Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ chapter23 ( Chapter 23 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

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: YEAH! We FINALLY get to meet Lexi!

YD: And boys! Is she one charming little chibi…Tris is in SOOOO much trouble!

Tris: *rolls eyes* I'm always in trouble

~*~*~*~*~

"Hey, baby." Tristan sat down on the window seat in the parlor next to Joey.

Joey jumped, not having heard Tristan and Seto walk into the room. "Gods! You scared the HELL out of me!"

"Sorry." Tristan put his arms around the blond.

"How are you feeling, pup?" Seto asked, leaning against the wall.

"Pretty good actually. A little sore, but other than that…" He trailed off, looking out the window. "I was thinking it'd be nice to go outside."

"Well, let's go then." Tristan stood up, drawing Joey with him.

The smile that lit up Joey's face rivaled the sunshine outside the window. He took Tristan's hand and practically hauled him from the room.

Seto followed after them, a grin on his own face. {It's good to see him smile. I can't wait until he gets out of here. I think once Justin's settled in I'll bring him out to meet him.}

Joey picked out a spot on the wide lawn under a tree and sat down in the grass, immediately snuggling up against Tristan when the brunet sat next to him.

"So," Joey smiled at Seto once he had settled on the grass. "What are you guys up to today? Yugi called earlier and said he and Mokuba were coming to see me sometime after lunch."

"Tris and I are going to see Master Kiotou and then over to see Justin."

"Will you bring him to see me when he comes home?"

"Once he's settled, sure."

"I just wish I could be there when he gets home." Joey looked wistful.

"I know you do, babe." Tristan gave him a squeeze. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Yeah?" Joey looked at Tristan curiously.

"There's a little girl at the orphanage. She's Justin's best friend." Tristan took the photo out of his pocket and handed it to his lover. "Her name's Lexi."

Joey's eyes widened as he looked at the picture. "Holy shit!"

Seto snickered. "That was Tristan's reaction."

She's…GODS, Tris!" Joey looked at Tristan. "She's not…she's not yours, is she?"

"Of course she isn't!" Tristan replied, somewhat testily.

"Sorry. I didn't mean…it's just she's…wow." Joey was still in shock.

Seto bit back another chuckle. If Joey and Tristan did decide to adopt Lexi, he saw his best friend fielding this question on a regular basis.

"She's three." Tristan continued. "She has some problems talking, from what Seto's told me, and she has a deformed hand."

"I know you guys had been talking about adopting." Seto put in.

"Joey…" Tristan reached out and took the blond's hand. "Her mother is an addict."

"Oh, Tris…" Joey's eyes were back on the photograph.

"I would hazard a guess that's why she has the problems she has." Seto said. "But the couple of times I've met her…she's an outgoing kid. She sure doesn't let it stop her."

"Have you seen her?" Joey asked Tristan.

Tristan shook his head. "I was going to go with Seto this afternoon when he goes to see Justin."

Joey looked thoughtful for a minute and then turned to the taller of the two brunets. "Seto, could you give us a minute?"

"Of course." Seto rose. "I have some calls to make. I want to check in with Yami and Yugi too."

"Why don't you call Master Kiotou and let him know we're coming over, pal?"

"I'll do that. I'll be inside. Just let me know when you're ready to leave."

Joey waited until Seto was gone before turning back to Tristan. "You still want to adopt?"

"Of course I do, baby." Tristan pulled Joey close, kissing the scar on his temple. "It's what I've always wanted. You, me, a house full of kids. You'd be such a great father, Joey."

"So would you." Joey smiled.

"I've always dreamed of having a family with you." Tristan said softly, grasping Joey's hand and lifting it so he could look at the picture. "She could do that for us, Joey."

Joey settled more comfortably into Tristan's arms. "I just can't get over how much she looks like you."

"I know. It's spooky."

Joey fell silent and Tristan didn't say a word, just left his lover alone with his thoughts.

