Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ Chapter2 ( Chapter 2 )

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.

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 thoughts and mind link to Yugi

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

~*~*~*~*~

YD: *evil grin*

Tristan: Okay…that smirk makes me nervous.

DD: It should.

Tristan: She's going to mess with me again, isn't she?

DD: Probably.

Tristan: Just great! Why can't she mess with someone else, like Joey?

DD: She will.

Tristan: You're not much comfort today.

DD: I know.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto arrived at his office to find Tristan waiting for him.

"You look like shit buddy. Didn't you sleep last night?"

"Couple hours." Tristan replied getting up from the couch and heading to the small kitchenette. "I put coffee on. Want some?"

"Yeah." Seto dropped down on the couch, reaching for the tabloid on the table. "I didn't get a chance to have one this morning."

"Mmhmm…" Tristan snickered. "So that's why you're looking all…well…rumpled."

"Bite me. You know how Yugi is in the mornings."

Tristan laughed, setting a mug down in front of his friend. He sat down next to Seto, reaching for his cigarettes. Seto rolled his eyes.

"Oh shut up." Tristan lit one.

"Whatever." Seto indicated the paper in his hand. "So, what are we going to do?"

"I think you need to reply to this Seto. We can't let her get away with pulling Yugi and Mokuba into her little vendetta. But what I want to know is how she found out about us."

"I have no idea. I'm for trying to pay her off."

Tristan smacked him. "That's your answer for everything! Besides, I don't think she'll go for it. The last thing we need is for her to publish that you tried to bribe her."

"Well, what do you think?" Seto drank some of his coffee, grimacing. "Shit! That's horrible!"

"It's not that bad! You're just spoiled."

"Yami makes a better cup of coffee than this!"

"Silver spoon brat." Tristan laughed. "Can we please get back to the problem at hand?"

Seto grumbled under his breath, putting his coffee on the table. He looked at the picture of him and Tristan. Then he picked up the one of Yugi and Mokuba. He shook his head, remembering how Yami had tried to hide this one from him. When he found it, he had flown into a raging temper, sending half of his servants running for their lives.

"Okay. I know you've got an idea. Spill it."

"Well, for now I think you need to issue a statement saying that what she's printing isn't true. We won't say anything about the pictures being old. I need to find out where she's getting them. Just something short and to the point. I can write it up for you."

"Sounds good."

"I'm going to have to pull in a little outside help for this. I don't want anyone from Kaiba Corp. being recognized tracking this bitch."

"Any idea who?"

"There's only one person I'd trust with this." Tristan tried to hide his grin. "Bakura."

"What?! Are you nuts?!" Seto turned to look squarely at Tristan. "I don't want her dead!"

"Oh come on Seto. Who better to stalk this woman than a thief?"

"Point taken. But I don't want him doing something stupid, like sending her to the Shadow Realm."

"Well, it would solve our problem." Tristan said dryly.

"Very funny." Seto reached for his coffee, but thought better of it. "Any ideas how she found out about us?"

"About as many as you have. I'm not surprised though. You have heard the rumor going around here that we're having an affair, haven't you?"

"What? No. Where'd you hear that?"

"It is my job to know these things buddy. That's what you pay me the big bucks for."

"Gods." Seto groaned, running his hand over his face. "What started that one?"

"Probably last week when you hugged me in front of everyone. Man, you've got to stop with the public displays of affection!" Tristan snickered. "People have been so used to seeing you cold and distant. They're just not used to seeing Seto Kaiba hug anyone but his little brother. Frankly I'm surprised it hasn't been around before, considering the way we are with each other."

"Like I care. I mean, you were upset. What am I supposed to do, walk away from you?"

"Well, pal of mine, you'd better care. The world doesn't want to accept that we're that close, considering we're both with other people. Especially when you and your company make good copy."

"Tristan." Seto reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together in a familiar gesture. "You're my best friend and I love you. You know how long it took me to admit that I cared about anybody. I owe you so much. You never gave up on me when I was trying to convince myself I didn't need friends. You saw right through me. You've helped me through a lot buddy. I wouldn't have made it through…you know…if it hadn't been for you. If the world can't handle that, then I don't care what they think."

