Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ chapter27 ( Chapter 27 )

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!

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

~*~*~*~*~

YD: In this chapter, we see again why Bakura refers to Yugi as a "sex-crazed light".

Bakura: Well…he is.

DD: And we see once again what a lack of sleep does to Tristan.

Tris: *rolls eyes* Great!

~*~*~*~*~

"Seto," Gina walked into the office, a slip of paper in her hand. "I think I found a place for the children to stay while the renovations are being done. There's a small hotel a few blocks away."

"How small?" Seto took the paper from her, looking at the information.

"They'll have to double up to allow for four adults to stay with them."

Seto raised an eyebrow. "That will be a treat for them. They're all in one room now."

"Just let me know, and I'll book it."

"Do it now." Seto sat back in his chair. "Starting tomorrow for three weeks."

"Is it really going to take that long to get the work done?"

Seto rubbed his eyes wearily. "Gods, Gina, if you saw that place…"

"Hello, love." Yugi came through the door, holding Justin's hand.

"Hey, baby."

"Well, I'll go make the call then." Gina smiled at Yugi and pet Justin the top of Justin's head as she walked out, closing the door behind her.

Yugi walked around Seto's desk and bent to kiss him. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just working out the logistics." Seto held out his arms to Justin. "How's my boy?"

"I'm fine." Justin allowed Seto to pick him up and set him in his lap.

"Sorry I missed you this morning, little man. I had to meet Uncle Tristan and Uncle Joey."

Justin glanced in Yugi's direction and then back at Seto. "Daddy said they took Lexi from the orphanage today."

"They did." Seto smiled, knowing what was coming next.

"When can I see her?"

"Tomorrow probably."

"When tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure exactly when, Justin."

"Is Uncle Tristan going to bring her to work with him?"

"Yes."

"Can I come to work with you? I heard Pharaoh tell Daddy they had a…ummm…a ship a mint coming in at the game shop tomorrow."

Seto chuckled. Justin had been calling Yami "Pharaoh" since hearing Bakura address him that way.

"You don't want to go with them?"

"No." Justin shook his head. "That's where the Tomb Robber lives."

"Justin," Yugi interrupted. "He's not going to hurt you. And don't you want to see Uncle Ryou?"

Just shook his head again. "I want to come to work with Dad, Daddy. I really need to see Lexi. I've never been away from her before. I miss her."

"I'd love it if you came to work with me." Seto smiled. "And that way you can see Lexi."

"Thank you." A hint of a smile ghosted over the boy's lips and was quickly gone.

"It's not going to be a problem?" Yugi asked. "Yami and I are going to be at the game shop most of the day."

"Tris and I are meeting with Otogi in the morning, but other than that my schedule is clear."

"We really should think about a nanny or something." Yugi said thoughtfully.

Before Seto could comment, the office door opened and Mokuba strode in.

"Hey, Justin! How's my favorite nephew?"

Justin looked at the teen over the tops of his glasses. "I'm your only nephew, Uncle Mokuba."

"What?!" Mokuba pretended to be shocked. "You are?! Are you sure about that?!"

Seto swore he heard a soft chuckle come from the boy in his lap, but it was too quick for him to be sure.

"Mokuba," Yugi turned to his brother-in-law. "Why don't you take Justin across the street for some ice cream?"

"Are you sure he wants some?" Mokuba teased.

Seto looked at his son and his breath caught. Justin was smiling. The first real smile they had seen.

Yugi and Mokuba noticed it too, and Yugi quickly flashed the image across the link to Yami, who was at the game shop, and felt his other's elation.

"Glad he doesn't do that often." Mokuba whispered to Yugi, feeling his heart melt.

Justin slid off Seto's lap and approached Mokuba, still smiling. "Will you take me out, Uncle Mokuba?"

"If you want some ice cream, sure."

"You don't have to get me any." Justin reached out and took Mokuba's hand. "I just want to go with you."

Mokuba smiled warmly at his nephew and, without a word to the boy's fathers, led him from the office, shutting the door.

Seto watched his brother and his son go, feeling the sting of tears at the look on Mokuba's face. It was a look of complete contentment, something Seto hadn't seen, even when his brother was asleep, since their parents died.

