Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Stronger Than Before ❯ Chapter6 ( Chapter 6 )

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!

A/N: If any of you wonderful folks haven't read Friend & Lovers, the prequel for this story, we suggest that you do. This chapter and future chapters will contain references to that story.

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: Not things are starting to heat up!

YD: Definitely.

Keith: When did I get all mushy and caring?

YD: *threatens Keith with duct tape* Shut the hell up, dimwit!

Joey: Why did you stick me with KEITH of all people?!

YD: *evil grin* Get used to him Blondie, he's gonna be here for a while.

Seto: Won't that upset MJ?

DD: Well, we send him back ever once in a while.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey woke up confused.

[Where the hell am I? Damn…have I said that before?]

He looked around the room, seeing it for the second time.

[Oh yeah. I have.]

Joey winced at the memory. He and Keith had returned to the older man's apartment and Keith had begun right away to ask Joey what he wanted to do. Sitting on the couch with Keith standing over him, Joey had broke down into tears that quickly turned to full blown sobs. Keith was instantly there, gathering Joey into his arms and apologizing for pushing him. Joey had clung to the bigger man and eventually cried himself to sleep.

Obviously at some point Keith had carried him into the bedroom and put him to bed.

[I guess Keith really does care. I just…I don't know if I can give that back. Not now. It's too soon.]

Joey ran a hand through his tangled hair, fighting back the tears.

[Who would have thought that Bandit Keith would end up wanting to help me, of all people? I always thought he hated me as much as I hated him. At the very least I owe him for that.]

Joey got up out of the rumpled bed, a little embarrassed by the fact that Keith had seemingly stripped him to his boxers while he had slept. He saw his clothes folded neatly on the dresser and grabbed them, pulling them on before he headed out to the living room.

"Feel better?" Keith asked from his spot on the couch where he was reading what looked like a biker magazine.

"Yeah." Joey sat down next to him. "I'm…sorry about that man."

"Hey, don't be." Keith cupped Joey's cheek, rubbing his thumb across his lips. "You needed it."

Joey smiled weakly and didn't protest when Keith leaned in and kissed him gently. Keith let go and smiled at him before turning to the coffee table and opening a small tin. He pulled out what was obviously a joint and lit it, taking a hit before offering it to Joey.

Joey drew back from the outstretched hand. "Um…no way man. I'm clean. Have been for seven years."

Keith exhaled before answering. "Never know. Might make you feel better."

"I don't know…"

"Come on Joe. One joint ain't gonna kill ya."

"No thanks."

Keith shrugged, taking another hit and picking up his magazine. Joey watched as Keith seemed to relax into the smoke coming from the paper wrapped weed.

[Would it really matter? Maybe Keith is right. But I'm clean. I can't go back there. But it's only pot. Not like it's crack or something. Fuck it. It doesn't matter any more. Nothing does. Tristan isn't going to want me back, so what does it matter if I get high? Not like I got anyone to impress.]

Joey reached over and took the joint from Keith's fingers, inhaling until he though his lungs would burst. Fighting not to cough, he handed it back and leaned his head against the back of the couch. When breathing became an issue, he exhaled the sweet smelling smoke and grinned as his head began to swim.

"Alright?" Keith's grin was a little lopsided.

"S'okay. Give it back."

Keith laughed and handed Joey the now half finished joint, telling him to keep it as he dug into the tin for another one.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan set the empty beer bottle down on the coffee table next to the other three. Something didn't look right. He glared at the polished top for a minute before realizing what it was. It was bare.

Normally it would have been strewn with paper, pens and text books. Now all it held was four empty bottles and an overflowing ashtray.

His eyes went to the guitar stand next to the piano. The missing instrument made the whole room seem twice as large. As did the quiet.

It was too damn quiet. Normally about this time on a Saturday night he and Joey would be sitting at the piano, playing. They'd start goofing around and it would turn into a heated battle that ended up in the bedroom, if they made it that far.

Tristan brutally beat back the sob that tried to rise in his throat. He wasn't going to cry. Tears wouldn't bring him back. Nothing would.

