's. That way we can have some time together, just us.}

"Sounds like a plan." Tristan said as he moved to press his lips to Seto's.

They kissed deeply, their thoughts entwining until they couldn't separate their emotions from one another.

When they broke apart, Tristan looked to see hazel flecks in the deep azure of Seto's eyes. He smiled and dropped another quick kiss on his lips. "Love you, pal."

"Love you too." Seto untangled himself from Tristan's arms. "Go on and get your stuff packed. I'll send some people in a few hours to move the furniture up."

"Okay, boss." Tristan smirked, turning away and picking up the bullet, pocketing it before heading for the door.

{Ass.}

/Yeah, but you love me./

Seto rolled his eyes as the door closed behind the big brunet and he sat back down at his desk, noticing that Tristan had left behind the note. He regarded it for a moment before putting it in his pocket.

He'd keep it for now.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey was behind the counter, raiding the drawers lining the wall while Master Kiotou took his grandson into the back room.

Asking a few pointed questions, the older man decided to forgo an actual examination. "I do not see why you would not be able to be with them. As long as you are careful."

"I…I really need to, Grandfather." Otogi leaned against the table, staring at the floor. "It's like I can't even be around them anymore without wanting them."

"Then be with them." Master Kiotou smiled. "Will you be staying with them much longer?"

"I don't know. Tristan won't let me go home until he finds Dan."

A fleeting frown crossed the weathered features. "Otogi. Has Tristan been acting…possessive of you?"

"I dunno." Otogi shrugged. "He's protective of me, I guess. And he can be a little controlling."

"He loves you."

Otogi's head snapped up, his eyes wide. "What?!"

"He loves you."

"No, he doesn't." Otogi shook his head. "He loves Joey. He's always loved Joey. There's no room there for me. But…I love him." His voice dropped to a whisper. "I'll take what I can get."

Master Kiotou sighed. "Otogi, he does love you. That is why he is acting toward you the way he is. Tristan has, for as long as I have know him, felt a driving need to provide the people he loves whatever it is that they feel they need. He is possessive, yes, but he also loves very deeply. It can be very dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"There are those who would take advantage of that. Seto did once. It nearly destroyed them both. I would not like to see that happen to you."

Otogi avoided the wise, old eyes, going back to staring at the floor.

"I cannot and will not tell you how to live your life, Otogi. All I am asking is that you think before you act."

Otogi nodded. "Yes, Grandfather."

"Go now. Take your lover and return home. And do not be afraid of tonight's events."

Otogi just nodded again, used to his grandfather's cryptic warnings. "Thanks."

"None are needed." The elder hugged the younger man gently. "I will always take care of you."

Otogi hugged his grandfather back, mulling over what he had said about Tristan. {{I think this is the first time I've ever known Grandfather to be wrong. Tristan doesn't love me. How could he?}}

~*~*~*~*~

"Are you going to help, or what?" Tristan asked Bakura as he dug back into his desk, looking for his favorite pen.

"Sorry."

Tristan looked up, seeing Bakura sitting on his desk, fiddling with the dagger he had given the brunet. There was a pensive look on the white haired man's face. It was obvious there was something on his mind.

Tristan took the dagger out of his hand and pinned him with a look. "Okay, talk."

"I…it's about Ryou." Bakura paused, biting his lip.

"You guys aren't having problems, are you?"

Bakura shook his head, folding his hands in his lap and staring at them.

"Well, then what?"

"I…I want to ask him to marry me."

A huge grin lit Tristan's face. "Really?!"

"Yeah." Bakura nodded, picking at one thumbnail with the other.

Tristan's eyes narrowed. He recognized that gesture. It was something Bakura always did when he was feeling unsure about something. "But what?"

"I've had so much to make up for with him. I was so…cruel in the past." Bakura looked up and Tristan could see the fear in his eyes. "What if he says no?"

"Bakura!" Tristan reached out and punched the white haired yami in the arm, sending him off the desk and onto the floor.

Bakura blinked up at Tristan from his current position on his back. "I've sent people to the Shadow Realm for less than that, slim."

Tristan snorted and stood up, offering his hand to Bakura and hauling him to his feet. "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Bakura asked as he was dragged toward the door.

"Engagement ring shopping." Tristan grinned.