"If we do this, I have a condition." Joey spoke up after a few minutes.

Tristan raised an eyebrow and Joey turned in his arms so he could look at him.

"I want you to go back to work for Seto."

"How did...?"

"Yugi told me." Joey's look was serious. "Why did you quit, Tristan? You love your job."

"I love you more." Tristan tried to explain. "I quit so I could take care of you."

"I know that." Joey reached up, brushing his fingers across Tristan's cheek. "But I want you to be happy. Do you really think you could be, moving from the country and leaving Seto?"

"So long as I have you."

"You're lying, Tris." Joey shook his head. "Besides, I don't want to leave our friends. What the hell is there for us in Switzerland anyway?"

"A job. I got the offer three months ago."

"What?!"

"They came to me." Tristan sighed. "The money's good, but I think it has more to do with Seto than me."

"What company was it?"

"White Mountain Industries."

"Tristan! Are you out of your mind?!" Joey pulled away from Tristan, incredulous. "They've been behind every piece of bad press not connected with Rita Adams that Kaiba Corp. has ever had! Bad enough you'd leave Seto, but you'd go to work for the competition?!"

"I'll do what's necessary to keep you safe and happy, Joey."

"Tris," Joey softened his stance somewhat, seeing the love and sincerity in Tristan's eyes. "Please, turn them down. Go back to Kaiba Corp. Besides, I don't want to leave everyone."

"Joey…"

"I won't go, Tristan." Joey interrupted. "I'm just starting to get my life back. I don't want to have to start from the beginning. I want to finish school…get a good job helping kids. I want to help Yugi raise his kids. I want to raise ours surrounded by our friends. We're a family, Tris. I don't want to lose that."

Tristan was taken aback by Joey's impassioned outburst.

He had always felt a sense of family where their friends were concerned. They were all closer than friends, tighter than blood. He didn't realize Joey felt that way too.

"If you're happy here, baby, then we'll stay." Tristan said, feeling relived…he hadn't really wanted to leave.

"What would make me happy is to hear that you're back behind your desk at Kaiba Corp."

"If Seto hasn't replaced me."

Joey rolled his eyes. "Somehow I don't think that's happened, Tris."

"I love you, baby." Tristan pulled Joey back against him, gently tipping his face up and looking into his eyes for a long moment before leaning down and brushing their lips together; suddenly overwhelmed by the need to taste his lover.

Joey whimpered softly, one hand coming up to cradle the back of Tristan's head, parting his lips to allow him in.

Tristan felt himself becoming aroused by the feeling of Joey's warm body moving ever so slightly against his own. It seemed like it had been forever since he had made love to him and he wanted him badly.

He broke the kiss, his breathing a little deeper than normal, and buried his face in Joey's hair. "Gods, what I wouldn't give for a little privacy."

"I know." Joey's hands moved to rub Tristan's arms where they encircled his waist. "I want you too."

Tristan didn't reply, sighing into the golden locks, willing his body under control.

"I wish I could come with you to see Lexi." Joey said, wisely deciding to change the subject.

"If you want, I can wait until you come home." Tristan said, nuzzling Joey's cheek.

"No. We don't know when that's going to be. Go see her. Then you can come tell me all about her."

Tristan sighed again, gathering up a handful of Joey's hair in his fist. "I don't want to go. I could stay here like this all day."

"As tempting as that is, I have a session with Jack. And Gwen said she'd cut my hair for me."

"Is she going to cut it all?" The disappointment was evident in Tristan's voice as he began to comb his fingers through the soft strands.

"You like it long?"

"Yeah." Tristan lifted a lock of hair to his lips, kissing it. "I do."

Joey smiled. "Then I'll just ask her to trim it."

"I'd like that." Tristan smiled back at his lover. "I think it makes you look even sexier…if that's possible."

Joey's laughter rang with pure happiness as he grabbed Tristan and kissed him. "I love you, Tris."

