Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ Chapter11 ( Chapter 11 )

asStronger Than Before

by Dragondreamer and Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, we'd be rich. But we don't, so we're not.

Warning: This story contains shouenen-ai (guy/guy relationships) and yaoi (guys having sex with guys). It also contains coarse language and violence. If you don't like it, or become offended by such things, leave now! Don't bother flaming us, because we'll just laugh at you.

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

[[…]]Yami's thoughts and mind link to Yugi

//…// Yugi's thoughts and mind link to Yami

`yak yak' (Artificial Intelligence) Sadie's voice

~*~*~*~*~

DD: Hey! We're back with another chappie!

Seto: It's about time!

YD: Oh bite me, rich boy. We just can't stop with One Way Street.

DD: Yeah. We're writing two of those chappies to one of these.

Tristan: *shrugs* So?

YD: Well, it's frustrating.

Joey: When do I get to come off the drugs?

DD: I dunno…when you do.

YD: On with the fic!

~*~*~*~*~

A/N: We'd like to dedicate this chappie to Iluvkenshin, who suggest we use the song "Unbreak My Heart, by Toni Braxton…which, BTW, we DON'T OWN!!

~*~*~*~*~

/Has it really been three months?/ Tristan dropped his overnight bag by the door. /I'm beginning to forget things about him. Just little things. I don't want to forget./

He crossed the living room and sat down at the piano, letting his fingers wander the keys idly, doing some simple scales, until he automatically fell into playing one of his favorite pieces.

A small smile flitted across his face as he remembered playing it with Ryou at Seto's a few weeks ago. Ryou had mastered yet another instrument, the French horn, and was playing for everyone. Bakura had commented, much to Ryou's mortification, how his hikari could play anything he had to blow.

Tristan didn't notice that he had company.

Seto leaned against the wall, listening to Tristan play. Ever since the confrontation they had had over Tristan's weight loss, he had begun taking better care of himself. Almost to the point of obsession. He was working out in the corporate gym before, and sometimes after, work and he dragged Seto down to a local gym at least twice a week for boxing. Needless to say, he had bulked up.

Seto pushed away from the wall as Tristan finished playing and laid a hand on his shoulder. Tristan yelped, spinning around so fast he almost fell off the bench.

"Gods, Seto! How many times have I told you to stop sneaking up on me like that?!"

"Sorry." Seto smirked and plopped himself down on the bench next to his friend.

"Yeah, right."

Seto picked at the tight material of Tristan's tee shirt. "You need some new clothes."

"I've got some in my bag. Are we heading out?"

"We can." Seto put his hands on Tristan's shoulders and turned him so he was facing him. "Are you sure you're up to this? You don't have to come."

Tristan rolled his eyes. "Yes, I do. It's a press conference, shit head."

"You know," Seto grinned. "If I took five bucks off your paycheck every time you insulted me, you'd end up owing ME money."

"And if I had a nickel for every time you got on my last nerve, I'd be as rich as you!"

"Are we going, or what?" Seto grumbled, secretly elated that Tristan seemed to be getting his sense of humor back.

"Well, we'd be out of here if you'd stop bitching."

Seto let out a frustrated sigh, standing up and yanking Tristan to his feet. "Let's go already!"

Tristan's laughter rang through the house as he followed Seto out, grabbing his bag before locking the door behind him. He was actually looking forward to this trip and somehow, returning home afterwards didn't seem quite so daunting.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey walked into the bedroom, his hair dripping wet, and found Keith laying out clothes for him.

"What's goin' on?"

Keith looked up with a huge grin, a pair of black leather pants in his hands. "I thought you'd like to go out today."

"Really?!" Joey threw himself at Keith, pressing himself against the older man.

"Well, Kaiba's people aren't looking for you any more. And besides," He ran possessive hands over Joey's body. "You're mine. Aren't you, Joe?"

"I am." Joey smiled up at him, his eyes glazed with the drugs he now couldn't get through the day without. "Why would I want anyone else?"

"You'd better not." Keith's hand came up to encircle Joey's neck.

Joey went rigid with fear. Ever since the first time, Keith would use this tactic to instill fear in the younger blond. Once Joey had told him about what his father did, Keith would do it whenever he wanted to get his point across.

"N-no, Keith. N-n-never."

"Good." Keith let go, leaning down to kiss him briefly. "Just see that you remember it while we're out."

Joey backed away a step, pulling the towel from around his waist and drying his hair with it; trying to pretend like nothing happened.

