Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ So In Love With Two ❯ Why Don't We Fall In Love ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer: The tears fall down, I still own nothing, and I'm still broke. And there's some lemon action happening in this chapter. This lemon-writing thing is hard, but I actually liked this one, because I think it gives you an idea of the insanity going on in my overtired head. But this is my favorite chapter… so maybe I'm biased. And as for ownership goes, I don't own any songs either. Now I cry again….

Song Notes: So I was listening to Ready For Love-by India. Aire, (Joey's theme song in this chapter),I Care 4 U- by Aaliyah, (a song that applies to Yami), If I Ain't Got You- by Alicia Keys, (Yugi and Yami, definitely)I'm Not In Love- by BBMak, (Poor conflicted Seto) and finally Invisible Man- by 98 Degrees. (What's going on with Ryou?)


Chapter 5: Why Don't We Fall In Love?


Joey didn't see much of Seto after the night at the restaurant. The CEO was busy working around the clock, trying to get the final preparations for one of the biggest deals of his life finished. By Wednesday Joey had only seen glimpses of Seto as he came into school to drop off or pick up his homework assignments. Tristan didn't let his absence go to waste. Monday and Tuesday Joey had work but on Thursday he agreed to accompany the brunet to tennis practice.

"It's really getting chilly out there", Tristan remarked, coming out of the boy's locker room.

"Yeah, I know", Joey replied, regretting leaving his sweatshirt at his house. Tristan had a funny look on his face. "What?"

"I forgot something in the locker, come with me?" Joey nodded and followed the taller teen down the hallway. "I always forget the combo", he continued, twirling the knob.

"Here, let me", Joey offered, getting annoyed. Does he get off acting inept? He opened the locker and a medium sized bag fell out onto the floor. Tristan gave Joey another one of his looks. Joey sighed and picked the bag up. Do I have to do everything?

"What is that, Joey?" Tristan asked, that little smug look on his face.

"I don't know. Isn't it yours?"

"It has your name on it." Joey glanced at the little half smile on his lover's face and opened the bag. Out came a royal blue sweater. "I can't have my baby getting cold while he's watching me practice." Joey had no reaction until Tristan leaned over and kissed him.

When Tristan pulled away he looked at Joey who stood more than a little stunned. "You didn't have to…"

"I know. And you didn't have to make me fall for you either, Joey." Joey blushed and looked down, his eyes focusing on his feet. "I have to get to practice." Joey gave him a look and finally smiled.

~.~

"Wait, let me make sure I got this right. Start again?" Ryou asked, yawning. Yugi was infamous for his late night phone calls on school nights.

"It started to rain like an hour before I was supposed to leave, so by the time Yami came to pick me up his windows were already pretty fogged up. And when I got in the car I was like, we should just roll down the windows, cause you can't possibly see driving like this", Yugi explained. He was lying on his bed, the phone to his ear.

"And then he said that you guys could just wipe the windows off?"

"Yeah."

"And that's when he drew Yami + Yugi Forever on the windshield?" Yugi giggled a yes. Ryou sighed, rolling his chocolate eyes. "Yugi, why don't you talk to Yami? The guy just spelled it out for you, literally."

"I can't do that."

"You know I've never made you do anything you didn't want to, but this is really getting annoying. The guy can't get anymore apparent. If you don't say something I'll tell him for you."

"Nooooo, Ryou! You can't."

"Yugi! I'm surprised he hasn't come into your room one night and tucked himself into your bed. The guy is madly in love with you. Tell him!"

"I just can't, Ryou." There was a knock on Yugi's door. "I have to go, I'll see you in school tomorrow." Yugi hung up and tried to fain sleep as Yami opened the door.

"Still awake, Aibou?" he asked, walking over to the bed. Yugi held his breath, not moving. "Well, I guess there's no waking you, huh? Sweet dreams." He gave Yugi a kiss on the cheek and left the room. Yugi waited until he heard Yami's door close on the other side of the hallway before he breathed again.

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

It took three rings before Joey was sure that the telephone wasn't part of his dream. He yawned into the receiver, and rubbed his eyes. "Hello?"

"Joey, it's me, Mokuba." Joey sat up a little, looking at his wall clock. It was nearly nine. Wow, I've been asleep since five… "Joey? Are you still there?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm here. What's going on?"

"If you're busy I can call you later, it's not a big deal."

"No, it's okay."

"Well, Seto's still at work, and the cook had a family emergency and left before he had a chance to make me anything for dinner. And I ate some microwavable popcorn and some ice cream, but I'm still hungry, and I know when Seto eventually gets home he's going to be hungry too. Anyway, I was wondering if you could come over, and help me cook something. I'll pay you if you like…"

"Slow down, Mokuba. What happened to the rest of your servants?"

"We only have minimal staff on the weekends."

"Oh. Well, give me like ten minutes; I'm still in my school uniform."

"It's Friday, Joey, why aren't you out with your friends?"

"Serenity and Duke are at the movies. Tristan has some family thing. I'm not exactly sure where everyone else is. The teachers really piled on the homework today though. I guess cuz exams are just around the corner."

"I see. Hey, I'll send the limo. That should give you plenty of time to change."

It did. Joey arrived around nine. He took off his shoes and followed Mokuba into the kitchen. "What were you hungry for?" Joey asked, looking around the room.

"I don't know. It doesn't much matter, I guess", Mokuba answered, running his hand through his raven locks, a habit he had definitely picked up from the blond.

"Well, you said you wanted me to help you cook. So I guess we could make okonomiyaki."

"Japanese pancakes? I haven't had those since I was a kid. Our mother used to make them for us. Seto always got to help her, but I was too young to cook them."

