Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ So In Love With Two ❯ No More "I love you's ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh… But you know that by now. And there's some makeup sex in this chapter. Some makeup sex that was long overdue if you want my honest opinion.

Song Notes: Well, for the final chapter I had to put myself in a certain mood, so I was listening to All By Myself- by Celine Dion, Kissing You- By Desree, Water Runs Dry- by Boys II Men, If You're Not The One- by Daniel Beddingfield, and finally Secret Garden- by the Boss.


Chapter 8: No More "I Love You's"


Ryou wasn't sure why he had gotten to school so early, or why he was waiting at his locker. He felt like Joey a little, waiting for his dream lover to stroll along and say something. Tristan usually passed him on his way to the locker he and their blond haired friend shared, and yet, he couldn't help feeling like a complete idiot. The night before had been pretty intense. Tristan called Ryou the moment he got home and told him how the conversation with Joey had gone, and, for some reason, had told him how Joey started acting strangely at the mention of Ryou's crush.

Not that Ryou was thrilled Tristan had mentioned his crush to Joey period, but it was too late now, he assumed the entire group knew by this point, and he was actively debating whether or not he should excuse himself from lunch. Not that he feared anyone would say anything, Bakura wouldn't try one of his stunts, but still, he could see the looks on all of their faces. Mai would give him a disapproving look, she was clear about her recent dislike for Tristan. Yugi would smile warmly, but it would be placid, he'd be hiding something behind it. Even Tea, Tea would try her innocent act for a while, but who was to say whether or not she'd pull it off.

Ryou sighed for the umpteenth time when Joey and Tristan started down the hallway. Wonderful, I was hoping to avoid Joey, at least for a little while. "Morning, Ryou." Ryou reluctantly turned and smiled at the brunet, hoping he wouldn't start blushing or something, especially since any hint of redness on his cheeks looked ten times worse since he was so damn pale.

"Oh, hey, Ryou." Joey looked at him and then elsewhere. This is shaping up to be a bang up day, Ryou thought to himself.

"Hi guys, how's it going?"

"Okay. I got to get to the locker. I have to get my math book before the bell rings. I'll see you later though." Joey took off. Yeah, like he doesn't realize I'm avoiding him, Joey decided, practically running down the hallway.

Ryou and Tristan exchanged looks. "I should um…get to the locker too, I have to see if I can find my history folder…"

"It's okay, Tristan, you don't have to give me some lame excuse, I'll get used to being circumvented."

"Ryou, I'm not trying to avoid you, I really just have to get to the locker… I, I guess I shouldn't have told him…" he trailed off. "I messed up. I don't think he's told anybody else though, and besides, I mean, everything's really complicated right now."

"Complicated? Really?" Ryou's sarcasm was surfacing.

"It's all messed up, especially with Joey's reaction to everything I told him you told me. He didn't take it well."

"He loves you, Tristan. How else did you think he'd take it?" Ryou asked, his voice now hinting at angry.

"He's practically with Kaiba, Ryou, or haven't you noticed."

"And if he gets with him, you'll be free to get with me. That the plan?"

"Don't say it like that. Look, I sympathize with Joey, to a point. I mean this isn't completely his fault, there are a lot of feelings floating all over the place. And the same with me, you really did spring this admission of affection on me out of the blue, Ryou. I'm still reeling in shock here."

"I see, so for Joey and you it's complicated, for me… well, yeah, since I'm not hopelessly in the throes of a heart wrenching love triangle it's not complicated. It's simple. Joey and you will be together, Kaiba will get over Joey and become more reclusive than before and Ryou, well…no one told him to admit his feelings in the first place."

"Ryou, don't say that. I never said I was getting with Joey. Besides, I thought you were the one that said you wanted to see me happy with him."

"I want to see you happy, Tristan. If Joey and you make each other happy that's good. But that doesn't mean it's not going to hurt me. Listen, I'm just not emotionally strong enough to continue this conversation further. I'm tired, I'm drained. Class will be starting shortly. I'm already anticipating doing damage control as far as the rest of our friends go with my confession." Ryou closed his locker and began walking off.

"Ryou, wait." Tristan grabbed his arm. "I'm acting ridiculous. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for our conversation to go like that. You're so amazing and I'm like just really seeing it. And honestly, Ryou, my feelings for you only continue to grow, I do love you. I'm sure of that now, but I don't pretend my feelings for you go as deep as yours do for me. And I meant what I said yesterday afternoon, I really don't want to run away from this. You are the one thing that's been keeping me going all this time. I truly appreciate everything you've done so far."

"How nice to feel appreciated," Ryou mentioned, sarcastically, he pulled his arm away and headed for class.

~.~

"I see Bakura's not here again. Oh well. So how's everything with Joey and Tristan?" Duke asked, sitting in his seat in their art class.

"Well, they had a talk last night, I'm not sure how that went, but at least they're not bitter enemies anymore. You're making a face Yami, what's on your mind?" Yugi asked, giving his darker half a concerned look.

"I suppose I'm just thinking that we really should be staying out of it. I don't think things have been any better since we've been choosing sides, Aibou."

"Well, Yami," Mai began, "it's not as if either of them have actively tried to keep us out of the drama. Besides, like I already said, Tristan's been a pretty lousy friend to Joey lately."

"Yeah, well Joey's been a lousy friend too," Duke defended, picking color pencils out of the bin sitting in the center of the table.

"Both of them have made some mistakes, I'll be the first to agree. But I don't think either of them have been lousy friends." Yugi gave Yami a look. "What Yami?"

"This is what I'm talking about. We're choosing sides. Is it really fair to be discussing this when neither of them are here to defend themselves?"

"I suppose not," the game creator answered, harshly coloring with a light pink pencil.

"Yami it's not like we're saying anything that isn't true about them. We have a right to have opinions, and like Mai said, it's not as if they've kept this situation to themselves. Yami, why do you keep giving me that look? What is wrong with you?"

"Aibou, I just told you what's distressing me and you're still beating the issue to the ground. There is a difference between expressing an opinion and bad mouthing people. And like I said, the more we sit here and analyze this when it's really none of our business the more we're inclined to get involved further. I don't understand why you're surprised I would feel this way, Aibou." Duke and Mai exchanged a look.

"Maybe because you're always the first one to offer your analysis of a situation, Yami. Since all of this started you've been the one giving your "expert opinion" on all the happenings."

"Only because someone else, often you, brought up the issue in the first place. My opinions are not meant to be a definitive answer to all our questions about this Joey/Kaiba/Tristan thing, they are, however, meant to give a perspective from someone who's dealt with the trappings of love before."

"Oh, because you're like two years older than me?"

"It's not a matter of being biologically older than you."

"What is that supposed to mean, Yami? How many times must we have this discussion about you not treating me like I'm some innocent, naïve ten year old?" Yugi demanded.

"Perhaps when you stop acting like one. Is gossiping about your friends really the mature thing to do?"

"Where is this holier-than-thou rhetoric coming from? Is that all you think I do? Sit in my room on the phone or with Ryou and Joey and giggle and gossip all the time?" Yugi was now angry, and it was showing in his violet eyes. There was a storm brewing in their depths.

"Aibou, let's just drop the matter, I'm not going to argue with you when you start acting irrational. We'll finish this later, after school."

"I hate how you pass yourself off as the older, wiser one. As if we all forget that you're all seeing and all knowing. You're not a pharaoh anymore, Yami. This isn't Egypt. Stop making me look like I'm the crazy one. If you don't want to listen to me discuss a situation that Joey has spoken to all of us about on many occasions that's your prerogative, you can tune me out. But I won't have you reacting to my actions like I'm some kid with a big mouth."

"If that is how you feel about the situation, Aibou, that is fine. You're entitled to your opinion." Yami gave Yugi a look that wasn't quite interpretable. There was anger in his crimson orbs, but there was something else darker. Whatever it was it gave Mai a chill.

~.~

Joey decided it best if he didn't go to lunch right away. For one, he wasn't sure what was going to happen with Bakura. He didn't really want to see him, not to mention he was positive Ryou had told his spirit everything about confessing his feelings for Tristan. Joey was always under the impression Bakura didn't much care for him, and why should he add fuel to the proverbial fire. Furthermore, he had to speak with Seto. Certainly he'd have to clear the air with the CEO, especially since Seto was too stubborn to do it himself.

Joey walked over to the table in the library, rehearsing what he'd say to Seto. He sat down across from him at Seto's favorite corner table and cleared his throat before beginning, "All I ask for is three minutes."

"You get one minute, Puppy." At least he's calling me Puppy.

"I knew I should have asked for five, then you probably would have given me three."

"Don't flatter yourself, get on with it before your one minute is up."

Joey sighed. So he's not in a joking mood. "To be quite frank with you, I honestly don't think I need to explain my actions yesterday evening, but because I don't like things to linger or go unresolved I'll tell you what's on my mind." Seto sat unimpressed, not looking up, and continuing his typing on his laptop.

"Anyway, as much as I love spending time with you, and value all the things you've done over these two months, you undo your sweet gestures when you and Tristan go at it and you bring out that classic Seto Kaiba posturing. It's not becoming, and I really needed to speak with Tristan yesterday. It really helped me sort out a lot of the feelings I've had for him recently. That is not to say that these feelings cancel out any feelings I had or continue to have for you. This doesn't make this situation any better, if anything, it's only gotten worse. There has to be a conclusion to this very soon, I know that. Enough people have already been hurt. I don't ask or expect you to wait for me to come to this conclusion. If you choose to walk away from this I understand completely."

"Let me ask you something, Puppy. If you were in my shoes, if the roles were reversed, what would you do? Would you wait or would you walk away?"

"I'd love to tell you I'd wait, but truthfully, I'd walk away. I wouldn't wait."

"Why not?" Seto asked, finally looking up to meet Joey's honey eyes.

"It's not fair to me, it's not fair that I'd have to sit and wonder if all my waiting turns out to be for nothing. You could wind up with Tristan, or alone for all I know. Why put my heart out there like that."

"There would be nothing that would make you stay?" Joey considered Seto's question.

"I guess if I truly loved you, was truly in love with you I'd stay. But even then, wouldn't it still hurt to get crushed eventually. This isn't a game of duel monsters, it's not as if you can trust in the heart of the cards, or luck or something. It's the most dangerous game of all, and you set yourself up to lose a lot more than any duel."

Seto thought for a moment before saying, "it sounds to me like I'm being dumped. You're giving me an it's not you it's me speech here. In fact, it actually sounds like you don't want me to sit around and wait, you want me to walk away."

"I don't want you to walk away. But I don't expect you to wait." Joey was trying to explain, trying not to let the melancholy completely envelop his voice. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You already have, Puppy, or haven't you figured that part out. You think I can walk away right now unscathed? You think it's that simple, to let this whole thing go? I told you, I'm too involved now. It's not as if your inevitable rejection at some point sometime soon will be the ultimate heartbreak."

"Why are you so sure I'm going to choose Tristan over you?"

"I'm not an avid viewer of formula romantic comedies, however I know enough to know that in the end the lead always winds up with the person they had in the first place. Maybe you're right, Puppy, maybe I should just cut my losses and end this cleanly. Because I don't see there being a dignified conclusion somewhere down the line."

"You're still calling me Puppy," Joey pointed out, softly, he looked down at the table.

"What?"

"You're still calling me Puppy. Your feelings are not going to dissolve into nothingness because you will them away. You can't glare at them and they just disappear. You still love me, and in some cockamamie way I love you."