"Put these on." Keith tossed him the pants.

Joey dutifully pulled them on. When he went to button them up, Keith stopped him, drawing a white silk shirt over his shoulders and tucking it into the pants without buttoning it. Then, he buttoned the pants up and stepped back.

The pants fit Joey like a second skin, hugging his body in all the right places. The shirt lay open, exposing his chest and abdomen.

"Mmm…you look good enough to eat." Keith smirked, stepping closer to fold back the cuffs of the shirt. "And I will…later."

Joey grinned back at him.

"Here, you need this." Keith picked up a leather gauntlet from the dresser and buckled it over Joey's left wrist, effectively hiding the finger marks he had left there a couple of days ago when the smaller man had pissed him off.

"Just one more thing." Keith picked up a black leather lace and going behind Joey, he pulled the golden strands back, tying them loosely. "Perfect."

Joey smiled again as Keith moved back in front of him. "Thanks for letting me go out."

"How could I not?" Keith pulled Joey against his chest. "You're just too good a little bitch for me not too. Now grab your boots and let's go."

Joey laughed happily and ran to do as he was told.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan pulled on the headset and stared out the window at the concrete pad Seto's helicopter was sitting on.

"Buckle you seatbelt."

Tristan jumped at the sound of Seto's voice in his ears. Scowling at his friend, he buckled up, gripping the edge of his seat as the chopper lifted off.

"Why do you do that every time you fly with me?"

"I only do it when YOU'RE the one flying…maniac."

Seto snorted and pulled the chopper into a sharp assent. Tristan squeezed his eyes shut and clutched the seat tighter.

"Very funny." He commented to Seto's laughter as the climb leveled off.

"Revenge is sweet."

Tristan shook his head with a small grin.

The rest of the trip was made in silence, Seto concentrating on flying, supposedly, and Tristan thinking about the press conference.

Rita Adams had all but disappeared. Bakura had managed to track her down once she came back into the country, about six weeks after leaving. Since then, she had left them alone. Something for which they were all grateful.

/Maybe she's given up because we didn't react the way she wanted us to. The last thing she wrote was that bullshit article about Joey…never did track down Panik…/

Tristan barely noticed when Seto landed the helicopter on top of the hotel where they would be staying. He jumped out of the chopper when Seto did, crouching down to set the blocks around the wheels on his side.

That done, he glanced at his watch. "Well, let's stow our stuff and go to dinner. I'm starving."

"Yeah. I've got reservations at that restaurant you like for seven thirty. That just gives us enough time."

"Great." Tristan headed for the door that would take them to the penthouse suite he and Seto would be sharing for the night. "It'll be nice to relax for the evening before we have to deal with the reporters."

"Mm…with luck, the bitch won't be there."

"You've used up all your luck on that one, pal." Tristan snickered, leading the way into the building.

~*~*~*~*~

Keith looked over at Joey and shook his head; taking in the other's pale, sweating face. "Are you coming down already?"

"Mmhmm." Joey nodded, rubbing his aching shoulder. "Hurts like hell."

"Here." Keith poured him another beer from the pitcher on the table. "This should help."

Joey picked up the glass, his hand shaking so badly that the contents spilled, slopping cool, tingling liquid over his wrist.

"Joe! You fucking moron!"

"I'm sorry." Joey whimpered, putting the glass down. "I can't help it, Keith."

Keith sighed and picked up a napkin, using it to wipe up the mess. He grabbed Joey's arm and pulled him out of his chair and into his lap. He held his glass to Joey's lips. "Here."

Joey took a drink and then turned in the bigger man's lap, cuddling into his chest. "I'm sorry, Keith. I don't mean to be such a klutz."

"Hey, Bandit!" Marty, the owner of The Graveyard, sat down with them. "This must be your new one, huh?"

Keith grinned. "Yep. This is Joe."

"So, this is the guy Seto Kaiba's been looking for?"

"He is. But he doesn't want to go back, do you, Joe?"

Joey shook his head, pressing as close to Keith as he could get. "I belong to you now, Keith."

Marty's grin held a hint of envy. "Pretty well trained little bitch you've got there, Bandit."

"Got that right. Aren't you?" Keith slipped his hand into Joey shirt, stroking his chest.

Joey sighed happily, leaning into the touch, nodding again.

"Got any weed, Marty? My boy's crashing and I haven't got anything on me."

"Sure thing. He'll have to smoke it in the back though."