"I know Seto. I feel the same way. But you have this company to think about. It's hard enough that your closest friends are a bunch of gay men. It's one thing for Yugi and Ryou to be this… physical with other people. It's expected of them. The media has always seen them as kids, despite their age. But not for the rest of us. Especially you. And now that they know that we've been lovers…" Tristan trailed off, not quite knowing what to say.

"I never regretted it." Seto said quietly.

"Neither have I. But we have the others to think about. Joey and Yami can take care of themselves, but you know Yugi doesn't handle this sort of thing well."

"I know." Seto sighed. "At least we don't have to worry about Ryou. Not after what Bakura did to that guy who was stalking him last year."

Tristan shuddered. "Not that the bastard didn't deserve it, but…I've heard he'll never walk again."

"He's lucky. I mean, come on! What he did…I would have killed him. I still can't believe I managed to keep Bakura out of jail on that one."

Tristan closed his eyes against the memory of blood, broken bones protruding through flesh and a human body twisted in a way it wasn't designed for. His stomach churned.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." Tristan opened his eyes to see his friend looking concerned. "I think I just need some sleep."

"Well, if you and Joey made up last night, I can see where you didn't get any."

"Who told you about that?"

"Mokuba." Seto grinned. "He said he saw Joey storm out of here muttering to himself. Says he used your name and jackass in the same sentence."

Tristan sighed. "He just doesn't understand."

"I think he understands better than you give him credit for. You need to take some time to be with him."

Tristan looked down at their entwined hands. "I want too. But I can't. Not with all this going on."

Seto pulled his hand from Tristan's and took him by the chin, making him meet his eyes. "I want you to take some time off. Understand?"

"Seto…"

"Tristan, if I see you in here again before Wednesday, you're fired."

Tristan laughed and smacked Seto's hand from his face. "Tuesday and I'll leave my laptop here."

"Deal."

"Okay. Then let's get back at it." Tristan lit another cigarette, much to Seto's disgust, and reached for his laptop.

"Didn't you just put one out?"

"Fuck off and leave me alone already."

"Some way to talk to your boss." Seto huffed, pulling his own computer towards him.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey woke with a start. [Damn! How long have I been asleep?]

He looked at the clock and groaned. Almost three hours. He got up from the couch slowly, his whole body protesting the fact that he hadn't moved the whole time he was asleep.

He made his way upstairs, stopping in the bedroom to lay out some clean clothes. He grimaced at the sight of the wine stains on the bed sheets, and quickly stripped them off, thinking to throw them in the washer before he left.

He went through a mundane routine of tidying up the room, laying out his clothes and heading to the bathroom to shower, his brain on auto pilot. By the time the hot water hit him, he was fully awake.

[I wonder what time Tris'll be home. Maybe I should cook a nice supper. Then again, knowing him, he won't be home to eat it. Why bother. I just wish he could see my side for once. I hate this. All this fighting.] Joey sighed, leaning against the wall and lifting his hand to look at his ring. [I wonder why he's never asked me to marry him. I know he loves me, but he's never talked about making it formal. Seto couldn't wait to tie the knot with Yami and Yugi. If it wasn't for the fact there's three of them, I think he wouldn't have waited much past high school.]

Joey sighed again, shaking his head. [No sense dwelling on it I suppose. I'd better get my ass in gear.]

~*~*~*~*~

Yami looked up as the shop door opened.

"Hey Pharaoh."

"Tomb Robber." Yami nodded at Bakura. "Why are you coming through the shop?"

"Forgot my keys." Bakura coughed. "Ra damned dusty museum!"

"Museum?" Yugi looked confused.

"'kura!" Ryou flew down the inside steps and threw himself into his yami's arms.

"Hello my love." Bakura kissed the top of his hikari's head.

"What about the museum Bakura?" Yugi asked.

"Oh. Bakura's been helping out with translating some scrolls over at the Egypt exhibit." Ryou smiled proudly at his lover.

"You can read?" Yami smirked.

