Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ chapter26 ( Chapter 26 )

Stronger Than Before

by Dragondreamer and Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, Dragondreamer would own Seto.

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, take off already!

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS EXPLICIT YAOI (MALE/MALE SEX)! IF THAT'S NOT YOUR THING, THEN LEAVE NOW!

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

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

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

`yak, yak' Sadie's(AI) voice

~*~*~*~*~

DD: We humbly beg your forgiveness, readers, for being late with this chapter.

YD: To hell with that…I gave them another lemon, didn't I?

Joey: Oh, yeah…another lemon!

Bakura: *shakes head* Tristan's not going to be able to walk by the time this story's over.

Tris: Shut up!

Seto: At least I get to stay somewhat in character here.

YD: Not for long though.

Seto: Just great.

~*~*~*~*~

A slight noise woke Seto from his sleep.

"Shit!" He bolted upright at the sight of Bakura leaning, arms crossed and a smirk on his face, against the closed bedroom door.

Yami and Yugi sat up at the sound of their husband's voice.

"What are you doing here, Tomb Robber?" Yami growled.

Bakura shrugged. "Came to talk to Seto."

Yugi rubbed his eyes, blinking. "What time is it?"

"After seven."

"Did you find it?" Seto asked, trying to stuff his heart back into his chest.

"Yep." Bakura grinned.

"How did you get past Sadie again?"

Bakura just smiled.

"Fine." Seto sighed, rising from the bed. "I'm awake. Let's get this together and get to the orphanage."

Bakura cat-called mockingly, taking in Seto's naked form. "Now I see why Yugi's such a sex-crazed freak."

Seto flushed, suddenly becoming aware of his natural state. "Get the hell out of my bedroom, would you?"

Bakura chuckled and, avoiding Yami's death glare, left to go wait for Seto.

They had everything they needed to see to it that Lexi went home with Tristan today.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey woke up, shivering.

He opened his eyes to find himself still lying between Tristan's legs with his head on the brunet's stomach. It was obvious that neither of them had moved during the night.

He pushed himself up, slowly moving off of Tristan, smiling when his lover grumbled in his sleep, turning on his side and curling up around his pillow.

Joey snuck quietly out onto the balcony, quickly grabbing the blanket they had left there last night and wrapping it around himself, sitting down. He grabbed Tristan's cigarettes and lit one, staring out over the water.

[I can't believe I'm finally going to get to meet Lexi today. I can't wait.]

Joey stared at the smoldering tip of his cigarette, frowning.

[I knew the cravings were going to start once I got over the withdrawal. Otogi told me that's when it started for him. I never craved cocaine the way I'm craving the heroin. The worst thing is…I don't know how long it's going to last. Otogi still gets cravings, and it's been six years for him. I'm just going to have to find a way to deal with it.]

Joey pulled his hair back with a sigh as he turned his attention back to the ocean.

[I want to go home.]

He put out his cigarette and stood, going inside and shutting the door behind him. Tristan stirred on the bed, catching Joey's attention.

He was still lying on his side, his back to Joey, one leg drawn up and his face buried in the pillow.

Joey watched as he shifted again, mumbling in his sleep, feeling the stirrings of desire begin deep in the pit of his stomach. He moved over to the bed, letting his eyes wander across the brunet's form.

[Last night was so…incredible. Listening to him moan…hearing him whimper…gods, just thinking about it makes me want him again.]

Joey dropped the blanket and climbed onto the bed, kneeling next to Tristan and bending down to kiss his shoulder. Tristan sighed, moving again, drawing his leg closer to his chest.

Joey grinned. [Too perfect.]

He moved between Tristan's legs, holding himself up on his hands on either side of Tristan's body, careful not to put too much weight on him.

"Time to wake up, angel." Joey whispered as he pushed himself into his lover's body.

Tristan's eyes snapped open and he gasped, lifting his head to look at Joey.

"Good morning." Joey grinned down and him.

"Gods, baby…"

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You just looked too sexy lying there. Got me all worked up."