"I knew Justin was going to be good for us." Yugi said, sitting down in Seto's lap.

"I haven't seen Mokuba this happy since we were kids." Seto brought his arms around his husband.

Yugi leaned into the embrace, smiling. Mokuba's contentment had less to do with Justin than his brother knew, but Yugi knew it wasn't his place to say anything.

"Justin's not the only one who missed you this morning." Yugi cupped Seto's chin in his hand, rubbing his thumb across the brunet's lips.

"Oh, really?" Seto grinned.

"I didn't get my morning cuddle." Yugi pouted.

"Is that what you're calling it now?"

"Didn't you miss it?" Yugi ran his hands over Seto's chest.

"Yugi," Seto protested, catching the smaller man's wrists. "I have a meeting in an hour."

Yugi grinned. "That gives me more than enough time."

"Yugi…" Seto tried one more time.

"Shh. You just keep doing what you were doing." Yugi slid off Seto's lap and disappeared under the desk.

Seto shook his head as his chair was pulled forward and he was once more sitting to his desk. He felt Yugi undo his belt and pull down his zipper and he quickly reached for the intercom.

Too late.

"Oh, gods!"

"What was that, Seto?"

Seto bit back a moan. "G-Gina…can you…ummm…call all my holds, p-please?"

Gina laughed. "Would you like me to meeting your reschedule while I'm at it?"

"Ah…n-no…that's…mmmmm….yes…I mean…that's okay."

Gina snickered as a soft gasp came over the intercom. She had been with Seto from the beginning and she was completely aware of Yugi's…peculiarities.

Seto turned off the intercom before his secretary heard more than she needed to. He let a hand sink to his lap, burying it in Yugi's hair.

"Yugi…oh, love. Don't stop." Seto's head sank back against the chair and he began to thrust into the wet heat surrounding him.

He dug his fingers into Yugi's head and the shorter man moaned. The vibrations caused by it were Seto's undoing.

When he finally found the strength to push back his chair, he looked down to see a pair of seemingly innocent amethyst eyes smiling up at him.

"Care to return the favor?" Yugi asked, fixing Seto's pants.

Seto reached down and pulled Yugi out from under the desk, sitting him on top of it. "Bad boy."

"You like me bad."

"Hmmm." Seto pushed Yugi legs apart and moved between them, one long fingered hand cupping the bulge in Yugi's jeans, causing him to whimper and thrust into his palm.

Seto undid Yugi's pants, allowing his erection to spring free. He bent his head, stopping just short of taking his husband's arousal into his mouth.

"No screaming." He looked up at Yugi through his bangs.

Yugi nodded and held his breath, waiting. He leaned back on his hands and watched intently as his length slid past Seto's lips. A soft moan escaped him and his eyes slid shut.

Seto took him deep, wanting to bring him to completion quickly. He got his wish sooner than he anticipated.

Yugi thrust hard into Seto's mouth, climaxing without a sound. Seto swallowed rapidly, choking a little, his arms reaching up to catch Yugi before he could fall.

"That was quick. Even for you." Seto rested his head on Yugi's stomach.

Yugi shrugged. "I needed you."

Seto did up Yugi's jeans and lifted him off the desk and into his lap. "Sorry about this morning, love. I'll make it up to you."

"You already did." Yugi smiled and leaned up to kiss the brunet. "Not that I wouldn't mind an early bedtime."

Seto rolled his eyes. "You're insatiable."

"Yep. I am." Yugi got up and bent to kiss Seto again. "Well, you've got your meeting. I'm going to go get Justin and take him shopping."

Seto slumped back in his chair as Yugi bounced from the room, leaving the door open.

Gina stuck her head in and saw her boss prone in his chair, eyes closed and arms hanging limply over the sides. "Shall I call a cleanup crew?"

"Very funny." Seto didn't open his eyes. "Why don't you take an early lunch or something?"

Gina snickered as she headed back to her desk, not bothering to correct Seto and remind him it was mid afternoon.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey picked up the bag from Jack's desk and stared in horror at the contents.