Seto gave Joey a look. "I already curse myself for ever saying anything to you, for ever letting my thoughts towards you reach the surface. For not being strong enough not to fall so hard and so damn fast, don't patronize me and rub it in my face. And don't start with those I love you toos. No more "I love you's", Puppy. And let me continue by saying that if this isn't resolved by the end of this weekend, if you don't get yourself together, and make some kind of decision by then your life will get a lot simpler. You'll be cut off. This time for good. That's how I am, I don't like lingering crap either, so this friendship we've been cultivating for the last several weeks will be finished as well. You can consider it a wrap."

"You won't be my friend anymore if I wind up with Tristan?" Joey asked, shocked. "You can't be serious. Isn't that taking it a little too far?"

"You wondered why I don't have friends, Joey? It does go beyond me not having time for them. I don't have patience for them either. For one, I'd hope my friends would be at least half as smart as I am, and you wouldn't be if you decided to get with that unstable individual. And secondly, and maybe more to the point, we were barely starting to form a friendship when we crossed the line from platonic to something more, how would you expect me to just be a friend after all the other stuff we've been through?"

Joey nodded sadly, and looked away. He's right, we can't be friends after this. Not really. And I couldn't expect him to want to be friends with me if Tristan and I gave it another go.

"Anyway, your one minute was up probably three minutes ago. And I do have work I'd like to finish before going into the office after school today." Joey nodded again. Seto sighed. Damn it, why do I always fall for that stupid Puppy face. I couldn't walk away, even if I wanted to. Seto cleared his throat, indicating he was changing the subject. "Mokuba mentioned he wanted me to take him to dinner at the Noodle Shop the next time you're working again. That is of course if you don't mind."

"I'm working tomorrow night, actually. You guys are always welcome to stop in."

"What time do you get off?"

"Nine."

"We'll be in around eight then." Joey smiled a little. He's so cute. Every time he smiles it's like I'm falling in love again. And what the fuck? What happened to the no poetry no bullshit…

"If I don't talk to Mokuba tonight tell him I'm looking forward to seeing him."

"Will do." Joey tussled some of his hair.

"I guess I'll leave you alone then. Have a nice afternoon." Joey stood up.

"I'll see you later, Puppy." Seto's blue eyes were soft and loving. Joey smiled again, fully. He called me Puppy again. Thank gods. I was afraid he was beginning to hate me again.

~.~

"Where's Joey?" Mai asked, handing her sandwich to Bakura.

"He mentioned something about talking to one of his teachers. But he should… oh look, there he is…" Tea pointed to the door.

"Hey guys." Joey sat down, pulling out his lunch bag. "What happened to Ryou?" The others exchanged looks.

"Ryou wasn't feeling well so he went home early," Yugi answered, giving Joey a look. Joey and Bakura exchanged glances.

This day just keeps on getting better doesn't it, Joey thought to himself, looking away.

~.~

"How was your psychiatrist's appointment, Seto?" Mokuba asked, climbing into the passenger seat of the car.

"It was fine."

"Did you speak to Joey today?" Mokuba continued, getting right to the point. Seto gave his younger brother a quick glance and looked back out the windshield of the Navigator.

"Yes. We had a conversation. Joey's working tomorrow night, and says he'd be glad to see us if we come in for dinner." Mokuba rolled his eyes. "There a problem, Mokuba?"

"Um yeah! Are you trying to avoid the subject or what? Didn't you speak about what happened yesterday evening when Tristan came by?"

"Yes, it was discussed."

"And?"

"And Joey said I shouldn't wait for him to figure things out, but then he said that I still loved him as if that was supposed to mean that I should let him sort it all out. So I told him that if he didn't get it figured out by the end of this weekend that he could consider it over."

"What!" Mokuba's voice was a near shriek, it startled the older Kaiba so much he nearly swerved off the road.

"Goodness, Mokuba, what in the world was that!"

"Why in the Hell would you tell him to get it figured out by the end of this weekend? It's Tuesday afternoon, Seto. What were you thinking? Are you nuts!" Mokuba was now practically hysterical.

Seto turned to look at Mokuba, his look so rough Medusa would have turned to stone. "You have some nerve, Mokuba. I never said anything about taking the advice of a barely pubescent meddler who has caused half the confusion that's transpired so far."

"Without me you'd still be in denial about your feelings towards, Joey! Damn it, Seto. Why would you undo everything I've done?"

"Listen here you little matchmaker, if it weren't for you I wouldn't have gotten my heart broken in the first place. Excuse me for wanting to abandon ship before I get completely crushed!"

"Don't you get it Seto? Once you tell him it's done, then that's it. You're as stubborn as an ass, he's not going to try anymore. He was reluctant to try in the first place. If I hadn't of coaxed him into it he would have been contented admiring from afar. He's in love with you, Seto. He's just afraid of realizing it, and with your threats against Tristan and him you're only alienating the guy. I don't understand your thinking. Why would you give him some deadline? It's not a corporate amalgamation, Seto. You can't treat him like a member of your board."

"Mokuba, I've had enough of your little stunts and games. You want to be treated like an adult but at every opportunity over the past two months you've done nothing but started intrigues and hatched schemes. What you've done is immature and inappropriate. I don't understand why you were so insistent in getting Joey and I together in the first damn place. We're two completely different people, we have almost nothing in common, it would never work between us, it would never last. What is it Mokuba? Are you in love with Joey, are you trying to live vicariously through me?"

"Now you're acting ridiculous."

"Well then what the Hell is it? Why the Hell would you create two months of drama, hurt feelings and bullshit? What was your motivation?"

"I want you to be happy, Seto! I love you, you've been everything to me since mom and dad died or whatever the Hell happened to them. Everything you've ever done you've done for me, and I appreciate all of it, and despite the few times we've had a problem with each other I know in the end that the only person in the world who has ever and probably will ever show me unconditional love is you. Is it that hard to understand that I saw how you longed after Joey? That I knew Joey longed for you. Tristan's breakup couldn't have come at a better time. With Tristan potentially back in the picture you were forced to look within yourself and admit feelings you tried to kill when we wound up in that orphanage. I'm sorry if my wishes for you were overzealous and you got hurt along the way. But it's not over yet, you're not down for the count. But Hell, do what the fuck you want, I'm done too, Seto."

Seto gave Mokuba a look. Mokuba was looking out the window, his hands across his chest. Seto could tell he was pouting, a habit he had picked up from Yugi, of course. They had just gone through the gate and were parking the car. Seto took a deep breath before beginning, "I'm not good with apologies, Mokuba. You know that."

"It's not about that, Seto. I just want to see you happy, smiling. Having sex."

"Mokuba!" Mokuba giggled. "This is what I'm talking about, it's one thing to be concerned, quite another to be obnoxious."

"You can't tell me you haven't wanted to get Joey in bed for over a year. Your sexual desires came a long time before the feeling attached to it."

"Mokuba, this is an inappropriate conversation to be having…"

"Don't you think he's good in bed? Judging by the frequency in which Tristan and him jumped in the sack two summers ago I'd say he's damn near spectacular."

"Mokuba!" Mokuba giggled again. "That's enough."

"Come on, Seto, just fuck him already."

"Mokuba, if you say that one more time…" Seto trailed off, Mokuba had his eyebrows raised. "I get your point, Mokuba. You're acting obnoxious because you want me to remember how obnoxious I just was to you, and I suppose to Joey as well. And I also suppose you're going to tell me that I should make amends with Joey, that I should explain to him that he has as much time to go over his feelings as he needs."

"Yeah, something like that." Mokuba smiled. "Hey, I'm not stupid, I know it's hard, especially since Joey saying he loves you back has been kind of….well, anyway, if I were you, I'd tell him you'd wait forever for him, if that's what it takes."

"I'm not saying that. This isn't some trashy romance novel, or some impracticable movie with B list actors. Those flowery words will not be leaving my mouth."

"A month ago you said you weren't in love with him either. Funny how things get wrapped up, huh?" Seto narrowed his eyes. "Come on Seto, no more anger, okay. I'll make you some green tea. And then we'll do our homework in your room and later, for dinner, we can make okonomiyaki together. Sound good?"

"Got it all figured out, do you?" Seto asked, teasingly, yet still keeping his voice impassive.

"Don't worry, there's still time for you to masturbate, Seto. Same time you do every night, in the shower, moaning Joey's name." Seto blushed and hit Mokuba. Mokuba giggled and hit him back. "You'll never win, Seto. I'm too good."

"Not for long, you brat." He chased the younger Kaiba out of the car and into the house, Mokuba squealing all the way.

~.~

Yugi picked up the phone, happy to hear Mai's friendly voice on the other end. "So how's everything, is there still trouble in paradise?" she asked.

"Oh, you mean, Yami. I don't know if I'm allowed to discuss that, I don't want him to think I'm gossiping again."

"Well, have you talked about the incident?"

"No, Yami's not home. Probably with Malik. He makes me so furious, Mai. I don't understand what goes through his head sometimes. Like today, why does he have to dominate everything we do, why does he have to throw his two cents in all the time?"

"I don't think Yami throws his weight around all that much. And there's something to be said about someone so protective. I'm sure that's all that was today, he doesn't want Joey or Tristan to suffer anymore with us trying to figure out what's best for them."

"Yeah, well he's been acting like an asshole to me. Ever since Sunday afternoon. I don't know why. He's colder to me, and more often. What does he want from me? Does he just want me to shut up and be submissive, let him talk crap all the time? Like this morning, that comment about it not just being a matter of biological age. Do I act like a child? I hadn't noticed."

"You don't act like a child, Yugi. But look at what's been going on with the two of you, ever since you started thinking Malik and Yami had a fling going behind your back you've been acting more than a little out of character. I mean you've flipped on Yami on more than one occasion, caused at a public spectacle at crab sushi night at your house, and it all cumulated with you calling Malik a blond haired bitch. Instead of telling Yami you were in love with him you acted completely unlike yourself."

"Why is it that the entire time before Yami finally said something to me it was on my shoulders to say something first? Why wasn't Yami saying something to me, especially seeing as he saw how upset I was with the idea of him being with Malik. Instead he tortured me for weeks. He decided to let Malik and his ruse be as authentic as possible. He cared more about Malik and their little secret than telling me how he felt, including telling him private conversations the two of us had. He was the one consistently acting like a jerk."

"Well, that night with the fogged up windows, I asked Malik why it was Yami hadn't said anything to you about his love for you. Malik said that Yami was terrified of admitting his feelings. I didn't believe him when he said it. But maybe it's true. In Yami's past life he was the supreme ruler of an entire country. Whatever he said went, he didn't have to deal with all that other stuff. Here, in the present, he has to negotiate modern life, a new set of friends that are connected to him from the past, and you, a guy he's loved for so long he probably doesn't remember not loving you. And he doesn't say anything because what if you reject him. As ludicrous as that sounds to the two of us, he's used to people bending over backwards for him. Here, now, you can do whatever you please. Maybe some of that need to be in control keeps haunting him, which is why he reacts to you the way he does sometimes. But that's just a thought. I could be way off base."

"Mai, I think if you were anymore on target I'd have to replace Ryou with you in the advice department."

~.~

Joey wasn't sure if Bakura was even going to let him in the house. Chicken soup or not, Bakura didn't like Joey very much, and even if Ryou were genuinely sick, which was questionable, it still faired to reason that Ryou didn't want to see the blond regardless. Joey was already preparing to meet with heavy resistance when arriving at the Bakura residence but he had to say something. Tristan was already talking about coming over to see Ryou after his tennis practice, so Joey needed to say something before it got any later.

