Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ chapter13 ( Chapter 13 )

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: Well, here we are…finally. Sorry it took so long but we've had a hell of a week.

YD: We couldn't do the handfasting on Tuesday like we had planned because Koi came down with a massive migraine.

DD: So we did it Thursday night and had to get up at 6 am Friday to go to PEI to get the chibi.

YD: That was fun.

DD: So, married again.

YD: And LOVING it!!

~*~*~*~*~

It was still light out when Ryou and Bakura left.

Tristan wandered around the house for a while, tiding up. When he was done, he found himself at a loss for what to do.

He had enjoyed spending the weekend with the two white haired men, but now that they were gone, the house was just too quiet.

He finally decided to take advantage of the cool weather and go for a walk.

Leaving the house, he randomly picked a direction; soon finding himself at the park located close to the house. He walked the paths aimlessly, deep in thought.

/I really should call Otogi. I did promise him I would. I just don't know what to say. I can't be with him. It wouldn't be fair…not when I'm thinking about Joey every time he touches me. It's just too soon./

He didn't notice his feet carrying him along a familiar path. There was a secluded spot deep in the park where he and Joey sometimes went to look at the stars and make out.

/I wonder where Joey is tonight. Gods, I still miss him so much. It's been so long. I'd give anything just to see him one more time./

Tristan stepped into the small clearing, his head snapping up at a familiar sound. His wish was granted.

~*~*~*~*~

"I've got some information on Joey." Bakura said, sitting down to Seto's kitchen table and pulling Ryou into his lap.

"It's not good." Ryou had tears in his eyes. "There was a message when we got home from one of `kura's contacts."

"Is he okay?" Yugi asked, his tone pleading.

"I'm afraid not." Bakura looked at Seto. "I didn't want to be the one to tell Tristan. I think you should tell him. I don't know what it'll do to him."

"Just tell me already, Bakura!" Seto felt something akin to fear coil in the pit of his stomach. He reached for Yami's hand, knowing that what Bakura told them was going to hurt them all.

"He's been prostituting himself for drugs and money."

"No!" Yugi bolted out of his chair and threw himself into Seto's lap, sobbing. "Oh gods, Joey!"

Yami rose and stood next to Seto, rubbing his hikari's back. "You're sure?"

"My sources are reliable, Pharaoh." Bakura shook his head, his arms tightening around his own crying light. "As much as I wish they weren't."

"I need more information before I tell Tristan." Seto's voice was low as he struggled with his own tears. "I need to know if he's doing this himself, or if someone's putting him up to it."

"It'll take a couple of days. I may need to pull some resources from Kaiba Corp."

"Whatever you need to get it done." Seto's eyes grew hard. "We have to get him back before he kills himself."

"Take Ryou home." Yami said to Bakura. "We'll come over in the morning."

Bakura tipped Ryou from his lap, going over to where Seto was sitting and squeezing Yugi's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Yugi. I'll work as quick as I can. We'll bring him home. You have my word."

Yugi just clung to Seto, sobbing his heart out.

~*~*~*~*~

The sound he heard was one that he'd never mistake for something else. It was a sound that pulled so many emotions from him that he'd never been able to pin a single one down. The sound that made his heart fill and his body burn.

The sound of Joey moaning with pleasure.

A shaft of sunlight from the lowering orb pierced the trees and illumined the scene before him.

Joey was kneeling on the ground in front of a man who for some reason reminded Tristan of Seto. He never seen Joey dressed the way he was now. Tight black leather pants, a short, torn off tank top and a leather band around one wrist. He was also wearing a black leather collar around his neck; similar to the one Yugi wore in high school.

"I know I'm not supposed to touch you, but I can't help it." The man whispered, running his hands through Joey's hair.

"I won't tell him if you don't, Marty." Joey replied, his hands going to the zipper on the other's pants.

Tristan watched with growing horror as Joey bent his head and took the man's erection into his mouth.

"Gods, Joe!" Marty hissed. "You're so fucking good at that!"

Joey pulled back, smiling. "And that's why you keep coming back."

Joey's voice was slurred and Tristan knew he was stoned. He had heard that tone come from the blond before. When he was fifteen and hooked on cocaine.

Hearing Joey moan again as he continued what he had started, Tristan turned and ran.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto and Yami lay in bed, Yugi asleep between them.

"Finally." Yami ran his fingers through Yugi's hair. "I didn't think we'd ever get him to sleep."