His chair crashed to the floor as he sprang to his feet and threw the offending object at the other man. Jack ducked and it hit the window with a loud crack.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?!" Joey raged.

Jack looked calmly at the blond, taking in the clenched fists and tense body. "You said you were craving it."

"I don't care!!" Joey shouted. "What kind of life could I give Lexi if I started using again?!"

Jack shrugged. "Does it matter?"

"Of course it does! We could never be a family if I went back there! I just got my life back, damn it! I DON'T WANT IT!!"

"I'm very proud of you, Joey." Jack smiled. "You're ready to go home."

"Who the fuck do you think you…wait a minute. What did you just say?"

"You're ready to go home."

"I'm..?" Joey blinked, confused.

"Sit back down." Jack gestured to the fallen chair.

Joey righted the piece of furniture and collapsed into it. "You mean…that was a…test?"

"It was." Jack nodded. "I wanted to see if you could resist temptation…if your reasons for saying no were important enough."

"Gods, Jack!"

"I know it seemed a little harsh, but think about it, Joey. It's easy to resist temptation where there is none. What would have happened if you went back to the city before you were truly ready and you bumped into Marty?"

Joey shuddered. It was something he didn't really want to think about. If he had seen Marty while he was still going through withdrawal…before he had realized how much having a family with Tristan meant to him…

"I would have given in." Joey whispered, hanging his head. "I'd be right back where I started."

"Exactly." Jack said. "I hadn't planned on this for a few more days, but the look on your face when you brought your daughter in here made me think that you had found the last piece to a successful recovery."

Joey shook his head. "I can't believe you did that."

"I needed to be sure." Jack replied. "If you had hesitated, even for a second, I would have known you weren't ready."

"I don't know if I am." Joey said quietly. "What if…what if I see one of THEM? Or worse…Marty?"

"What do you think would happen if you did?"

"I don't know for sure. The only thing I DO know is that I wouldn't take drugs from them." Joey looked down at where his hands were clasped nervously in his lap. "I just…I can't…"

"You're scared."

Joey nodded.

"Joey, that's normal. It's hard to return to your life after what you've been through." Jack leaned forward, his arms crossed on his desk. "But I'm not cutting you loose here. I want you back every day to see me, okay?"

"So…" Joey looked up, halfway between hopeful and terrified. "So I can really go home?"

"Yes," Jack smiled. "You can really go home. I'll see you back here tomorrow at ten."

"Jack, I…" Joey didn't quite know what to say. "Thank you. For everything."

"You did all the work, Joey. I just helped you along." Jack said. "Go on, then. Get out of here."

Joey stood. "Well…I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Ten o'clock." Jack smiled. "Now go home."

Joey couldn't wipe the grin off his face as he left the office, bursting into a flat out run the second he closed the door.

[I'm going home!]

~*~*~*~*~

Joey dropped his bag and Seto's guitar at his feet, watching as Lexi tugged on Tristan's hand to get him to kneel next to the flowerbed she was standing in front of. He could hear Tristan speaking, as though he was explaining something to the child.

Lexi turned away and caught sight of Joey. "Da-ee!"

Joey held out his arms, catching her as she threw herself at him, picking her up and kissing her.

"What's going on, baby?" Tristan asked as he approached, his gaze going to the bag lying on the ground.

"I'm coming home." Joey slipped his arm around Tristan's waist.

"What?! Now?!"

"Now." Joey smiled. "Well, I want to say goodbye to Gwen and Will first."

Tristan leaned in and kissed Joey softly. "I love you."

"Aww! Yeah!" Lexi clapped her hands. "Papa low Da-ee!"

The two men smiled at the little girl cuddled between them.

"Papa? Lexi too!" She puckered her lips, tugging at Tristan's shirt.

Tristan kissed her and gave her a little squeeze.

"Papa low Lexi?"

"Yes, baby girl, I do."

"Yeah!" Lexi clapped her hands again.

"What about me?" Joey pouted at her.

Lexi giggled and pursed her lips again, accepting another kiss from her other father. "Lexi low Da-ee."

"I love you too." Joey grinned. "Let's go say our goodbyes so we can go home."

"TIPPIE!" Lexi squealed, causing both men to wince. "Lexi go home!"