"But, Tristan…"

"No buts. And you're asking him tonight."

Bakura shook his head, knowing there was no sense in arguing. Of all their friends, Tristan knew his light the best. He seemed pretty sure that Ryou would say yes.

He could only hope Tristan was right.

~*~*~*~*~

"This one's nice." Tristan commented, leaning on the glass counter.

Bakura looked around the big brunet, staring at the ring he was pointing to.

They were at the jeweler that had made both Tristan's wedding ring and the rings that Seto had had created when he and Yami and Yugi got married.

Tristan smiled at the man as he took the ring out and handed it to Bakura for closer inspection. It was a beautiful gold band, engraved with a minute vine pattern, each leaf holding a diamond chip.

"There is a matching wedding band." The proprietor said, lifting out the ring in question.

"Now that's beautiful." Tristan took it from him, inspecting the plain gold band. The workmanship was more than excellent. "Do they come as a set?"

"Yes, they do."

"Bakura?"

The yami didn't seem to hear what was being said to him. He was staring at the ring in his hands, a far away gaze in his eyes and a dreamy look on his face.

Tristan smiled, knowing full well he was thinking about how much Ryou would like this ring. Without another word to the man by his side, Tristan pulled his wallet out of his pocket and dropped his credit card on the counter.

Bakura blinked at the sound of the plastic hitting the glass and looked up at Tristan. "What are you doing, slim?"

"Buying it."

"But…"

"What did I say to you about buts?" Tristan grinned. "Do you like this one?"

"I love it." Bakura whispered.

"Then consider it an early wedding present."

"Tristan, you don't have to…"

"Bakura, you want this ring for him, don't you?" Tristan asked, knowing full well Bakura couldn't afford it.

Bakura nodded.

"Then shut up and let me do this."

"Thank you." Bakura looked back at the ring, a small smile fleeting across his features. "Do you really think he'll like it?"

"I know he will." Tristan smiled as he signed the credit card slip. "I'll hang on to the other band if you want."

Bakura just nodded and accepted their purchase from the store owner. He had a bit of a stunned look on his face.

Tristan exited the shop first, looking back over his shoulder to speak to Bakura. As he stepped into the street, he collided with someone.

"I'm sorry." Tristan reached out to steady the man he had run into and found himself looking into a pair of cold, hazel eyes. "Dad."

"Get your hands off me." Greg Taylor shrugged from his son's grasp. "And you are NOT my son."

Bakura pushed around Tristan, a low snarl coming from him as he reached for the older man's throat.

"Bakura," Tristan grabbed him by the wrist and forced his hand down, never taking his eyes off his father. "What have I told you about killing people in public? I'm getting a little sick of hiding the bodies."

Bakura grinned wolfishly, canines showing, at the slight widening of hazel eyes. "Well, I've reached my quota for the week already anyway."

Tristan released Bakura and stuck his hand in his pocket. "Oh, by the way…Greg…I have something that belongs to you."

Hooking a finger into the breast pocket of the older Taylor's shirt, Tristan dropped the bullet inside. With one last hard look into eyes so like his own, he turned away and walked calmly down the street, Bakura following.

~*~*~*~*~

"So what did he say?" Joey asked, putting away the coffee and the other items they had brought home with them.

Otogi smiled and slid his arms around Joey's waist. "He said I'm okay."

Joey turned around and looked Otogi in the eye. "Really?"

"Mmhmm." Otogi nodded. "He said so long as I'm careful."

Joey smiled and leaned down to kiss the other man, reaching up a hand to tangle it in the unbound, raven locks. Otogi parted his lips, responding with passion and melting into Joey's embrace.

"I'm glad." Joey said when the kiss broke.

"Do you think…do you think Tristan will want to be with me now?"

"I know he will." Joey grinned. "You know, Lexi's going to want to stay at Seto's tonight. We'll have the whole house to ourselves."

Otogi looked up at Joey, his emerald eyes sparkling. "I'd really like that."

"Then tonight it is, beautiful. I promise you…it'll be special."

Otogi laid his head against Joey's chest with a sigh of contentment. "I love you, Joey."

"I love you too, baby."

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan laid the sand filled, lacquer tray down on the credenza, placing a velvet bag containing semiprecious stones next to it.