"I'm not complaining." Tristan thrust back against the blond, smiling wickedly when he groaned. "You just gonna stay there all morning?"

Joey growled and thrust hard. Tristan laughed and reached up, pushing Joey off him and onto his back.

"What did you do that for?" Joey pouted.

"Because I had something else in mind." Tristan held Joey's eyes as he quickly moved to straddle the blond's hips, impaling himself on Joey's arousal.

"T-Tris…"

Tristan smiled, reaching down to run his hands over Joey's smooth chest as he began to move.

"Gods," Joey groaned. "I could get used to this."

"Me too." Tristan wrapped his hands around Joey's biceps, pulling him up into a sitting position, his arms going around the blond's back.

He leaned in and kissed him deeply, feeling Joey's hands close over his hips. They moved together slowly, neither one of them in a rush to reach the end.

After a while, Tristan could see Joey tiring and he eased him back down, leaning back and picking up the pace slightly. He could feel the tension coiling in his stomach, but held back. He didn't want this to be a quick, lust-filled coupling.

"I love you, Tristan." Joey whispered, his eyes warm and overflowing with emotion.

"I love you too." Tristan responded in kind. "I always have and I always will."

Joey wrapped one hand around Tristan's arousal, stroking gently. "It's been a long time since we made love like this. You know…taking our time."

"I know." Tristan pulled Joey up again so he could kiss him. "Don't know how much longer I'm gonna last though."

"Wait for me, angel." Joey kissed Tristan's shoulder, his fingers moving teasingly over the brunet's length.

Tristan hissed, a flash of heat burning through him at the other's gentle touch. He thrust hard into Joey's hand, feeling his release approaching and suddenly wanting it.

"Nah-ah." Joey squeezed the base of his lover's erection hard, denying him. "I said wait."

"Joey…" Tristan groaned. "Baby, please."

Joey bit back a moan at the pleading tone in Tristan voice. [We have to get out of here and back to the city anyway.]

Having justified it to himself, Joey wrapped his free arm around Tristan's shoulders and, using that for leverage, began to thrust up, his other hand moving rapidly to bring his lover to completion.

"Oh, love, yes." Tristan whimpered. "Gods, yes."

Joey buried his face in Tristan's chest to stifle his own whimper of pleasure as Tristan's body convulsed and he felt his seed spill, hot and thick, over his hand.

"Tris…love you…" Joey moaned against the sweat damp skin as he rode out the waves of his own orgasm.

Tristan's thoughts slowly reassembled as his breathing returned to normal and he moved off Joey, sitting beside him and pulling him into his arms.

"Mmm…" Joey's purr of contentment was cut off by a yawn. "Feel like I could go back to sleep."

A quick glance at the alarm clock on the bedside table showed Tristan it was getting late. "You can't. We have to get out of here."

"Yeah. It's gonna take me a little while to get going."

"We need a shower." Tristan winced as he moved, pain shooting up his spine. "Or a hot bath."

Joey smirked. "I didn't hear you complaining."

"Hey, you started it. Don't give me grief."

Joey laughed and dropped a quick kiss on Tristan's chin before scrambling off the bed and holding out his hand to the brunet. "A hot bath then….and I promise to behave myself."

"You'd better." Tristan took Joey's hand and rose slowly, trying to ignore the pain.

As he let Joey lead him into the bathroom, he smiled to himself. It was worth it.

~*~*~*~*~

"Gods, Tris!" Seto opened the car door and pulled the shorter man out. "You look like you got hit by a truck!"

Bakura grinned wolfishly. He seen Ryou look like that on too many mornings not to know the cause.

"A truck named Joey." He winked at the blond, who blushed slightly.

Seto chuckled, taking in his friend's slight limp as the moved around the car to take his lover's hand. "Go, Joey!"

"Fuck the both of you." Tristan growled low.

"Don't think you could handle it, buddy." Seto grinned.

"Very funny." Tristan rolled his eyes. "If you don't mind, we're here to see our daughter."

"How would you like to take her home today?" Bakura asked, smiling.