Tristan rose, grabbing his keys and pocketing his cigarettes. He couldn't stay here. He couldn't sleep in their bed. He hadn't slept in that bed alone since they'd bought this house.

He quashed another sob, remembering when they had found this place. It had been perfect. Enough space for all their friends, great neighborhood. Joey had even talked about how good the local schools were, thinking that some day they might adopt. Joey wanted kids. He was a natural parent. All the kids in the area, from the smallest babies to the teens, loved Joey. He always had time for them and they were always welcome in the house.

Tristan locked the door behind him and headed for his car.

There was only one place he could go. One person that could help him through this. He needed Seto.

~*~*~*~*~

"What am I gonna do Keith?"

"Stay here with me." Keith replied, pulling Joey against him. "Let me take care of you."

"I need to get a job." Joey relaxed against the other blond, feeling boneless. "I'm gonna have to pay for my tuition, and if I'm gonna stay here, I wanna help out."

"Don't worry about that Joey. My job more than pays the bills."

Joey sighed as Keith caressed his neck, slipping his hand into Joey's shirt to tease at his nipples.

"But…"

"Hush." Keith tipped Joey's head back and kissed his neck. "Let's not worry about that now. I want you Joey."

Joey saw the desire in the light blue eyes of the other man. His drug fogged mind tried to protest, but his body responded. He turned in Keith's arms, reaching up to tangle his hands in the blond locks.

"Kiss me." He whispered.

Keith complied, taking Joey's lips and gently coaxing them apart. Joey responded with a whimper, forcing the image of Tristan's kiss from his mind, closing the door on his past.

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi, Tristan is on his way up to the house.

Yugi looked at his other, frowning. "Is Joey with him?"

No. I think there's something wrong. He sounded…upset. I didn't recognize his voice and had to do a retina scan.

"Where's Seto?" Yami asked, a touch of panic in his voice.

He's downstairs. I tried to contact him, but he didn't hear me.

"I'm already gone." Yugi said, getting up from the couch and running for the stairs to the basement.

Yami went to the door, opening it to see Tristan just reaching for the doorbell.

"Sweet Isis!" Yami took in Tristan's haggard appearance. "Tristan, what happened?"

Tristan just shook his head as Yami pulled him into the house. "Seto…"

"Yugi's gone to get him." Yami led him in to the den, settling him on the couch before going to the bar and pouring him a scotch.

He brought Tristan his drink, sitting down next to him. He put a gentle hand on his friend's arm but didn't speak, knowing that Tristan wouldn't say a word until Seto got there.

Just then, Seto burst into the room, Yugi at his heels. Quickly taking in his best friend's appearance, he sat down next to him and took him in his arms. "Tris, what's wrong?"

A massive shudder rocked Tristan's frame and he clung to Seto, trying to find his voice. "He-he's gone."

"Gone?" Yugi whispered, climbing into Yami's lap, instinctively seeking comfort for what he knew was going to be bad news.

"We fought." Tristan's voice was slightly muffled as he burrowed into Seto's chest. "He didn't come home last night. I looked for him…no one…no one saw him. Not even Master Kiotou."

"Did you find him?" Seto asked gently.

Tristan nodded. "He was home when I got back. Oh gods Seto! He…he…"

"Shhh. Tristan. It's okay." Seto rubbed his back. "Take your time."

"I was so relieved to see him. He said he was sorry for staying out all night. But…gods…he had…marks on him. He said that…I knew. I knew he spent the night with someone else. He said he was drunk…that he didn't remember. I lost my temper. I-I left."

His grip on Seto tightened almost painfully.

"When I came back…his stuff was gone…his guitar. He left his keys." A dry sob escaped him and his voice dropped to a whisper. "And his ring."

//Oh gods Yami.//

[[He hasn't taken that ring off since Tristan gave it to him.]]

"Tristan." Seto grasped his chin and forced him to look up. "Do you know where he went?"

"No."

"Yugi, put Sadie on it, will you?"

"Got it." Yugi got up from Yami's lap and held out his hand to his dark. //Come with me?//

[[Of course Aibou.]]