A small smile crossed his lips as he opened it and took out three. A large tiger eye, an equally large piece of polished amber and a smaller tiger eye. He placed them in the sand and picked up a small bamboo stick, beginning to draw random patterns in the tan crystals, letting his mind drift.

/Got to get a hold of that speech therapist this week. Maybe she'll come over here to work with Lexi./ Two circles enclosed the three stones he used to represent himself, Joey and Lexi. /I don't think we're going to be able to put her in regular school. Then again, with the way things are, I wouldn't feel safe putting her in a public school at all./ A slightly lopsided square went around the circles. /I know Seto's not planning on sending the boys to school. Private tutors all the way for them. I think it would be best for Lexi if we went that route too./ He picked up a smoky quartz crystal and placed it in the outer circle next to Lexi's with a smile. /Justin's so good for her. She's lucky to have a friend like him./

He continued to let his thoughts wander; randomly setting the stones he had chosen to symbolize his family.

/Bakura said he had what I needed on Dan. I hope I can set this son of a bitch straight. I don't want to see Otogi hurt again./ A small sigh escaped him as his eyes became completely unfocused and he sank further into his inner dialogue. /He reminds me of Marc. They both like it rough, and the language is almost exactly the same. I don't know what to do. He doesn't love me. He seems to want only one thing from me. I'd back away now if I could. But Joey loves him. I love him too. But, gods, I don't want to. Soon. Soon he'll be well enough to be with us. But…once I go there, there's no turning back. Who am I kidding? There's no turning back now./

The door to his office opened and Bakura walked in, stopping short when he saw what Tristan was doing. "Oh…sorry."

Tristan blinked. "No. No, it's okay."

Bakura watched as Tristan backed away slightly from the credenza, his eyes a little unfocused. He remembered Ryou telling him that it sometimes took Tristan a few minutes to come back if he had been meditating. He wasn't sure if that's what the big brunet had been doing, but he didn't look quite there.

"Umm…I've got the stuff on Dan." Bakura dropped a file folder on the desk. "Why don't I just leave it here and you can let me know if you have any questions."

"'kay." Tristan couldn't take his eyes off the sand garden. Something didn't look right.

"I'll be in my office, slim."

"Mmhmm."

"If you need me, let me know."

"Mmhmm."

"Even if you need to just talk, okay?"

"Mmhmm."

Bakura snorted at Tristan's inattention. "I'm taking Lexi and selling her on the slave market."

"Okay, have fun."

Bakura rolled his eyes. Nope. Tristan definitely wasn't there and he had to resist the compulsion to throw something at him. With a shake of his head, he left the brunet alone.

"What the hell is that?" Tristan muttered to himself, not even noticing Bakura's departure.

He looked closely at the pattern he had unconsciously laid out. Within the first circle were the first three stones he had laid. Encompassed in the second, were the stones representing the rest of his family. Surrounding the two circles was the square, deeper than the circles, giving a feeling of protection. Embedded in one corner was a stone Tristan had never seen before. It was shiny, black and partially buried in the sand.

Trying not to disturb the design, Tristan picked it up, his eyes widening. It was a black onyx, roughly shaped like the head of a cat.

/Where did this come from? I don't remember putting it there. Hell, I don't remember it being in the bag./ He looked more closely and a pair of smiling, emerald eyes rose up in his mind's eye. /Otogi./

He regarded the object for a moment longer and then with careful deliberation, he placed it back on the sand, inside the circle surrounding his family.

~*~*~*~*~

"I'm telling you, pal, we drank it."

"I had two bottles." Seto shook his head as he turned away from one of the massive wine racks. "It was the 1844 Bordeaux."

Tristan and Seto were in the wine cellar of the mansion, looking for a bottle of wine Seto wanted to open.

"Only you would misplace a bottle of wine THAT old." Tristan rolled his eyes. "There's another shelf back here. Do you even KNOW about this one?"

Seto shook his head as he watched Tristan squeeze his bulk into the corner. {Ass.}

/Bite me./

{Oh, really?} Seto smirked, moving up behind the bigger man and slipping his arms around his waist, pressing against him. {Is that an offer?}

Tristan grinned, feeling Seto kiss the back of his neck. "It was a retort, wiseass."

