Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ chapter12 ( Chapter 12 )

Stronger 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: I can't believe how quickly we wrote this chapter!

YD: And I can't BELIEVE what's happening in it!

Joey: It's not gonna be good for me, is it?

DD: Sorry, Joey.

YD: *snicker*

~*~*~*~*~

"I think you pissed her off." Mokuba dropped the newspaper on Tristan's desk.

Tristan picked it up and his eyes narrowed. "What the fuck..!"

It was a picture of him and Yugi. Yugi was sitting in his lap, cuddled into him, a smile on his face. And it had been taken here, in his office, on the day Yugi had seen Joey.

Tristan frowned, looking at the angle of the picture. He pushed his chair away from his desk and looked up. From the angle…

He stood up, climbed onto his desk and popped the vent of the air exchanger…and came face to face with a camera.

"Bitch." Tristan muttered, wrapping his hand around the offending object and yanking it from the ceiling amid a small shower of sparks.

He jumped down and grabbed the phone, dialing Seto's office. "You'd better get down here, pal. We have a major problem."

Mokuba closed his mouth. "Gods! How the hell did she manage that?"

"Must have been when they installed the air exchanger." Tristan shook his head. "The whole tower's probably bugged."

The door opened and Seto entered, his eyes going immediately to the missing panel above Tristan's desk. "What have I told you about destroying your office?"

Tristan tossed the camera at him. "We've got a rat problem."

Seto's face darkened as he caught the device. "Great! We're going to have to shut down and have the place swept. That'll be at least a week."

"That's not everything, big brother." Mokuba picked up the paper and handed it to him.

Seto shook his head as he looked at the paper. There had been one yesterday too, letting the world know that Joey had left Tristan and eluding to physical abuse on Tristan's part.

"Okay, let's clear the building. Tris, tell your people to go home. I'll let the other heads know."

"Until when?"

"Until we can be sure there's not more of THIS around." He hefted the camera in his hand before dropping it on the desk. "Damn it! I hope none of the investors want to come here after the launch tonight."

"Well, sweep the lower floors first. The VR labs cover the second floor. That should be enough time." Tristan spun the camera around on his desk.

"Mm…good idea." Seto turned to the door. "You staying tonight?"

"Sure. I'm gonna head over to the house before I come over."

"Okay." Seto grabbed his brother's hand. "Come on, Mokuba. Give me a hand and then we'll get out of here."

Tristan smiled as he watched them leave. He shut down his computer, threw some files in his briefcase and went to tell his team about the unexpected holiday.

~*~*~*~*~

Yami smiled and tugged at Seto's hand, motioning with his chin towards Tristan.

Seto grinned. Tristan was surrounded by women, all old enough to be his mother, and then some. For the most part, they were wives of investors and Kaiba Corp. board members. The CEO bit back a snicker as he watched his friend take one woman's hand up in his and kiss it, smiling at her. He couldn't hear what Tristan was saying, but the woman blushed and giggled.

Yami shook his head. "He's such a charmer when he wants to be."

"They're only like that because they know he's safe." Seto rolled his eyes.

"Hey, Kaiba! Yami! How have you been?"

The two men turned toward the voice.

"Otogi!" Seto reached out to shake his hand. "I wasn't sure if you were back in town."

"Just got back yesterday." Otogi grinned.

"Where have you been?" Yami asked.

Otogi had changed in the years he had been away from Domino. Still as flashy as ever clothes wise, he was dressed in tight black silk pants and a loose blood red silk shirt. The trademark headband was missing, however, and his long, black hair hung almost to his waist. Also conspicuously absent was the die earring. In its place was a simple gold hoop.

Otogi shrugged. "I needed to broaden my horizons. I've been in the US for a couple of years. DDM really took off there."

"So I heard." Seto replied. "That's one of the reasons I asked you to come."

Yami rolled his eyes. "I'm going to go find Yugi."