Seto nodded at them as they left the room before turning his attention back to Tristan, who was shivering in his arms.

~*~*~*~*~

Keith woke up to the sound of sobbing and wetness on his chest.

"Joe? You okay?"

Joey just clutched him tighter and continued to cry.

"Hey." Keith said softly, brushing back the golden hair from the other's face. "Talk to me."

"Hurts…gods Keith! It hurts so much!"

Keith tipped Joey's chin up, wiping away the tears that soaked his face. "It'll get easier. I promise."

"I'm sorry." Joey sniffled. "I shouldn't be…"

"No." Keith stopped the other man's protests with a gentle kiss. "It alright, really. But you've got to start putting it behind you Joe. All the tears in the world aren't going to change anything. It's over. You have to accept that."

Another sob escaped the smaller blond and he buried his face in Keith's neck. "I'm trying to."

Keith pulled him closer, offering mute comfort and for the second time that night, held Joey until he cried himself to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~

Yami and Yugi came back into the den, shaking their heads at Seto's questioning look.

"Nothing." Yugi dropped down next to Seto with a sigh. "Bakura and Ryou haven't heard from him either."

"Just forget it guys." Tristan put out his cigarette and downed the last of his third drink. "He's gone. He's not coming back."

"Don't you want to find him Tristan?" Yami asked, frightened by the dull, lifeless tone of the man's voice.

"He doesn't want to be found Yami."

"You don't know that!"

Tristan just stared at him with vacant eyes. Yami shuddered and looked at Seto, who shook his head minutely.

[[What's wrong with him?]]

//Probably trying to deny it Yami. And if I'm not mistaken, he's a little drunk.//

Yami caught Seto's eye and the brunet inclined his head towards the door. Yami nodded, and held his hand out to Yugi.

"It's late. Come Aibou, there's nothing else we can do tonight."

Yugi went to Tristan, wrapping his arms around his neck and squeezing him before taking Yami's hand and following him from the room.

When they were gone, Tristan sighed, leaning his head against Seto's shoulder. "I didn't mean to be so cold to him."

"It's okay buddy. I'm sure he understands." He took Tristan's hand in his. "In the mean time, you need some sleep. Come on, I'll take you up to your room."

Tristan pulled away, a panicked look in his eyes. "I can't! Seto, I can't sleep in that room."

Seto regarded his best friend thoughtfully for a moment. "All the other rooms are stripped down for cleaning. You can sleep in Ryou and Bakura's room, okay?"

Tristan nodded and allowed Seto to pull him up from the couch.

Reaching the room Seto maintained for the two white haired men (which was situated at the far end of the hallway…for obvious reasons) Tristan slumped down on the edge of the bed.

"Tris," Seto sat next to him and put his arms around him. "Why haven't you cried? It's okay, you know. No one will think less of you for it."

Tristan wrapped his arms around Seto's waist, leaning his head against his chest, somewhat comforted hearing the strong beat of the other's heart. "I don't know how to any more."

Seto tipped Tristan's face up with a finger under his chin and looked into the desolate hazel eyes. There was that look again. The one he'd last seen when Tristan thought that Joey wouldn't return his feelings.

"Oh Tristan…" Seto leaned forward, with the complete intention of kissing him on the forehead, but instead found himself claiming the other's lips in a tender kiss.

Tristan trembled as Seto's tongue stroked his bottom lip, asking for enterance. He granted it, feeling a flash of heat race through his body as Seto invaded his mouth.

Seto groaned as he felt Tristan melt into his arms. It had been five long years since he had last kissed him like this. He tasted of tobacco and scotch, the combination scorching him, sending a bolt of desire rushing through his veins.

{Gods! What am I doing?!}

Seto broke away, scrambling off the bed, his eyes wide and his breath coming in ragged pants. "Tristan! Gods…I'm sorry!"

"No…no Seto don't…please…" His voice broke. "I need you."

Seto took a step back, winching at the desperate tone in the other's voice. "Tris, you're drunk…"

"No, I'm not. Please, I can't handle the pain…not by myself. I need…please Seto, help me forget."