Joey set Lexi down and she reached for his hand with her deformed one, wrapping her thumb and forefinger around his two middle fingers.

She held out her other hand to Tristan. "Papa hoe Lexi udder han?"

Tristan took Lexi's small hand in his big one, smiling. "Let's go home."

~*~*~*~*~

"Dad?"

"Hi there, little man." Seto closed the door behind him and dropped his briefcase on the floor.

"Did Uncle Tristan call? Is he bringing Lexi to work tomorrow?"

"I haven't heard from him, but he said he was going to."

"Can you call him?"

"If you want."

"Now?"

"Let me get through the door first, okay?"

Justin looked like he was about to protest and Seto decided to try to distract him long enough to allow him to at least get his coat off. "Where's Daddy and Pharaoh?"

"Pharaoh's in the kitchen and Daddy's downstairs talking to Sadie. I was playing with Uncle Mokuba."

"What were you playing?" Seto took Justin's hand and led him toward the kitchen.

"He was teaching me how to play…uuummmm…I forget. There's this board with black and red squares and you use these wooden things and they're round and they're black and red too and you jump over the other pieces and…"

Seto held back a chuckle. Serious as he could be, once Justin started talking, it was hard to get him to stop.

"You mean checkers."

"Yeah, that's what it was."

"How come you're not still playing?"

Justin looked up over the tops of his glasses. "I beat him three times and he said he didn't want to play anymore."

Now Seto did laugh. "Uncle Mokuba can be a really sore loser."

Justin nodded solemnly. "He is."

Yami smiled as Seto and Justin walked into the kitchen. "I have good news!"

"I like good news." Seto dropped a kiss on the waiting lips.

"Tristan call. Joey's coming home."

"That's great! When?"

"Right now. They're on their way home. They just need to stop and pick up a few things for Lexi."

"Seto! Yami!" Yugi ran into the room. "Joey's coming home! He just called me on my cell! He's coming home!"

Yugi threw himself at Seto, who was closest, and hugged him happily. He reached out and pulled Yami to him, kissing him.

Yami looked down to see Justin looking up at them, an odd expression on his face. "Justin? Is something wrong?"

"Ms. Knowles said it's wrong for men to kiss." Justin regarded his parents seriously. "But you do it all the time."

Yugi moved away from his husbands and knelt down in front of the child. "Why is it wrong, Justin?"

"Because you're men."

"Justin," Seto said. "Just because we're men doesn't make it wrong."

"But Ms. Knowles said."

"Gender doesn't matter when you love someone, son."

"It…" Justin blinked up at Seto. "It doesn't?"

"No, it doesn't." There was an edge to Seto's voice.

Justin bit his lip. There was clearly something else on his mind.

"Is there something else you wanted to ask us, Justin?" Yugi asked, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder.

Justin pushed his dark glasses up his nose, effectively hiding his eyes from his fathers. "Why do you all sleep in the same bed? Isn't that wrong?"

Seto and Yami exchanged look and Seto could feel his temper growing. What had that woman been saying?

Yugi shrugged nonchalantly. "That's what married people do."

"But you're not really married. Men can't be married, especially three men."

"We are married, Justin." Yami said. "We were married in a church, by a minister."

Justin shook his head. "But it's not really real. Dad must have paid for him to do that."

Seto's hands clenched into fists. It was patiently obvious that Justin was only repeating what he had heard.

"Who told you this?" Seto asked.

"Ms. Knowles."

"Ms. Knowles," Seto growled. "Is WRONG, Justin. She had NO RIGHT to say those things."

"Seto…" Yami placed a warning hand on the brunet's arm.

Seto saw that Justin's glasses had slipped back down his nose and that he was staring, wide eyed, over the tops of the dark lenses, looking a little frightened by the sound of his father's raised voice.

"I'll be right back." Seto turned and left the kitchen to try and get himself under control.

Justin watched him go and then turned to Yugi. "Is he mad at me?"

"No, honey, he's not." Yugi put his arms around the boy.

"Then why did he leave?"

Yami crouched down next to them, laying a hand on Justin's back. "He's upset that Ms. Knowles would say bad things about us to you. He just needs a minute to calm down….but he's not mad at you, Justin."