"Well, your old enough now. Okay, we're going to need some bacon, salt, cabbage, cake flour, onions, a couple of eggs, soy sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, aonori, and Worcestershire sauce."

"I'll get the soy sauce, the ketchup and the mayonnaise", Mokuba offered. Joey and Mokuba raided the kitchen for all the ingredients they needed.

Mokuba watched Joey stir the dry ingredients together intensely. Joey smiled at Mokuba, and handed him the spoon. He mixed, but stared fascinated as Joey oiled the hot plate. "I can't remember the last time Seto or I used this grill, probably to make a grilled cheese sandwich or something."

"This is a really nice one. You should use it more often. You and Seto could certainly make okonomiyaki together. Or yakisoba."

"Seto loves yakisoba. He doesn't know how to make it though. I don't think he's much of a cook. Then again no one is, compared to you."

"Ah, you're only saying that. I only learned to cook cause my father wasn't going to do it." Mokuba gave him a saddened look. "Anyway, we're ready to cook them." He spooned a decent helping onto the cooking surface. Jax entered the kitchen, sniffing Joey and yapping happily, shaking his tail in excitement. Mokuba let the puppy watch them work with amusement, the dog running in between their legs.

"How do you know when they're ready?"

"They bubble in the middle. Then you use a spatula to flip them over. But the trick is, once you flip them you press down firmly." Joey pulled out another mixing bowl. "Okay, now we have to make the sauce." Mokuba got out a measuring spoon.

"Can I do it?" he asked, wiggling up to Joey.

"Yeah. I'm only supposed to be helping you. This is your pancake creation here. Okay, it's one teaspoon of soy sauce, one tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, and 3 tablespoons of ketchup." Mokuba added everything and started to mix it together. "Looking good, Mokuba."

"Thanks." He looked back at the pancakes. "They're bubbling!" Joey helped Mokuba flip them over. When they were finally done Mokuba spooned sauce on them and added the mayonnaise and aonori on top.

"Okay, you taste them first, Joey." Joey complied, they smelled too good to argue with the youngest Kaiba. Mokuba watched Joey's face. "Well?"

"Wonderful. I couldn't have done better myself."

"Really?"

"Yep. And look, there are plenty of them left. Enough for your brother."

"Yeah, if Seto ever comes home. He's been really busy this week. He has a lot riding on this merger."

"Merger? Wow." Mokuba nodded. "Did he call and say when he'd be back?"

"Late he said. He told me not to wait up for him because I have Judo tomorrow. Come on, let's go watch a movie. I can't go to sleep on a full stomach." Joey complied and let Mokuba lead him up the stairs. Mokuba had to carry Jax. "In here."

"This is Seto's room", Joey began, Mokuba closing the door behind them. "Isn't he going to mind?"

"No. I always sleep in his bed when he comes home late. It makes him feel guilty. He won't mind if you fall asleep in his bed too." The raven-haired boy crawled into the bed and slithered into the covers.

"Mokuba, I'm not going to fall asleep in here. I'll watch the movie with you, and then I'm going home. Besides I have to go wash my laundry tomorrow morning."

"Do it here."

"No, that's okay. I'm sure your brother doesn't need any interferences right now." Joey got into the bed reluctantly. Mokuba started the movie.

~.~

Tristan stopped by Ryou's house when he finally got home from visiting his relatives at 9:30. He was so excited by Joey and his near perfect week together that he wanted to share the good news with the transfer student. Bakura and Malik were on some kind of date, although Ryou scolded his spirit about taking Malik to the Shadow Realm to continue their tryst. Ryou's dad was still in Egypt so they had the house to themselves once Tristan arrived.

"Things couldn't be going better, Ryou. Maybe Joey's over Kaiba."

Ryou was warming up leftover burrito filing, while Tristan watched him from his seat at the kitchen table. He had already made a fresh taco salad and had spooned chili into two bowls. "Do you think he's over him?" Ryou asked.

"I don't know. I still keep thinking about Ky and what you said about me getting the feelings all confused. That's definitely possible."

"Just be careful, huh, you don't wanna rush into anything with Joey too quickly." Tristan nodded, silently.

"That smells really good, Joey's burrito recipe?"

"I'll have you know Joey is not the only wonder cook around Domino City. Joey took my recipe." Tristan laughed. "I hope that's not skeptical amusement, I hear." Tristan smiled, his warm eyes meeting Ryou's.

"Is this really where Joey got the recipe?" Tristan asked, getting up from the table and grabbing the mixing spoon from Ryou's paled hands. He tasted it. "Hum, it's almost as good as his."

"Punk", Ryou grumbled, pushing the taller teen with his body. "You interrupt my quiet evening at home, I listen to your problems, I wow you with my grandiose Mexican cuisine and you scoff! I'm feeling completely under appreciated." Ryou snatched the spoon from Tristan's grasp. Tristan laughed again. "And I'd really like to know what's so damned funny."

"Anyone ever tell you your ears get red when you get angry", Tristan asked, sitting on the counter next to the stove. Ryou narrowed his eyes. "I meant that in the nicest way."

"I'm so sure", Ryou complained, giving Tristan another look.

"No, honest. You make the cutest expressions when you're upset."

"Getting sappy on me, Tristan?" Ryou asked, turning back to look at the bubbling meat and sauce mixture warming in the pan.

"Not sappy, honest", Tristan answered, smiling at Ryou again. Ryou tried hiding his blush, turning the stove off.

"It's ready."

"Great, I'm starved. I didn't eat anything at my aunt's house." Ryou rolled the burritos, adding lettuce and tomatoes to his, but leaving the tomatoes out of Tristan's. "You know I hate tomatoes?"