They hadn't been able to get Yugi to stop crying after Bakura and Ryou left. They had finally taken him upstairs, bathed him and took him to bed. An hour later, Yugi had at last cried himself to sleep.

"He's taking this really hard." Seto leaned down and pressed a kiss to Yugi's forehead.

"Joey is his best friend. And you know he's always been sensitive to other's pain."

"What am I going to tell Tristan?" Seto's eyes filled with tears. "This is going to kill him."

"Tell him the truth. You can't protect him this time, Seto."

"I'm scared, Yami." Seto admitted. "I have this feeling something bad is going to happen to him when he finds out."

Yami raised an eyebrow at that. It was one thing for Seto to admit, to him at least, he was afraid, but another thing entirely for him to say it was because he had a "bad feeling". Then again, Yami had always suspected their closeness brought them a level of awareness of each other that normal friends didn't share.

"He's not as okay as he wants us to believe." Seto continued. "He was just starting to come around when Otogi threw himself at him. Bakura said he was moody over the weekend."

"We'll keep an eye on him, my love. And we shouldn't tell him anything until Bakura gets all the facts."

"Agreed."

Yami leaned over Yugi and kissed Seto, brushing back his hair lovingly. "Sleep now, my dragon. Everything will look better tomorrow."

Seto kissed Yugi again and settled down, putting his worries from his mind with a discipline born of years of experience.

Yami watched over them both, waiting to be sure Seto was asleep before he closed his eyes.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan wasn't sure when the sun had come up. He had sat on the couch all night, what he had seen in the park replaying itself over and over in his mind.

/Why did I run? Why didn't I drop the bastard and convince Joey to come home with me? Gods! I'm such a fucking coward!/

Tristan looked at the envelope in his hand. Something he had written sometime during the night…he didn't remember when.

/I might be a coward, but I can't do this anymore./

He got up from the couch and left the house, heading for the office.

~*~*~*~*~

"Tristan?! Are you okay?!" Seto jumped up from behind his desk, crossing the room to meet Tristan and throwing his arms around him.

"I'm alright. I just had a bad night."

Seto pulled back, looking into Tristan's red rimmed eyes. "Why are you here? The office isn't open again for a few more days."

"I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to take a couple of days off."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "Okay…mind if I ask why?"

"I just need some time to myself." Tristan laid his head on Seto's shoulder, putting his arms around his waist.

"That's fine, buddy. Take all the time you need."

Tristan tightened his arms around Seto. "Thanks. I've got to get going."

"Where will you be?"

"At home, probably. I'll let you know if I go anywhere." He pulled from Seto's arms, leaning in to kiss him. "I love you, pal."

"Love you too." Seto's eyes grew worried as he watched Tristan leave. {Something wrong.}

He was about to go after him when his phone rang. He grabbed the receiver with a curse, instantly calming himself when he heard the voice of one of the investors on the other end.

He sat back down at his desk, trying to concentrate on what the man was saying, fighting off the same feeling he had had last night. The feeling something bad was about to happen to Tristan.

~*~*~*~*~

"I think you should rest today, Joe."

"I think so too." Joey snuggled closer to Keith. "I don't want to see Bobby again, Keith. Please?"

"Don't worry, baby. I won't let him near you."

Joey pulled the covers closer around him and burrowed into Keith's chest. What had happened with the part-time bartender from The Graveyard had really scared him.

Everyone knew they weren't supposed to touch him, but Bobby had decided he didn't need to follow the rules. Only the fact that Keith had been there and heard Joey scream had kept the younger blond from being raped.

Keith had dragged Bobby from the apartment and beaten him up, leaving him lying in the alley. He had gone back to Joey and just held him, saying that no one got to touch what was his. He had even tried to talk Joey out of meeting Marty in the park later that day, but Joey insisted. He liked Marty and he knew the bar owner wouldn't hurt him.

"Joe?"

"Mmm?"

"I need to ask you something." Keith ran his fingers through Joey's long hair. He hadn't had it cut since leaving Tristan, and Keith really thought it suited him.

"What's that?" Joey lifted his head and kissed Keith's chest.

"Well, you remember Andy, don't you?"

"Yeah." Andy had been coming around on a regular basis. He really seemed to like Joey…for more than just a quick blow job.

"He wants to sleep with you."

Joey's eyes widened and he lifted his head to look at Keith. "But you said I wouldn't have to do that!"

"I know…and I'm not sure I want you doing it either…it's just…it's an awful lot of money, Joe."

"How much?"

"A thousand."

"Holy shit! Are you serious?!"

"Do you want to do it?"