"Okay, love." Seto bent down and kissed him. "He was with Mokuba the last time I saw him."

"It was nice to see you Otogi." Yami smiled at the emerald eyed man.

"You too, Yami."

"So," Otogi turned back to Seto as Yami moved away through the crowded room. "I've been keeping up with what's been going on here. No sign of Joey, huh?"

"No." Seto replied shortly.

"Sorry. None of my business."

"It's okay, Otogi." Seto decided to change the subject. "I really wanted to talk to you about putting in DDM arenas at the Kaiba Land we have in New York. And possibly the others we're planning on opening in North America."

"Hmmm…" Otogi pretended to consider, when in fact, he could barely contain himself. "Maybe we can work something out."

"Well, you should talk to Tristan first. He was responsible for the opening. He may have some ideas I didn't think of. As a matter of fact," Seto looked over at his friend who was practically being molested by a couple of middle aged housewives who had had too much to drink. "Why don't we go rescue him?"

Otogi snickered. "Looks like we should."

They walked through the crowd, having to stop periodically so Seto could greet newly arrived guests, to where Tristan was.

"I'm sorry, ladies." Seto interrupted. "I need to speak to Tristan."

"Duty calls." Tristan put on a disappointed face. "We'll pick up this conversation again, ladies."

Otogi shook his head as the women moved away. "Incredible."

"Hey, Tris…look what the cat dragged in." Seto said.

"Otogi, how are you?!"

"Not bad." Otogi looked Tristan up and down. "You look great, Tristan."

"You don't look half bad yourself." Tristan smiled down at the raven haired man.

Seto raised an eyebrow at the way Otogi was looking at Tristan. {This could be interesting. He's practically drooling. If Tris does want to move on, this could be an opportunity.}

"Thanks." Otogi twisted a strand of hair around his finger.

"I see some habits never die." Tristan smirked.

Otogi rolled his eyes and was about to retort when an older man, about fifty, came and drew Tristan away.

"Who's the killjoy?" Otogi asked Seto.

"The head of R&D." Seto grinned at Otogi's pout. "We ARE working here, you know."

"Whatever." Otogi pouted again. "Are all your top management old?"

Seto laughed. "Tris is the only one under forty."

"Mmmm…" Otogi wasn't really listening. He was too busy watching Tristan.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan finally made it through the crowd, after being stopped a dozen times, and outside. He walked through the gardens, heading for the maze, hoping for a few minutes to himself.

/Gods, I hate these things! Playing the gallant to a bunch of drunk middle aged women isn't my style./

Making it to the center of the maze, he dropped down on the bench, pulling his cigarettes from his pocket. He was beginning to get a headache, but whether it was from the noise and heat in the mansion or from the champagne, he couldn't tell. He was a little light headed.

"You really shouldn't smoke. It's not good for you."

Tristan looked up to see Otogi standing next to him, his arms crossed over his chest. "Seto send you out here to give me a hard time?"

"No." Otogi smiled. "Can I sit down?"

"Sure. Grab a seat."

Otogi sat down next to Tristan and looked up at him. "So, things have been going well for you, huh?"

"I guess." Tristan shrugged. "Depends on your definition of "well"."

"I'm sorry…I didn't mean…"

"Don't worry about it." Tristan interrupted.

"Umm…Tristan? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

Otogi twirled his hair around on his finger. "Have you thought about…ummm…going out with anyone yet?"

"What?!" Tristan looked at Otogi, noticing how his eyes glowed in the moonlight, like a cat's.

"Well…I thought…ever since high school…" Otogi stumbled over himself. "I've always been attracted to you, Tristan."

Tristan stood up, crushing his cigarette under his heel. He walked over to one side of the clearing and leaned up against a vine covered wall there. "Otogi…"

Otogi stood up and went to him, standing close. "Are you surprised? Don't be."

"It's not that…I just…I don't know."

"You're not over him, are you?"

Tristan shook his head. "I don't think I ever will be."