"You've mentioned it on some occasion", Ryou answered. "What would you like to drink?"

"Anything's good." Ryou made his way over with dinner and a pitcher of lemonade.

"Bakura has a thing for lemonade, so I always try to make as much of it as possible."

Tristan poured some for himself. "Joey loves making lemonade. Let me guess he got his recipe from you as well?"

"Are you teasing me?" Ryou asked, shooting Tristan a look.

"Perhaps, would you like me to tease you", Tristan asked, laughter in his voice. Ryou didn't reply, taking a bite of his food. "I'm waiting for you to make another face."

"I wouldn't give you the satisfaction", Ryou promised, rolling his eyes. "You know, I'm getting pretty annoyed with your presence. I'm about two seconds from throwing you out of my house."

"You wouldn't dare. You know you love me", Tristan joked, grabbing the burrito and stuffing half of it into his mouth, missing the redness reappearing on Ryou's cheeks. "Speaking of which, I told him I love him."

"What did he say?" Ryou asked, meeting Tristan's eyes.

"Well, not much, actually, well, I don't know if you want to hear any of this…" Ryou nodded. "Well, he didn't say anything back really until after we had sex. And it was some pretty good sex too… Gods, I don't know why I'm telling you this. I'm sorry."

"Bakura said it best I think. It's not as if I don't know your boning Joey again." Tristan lifted his eyebrows. "So, what does this mean? Joey mentioned something about the two of you maybe trying again."

"Yeah, I want it to work. Things are really good right now. Do you think I did the right thing?"

"It's not really my place to say, Tristan. As long as both of you are happy."

"You know what though, I still have this nagging feeling like, once Kaiba's work load lightens up he's going to be starting his shit again."

"That could happen. Certainly it's a possibility."

"You think Kaiba likes him, or is it about sex?"

"Kaiba doesn't make his motivations known to anyone. I don't think he even confides in Mokuba very often, Tristan." Tristan considered Ryou's comment and agreed. He frowned. "What Tristan?"

"You can call me Tris, you don't have to sit there and say Tristan all night, unless you want to, that is."

"Tris is Joey's nickname for you", Ryou answered. Tristan gave him a look. "If you want me to call you Tris I will."

"You just don't have to be so formal with me, that's all. You're more proper than Yugi is. You calling me Tristan, I just don't want you to be shy around me." Ryou gave him a look. "I'm sorry I've been dominating this situation. Crying to you, complaining, thinking, I don't want you to think I'm not interested in what's going on with you. I'm sitting here talking about having sex with Joey and you're just sitting there listening, and I feel bad. You can open up to me if you want… I mean, you don't have to or anything..."

"There's nothing to tell, Tristan", Ryou said. "Want the rest of this?" He lifted the lemonade pitcher. Tristan shook his head. Ryou stood up and took their plates to the sink. "I'll do these tomorrow", he thought to himself. He opened the refrigerator and put the lemonade away.

"Did I say something I shouldn't have?" Tristan asked, standing on the other side of the refrigerator door as Ryou closed it.

"No, of course not."

"Am I making you uncomfortable?" he continued, hunting for a sign of what was making Ryou uneasy.

"No, Tristan."

"Don't call me that." Ryou looked up into nutmeg eyes, his breath catching in his throat.

"Would you prefer Tris?"

"I'd prefer you not acting like this around me. What did I do?"

"Nothing, you've done nothing."

"If you have a problem with me, you can tell me, Ryou, you don't have to pretend to be my friend. It's fine." Tristan looked away. "I'll just go."

"Don't. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I'll try harder not to… um… not to say things that offend you." Tristan focused his attentions back on the white- haired other. "I'm just, I get shy sometimes. I don't want to burden other's with my problems."

"Am I burdening you?" Tristan asked, his eyes growing soft.

"No, no. I didn't mean it that way. I like helping people work through their problems. In a way it helps me work through mine. I'm sorry, really, Tris."

Tristan smirked. "You don't have to force yourself to use that name for me", he whispered, gripping Ryou's shoulders. Ryou looked away, cursing the redness that was invading his face once again. "I shouldn't have overreacted like that. You've been more than wonderful to me, Ryou. And it really means a lot to me. I just don't want you thinking that Joey and my friendship is the end all be all for me. Use whatever name you want. Forgive me. I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable. It won't happen again."

"No, it's my fault. You were only trying to extend the same courtesy I've extended to you."

"It's done, huh." Tristan released Ryou's shoulders. "And it's only a little after ten, you want to do something else?"

"I have an air hockey table in the basement we could play, if you like." Ryou's confidence was returning.

"Awesome, I love air hockey." Tristan smiled, Ryou smiling back.

~.~

Joey kept his word and managed to stay awake until the very end of the movie. Mokuba wasn't as lucky. He tiptoed down the stairs and knocked on Bernard's door. Bernard was awake, waiting for Seto to call him to pick him up. Mokuba and the limo driver had insisted Seto call him instead of driving himself home late at night and possibly falling asleep behind the wheel.

"Your timing is impeccable, Mr. Kaiba just called saying he was ready to come home." Joey gulped. The limo driver smiled. "I'll of course drop you off first." Joey smiled a silent thank you and they got into the car.

When Seto got in the car twenty minutes later Bernard apologized for taking longer than usual. "I'm afraid I had to make a detour and drop off one of Mokuba's companions."

"Mokuba had company tonight? I told him to go to bed at a decent hour. He has practice tomorrow."

"I suppose he was simply lonely, Sir. Especially since, as you know, Hiroshi had to leave before he had a chance to make him dinner. So he called that blond haired friend of his."