"Very funny Pharaoh." Bakura snarled. "Yes, I took a job. I don't have a filthy rich husband you know."

Ryou sighed. "Come on you guys, don't start."

"I need a shower." Bakura stomped up the stairs, heading for the apartment.

"What's all that about?" Yugi asked Ryou.

"Well, to be honest, he's feeling guilty about you guys letting us live here without paying any rent."

"But Ryou…"

"I know Yugi. He'll get over it." Ryou grimaced. "He doesn't want me working while I'm going to the Conservatory."

"How's it going anyway?" Yami asked.

"Really good. I…" Ryou's eyes went unfocused and his face flushed. "Umm…Bakura needs me." He ran from the shop without another word.

Yugi snickered. "I bet he does."

"You know Aibou," Yami put his arms around Yugi. "I think we could use a break."

"Oh really?" Yugi smiled at his other. "Any ideas what we should do?"

"A few." Yami tightened his grip on his light and gently kissed him.

Yugi moaned, slipping his tongue into Yami's mouth. He moaned again when Yami grabbed his waist and ground their hips together. Yugi's hands went to the buttons on the other's shirt but Yami grabbed his wrists, breaking the kiss.

"Not here love."

Yugi rubbed against him, letting him feel his need. "Care to do a little inventory?"

With a grin, Yami locked the door, flipping over the "gone to lunch" sign and dragged Yugi into the storeroom.

~*~*~*~*~

"I'm putting the AI online tonight." Seto snickered. "Yugi named it Sadie."

"Well, that's one less thing to worry about." Tristan replied from Seto's desk, the phone to his ear.

"Yeah. No one will be able to get on the grounds without a voice or eye scan. That reminds me. Joey'll have to get it done. He's not in the security database. Neither are Bakura and Ryou."

Tristan hung up the phone frowning. Joey wasn't answering.

"Not home?"

"Doesn't seem that way." Tristan sat back on the couch next to Seto. "I would have thought he'd be studying. His last exam of the term is Thursday."

Seto shrugged. "Maybe he went for a walk or something."

"He should be studying."

"Get off it Tristan. You're not his mother."

"I just want to see him finish this degree."

"He will." Seto smirked. "I never thought I'd see the day the mutt was a straight A student."

"Yeah." Tristan noticed Seto unconsciously flexing his arm. "You okay?"

"I'm fine. Just stiff."

"If you had finished the physio, you wouldn't be."

"You not my mother either, you know."

Tristan snorted and pushed his laptop towards Seto. "Here. Tell me what you think."

Seto scanned the statement and shook his head. "It's too polite."

"Seto…"

"Fine. Have your secretary send it to the papers."

Tristan stretched, leaning back against the couch. He smiled when Seto leaned against him. His best friend's need for physical contact hadn't lessened over the years. Once Tristan had made him see there was need, that is. Tristan closed his eyes and laid his head back with a sigh.

"Tris?"

"Mmmm?"

"How come you and Joey never got married?"

Tristan opened his eyes to find himself staring into curious azure orbs. "Well, um, I don't know really. Joey never said anything about it. I just figured he was happy with things the way they are."

Seto rolled his eyes and smacked Tristan on the leg. "That doesn't mean anything you dope! Gods, you'd think you of all people would know that he'd never say anything. I mean, how long did it take him to get up the guts to tell you he had a problem with you working so much?"

"He needs to finish school first."

"But that doesn't mean you couldn't ask him now."

"Why this sudden interest in my marital status?" Tristan asked, jokingly.

"I just want to see you happy."

"I am happy pal."

"I'm not so sure about that." Seto's look was earnest. "You're working too hard. You spend more time here than you do at home. Is there something else going on I don't know about?"

"No. You're worrying to much."

"Tristan, I think you're trying too hard to prove yourself to me. If there was ever a need to, and there's not, you did it long ago."

"It's just…" Tristan gestured to the tabloid with the picture of the two of them.

"Listen. That doesn't matter. First of all, it's a total lie. And second, this is my company. I'll hire who I damn well please."

"Thanks Seto." Tristan smiled slightly.