"I don't know." Joey brow furrowed. "Do you want me to? I'll do it for you, Keith. You know I'd do anything to make you happy."

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan stared at the brown stained, handless cup in his hand, watching the leaves moving on the bottom. His hands were shaking.

He grimaced at the brew, setting the cup down on the counter. /If I don't drink it, it'll happen faster./

He left the kitchen and went to his piano. It was almost time, but he felt like playing something first. Lifting the lid on the bench, he shuffled through the loose sheet music until he saw a manila folder with Seto's handwriting on it. He took out the music, tossing the folder back into the bench before closing it and sitting down.

Setting the papers on the piano, he quickly scanned the song. It was one he knew well; it was one of Seto's favorites. A small smile played across his lips. Seto had a thing for 1980's American bands.

He brought his hands to the keyboard, fingers instantly finding the right keys. He began to play, losing himself in the music as his rich, deep voice echoed through the house.

Lying beside you

Here in the dark

Feeling your heartbeat

With mine

Softly you whisper

You're so sincere

How could our love

Be so blind

We sailed on together

We drifted apart

And here you are by my side

So now I come to you

With open arms

Nothing to hide

Believe what I say

So here I am

With open arms

Hoping you'll see

What your love means to me

Open arms

Living without you

Living alone

This empty house seems so cold

Wanting to hold you

Wanting you near

How much I wanted you home

Tristan's voice broke and he buried his face in his hands with a sob, images of Joey flitting through his mind.

Joey's amber eyes alight with love as Tristan slipped the ring onto his finger the night of their high school graduation. Joey's laughter ringing through their apartment, throwing himself into Tristan's arms and kissing him as the letter confirming his acceptance to university fluttered to the floor, already forgotten. Joey's face, glowing with passion as he screamed Tristan's name, his sweat covered body convulsing. And finally, Joey, tears coursing down his face, his eyes pleading as Tristan shut the door, leaving him alone, crying.

"Joey…oh gods, baby…"

He wiped his eyes, taking a deep breath and steeling himself. He got up and went back into the kitchen, stopping to make sure he had left the document his friends needed to see in plain sight on the table. He didn't want to leave them with just memories.

Walking over to a drawer, he pulled out a filleting knife, clutching the wooden handle tightly. He began to roll up his sleeve, but opted for just taking off his shirt instead.

He leaned against the counter and pressed the blade to the inside of his left arm. /Seto, I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore. I just hope you can forgive me. And if you see him again, tell him that I never stopped loving him./

He pressed down until blood began to flow, thin and hot, down his arm. Then he slowly dragged the knife downward. By the time he reached his wrist, he was already light headed. He was thankful for that. It would be over that much quicker.

His vision started to recede as he made a shallow cut across his wrist. His strength was starting to go and he vaguely wondered if he should even bother with the other arm.

He didn't feel his legs give out from under him as he collapsed on the floor. His only concern was trying to keep his grip on the knife with his bloodied hand.

He weakly pressed the knife against the unbroken skin of his right arm, but didn't have any strength left. He thought he heard someone calling his name as everything went black.

~*~*~*~*~

"Seto?" Gina stood up, reaching out a hand as her boss came out of his office, practically running.

"Whatever it is, Gina, it'll have to wait."

"It can't." She stepped out from behind her desk, grabbing his arm. "Tristan gave this to me when he left. He said I should wait a couple of hours before I gave it to you, but…something's wrong. I swear he was crying when he left."

Seto took the envelope from her, tearing it open. He thought he felt his heart stop as he scanned the handwritten letter.

Seto,

I'm sorry. I just can't do this anymore. I can't live the rest of my life without him. He's moved on, so it's time I did too.

Please tell Yugi and Ryou not to cry. This is the only thing left for me. Tell Yami that I appreciate everything he's done for me. He's a good friend. I know Bakura's going to be mad, and I wish I could do something about that, but I can't. Just let him know that I love him. And if you see Joey again, please tell him I loved him with everything I had. I'm sorry it turned out this way.

I love you, pal. I hope you know how much you've meant to me. More than a friend, a brother or a lover, you were always there for me. Please forgive me.

I've left my will on the kitchen table. Please make sure that it's followed.

Tris

"Tristan…no…" The letter dropped from his hand as he bolted for the elevator.

~*~*~*~*~

Master Kiotou centered himself, reaching out to Tristan.

He had woken this morning with his young friend's name on his lips, the dream he had had burning in his mind. It had been very similar to the vision he had where Joey was being held by the shadowed man and Tristan had been pulled from the river only to die in Seto's arms.