"Hmm…sure." Seto tightened his grip on the other and stepped back, drawing him out of the corner. When Tristan turned around he lowered his head, brushing their lips together. {Tris, I don't think I want to wait until we get to the retreat.}

"You've got a houseful of guests, pal." Tristan grinned.

"So?" Seto pressed Tristan up against the wooden wine rack and ground into him. "No one can get in here but me. And this is my house. Who's to say I can't have a little fun?"

/You're certainly in a mood./

"I am." Seto reached between them and cupped the other brunet's half hardened length. "And right now, I'm in the mood for you."

Tristan moaned as their lips met again, this time in a scorching kiss. /Seto…/

{I need you, Tristan.}

Tristan moaned again as Seto's other hand left his hip and he began to unbuckle his belt. He quickly had it undone, along with the button and zipper, and he dropped to kneel on the cold concrete floor, moving the material out of his way and taking Tristan's arousal into his mouth.

"Oh, gods…" Tristan's head fell back with a small thump against the shelf behind him.

A soft whimper came from Seto as his hands went to his own pants, swiftly undoing them and curling his fingers around his erection, stroking himself. He took Tristan back into his throat, swallowing around him and growling as he felt a flash of arousal come from the bigger man.

Hissing at the wet heat surrounding him, Tristan buried his hands in Seto's hair. "Babe…don't stop."

Seto shuddered hard, working the bigger man relentlessly as he bobbed his head, speeding up the pace of his strokes on his own weeping length. He looked up into blue eyes, feeling their desire entwining, bringing them rapidly to the end. {Come for me.}

/So close./ Tristan threaded his fingers through the soft, brown strands, thrusting with increasing urgency into Seto's mouth. /Good…Seto…so good./

{Come on, Tris.}

"Damn…Seto…" Tristan groaned as he felt Seto getting close to the edge.

{Please…do it.} Seto shuddered again as he felt Tristan tense. {Need to taste you…Tris…please.}

Tristan's vision darkened and he whimpered as his passion broke, sending a bone-deep quiver through his body. He became aware of a small sob coming from Seto and felt the rush of release that coursed through the taller man.

He leaned back against the rack, weak, and felt it tip, hearing something roll across the top shelf. A bottle fell and hit the floor, shattering, blood red liquid leaking across the grey concrete.

"Shit." Tristan looked down at the sopping paper label. "Umm…Seto? I found it."

"Huh?" Seto stood up on shaking legs and leaned against Tristan.

"The wine."

Seto looked to where the other was gesturing and shrugged. "Oh, well. It's only booze. And I got something better than a musty old bottle of wine."

Tristan grinned, leaning in and kissing Seto briefly. "You're insane."

"Yeah, well…the line between genius and insanity is pretty thin."

Tristan shook his head and began to right his clothing. "You might want to buckle up there, pal. We need to get back upstairs. Everyone's going to be wondering where we are."

"I'm sure they have an idea." Seto smirked, fixing his pants.

It took them a few more minutes to get presentable, and they finally left the wine cellar, a couple of bottles of wine in hand. They bumped into Sadie outside the door to the control room.

"Were you having sex in there?" The AI asked innocently, her head tilted to one side.

"SADIE!" Tristan yelled. "That's none of your business!"

"I was only asking, Tristan." She huffed. "Besides, Nadeem has been driving me insane with questions about sex."

Seto sighed. "I told him to research it."

"Who's Nadeem?" Tristan asked, feeling out of the loop.

"Remember when I told you I was working on an interactive program of the Dark Magician for Yugi? One like Sadie?"

Tristan nodded.

"Well, Yami named him Nadeem. It's Arabic for black."

"He's almost ready to come online, Seto. There are just a few adjustments to be made."

"Such as?"

"Well," Sadie grinned. "He's naked for one."

"Oh, shit. Forgot about that."

"Okay, pal." Tristan reached out and took the bottles out of Seto's hand. "Go fix it. I really don't want a naked Dark Magician popping up in front of my daughter."

Seto smirked. "I guess not…since I made him anatomically correct."

"Yep." Tristan shook his head as he turned away and headed upstairs. "Insane."

~*~*~*~*~

Ryou held out his arms and smiled as Lexi crawled out of Yugi's lap and across Bakura toward him.