Seto put an arm around his friend and hugged him. "Hey, it's the least I can do. I really meant what I said earlier you know. I've never regretted anything about our relationship, and I'll always be here for you when you need me Tristan."

Tristan just smiled and hugged him back.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey stopped in front of the Turtle Game Shop, sighing as he saw the "gone for lunch" sign. He headed for the back of the building.

[Maybe I'll go see what Ryou and Bakura are up to.] He stopped suddenly, thinking better of it. [Then again, maybe not. It's never a good idea to just drop in on the two of them. I'll never get that mental picture out of my head. And Tristan says I'm the masochist!]

He turned away and started walking again. It was such a nice day he had decided to leave his car at home, opting to walk downtown to the game shop. His feet automatically carried him along and he wasn't really paying attention until he bumped into someone.

"Joseph!"

Joey blinked, coming out of his daze, and smiled down at the large, motherly woman. "Mrs. Kiotou! How are you?" He bent to kiss her wrinkled cheek.

"I can't complain. How are you? I haven't seen you in a while. How's your schooling?"

"Good. One exam left for the term."

"That's good. Why don't you go in and see my husband. He was asking about you the other day."

Joey smiled and left the woman to her sweeping, opening the door and stepping out of the bright sunlight. He inhaled deeply and sighed, taking in the comforting herbal smell of the apothecary shop and feeling the tension leave his body. He always felt safe here.

"Master Kiotou?" He called.

"Joseph?!" A tiny, ancient man came from the back room. "Joseph Wheeler, is that you?"

Joey couldn't stop the huge grin that spread across his face as the diminutive elder squinted up at him. It had been a long time since he'd been here last. He had first come here years ago with Yugi to pick up something for his grandfather and felt a connection with the old man. He had started coming to see him on his own, interested in the herbal medicine that he practiced. Soon, it became a safe haven for when things were rough at home. Master Kiotou had used his skills to heal the blonde more than once.

"Do you never change young man? I swear you still look the same as you did the first time I met you, and here I am, wrinkled like an old prune!" He chuckled as he moved back behind the counter.

"It's nice to see you sensei."

"Hmmff." The old man snorted. "Sensei indeed. You would have made an excellent herbalist Joseph, but no, you had to go to university."

Joey gave him a cocky smile, used to the tirade. There had been a time when he had seriously considered it, but he knew what he was heading for now was the right thing.

"How is Tristan?" Master Kiotou motioned for the blonde to sit on a stool in front of the long worn counter.

"He's okay." The smile left Joey's face. "He's been working really hard lately."

"Yes, I can see why. I've seen the tabloids."

"Yeah." Joey ran his finger over a deep scar in the countertop.

"What aren't you telling me Joseph? Are you two having problems?"

"Sorta. We just haven't been getting to see a lot of each other lately."

"And have you spoken to him about it?"

"I've tried." The blonde tried to avoid the wise, penetrating eyes. "He's just so stressed, and he's not sleeping. I don't want to add to his problems."

The old man could see his young friend wasn't telling him everything and decided not to press the issue. "He's not sleeping, you say?"

"Not more than a couple of hours a night."

"Hhmm…" Master Kiotou turned to regard the small drawers lining the wall behind him. He picked up a mortar and started opening them, seemingly at random, and began to put different herbs into the marble container.

Turning back to the counter, he picked up a pestle and ground everything together into a rough powder. When he was satisfied, he poured the mixture into a paper envelope and handed it to Joey.

"Steep this for ten minutes and have him drink it before he goes to bed. It will help."

"Thank you sensei."

"Think nothing of it." The elderly man reached out and gripped the younger's arm with a skeleton-like hand. "When you are ready to talk, you know where to find me. Go now."

Joey stood and bowed to his old teacher, leaving quickly. But not before the aged herbalist had seen the pain in his eyes. He shook his head with a sigh, hoping the blonde wouldn't wait too long to unburden himself.

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi pulled his clothes back into some semblance of order and tossed a rag at Yami grinning. "You know the rules. The one who gets taken gets to clean up the mess."

Yami scowled as Yugi slipped from the storeroom laughing.