He took a deep breath, calling up the image of Tristan Self. He had always seen a calm, cool lake, the sunlight playing over the surface while strong, decisive currents ran beneath.

Today the waters were tossing in a raging wind, crashing against the shoreline. He plunged beneath the surface and was granted a vision of Tristan.

He saw Tristan standing against the counter in his kitchen, a knife in his hand. He watched with horror as Tristan cut himself and the blood ran down his arm, dripping to the floor. He watched as Tristan fell to the floor and was about to pull back when a strong wind whipped into the room. It came like a sandstorm, hot and wild, filled with barely contained rage. It settled around Tristan protectively.

Master Kiotou had never touched Bakura's Self before, but he knew right away it was him. As he began to surface from the vision, he felt Seto approaching, fear for Tristan in his wake.

He climbed unsteadily to his feet, hurrying into his shop, yelling to his wife what he had seen. She rushed to get his bag and went to the door with him, watching as he got into a cab, worry creasing her wrinkled features.

~*~*~*~*~

Bakura closed the door behind him and was just bending to untie his sneakers when he smelled it. Blood. Fresh blood.

He bolted into the living room, looking for the source. Running into the kitchen, he skidded to a halt.

"Tristan…oh, sweet Isis…what have you done?"

He dropped to his knees next to the taller man, immediately removing the knife from his limp hand, throwing it across the room. He clamped a hand around Tristan's arm, trying to stop the flow of blood.

Reaching out through the link, he mentally smacked his hikari. He felt Ryou reel as he sent an information dense image and told him to get here with Yami and Yugi as quick as he could.

He heard the front door open with a bang, Seto calling out to Tristan.

"Seto! In the kitchen!!"

Seto stopped short in the doorway, unable to make his mind believe what his eyes were seeing. A sharp sob escaped him as he regained control of his body, dropping down next to Tristan and taking him in his arms.

"I can't stop the bleeding." Bakura sounded frantic.

"Tristan…why?" Seto ignored the tears flowing down his face. "Don't do this."

Bakura grabbed Tristan's shirt from the floor and wiped the blood from his arm to assess the damage. "This makes no sense! He shouldn't be bleeding this much! The cut's too shallow."

Seto didn't hear him; he just clutched Tristan to his chest, his mind numb.

Bakura laid his head against Tristan's chest. "He's not too far gone. We need to get him to the hospital."

"That won't be necessary, Bakura."

Seto's head snapped up, relief pouring through him. "Master Kiotou! Tristan…he…he…"

"It's alright, Seto." The old man knelt beside him. "I can help him."

Bakura opened his mouth to ask him how, when a loud cry echoed through the room. They looked up to see Yami, Yugi and Ryou standing in the doorway, Yugi clinging to Yami, his face pressed to the Pharaoh's chest.

"Calm down, Yugi. Please, everyone, stay calm." The elder opened the large satchel next to him, taking out a cloth bag. "Bakura, please get me a wet cloth."

Bakura jumped to his feet, going to the sink and grabbing a clean dish cloth, wetting it.

"I don't understand why he's bleeding so much." Bakura handed the requested item to the herbalist. "He didn't come close to hitting anything vital."

Ryou crept up to Bakura, slipping into his arms, trying not to cry at the sight of Tristan lying in Seto's arms, covered in his own blood. Yami stayed where he was, arms protectively around his other.

"He never told you?" Master Kiotou wiped the blood from Tristan's arm and wrist, quickly sprinkling it with some sort of powder from the bag.

"Never told us what?" Seto asked, feeling his heart slow its frantic beating as the flow of crimson ceased.

"Tristan has a rare blood disorder." The old man explained, examining the wound. "It's hereditary, affecting only the men in the family. It manifests around the age of twenty and skips every third generation. I've been treating Tristan for it for four years."

"I don't understand. A blood disorder?" Seto had a hard time believing that Tristan would keep something like that from him.

"It's very similar to hemophilia. Unless it's treated, the blood is unable to clot. A cut like this one, though shallow, would have killed him if Bakura hadn't shown up when he did."

Yugi had pulled away from Yami during the conversation. He made his way over to them, pressing against the counter to stay out of the way. He saw a small cup of dark liquid on the countertop and picked it up.

Before he could say anything, Tristan's eyes fluttered open.

"Tristan! Oh, gods, buddy! Talk to me, Tris!" Seto tightened his arms around his friend.

"Seto?" Tristan's voice was weak.