"Have you tried?" Otogi pressed himself up against the brunet, tilting his face up.

"I-I…Otogi…"

Otogi reached up and wrapped his arms around Tristan's neck, pulling him down and pressing their lips together.

Tristan froze. /Holy shit!/

Otogi pressed closer, trying to coax Tristan lips open. Tristan reached up and grabbed his arms, pulling them down and pushing Otogi away slightly.

"What?" Otogi looked somewhat dazed.

"What was that about?" He kept his hands on the other's arms, for some reason unable to push him completely away.

"Didn't you want me to?" The raven haired man looked up, half his face in shadow. "Aren't you lonely, Tristan?"

Tristan shook his head in denial. "I have my friends."

"But what about a lover?" Otogi pressed close again, his lips millimeters from Tristan's. "Don't you need someone? Someone to be with?"

"I…" His answer was cut of as Otogi kissed him again.

This time, the Otogi managed to gain the enterance he had previously sought. He kissed Tristan deeply, smiling to himself when the taller man began to respond. Suddenly, he found himself turned around and slammed against the wall as Tristan took control of the kiss. Otogi moaned, wrapping his hands around Tristan's hips, pulling their bodies flush.

Tristan ravaged Otogi's mouth, burying his hands in the midnight locks. All the anger and helplessness he had been feeling since Joey left was poured into his actions. Not to mention a certain amount of sexual frustration.

/What the FUCK am I doing?!/ Tristan pushed away from Otogi. "Otogi…I'm sorry!"

Otogi blinked, trying to get his bearings. "For what?"

"I shouldn't have…"

Otogi moved to lean against Tristan again, his hand coming up to trail a single finger down the brunet's cheek. "I started it. And I enjoyed it."

"I'm just…not ready for that." Tristan shook his head. "It's too soon."

The smaller man moved back, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a card. He leaned in and slipped it into Tristan's shirt pocket. "When you're ready, call me."

Tristan stared as Otogi spun on his heel and walked away without a backwards glance.

"Gods." Tristan slumped against the wall, rubbing his forehead. "Just when I thought things couldn't get more screwed up."

~*~*~*~*~

"Joe, we need to talk." Keith sat down on the couch next to the younger man.

"'bout what?" Joey scratched at the needle marks on his arm.

"Don't do that." Keith grabbed his hand and held it. "Jobs have been kinda scarce and money's getting tight."

"I'm sorry, Keith." Joey cuddled up against him. "I'd give you more money, but I can't get into my accounts."

"Well, you wanted to earn your keep…"

"I could go out and get a job." Joey looked up, amber eyes glazed and bloodshot.

"No one's gonna hire you when you're stoned all the time, Joe." Keith ran his fingers through Joey's hair, pulling him closer and kissing him briefly. "But I have another idea."

"Yeah?"

"Some of the guys down at the bar have taken a real liking to you, you know." Keith grinned. "And they've offered me money for, well, your services."

"What?!" Joey's eyes went wide. "Keith! I can't!"

"You won't have to have sex with them, Joe…just show them a good time."

"But…"

"You'd touch them, but they wouldn't get to touch you…and no one gets to take you."

Joey moved away from the bigger man. "You mean…you want me to…Keith, I can't!"

"I thought you loved me." Keith looked him in the eye. "I guess I was wrong."

"No!" Joey threw himself against Keith, clinging to him. "I do love you, Keith, I do!"

"Then prove it to me. Do this for me, Joe. It won't be forever, just until I can land another job."

Joey buried his face in Keith's neck and began to cry. "I-I'll do it. But…p-promise me it won't be for long."

"I promise." Keith leaned back to rest against the arm of the couch, drawing Joey down on top of him. "Thank you, Joe. I'll make it up to you, I swear."

~*~*~*~*~

"Thank Ra!" Yami said as the door shut behind the last guest. "I thought my afterlife was supposed to be peaceful. That was worse than a High Priest's funeral!"