He rang the doorbell, relieved that Malik Ishtar answered the door. "Oh, hi, Joey."

"Hey, Malik, is Ryou around, I made him some soup."

"Actually he um…"

"Who's there, Malik?" Bakura called from the kitchen.

"Joey." Malik looked at the other blond. "Ryou's still feeling a little sick, I'm not sure he's going to want visitors right now…" Bakura appeared at the doorway.

"Can we help you, Joey?"

"He came to bring Ryou soup, Baby." Bakura stood unimpressed. "I'll go see how Ryou's feeling." Malik smiled at Joey and headed upstairs to Ryou's room. Bakura stood with his arms folded.

"I just want to talk to him, I won't kill him or anything, I swear it."

"I don't think there's anything you and Ryou have to discuss."

"I shouldn't have acted like I did this morning towards him, I was acting silly, I want to apologize."

"I'll relay the message. Was that all?"

"I'd prefer to relay the message myself, Bakura. I know you don't like me or anything, but Ryou's a good friend of mine, and I've been trying to make amends all day. I'm sorry that Tristan told me that Ryou told him about his crush. But I haven't said anything to anyone else. And I don't see why that should ruin my friendship with either one of them."

Bakura lifted an eyebrow. "You want to see him, answer a question for me."

"What question?"

"Just between the two of us, no one else, which one of them are you in love with? Kaiba or Tristan?"

Joey frowned. "If I knew that my world wouldn't be turned upside down. Besides, I'm in love with them both, that's the problem…"

"No, you're not."

"I'm not?"

"No. You can't be in love with two people at the same time. You love them both perhaps; I'll give you that. But you're only in love with one of them. You've gotten your stupid human emotions all mixed up. So which one is it?"

"Wait a minute, how are you so sure you can't be in love with two people at once?"

"Because to truly be in love you're consumed by only one person. You love Yugi, and Ryou and all the rest of your group of friends, you love Serenity and Mokuba like siblings, but you're certainly not in love with any of them. For instance, I'm certainly not in love with you."

"But you love me?"

"Pay attention, would you?" Joey gave Bakura an annoyed look. "Now stop answering questions with questions. Which one are you in love with? The CEO or the High School tennis star?"

"Hold on. That comment you just made. Was the gist of what you were alluding to that you consider me a friend? Bakura, I just, why… I thought you hated me?"

"What would give you a stupid, moronic idea like that, you idiot?"

"Gee, I don't know." Joey rolled his eyes.

"Fine, you want it plain and simple? When Ryou and I first moved to Domino, (of course at the time we were sharing a body), Ryou was still nursing a broken heart. Him and that guy who's name I won't dignify by speaking had broken up a couple of months before that. And what happens, he meets you guys, and then he falls for Tristan. Who I knew was bad news, although a part of me liked the guy, in a platonic sense…you keeping up with this, Joey…" Joey nodded. "Whatever, so of course Ryou's too shy to say anything about his little crush and before long there you are…all over the place, ruining Ryou's chance at happiness. So yeah, I guess I resented you a little, even though I have to admit that it was a little silly, seeing how Ryou guarded this secret with his life and made sure you never found out in the first place. Understand, Joey?"

"I think so. But still, I mean, I don't know if all of your animosity towards me can be so easily explained away. You can't tell me a part of you doesn't despise me for some other unknown reason."

"No, that's basically it. What, are you looking for an explanation for my recent comments to you in public venues? Well for one, you're quite fun to tease, and second I enjoy watching Yami get emotional defending you, and lastly, and maybe most importantly, as for the latest incident, I was angry with you hurting Tristan. And everyone else was taking your side anyway, so I figured I'd play devil's advocate a little. What, you want an apology? Fine, I'm sorry. Okay? I don't hate you. Don't take it so personally, this is the way I am to everyone."

"So you really don't hate me? And you love me?"

"Love you, where would you get a stupid idea like that?"

"As a friend of course."

"Who said anything about us being friends?" Joey smiled. "Okay, enough digressions, what about my question. Who are you in love with?"

"How do you know when you're in love, Bakura?"

"I'd sooner tell you how many stars are in the sky."

"Whoa, that's deep." Joey rolled his eyes again.

"Hey, asshole, in a minute your decision will be quite clear because you'll be in the Shadow Realm." Joey sighed. Him and that damn Shadow Realm. "I can't tell you how it feels to be in love, it just happens."

"Just happens?"

"Yeah, one day you're plotting another's destruction the next you're thinking about someone else every moment of the day. It's like a song, when it gets in your head, and you really like it, and you play it over and over again on a CD player and the CD warps cause you've played it so much, and no matter what you do everything reminds you of how much you like that song. You're humming it in a classroom, you're excited when it comes on again. It's an obsession. That's what being in love is like, only a million times worse. Suddenly you catch yourself doing sweet little things that you know he'll like, and wanting to be a better man for him. Not going to the Shadow Realm on the weekends, doing your homework so that he won't get mad it's not finished and won't…"

Joey stood with a smirk on his face. "You get the point. Anyway, go tell Malik to come back down here. As for you, if you upset Ryou when you speak with him, even if it's unintentional, I'll break your face."

"Understood. Thank you, Bakura. I appreciate you speaking to me candidly."

"Yeah, whatever." Bakura sighed. "I'm not into mushy shit."

"That much I can see." Joey walked up the steps with the thermos of soup and knocked on Ryou's door.

"Come in." Malik and Ryou gave Joey a look, but Malik's look softened to a smile.

"Uh, Bakura said something about wanting you to come back downstairs," Joey explicated.

"Okay." Malik stood up. He gave Ryou one last glance and left, closing the door behind himself.

"I brought you some soup. Chicken. I know it's your favorite. I followed your recipe exactly, although I added my own little something to it." Joey approached the bed where Ryou was sitting, his knees were withdrawn to his chest, and he was sitting with his back propped up against the headboard. Joey handed him the thermos.

"You know, no one ever believes you've gotten any of your recipes from me," Ryou began, taking the peace offering in his hands and opening the lid.

"You make it sound like I've gotten an abundant amount from you. And besides I'm a much better cook than you anyway," Joey retorted back.

"Such a jerk, Joey." Ryou smiled at him and poured a fair amount into the cup- shaped top. Joey reached into his pocket and pulled out a spoon. "See you came prepared."

"Um hum. Of course." He handed him the spoon, Ryou took a taste.

"So, are we going to continue this banter or are we just going to get right to the pink elephant in the room?" Ryou asked, feeling the warm broth soothe his sore throat.

"Pink elephant. Listen, Ryou, I'm sorry Tristan told me what happened between you yesterday. But I'm more sorry that you don't consider me a close enough friend to share things with me. I hate to think that this is one-sided. Here I've been, harping to you for eight months about Tristan being MIA and I never took the time to find out what was going on in your world."

"Oh, Joey, no, it's not you. I've always been this way. I don't even tell Bakura things, I just let little secrets leak out through our link, otherwise no one would know what was going on with me. It's not you though, and besides, I really do enjoy talking to you guys and helping you work through your problems. I felt so guilty keeping my feelings for Tristan from you."

"No, I'm the one that feels horrible, Ryou. You can't help how you feel. I just wish I was easier to approach. I get really involved in my own shir. I think I handled a lot of this all wrong, especially since I didn't think about how anyone else was feeling while my indecisions played out. But really, I'm glad you told Tristan. I'm glad it's off your chest, and I think Tristan's an idiot for potentially messing things up between you."

"But Joey, this whole time I was giving you advice I was biased."

"You didn't act that way. If anything you're the one who said I should be with Tristan. And I know now you said it partially because you believe Tristan will be happy if he's with me. I don't think that's so true anymore. I don't know what to believe, to be honest. But, Ryou, I'm sorry I got all weird about it. Yeah, I guess I was even a little jealous, but I was more concerned Tristan would end up hurting you, which if he does, best friend or not, I'd have to throw him off a bridge or something. You're like a brother to me, Ryou. I just don't want anything to come between us."

"Aww Joey, you're a brother to me too."

"This is good, we should hug." Ryou smiled and put down the soup. Ryou and Joey embraced. "I'm glad that's all settled."

"Honestly, Joey, if you and Tristan get together I'll understand. As long as we can always be friends, okay?"

"Okay. Yes." They let each other go.

"And I'll try to open up to you guys a little more. I've just been so jaded and embittered about love in my life. I guess it was really my own fault. People don't generally meet the one so young, but like Ky, he was older, and I guess I got caught up in pretty words and promises. He wasn't as horrible as Ky was, but he was still too much for me, I wasn't able to handle our situation. Looking back on it I wonder if he was in it for sex, or companionship, or who knows. Plus he was the first so I guess there's a whole other level of attachment that goes along with that. But anyway, like I was saying before, don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"I just don't want you putting your feelings last, Ryou. I don't like the idea of you setting yourself up for misery and heartache. I don't know why Tristan and you couldn't work out sometime in the near future, once Tristan's emotionally in check again."

"It's no longer a question of either one of us ending up with Tristan anytime soon, it's more about the later on. And I'm wondering if you want to wait for that later on, Joey. You love him, don't you?"

"Yeah, I do." Joey looked down.

"Don't be ashamed about that. It's natural. You guys share so much history together. It was bound to happen at some point. Joey, I know this sounds hard to believe, I know you're convinced that if you wind up with him I'll be devastated. Yeah, it'll hurt at first, but nothing can equal the pain and humiliation that other person caused me. One day maybe I'll share that story with you; explain why it is I'm so afraid of sharing feelings. Trust me, Joey. It'll be fine."

Joey looked back up. "Promise me you won't sell yourself short. Promise me you won't push him away just because you think the two of us are going to end up together. I feel almost obligated to be with Tristan at this point, between you and Seto I'm at my wits end."

"Why what happened with that? You did go see him during lunch, right?"

"Yeah, he told me that I needed to figure out who I wanted by the end of the weekend. And he said if I choose Tristan I can consider it a wrap."

"Consider what a wrap?"

"Our friendship. He said it'd be done. Which in a way I don't blame him for, I guess I wouldn't want to be friends with me either."

"So he expects you to make a decision at the end of the weekend?"

"Yeah, I guess so. Which makes no sense. I don't even know what's going on with Tristan and I, and as for Seto, as much as I like him, even love him, this is too much. I don't want to have a relationship with someone who dislikes my best friend so much."

"I'm sure Seto and Tristan can work on having a civil relationship when this whole thing clears up. They won't end up being best friends, but maybe they can stop confronting each other every time they meet."

"That would be nice. Of course if Seto considers it a wrap then it won't be a matter of him being friends with Tristan, since he'll no longer be friends with me."

"He's only saying that because he's trying to protect himself. You'll always have a relationship because of Mokuba."

"I guess so. I should call Mokuba when I get home. So, is Tristan coming over tonight?"

"He said he was coming as soon as he went home and showered."

"Why didn't you tell him to shower here?" Joey asked, a devious smile on his face.

"I was tempted to." A slight blush accompanied Ryou's admission.

"Well, practice ended like twenty minutes ago. So I better be leaving then. I don't want to interrupt anything that might happen tonight."

"Nothing will be happening. And besides, you make it sound like you want me to end up with Tristan."

"You keep making it sound like you want me to end up with him. Anyway, I have to go make dinner or something, even though I have the sneaky feeling Serenity will be eating at Duke's tonight, I tell ya, she just doesn't appreciate my cooking."

"And you don't appreciate mine."

"Ryou, like I said, everyone knows I'm a better cook than you. Ask Tristan, he'll tell ya. If this were a cooking contest you'd lose hands down."