Marty rose and waited for Joey to stand also. Joey looked to Keith for permission before even moving.

"Go on." Keith pushed the smaller man from his lap. "I'll wait for you here."

Joey leaned over and kissed Keith before turning and walking with Marty behind the bar and into the office.

Marty sat down at his desk, motioning for Joey to shut the door.

Joey leaned against the wall, basically using it to hold himself up, and started scratching the inside of his arm unconsciously.

"You shouldn't do that, Joe." Marty motioned to the blood seeping through the material of the blond's shirt. "It's gonna get infected."

"Sorry." Joey mumbled, reaching out to accept the lit joint from the other man.

Marty shrugged and turned to some invoices lying on his desk.

Joey let his head fall back against the wall as the pot started to take the edge off his pain. He watched the other man out of the corner of his eye, unable to help making comparisons.

[He kinda reminds me of Seto. Same color eyes and stuff. I wonder why he gave up looking for me? Not sure how I feel about that really. I miss them. I know I told Yugi I didn't want to be found, but I wouldn't have if I could be sure they wouldn't hurt Keith. And I don't think they'd accept him. Well, I love him and if they can't accept that, then I don't want them for my friends. But I do still miss them. Especially Ryou. I miss jamming with him. Gods, I can't even remember the last time I picked up my guitar.]

"You done, Joe?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Joey put out the joint in the ashtray on the desk and smiled at the other man. "Thanks, Marty. I feel a lot better."

There was a glint in the bar owner's eyes that made Joey swallow nervously as he got up from his desk and approached the blond, his hands coming up to rest against the wall on either side of Joey's head.

"And how will you be paying for that?" He asked, leaning in so their lips almost touched.

"Umm…I-I don't know. Ask Keith."

"I'm asking you."

"Marty, don't." Joey's hands came up to push against the other man's chest. "Keith'll get mad at me."

"No, he won't." He grabbed Joey's wrists in one hand and pressed up against him. "He won't even care."

"Please…don't…" Joey whimpered as the other leaned closer and began to lick at his neck.

He squeezed his eyes shut as Marty pressed a knee between Joey's legs, rubbing against him.

[Oh, gods! He's going to…he wants too…]

Joey opened his mouth and screamed as the other man slid his hand into the front of Joey's pants. Before Marty had time to react to it, the door burst open, a very pissed of blond American filling the doorframe.

"What the FUCK are you doing, Marty?!" Keith strode into the room, grabbing the bar owner by the shirt and pulling him away from Joey.

Marty staggered back, glowering. "What's the matter, Bandit? You've always shared your toys before."

"Not this one." Keith growled as he put his arms around a trembling Joey.

Joey pressed his face into Keith's shirt, terrified of what the older blond was going to do. "I'm…I'm sorry. Keith, I didn't…"

"Hush, baby. It's okay." Keith kissed Joey's forehead before turning an icy glare on Marty. "Keep your hands off him. Got it?"

"Fine. You shoulda told me you weren't sharing him. I'da never made a move on him if I hadda known."

Keith rolled his eyes, turning his attention back to Joey. "You okay, Joe?"

"I wanna go home, Keith. Please?"

"Alright. Come on then." He led Joey from the office, reserving one last dirty look for Marty as he ushered Joey from the bar.

~*~*~*~*~

"You're still awake." Tristan stuck his head in through the door of Seto's bedroom. "Can I come in?"

"Sure, buddy." Seto took off his glasses and put his book on the bedside table.

Tristan came in and sat crossed legged on the bed next to Seto, dressed similarly to his friend in cotton pajama pants.

"Everything okay, Tris?"

"Mmm…" Tristan nodded. "I guess."

"What's on your mind?"

"Well…you know Robbie McLeod? From the law department?"

"Yeah." Seto grinned. "He's the only guy I ever met that speaks Japanese with an Irish accent."

"That's him." Tristan smiled.

"Well, what about him? Come on Tris! Hedging isn't your style."

"He asked me out."

"WHAT?! Really?! What did you say?"

Tristan lay down and propped his head in his hand. "I told him no. It's just…I'm not ready yet. I know he's not coming back, but…"

"Hey." Seto scooted over next to Tristan and put his arms around him, drawing him close. "Number one, you don't know that. And two, if you don't want to date, you don't have to."

"Robbie's not my type anyway." Tristan settled next to Seto, resting his head on the other's chest. "Too many freckles."

Seto chuckled. "We can't have that now, can we?"