"No, I'm not, little man."

Justin jumped, looking up to see Seto standing behind Yugi, calmer now. Yugi moved away, allowing Seto to reach down and pick the boy up.

"I'm sorry, Justin." Seto rubbed his cheek against Justin's.

"It's okay, Dad." Justin wound his arms around Seto's neck. "But I have another question."

"Another one?" Seto grinned.

"Does this mean I have to marry a man when I grow up?"

All three men struggled to hold back their laughter.

"No son." Seto tried to keep the smile off his face. "Not unless you want to."

"Good." Justin looked relieved. "'cause I'm gonna marry Lexi."

"Are you now?" Seto couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him.

"I am." Justin said, perfectly serious. "She's my best friend."

"Out from under my feet." Odette demanded, entering the room. "If you expect your dinner on time, get out of my kitchen."

"Yes, ma'am." Seto said dutifully.

Odette just rolled her eyes and shooed them all out.

~*~*~*~*~

After taking Lexi to get some dinner and stopping to pick up a few essentials for the child, they finally arrived home.

Joey had grown quiet when they entered the house, silently tagging along with Tristan as he followed Lexi from room to room as the little girl checked out her new surroundings.

She was enchanted by the piano and Tristan lifted her up on the bench, sitting beside her as she happily banged away on the keys.

Joey stood next to them, absently running his hand over his empty guitar stand, a far away look in his eyes. Tristan laid a hand on his arm, capturing his attention and looking at him questioningly.

An amber gaze flickered to Seto's guitar, still in it's case on the couch, and back to the stand. He frowned and turned away, heading for the kitchen.

"Stay here, baby girl." Tristan said to Lexi, rising from the bench.

"O-tay, Papa. Lexi pay pee-no."

"Okay, sweetheart. You keep playing."

Tristan walked into the kitchen to find Joey standing in front of the sink, his arms wrapped around himself, staring out through the window into the darkened yard.

"Baby," Tristan came up behind him, putting his arms around him and resting his chin on Joey's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

Joey's reply was lost under the racket coming from the living room and Tristan moved back momentarily, turning Joey around and taking him into his arms.

"Are you okay?" Tristan asked, noticing his lover was trembling. "Are you having cravings again?"

"No." Joey pressed close, laying his head on Tristan's chest.

"Talk to me, Joey."

"I'm scared, Tris. I'm scared it's all a dream. I'm scared something's going to happen to ruin it. I'm happy. For the first time in almost six months, I'm happy." Joey shuddered hard. "It's too perfect….being home…you…Lexi…I'm afraid it's not going to last."

Tristan cupped Joey's face between his hands and bent his head to kiss him. It was hot and hungry, full of passion and love, and Joey moaned softly.

"Does that feel like a dream to you, baby?" Tristan whispered against his lips as it ended.

"Papa? Da-ee?"

Joey looked over Tristan's shoulder to see Lexi standing in the doorway of the kitchen, clutching her bear to her chest and rubbing her eyes. "What's wrong, honey?"

"Lexi tire."

Tristan stepped away from Joey and went to her and picked her up. "It's getting late. You need to get into the tub."

"Umm….Tris?" Joey's quiet voice stopped Tristan's in his tracks.

"Yeah, love?"

"Do you mind doing it by yourself? I kinda need to be alone for a bit."

"No problem." Tristan smiled reassuringly at the blond. "Just come up when you're ready."

"Thanks." Joey said as Tristan left to take their daughter upstairs.

He went over to the table where Tristan's jacket was slung over the back of a chair and dug out his cigarettes. Going out onto the patio, Joey sat down on the bench, lighting a cigarette and drawing his legs up, wrapping an arm around his upraised knees. He could hear the sound of running water coming through the open bathroom window.

[Gods…it's all so perfect. We're finally a family…a real family. Tristan's upstairs, getting our daughter ready for bed. I bet Yugi and Yami and Seto are doing the same thing with Justin. Ryou and Bakura are probably…I don't want to know what they're doing.] Joey sighed. [Why do I feel like the other shoe is about to drop?]

~*~*~*~*~

"Papa? Way-are Da-ee?"