Yugi chuckled, putting his arms around Yami from behind and kissing his ear. "I would have though that you'd be used to official functions."

"But I never liked them, Aibou." Yami turned and took his other's hand. "Let's go to bed. I'm exhausted!"

Tristan snickered as the two left. "Yami's such a drama queen."

Seto couldn't keep the smile off his face as he led Tristan into the den. "Where did you take off to? Your fangirls were looking for you."

"I had to get out for a bit." Tristan rolled his eyes. "And AWAY from them!"

Seto went over to the bar to pour himself a drink. He held up the bottle and looked at Tristan with a raised eyebrow.

"No thanks. I've had enough for one night, thank you very much."

"Well, you don't sound happy." Seto sat down and leaned into Tristan.

"I'm not."

"How come? Wouldn't have anything to do with Otogi disappearing shortly after you did, would it?"

"Very fucking funny!" Tristan punched him in the arm. "You had something to do with that, didn't you?"

"No, Tris, I swear." Seto took his hand, as much to keep him from hitting him again as anything. "I wouldn't do that to you. What happened?"

"He came on to me and things got…a little out of hand."

"You didn't?!"

"No!" Tristan let his head drop to Seto's shoulder with a sigh. "Not that he didn't want to. Part of me wanted to."

"And the other part?"

"I know he's not coming back, Seto. But that part of me wants to keep hoping he will." Tristan sighed. "It hurts too much to give up, you know?"

"I understand." Seto put his arms around Tristan and held him. "Do you know what you really want?"

"No," Tristan burrowed into Seto's chest. "I don't."

{We're going to find him, Tris. No matter what.} Seto kissed the top of his friend's head, holding him tighter. {If you want to move on though, I won't stand in your way.}

Tristan yawned. "I need some sleep. You going to bed?"

"Yeah." Seto untangled himself and stood. "Yami'll already be asleep, I'm sure."

"Hopefully Yugi will be too…or you won't be getting any rest."

"You're cute." Seto said sarcastically, pulling Tristan up. "Want me to tuck you in?"

"Bite me." Tristan punched Seto again, harder this time. "You're such a pain in the neck. Asshole."

Seto laughed and shoved Tristan back down onto the couch, bolting from the room and making it half way up the stairs before Tristan caught him.

"You're dead!" Tristan tackled him, fighting to get Seto over on his back so he could beat on him.

"HEY! We're trying to sleep here!" Mokuba stood at the top of the stairs, hands on his hips.

Seto jabbed Tristan in the ribs, sending him sliding down three steps before he stopped himself. Tristan launched himself at the taller man again and began tickling him.

"Act your age, why don't you!" Mokuba rolled his eyes, turning and leaving the two wrestling on the steps.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey hissed as the alcohol soaked cotton dabbed at his arm.

"You've got to stop picking at this, Joe. It's getting infected." Keith tossed the cotton ball in the garbage and turned to Joey. "Marty'll be here soon."

Joey wrapped his arms around the older blond. "I don't know if I can do this."

Keith tipped Joey's head up gently and kissed him. "You're doing this for me, baby. Just keep telling yourself that, okay?"

Joey nodded, pushing away from Keith and leaving the bathroom. Keith stopped him just outside the bedroom door.

"I'll let him in. Why don't you wait for him in the bedroom?"

"Okay." Joey entered the room and shut the door behind him, sitting on the foot of the bed.

[I have to do this. Keith wants me to. It won't be forever, he promised. And it's not like when he hits me and promises not to do it again. This is different, I know it is.]

Joey scratched at his arm, wincing at the sting.

[What if I hadn't left when Tristan walked out? Would he have come back? I wish I hadn't left with Keith. That's not fair though. Keith is good to me. He loves me. It's just that I don't have any choice but to do this. I have to help him out.]

His thoughts were cut off as the door opened.

Marty strolled in, a grin on his face. "Well, hello there, pretty boy."

Joey swallowed hard and ducked his head.