"I love you too, baby." Tristan untangled himself from Joey's enthusiastic embrace. "I'd better get going. The sooner I'm gone, the sooner I can get back."

~*~*~*~*~

"Hey, Otogi." Tristan dropped down on the stool in front of the counter. "What are you doing here?"

"Nothing much." Otogi smiled at Seto as the CEO came up beside Tristan, leaning casually against the counter, throwing his arms around the shorter man's shoulders. "Just helping Grandfather with a few things. How's Joey this morning?"

"Not too bad." Tristan replied. "A little sore."

"I'll probably run out tomorrow and see him. I have to over see unloading a new shipment at the shop this afternoon."

"He'd like that."

"Tristan. Seto." Master Kiotou came in from the back room.

"Sensei." Tristan stood respectfully, bowing.

"Sit, young man." The old herbalist smiled. "We have been friends too long for that."

Tristan sat back down, grinning back. "Thanks for seeing us on such short notice."

"It is necessary." The elder regarded Seto thoughtfully. "Very necessary."

"Grandfather?" Otogi interrupted. "I'm done here. I have to get back to my shop."

"Run along then." Master Kiotou smiled fondly at the raven haired man. "Just be sure to bid farewell to your grandmother first."

"I will." Otogi turned to Tristan and Seto. "Catch you guys later. I'll see you for sure next week, Seto."

"Three o'clock, Tuesday." Seto reminded him.

"Gotcha!" Otogi winked at them as he disappeared through the door connecting the apothecary shop to the Kiotou's home.

"Tea?" Master Kiotou inquired of his two young friends.

"Please." Tristan replied.

"No, thank you." Seto said with a small grin. "I don't drink tea."

The old man rolled his eyes comically as he went about preparing the beverage for himself and Tristan.

After inquiring as to whether Tristan was taking his medicine, he handed him a cup of green tea and, taking his own, led them into the living room, calling out to his wife and asking her to watch them shop.

After settling his guests on the couch and sitting opposite, he looked to Tristan.

"Seto has told me what has been happening." He began. "Is this something the two of you have experienced before?"

"Yes." Tristan placed his cup on the coffee table, giving his full attention to the man. "The first time was a Duelist Kingdom, during Seto's duel with Yami. We hardly knew each other then, but it was like…I could see his thoughts."

"And I could hear Tristan's voice inside my head." Seto frowned. "For a split second I could hear him…begging me to get down from the ledge."

Tristan reached for Seto's hand. "It was weird. I could see what he was thinking…all these images of Mokuba…I knew why he was doing it, but I…I didn't want to see him get hurt."

"Yes, Yami told me of that duel." Master Kiotou looked at Seto sympathetically. "He told me how you would do anything to save your brother."

"But I didn't." Seto said quietly, looking down at where his fingers were entwined with Tristan's. "Tristan ended up saving him."

"No, I didn't." Tristan shook his head in denial. "Yami and Yugi are the ones who won his soul back from Pegasus."

Seto lifted his head, looking deeply into his best friend's eyes. "But you're the reason he didn't wake up in a cold, dark cell. I'll never be able to repay you for that, Tris."

"Seto…" Tristan's free hand came up to cup the other man's cheek.

Master Kiotou sat quietly, a smile on his weathered face, feeling the energies passing between the two men. It was perfectly visible to him, a soft golden glow that surrounded them, though they were completely unaware of it themselves.

"It is my belief that you are bonded." Master Kiotou said, breaking the spell.

"Bonded?" Seto asked. "How do you mean?"

"Not unlike the links the yamis and hikaris have."

Seto shook his head. "That's not possible."

"Why not?" Master Kiotou countered.

"Because they're two halves of a whole." Seto stated with perfect confidence. "They share a soul."

"As do you and Tristan."

Seto shook his head again, disbelief written plainly on his face.

"Why is it so hard for you to believe, Seto?" The elder raised an eyebrow. "Tristan believes it."