"What?" Tristan looked from Bakura to Seto. "Wait a minute. What are you guys doing here anyway?"

"I got a visitor at the office last night." Seto leaned back against Tristan's car, crossing his arms. "Seems our friend Ms. Knowles thinks she can use my money to keep you from adopting Lexi."

Tristan shook his head. "Not a chance."

"Don't worry, Tristan." Bakura's voice dripped venom. "I've got enough on her to put her away. Lexi is going home with you. Today."

"I'm missing something." Joey looked confused. "I know she has a problem with us being gay, but she can't deny us because of that. Not legally. The board must know that."

"That's true." Seto looked Joey in the eye. "She brought up your record."

All the color drained from Joey's face. "But how did she..? It was sealed! Seto…your lawyers took care of that years ago!"

"I said don't worry, Joey." Bakura said. "You're not the only one with a record."

"Let's go." Seto said. "Joey, it would be better if you stayed quiet and let us handle it, okay?"

Joey nodded numbly.

"It's okay, baby." Tristan kissed Joey softly. "I won't let her take Lexi from us."

Joey clutched Tristan's hand tightly as he followed him into the building.

They passed a few people on their way to the director's office, all of them greeting Tristan and smiling at Joey.

They walked down a hallway with a bank of windows looking out over the backyard where the children were playing. Even from where he was, Joey could see how old and rusted the playground equipment was.

He spied a small girl with long brown hair sitting by herself, playing with a stuffed bear, but didn't get a chance to take a closer look as Seto stopped in front of a closed door.

"Ready?" Seto asked.

Receiving a nod from each of them, Seto threw open the door without knocking and strode in, closely followed by the other three men.

"Mr. Kaiba! What a pleasant surprise!" Gladys Knowles stood up from her desk, an obviously fake smile plastered on her face. "What can I do for you?"

Seto bristled at the woman's rudeness in ignoring the others. "My friends have come to pick up Lexi."

The woman's gaze went to Tristan and Joey, eyes narrowing at the sight of their joined hands. "I'm sorry, but their application had been turned down."

"Why is that?" Tristan asked, his voice icy.

"Your…boyfriend has a criminal record."

"Care to tell me where you got that information?" Bakura growled.

"I can't reveal my sources." She said defiantly.

"Your sources are wrong." Seto leaned forward, placing his hands flat on the woman's desk and commanding her attention. "Let me tell you what MY sources found. YOU'RE the one with a criminal record. No convictions, but an arrest for hit and run. The only reason you got away with it was because the victim couldn't identify you with one hundred percent accuracy."

"Now," Seto hid a triumphant grin as the woman visibly swallowed, a trickle of sweat running down her face. "Would you like to hear what the auditors found when I asked them to find out where my money was going?"

"The board members turned them down." She said weakly.

"Oh, really?" Bakura dropped the file he had been carrying on the desk. "Statements from the board members, claiming you tried to bribe them. And a NEW adoption application, signed by all four, that allows Lexi to walk out of here today with her fathers."

Seto straightened, his eyes boring coldly into the dumb-struck woman. "I've contacted both Child Services and the police. They should be here shortly. Bakura will stay with you to make sure you don't do anything even MORE stupid than you already have. Did you honestly think you could cross ME and get away with it?"

Without waiting for an answer, Seto turned to Tristan and Joey. "Go get your daughter. I'm going to talk to the workers and let them know there's going to be some changes."

After his friends left, Bakura leaned against the wall next to the open door and regarded the woman, who had sat back down, with disgust. When she glanced up at him, he bared his teeth at her, showing off his sharp incisors.

"Just be glad Seto prefers you in jail to dead." He snarled. "If I had my way…"

She quickly looked away from the burning eyes, suddenly finding the top of her desk fascinating.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey stopped dead in his tracks as Tristan led him toward the child he had seen through the window.

"What's wrong, love?"

"Is…is that her?"

Tristan looked at the little girl who was talking to her bear, oblivious to everything around her. "That's our girl."

"What if she doesn't like me?" Joey whispered, worried eyes meeting Tristan's.