"Oh, come now. The Bandit said you were willing. And I paid enough for you." He stepped in front of Joey, cupping his chin and forcing his head up. "Time to go to work, Joe."

Joey reached up with trembling hands and unzipped the man's pants, fighting the tears that threatened to fall.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan handed Bakura a bottle of beer and sat down on the couch, lighting a cigarette. "When's class start up again, Ryou?"

"Next week." Ryou answered from the piano. "I'm taking advanced strings this term."

"Good thing Seto's paying for his instruments." Bakura commented. "Except that I can't walk through the apartment without tripping over one, or slipping on his Ra forsaken sheet music."

"Oh yami, it's not that bad!"

Tristan laughed, choking on the smoke, as a string of muttered Egyptian curses came from the direction of the love seat. He wiped his watering eyes and took a drink to kill the cough.

"Have another cancer stick there, slim." Bakura smirked; using the nickname he had given Tristan years ago; though it didn't really fit anymore.

The brunet shook his head. "Have they finished sweeping the building yet?"

"Not yet." Bakura eyed his light where he was swaying slightly to the music he was playing. "They've still got the executive floors to do. They found cameras in the VR lab and where the arenas are. Seems they were digitally fed to an outside computer."

"Have they tracked it yet?"

"No." Bakura scowled at him. "The link melted down. Apparently when you yanked that one from the ceiling. It was set up to basically destroy the connection if someone did that."

"Great." Tristan sighed.

"Well, we have to get going." Bakura stood, setting the empty bottle down on the coffee table. "We have some plans for later tonight."

"Is that what you call it?" Ryou asked, mock innocent, getting up from the piano. "Simple plans don't usually involve handcuffs and soundproofing."

Tristan laughed, getting up to show the two white haired men out. "We're still on for this weekend, right?"

"Sure thing!" Ryou said, opening the car door. "But are you sure you want us to spend the night?"

"Only if Bakura leaves the handcuffs at home." Tristan retorted. "This house has kinda thin walls."

"Funny, Taylor." Bakura rolled his eyes and got into the car.

Ryou waved cheerily as they backed out of the driveway.

Tristan went back inside and sat back down. /It's too quiet. I can't go in to the office. Seto's gone away with Yami and Yugi for a few days. Damn! Don't even THINK about it, Tristan! If you go out with him, it's the same as giving up on Joey./

Tristan stood up and went into the kitchen, opening a small drawer next to the stove. He pulled out the card Otogi had given him and stared at it.

/He was right about one thing though. I am lonely. I can't rely on Seto all the time. He has his own life. Maybe…maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Who says it has to develop into something serious. Otogi's a nice guy. It's not like he's a stranger or something. When you think about it, I've know him for years. Oh, to hell with it!/

Tristan went to the phone and dialed the number on the card. It was answered on the third ring.

"Hey, Otogi. It's Tristan. What are you doing for dinner tonight?"

~*~*~*~*~

"You weren't kidding, Bandit." Marty came into the living room, a totally satisfied smirk on his face. "He really does give the best head."

"You get what you pay for." Keith handed him his jacket.

"Well, I'm gonna want him again, you can be sure about that." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small bag, handing it to Keith. "Give this to him. And tell him I'll be back for more."

Keith shut the door behind the bar owner, pocketing the drugs. He headed into the bedroom, finding Joey sitting on the bed, pale and shaking.

"You okay, Joe?" Keith ran his hand through the damp, tangled locks.

Joey looked up, sweat sliding down his face. Suddenly he jumped up, pushing past Keith and running from the room. Keith caught up with him as he sank to his knees in front of the toilet and reached out just in time to pull back his hair.

When Joey had finished emptying his stomach, Keith wet a facecloth and wiped the smaller man's face. "Better?"

Joey nodded and stood up, swaying slightly. He reached out to Keith, who scooped him up in his arms and carried him into the living room, laying him gently on the couch.