"Seto? Why would you think he's coming back? It's been three months. Nobody's seen him."

"I haven't given up on him, Tristan. You shouldn't either."

"I still miss him."

Seto shifted back as he felt wetness on his chest. "Tris? Look at me."

Tristan lifted his head to reveal tears tracking down his face. "Can I sleep here with you tonight? I really hate sleeping alone."

"Of course." Seto reached up and brushed the wet trails from his friend's face. "You don't even have to ask."

Tristan shifted to lay his head on the pillow next to Seto. "Can I ask you a favor then?"

"What's that?"

"Will you…kiss me?"

Seto didn't reply, just cupped Tristan's face in his hand and leaned in to press his mouth gently against the other's. Tristan sighed, parting his lips and letting the taller brunet in.

Seto pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. Just as he began to run his hand down Tristan's back, the smaller man pulled away.

Tristan searched the bright blue eyes for a moment and then pressed close, laying his head back on Seto's chest. "Thank you."

Seto just held him tightly, gently stroking his shoulder blades until Tristan feel asleep.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto fumbled to turn off the alarm clock, stifling the urge to throw in infernal thing across the room. He lay back, looking over at Tristan, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He was contemplating the quickest and meanest way to wake his friend up.

{Haven't got any ice cubes…cold water should do the trick.}

He was just about to get up when Tristan mumbled something, turning over and snuggling into him, throwing an arm over his hips and laying his head on his stomach.

Tristan was only half awake, not aware of his surroundings, as he moved closer to the warm body. He rubbed his cheek against the smooth flesh, lifting his head and kissing the stomach he was lying on. He sighed as he felt the desire rising in his sleep drugged body.

"Love you, Joey."

"Ummm…Tris?" Seto shook the other brunet's shoulder. "Wake up."

/Oh shit./ Tristan's eyes snapped open and he sat up, moving away from Seto. "I'm sorry, pal. I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay." Seto reached out and laid a hand on Tristan's shoulder. "I'm just sorry I'm not him."

"It's just…I was dreaming, and…it was…"

"Shh. You don't have to explain it to me." Seto sat up as well, running his hand down Tristan's chest, before putting his arm around him.

Tristan was shivering, trying to suppress his body's natural reaction to his dreams. Seto saw this and decided to take matters into his own hands. He pulled Tristan to him, reaching up with his free hand to caress the other's face.

"Do you want me to make love to you?"

"N-no." Tristan removed Seto's hands from his body. "I'm…I'm gonna go get a shower."

Seto frowned as he watched Tristan slide from the bed and leave the room. He knew for a fact that Tristan hadn't taken so much as a casual lover since Joey left, and knowing him, he was denying himself any sort of sexual release. Seto rolled his eyes. How typically Tristan.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey stretched languidly as his thoughts reassembled themselves. He reached for Keith and found himself alone.

Getting out of bed, he pulled on some shorts and headed for the kitchen, hoping to find the other man there. He wasn't, but he had left a note, letting Joey know he had to go to work and telling him to stay inside.

Joey was more than happy to obey. Last night had scared him. But what happened afterward more than made up for it.

Joey grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down in the living room, fishing a joint from the tin and lighting it.

He had been afraid at first that Keith would blame him for what had happened with Marty. But it hadn't happened. If anything, what had followed had surprised Joey.

When they had arrived back at Keith's apartment, Keith hadn't said much, just fixed a needle for Joey and waiting quietly for the effects to take hold. When Joey finally stopped shaking, Keith had taken him gently in his arms and apologized for leaving him defenseless. He had kissed him tenderly then, lifting him from the couch and carrying him into the bedroom.

He had been so gentle. Even going so far as to prepare him, which was something he had never done before.

It had been completely surreal for Joey. He had seen and heard things he shouldn't have. At one point he had opened his eyes to look at Keith, but instead he had seen Tristan smiling gently down at him. He had heard Tristan's voice, telling him how much he loved him. It had brought tears to Joey's eyes and he had responded in a way that he never had with Keith.

When it was over, it had broken his heart all over again when he realized he wasn't lying next to Tristan. He had berated himself for it, telling himself that Keith loved him and he didn't deserve Joey fantasizing about someone else.

Joey put out the joint and picked up his coffee. He could only chalk it up to the drugs. That and the fact that Keith had never been gentle with him while Tristan always had.