"He just needed some time alone, baby girl." Tristan finished washing the shampoo out of Lexi's hair and soaped up a washcloth.

Lexi giggled as Tristan stood her up, instructing her to hang on to him, and washed the chubby little body. He frowned to himself as he rinsed off her back, noticing a curve to her spine. It was slight, but it was there.

Turning his attention back to the little girl, he smiled at her, poking her in the stomach just to hear her laugh again.

"Papa! Doan!" She giggled.

Tristan set her back down and settled more comfortably on the floor. "Do you want a snack before bed?"

"No tank-too, Papa." Lexi shook her head. "Lexi no unner-gy."

"Okay. Ready to get out?"

"Tan Lexi pay a bit?"

"Sure, but you have to go to bed soon."

Tristan leaned on the edge of the tub, watching Lexi splashing in the water and happily playing with the facecloth, thinking to himself that they really need to buy her some toys tomorrow.

"Hey-doe, Da-ee!" Lexi greeted Joey as he walked into the room.

"Better now, baby?" Tristan asked.

"Yeah." Joey smiled as Lexi went to hold up her arms to him and stopped, staring at her fingers.

"Lexi ow winnie-kel." She frowned.

"What's that?" Tristan looked puzzled.

Lexi showed him her hands. "Lexi tinners winnie-kel."

"Oh…wrinkled." Tristan lifted her from the tub. "Let's get you out of there then."

Joey grabbed a towel and knelt, swiftly drying her off before beginning to dry her hair. That done, he set her on the counter and brushed the tangles from her damp hair.

"Lexi cold, Da-ee." The little girl shivered.

"Where's her pajamas, Tris?" Joey looked to his lover.

"In the bedroom. Let's get her dressed in there." Tristan led the way into the bedroom directly across the hall from theirs.

"Lexi no teep in tush a big bed abore." Lexi said as Joey laid her down and began to put a diaper on her. "Da-ee nee help?"

"Very funny, you." Joey smiled. "I think I've got it this time."

"Here, baby girl." Tristan helped her up and put her nightgown over her head.

"Ooohhh!" Lexi's voice was muffled by the material as she tried to get her arms in, her deformed hand getting caught. "Is pity!"

"Glad you like it." Tristan helped her get her hands through the cuffs.

Lexi ran her hands over the soft, red cotton nightgown that fell all the way to her feet, her eyes wide. "Lexi nebber hay tush pity p-jammies."

"I'm glad you like it." Tristan said again, more quietly this time, and with a catch in his voice. "Um…you left your bear in the bathroom. I'll get it."

Lexi turned to Joey as Tristan swiftly left the room. "Papa o-tay?"

"He's fine, honey." Joey said, knowing Tristan was upset by Lexi's reaction to something as simple as a nice pair of pajamas. "Come on. Into bed."

Tristan came back into the room with the stuffed animal as Lexi crawled under the covers. He handed it to her and she clutched it, looking up at him with big eyes.

"Diz tum big bed, Papa." She said, a nervous little quaver in her voice.

"It's only for tonight, Lexi." Tristan reassured her, sitting on the edge of the bed. "After Daddy's appointment tomorrow we're going shopping."

"Why for?"

"So we can get you your own bed and some toys and stuff." Joey said, kneeling down and pulling up the covers.

"Lexi no tan teep in tush big bed doe."

"We'll get you a smaller one, honey."

"Diz toe big doe."

Joey looked at Tristan. The last thing they wanted was for her to get in the habit of sleeping with them.

Tristan grinned as something occurred to him. "Well, it's big because Uncle Bakura and Uncle Ryou sleep here sometimes."

"Ba-ra teep here?" Lexi sat up, looking at her pillow. "Diz Ba-ra pit-oh?"

"It sure is." Tristan lied through his teeth.

Lexi curled up against the pillow, hugging her bear. "O-tay. Lexi teep a Ba-ra pit-oh."

Joey stood and turned on the bedside lamp. "We'll leave this on for you, okay?"

"O-tay, Da-ee." Lexi closed her eyes as Joey bent to kiss her.