"Don't make me reconsider plotting against you, Mr. Joey Wheeler." Ryou pushed him. "Or maybe better, I'll get my yami to do my dirty work for me."

"Not going to work. Bakura loves me. He told me downstairs." Joey stood up. Ryou smiled.

"This mean you guys are okay? Did he apologize like I told him too?"

"Yeah. It's cool now. I suppose he's not completely bad. He's maybe bearable." Joey opened the door, Ryou and him started down the stairs. Malik was giggling and Bakura was saying something they couldn't quite make out.

"Why they refuse to keep their interludes to Bakura's room I don't understand," Ryou grumbled, opening the door for Joey. Of course as luck would have it Tristan was standing on the other side.

"Oh, hey guys." Tristan looked at each of them.

"Hey, Tris. Okay, Ryou, I'll see ya. Bye Tris." Joey left before anyone could say anything else. Tristan lifted an eyebrow as Ryou closed the door.

"That a look of disgust at Malik and Bakura's audible loving in the other room or is it a look of surprise Joey was over."

"The second thing." Ryou smiled.

"Well, come to my room, because I'm disgusted by the noises coming from the other room." Tristan followed.

"So, what should I make of Joey being over here?" Tristan asked, closing the door. He put his backpack on the dresser.

"Well, I won't lie to you, Joey and I had a knock em out bitch fight over you, and then in the heat of the moment we got so enthralled with each other he threw me on the bed and had his way with me."

Tristan smiled, and stroked Ryou's chin. "Did that blond do bad things to you, Ryou?" Ryou smiled as an answer.

"No bad things I didn't secretly want to happen." Tristan leaned over and kissed him.

"So, what's that mean, you're throwing me over for another guy?"

"Maybe." Tristan smirked.

"So I am not forgiven for my stupidity from this morning?"

"Why should you be forgiven?" Ryou asked.

"Because I'm simply irresistible." Ryou rolled his eyes, playfully. "Can a steal another little kiss?"

"I guess, but just one. Then that's enough. I have to finish my homework, and if we're going to be eating dinner we're gonna have to make something."

"Just one kiss, hum? Better make it count." Tristan leaned in again, immediately going in for the kill. His hands worked their way into the now familiar white hair, instantaneously deepening the kiss. Ryou nearly moaned immediately, cursing himself for being so into Tristan. This is only going to end with me being hurt. Tristan's aggressiveness continued, Ryou's heart was pounding, he couldn't help his moaning, Tristan's lungs were flattening out, and he finally pulled away. Ryou gasped.

"What were you saying about just one more kiss?" Tristan mocked.

"Tristan, no more. Don't you know your kisses are lethal?" Ryou answered, pulling away gently. Tristan pouted, his lower lip jutting out. Everyone in the group had taken lessons from Yugi it seemed. "Anyway, enough of that. A few kisses aren't going to erase all the problems we're currently undertaking."

"I know that. I just can't help it, you're so gorgeous, really."

"Tristan, um um. You won't be suckering me into any further tongue play."

"The only sucking I want to be doing is…"

"Don't say anything else. Tristan if you don't behave I'll have to ask you to leave," Ryou warned, his voice still light.

"Okay, no more." Ryou smiled. "So, homework and then cooking?"

"Yeah. We can do the homework in here if you promise not to try anything."

"I'll try not to try anything. But I wanted to kiss you all day, Ryou. After you got mad at me in the hall this morning."

"I admit to being a little out of line, earlier. I did spring this on you all at once."

"Still, I was acting pretty dumb, before. So I also apologize."

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

"Wait, you still haven't spoken to Yami?" Ryou asked, his eyebrows rose. Yugi and him were having a telephone conversation after school on Wednesday.

"Well, not really. Yami came home mysteriously late last night. Grandpa was ready to have a fit. Sometimes I think he forgets he's still a teenager and in this lifetime he can't be out carousing at all hours. When he finally came home Grandpa told him how worried we were about him. Yami apologized for missing dinner, gave me a nasty look and headed to his room. For someone who's only been in this time period for a relatively short period of time he certainly has the moody teenager act down to a science."

"What about this morning, before school?"

"I got up early to make us breakfast, and Yami decided he'd have cereal and toast instead. Then when I told him I made him eggs he said something about not asking me to cook for him. He didn't want me thinking he needed me to be submissive or something like that. So then I asked him if he read my thoughts without my permission. He said no, that I was talking obnoxiously loud on the phone when I called Joey last night. I don't believe him. And even if I did that means he was eavesdropping."

"Where was he during lunch?" Ryou wondered.

"He was with Malik. Malik went to the library for his study hall and Yami met him there. He complains about me acting immature and this is how he acts to me. I'm done with him. He's an asshole."

"Well, you just got home from school, Yugi, I'm sure Yami will be home any minute. Bakura and Malik are supposed to go get an early dinner together so he won't be with him."

"It's not as if he doesn't have a million and a half friends. I haven't seen a guy with that many fan girls since Seto Kaiba. And besides, it's not as if it's all that tricky to avoid me, Ryou. How many times over the past several weeks have the two of us fought? I'm not going to put up with it for too much longer. The guy's about to be done for good."

"Done for good, Yugi, you're really being silly here. Come on, you barely just started dating him a week ago. You're not done with him, Yugi."

"You were smart not to get with Bakura. Bad enough the guy lives in my house, but he can read my mind, literally. And yes, he will be done for good if he keeps this up. It's not a matter of being cut off anymore. He's going to wind up severed. Amputated."

"Yugi, I'm sure he's not avoiding you. Just tell him what's bothering you."

"Therein lies the problem. Every time we have a discussion it turns into a battle of wits. Yami tells me to act my age, I tell him to stop treating me like a child. We go around in a circle over and over again." Yugi could hear the door to the house unlocking. Since Yugi's grandfather was presumably in the game shop the only other person that could be entering the house was Yami. "Ryou, I'll call you back."

"He's home."

"Yep."

"Good luck, Yugi."

"Thanks." He hung up the phone as Yami entered the kitchen. "Good afternoon, Yami."

"Aibou." Yami said nothing else as he went to the refrigerator to find something to eat.

"How was your day, Yami?" Yugi asked.

"Fine. And yours."

"Fine."

"Glad to hear it, Little One." Yami pulled out the milk container. He turned to look at Yugi who was currently sitting on the countertop closest to the fridge. "Yugi, did you put this back in here with only three drops left?" he asked, presenting the container to the other.

"Not that I remember." Yami narrowed his eyes a bit and handed it to him.

"Just throw it away, Yugi, there's no need to save it when there's less than a half a swallow left in it."

"You could throw it out, Yami." Yami gave Yugi another look, his eyes narrowing further. He pulled the container from Yugi's grasp and chucked it.

"Yugi, if there is something you want to say to me go ahead. At the moment I don't have much to say to you." Yami peered into the refrigerator again. Yugi looked into his lap.

Yami found a slice of cheesecake and pulled it out. He walked over to the other counter to get a fork and plate. "I'm going to my room to do my homework. If you need anything, your grandpa is right in the game shop, I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you." If Yami's remark was meant to be bitter it did the trick. Yugi looked away hurt as Yami headed up the steps. Yugi sighed.

Yami was sitting on his bed, his history book opened to the appropriate page when there was a knock on the door. "Yes, Aibou? What?" It came out harshly, but Yami immediately regretted sounding so nasty when Yugi opened the door, a wounded look on his face. He held an unopened bottle of milk in his hands.

"There was milk behind the orange juice, Yami." Yami looked away. "If you don't want any I'll just put it back into the fridge, no big deal." Yugi turned to leave.

"Aibou, I'm sorry. I've been acting really childish towards you." Yugi sighed. Would they just be making up only to get into another argument later on? Yami walked over to the door. "I keep pushing you away. I suppose you deserve an explanation why."

"I suppose." Yugi didn't look at him.

"Well, the truth is, I guess I'm kind of new at this kind of thing. Before, in my other life, I was never really in love, it was a little too dangerous to let my feelings get out of hand. But here, with you, everything seems so great. I want this to work. You really are the center of my world, Little One. I don't even know why I get confrontational with you so often."

"You don't mean it, I'm sure." Yugi smiled. "I've been pretty confrontational to you too. I think our big problem is that we're too close. We spend far too much time together. We have the same friends, we have the same house, the same mind. We need to be separated."

"I completely agree. I guess too much of a good thing is not always a good thing." They smiled at each other.

"So this means I can't do my homework with you?" Yugi asked.

"I guess we can worry about spending more time apart later." Yami took the milk from Yugi's hands. He opened it and brought the bottle to his lips. Yugi grinned.

"You always look so sexy when you do that, Yami."

"Do I, Aibou? I'll have to keep that in mind." He put the container on a nearby dresser. Yugi leaned up and kissed his milk stained lips.

"I'm hoping we can worry about spending more time apart a lot later, Yami. What about you?" Yugi decided, leaning into him.

"We have homework, Aibou."

"Are you making a point, Yami?" Yugi continued, teasing. Yami's eyes blazed brighter. Before Yugi got an answer to his query Yami replaced his history book with Yugi, as he tossed him onto his bed.

~.~

"Dinner was delicious, Joey. Can we offer you a ride home?" Mokuba asked. Seto and him had been in the Noodle Shop for about an hour, and Joey's shift was pretty much over. "So, can we?"

"Only if it's okay with your brother, Mokuba." Seto smiled. Joey smiled back.

"I think Seto won't mind too much." Mokuba gave both the older teens a look.

Once Joey was finished the three left the restaurant and headed for the limo. "After you, Mokuba," Joey offered, moving out of the way.

"No, I'm sitting up front with Bernard. But thanks anyway, Joey." Mokuba would probably still have looked obvious even without the giggling, but it was definitely clear that he was up to no good when he let loose a little giggle and waltzed up to the front seat.

"This something you two planned to get me and you in the back seat alone?" Joey asked, as the limo started moving.

"You give Mokuba too much credit, Puppy." Seto had that lustful look in his eyes, and that husky quality to his voice, already. Joey played with his hair, nervously. "Of course, it was Mokuba's idea to have Bernard take the long way back to your house."

"Huh?" That was the last thing Joey said before Seto lunged across the limo and attacked him. Joey began moaning as soon as Seto's kisses made it to his neck. "Don't you ever give up?" he whispered, trying to keep his brain from short-circuiting again.

"Not when it's something I really want." Seto was going to leave marks all over him. I think my little puppy will have to wear a turtleneck to school tomorrow.

"Tell me you were waiting all day for this?" Joey asked, moaning again as Seto switched positions.

"You think the house special was the only thing I wanted to sample tonight, Puppy?"

"Oh Gods…Gods… Seto… don't stop, that feels….wonderful…ummmmmm…." Seto complied, willingly of course; his kisses made their way back to the blond's mouth, Joey falling prey to Seto's expert assault. It felt like the brunet was sucking his tongue right out of his mouth, if such a thing were at all possible. When Seto finally broke the kiss Joey was nearly panting.

"No more of that, Puppy. Business before pleasure."

"Business?" Joey asked, trying not to look completely disheveled.

"Yeah. I meant to ask you a question. What are you doing Friday night?"

"This Friday coming up?"

"Um hum. Are you guys going bowling or something? You working?"

"No, I don't have anything going on Friday night. Why, are you asking me out on a date, Seto?"

"It would appear that way, wouldn't it." Joey looked at Seto and blushed. Seto had that deterministic look on his face again.

"Seto Kaiba's asking me out on a date….Gods….So, like, where are we going to go? Do I have to get dressed up or something?"