Yugi walked through the shop, and unlocked the door, flipping over the sign. He stepped out onto the side walk, closing his eyes and tipping his face up to the bright sun. He let out a deep, satisfied sigh feeling the warmth of Yami's love spreading through his soul.

//Yami?//

[[Yes Aibou?]]

//I love you.// He felt Yami smile.

[[I love you too.]]

Yugi opened his eyes, smiling as a familiar figure came running up the sidewalk.

"Hey Shannon!"

"Hi Yugi." The girl pulled up, out of breath, brushing her long brown hair out of her eyes.

Yugi always thought she had the most unique eyes. Brown with a light band of hazel outlining the irises.

"You're here early."

"Yami said I could work some extra hours this week."

"Oh, no problem. We kinda wanted to get home early today anyway."

"Uh-huh." Shannon lifted an eyebrow as she moved past Yugi to enter the shop.

Yami was just coming out of the storeroom, looking flushed with the buttons on his shirt done up the wrong way. She looked to Yugi with a grin, which she then turned on Yami.

"I hope you cleaned up in there!"

Yami mock-scowled at her before bursting out laughing. "Don't we always?"

"Well…no…but I don't want to go there."

Yugi chuckled as he walked up to his husband, unbuttoning his shirt and fixing it. Yami pulled Yugi into his arms and kissed him.

Shannon sighed. "Go home already."

"If you insist." Yugi grabbed Yami's hand and dragged him towards the door. "If Bakura goes out again, make sure he has his keys, okay?"

"Will do." She waved them out the door.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey was surprised to see Tristan's car in the driveway. He looked at his watch. It wasn't even three o'clock yet.

The blonde has wandered around downtown for a while after leaving Master Kiotou's, killing time, not really seeing any reason to return to an empty house.

He could hear the music before he opened the door. Going inside, he walked into the living room, seeing Tristan sitting at the piano. Joey watched his hands wander across the keys, almost caressing the music from the instrument. It was a piece that the blonde wasn't all that familiar with. Something by some obscure Russian composer. Or was that Romanian? He still found it odd that his lover seemed to prefer classical music to anything else. It was a trait that he shared with Ryou. The two of them could talk for hours on the subject, boring everyone else to tears.

Joey crossed the room quietly, seating himself on the bench next to the brunette. Tristan smiled at him, but didn't say anything as he continued to play. When he reached the end of the song, his hands lingered over the keys a moment before he turned to Joey.

"Hey there." Tristan said quietly.

"Hey." Joey leaned his head on Tristan's shoulder. He noticed that all the tension was gone from the other's body and he radiated a calm that only seemed to come when he was playing. "I didn't think you'd be home already."

"We managed to get things wrapped up."

"So, are you going in again tomorrow?" Joey tried to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

"No. I'm not going back in until Tuesday."

"Really?" Joey lifted his head, his eyes shining. "I don't have class on Monday."

"I know. We can spend some time together, just like you wanted." Tristan's hand came up to cup the back of Joey's head and he leaned in, kissing him tenderly.

Joey's eyes slid shut as he wrapped an arm around the other's waist, deepening the kiss and sighing as Tristan immediately dominated it. He loved how Tristan could be dominant without being forceful and he gladly gave himself up to it.

Tristan broke the kiss, leaning his forehead against Joey's. "I love you."

"Oh Tristan, I love you so much." Joey slipped his other arm around the brunette and held him tightly. "I'm sorry we've been fighting. I understand, really I do."

Tristan leaned back to look into those beautiful amber eyes, feeling a twinge of guilt at the sadness there. "It's not your fault baby."

Joey smiled, deciding to take it as an apology. "Play something for me?"

"Any requests?"

"Nah." Joey rested his head back on Tristan's shoulder and closed his eyes.

Tristan thought a moment and then began to play a soft, soothing piece, one he knew Joey liked. Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. He smiled to himself as he felt Joey relax against him.

As the last note resonated through the room, he felt Joey sigh and slip his arms back around his waist.

"Mmm." Joey lifted his head to kiss the brunette's neck. "Thank you."

"No problem love. You want to go out for dinner tonight?"