"You do?" Seto turned to look at the other brunet.

Tristan shrugged. "Yeah, I do. I mean, come on, Seto. After all the shit we've been through, why is it so hard to accept? You're married to it."

Seto grinned. "Good point. But I still can't see how it's possible. It's not like Tris and I are yami and hikari."

"No," Master Kiotou said. "Your bond is of a different sort. That does not, however, make it any less real."

"I'm still having a hard time with it."

"And I believe that is why your reaction to it is the way it is." The herbalist grew serious.

"How do I make it stop?" Seto asked.

"You cannot. The bond is there. There is no breaking it."

Tristan stayed silent, picking up his cup and settling back on the couch. He knew how difficult it was for Seto to take it all in. It was one thing for his husbands to be the living embodiment of something like this, but it was another thing entirely for him to be directly involved.

"Why?" Seto finally asked.

Master Kiotou shrugged. "I do not know. It may be that we never know. It simply is, Seto. Can you accept that?"

"I don't know." Seto squeezed Tristan's hand and leaned against him. "If I can't find out why, and I can't make it stop, I guess I'll have to."

"Let me ask you this, pal." Tristan said. "If you could make it stop, would you really want to?"

"I…I don't know." Seto looked at Tristan. "You?"

"No." Tristan replied without hesitation. "It's part of our relationship…of who we are to each other."

"But there's one thing I don't understand." Seto turned to Master Kiotou. "We went for the last five years without this happening. Why now?"

"I have noticed that in the last few months you have both been freer with each other on a physical level." Master Kiotou paused. "I do not ask this to pry, but to better understand so I may help you. Have you been sleeping together?"

Seto flushed. {Damn, he's blunt.}

Tristan, however, was much more used to the old man's forwardness. "When Joey left, and after I…"

Tristan trailed off, frowning, as his fingers curled around the cuff of his shirt; a self-conscious gesture to hide his scared arm, although he was wearing along sleeved shirt.

"That explains it."

"Explains what?" Seto reached out, without looking, and removed Tristan's fingers from his shirt.

Master Kiotou smiled, thinking to himself how in tune they were with each other. "Such close physical and emotional contact would only serve to strengthen it."

"So what you're saying," Seto said. "Is that because we haven't been together for the last five years that it never happened? And now that we have, it's back?"

"If you wish to put it in those terms, yes." Master Kiotou nodded. "Even had you not slept together, just the fact that you have had more intimate contact in the last few months would have made your bond stronger."

"Makes sense." Tristan commented.

"Seto," Master Kiotou regarded the CEO with a slightly worried expression. "I am more concerned about you than Tristan in this case. If you will permit me, I can train you to control it."

"You can?"

"Yes. I have helped both Yugi and Ryou in learning to deal with the effects of their mind links with their others."

"What about Tristan?" Seto asked.

"Tristan as well." The elder nodded at the shorter brunet. "Though I do not believe it will be as difficult for him as it will be for you."

"Tris?" Seto turned again to his friend.

Tristan shrugged. "I don't see what choice we have, pal. I don't want you getting hurt or something because you're taken by surprise."

Seto nodded, remembering the struggle to keep his car on the road while being pounded by Tristan's emotions.

"Okay." Seto turned his attention back to the old man. "When do we start?"

"Get your son home and settled first." Master Kiotou smiled. "Though I think we should start before Tristan and Joseph bring their daughter home."

"How…I never told…" Hazel eyes went wide.

"She is a beautiful little girl, Tristan." Master Kiotou grinned at the dumbfounded brunet. "And the perfect child for you both."

Seto shook his head wearily. "You really scare me sometimes, you know that, right?"

The elder stood, indicating to the two younger men it was time to leave. "Go now. Visit with your children. Tristan please tell Joseph that I will see him tomorrow."

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan immediately picked out Lexi and Justin from the group of children playing in the yard behind the orphanage.