"No. Just wear a pair of jeans. And bring a sweatshirt."

"Jeans and a sweatshirt? Okay so I'm assuming we're not going someplace fancy. What, you're embarrassed to be seen with me or something?" Joey asked, not being serious in the slightest.

"Don't act stupid, Puppy. It annoys me." Joey smiled. "Nine on Friday, the limo will come by to pick you up."

"Okay. Why not eight? Isn't eight like the official date time?"

"I don't know, nor care. It's nine."

"Fine, nine. Sure I shouldn't bring anything else but a sweatshirt?"

"Nothing else. If there's anything else I'll worry about it."

"Alright then." Joey smiled again. "So, is this like your last big hoorah before I have to come to a decision, Seto?"

"Actually, I meant to talk to you about that, Puppy…"

"I was pretty pissed off at first, but I understand where you're coming from. It's been long enough. My feelings for the two of you aren't going to change at this point. It's just a matter of bringing this to an end."

"So you plan on making a decision by the end of the weekend?"

"Yep. I guess I do respond to threats, huh, Seto." Seto gave him a look and looked out the window of the limo.

"We'll be at your house in like five minutes, Puppy," Seto pointed out, just making out some stores that were near Joey's residence.

"I have a lot of homework to finish. It's good to be home." Seto turned back to the blond but said nothing. "So, I guess I'll see you in school tomorrow?" Joey asked.

"Guess so."

"Thanks for the ride, and thanks for coming in, it's nice to serve a friendly face."

"You're welcome, Puppy." Seto leaned in and gave Joey another soul-stealing kiss. The kiss ended as the car came to a stop. Joey smiled again.

"Goodnight, Seto."

"Goodnight, Puppy." Bernard opened the door, and let Joey out. Mokuba gave Joey a goodbye hug and climbed in the back seat.

"So?" Mokuba asked with a boyhood grin.

"It went well, Mokuba." Mokuba's grin grew. "So, Friday at nine."

"Perfect. So now it's time to wow him."

"It's in the bag, Mokuba."

"What's with the sudden surge of confidence, Big Bro?" Mokuba asked, making a face.

"Before I could tell him he had as much time as he wanted he told me that he wanted to come to a decision by the end of the weekend. He said he's waited long enough."

"So, why does that mean it's in the bag?"

"Think about it, Mokuba, why would he tell me that if it wasn't going to be me? And why would he agree to come on Friday?"

"Seto, this might be the deciding factor. Look, you'll know he's chosen you if he says I love you back, with no crap. If it's a genuine declaration of affection then he's going to follow his heart and be with you. If he doesn't say it, or kind of says it in a weird way then the jury's still out."

"And if he doesn't say it that means he's chosen Tristan, is that what you're getting at?"

"It's not necessarily so."

"Then how can you be so sure it's definitely me if he does say it?"

"Joey's not going to lead you on so close to the end like that. As many mistakes as the two of you have made it's too close to there being a resolution for it to end up like that." Seto lifted his eyebrows. "Okay, so, this means that you better get ready to pull out the big gun."

"Mokuba, how many times must I insist you not talk about my sex life?" Mokuba laughed.

"I'm glad you're in a joking mood, Seto. But this is serious. I expect this to work. It's not a matter of Joey not being in love with you. It's clear he is."

"And you would know that because?" Seto asked, giving his brother a disbelieving look.

"Everything that's happened between the two of you. It's not one specific thing; it's like a million small things. Haven't you noticed the way he smiles at you?"

"I have just one question to ask you, where will you be Friday night?"

"Well, since pretty much everyone else is currently attached I'm spending the night with Ryou."

"Bakura won't be home will he?"

"He'll be with Malik. They're quite the item now. And certainly no one wants to spend an evening with Yami and Yugi cause I haven't seen that much loving since the Cry Me a River tearjerker movie marathon on television last weekend. And as for Tristan, well, that would just be weird, wouldn't it?"

"I wonder if Joey will tell Tristan about Friday night."

"I guess we'll see."

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

"Wait, how the Hell did you get stuck babysitting tomorrow night, Ryou?" Tristan asked, walking with Ryou towards the cafeteria.

"It's not babysitting. I told Mokuba he could spend the night at my house. He let me spend the night at his house last weekend, Tristan. What has you so upset all of a sudden?"

"I'm not upset," Tristan lied, not looking at Ryou.

Ryou stopped walking. "Why, did you want to go do something tomorrow night with me, is that why you're so angry?"

"Yeah. I wanted to spend time with you." Ryou gave him a look.

"Really?"

"Of course, Ryou. Why is that so hard to believe? I hate the idea of Mokuba spending the night so that Kaiba and Joey can spend the night together going on their "date"."

Ryou's eyebrows squinted towards his forehead. "Is that what this is about, Tristan?"

"Is this what what is about?"

"You want to spend Friday with me because Joey is spending it with Kaiba? Is that what this is about?"

"No, Ryou." Ryou dropped his eyes. "Ryou, that's not what this is about. I want to be with you."

"Yeah, because it looks like Joey will wind up with Kaiba." Ryou looked back up. "Has he told you about Kaiba's deadline? The guy wants Joey to make a choice by the end of this weekend. And looking at the way the ducks are lining up, given the choice, right now, you're not in a healthy enough state to be with, Tristan. You're afraid of being alone, and lucky for you here I am, on standby. In case your first choice falls through. Just do me a favor, Tristan. Just stop it, I can accept that you'll never feel about me what you feel for Joey. But no more empty promises. No more lies."

"What lies, nothing I've said to you has been a lie. Is that all you think this was about? Why are you so insistent on resisting this? You're the one who brought it all up in the first place."

"Tristan, the longer I keep this going the more heartache I'm going to go through. I can't right now. I still want to be able to be friends with you."

"I don't understand your thinking, Ryou. You're the one who keeps saying I'm not ready for any kind of relationship, and I believe you. I'm trying to build something with you and you're… I thought that's why you said something to me. Ryou, this entire thing, I thought nobody was supposed to get hurt."

"Yeah, well somebody did, Tristan." Tristan looked at Ryou and looked away. The look on the white haired teen's face made him feel like he was dying inside. "Tell them I went to the library." Ryou headed for the boys bathroom.

"Ryou…Ryou!" Ryou didn't look back. I've lost him, I've lost him. How the Hell did I let that happen… why the Hell am I so afraid to let myself go? He's not Joey or Ky, he'd never hurt me…he'd, Gods, I deserve to be alone for good…the one thing that makes perfect sense and I keep sabotaging it.

"Tristan?" Tea gave the brunet a look.

"Oh, hi, Tea."

"Are you coming to lunch?"

Tristan looked down the hall. "Yeah, I'm coming." Tristan followed Tea into the cafeteria.

"Something upsetting you, Tristan? You look like someone just ran over your kitten." Tristan gave her another depressing look. They sat down at the table.

"Did either of you see, Ryou?" Duke asked. "I have his math book."

"He's not coming to lunch." All eyes turned to Tristan.

"Why not? Something happen to him, is he feeling okay?" Yugi asked, getting concerned. Joey and Tristan exchanged a look.

"He went to the library," Tristan answered, looking away. Bakura narrowed his eyes. Tristan could tell he was trying to communicate with Ryou mentally.

"Where is he, Tristan?" Bakura asked, standing up.

"The bathroom." Bakura gave Tristan a look.

"I'm going to kill you, Tristan. As soon as I get back, I'm going to murder you in cold blood. And if you try to run and hide it'll only hurt more." Bakura stood up, giving Tristan a final look before heading for the boy's room.

"Everything okay, Tristan?" Duke asked, confused.

"What was Bakura just talking about, Tristan?" Yugi added.

"He thinks I've broken Ryou's heart." Mai, Duke, Yugi, and Yami's eyes raised, stunned. "I have to go talk to Ryou." Tristan left the cafeteria.

"So he finally told him I take it?" Tea asked, giving Joey a look.

"You knew, Tea? Ryou said he didn't tell anyone." Joey was in amazement.

"He never told me, it was just an educated guess."

"Wait a minute, hold the phone, Ryou…he has a thing for… for Tristan? And the two of you knew about it?" Mai asked.

"Ryou didn't want anyone to know, he didn't want to complicate things anymore. He told Tristan Monday. Then Tristan told me Monday night."

"Gods…this is really bad…" Yugi trailed off.

"Joey, what about you and Ryou? Are you guys…" Mai started.

"No, we're fine. This entire situation just got completely out of hand."

"Joey, I think you need to talk to Tristan. And I think you know what needs to be said," Tea suggested. "Holding on isn't going to solve anything."

"If he knew what needed to be said he would have said it, Tea," Duke insisted.

"Joey needs time to work this all out," Mai continued.

"No, Tea's right. I better go make sure Bakura hasn't beaten Tristan to a bloodied pulp." Joey stood up and left the cafeteria.

"I'm really loving how this week keeps shaping up," Duke thought, sighing.

~.~

Tristan answered the door, disappointed Joey was standing on the other side. "Hey, Tris, mind if I come in?"

"Um um." Tristan let Joey inside.

"Tristan, who's at the door?" Tristan's mom called from the living room.

"Joey, Mom. We're going to go upstairs."

"Okay. Joey if you'd like to stay for dinner we're having chicken cutlet. It'll be ready in about fifteen minutes."

"Thanks, Mrs. Taylor." Joey and Tristan went into Tristan's room.

"So what's up, Joey?" Tristan asked, sitting on his bed.

"I wanted to talk to you before, but I couldn't find you in the bathroom."

"Yeah, when I got there Ryou and Bakura were gone so I cut school and headed for their house, but they weren't home. So I left like a total of fifteen messages on the answering machine. I don't know what to do. I was hoping you were him. No offense."

"None taken, Tris. Anyway, I was doing some thinking and…"

"Boys, do you want your salad now?"

"No, Mom, it's okay." Tristan rolled his eyes. "She's the queen of annoyance."

"She's wonderful, Tris. She's like a mom to me too. Your dad too. He's been more of a father to me than mine has ever been. Sometimes I wonder what I'll be like when he finally returns. It's a three-month program, only a month before he's back. You're family means everything to me, so do you."

"You mean everything to me too, Joey."

"I do love you, Tris. Even if I've had a funny way of showing it."

"Same goes for me, Buddy." Tristan sighed. "This sounds like goodbye."

"What are you talking about?"

"Joey, listen, I was thinking too…"

"So you're saying goodbye to me?"

"No, it's not like that. Listen. I don't want you having any regrets because you didn't do what was in your heart. Don't worry about me, or Ryou, or Kaiba. What are you feeling right now?" Joey looked at him. "Joey, I damn well know that I couldn't handle you not being my best friend. Your friendship's made the difference so many times…"

"Tristan…"

"Your decision has to be your decision. I don't want you coming to it because you feel guilty or obligated or you think someone, or everyone wants you to wind up with whichever one of us. Maybe you don't want either of us. Just know that I will always love you, and you will always mean the world to me. You're like my brother, we have something you can't categorize. But don't worry about what I want or who I want or anything else. Sometimes you just have to get it sorted it out, and worry about the rest some other time."

"Thanks, Tris." Joey and Tristan hugged.

"No matter what happens, if we're still best friends everything else will be fine."

"Boys, the dinner rolls are ready! Boys!" Tristan rolled his eyes.

"Okay, Mom, we're coming. Gods, she just doesn't quit does she?"

"Um um." They both smiled.