"What?!" Baby…" Tristan put his arm around Joey's waist. "She's going to love you. How could she not? I know I do."

"I just…" Joey leaned into Tristan. "I guess I'm a little nervous."

"Don't be. Come on. It's high time you two met."

Joey steeled himself and let Tristan pull him forward until they were a few feet from Lexi, standing behind her, unnoticed.

"Hi, baby girl."

Lexi shrieked and jumped to her feet, spinning around. Tristan laughed and her demeanor turned indignant as her little hands went to her hips.

"Papa! S'not tunny!" She stamped her foot. "No tare Lexi!"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to." Tristan gave Joey a little push toward the child. "This is Joey, Lexi."

Lexi's eyes widened. "Joe-be? Lexi Da-ee?"

"Yes, Joey is your daddy."

"Hello, Lexi." Joey greeted her quietly, unable to take his eyes off her. She looked even more like Tristan in person.

"Tum dow, peas." Lexi crooked a finger at him.

Joey sank to his knees, barely aware of Tristan placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Joe-be Lexi Da-ee?" She asked again, clearly wanting to hear it from him.

"I would like very much to be."

Lexi suddenly threw herself at him, almost knocking him over, and wound her arms around his neck.

"Da-ee." She whispered against his neck.

Joey sat down, cradling Lexi in his lap, and looked up at Tristan with tears in his eyes.

Tristan smiled and sat down next to them. "Now you know what I went through the first time she called me "Papa"."

Joey just nodded, unable to find his voice.

Lexi suddenly pushed away from Joey, eyes huge as she grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled it over his shoulder.

"Plug your ears." Tristan warned, covering his own.

"Why do I need..?" Joey was cut off as Lexi squealed so loud it made his ears ring at such close proximity.

"Da-ee hay-war! Toft, rike Ba-ra hay-war!"

Joey looked at Tristan, shaking his head, not understanding.

"Your hair. She has a thing for long hair. And she calls Bakura Ba-ra."

"Oh." Joey grinned and drew the rest of his hair over his shoulder. "Wait until she meets Otogi."

Lexi played with Joey's hair for a few minutes before looking over at Tristan. "Papa? Lexi home a day?"

Tristan smiled. "Yes, baby girl. You get to come with us today."

"TIPPIE!" Lexi bounced out of Joey's lap. "Now?"

"You want to go right now?" Joey teased her.

"Yes! Yes, Da-ee! NOW!" Lexi grabbed her bear and turned to run toward the building, but stopped suddenly, a strange look on her face.

"Is everything okay, Lexi?" Tristan asked as Joey pulled him up off the grass.

"Ummm…Papa? Lexi nee d'wiper."

"Huh?" Joey looked confused.

"She needs to have her diaper changed." Tristan explained, fighting not to break up at the look on Joey's face.

"She's still in diapers?"

"Didn't I mention that?"

"No." Joey mock-glared at his lover. "You didn't. Isn't she a little old?"

"She just turned three, Joey." Tristan picked the child up. "Come on, I'll show you how to do it."

"When did you become such an expert?" Joey asked when they got into the bathroom.

Tristan shrugged, standing Lexi up on the change table, taking off her pants. "I've been doing it while I'm here."

"I guess I've got some stuff to learn about this whole parenting thing." Joey nudged Tristan aside and laid Lexi down. "What do I do first?"

~*~*~*~*~

"Joey, that's the third one."

"Da-ee, d'wiper bat-a-ward."

"What?"

"She said it's on backward."

"Cut me some slack, you two."

Seto stood in the doorway, grinning at Joey's attempts at changing his first diaper. "You sure you're ready for this, pup?"

Lexi peeked out from under Joey's arm. "Hey-doe, Set."

"Hey, cute stuff. Getting ready to go?"

"Yep. Nee d'wiper tirst doe."

"Got it!" Joey yelled triumphantly, standing Lexi on her feet.

Even Lexi laughed when it fell around her ankles.

"What did I do wrong THIS time?" Joey groaned.