It wasn't difficult really, seeing as how they were separated from the other kids, sitting by themselves in the grass, playing with some small dolls and action figures.

Seto called out to Justin and both children looked toward them, Lexi's face lighting up with a huge smile while Justin's serious expression never changed.

"Hey-doe, Set!" Lexi called, waving to him.

Tristan watched as the little girl stood and held her hand out to Justin, waiting until the boy stood and took her hand before leading him over.

"Hello, Justin." Seto smiled down at the boy. "I brought someone to meet you. This is my best friend Tristan."

Justin looked up at Tristan over the tops of his glasses. "Hello."

"Hi, Justin." Tristan smiled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Lexi too!" Lexi reached out, tugging on Seto's hand.

Seto chuckled. "Lexi, this is Tristan."

Lexi stepped in front of Tristan, two pairs of almost identical hazel eyes locking and holding for a long, silent moment.

/Gods, it's like looking into a mirror./

A big grin threatened to split the small face in two and Lexi held her arms out. "Up!"

Without a second thought, Tristan reached down and picked the child up, the piece of his heart not belonging to Joey instantly lost as Lexi wound her arms around his neck.

Seto smiled at the star struck look on his friend's face and took Justin's hand, leading them all over to a bench, sitting down.

Justin climbed up next to him, watching as Tristan sat down and Lexi settled into his lap, leaning back against his chest and smiling up at him.

"Is Tristan going to adopt Lexi?" He asked, looking up at Seto.

"Well…" Seto hesitated, meeting Tristan's eyes.

"Does he have two husbands who want to adopt a kid?"

"No, Justin, I don't." Tristan replied, coming to Seto's rescue. "I do have a boyfriend and we have talked about adopting."

"So are you going to adopt Lexi?"

"I don't know."

"Why not?"

"Well…there's some things going on right now."

"What's your boyfriend's name?"

"Joey." /Asks a lot of questions, doesn't he?/

"Does Joey want to adopt Lexi?"

It was all Seto could do not to burst out laughing. {If Tristan thought press conferences were bad…let's see how he handles this.}

"Joey doesn't know Lexi."

"Why isn't he here?"

"He's away."

"Why?"

"He's sick."

"What's wrong with him?"

"Justin," Seto interrupted, not wanting to have to explain without explaining about Joey. "You're room is almost done."

"When am I leaving here?" Justin glanced in Lexi's direction.

"The day after tomorrow."

Lexi straightened in Tristan's lap, reaching over Seto and grabbing Justin's arms. "Jut-in go a Set. S'o-tay."

"But, Lexi…" Justin began.

"S'o-tay." Lexi looked up at Tristan. "Lexi fine a papa."

/Oh, shit./ Tristan looked at Seto, unsure of what to say.

"Lexi," Seto caught the girl's attention. "Tristan's not your father."

"Is too."

"No, honey, he's not."

"Tee-tin gonna be Lexi papa." Lexi looked up at Tristan. "Right Tee-tin?"

"I can't make that decision now, Lexi?" Tristan said quietly. "I have to talk to Joey."

Lexi smiled. "Joe-be be Lexi da-ee."

Tristan looked at Seto, biting his lip. He didn't want to get the child's hopes up. He knew he was lost the minute he had looked into those big eyes, but Joey still had a ways to go before he could come home.

"We'll have to see, Lexi. I can't promise you anything."

"O-tay." Lexi squirmed out of Tristan's lap. "Go tak a Joe-be."

"Lexi…"

"Peas, Tee-tin?" Lexi looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears. "Lexi nee a papa."

Tears stinging his own eyes, Tristan looked at Seto again. The other man had his face turned away; eyes clenched shut and a pained expression on his face.

Justin was looking at Tristan, a pleading look in his eyes.

"Okay, baby girl." Tristan picked Lexi up again. "I'll talk to Joey."

Lexi wrapped her arms tightly around and buried her face in his neck. "Tank-too."