~.~

Bakura had finally gone to his own room. Ryou had spent the evening making dinner and doing his homework, Bakura complaining about having Tristan taken care of. He insisted Ryou was upset and that he was denying his feelings. Ryou didn't listen to the former tomb robber's words, and when Bakura asked him for the last time if he was going to be all right he had him convinced. Hell, Ryou even had himself convinced. It wasn't until Ryou was changing into his nightclothes and slipping into bed that he let any tears fall.

You knew this was going to happen, Ryou. Why are you crying? You knew it going in. Of course that didn't mean it didn't hurt. He's been trying, Ryou. He's been trying to get close to you and you keep pushing him away. But what was he supposed to do? Sit and wait to get hurt? Like somehow crying in his room was better. It's over now. It's completely over. Ryou sniffled, and forced himself to stop crying. He gets no more tears from me.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.
"So are you getting ready to go over there?" Seto asked, towel drying his hair. Mokuba and him were in the master bathroom. Mokuba was sitting on the marble toilet seat, and Seto was standing in the mirror, a towel casually wrapped around his waist. "You think I should shave again?"

"No. The hint of new growth makes you look older. I just wish I knew what to say to Ryou to cheer him up. Yugi said he was depressed all day in school."

"What are you talking about?" Seto asked, putting on aftershave.

"Ryou's in love with Tristan, and he told him Monday."

"He what?" Seto looked at Mokuba in the mirror, before turning to look at him face to face.

"You heard right."

"I would have thought Ryou was smarter than that. How many people is Tristan going to…"

"In Tristan's defense, I think he's in love with Ryou too."

"What about Joey?" Seto asked. "I mean, does he know about the Ryou thing?"

"Um hum. He didn't take it too well. Not to drop this on you now, but Joey had a moment of jealousy when Tristan told him." Seto narrowed his eyes.

"Thank you, Mokuba. I needed the ego booster."

"Hey, that doesn't change anything."

"What do you mean it doesn't change anything? I'd say it changes a heck of a lot, Mokuba."

"Didn't you hear what I just said, I think Tristan is in love with Ryou."

"First of all, I find it difficult to believe someone who didn't even know Ryou liked Tristan in the first place when they act so sure Tristan's in love with Ryou in return. And even if that were the case, that doesn't mean Joey's not in love with him. And furthermore, back to my first point, how are you so sure Tristan isn't in love with Joey?"

"You can stop your diatribe now, Seto. I never said Tristan didn't love Joey. I'm sure he does."

"This just keeps getting better."

"He's not in love with Joey. And as far as I can tell, he's probably never claimed to be in love with Joey."

"So he's not in love with Joey. I don't give a rat's ass. Mokuba, you're missing the bigger picture. This isn't about whatever feelings Tristan has for Joey. It's about whatever feelings Joey has for him. And I'd like to hope he won't just abandon Tristan because he feels bad for Ryou."

"You want him clean and clear, is that it?"

"Of course I do. What's the point if there's an ulterior motive behind it."

"You're more in love with Joey than I realized, Seto."

"Don't make me feel any worse."

"Just tell Joey you love him. But most importantly, show Joey you love him."

"Mokuba, you'll have to excuse me if this comes off as rude: you're advice and opinions are nice and all, but how much could you possibly know? You're a thirteen year old who's never been in love. And I don't care how many romantic movies, and love ballads you know, that doesn't mean life works out perfectly."

"I never said it did. There are plenty of heartaches. Some of the best love stories end unhappily. No one can force Joey to admit his true feelings for you. He could wind up with Tristan anyway."

"Mokuba, you're going to need to work on your pep talks. Because honestly, if this doesn't work out, I don't think I'll ever get over Joey getting over me."

~.~

"Aibou, what's wrong? You hardly said anything during dinner." Yami, Yugi, Mai, Tea and Yugi's grandfather were just clearing the table.

"I keep worrying about Ryou. I don't think he's taken the whole thing well, do you, Yami?" Yugi asked.

"Well, maybe we can stop by and see how he's doing. Instead of going to the movies," Tea thought.

"Tea makes an excellent point," Mai agreed.

"We'll wash the dishes and head over there," Yami finished.

"Really, Yami?" Yugi asked, smiling.

"Of course. It's not as if we can't watch it some other night. Ryou needs us. well, most importantly he needs you. You're a wonderful friend, Little One."

"He is," Mai affirmed, smiling.

The phone rang. "I'll get it," Yugi's grandfather offered. "Hello. Yes, he's right here, hold on." He handed Yugi the phone. "It's Tristan."

"Hi, Tristan, what's up? No, we haven't spoken to Ryou. We wanted to go over there and see how he was doing. Huh? I forgot Mokuba's supposed to be sleeping over. What time is he supposed to be going over there? Eight?" Yugi looked at the wall clock. "Well, it's seven-thirty. What if I call Mokuba and tell him he can spend the night with Yami and me. We were all going to go to the movies anyway. And that way you can talk to Ryou privately. Of course we don't mind. Huh? Okay, hold on." Yugi handed the phone to Mai. "He wants to speak to you."

"Tristan? Tristan, of course we'd do that for you. We're your friends that's why. Yes, even, me, Tristan. Tristan, I want you to make this right with Ryou. Yesterday in the cafeteria you looked like you were going to cry. You love him. Tristan, stop arguing with me. Yugi's calling Mokuba and he's coming over here. End of discussion. Tristan, don't be stubborn. Because. Because we love you, Tristan. Okay. Okay, we'll talk to you later, okay? Goodbye." Yami, Yugi and Tea smiled.

"So you're no longer out to get Tristan?" Yami asked, his eyebrow raising.

"No. Not at the moment. But he better not screw this up with Ryou." Tea smiled and nodded. "Okay, well, call Mokuba before the whole thing falls apart."

~.~

The doorbell rang a second time. Ryou took dinner out of the oven and made his way over to the door. Ryou opened the door and sighed. "What are you doing here, Tristan? Why are you here?"

"To see you."

"I'm having company. I have to cut the lasagna, I can't have a conversation with you right now."

"Mokuba's not coming."

"He's what?"

"There's been a change of plans, he's going to the movies with Yami, Yugi, Mai and Tea. And he's sleeping over Yami and Yugi's house."

"Why, Tristan. When is enough enough? Why can't this just be over?"

"I don't want it be over."

"Well, I don't want to see you." Ryou tried closing the door. Tristan grabbed the door.

"Can't I just come in for a minute? Please?" Ryou gave him a look. "Why won't you let me say what needs to be said? I still want to be your friend too, Ryou."

"Fine, Tristan. Come in." Ryou went to get a knife from the drawer. Tristan closed the door and walked into the kitchen.

"So you made lasagna? A recipe Joey's taken from you?"

"No, actually I got the recipe from him. The day he taught me we were talking about you. And he said how much you liked it. He said the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, and you were probably proof. Of course he said that like a million years ago. Back when you guys were starting whatever it was you guys had back then." Ryou cut the lasagna and handed Tristan a plate.

"How was your day?" Tristan asked, looking at him.

"Could have been worse, I guess."

"Oh."

"Tristan, I don't want this to sound harsh, but I need you to know, after tonight, I think it'd be best for me if we had limited contact, at least for a while."

"You think I'm getting back with Joey."

"This isn't about Joey. It's about me. You're not getting with anyone right now. We all know that. I think Mai would sooner light herself on fire than let you start another relationship. However, that doesn't change the feelings you have for Joey. And it certainly doesn't mean that I can pretend it's not going to kill me."

"Ryou…"

"Um, um. I really don't want to be discussing this right now. Let's at least eat dinner first, huh. Save all that emotional stuff for later."

~.~

Joey was greeted by Seto at the door. Joey wasn't quite sure why Seto wanted their date to be at the Kaiba mansion, and he was quite uneasy with the prospect of Mokuba spending the night with Ryou. Well, he was here now, a little late for uncertainties.

"You're right on time, Puppy," Seto said, smiling.

"Yeah."

"Follow me." Joey's stomach grumbled, he figured they'd be eating dinner, but if they were already going upstairs maybe that idea was out the window as well. Joey followed Seto up another staircase. He's taking me to the attic? Why is this already playing out like a bad horror movie? Seto opened the door at the top.

"I didn't want you to have to dress up in a monkey suit, or sit across from you uncomfortably, at some stuffy restaurant or opera or something. I'm not about bullshit, which I've already told you. So we're having none of that. I'm not Seto Kaiba, CEO of Kaiba Corp tonight. It's just Seto and Joey."

"So we're not eating dinner?" Joey asked, his stomach protesting. Seto crossed the attic and stood on top of a stepladder.

"Don't worry, Joey, I always feed the people I plan to fuck later in the evening. Unless of course they're escorts." Joey flushed and looked at his feet. "You need to lighten up, Puppy." Seto opened the window overhead. "Come on, Puppy, it's this way."

"That's the roof."

"You'd think you'd at least try to be a little brighter."

"Oh, shut up. I'm sorry I'm not more excited about climbing out on your roof."

"I used to do it all the time. Come here. It won't hurt." Joey walked over to the taller teen. Seto jumped off the ladder, and helped Joey pull himself up.

"This is really high, Seto. Are you trying to kill me or something?"

"No, it's fine. Crawl up to the flat part. Go on. It's huge." Joey did as he was told, not really wanting to stay seated on the slanted area for long. Seto hoisted himself up and crawled towards where Joey was already sitting.

"What's all this? How'd all this get out here on your roof, Seto?" Joey asked, marveling at the blanket and picnic basket. His eyes wandered around.

"Some fairies brought it up here. What do you think, Puppy?" Seto rolled his eyes and sat on the blanket. Joey leaned against the slanted area behind him, giving Seto a look.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you, you're going to get debris all over your sweatshirt."

"Now you tell me," Joey grumbled sitting up.

"I'll buy you another sweatshirt if worst comes to worse." Joey met Seto's eyes and blushed. "Anyway, I guess this is a dating cliché but, here, I got you some flowers." Seto turned to his side and handed Joey a dozen carnations.

"No roses?" Joey sniffed them.

"They don't smell as nice, in my opinion."

"I always liked carnations better."

"I know."

"Huh?"

"Mokuba mentioned it once. Like two summers ago. You told him that Tristan got you some roses for your birthday and you told Mokuba that as much as you loved the gesture, Tristan just didn't get that you liked carnations better."

"You remembered that, like from two summers ago, Seto?" Joey asked, looking at him carefully.

"I did. Only god knows why." Seto looked away. I know why, Seto. "Anyway, we should eat before this stuff gets cold."

"Okay." Seto opened the picnic basket and started pulling food out. It was all carefully stored. Joey and him began opening the containers and spooning food onto their plates.

"I hope you like it, the cook went to a lot of trouble," Seto thought, placing a piece of fried chicken on a plate.

"So did you. Did your cook make us this instant macaroni and cheese too?" Seto looked up, Joey holding the Tupperware in his hands.

"I might have contributed that." Joey smiled.

"It's gorgeous up here, I could probably see my house if we weren't facing the wrong direction."

"Probably. When I was younger I used to come up here to get away from it all. The first time I was terrified I was going to plunge to my death. But once I got myself settled up here, it was perfect."

"I guess everyone needs a place that's special."

"I guess so."

~.~

Dinner was over, and Tristan and him were having the talk Ryou was dreading. He wasn't quite sure how much more he could take. "Look, it's done with, I don't want to talk about it." Ryou was whispering, not looking at Tristan.

"Well, I do. Don't I get a say? I've been trying to figure out what to tell you for a long time." Ryou didn't look at him, nor respond.