"Blond? Who? Yoshio?"

"I'm bad with names. I only know where he lives. On the other side of Domino. Here we go, Sir." They were home. Bernard said his goodnights and Seto entered the kitchen to find something to eat.

What did Mokuba have for dinner? I told him to order a pizza. Did he eat all of it and not save me any? Seto opened the refrigerator and the pale light hit the plate sitting on the table. What's this? Seto read the note silently: Hey, Seto. Mokuba and I made you some pancakes. Just stick them in the microwave for four minutes. Spoon the sauce on and add aonori and mayonnaise. Enjoy. Joey. (Puppy).

Seto held the note in his hand as he followed its instructions. When he finished eating he went into his bedroom to find Mokuba fast asleep. Jax on the other hand was ready to play, and proved it by yapping. Seto shot the puppy a look and he quirked his head in amusement. He slipped off his work clothes and got into pajama pants and a t-shirt. As he crawled into bed he sighed. He could still smell Joey's aftershave on his sheets. He folded the note and stuck it under the pillow and grabbed some of the blankets from his cover-hog brother.

He was lying right here. He made me okonomiyaki. He wrote "Puppy". Why didn't he spend the night? It's after one in the morning. Seto rolled over. Why did Mokuba get to fall asleep with him? It wasn't fair. Did he go home? Or Tristan's house? Why doesn't he spend the weekend with us? Not that he cared. I don't care. If he wants to spend the weekend with that tennis playing fruit cup let him.

Seto sat up. What did Bernard say? Did he drop the puppy off at home? Or was it Tristan's house. Go to sleep, damn it. But he couldn't. Why hadn't he been paying more attention? Seto got up and grabbed his bathrobe. As he turned to leave the room Jax protested. Seto picked the dog up and ran to the servant's quarters and knocked on Bernard's door.

"Yes, Sir? Is everything alright?" Bernard asked, stretching.

Seto opened the door. "No, it's not. When you dropped Joey off tonight, where did you take him? His house, or Tristan Taylor's house?" Bernard gave Seto a confused look. "Was it a house on Minoru Street?"

"Yes. 158 Minoru Street."

"Good", Seto said, sighing with relief.

"Did you need me to take you there, Sir?" Seto looked at him, his face getting red.

"No. No. I just needed to know where you took him, because I um…" Bernard lifted an eyebrow. "Never mind, I don't have to explain myself to my limo driver."

"Of course not, Sir. Goodnight, Sir."

"Yeah, goodnight." Seto closed the door. Jax gave him a quizzical look and licked his face. Seto smirked. "No offense, but I rather get kisses from a different puppy if you don't mind." They headed for bed.

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

Jo ey flopped down the stairs Saturday morning to see if his cinnamon buns were done and stopped mid step when he saw Seto Kaiba sitting at the table, flipping through a magazine. "What are you doing here? How did you get in?" Seto looked up at him, eyes trying to appear innocent. "Let me guess, you made a yourself a copy of my keys."

"Don't be foolish, the door was unlocked."

"Why are you here then?", Joey asked, suddenly realizing that he was practically naked. Only a pair of flannel boxers stood between Seto and him. His alabaster skin began to perspire.

"I came to thank you personally for the dinner you made Mokuba last night. It was a nice gesture. Mokuba really appreciated it."

Joey ruffled his hair. "Well, I made enough for you too, Seto."

"I noticed." He thought for a moment. Was Joey trying to be a tease? "Anyway, I am grateful, Wheeler. Thank you." He stood up.

"Is that all you came over here for?", Joey asked, hoping it didn't sound too forward, or like a sexual invitation. However, making it sound like a sexual invitation could actually be a good thing...

"I don't mean to impose. You're not even dressed yet, Puppy."

"Um, yeah." He looked at the brunet timidly, crossing his hands over his chest. "But I did make cinnamon rolls, have some. There's plenty."

"I don't want to overstay my welcome."

"You can't be worried about manners, Seto. You let yourself into my house." Seto didn't respond. "I know they're ready. Just have some. I made plenty. Unless you really have to go."

"I suppose I can stay for a few more minutes", Seto said, making a dramatic show of checking his 400- dollar watch. "They smell good."

"They taste even better." Joey was bending over, taking them out of the oven. Seto sat down in the chair, hoping against hope that he wouldn't get hard.

Joey placed them on a plate, and got some napkins and some milk. He sat down, positioning them in between Seto and him. He began gulping down the milk as quickly as possible, white liquid running down his chin. Seto could only stare blankly. God, didn't that stupid fleabag know how much he turned him on?

"So, how was work last night?", Joey asked, looking up, pushing his blond tresses from his face. Seto was already helping himself to the rolls.

"Work's work." Joey gave him a look. Seto looked back at the plate. He aimlessly ran a finger around the edge. "We're in the middle of a hostile takeover with a major corporation. It's really hush- hush. No one knows about it yet."

"Which corporation?"

He looked back up. "I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you, Puppy."

"We're going to have to work on your trust issues, Seto."

"You're really insistent on calling me that, aren't you?"

"It's your name, isn't it? I doubt Mokuba calls you Kaiba."

"You're not Mokuba."

"Oh loosen up, Seto." He exaggerated the word just to tick him off.

Seto's embers flew out at his counterpart, eyes locking. Joey could feel the heat radiating off his body. Why did Seto have to come by, and why had he insisted he stay for breakfast? This was nerve-racking, nerve-racking but exhilarating at the exact same time. Seto picked up another bun, not breaking eye contact, leisurely bringing the pastry to his mouth. Was he trying to seduce him, was that his intention? He couldn't have just come over to thank him for last night…

Seto finished his bite and put the bun down. That look in his eyes. Lust. No question about it. Seto licked his lips in that slow, tantalizing way Joey had only imagined in his wildest daydreams. "Are you enjoying that?", Joey asked, with a little nervous chuckle.