{Damn it!!}

~*~*~*~*~

FLASHBACK

~*~*~*~*~

"You want me to WHAT?!" Tristan tore off his school jacket and flung it in the general direction of the desk chair. "Have you lost your fucking mind?!"

"Tristan…I can't take it any more. It's too much. Being in control all the time…it's killing me. You're the only one I can trust with this."

"I can't Seto. I can't do that to you."

"You always swore you'd do anything for me. Please Tristan, help me forget."

Tristan sighed in defeat, coming to stand over Seto, who was sitting on the foot of the bed. "I would do anything for you, you know that."

Pain filled azure eyes pleaded. "Please."

The shorter brunet leaned down, brushing his lips softly against the other's. "You're sure?"

"Yes."

Seto eyes glazed over as Tristan raised his hand and struck him across the face.

~*~*~*~*~

END FLASHBACK

~*~*~*~*~

{I fucking hate it when my own words come back to haunt me.}

He sat back down, practically pulling Tristan into his lap. "Whatever you need buddy."

"Please…" Tristan whispered, clinging to him tightly. "It's been so long…make love to me."

{Yugi…Yami…I'm sorry. He needs me. I can't deny him. I've never denied him.}

Seto stood, bringing Tristan with him. Holding his eyes, he slowly began to undress him, occasionally pressing soft kisses on his face and neck. When he was done, he pushed Tristan back on the bed before quickly shedding his own clothing.

{Gods!} Seto stood, looking down at Tristan, whose posture spoke of complete submission. {I had forgotten how gorgeous he is.}

Lying down next to him, Seto pulled him close and kissed him deeply, moaning as Tristan tangled his hands in his hair. He left Tristan's kiss bruised lips and trailed over the side of his face and along his jaw before reaching the other brunet's ultra sensitive pulse point.

Pressing his mouth to the throbbing vein, he sucked on it, bringing warmth to the surface, causing Tristan to cry out and writhe beneath him.

Leaving the mark he had made, he moved down, hands and lips reacquainting him with the body he used to know better than his own; every moan and whimper torn from the other a reminder of past times when they had been together like this.

{Too long…it's been too long…Tristan…}

Seto grabbed a bottle of oil from the dozen or so littering Bakura's bedside table and poured some into his hand. Setting the bottle amongst the pillows, he sat up and began to massage the oil into Tristan's skin, working his way from his neck to his ankles. Tristan's muscles were knotted with tension and Seto wanted him relaxed.

Tristan groaned as Seto moved his hands back up, spreading his legs and moving in between them. Bending down, he took the other's arousal into his mouth while deftly slipping a finger into him.

The shorter man instinctively tried to move away, but Seto held him still, deep throating him to distract him. Tristan moaned loudly, thrusting up, desperately trying to get closer to the heat surrounding him and Seto took the opportunity to add a second finger.

He heard Tristan hiss in pain and he frowned inwardly, noticing how tight the other was. Seto continued to stretch him as carefully as possible, all the while taking him deep and swallowing around him.

Tristan cried out as Seto's fingers made contact with a certain spot and he fisted his hands into Seto's hair, arching his back as he came hard.

Seto groaned as the once familiar taste of the other's release hit him.

He finally lifted his head, locking his gaze with Tristan's passion glazed hazel eyes. "What do you want Tris?"

"You." Tristan gasped as Seto continued to move his fingers in and out of his trembling body. "Inside me…now."

Seto moved up and claimed Tristan's lips once again in a heated kiss, shivering as he felt Tristan wrap his legs around his waist. He pressed forward, stopping when Tristan whimpered, tensing up.

"Tristan?"

"It's okay." Tristan ground out through clenched teeth. "It's just been a while. Don't stop."

Seto pushed in all the way, his brow furrowing as Tristan groaned in pain. "How long has it been?"

"'bout five years."

"What?!" Seto's eyes widened in shock, his mind and body completely forgetting for the moment where he was and what he was doing. "You mean I was…no way."

Tristan nodded, relaxing as the pain faded. "You've been the only one. Please Seto. No more talk. Take me…I need you. I need you so badly."

