A/N: I didn't want to have a sequel to Aftermath, I really didn't. Then I started typing, and 20 pages later... well you get the idea. I think I have a problem. Anyway, this fic will be posted at both archiveofourown and . There will be some hanky panky scenes that will be edited out at to keep it pg-13, as well as some curse words as well. Please enjoy, and let me know what you think!
"Daddy, why can't I go to the pool today? All the other kids from my school are going!"
8-year-old Lisbeth pouted, stomping her foot. Joey rolled his eyes, kneeling down to look his daughter in the eye.
"You know I have to work tonight and I can't take you sweetie. I know you want to be with you're friends but I don't want you getting hurt."
He eyed his daughter, taking in how skinny she still looked. Lisbeth was average height for her age, but her arms and legs looked so thin that Joey was often surprised that she didn't break just by walking. Lisbeth had been lucky to escape many of the health problems that premies faced, only to be diagnosed several months ago with Type 1 Diabetes.
She had lost a ton of weight in a short period of time which had sent Joey into a spiral. Her diagnosis had done little to calm his nerves, serving to remind him of all the health issues that she had inherited through his side of the family.
Then there was her mother... Joey shook his head, chasing away that thought. No need to bring up that pain again.
"If you won't let me go, I'm going to call dad and he'll let me go!"
Lisbeth shouted, running off. Joey pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes and sighing. Being married to a rich CEO had many perks- Being able to afford the best care for his daughter was one of them- but Joey had under estimated how much of a push over Kaiba would be.
Lisbeth would bat her eyes and Kaiba would go running off to get her whatever she wanted. Worse, if for some reason Kaiba couldn't get it for her quick enough, you could bet Uncle Mokuba would have it. The child was spoiled, there was no doubt about it.
He silently followed his baby girl to the office, where she had already turned on the computer and Skyped Kaiba.
"-be there. I'll be the only one of my friends who isn't! Can't you come home early just this once today please dad?"
Joey watched as her violet eyes filled up with fake tears, chin quivering just a bit as she a waited a response. He heard a long sigh, then the words he was dreading.
"Put you daddy on OK sweetheart?"
The response was instant, Lisbeth's face going from sad and depressed to happy as a clam so quick Joey thought she might get whiplash.
"I'll get him for you dad!"
She cheered, jumping off the chair and almost running into her daddy, looking up at him with a triumphant smirk as she left the room. Joey groaned, sinking into the desk and glaring at his husband with annoyance.
"You need to stop being such a push over Kaiba, the kid needs boundaries."
"She needs a chance to be a kid Joseph. She's only 8, let her have fun."
"She needs discipline! You saw her last report card I don't want her to be like me, barely scraping by at school... being labeled a loser and an idiot because nobody ever told her no."
Joey blinked back his own real tears, not wanting his husband to see how upset he was about this. Instead he twisted around his wedding band, white gold and black ebony twisted together and around a blue sapphire and red ruby.
Kaiba watched him, his hand going to his matching band. The blue-eyed man sighed, knowing that he needed to concede in this discussion.
"I know you're worried about her Joey. I just can't help but think about how she's the same age I was when I lost my parents. I don't have a lot of memories with them because they were always busy and I
never got to do anything fun with my friends."
Joey held up a hand, shaking his head.
"I know, she's the same age I was when my parents split up and I lost my sister, but I don't let that fact get into my head so she can manipulate me. You're the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company and you let an 8 year old walk all over you."
"Well, she is my daughter, and she's going to learn how to be a master manipulator from the best there is."
Kaiba grinned, looking over at the side of his computer.
"How about we make up a compromise? I'll leave work early to take her swimming, but only if she helps you get ready for your meeting. That way she's not getting away with everything."
Joey sighed, thinking it over.
"I guess that would be ok. She can help me make the posters for the car wash."
"Alright, you go give her the good news. I have a few things to finish up around here then I'll be home to collect her."
Joey nodded, smiling gently at his husband.
"Look on the bright side Joey. Maybe the swimming will tire her out and she'll go to bed early so we can have our own play time."
Kaiba winked at Joey suggestively before cutting their feed, leaving Joey blushing like a school girl with a crush.
"You'd think after 7 years I would be used to it."
He muttered, getting to his feet to go give his daughter the good news.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Yugi looked up as the door to the Game Shop opened.
"Hey Joey what's going on?"
He waved at his best friend, smiling in the way only Yugi could.
"Hey Yug' I heard you were back in town for the week so I decided to come visit."
After finishing with college, Yugi had accepted a position with Industrial Illusions as a game marker. Kaiba had been furious, having wanted to pull Yugi away from his hated enemy Pegasus by giving him a job at Kaiba Corp.