"Good night, baby girl." Tristan leaned over, kissing her cheek before rising from the bed. "We're just across the hall if you need us."

"O-tay, Papa." Lexi snuggled down into the covers, almost disappearing.

Tristan and Joey left the room, turning off the light and stopping to take one last look at their daughter.

"Do you think it's such a good idea putting her in Ryou and Bakura's bed?" Joey asked softly.

"Don't worry." Tristan whispered back. "I changed the sheets and flipped the mattress."

Joey rolled his eyes. "That's NOT what I meant."

"I know." Tristan snickered. "I couldn't help myself."

Joey took Tristan's hand and drew him away, leaving the door open. "I'm tired. I think I'm gonna head off to bed."

"You go on." Tristan leaned in for a quick kiss. "I'll go lock up and be right there."

"Don't be long." Joey hugged him briefly before heading for their bedroom.

~*~*~*~*~

After checking on Lexi, Tristan went into the bedroom to find Joey already asleep.

He changed and got into bed and, realizing he wasn't going to get to sleep anytime soon, sat with his back to the headboard and picked up a book from the stack on his bedside table. He smiled as Joey snuggled up against him with a sigh, resting his head on Tristan's leg.

Somewhere around two o'clock, Tristan gave up trying to put himself to sleep with the book and tossed it on the floor. He looked down at Joey, who hadn't moved, and began running his fingers through the other man's long, gold hair.

/I know what you're going through, baby. It all seems too perfect. You're not the only one who's afraid it's not going to last./

Joey stirred in his sleep, mumbling, and Tristan leaned closer, trying to hear what he was saying, wondering if he shouldn't wake him.

"I need you." Joey rubbed his cheek against Tristan's leg. "…love you…"

Tristan continued to stroke Joey's hair, deciding against waking him up. It sounded like a pretty good dream.

Joey twitched. "…please….Keith…"

/What the..?/ Tristan's hand stilled. /He can't be dreaming about Keith…not that way. Can he?/

Joey moaned softly. "…Keith…"

Tristan frowned. Joey's voice was a monotone, no inflection, and Tristan couldn't make out half of what the blond was saying.

He fought against the images rising in his mind. /No. Keith was cruel to him…he hurt him. But…but Joey's never told me anything that happened between them…not really./

Joey twitched again, violently this time, and his eyes snapped open. He sat up, shivering, looking at Tristan with wide, terrified eyes.

"Joey, are you...?"

Tristan question was cut off as Joey threw himself at him, clinging to him.

"T-Tris…oh, gods!" Joey whimpered. "Gods! It was just a dream!"

"Shh…shh, baby." Tristan cradled his distraught lover in his arms. "It's okay."

A dry sob rock Joey and he burrowed into Tristan's chest. "It was…I was dreaming that…that you were kissing me….but when I opened my eyes, it was…it was Keith."

"It was just a dream, Joey."

"You don't understand. I used to…SEE that when I was with him."

"I know, love, but it's over now." Tristan kissed the top of Joey's head. "He can't hurt you anymore."

Joey pulled Tristan down to lie on his back and pressed close. "I love you, Tristan."

"I love you too, baby." Tristan replied, frowning at the desperate tone in Joey's voice. "Go back to sleep. We both have a busy day tomorrow."

Joey nodded and laid his head on Tristan's shoulder, throwing an arm across his chest. Tristan lay, wide awake, feeling Joey's body slowly relax against his own.

/I should have known it was a nightmare. Keith never loved him like that…never touched him gently. He said Keith always hurt him./

He pulled Joey closer, willing away the detailed pictures his sleep deprived brain insisted on producing. Pictures of Keith holding Joey, kissing him, touching him…gently, lovingly.

Tristan's arms tightened possessively around the blond. /I know it never happened that way…I do. No one's ever going to take you away from me again, Joey. I promise./

~*~*~*~*~

DD: SOMEone's getting possessive!

Joey: Yeah…lucky me.

YD: Oh, can you feel the love?!

Seto: You mean sarcasm.

DD: Lemon in the next chappie, readers.

YD: MMMMMM…lemon.

DD: Oh yeah, and Justin asks some more embarrassing questions.

Justin: I'm a kid, that's my job.