"It's okay. Master Kiotou is here and he's going to help you."

Tristan began to struggle faintly. "No…don't…let…let me go, Seto…I can't…"

"Tristan, look at me." Master Kiotou's voice was commanding. "I won't let you do this. I'm going to help you whether you want me to or not."

"Doesn't matter…too late…" Tristan's eyes slid closed.

"Tristan! Stay with us! Come on…don't do this!"

"Master Kiotou?" Yugi broke in. "Does this have something to do with it?"

The old man looked up to see Yugi holding a familiar cup. His eyes went to a large glass jar sitting on the counter, more than half full of a mixture of different herbs.

He looked back at Tristan. "Tristan Matthew Taylor! Open your eyes this instant!"

Everyone in the room cringed. Not so much at the tone of voice, but the fact he had used Tristan full name…something he only did when he was REALLY mad at someone.

Tristan opened his eyes, struggling to focus. "Sensei?"

"When was the last time you took your medication?"

"Don't remember."

"When did you stop PURPOSLY taking it?"

"Couple days…"

"Yugi," He turned back towards him. "I'll need some hot water and a small glass of cold besides."

Ryou moved to help Yugi as the herbalist gave orders to Yami and Bakura to collect what he needed.

Master Kiotou turned back to Tristan, looking him in the eye. "Why did you do this?"

Tristan shook his head slightly, turning his face away from the old man.

"Tristan, please tell us?" Seto tipped Tristan's face up and kissed him. "Why would you do this to yourself?"

"Joey…"

"Enough talk for now." Master Kiotou said as Bakura came with more wet towels. "I need to get this bound up."

He quickly cleaned the blood soaked powder from Tristan's arm, explaining to Bakura that it was powdered comfrey and would aid not only in stopping the bleeding, but healing as well. He sprinkled more onto the cut, which had stopped bleeding, before wrapping it in soft linen.

He then rose to his feet, instructing Bakura to help Seto get Tristan upstairs. "Get him into bed. Yami, if you will help me…"

Seto and Bakura struggled to carry Tristan upstairs. Gaining his bedroom, they laid him down on the bed. He was barely conscious.

"Bakura, why don't you go downstairs and see if they need any help."

Bakura lifted an eyebrow. Seto wanted to be alone with Tristan, he knew. With a nod, he left the room, closing the door behind him.

Seto sat down on the bed with a sigh, his hands going to remove Tristan's pants and pull the covers over him. He lay down next to him, propping himself up on his elbow and leaning down to kiss him.

"Seto?"

"Hush, buddy…just rest." Seto stroked Tristan's face.

"Why did you stop me?"

"What?!" Seto's eyes widened. "Tristan! What the hell are you talking about?! I couldn't let you die…I love you too much."

"If you love me…you'll give me back the knife and let me finish the job."

"Don't talk like that! Tristan…"

The door opened to reveal Master Kiotou, Bakura behind him. Bakura sat down on Tristan's other side; slipping an arm under his shoulders and helping him sit up. Seto immediately moved behind him to support him.

"Drink this." The old herbalist held out what looked like a glass of water to Tristan.

"I don't want it."

"What is it?" Seto asked.

"It will help him regain his strength."

"I said I don't want it!"

"Take the Ra damned glass or I'll shove it down your throat!" Bakura yelled.

Tristan looked at the white haired spirit, who had murderous look in his eyes. He reached out and took the glass from Master Kiotou. Death was one thing…the Shadow Realm was another.

He downed the contents of the glass and handed it to Bakura. "Happy now?"

"Hardly." Bakura snorted. "You selfish, fucking, son of a bitch! What were you thinking?!"

"Not now, Bakura." Master Kiotou said. "Let's leave him for now. He needs to rest."

"I'm not leaving." Seto stated in a no nonsense tone.

"That's quite alright, Seto." The old man smiled at him. "He should have someone with him for the next little while."

Bakura lead the way out of the room, anger crackling almost visibly around him.

When the door shut, Seto pulled Tristan against him. "Alright. Talk."

"I don't want to talk, Seto. All I want is to be left alone."

"I can't do that, Tris." Seto clutched him tighter. "Please, you have to talk to me. Why did you do this?"

Tristan broke down at the feeling of Seto's strong arms around him. It reminded him that Seto had always been there for him, that there was nothing he couldn't tell him. "Joey…he was…oh gods, Seto!"

"You saw him?"

"Yes." Tristan turned in Seto's arms, hissing at the pain that shot through his arm.