"Sounds good. How about Curley's?"

"What ever you want." Tristan looked at his watch. "It's a bit early though."

"Well, it was kinda hot walking home. I could use a shower." Joey grinned at him. "Wanna join me?"

Tristan untangled himself from the blonde and stood, holding out his hand. The look burning in his eyes made Joey shiver with anticipation. He took Tristan's hand and let himself be led upstairs and into the bathroom.

Closing the door behind them, he turned, only to find himself pressed up against the wall with Tristan attacking his neck. Joey moaned, tilting his head back. He was just beginning to loose himself in the sensation when he noticed Tristan trembling very slightly.

He pushed the brunette back so he could look into his eyes. What he saw there tore his heart in two. The need and desperation was not something he saw often, and he could tell Tristan was fighting to beat it back.

/I'm going to lose him. One way or another, he's going to leave me. I can feel it. I don't know how to fix this. Oh gods! I need him. I can't let him go…I won't!/

Joey kissed him softly as they slowly began to undress each other.

[I wish he'd just let go and cry. I've only seen him cry once in the last five years, and that was at Gramp's funereal. He really is getting to be more like Seto every day. I wish he'd lean on me, even just a little.]

By the time they were in the shower, Tristan seemed to have regained control over his errant emotions. He pulled Joey back against him, brushing his wet hair aside and kissing his neck. He picked up the soap and began to rub it across Joey's chest, his other hand trailing down over the blonde's stomach, fingers splayed.

Joey reached back and put his arms around Tristan's neck, giving his lover full access to his body. He sighed as the hot water coursed down his body, feeling Tristan's strong hands caressing him.

Tristan clenched his teeth and growled low as Joey arched into his touch. Suddenly, Joey brought his arms down and turned around, pressing himself against the brunette, claiming his lips in a heated kiss. His arms came up again, tangling around Tristan's neck as he ground their bodies together.

They broke the kiss and Joey let his head sink to Tristan's chest, murmuring appreciatively as Tristan's hands began to wander down his back. He whimpered as he felt the brunette slip a finger into him.

"Tell me what you want Joey." Tristan's voice was deep and husky with what the blonde took as passion.

"You." Joey moaned, feeling another finger slide in.

"How do you want me?" He asked as he wrapped his arm around the blonde's waist to steady him.

"I don't care." Joey panted, beginning to writhe. "Just stop teasing me damn it!"

Joey wrapped his leg around Tristan's, trying to get closer. His shift in posture inadvertently allowed the brunette to find what he had been seeking. Joey's head fell back and he moaned loudly as stars flashed behind his closed eyelids. He reached between them and wrapped his fingers around his lover's arousal, stroking hard.

"Joey…oh fuck yes!" Tristan snarled, totally losing control of his emotions.

Passion and love went out the window as unbridled lust thundered through the brunette. Tristan bent to kiss Joey's neck as he fought to bring his lover to completion. He bit down hard where the blonde's neck met his shoulder as his release tore through him.

"Tristan!" Joey screamed as the pain triggered his own climax. The force of it ripped through him, robbing him of his sight.

Tristan felt his legs giving out and he carefully lowered them to the floor of the tub. He cradled Joey against his heaving chest. He was trembling uncontrollably, trying to calm his spasming lungs.

Joey clung to the brunette. "Oh gods Tris…what…"

"I don't know love." He held Joey closer as a shudder rocked the smaller man, guilt at letting the pain get to him and allowing him to hurt his lover eating at his heart. "I don't know. I'm sorry."

"No. Don't…don't be sorry. It's okay."

They sat there, holding each other and letting the warm water wash over them. Tristan was thankful for the tepid spray hitting him in the face. At least this way, Joey wouldn't notice his tears.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan: *head in hands* I knew it.

DD: Well, she is a yami. You can't expect her to be nice all the time.

Joey: *snicker*

YD: I wouldn't laugh if I were you Blondie.

DD: Yeah. Considering what we have in store for you.

Joey: Oh shit.

DD: Please review.

YD: Yeah. The more reviews we get, they more motivated we are to torture these guys!