"I'm not in the mood for pleasantries, Tristan. Save it." He turned his back to him. "It would never have worked. We're complete opposites. What do we have in common? We share some mutual friends. That's about all."

"I'd like to know what else we had in common. I'd like to think we had each other in common."

"It's not going to work. I'm not angry at you, it's more anger with myself for saying anything, adding more confusion to this love triangle."

"Won't you at least look at me while we're talking? If you're going to get rid of me I'd think you could at least look me in the eye." Ryou did, Tristan shuddered. "I love Joey, Ryou. I won't lie to you, I won't tell you it's not true. I love him. I probably always will."

"I know that. I've accepted that. That's the part you don't seem to get. I never expected this to work between us." Tristan gave him a sad look. "This isn't a fairy tale, I wasn't planning on living happily ever after with you. You should be with Joey."

"I belong with you, Ryou."

"Tristan…"

"I love Joey. I'm in love with you. Ryou, I never knew that my heart could feel this way."

"No, you're not."

"I am. When I saw the look on your face after that….incident in the hallway….the only thing that was running through my head was I've lost Ryou…I've lost the only thing in this insanity that makes sense…"

"They're only words, Tristan. Just pretty words…"

"Well, give me the opportunity to show you I love you. Prove it without words. Actions. Joey and me spoke the other day. We had a long talk. He needs Kaiba right now, I only hope things work out for him, he makes him so happy, Ryou, and that's all that matters. And you, I just…I know it's my words that have caused a lot of this…I just… you have no reason to believe me… I know that."

"I want to believe you, Tristan. I just don't want to get hurt."

"I can't hurt you. I have to just try being alone for a while. I was in this emotionally intense relationship for so long, Ryou. And I was so afraid of being alone. I'm not telling you to wait for me to get everything sorted out in my head. But if after everything is cleared up and you're not with someone else, and you'd like to…"

"Tristan. There isn't anyone else. You're it." Tristan froze. "Maybe I do believe you, Tristan. There's a look in your eyes right now, a look you used to give to Ky… I know, I sound like some kind of stalker…"

"You sound like you're perfect for me." Ryou blushed. "Would you be willing to gamble your heart on me…at some point a month or two from now?"

"I don't…I don't know, Tristan."

~.~

"Have I ever told you how much I love it when you're kissing me, Seto?" Joey asked, as Seto pulled away. Dinner was done, and it was still warm enough to spend more time on the roof.

Seto looked at Joey. "Can I tell you something, Joey?" Joey nodded. "I know I'm probably going to regret doing this but, listen, don't make your decision this weekend because I said so. I want you to come to a decision because you're ready, not because I pressured you into it. And it was wrong of me to tell you the friendship would be a wrap. Mokuba loves you dearly, it's not as if I'd never have contact with you again."

"I wouldn't want you to be my friend if it's going to hurt you, Seto."

"I'm good at masking my emotions, Joey. I'll get over it. Take as much time as you need to figure it out."

"You mean that?" Joey asked, studying the other's face.

"Yes. I do. It was wrong of me to demand an answer. I know it's been hard for you these last two months. So, no hard feelings, just get it all figured out, Joey."

"You're saying it like you're breaking up with me."

"Joey…" Joey looked at Seto. "I just, I can't…"

"I take it it's my cue to go then."

"I'm not saying you have to leave, I'm just…"

"No. I think it'd just make the situation worse if I stayed. Thank you for a beautiful evening." Why do I suddenly feel like our first date is our last….

"Thank you for coming, Joey. Come on, I'll walk you to the door." He's calling me Joey again. I think this means it's over.

~.~

"Mokuba, what do you mean you want us to drop you home?" Yugi asked. They had just gotten out of the movie theatre and it was now after eleven.

"I thought Seto and Joey were at your house," Mai added.

"Seto, left me a text message on my cell phone. He said Joey left. That means he needs me right now."

"You don't think it's over between them, do you?" Tea asked.

"I was kind of rooting for Kaiba and Joey this whole time," Mai added.

"I don't know. But he wouldn't have texted me if he didn't want me to come back home. You don't mind do you guys?" Mokuba looked at Yugi and Yami.

"Of course not, Mokuba. We'll drop you off home, I'll bring your overnight bag to you tomorrow morning," Yami answered.

"Thanks guys." Mokuba managed a small smile. I'm coming, Big Brother…

~.~

"Ryou, I told Joey that I couldn't bare not being his best friend. But with you, I'd be making the biggest mistake if I didn't do everything in my power to prove how much I want to be with you. I wish there was something else I could say or do. I've tried to figure out what to say, but I kept drawing a blank."

"Tristan…"

"So I stole a line I heard from someplace. Did my heart love till now?" Ryou lifted his eyebrows. "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it sight, for I never saw true beauty till this night." Ryou's eyes widened. "Romeo and Juliet, Act I, scene V. It's what you said, in my room Monday. I looked it up, the rest of the line. It's a great line, no wonder people still read Shakespeare's stuff."

"You looked it up?" Ryou asked, pleasantly bewildered.

"With love's light wings did I over perch these walls. For stony limits cannot hold love out: And what love can do, that dares love attempt…"

"You memorized it?" Ryou whispered.

"Not all of it. It's truly beautiful," Tristan said, his heart beset. "You're truly beautiful." Ryou was at a loss of breath, his vocal cords no longer functioning.

"If I profane with my unworthiest hand, this holy shrine…" Tristan grabbed Ryou's face, behind his ear. "The gentle fine is this, my lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand to smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss…" his hand began stroking his hair. Tristan smiled, then leaned in, capturing Ryou's heart all over again as he kissed him.

"Will you let me spend time making everything up to you, Ryou?" he asked, pulling away.

Ryou looked deep into his eyes. "Yes." Tristan sighed, warmth washing over him. He kissed him again.

"You kiss by the book," Ryou teased.

"I see I have a Romeo and Juliet expert on my hands."

"I don't profess to be an expert by any means. I guess I'm just a romantic at heart. I always loved that story."

"You know, they die at the end, Ryou," Tristan mentioned, giving him a look. "I love you well enough, but I don't know if I'm ready to take that leap just yet…" Ryou laughed. "Anyway, I guess I should go, I mean, it's late, and if this is going to work we're going to have to take it slow."

"Wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?" Tristan narrowed his eyes in amusement.

"That's Romeo's line."

"You say that as if that changes something." Tristan smirked. "I agree, this should go very slowly, but I think it'd be okay if we kiss a little bit more before you left." Tristan leaned over and granted the other's wishes. "I think I could get used to this, Tristy."

"Tristy? Where did that come from?"

"I couldn't think of any other nicknames for you. So I came up with Tristy."

"That's not going to work, think of something else."

"No," Ryou teased.

"If I let you call me that when we're absolutely alone and you never let anyone else know about the nickname than you can use it."

"Okay, Tristy." Ryou kissed him.

~.~

Mokuba knocked on the door timidly before entering. Seto was sitting on his bed, stretched out, laptop atop his legs. Mokuba made his way over with a mug of green tea and placed it on the nightstand. His older brother didn't look up or make any movements as Mokuba carefully climbed onto the king sized bed and snuggled up next to him. Seto nonchalantly placed his right arm up, allowing Mokuba to wiggle up close and lean on his chest. Then he wrapped his arm around the younger boy's body. He looked down at the screen, Seto was carefully typing figures into a spreadsheet. He paused to grasp the tea and took a sip.

He waited for Mokuba to ask him how his conversation with Joey had gone, but realized that he probably wouldn't say anything, at least not verbally. He was communicating with his silent body movements, consoling him, telling him in his young adolescent way that he was here for him, just in case Seto wanted to drop the hard exterior, and say something. They sat that way for over an hour, Seto typing, Mokuba lying, finally Seto, not sure whether or not Mokuba had drifted off to sleep muttered a "thank you".

He was half surprised to hear Mokuba's, "you're welcome, Big Brother." Seto stiffened a little, but relaxed just as quickly. "I should go to bed. I'd sleep in here with you, but your typing is driving me crazy. Always so insistent on doing work on Friday nights."

"I'm nearly done."

"In that case, good night." Mokuba snuggled into the covers. "I love you, Seto."

Seto smirked. "Something funny?" Mokuba asked, turning around. Seto shook his head no. "What?"

"I wanted to say that to Joey tonight, like you told me to. But I didn't. I chickened out."

"Why?" Mokuba sat up.

"I don't know. I guess I was afraid he wouldn't say it back."

"Seto, sometimes I tell you I love you when you're asleep, or while you're in the shower, or other times when you can't hear me."

"What's your point, Mokuba?"

"Do you know why I say it anyway?" Mokuba arched his eyebrows to accentuate his question.

"No…but I suppose you'll tell me."

"I say it because even though you don't respond I know you love me too. Actions speak louder than words, Seto. You of all people should know that. So what if he doesn't respond. That doesn't mean he isn't in love with you."

"Mokuba…" Seto caught himself. He looked into his brother's soft azure eyes. "I told him I'd give him as much time as he needs to think about it."

"Fine. That doesn't mean you can't tell him."

"I…I don't want to call him. If I was going to say something I'd say it to his face. I'd go over to his house."

"An excellent idea".

"Next you'll suggest I do it right now."

"No time like the present." Seto sighed. He closed the laptop and got off the bed. He slipped on his shoes.

"I love you, Mokuba," Seto announced, smiling slightly at his younger sibling.

"I know." Seto walked to the door. "Because I love you, too."

~.~

There it was again. That loud banging. He thought it was his father but remembered Dad was still in the treatment program. Lightening lit up the room as Joey jumped to his feet. He sighed loudly and pulled on a sweater. That banging, the doorbell ringing in urgency. He took the steps two by two, bouncing towards the front door. Joey wished he had a nightstick. Or something heavy. A baseball bat. Then again, if it were a robber he probably wouldn't knock first. Who ever it was had to be a lunatic, it was pouring outside. The night hadn't gotten bad until after he got home, which he was thankful for. Almost as if the rain had held out until Joey and Seto's date was done. But once he got home, all bets were off. Thunder, lightening, wind, it was brutal out there.

Joey opened the door, finally, Seto standing there, saturated, brown wet strands dripping over his dark blue eyes. The sight in front of him, it made Joey lose his breath. He could only breath hard, painfully, his body aching, his mind racing, his heart a captive, and here was its captor. It took more than a moment to even process the information that Seto was standing in front of him, he could barely put a string of words together, "you're here…" Seto looked up, his blue ocean orbs meeting perplexed honey ones.

"Before …I meant to say I loved you. And I didn't. So I'm saying it now." Joey made no response. If only he had been stronger. His heart wouldn't have been stolen. If he had known it was going to hurt this much… "That's all I wanted to tell you, Joey." With that, Seto turned around, leaving Joey reeling.

"That's real convenient, isn't it? After everything that's happened, you have some nerve." Seto spun back around. Joey was outside of his house, getting drenched in the rain. "After all this crap. You talk about letting me make my choice, and now you come over here, say what you have to say and then it's over. And you can just walk away."

"That's just it, Joey. I can't walk away."

"I'm so sure."

Seto walked back towards him. "Gods, Joey. Do you think I wanted any of this? I never asked to fall in love with you. It's something that happened…"

"Something you regret?"

"Don't put words in my mouth."

"Why are you here? You didn't come all this way in the rain to tell me that."

"And what if I did?"

"Ha," Joey sneered, looking away.

"You want to know why I'm here? I'm here because I can't wait for you to figure out what you want. I want an answer, I want it now. I deserve that much."

"Earlier you said I had all the time I needed."