"Can I get you anything, Joe?"

"I really could use a fix." Joey looked up, his honey colored eyes awash with tears. "And something to drink."

Keith went into the kitchen and brought Joey back a glass of water. Joey grabbed it and drank it down so fast, he started to choke. Keith pulled him up and rubbed his back until he stopped coughing. Joey leaned weakly against him, tears spilling down his cheeks.

"Joe, you did good." Keith dropped a kiss on his forehead. "Thank you."

Joey just held Keith's hand and cried.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan pulled off his sunglasses as he turned into the driveway. The sun was going down behind the trees lining the streets of the quiet neighborhood.

He sat looking up at the house for a moment. It was two stories, newer and kind of narrow looking, like a townhouse missing the other half. The well tended lawn and flowerbeds made Tristan wonder if maybe Otogi had a hidden talent no one knew about.

Grabbing the bottle of wine off the passenger seat, Tristan got out of the car and approached the front door. He rang the door bell, listening to the three toned chime echo through the house.

"I'm out back!" Otogi shouted.

Tristan walked around the house, climbing the stairs onto the deck.

"Have any trouble finding the place?" Otogi asked from behind the barbeque.

"Not at all." Tristan held up the bottle. "Hope you like red."

"Love it." Otogi grinned. "Hope you like steak."

"Sounds good." Tristan set the bottle down on the wrought iron bistro table that was the only furniture besides an oversized canopied swing.

"Why don't you go ahead and pour us some." Otogi closed the lid on the barbeque. "These are gonna be a while. I like to cook them slow. Makes for a better steak."

Tristan opened the bottle with the corkscrew that was on the table and poured two glasses. He turned around, glasses in hand, to see Otogi sitting on the swing. He walked over, handing Otogi a glass before sitting down.

"This is nice." Tristan indicated the yard where solar powered lanterns were just lighting up. "You do this yourself?"

Otogi held out a hand, palm up, exposing smooth, flawless skin. "Does it look like it?"

Tristan smiled. "I guess not."

"I'm not into earthy things." The dark haired man smiled back.

"What are you into? Besides dice?"

Otogi shrugged. "I like to cook."

"Always hated it myself." Tristan replied. /Well, this is as awkward as all hell. Now I know why I never dated in high school./

"I didn't think you were going to call."

Tristan just shrugged, not knowing what to say.

"Well, I'm glad you did." Otogi got up and went to flip over the steaks. "How do you like your steak?"

"So long as there's not blood running out of it, I don't care." Tristan shuddered.

"What?"

"I was just thinking about the way Bakura likes his."

Otogi made a face. "I can imagine."

Tristan laughed and began to tell him about the time they had mistakenly let Bakura cook. By the time he was done, Otogi had tears running down his face, he was laughing so hard.

"Well, time to eat!" Otogi announced, grabbing the plates from the table.

They sat down to the table, the conversation coming easier and soon turning to business. Tristan began to unwind with the help of the wine and Otogi's charm. Maybe it would turn out alright after all.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey turned over in the bed as Keith lay down next to him.

"I'm sorry you have to do this, Joe."

Joey moved closer to Keith's warmth. "I love you, Keith. I'll do anything to make you happy."

"You make me very happy." Keith pulled him close and kissed him deeply.

Joey kissed him back, trying to block out what had happened over the last few days, giving himself up to Keith. Marty had been the first of a string of men to show up at the apartment, sometimes three or four a day. Joey would do anything at this point to wipe out the memories.

"Show me you love me, Joe." Keith murmured against his lips. "Show me."

Joey pulled at Keith's clothes until the other man was as naked as he was. [I might as well get used to it. This is all I'll ever have. Give him what he wants…anything he wants. If I can keep him happy, he won't leave me.]

Keith pulled the smaller man roughly under him, thrusting into him, stifling his cry of pain with another kiss.

"Such a good little whore. Keep this up and we won't have any more worries, Joe."