"S'o-tay, Da-ee." Lexi pulled the diaper up and lay back down, unfastening the tapes and fixing them. "Tee?"

Joey narrowed his eyes at the child. "You can do this yourself?"

"Yep." Lexi grinned mischievously.

"You little minx." Joey grabbed her, pulling her shirt up and exposing her little round belly. "That's it!"

Lexi giggled, squirming as Joey buried his lips in the soft skin and blew. "Top! Top, Da-ee! Papa! Da-ee top!"

Seto laughed, grabbing Joey's shoulder and pulling him away.

Lexi took several gasping breaths before smiling up at Seto. "Tank-too, Set."

"You're very welcome." Seto helped her to her feet, bracing her as her legs wobbled.

Tristan helped her back into her pants, frowning when he noticed the cuffs stopped well short of her ankles. "We're going to have to take you shopping, baby girl."

"We've got some time before I have to be back to the clinic." Joey glanced at his watch. "It's only ten thirty."

"You should go." Seto said, suddenly serious. "I want you gone before the cops show up."

"Do you want to say goodbye to the other kids, Lexi?" Tristan asked, picking her up.

Lexi shook her head, clinging to her father. "Lexi home now, Papa."

Seto ruffled the soft brown hair. "Then let's get you out of here, cutie."

With a smile that could have melted the coldest heart, Lexi snuggled into Tristan's arms. "Tank-too."

~*~*~*~*~

Bakura opened the door to the office where Seto was waiting for the representative from Child Services.

The police had already been there, taking Gladys Knowles away and seizing a number of files.

"Mr. Kaiba, I don't know what to say." The man sank into a chair in front of the desk where Seto was sitting.

"You showed him everything?" Seto asked Bakura

"Everything."

"There is nothing to say, Mr. Daniels." Seto's voice was hard. "Your department has been derelict in it's responsibilities to these children."

Daniels cut a glance at Bakura. "If we may speak in private…"

"Bakura works for me." Seto stated. "He's the one responsible for gathering all the information I've given you. He stays."

"We can move the children to another orphanage." The man said, knowing it was useless to argue. "The only problem is, they're all over crowded as it is. And there's no money in the budget to make the repairs to this building."

Seto turned to his briefcase, which lay open on the desk, taking out a file and throwing it at the man. "Kaiba Corp. has a vested interest in these kids. I will not see them crammed into another publicly run orphanage. That contract signs over both the deed to this building and the care of it's occupants to Kaiba Corp. It also states that once the building has been removed that I will gladly take in some of the other children from the two remaining public orphanages. There will be physiologists and trained medical people on staff here, so you may send those children who have physical or developmental problems."

"Mr. Kaiba, I do not think…" Daniels trailed off, becoming aware of a low, rumbling sound.

He looked behind him, feeling his heartbeat double when he realized it was coming from the white haired man leaning against the door. He was growling.

"We can do this one of two ways." Seto said, noticing the fear in the man's eyes and deciding to play on it. "You can personally see to it that the contract is signed or I can take Child Services to court to get my money back. Your department is directly responsible for the actions of it's orphanage directors."

Seto paused as Bakura cleared his throat. "Then again, there's always option number three."

"Which is?" Daniels shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"I can send Bakura with you to help you talk your supervisors into signing my contract."

A low chuckle came from behind him and Daniels shivered, afraid of what he might see if he turned around. "I'm sure I can make them see the wisdom of your proposal, Mr. Kaiba."

"I'm glad you see it my way." Seto's smile held no warmth. "You have until close of business today, Mr. Daniels."

Knowing he had been dismissed, Daniels stood, turning toward the door, only to find his way blocked.

Bakura smiled…if it could be called that…at the man. "We'll be waiting to hear from you."

Daniels paled as Bakura took a step toward him. Bakura smirked and moved around him to sit in the chair he had recently vacated.

The door slammed behind the fleeing man and Seto chuckled. "You're terrible."

Bakura shrugged. "I'm no worse than you."

"I've got to get back to the office and get some people on the quotes for the renovations." Seto stood.