"OW! Monster!" Bakura grabbed her up as her knee dug into his groin.

"Oh, Lexi torry Ba-ra!" The child looked up with big eyes. "Lexi `urt Ba-ra pee-niz?"

"Yes." Bakura grumbled.

A chorus of snickers went around the room. They had all heard from Ryou about Lexi's discovering Bakura's usual morning "problem".

"Uncle Tomb Robber?" Justin asked from his spot on the floor where he was playing checkers with Otogi. "Maybe you should ask Daddy to kiss it….like he did for Dad."

Bakura's mouth dropped open and he stared at the boy, speechless, the look on his face somewhere between horror and disgust.

"You okay, Bakura?" Tristan asked, coming into the room, having to raise his voice to be heard over the others' laughter.

"What's so funny?" Justin asked, a trifle indignantly. "Daddy's really good at that."

"Good at what?" Tristan raised an eyebrow at Yugi.

"Making penises feel better." Joey smirked.

Tristan shook his head. "That's more information than I need. And I don't want to know how you know, baby."

Joey laughed and shifted Matthew in his arms, wiping the drool from the baby's chin. He set him on the floor and Matthew immediately put his head down, barreling forward toward the open door.

"Tris! Grab him!" Joey yelled.

Tristan scooped the child up just before he ran headlong into a table. "Head up there, little tank." Tristan bounced the baby in his arms, making him giggle.

"Tee!" Matthew fisted his hands into Tristan's collar and gave him a sloppy, open mouthed kiss.

Tristan wiped his face with the back of his hand. "Ick."

"Da-ee?" Lexi slid from Ryou's lap and approached her father. "Lexi nee know tum ting."

"What's that, angel girl?"

"Aw boy dot pee-niz, wight?"

Joey bit his lip to keep from cracking up at the look of horror on his husband's face. "Yes, Lexi. They do."

"Hmm…" Lexi tapped her finger against her lip. "Toe…'ugi dot pee-niz?"

"Mmhmm." Joey grinned at his friend.

"An Togi a Da-ee a Papa a Jut-in?"

"Yes."

Tristan shook his head. /Gods./

"Umm…." Lexi tilted her head, looking at Joey curiously. "Boos dot pee-niz?"

"Yes, baby. Bruce is a boy and all boys have one."

"Oh."

{Tris?} Seto walked into the room, heading for the bar with the wine. {You okay?}

"Set dot one!" Lexi squealed, seeing her uncle entering the room.

"Got one what?" Seto asked.

"PEE-NIZ!"

Seto never missed a beat, just turned right around without breaking stride and walked from the room, the bottles of wine still clutched in his hands and his face an interesting shade of purple.

Everyone's laughter drowned out Justin's question of what was wrong with his tallest father having a penis.

/Seto?/

{Fuck off. Gods…YOUR kid, Tris.}

Tristan laughed, causing Matthew to break into a fit of giggles. "Think that's funny, do you, tank?"

Matthew threw himself forward, nuzzling into Tristan's chest, still giggling.

Tristan brought the baby over to Yugi, who was collapsed against the arm of the couch, gasping for air, and handed the boy to his father. "I'd better go check on Seto. I think he was having an aneurism."

"'kay." Yugi snorted, struggling to sit upright.

"Daddy?" Justin claimed his parent's attention as Tristan left the room. "When's Pharaoh come back?"

"He'll be back tonight." Yugi replied. "After you've gone to bed."

Lexi pouted. "Lexi nee tee `ami."

"You can, sweetheart." Joey reassured her. "He'll be here when you get up in the morning."

"Lexi ab teep-ober?"

"Sure." Yugi smiled at the little girl.

"Tank-too, `ugi."

"Speaking of which." Joey got up from his seat. "It's getting late. You guys should be getting to bed."

"I'll go." Ryou stood up and went to take Matthew from Yugi.

"Uncle Otogi? Will you tuck me in and read me a story?" Justin asked.

"Lexi too!!"

Otogi got up from the floor and held out his hand to Justin. "Sure thing."

After the children had made their rounds, Ryou and Otogi took them upstairs, telling Joey they could handle the bedtime routine.

Joey went to join Bakura and Yugi on the couch just as Tristan and Seto came back in. "You okay there, Seto?"