There was no verbal response, however those blue eyes, blazing with what could only be read as complete desire sent Joey's blush heating up, along with his sex organ. "Something on your mind, Puppy?" That sultry voice, Joey damn near lost it right then and there.

"I want you…" Seto lifted an eyebrow. "I want you…to let me call you, call you by your name…your first name…" Joey's words stuttering and falling over each other.

"You have to earn that right, Puppy." Visions of wanting to kiss him, grab him, throw the rolls all over the floor, make a mess of the kitchen, of each other floated in his head…He had to get his mind out of the gutter, but he wanted the mutt, Gods, how he wanted the mutt…he wanted to hear his name…hear it come out as a whimper on those lips…

"What do I have to do?"

"What?"

"What do I have to do to earn the right to call you "Seto", Seto?"

"Prove to me your worth the privilege…"

Joey rolled his eyes. Of course Seto had to go messing the mood up by being his usual caviler self. "So cocky. See this is what happens when you don't have any friends." Seto gave him a look. "I know, I know, you already told me, you don't have time for friends. But I think it goes beyond that."

"Is that so?"

"Yep. Got you all figured out, Seto. You can't show any weakness. So you can't have friends because you'd have to reveal your weaknesses to them. But some of your weaknesses are more transparent then you think."

"You don't say. Like what?"

"You wear your heart on your sleeve." Seto stared at him.

"What are you talking about?" He was immediately angry.

"Well, I mean take Mokuba for example. Your feelings for him are so apparent. When you care about people you're obvious about it."

"I don't care about anyone, Puppy". Seto was looking at him deeply, fury continuing to build.

"Are you saying you don't care about me?" Seto froze, redness dashing across his cheeks.

It wasn't like he liked the mutt, he just wanted to fuck him. Joey was completely fuckable. Always had been, but he didn't seem to get it. It wasn't like he was catching feelings…that was ludicrous. That was completely out of the question. There was nothing wrong with casual sex; it wasn't as if he cared either way about the puppy. He didn't. Of course not…

"All this time I thought we were friends, Seto. . ."

"Friends? You and I friends? That's laughable."

"So what are you doing here then?"

"I already told you. I came on behalf of Mokuba." He was growing quite defensive now.

"You could have called, you didn't have to trek across town, Seto."

"We're not having this discussion anymore." He was ending this right now.

"You're really angry aren't you?"

"I shouldn't have stayed. I'm leaving…" He was.

"You hate me? Is that it?" Why would he ask him that? That stupid dog.

"It's not like that, Puppy."

"Then what's it like?"

"I'm leaving." He was leaving, not now, but right now.

"Why don't you want to tell me?"

"I said I was leaving."

"You already said that twice…"

"I told you, I don't need any friends. I've done things alone all this time. I don't need you chasing after me like some pathetic, helpless…"

"Puppy?" His question got no response. Joey sighed. Seto gave him a hard expression, meant to look tough and indifferent, but Joey could see the shell cracking a little. Why is he so stubborn?

"I'm a big boy, Puppy", Seto stated flatly. "I don't need friends."

"You can't live life all alone, disconnected from people", Joey insisted. "You can't..." Suddenly he stopped. He had reached for Seto's hand without noticing. The blond's hand, dripping with sugary glaze from the cinnamon roll, was covering the brunet's. Slowly, Seto's fingers entwined around Joey's. Neither of them was breathing. Joey's heart was pounding loud enough he was sure people in China could hear it.

Joey's voice a squeaky gasp, he tried clearing it, his eyes captured by his counterpart's. "Oops, Gods. I'm sorry. I…uh, I made you all sticky."

"I think we can fix that." Without taking his eyes from the amber orbs in front of him Seto raised their locked hands to his lips. He brought Joey's sugar coated index finger to his mouth. His eyes, lidded, each movement in slow motion, the fire that had transpired between them only minutes earlier coming back with a vengeance.

"Seto…" Joey was whimpering, Gods, it sounded even better than he first imagined… "Seto, I…hmm…" Seto continued his lingering pace, moving to the surrounding digits. His pants were getting to feel so restricted…those noises coming out of the puppy's mouth…they were sending him over the edge…was it possible…could he come just at the sound of his name? "Seto…" He was about to find out…

"Now…I'm making your lips sticky…" Joey thought, breathlessly.

"We should clean that off too…"

"Um hum…" There was one swift movement, Joey and Seto both leaning over the table, everything a frenzy, everything making no sense, sugary- adhesive palms clinging onto flushed cheeks, hair being brushed out of the way, lips barely touching…the doorbell ringing…

Joey pulled back, Seto immediately following, ending the near embrace abruptly. He blinked and the moment was over… he stood up, walking casually to the kitchen sink, rinsing his hands off. Joey stood stunned, the doorbell ringing again.

"It's probably Yugi", Joey stammered.

"I'll leave through the back door…"

"Don't do that…"

"No, it's better this way…"


And with that he was gone and Joey was floating towards the door. He was gone… he was gone… no…Gods, what had almost just happened just then…less than five seconds ago…

The door opened, Tristan turned around…Joey nearly went into convulsions. "It's you…"

"Yeah, you don't look ready to go."

"Where?"

"The laundry mat? You forgot, didn't you?"

"No."

"You're not even dressed, Joey." Tristan let himself in, walked towards the kitchen, surveyed the room, then turned back to the blond. "What in creation happened in here?"

"Huh?"