Shrugging it off, Joey got up and got out his guitar. He had promised himself he would play a little every day from now on. And it seemed a good enough way to kill time until Keith got home. Whenever that was going to be.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan stood in the shower, teeth chattering, and let the hot water pound into his skin.

When he had first gotten in, he had turned on just the cold, standing under the freezing spray until his lips turned blue, savagely beating down the raging need in his blood. When he finally had, he had cranked up the hot water, praying that he wasn't going to get sick from his icy dousing.

He leaned his hands against the shower wall, ducking his head and letting the water pour over his back.

/Damn it! I can't BELIEVE that happened! I should have better control over myself. Gods! And then Seto had to go and offer to sleep with me. I almost gave in. But I won't take advantage of him like that. Not again./

Cursing himself again, Tristan quickly finished his shower, knowing he didn't have long before the press conference started. He shut off the water, pulled back the curtain, and got the hell shocked out of him.

"Gods, Seto! That's it!! I'm gonna make you wear a frigging bell!"

Seto smirked at his friend from his spot leaning against the closed bathroom door. He threw a towel to Tristan, breaking into full laughter at the look on the other's face. Tristan just scowled and started drying himself off.

"Done trying to freeze yourself?"

"Very funny."

"You know, buddy, you either need to find yourself some tail or get reacquainted with your own hand."

"Fuck you." Tristan rolled his eyes at the other's crassness.

"I offered, but you turned me down." Seto smirked again. "No wonder you've been so cranky."

"You're such an asshole sometimes, Seto. And you're beginning to sound like Bakura."

"Now who's being funny?" Seto pushed Tristan out of the way, stepping from his pajama pants and throwing them at the other brunet. "Order us up some breakfast, will you? Conference's is in an hour."

"Sure, fine." Tristan left the bathroom shaking his head, Seto's attempt at cheering him up totally failing.

~*~*~*~*~

Keith arrived back home around mid afternoon to find Joey sitting on the couch, playing his guitar and singing. He leaned against the doorframe, a small smile playing on his lips. This was the first time he had heard Joey play, and he hadn't heard him sing before either.

The younger blond had a low, pleasant voice, somewhat gravely; sort of, Keith thought, like Brian Adams. Not the same tone, but the same quality.

He watched Joey, who had his eyes closed and was oblivious to his entrance, and concentrated on the words of the song the other had obviously begun singing before he arrived. Surprisingly, they were in English and it was a song Keith recognized.

Un-break my heart

Say you'll love me again

Un-do this hurt you caused

When you walked out the door

And walked outta my life

Un-cry these tears

I cried so many nights

Un-break my heart, my heart

Take back that sad word good-bye

Bring back the joy to my life

Don't leave me here with these tears

Come and kiss this pain away

I can't forget the day you left

Time is so unkind

And life is so cruel without you here beside me

Keith's eyes narrowed as he noticed tears flowing from behind Joey's eyelids. He knew who the younger man was thinking about. The one whose name he had called out last night. Tristan.

Un-break my heart

Say you'll love me again

Un-do this hurt you caused

When you walked out the door

And walked outta my life

Un-cry these tears

I cried so many nights

Un-break my heart, my heart

Keith's hands clenched into fists. He'd show the ungrateful little bastard! He stepped into the room, his hand reaching out.

Ohh, oh

Don't leave me in all this pain

Don't leave me out in the rain

Bring back the nights when I held you beside me

Joey's eyes flew open as the guitar was snatched from his hands. He scrambled off the couch, backing up to the wall at the look of fury on Keith's face.

"Keith? What…what did I do?" His eyes went wide as Keith raised the guitar.

Suddenly, he saw an image of his father, superimposed over Keith. "Dad? Dad, please…don't!"

Keith swung the guitar and Joey fell to his knees, screaming in pain and clutching the scar at his temple. The guitar shattered against the wall, pieces of wood and lacquer raining down on Joey, who was convinced he had been hit.

He stared up through his bangs, horror written all over his face.

"You little slut!" Keith roared in his father's voice. "You've been fucking around with that Taylor kid, haven't you?!"

"Dad…I love him."

"Who the fuck do you think you are, calling out HIS name when you're with me?!" This time it was his father speaking with Keith's voice.

"He loves me, Keith!" Joey shouted, trying to get to his feet.

His father/Keith backhanded him across the mouth, snarling. "Put him from your mind right NOW, damn it! This mess better be cleaned up before I get back!"

Joey collapsed among the ruins of his guitar as the door slammed. His hand was still pressed to his temple. Fighting the pain he felt there, he brought his hand away, staring at his fingers. [Where's the blood? There should be blood.]