"What happened? What did he say?" He drew Tristan's head down onto his shoulder.

"He was…" Tristan began to sob, unable to go on.

"Hush. It's okay." Seto kissed his forehead. "We can talk about it later. Master Kiotou was right. You need to rest."

"He needs to drink this first." Yami had come into the room, unnoticed, with a cup in his hand. "It's your medicine, Tristan."

"I don't want to take it."

"Do you want to die?" Yami asked angrily.

"Yes. I do."

"Tristan, how DARE you!" Yami yelled at him. "It's not like you to be so selfish. Did you stop to consider what your actions would have cost us? Cost Seto? I can't believe that you would purposely set out to leave him like this!"

"Give it to me." Tristan held out his hand and took the cup from Yami.

They waited while he drank it and then handed it back to the Pharaoh.

Tristan looked Yami in the eyes, his own cold. "Now fuck off and leave me alone."

Yami opened his mouth to retort but Seto shook his head. Yami's mouth closed with an audible snap and he turned on his heel and left the room, the door closing behind him with a barely controlled slam.

"What was that all about?" Seto asked quietly.

"You had no business butting in…any of you."

"Tris, we're not going to stand by and watch you take your own life." There were tears in Seto's voice. "How could you do this? Tristan, I can't lose you. I need you. I thought you understood that."

"I can't…" Tristan suddenly clutched his head, fighting off a sudden dizziness. "What the hell..?"

The door opened once more and Master Kiotou came back in. Seeing Tristan's unfocused eyes, he smiled. "I see the sedative is taking effect."

"Damn you, old man." Tristan was fading fast. "The minute you leave me alone…I'm going to…finish this."

"Tris! Please don't talk like that!" Seto began to cry as Tristan fell into a deep sleep in his arms.

"Seto, I think it would be wise if someone was with him all the time until we can turn him from this path." The old herbalist said, his expression worried. "Do you have any idea what brought this on?"

"Something about Joey. He saw him. Whatever he saw upset him to the point that he gave up."

"Stay with him, Seto. If anyone can bring him back to us, it's you."

He left Seto alone then, trusting the young man to watch over Tristan.

"Oh gods, Tris." Seto whispered, holding him as close as possible. "Please don't leave me. We're going to get Joey back."

Tristan stirred in his sleep and Seto shifted them so he was lying down with Tristan's head on his chest. He wrapped his arms protectively around him.

"Joey…" Tristan whispered in his sleep.

"Shh…sleep, buddy. I'm here and I'm not leaving."

~*~*~*~*~

Marty set a pitcher of beer in front of Keith, who had Joey in his lap. Joey smiled up at him, his eyes glazed.

"So," Marty sat down, pouring two glasses of draft for them. "I hear Andy offered you a lot of money for your boy, Bandit."

Joey's eyes went wide. He looked at Keith, trembling. They had agreed that no one would know about that.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Keith said.

"Oh, come on!" The bar owner punched Keith in the arm. "It's all over town."

"Keith…you promised…"

"Shut up, Joe!" Keith smacked him in the back of the head.

"So it's true then." Marty smirked.

"As far as you're concerned, Marty, it's a lie."

"I'll give you more for him, Bandit." Marty said slyly.

"Not fucking likely!" Keith's eyes narrowed. "Get lost. That is, unless, you want a black eye."

"Chill, Keith." Marty stood up. "I just thought I'd offer."

"Asshole." Keith muttered as the bar owner left them.

"No one was supposed to know, Keith." Joey whispered, his eyes wide and frightened.

Keith wrapped an arm possessively around Joey's waist. "I told you, Joe. No one touches what's mine."

Joey pressed back against the larger man. [He said no one would know that Andy offered him that much money. I don't know how much longer I can do this. He promised me that it wouldn't be for long. But…he's not even looking for a job. Well, he did say I'm bringing in more money than he could. I owe it to him. He's taken care of me…given me what I need. I have to do it to keep him happy.]

Joey tipped his head back and kissed the older blond. "I love you, Keith."

"You're supposed to meet Dan in a half hour behind the bar, Joe." Keith pushed Joey from his lap. "Drink your beer and get going."

~*~*~*~*~

YD: *smacks Tris* You idiot!

DD: *hugs crying Seto* S'okay, baby.

YD: *stabs Keith in eye with M. Pencil* Asshole!

DD: *smacks Joey* You're like a freaking battered wife!

YD: So, please review.

DD: We're hoping to get the next chappie of One Way Street out by the middle of the week.