Seto just rolled his eyes and went to the bar, proceeding to open the wine and pour it.

Tristan went to sit on the other couch and held out his arms to Joey, who immediately got up and went to him, being pulled down into the bigger man's lap. "Baby…we need to talk. Yugi? Is Yami ready yet?"

"Not for a bit yet. Why? Is everything okay?"

"Well," Tristan looked over at Bakura, who reached back to the table behind the couch, picking up a file folder and tossing it to the brunet. "Bakura found Dan."

"And?" Joey's gaze fell on the picture as Tristan opened the folder and the color drained from his face. "Oh, gods."

"So you do know him." Tristan said.

Joey hung his head, avoiding the other's eyes, and nodded.

"Joey," Seto came over with two glasses of wine and set them on the coffee table, sitting down next to Tristan and reaching out to the blond. "It's okay."

Pain filled amber eyes were raised, looking deeply into azure. "He's one of THEM."

"We know." Bakura said, his voice soft. "It's okay, Joey. We'll make him pay."

"No, you won't." Joey shrugged off Tristan's arms and stood. "I will."

"Baby?"

"He hurt Otogi. Just for that I'd make him pay. But…I need to do this, Tris. I need payback." Joey's eyes were dark with a mixture of anger and sadness.

"Joey…" Yugi stood and put his arms around his friend. "Gods…you're trembling."

"You're going after him, aren't you, Tris?" Joey looked at his husband.

Tristan nodded.

"I'm going too."

"Joey…"

"All tucked in." Otogi announced as he and Ryou came back into the room. He stopped, feeling the tension in the room. "What?"

"Tris and I are going after Dan." Joey said.

Otogi's features went chalk white and he swayed, causing Ryou to grab him. Tristan stood and went to him, putting his arms around him and holding him gently. Otogi looked up at the bigger man, his emerald eyes filled with fear.

"It's okay, kitten." Tristan tucked a strand of hair behind Otogi's ear. "I'll make sure he knows that he's not to come near you again."

Otogi laid his head against Tristan's chest, biting his lip. He could hear Tristan's heart beating and he took some small comfort in it.

"Guys." Yugi pulled away from Joey, his eyes distant. "Yami's ready."

Seto and Bakura rose from their seats, standing on either side of Yugi, but giving him some space. Joey stepped back and leaned against Tristan, watching expectantly.

Yugi smiled. "Here he comes."

The Puzzle glowed and there was a flicker of light surrounding Yugi as his form seemed to double and split. Suddenly, Yami was standing between his hikari and Bakura, looking pale and tired. His knees buckled and he began to collapse.

Bakura jumped forward, quickly scooping Yami up and turning toward the couch, laying him down and sitting beside him before anyone else could even move.

"Gotta love yami reflexes." Ryou grinned.

Yami blinked up at Bakura and reached up, swatting at him. "Hands off, Tomb Robber." He said in a weak voice.

Bakura snorted. "Should have dropped you on your scrawny, pharaonic ass."

Yami grinned and threw his arms around Bakura, yanking him down and hugging him as hard as he could. "It's good to be back, Bakura."

"Yeah, well…" Bakura slid his arms around Yami. "Good to have you back, Yami."

It took the others a few minutes to get over the shock of the two darks embracing, but they finally found their voices, each of them approaching to welcome Yami home.

By the time they had all settled down, with Yami sitting in Seto's lap and Yugi pressing close, it was getting late.

"Bakura." Tristan gave the white haired man a pointed look, his gaze flickering to Ryou and back again.

"What?" Ryou asked, looking curiously at his lover. "Is something wrong, `kura?"

"Umm…no."

"Bakura…come on." Tristan said, grinning at the flushed face of the shaking yami.

Bakura glowered at the big brunet, only to receive a bland look in return. Shaking his head, he turned on the couch toward his light, tucking his leg under him and giving his full attention to the man sitting beside him.

"Ryou," He began, distinctly feeling the butterflies that seemed to have taken up residence in his stomach. "We've…been together for a long time and…and I know that…things haven't always been good."

"Love, you know I've forgiven you." Ryou reached for his other's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Bakura nodded. "I know. And sometimes I wonder what I ever did to deserve that forgiveness."