"What are you going to do with the kids while that's happening?"

"I have no idea."

"We'll think of something, Seto." Bakura stood as well, smiling. "Who would have thought Kaiba Corp. would end up in the adoption business?"

"Yeah. Puts a whole new perspective on things when you've got a kid of your own."

~*~*~*~*~

"Seto was pretty sure of himself, wasn't he?" Joey commented as he unstrapped Lexi from the car seat that Seto had put in the car when they left.

"Isn't he always?" Tristan took Lexi from Joey.

"Diz Lexi home, Papa?" The little girl asked, looking at the clinic.

Tristan looked at Joey. They knew this question was going to come up, but they weren't sure how to handle it.

"Daddy has to stay here for a while, baby girl."

"Lexi a Papa tay too?"

"We can't, Lexi."

Lexi pouted, looking at Joey. "Ow tome?"

"It won't be for long." Joey reached out and stroked her hair. "I promise."

Lexi sighed. "Lexi home a Papa?"

"Well, until Daddy can come home, you and I are going to stay someplace special. That way we can be closer to Daddy and see him more."

"Den Lexi go home?"

"Then we can ALL go home."

"O-tay, Papa."

Both men breathed a sigh of relief. Neither one of them liked the thought of trying to explain to Lexi why Joey was staying here.

"OOOOOOHHHHHH!! Pity!!" Lexi's eyes went wide as they entered the lobby.

"Joey! Tristan!" Gwen called, coming down the stairs.

"Hey, Gwen." Joey greeted the woman.

"Is this Lexi?" She asked. "Goodness, Tristan! She really DOES look like you! Hello, Lexi. I'm Gwen."

"Hey-doe, Gen." Lexi smiled. "Nize how-is."

"This isn't Gwen's house, honey." Tristan chuckled.

Suddenly, Lexi's mouth dropped open, her gaze somewhere over Gwen's shoulder.

"Papa." She whispered. "Big man."

Joey caught sight of Will approaching and smiled. "Will! Come meet Lexi."

The orderly came to stand next to Gwen, his smile lighting up his pale blue eyes. "Well, hello there, Lexi."

Lexi looked up at him. "You tum big!"

Will laughed. "My parents grew me that way."

Gwen gave Will a playful slap. "Don't listen to him, Lexi. He's teasing."

Joey laughed and reached out to take Lexi from Tristan. "Is Jack here?"

"He is." Gwen replied. "I know he wanted to see you as soon as you got here."

"Well," Joey bounced Lexi in his arms, making her giggle. "Let's go introduce you to him."

"O-tay, Da-ee."

Joey took Tristan's hand and led his family off.

~*~*~*~*~

After Jack had made a complete fuss over Lexi, he asked Tristan to take her outside so he could talk to Joey alone.

"She's a beautiful little girl, Joey." Jack said. "You're very lucky."

"I am." Joey smiled. "It's funny…Tristan and I are so close to our friends that we've always considered them family. But now it seems…complete."

"Kids will do that to you." Jack grew serious. "I have a question for you."

"What's that?"

"You're craving, aren't you?"

Joey shifted in his chair. "How can you tell?"

"I've been doing this long enough to know the signs."

"Jack…how do I make it stop? I don't know if I can handle it."

"Do you really want it to stop?"

"Of course I do." Joey frowned. "What kind of question is that?"

"There's only one way then." Jack opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a clear plastic bag, tossing it onto his desk. "Here. Take it."

Joey started at the contents. A lighter, a spoon, a small glass vial filled with powder, and a needle.

His hands began to shake and he reached out to take it.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey: OO

Tris: NO WAY!!

Ryou: You KNOW how much I hate it when you guys DO that!!

YD: *evil smirk* Well, it's been so long since we had a REALLY bad cliffie….

DD: I wash my hands of ALL responsibility on that one!

Seto: *rolls eyes* Yeah, right.

DD: Next chappie…hopefully this weekend.

YD: It really sucks when you're down to one computer and you have two writers in the house.

DD: Please review!!