~*~*~*~*~

A call from the office put a stop to Seto's plan of having a long talk with Tristan on the way back out to the clinic where Tristan had left his car.

They went back to the Kaiba Corp. offices and Tristan went in with Seto to arrange for a driver to take him back out.

"Tris?" Seto sat down on the couch next to his friend. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I guess so."

Seto frowned. Tristan had barely said a word since leaving the orphanage. Lexi hadn't let go of him until he promised that he would be back to see her tomorrow.

The emotions that had come from Tristan when the little girl had kissed him sweetly, calling him "papa", had almost caused Seto to black out.

"What are you going to do?" Seto put an arm around Tristan's shoulders.

"Talk to Joey. It's just…gods, Seto! She's…" Tristan fought for the right words. "She needs us. How anyone could NOT want her is beyond me!"

"I know what you mean." Seto grinned. "I feel the same way about Justin."

"I should get going."

"Hey." Seto grasped Tristan's chin, turning his face toward him. "I know you already love her. Joey will too."

Tristan sighed, leaning in and kissing Seto briefly. "I sure hope so."

"Go on, buddy. Go see Joey."

"Yeah." Tristan suddenly couldn't wait to see him, to tell him about the little girl who, if she had her way, would be their daughter.

Tristan stood and walked to the door, stopping and turning to Seto. "Hey, pal?"

"Yeah?" Seto looked at him quizzically.

"I'll be back to work on Monday."

Seto smiled, relief crashing through him. "Sounds good, Tris."

~*~*~*~*~

"So? How did it go?" Joey asked before Tristan could even sit down.

Tristan settled himself with his back to the tree and put his arms around Joey. "Did you even leave this spot?"

"Of course I did." Joey leaned back against Tristan, getting comfortable. "I just don't want to be inside today."

"Your hair looks nice, love." Tristan pushed Joey's hair over his shoulder so he could kiss his neck.

"Thanks…so, are you going to tell me, or what?!"

"I think I'm in love." Tristan smiled.

He went on to tell Joey, in minute detail, about his visit with Lexi and Justin. He stopped short after telling Joey how he told her he would see her tomorrow.

Joey turned to look at Tristan, seeing tears in his eyes. "Tristan? What's wrong?"

"She…she called me, "papa", Joey."

"Sounds to me like she's already made up her mind." Joey smiled, brushing the wet trails from his lover's face. "What do you think?"

"She needs us, Joey." Tristan said earnestly. "She's been there for three years and no one wants her because of her problems. And once Justin goes home, she'll lose her only friend."

"I can see she already has you wrapped around her finger."

Tristan smiled. "I can't help it. She's a sweet little girl. And…Master Kiotou referred to her as our daughter. But I never mentioned her to him."

"He must have had one of his dreams again." Joey looked thoughtful for a minute before a huge grin creased his face. "Our daughter. I like the sound of that."

"I do too."

"Master Kiotou was right about one thing." Joey tilted his head back to look at Tristan, still smiling. "You really are an angel. How many times have you saved me? From my father, Keith…from myself. And now you're going to save Lexi too….and give me the one thing I've always wanted. A family."

"I'd do anything to make you happy, Joey." Tristan said, flushing slightly at the blond's words.

"You do make me happy." Joey leaned up and kissed Tristan gently. "Start the paperwork. Do what you have to do to bring our daughter home."

Tristan's arms tightened around the blond as he bent his head to lay claim to his lips.

If he had anything to do with it, they would be a family when Joey came home.

~*~*~*~*~

YD: AAAAWWWWWW!! Chibi Tris.

DD: She sure is.

Joey: Am I gonna get out of there, or what?!

YD: Soon, my little druggie…soon.

Joey: *rolls eyes* You're PMSing, aren't you?

YD: SHUT IT!

DD: Please review. We have the next chappie done, but the laptop is down and it'll take us a few days to get it all typed.