"I love you." Ryou said softly with a slight shrug of his shoulders. "I'd forgive you anything, yami."

Bakura bit his lip and cast a quick glance at Tristan out of the corner of his eye. Tristan gave him an encouraging smile and Bakura turned back to Ryou.

"My light…my love…" Bakura reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "I love you with every beat of my immortal heart. I can't imagine this existence without you. I…" He opened the box, revealing the ring. "Will you marry me?"

Ryou's mouth dropped open as he stared at the ring. Everyone waited in silence for the pale hikari's reaction.

A full minute passed and Tristan finally spoke up. "Gods, Ryou. Say something before he has a heart attack."

"I…" Ryou looked up at Bakura with tear filled eyes and suddenly launched himself at his lover, nearly knocking them both off the couch. "YES!!"

"Really?" Bakura pushed his hikari back and looked into his eyes.

Ryou thumped his lover on top of the head. "What? You thought I'd say no?!"

"Ow!"

"Oh, Bakura." Ryou leaned in and kissed his other. "I love you."

Bakura pushed Ryou off him and sat up, rubbing his head. "Love you too."

Ryou grinned and held out his hand, the tears spilling down his cheeks as Bakura slipped the ring onto his finger.

"So when?" Yugi asked.

Bakura shrugged, looking at Ryou.

"I've only got three classes left at the Conservatory." Ryou said. "Let me finish there first and then we'll set a date, okay, yami?"

"You just let me know, love, and I'll be there."

"And NOT wearing leather pants I hope." Seto smirked, looking pointedly at the skin tight black leather encasing Bakura's legs.

Bakura grinned wolfishly. "I'll wear my good red ones."

"Don't even THINK about it!" Ryou glowered.

"Oh, I think you look so cute in a tux, Tomb Robber." Yami said, grinning.

Tristan glanced at his watch and stood. "Guys, I hate to do this, but I've got to go. It's almost eleven."

"You're not going without me, Tris." Joey also stood, a look of determination on his face.

"Baby, I don't think…"

"You don't HAVE to think." Joey turned to his husband. "I'm coming with you." He slipped his arms around the big brunet's waist. "Please, angel…don't deny me this."

Tristan searched the pleading amber eyes for a long moment before nodding. "Okay, love."

"Need some backup?" Bakura asked.

"No." Tristan replied shortly, catching the nervous look Otogi was casting his way.

{Tris, I think you should take him with you. You don't know what you're going to find there. This asshole could have a whole crew to back him.}

/Fine…he can follow us, but I don't want Joey knowing he's there./

They all followed Tristan and Joey to the door, Joey stopping to put his arms around Otogi.

"I'm sorry, beautiful." He said softly. "I know we had plans for tonight, but we need to do this. I need to do this."

Otogi leaned up and kissed the blond gently. "I understand. Just…be careful. Please."

Tristan came up to them and laid a hand on Otogi's shoulder. "I want you to stay here tonight, kitten. I don't know how long we'll be and you're safest here."

"Okay." Otogi nodded, tipping his head up to receive Tristan's brief kiss.

"Hey, slim." Bakura moved in behind the brunet. "Here, you might need this."

Tristan looked over his shoulder as Bakura lifted the back of his shirt, slipping a dagger in a leather sheath into the waistband of the bigger man's pants. He turned around and looked down into the deep chocolate eyes, giving him a minute nod.

{Be careful, buddy.} Seto came and put his arms around Tristan, kissing his forehead. {Don't do anything stupid.}

/I won't. Give us about ten minutes and then have Bakura follow./

Seto handed Tristan a set of keys. "Take my Harley."

"Thanks, pal."

The group stood on the steps to the mansion, watching as Tristan and Joey pulled away, each wrapped in his own thoughts.

Otogi watched the tail lights of the motorcycle disappear through the gates and hung his head, a small shiver running through him. He looked up as an arm went around his waist and found himself caught in Ryou's sympathetic gaze.

"It'll be alright, Otogi." The white haired man said. "Come on."

Otogi sighed and let Ryou guide him back into the house, trying not to worry. If Dan told Tristan the truth about their relationship, it would be over before it really began. He'd lose them both.

Tears filled the jewel-like eyes, unnoticed by the rest.

~*~*~*~*~