"And look at you, you're a mess, Joey…" Tristan walked over to the table. "Who's here?"

"Huh?"

"Stop saying, `huh'. Who's here?"

"No one…"

"Why are there two plates?"

"Serenity just left."

"You guys fighting? Is that why you have icing all over your face and fingers?"

"No, no, nothing like that."

"You look flustered Joey…"

"I'm not", Joey snapped, trying to gain what little composure he still had left. "I'm going to run and shower really quick. I'll be right back." He escaped up the stairs, with leaps. "I have to clean myself off, I'm all sticky…" he whispered to himself.

~.~

Seto returned home, with no greater urge then to wash the sugary paw print off his face in the shower. He knew he needed a cold shower, but he wanted a hot one. So he slipped off his clothes and got in, three showerheads hitting him with water all at once. The liquid cascaded down his body, it felt wonderful, invigorating, sensual. The only thing that could make this better would be the puppy washing him down. Gods, Joey…he found himself completely infatuated. He was smitten, smitten with Joey Wheeler…this was lunacy. He couldn't deny it any longer, he wanted Joey…but it was deeper than that now. Gods, I act like I'm in love with him…

~.~

Tristan and Joey weren't surprised when they got to the laundry mat and no one was there. It was still early on Saturday morning, and besides, the people in Joey's complex were pretty lazy when it came to getting their clothes clean. Joey appreciated the company, Yugi and him would often wash clothes together, they had some of their deepest conversations sitting atop dryers waiting for their clothes to finish.

But this Saturday Yugi switched with Yami and was running the game shop. Yami said he had some business to take care of, whatever that meant. Yami was an enigma, Joey didn't think Yugi even had the guy figured out, in any event, Yugi had to cancel, so Tristan offered to take his place. It was just that Tristan's timing couldn't have been worse. Seto…in the kitchen…but that was over now, done with…

"Hand me a dryer sheet", Tristan asked, jolting Joey out of his thoughts of what almost was. He supposed almost didn't count. He absent-mindedly completed Tristan's request. Tristan watched Joey pull his things out of the washing machine, blankly, dumping them into the dryer, then, with the same look on his face, push a new set of clothes in the washer.

"You okay there, Joey?"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm good. Tired is all." Joey continued in his task, Tristan accepting Joey's explanation and carefully throwing and catching the detergent ball, the one they were supposed to be using in the machine.

"You could be helping me, Tristan."

"Your right, I could be." He was such a jerk. Joey rolled his eyes and continued with what he was doing, Tristan making no move to help in anyway. He did, however, watch Joey quizzically. What was great about Joey was that he just didn't realize how cute he was even while doing the most ordinary tasks. He imagined Joey naked, as he began taking the clothes out of the machine. Tristan smiled in spite of himself, and missed the detergent ball, it spilling its contents all over the floor.

"Damn it, now there's soap all over the place. Stop jacking off, Tristan."

"Don't give me any ideas, Joey."

Joey, who had Tristan's clothes in his hands was struggling to get them out of the dryer. "Are you going to help me empty this load or what?"

"Only if you help me empty mine". Joey spun around… Tristan was standing there, his budding erection in plain view… The clothes tumbled to the floor.

~.~

"I'm back, Aibou", Yami said, entering the game shop. "I hope Joey wasn't too disappointed that you couldn't go wash clothes with him this morning." Yugi looked up from his book.

"No, it's okay. Joey completely understood. You had to go to the museum before the exhibit closed. Besides, Tristan said he would go with Joey instead." Yugi thought about it for a moment. "He seemed really excited to go wash clothes with Joey. I don't think I've seen someone so eager to do laundry".

~.~

"Shit Tris…" Joey murmured.

"Why do most of our engagements start with you saying that?", Tristan didn't wait for an answer as he pushed Joey against the washing machine, his half hard dick dry-humping Joey through his jeans, it rubbing him with slow, grinding circles. He was pressing himself into the shorter male, his mouth pressing just as fiercely, his tongue finding it's way down Joey's throat. After the initial surprise, Joey responded, kissing him back, deepening the kiss.

Tristan slid his hands under the jeans' waistband, pulling at Joey's crotch, Joey murmuring something incoherent, Tristan rubbing their erections together, sending Joey's heart flying… "We can't, Tris", Joey cried, pushing back against Tristan, only getting him hotter.

"Umm, I want you so bad, Baby…" Tristan's hands began roaming, pulling at Joey's shirt, lifting the cotton tee up, stroking his stomach the way he usually did. Joey tried to gain some clarity, some rationale before him and Tristan got down and dirty at the laundry mat. Tristan began sucking on an earlobe.

This was his last chance. "We're not doing this here", Joey announced, giving him a firm push away. Tristan could only look at him with bright eyes and an expression one part annoyed the other part turned on. That cocky look that Joey had grown to know well, lining his flushed face.

"Joey", Tristan began, factually, "you really shouldn't be a tease."

"What are you talking about? You started it, I wasn't even hard until you attacked me…"

"You wanted me to, Joey, admit it."

"Are you crazy, or something?" Tristan moved in again, Joey still fighting him, Tristan going for that spot on Joey's neck that had Joey's eyes closing and his mouth opening in a groan. He knew all his weaknesses. And he had gotten him so hard…was there going back?

"We're going to get caught, Tris…." Joey was trailing off, Tristan trailing the kiss back to Joey's earlobe, his hard-on still working itself against Joey's.