"Tristan," He whispered in a tear filled voice. "Please…come get me. I want to come home."

~*~*~*~*~

Seto had said what he needed to say, and now he sat back, listening to Tristan field questions from the press.

Rita Adams was there, but surprisingly, she had been silent.

"The unveiling will be in two days at the Kaiba Estate." Tristan said. "Invitations have been sent out to everyone, including those of you in the press."

"Well, gee, that's funny," Came a caustic voice. "I haven't received mine."

"That's because they were only given to members of the PRESS, Rita." Tristan replied coolly.

"Are you saying my newspaper isn't a reputable publication, Mr. Taylor?"

"Are there any other questions?" Tristan asked, ignoring the woman.

Said woman wasn't going to give in without causing some trouble. "I have one. Is it true that you and your employer shared a hotel room last night?"

"Official press releases can be obtained from the PR department." Tristan's facial expression never changed. It was like he was deaf to her baiting. "Thank you for coming."

Seto stood and they left together, ignoring the shouted questions and flashing bulbs. When the door to the conference room closed behind them, Seto turned to Tristan with a grin.

"Good job, buddy."

Tristan leaned against the wall, rubbing his temples. "Gods, that woman! Maybe we should just turn Bakura loose on her."

"Don't tempt me." Seto threw his arm around Tristan's shoulders. "Ready to go home?"

"Please. I don't think I can take much more."

Seto led the way out of the small room attached to the conference room, heading for the elevator. They were immediately surrounded by security, trying to beat off the reporters who hadn't had a chance to question them at the press conference.

They were ignored by the two men as they stepped into the elevator.

When the doors shut, Seto pulled Tristan against him, sensing his friend's need. Tristan sighed, slipping his arms around Seto's waist and leaning into him.

"I hate those things. Man, I keep thinking that something nasty is going to come up."

"Well, she tried, but you handled it very well." Seto kissed Tristan on the forehead.

"It IS my job, Seto." Tristan replied somewhat testily.

"I know that. But it doesn't mean I can't be proud of you for it, does it?"

"I guess not." Tristan conceded, moving from Seto's arms as the doors opened.

Seto watched Tristan out of the corner of his eye as they walked to their suite. He preceded Tristan through the door, turning and pinning him against it as soon as it was closed.

"What are you doing?" Tristan raised an eyebrow.

"Why did you say no?"

"Huh?"

"This morning. Why did you say no to me?"

"Seto…what the fuck is wrong with you?!"

"You've never said no before. I don't like seeing you deny yourself, Tris. You needed it and you still said no."

"Get the hell off me!" Tristan pushed the taller man away. "What's with you!?"

"If you want to get on with your life, then get on with it!" Seto growled. "Either get out there and get him back, or move on!"

"Where did this come from all of a sudden?" Tristan asked quietly, putting his hands on Seto's shoulders, trying to calm him down.

"I can't stand to see you like this!" Seto sobbed, wrapping his arms around Tristan and burying his face in his neck.

"Gods, Seto…" Tristan held him, shocked. "What's wrong, pal?"

"I hate to see you hurting. I've watched you for the last three months…falling apart over Joey leaving. And I hate that I haven't been able to do anything to help you!"

"But you have." Tristan rubbed Seto's back. "You've been there for me. Really been there. Just like you've always been."

Seto just continued to cry against Tristan's shoulder.

/I haven't seen him come apart like this in years. Not since we were teenagers. I didn't realize this was affecting him so much. I should have known though. Seto just keeps it bottled up and keeps going until he reaches the breaking point…and then he crashes./

"Seto," Tristan basically had to peel the other brunet off him. "Hey, it's okay. I'm going to be fine. Really."

Seto shook his head, wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "I'm sorry."

"No, pal. There's no reason to be sorry. We're all allowed to lose control every once in a while. I'm living proof of that."

Seto smiled shakily before putting his arms around Tristan again, holding him tightly. "Love you, Tris."

"I love you too. Come on. Let's go home."

~*~*~*~*~

YD: Where in the name of the seven hells did THAT come from?!

DD: I have no idea…ask Seto.

Seto: Don't look at me.

Tristan: Well, everyone has their breaking point, and Seto reached his.

Joey: Don't even tell me Tristan's going to start DATING!!

YD: *evil smirk*

DD: Maybe…I don't know yet.

Ryou: Please review folks!!

Bakura: And no flames!!