Instead, he had hired Yami, after going through some legal hoops to make the three former darks legal citizens. It was amazing what a little bit of cash in the right pocket would do. Yugi and Yami were together but not together, both of them trying to keep up with crazy schedules that they never really took the time to sit down and figure out their life. Right now since Yugi was in town they were on again, and Yugi just beamed happiness.
"We just got in some new cards yesterday. I saved a few packs for you to look at, not that you need help getting the new cards anymore."
Joey just laughed. Even with Kaiba Corps vast resources at his fingertips, he still prefered to get all of his supplies at the Game Shop. It was his home, and if it hadn't been for Yugi's grandpa he probably would never have learned how to play Duel Monsters, and he definitely would never have married Seto Kaiba.
"Sweet! I've been looking for something to spice up my deck. Gotta keep Kaiba on his toes or he'd never forgive me."
Yugi rolled his eyes. Kaiba had finally beaten Yami once on a card he had borrowed from Joey's deck. Even though Kaiba hated all of Joey's chance cards, he had taken it, mostly to shut the blond up, and had shocked everyone when he actually won the duel. Of course, now he was insufferable, refusing to play Yami ever again lest his win be proven a fluke. Joey picked up a pack, flipping it over and reading the inscription.
"These cards look pretty sweet Yug'. I'll take 2 packs, and did Gramps get in that card I asked him to look for?"
Yugi nodded, smiling.
"It came in last night, let me go get him I know he wants to be the one to give it too you!"
Yugi disappeared into the house, returning a few minutes later with Yami.
"Gramps will be right out, he locked it up last night so nothing would happen to it."
Joey nodded before greeting Yami.
"Hey Pharaoh, you're looking good! I trust Kaiba isn't being a complete jerk to you"
"Not since we had our last duel, I think he's finally at peace with himself, which is a wonderful thing to
be."
Yami said, gracefully sitting in a chair. Joey studied the former monarch carefully for a moment before smiling.
"How are things between the two of you? Kaiba barely talks about anything besides Lisbeth anymore, I have to beg him to stop before we have any meetings."
Joey shrugged before smiling.
"She's the most important woman in his life, it's a good thing I'm not female or I might be jealous of her!"
The three men chuckled, enjoying the easy comrade that comes with years of friendship. Once they relaxed a bit Joey turned towards Yugi.
"So when are we going out? You're only here for a few days we gotta get the gang together!"
"If you guys want too... we don't have to have a big party every time I come home, I'm not that special you know."
"Nonsense. You're a wonderful person Yugi, and the best grandson I could have ever hoped to have. I'm lucky to have you."
Solomon's voice interrupted them, smiling at the group in front of him.
"You boys should go out and have a little fun, you get old too fast then everything you used to love ends up hurting you."
The old man said touching his back. Years of pain had made it so he could only stand for a little while before his back would seize up on him. It had forced him to hire an extra helper to come in and do all the heavy lifting, something that bothered Yugi a great deal.
"Grandpa, I came home to help you out with a few things... I'm sure my friends wouldn't mind not hanging out with me."
"Yugi, don't make me throw you out of here. Yami has been more than helpful, and the shipment is almost done for the week. Make your plans, I'll be fine I promise."
He turned to Joey then, clapping his hands together in anticipation.
"Now then, I believe I have a card for you somewhere."
He headed back behind the counter, pulling out a small box and unlocking it. He pulled it out, handing it to Joey with a smile.
"Here it is the Red Eyes Baby Dragon."
Joey smiled as he cradled his new card. Ever since Joey and Kaiba's relationship had been made public, there had been a rarity of any kind of Red Eyes card. People paid well into the thousands for one of them, much like Yugi's Dark Magician or the price of Kaiba's Blue Eye's if the man would ever part with one.
"That card is perfect for you Joey. A combination of two of your most faithful monsters who have been with you since the beginning."
Yami commented, his deep voice tweeked with happiness. Joey nodded, smiling at the card lovingly stroking it.
"I'm going to have to practice with this a bit, but how about a duel later once I get used to it Yami? Just for fun of course."
Yami agreed, smiling. Joey turned back to Yugi, still determined to get him to agree to do something with everyone.
"How about we all meet at my place on Friday? That way the kids can all come see you too... Lisbeth has been dying to show you how good she's getting at that new game you gave her."
Yugi sighed before nodded yes. He knew he would be unable to discourage Joey from his plans, so the best thing to do would be to go with the flow and hope that it wouldn't get to out of control.
He glanced over at Yami, only to find his not-boyfriend already deep into a strategy conversation with Joey over how best to use his new cards. He sighed before turning and helping Grandpa, who was attempting to pull down yet another heavy box stored over his head.
"And he wonders why I don't like leaving him alone."