Seto couldn't stop the moan that escaped him as Tristan tilted his head, exposing his neck in a submissive gesture that he hadn't seen in a long time. He leaned forward, running his tongue across the smooth flesh as he began to move slowly, the other matching his rhythm.

Long forgotten emotions pounded through him, feelings of completion, of being with the one he trusted with everything. He leaned his forehead against Tristan's, a small sob falling from his lips.

"Gods, I've missed you…missed this…oh Tris…"

"I know." Tristan felt tears sting the backs of his eyes as he wrapped his arms tightly around Seto. "I feel it too."

Seto coaxed Tristan into another passionate kiss, picking up the pace a bit. Tristan shuddered with the feeling of Seto's bare skin against his own, the mixture of pain and pleasure making him light headed.

Breaking the kiss, Tristan tightened his grip, feeling a stab of raw lust as the other hit his sweet spot. "Seto…please…harder."

"I don't want to hurt you."

Tristan let out an animalistic growl, his control slipping. "I don't care, damn it!"

Seto's resolve buckled under the heated blaze of desire in Tristan's eyes and he felt the same flash of heat. Crashing their lips together, he began to thrust hard into him, the rational part of his mind wondering how things had so quickly changed from passionate to primitive.

He was just about to tell his rational mind to go take a flying leap when Tristan tore his lips from Seto's, hissing.

"Seto! Don't…don't stop…so close…oh fuck…harder!"

Seto complied, pounding him mercilessly into the bed, feeling his own release approaching. He felt Tristan tense and covered his mouth with his own, stifling his cry as he climaxed.

Seto moaned as his own orgasm overwhelmed him and he fell, panting, onto Tristan's chest.

After a few minutes, Seto moved to lay on his back, pulling the blankets over them and Tristan immediately pressed up against him, pillowing his head on Seto's chest.

Seto draped his arms loosely around Tristan, frowning when he felt the other man shivering. "Tris? Are you okay buddy?"

"No." Tristan managed to reply before a huge sob rocked his body and he finally began to cry.

"Oh Tristan." Seto tightened his grip, gently rubbing Tristan's sweat slick back. "Tell me."

"I shouldn't have…shouldn't have…gods Seto! How do I make it stop? It hurts so fucking much!"

Remorse tore through the taller brunet. Not for being with Tristan, but for being unable to give him the comfort that he needed. And the feelings of helplessness and grief for the other's pain weren't helping either.

"It's okay Tris. I'm here."

"I'm s-sorry Seto. I'm sorry. I-I had no right. Gods, I'm s-so sorry!"

Seto shifted so he could tip Tristan's head up, his heart breaking seeing the pain filled hazel eyes swimming with tears. "No regrets. None. Okay?"

Tristan nodded and laid his head back on Seto's chest, fighting back the tears, his breath hitching with the effort.

"Cry Tristan. It's okay, I won't leave you."

Tristan let go, putting himself into the hands of his best friend, who held him close, telling him he loved him and that everything was going to be okay. His grip on Seto eventually weakened and he slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.

~*~*~*~*~

Joey woke up alone again. Giving his mind a minute to accept the fact he was awake, he looked at the clock. It was after nine.

[Wonder where Keith is?]

He stumbled out of bed, pulling on his jeans and headed out of the bedroom. Making it into the living room, now fully awake, he realized Keith was gone.

Seeing the mess of empty beer bottles and the ashtray with what was left of the pot they had smoked last night, Joey felt his stomach churn.

[Why did I do that? Oh fuck! Seven years down the crapper! Damn, Yugi would be so disappointed in me. After everything he went through to get me off the drugs, I go and fuck it all up!]

Joey picked up the ashtray and the bottles, taking them into the kitchen. He dumped the contents of the ashtray into the garbage and went to put the bottles on the counter when he saw a piece of paper on the kitchen table.

A dull pain began in his chest when he realized it was a note from Keith. He had left it on the table, just like Tristan always did; knowing Joey would find it there.

Joe,

Had to go to work. The kitchen's stocked and there's beer in the fridge.