"It's okay, Baby…I promise…"

"Tristan…"

"I love you, Baby…do this…you want to…I can see it in your eyes…" Tristan grabbed Joey's lips again, Joey was gelatin. Tristan…he was trying to murder him…that's what Joey saw in Tristan's eyes…

Joey could feel his throat tightening. He said nothing as the brunet began tracing his hand against his chest, twitching as a finger went to tweak the left nipple. Joey moaned softly. "See, I'm doing you a favor, Joey…"

"Shut up, Tristan."

"As you wish…" Tristan was throwing their clothes onto the floor, taking one of Joey's nipples and selfishly devouring it. Joey moaned louder, trying to contain himself. Tristan's hands slowly sliding down Joey's body, Tristan bending down, his tongue following his hands' movements. He swirled it around Joey's belly button, his hands making their way up and down Joey's thighs.

"Damn it. Hurry it up…" Joey complained. Tristan smiled. He stood back up. "Wait, we need something to um…"

Tristan nodded. He bent down and found his pants among all the other clothes they had managed to make a mess of on the floor. He pulled out a small travel sized container of lotion from one of his pockets. Joey's eyes widened. "You…you were planning this, weren't you?"

"Turn around", Tristan demanded, his voice deepened with need.

"Tell me, Tristan!" Tristan kissed Joey again. Joey was pushing him away.

"Yes, I was", Tristan answered, still leaning into Joey. "Now turn around." Joey looked into Tristan's eyes, the usually hazel orbs were dark now, partially from arousal and partially from something else. "I need you…"

"Tristan…"

"I love you…don't you know that…I've never wanted someone so bad in my life…I wake up, thinking about you…I go to sleep dreaming about you…I'm completely obsessed…" Tristan was sucking Joey's neck again, Joey's mind doing back flips. "Let me make you feel good, Baby…"

Joey was panting, his head was swimming. Tristan took that as a yes and carefully helped Joey turn around. Joey leaned against the washer. Joey could feel Tristan's eyes boring into the back of him, his hot breath on his neck. "Tell me how bad you want it, Baby…"

"Stop…just, just do it would you…" Tristan was attacking Joey's neck. He wouldn't let Joey get the upper hand. Joey was moaning. "Tristan, please…just…" Joey didn't know which way was up anymore.

"Um…I love you so much, Joey…I do…" He began lubing Joey's ass up liberally, and then, slowly, began impaling him. Joey moaned again, it felt so good… Tristan began slowly, almost imperceptibly he began pumping with his hips. He pulled himself out, leaving the head in, before working his way back up. He grabbed Joey's erection and began beating him off. Each thrust hard, forceful, sending pleasure signals to Joey's brain: he wanted him to…he wanted Tristan…he did…Tristan loved him…didn't he…did it matter…it felt so good…

Tristan was relentless, slamming into Joey, Joey only able to moan and whimper as Tristan sped up the pace. "Mmmmm, Gods, Baby…", Tristan murmured against Joey's neck. Joey was pushing himself back into him.

"I want to hear you, Joey. Come on… let me hear how it feels…"

"Ahhh, Tristan…it feels…"

"Tell me…Tell me, Baby…" He grinded into the blond harder, Joey moaned.

"Ahhhhhhh… Tris… Gods, please…"

Tristan pressed harder, Joey pressing just as hard back. Tristan continued until Joey came all over the ecru- colored washer. Tristan came a moment later.

~.~

"Was it busy while I was gone, Aibou?", Yami continued, Yugi's nose already back in his book.

"Nope. It's still early. Everyone's probably home watching cartoons."

"I guess that's it", Yami agreed, his eyes not leaving his vertically challenged light. Yugi didn't respond. "You're welcome to go, Yugi. I'm sure you have a million places you could be right now."

"Not really." Yugi finally put the book down. "Why? Did you want me to go?"

"No, I didn't. I just didn't want you to sit here if you had anything else you needed to do."

"Well I don't, Yami. I have nothing else better to do. Grandpa won't be home until tonight, Joey and Tristan are probably done with their laundry, and who knows whatever else they're doing. The girls went to the mall. Mokuba has Judo practice later on this afternoon. Duke and Ryou have a science project due Monday, which is going to take the whole weekend to do since the last time the two of them worked on a science project together Duke added too much baking soda to their volcano and they made a lava mess all over our classroom. As for Malik and Bakura, no one wants to be the third wheel."

"Hmm…"

"I think they actually make a cute couple."

"I think they do too, Aibou. What does Ryou think of this? Is this okay with him?"

"He's always liked Malik. Well, for the most part. And he wants Bakura to be happy. Wouldn't any light want his dark to be happy?"

"It works both ways, Aibou."

"Yes, I suppose it does." Violet eyes met crimson eyes. "Why are you looking at me like that Yami", Yugi asked mentally.

"Aibou…Yugi… you really don't have to stay here with me, you can go do something else."

"I told you, all my friends are busy."

"I know, but you can go finish reading your book, if you'd like."

"I wasn't really reading this book, Yami", Yugi assured him, sliding the book off the counter and onto the floor.

"You dropped your book, Aibou." Yami bent down to pick it up.

"Forget about the book, Yami…" Yami stood straight up, the book still on the floor. "I already told you I wasn't reading it".

"You looked like you were reading it when I came in…"

"I was pretending…"

"Why?", Yami asked.

"Because I didn't want you to think I was sitting here waiting for you to come back, Yami…"

"I take it you were waiting for me then? Did you want to leave? Is that it?" Yugi shook his head no. "Why were you pretending to read the book, then?" Yugi didn't respond mentally or verbally. "Why, Aibou?"

"You know why." Yugi gave him another look and headed off into the house section of the building, into the kitchen. Yami followed close behind.

"Why?" Yami grabbed Yugi's shoulder. "Tell me."

"You know why", Yugi snapped, shrugging Yami's hand off. He turned around. Yami looked at him and nodded.