"Fuck what I said earlier, Joey. I'm not going to wait; I want to know right now. Are you in love with Tristan or me?"

Joey looked away again. He didn't know how to respond. "Seto, you can't, you can't do this to me…"

"I can't do this to you? You?"

"I'm so confused."

"You've been pretty confused since this all began. Well, let me make it simple for you then. I love you so much it hurts. Okay? Gods, I was right about you…you are hard to get over. But you know what the truth is…the truth is, I don't want to get over you, Joey."

"Seto…"

He shook his head. "No… let me finish…"

"Seto, please…" Tears were washing down Joey's face. Dripping with the rain.

Seto continued, insistent, "The whole time, the whole time this was going on I kept thinking one of us was going to wake up…"

"Please, stop…"

"Either I was going to wake up from this amazing dream I was having. Or you were going to wake up and realize you were actually spending time with me, when you could have been with Tristan. You could have had anybody. I kept thinking… why me? What did I ever do right?"

"Will you please let me say something…"

"I'm way past reason here. Common sense tells me to let it go. I can't. It's like, before, before everything was fine, it was perfect. Okay, it wasn't perfect, I was overworked, stressed, antisocial, but my life, it made sense, Joey. And now, now it's like, anarchy. Nothing makes sense. It all comes down to poetry and bullshit, doesn't it? Look at me, it's after one in the morning, and I'm getting soaked in the fucking rain, which is complete bullshit. And everything I just said to you, poetry…I don't know anything anymore, all I know is that I love you…"

"Just shut up! Would you please, please, just shut up?" Seto did. Joey walked over to the taller teen, gave him a heart-stopping look and proceeded to wipe the hair from his eyes. "I know, Seto." In a single movement he was grabbing his face and kissing him gently, chastely, lovingly. "Your coming here was more than enough…"

"Don't tell me I had you at hello."

"You had me a long time before that…"

"Joey…" Joey shook his head negatively.

"You know what was on my mind all day today? That night…that night you said to me, `I know I'm in love with you, because when you smile I can't breathe'. Well, you know what, I was finding it hard to breath that night too. My breathing was a little labored."

"My breathing is a little labored now, Puppy."

"Well, my breathing's been labored since the first day we met."

"I don't ever expect to breath normally again." As Seto leaned in to kiss his puppy he sneezed.

Joey chuckled, Seto looked at him a moment, a little smile beaming back. "You're going to catch cold out here…come in…" he grabbed Seto's hand, leading him back towards the house.

"I think I already have. I apologize if I give you my germs."

"It's okay." They were in the house. Seto locked the door behind them. Joey offered his hand to Seto, who took it in his and they headed for Joey's bedroom. Joey closed the door behind them.

Seto's hand ghosted over the light switch, Joey's palm stopping him in mid stroke. "No, no lights…" Joey was moving around the room.

"I can't see two inches in front of me, Puppy." Joey was still on the move. "Where are you now?" Seto jolted faintly as warm, damp hands made their way up his shirt and traced themselves down his back. "Puppy…"

"Shhh…" Seto said nothing as he felt Joey peel his coat off his shoulders. He lifted his arms so that the garment could fall to the floor. Seto let out a shallow breath of rapture as Joey blew his tepid breath across his ear. "I choose you, Seto. I love you so much, but words are not enough…let me show you." His words a warm whisper…Seto could feel his stomach churning.

Joey claimed his neck, wanting to leave frantic love marks everywhere. He wanted them to show everyone who Seto Kaiba belonged to. Seto's eyes closed, Joey shifted, he was walking around Seto's trembling form, his lips leading the way, trailing kisses to his ultimate destination, grabbing Seto's lips with his teeth, tugging at them forcefully. Seto attempted to lead the kiss, but Joey was having no part of it, he stopped it.

He carefully slid his hand down Seto's soaked shirt, getting to his abdomen and pulling at the fabric. Seto helped him, letting Joey lift the fabric up and over his head. As Seto pulled it off his left arm he pounced on Joey, pushing against him hard. "Easy, we have all night…" Joey insisted, giving him another kiss.

Seto could hardly speak, his heart beating so loudly… Didn't Joey know he dreamt of him at night, longed to kiss his lips? Why was he doing this so damn slowly? Joey was pulling at Seto's belt now, yanking at it until it was completely out of the pants' loops. Seto was unzipping his fly, his erection already pushing against his boxers. He tried to concentrate, he could hear Joey move again.

"Now where are you?" Joey snuck up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist. "Stop fooling around, Puppy…" Seto moaned, feeling Joey's mouth on his neck again, his palms warming his chilled torso.

"Walk…" Seto decided against arguing, and did as Joey asked. A flash of lightening lit the way to the bed. Once there Seto crawled on top of the comforter. Joey followed suit, kissing Seto again.

"I want to make you feel good." Joey lifted his shirt up over his head, Seto helped, kissing Joey once the shirt was out of the way. "I was so afraid to tell you…to tell you that I was in love with you…but I am…"

"Joey…"

"Shush…" Joey worked his hands over Seto's body. "I have to say this, Seto…" He was slipping off his pants. "This is stuff I should have told you long ago." Seto watched Joey's movements, his own heart pounding in his ears. Joey sat on top of his soon to be lover, kissing him again, grabbing his face in his hands.

"Everything in the whole world could fall apart, but somehow it'd be okay, cause you're with me. I don't know how I lasted this long without you."

"Puppy…"

"How did you manage to put up with me all this time? I could die tonight, in your arms, and that would be okay, I just… you're everything I've been so afraid of, everything I didn't think I deserved to have. You were right about Tristan too. He's not stable enough for a relationship right now. But he isn't all bad, Seto. Sometimes you need someone like him to really see someone like you. Without him maybe I wouldn't have grown to appreciate you…."

"Puppy, I don't know what to say…"

"Um…it's okay, Seto…" Joey kissed Seto again, still dominating him slightly, Seto let his inhibitions float away, letting Joey lead. They rediscovered each other's mouths for the first time, the kiss deepening, gently, with a hint of demanding. "I wanna lose myself…"

"Mmmm, Joey…" Seto's erection was throbbing painfully in his black silk boxers. Joey got off of Seto's lap, and reached over to the end table and found a bottle of lotion. He lied back on the pillows and handed the bottle to Seto.

"I want you to take me." Seto kissed Joey and nodded, his eyes, adjusted to the dark. Seto opened the bottle, rubbing his fingers together slowly. He leaned over, and pulled off Joey's boxers, looking at Joey's perfect lithe body and finding it hard to continue. Joey opened his legs apart in silent invitation, his body trembling. He stretched him, gently, before applying lubrication to himself. "I've been lost for so long, Seto. I need salvation…"

Seto leaned forward, Joey leaning further back. "I want to save you," Seto whispered, his kiss ending his statement. "I want to make love to you, Puppy." Another whispered request accompanied with another kiss. "I want to fall asleep inside of you…" this time the sentence being breathed directly into his puppy's ear.

Joey looked directly in his eyes, and Seto carefully eased himself into Joey's warmth. Joey's expression was unchanged as Seto seated himself completely to the hilt. Joey's smile was the only indication the taller teen had that Joey was ready. He started gradually, his arms bent at the elbows, sitting on the pillow on either side of Joey's head. His pace was unhurried, patient, each deliberately slow thrust matching their slow, heaving, breathing pattern. Seto suspended himself on one elbow, using the other hand to care for Joey's erection.

Joey began to roll his hips in concentric movements. Seto moaned. Joey smiled again, his eyes closing, repeating the movement. Seto could only moan louder. Seto could barely concentrate, the thought of Joey giving himself to him, completely, it was overwhelming. This was all he thought he could ever want, fucking Joey into next week. But no, nothing could hurry his pace. He wanted to savor the pleasure, he wanted it to last into next week. Gods, it feels like I'm dying….And maybe a piece of himself was dying, maybe his heart was melting.

Their first time together, he had dreamed about it so many times he had practically choreographed it, but no, this was better than any fantasy he could have fabricated. He had gotten it all wrong before, this was the way it should be. Seto wasn't grunting, and thrusting, he was moaning and falling. Joey's warmth was attacking his entire body, nothing in the world mattered anymore, he just wanted to feel him like this forever.

Joey's moans were bringing him back to himself, while Joey's hips rolling, feeling like ocean waves, were luring him back out. "I love you so much," Joey promised, tears wanting to fall. Seto's breath was falling, his strokes becoming slightly irregular. He repositioned himself, hearing Joey's moans, as he attacked the gland next to Joey's enclosure. Joey's hips began their rolling again, and Seto groaned.

"Joey….what are you doing to me?" His voice was distant, it coming out softly.

"I should ask you the same question." Joey answered. "Gods… mmmmmmm….Seto…" Joey never knew anything could feel like this. There was no urgency, no brutality. Half the allure of sleeping with Seto had always been the thought of Seto pounding the shit out of him. But now, this was so much better.

Seto's languorous motions continued until Joey's eyes rolled back and he screamed spilling his essence all over Seto's hands and chest. Looking at the sight underneath him, Seto came inside of Joey, then collapsed on top of the blond, smearing the mess onto his abdomen. Joey's last conscious movement was to wrap his arms around Seto's neck, as the teens fell asleep.

~.~

Seto woke up on top of Joey, his head resting on his shoulder. Joey nudged him again, Seto groaning. "Wake up, Seto."

"What, Puppy, what? It's too early for this."

"I have to tell you something, then you can go back to sleep…"

"What? Spit it out already."

"Remember that day we were talking about us and I asked you what you were waiting for?"

"Vaguely."

"You said you were waiting for the day you woke up with me in your arms and I was really yours…"

"If you say so."

"Forget it. You can go back to sleep now." Joey rolled over and yawned. It was his own fault for trying to be romantic.

"Good…" Seto stretched a little and buried his head back in the pillow. Stupid puppy, what the Hell is he thinking waking me up to remind me about a conversation we had days ago… Seto sat up.

"Joey?" He shook the blond, who rolled back onto his back. Joey lifted his eyebrows. For once Seto was completely speechless. He looked into Joey's endless amber eyes, peered into his soul and sat mouth agape, struggling for something to say. It had happened, that day that seemed so far away from reality had happened, it was today. Seto blinked, his breathing shallow, staring down at his world's happiness. He never wanted the morning to end.

"I love you too, Seto." Joey leaned up and gave him a kiss.

Author's Endnotes: So? It's done. It's all over, it's finished. And tomorrow, anyone who really cares can read the epilogue. I'm hoping, of course, you all care. That was long, that was emotional, for me anyway. I don't think I have anything to say… really. I'm hoping you guys will say something, anything. Yes, I had to bring back the Shakespeare, if you recall last chapter I mentioned that I'm a Shakespeare nerd. And actually the reason Ryou was so impressed was that Tristan took lines from two different sections of the play. Which means, he probably took the time to read it. Which is an accomplishment in itself. And I think with Ryou's love and support Tristan will get over Ky properly. As for Seto and Joey, I don't think things could go much better. Anyway, here's what the epilogue looks like:

"Is this the part where you apologize to me, Tristan?" Seto asked, quirking his eyebrow.

"Only after you apologize to me." Tristan and Seto looked at each other for a moment. Seto was the first to smile.

"I don't regret most of what I said or did, after all, Tristan, all's fair in love and war."

"Agreed."

"So, did Joey ask you to speak with me?"

"No, not really, I just figured if you were going to be his boyfriend and I was going to be his best friend we'd have to tie up the loose ends."

"Ryou told you to speak to me, didn't he?"

"Okay, yeah, he did." It was Tristan's turn to smile.