~*~*~*~*~

"You're better at cooking than you are with the dice, Otogi." Tristan settled back on the swing with a grin.

"Very funny, you." Otogi sat next to him, handing him a glass with the last of the wine.

The two men were feeling a little mellow with a liter of wine split between them. Tristan sighed, leaning his head back, enjoying the noise of the crickets and the slight swaying of the swing.

"Gods, I haven't been this relaxed in months."

"I'm glad." Otogi tucked his legs under himself; the movement bringing him closer to Tristan. "Have you thought about what I said the other night?"

Tristan lifted his head, raising a quizzical eyebrow.

"About going out with someone." Otogi prompted.

"I'm not sure. I have thought about it. I just don't know if I'm ready yet." Tristan looked at Otogi, wanting him to understand. "Joey and I were together for a long time."

Otogi reached up and gently touched the other's face. "I understand. But I can tell you're lonely. If you weren't, you would be here."

"Otogi…" Tristan placed his hand over the smaller man's. "It's not that I don't find you attractive or anything…I do."

"So, what's the problem?" Otogi rose to his knees, bringing up his other hand to cup Tristan's face. "Do you want to be alone? Wouldn't you like to have someone to make love to, someone to hold you at night? You don't have to be lonely, Tristan."

Tristan felt something twist in his heart and he closed his eyes. Soon enough, he felt Otogi's lips against his. He slipped his hand into the smaller man's hair, kissing him back. He felt Otogi's hands go to the buttons on his shirt. They were swiftly undone and the material parted as gentle fingers ghosted across the bared flesh.

He pulled back long enough to yank Otogi's shirt over his head. Otogi's hair spilled around his shoulders like black silk, contrasting sharply with his ivory toned skin. Tristan moaned softly, pushing him down on his back, his entire body flashing heat at Otogi's answering hiss as their bare skin touched.

Tristan moved to kiss down the other's pale neck, the movement making the swing rock, pressing their bodies closer together.

Otogi lifted his head to claim Tristan's lips again as his hands slid down the muscled back to grasp his hips. He thrust up, tearing another moan out of the man on top of him.

Tristan broke the kiss, breathing heavily, and looked down at the other. "Otogi…"

"I want you, Tristan. Please, stay with me tonight." Otogi's voice was husky, his eyes fogged with desire.

/I…I do want someone to make love to…someone to hold me. But it's not him./

Tristan scrambled up, standing. "I can't. I'm sorry."

"What? Why?"

"I just can't, Otogi."

Otogi sat up, reaching out and gently touching Tristan's arm. "It's because of Joey, isn't it?"

Tristan nodded. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay." Otogi reached for Tristan's shirt and handed it to him. "I guess I kind of rushed things."

"It's late. I should go." Tristan pulled on his shirt, not bothering to button it.

"Tristan, wait." Otogi stood up as the taller man turned to leave. "Please. Can you forgive me? I…I don't want to lose this chance…please."

Tristan turned around, seeing Otogi reaching out, a pleading look on his face. He went to him, cupping his face in both hands and leaned down to kiss him softly. "There's nothing to forgive. I just need to sort myself out."

"Okay." Otogi backed away, before he did something stupid.

"I'll call you. I promise."

Otogi sat down again as Tristan left the deck. He stayed where he was until he heard Tristan's car pull from the driveway.

He picked up his shirt from the deck floor, as well as the wine glass he didn't remember Tristan putting down. Shaking his head, he went into the house, thinking to himself Tristan wasn't the only one who was going to be lonely tonight.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan: WHAT?!

Otogi: Yeah! I get to be in this story!

YD: *pets Otogi's head* I couldn't not give you some print.

DD: This chapter WAS NOT suppose to happen this way!

YD: *smacks Seto and Tris* Well, it would have if you two hadn't started acting like a couple of ten year olds!

Tristan: But it was fun! *tackles Seto and tickles him*

Seto: ><

Otogi: Review, please!