"Yes, I know why."

"I'm taking you up on your offer, I'm going to my room." Yugi walked towards the stairwell.

"I'm sorry, Aibou. I wanted you to say it first. I didn't know how." Yugi didn't turn around, standing with his back towards Yami, his feet firmly planted on the bottom step. "Please… I want to say it to you… just, please, don't go upstairs." Yugi turned around, slowly.

Yami approached him. With Yugi standing on the bottom step they were nearly the same height. Yami stopped, Yugi and him nose to nose. "I love you, Aibou." Yugi's body stopped responding… he swallowed hard, involuntarily. His mind a frantic mess of emotions. He said it, he said it. Joey and Ryou were right, he does feel like I do… I… shit… I didn't block him out… he can… he can hear everything I'm thinking right now…fuck…

Yami smiled. "Could you get anymore adorable?"

"Don't tease me." Yugi was blushing, looking away. Yami cupped the smaller teen's face in his hands and gently placed a kiss on his lips.

"I should have said something a long time ago".

"How long did you know?"

"Long enough…" His thoughts went blank as he kissed Yugi again. "You should really remember to block me out more often". The kiss ended.

"Is that how you figured it out?", Yugi gasped. Yami smiled and shook his head no.

"No, Aibou. It wasn't that. But you should consider blocking me out before you go to sleep. There are many nights I wake up because you're dreaming about me."

"Dreaming about you?" Yugi gave Yami an innocent look.

"I'm flattered you imagine our first time together, but your dreams are so vivid I come, Aibou."

"Oh My God"!!!! Yugi completely skipped pink, now turning a fresh shade of purple.

"It's okay…"

"Okay? No it's not, Yami! It's anything but okay!" Yugi sat on the stairs, his head in his hands.

"Calm down, Aibou. We all have dreams…"

"I'm so embarrassed…"

"You don't have an exclusive when it comes to getting worked up thinking about sex."

"If you're going to tell me we all have wet dreams I don't want to hear it. Grandpa already gave me the birds and the bees speech a long time ago."

"Yes, but I was being more specific. I was talking about me thinking about you. Having to take care of a late night erection because I'm imagining what it would be like to slip into your room and make you mine." Yugi looked up, frozen in a suspended pose.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Oh my God, Yami". Moments later Yugi had more to "oh my god" about, as Yami leaned in and gave him a kiss so intense it made Yugi's toes curl.

~.~

Tristan called Ryou when he got home, the events in the laundry mat still plaguing him. Did he force Joey to do something he didn't want? He had been so insistent, so demanding, he had set everything up. "It reminded me of a similar incident with Ky in the Tokyo University library", Tristan explained, sighing into the phone. "I mean, it wasn't like he raped me or anything. I just, I don't know what the Hell I'm doing. Joey's vulnerable right now, I feel like I'm taking advantage of him or something."

"Tristan it's okay. I'm sure Joey would have told you if he wanted you to stop."

"That day with Ky, in the library, there was something in his eyes. Something frightening, I kept thinking, what would he say if I told him no."

"Did he force you, Tristan?" Ryou asked, growing concerned.

"No, he just. I can't explain it, but with Joey in the laundry mat today, I guess, it was like… I don't feel like myself, Ryou, I feel like, I don't know. And he gave me a look, he was worried. I wouldn't have forced him, but it… Ryou, I don't think I should be with Joey."

"Tristan, I've already told you, you have to let your feelings sort themselves out. Maybe your trying too much right now."

"This entire situation is slowly getting out of hand, I see nothing but disaster when this is all over. There's no way someone's not going to get hurt in the end."

"It's going to be alright. If you want I can talk to Joey about everything, see what he's thinking. He's going through a lot, he's overwhelmed."

"Would you talk to him for me? If I asked you to?"

"Um hum, of course Tristan. I don't want to see anyone getting hurt either. And I agree with you, if something doesn't change soon someone's going to end up getting crushed."

"You've been so wonderful, honest. I thought Joey was the only one with enough patience to put up with my shit."

"It's okay, Tristan. I'm here."

"Still. You have to be getting tired of it. All my neediness." Ryou didn't respond. Tristan frowned in the phone. "Something wrong, you there?"

"Um, um. It's fine. I'm here." Promise, Tristan, Ryou thought, running his hand through his snow-white hair. I'm here for you.



Author's Endnotes: Well…. I don't think I have a witty retort this time. Except perhaps, REVIEW! Anyway, I got the idea for Joey and Mokuba making okonomiyaki from a Japanese website, and the idea for Ryou making Tristan burritos from Taco Bell… in case anyone really cares. Speaking of Ryou, what was that? How many people must I torture? And yes, I know, Tristan is certainly manipulative when he wants to be. That display in the laundry mat…um hum, yeah, a little over the top. As for Yami let me be the first to ask, what in creation took so damned long? Makes you wonder… is that why Yami always tells Yugi "pleasant dreams" before he goes to bed? And the question has to be asked, just how sticky would Joey and Seto have gotten each other if not for Tristan showing up. Well, for those of you anxious to learn what will happen in the next part of this insanity:


"Does your boyfriend know where you are?" Seto asked, moving his mouth to Joey's neck, and getting another moan in response.

"What boyfriend?"

"Good answer." His kisses were turning to nibbles.

"Ahhhh…. Seto….fuck…."

"You know what my favorite part of kissing you is?" Seto barely whispered, stroking Joey's face, "The part where you whimper my name." To prove his point he grabbed Joey with his teeth, kissing him again, gaining entrance, sweetening their embrace.

"Um… Seto…"

"Just like that." Seto kissed Joey again, frantically.