Settle in and relax. There's a couple of joints left in the tin.

I'll see you in a few hours.

Keith

Tears filled the amber eyes and were forced back with a sigh. He had told Keith he would move on. And he would.

Going back out to the living room, he decided to tidy up before going to get a shower. It was the least he could do, considering everything Keith was doing for him.

He moved around the room, cleaning up. Getting to the coffee table, he took the magazines off and set them on the couch. He was just going to head back into the kitchen to get a cloth to wipe it down when the magazine on top caught his eye. It was the biker mag that Keith had been reading last night.

Sitting down, Joey picked it up and began flipping through it, admiring the motorcycles pictured in the publication. Then he saw a very familiar bike and he felt the tears start again.

It was a Gold Wing limited addition, exactly like the one Tristan had bought just over a year ago. Same color, same everything.

Like it was yesterday, the memory came back.

It was the first time they had taken the bike out together. It had felt so good, driving up into the mountains, sitting on the back of the bike with his arms tight around Tristan's waist. They had gone to a cabin that Tristan had rented and spent the whole weekend making love, not seeing, or needing, anyone but each other. It had been difficult to leave when the time was over, but they had returned home that much closer, that much more secure in the love that they shared.

Two weeks later, Tristan had gotten his promotion and things had slowly fallen apart.

Joey angrily tossed the magazine back on the couch.

[If it wasn't for that fucking job, I wouldn't be sitting here! Damn it Tristan, why did you always have to put it before me?!]

Joey's hands were shaking as he raised them to wipe the tears from his face. He had to stop this. He had to put Tristan from his mind. He needed to. But there didn't seem to be any way he could do it. Not when everything he saw reminded him of what he had lost.

[Well, there is one way…]

With just the slightest hesitation, Joey reached for the small tin still on the table, opening it and reaching inside.

[Just one more time. Then I'll be able to handle it on my own. I know I will.]

~*~*~*~*~

Yami leaned against the kitchen counter, frowning into his coffee cup.

Tristan had been in very rough shape last night. And Seto hadn't come to bed. That could only mean one thing. That Tristan had sought, and received, the kind of comfort that Seto had always provided for him. Up until five years ago, that is.

"Yami?" Odette looked questioningly at him. "Is everything alright?"

Yami nodded absently.

He wasn't surprised to discover that he wasn't upset but his suspicions. He had always understood the nature of their relationship. The need for each other. Though they hadn't acted upon it once they were with their respective lovers, it was still there.

As much as he hated the idea, he would talk to Seto about keeping this from Yugi. He wouldn't understand. He would be more hurt knowing his husband had been with another than the fact they were keeping secrets from him.

Yami's cup slipped from his fingers, shattering on the tile floor, as he felt a burst of unfiltered emotion pour through the link.

Total disbelief, rage and an agonized sense of betrayal.

Yami was gone from the room before Odette could even question him, running through the house. Reaching the main foyer, he saw Yugi crumpled on the floor, sobbing, at the top of the stairs.

He flew up the staircase, dropping to his knees and gathering Yugi into his arms.

"Aibou, what's wrong?"

Yugi just clung to him, crying his heart out.

[[My light. Tell me what's wrong!]]

//Yami...Seto…he…he's betrayed us!//

Yami caught an image from Yugi's mind…Seto and Tristan, naked, bodies entwined, sleeping peacefully on Ryou and Bakura's bed.

[[Aibou, it's not what you think.]]

//Like hell it's not!// Yugi struggled out of Yami's arms, standing. //How can it not be?//

[[Don't make any judgments just yet.]]

Yugi stared at his dark in disbelief, tears coursing down his face. Breaking into fresh sobs, he tore down over the stairs and out of the house.

~*~*~*~*~

Ryou: Not again!!

YD: *tries to look innocent*

DD: Well, it was getting a bit long.

Yugi: That's it! I'm TOTALLY leaving Seto!

YD: Not unless WE say you are!

DD: Which we just might.

YD: Or not.

Bakura: Reviews! Send reviews!!

Tristan: Please! So they'll work faster!