My last batch of updates, guys. Here we go :)
Ally of Justice Kaibaman 2: Red vs Ra
Chapter Six
"Just another hour, just another hour," Tristan mentally chanted and tapped his desk with his forehead. It was shifts, like the one he was almost through with, that made him hate being a cop; but that's what cut-backs did to a station. "Maybe I could guilt trip Kaiba into giving us some cash," he muttered and turned his head to rest his cheek against the wood.
"You can't go through here!" He heard an officer yell.
"I need to talk to him, it's important!"
Tristan lifted his head and narrowed his eyes at the door. "Duke?"
"That's it, you're in trouble!"
"Ow-ow! My arm doesn't bend that way!"
Tristan stood and threw the door open, startling the officer and Duke; the Dice Duellist was on one knee, clothes wrinkled and hair dishevelled, while the officer had his arms behind his back. Tristan's eyes narrowed and the officer released the slender arms. "Office, Duke." Duke shot to his feet and approached while Tristan kept his eyes on the officer. "We'll talk about this later, back to work!"
"Yes Commissioner!"
"I'm sorry," Duke muttered as Tristan guided him inside. "I didn't mean to cause a fuss but I didn't know where else to go."
"It's fine; we're friends after all. Take a seat. How was Egypt?"
Duke dropped into the wooden chair. "That's why I'm here. I don't remember coming back."
Tristan paused halfway into his own seat then slowly eased himself into the worn leather. "Ok." He rubbed his chin, the stubble scratching his fingers. "What's the last thing you remember?"
"Going to the museum. That's it. I don't remember coming out, catching my plane, or going to some night club."
Tristan leaned over the desk. "Night club?"
Duke showed him the neon green, glow in the dark stamp on his hand. "The staff woke me up an hour ago, as they were closing, I honestly don't remember a thing." He wrapped his arms around himself and rubbed his elbow, the one the officer had twisted. "I'm sorry, this is stupid. I'll go."
"No, it's ok; but we should go." He stood and Duke followed.
"Where?"
"To see Joey."
-Spinning Mokuba Head Scene Change!-
Seto – I – Run – A – Company – Kaiba had always worked weekends, that is...until he started dating Joey – I – Like – To – Sleep – In – On – Weekends – You – Rich – Bastard –Wheeler; so it was no surprise to Tristan when Mokuba told him they were still asleep at eight in the morning. The teen opened the door with a wide grin and invited them inside the mansion.
"Would you like something to drink? Joey'll be down in a second."
"Sure, black coffee for me, kid. Duke?"
"No, I'm good, thanks." He looked to Tristan. The brunette still hadn't told him why they were visiting Joey of all people about his situation.
"When did you start drinking black coffee?" Joey asked from the stairs, rubbing his eyes with one hand and untwisted his boxers with the other.
"Since my budget has been cut and I'm working seventy-two hour shifts," he stated. "Put a shirt on, you have guests."
Joey looked to Duke and lost his footing on the stairs; he rolled down and landed on his back with his feet sprawled on the steps. "Ow..."
"Are you all right?" Duke ran over to help him up and noticed the scars on his body and the burn mark on his shoulder. "Joey?"
A black dressing gown floated down the stairs and covered the blonde. "Slip again, puppy?"
Joey pulled the gown from over his face and snarled. "This new carpet is out to get me!"
Seto chuckled and watched Duke help Joey into a sitting position. "To what do we owe the pleasure so early on a Saturday?"
"Morning, Kaiba," Duke greeted. "Tristan suggested we talk to Joey but he didn't explain why."
Joey stood and pulled the dressing gown on. "Oh?"
"It'll make sense in a moment. Can we sit somewhere to talk?"
Seto gestured to the living room while kissing Joey's cheek. "Through there." He led the way and sat in the leather chair, pulling Joey into his lap too; Mokuba followed seconds later and placed a tray on the table.
"I'll leave you to it, big Brother."
"Thank you, Mokuba." The CEO watched his Brother leave.
"So, Duke, how was Egypt?" Joey asked.
"That's why we're here." Tristan took a sip of his drink. "Tell them what you told me."
"I don't know how this..." he trailed off when the taller brunette looked at him out of the corner of his eye. "Ok. You guys know I went to Egypt the other day, right? Well...when I woke up this morning I was in a private room of a club across town. I...I don't know how I got there."
Joey and Seto swapped glances. The blonde scratched behind his ear. "What do you remember?"
"I remember dinner, catching my flight, checking into my hotel and going to the museum; then...nothing between the museum and waking up in the club."
"Well?" Tristan's brow rose.
Joey shook his head. "Doesn't make sense."
"How so?"
Honey eyes met brown. "Why a club? Red used to wait until he got home before passing out, he knew his limits."
"Maybe this one isn't as strong as Red?"
"Who the hell is Red!?" Duke snapped, not wanting to be kept out of the loop any longer. "What happened to me!?"
"Red...Red is..." Joey paused to think. "We told you about the Capsule World."
Duke nodded. "What's that got to do with it?"
"I was possessed by the Blade of Chaos during one of the trials; Yugi saved me, but a part of the spirit trapped inside stayed with me. Eventually, he became stronger and took over my body; I used to black out for a while and then wake up to havoc."
"You think the same thing has happened to me?" Joey nodded. "Well, what happened with you and Red?"
Honey eyes softened and the blonde leaned his head back on Seto's shoulder. "He's gone."
"You sound like you miss him," Tristan grunted and Joey narrowed his eyes at the challenge.
"What if I do?"
"Don't," Seto warned before Tristan opened his mouth.
"You can't be ok with that! He gutted you – he impaled you on a kid's playground equipment!"
Green eyes widened and Duke slapped a hand to his forehead. "Duh. It's so obvious."
Seto smirked. "Imagine how that idiot feels; I was under his nose the whole time – he even suspected me at one point." He watched Tristan's cheeks change colour and ran a hand through Joey's blonde locks. "Look, Red may have been...Red, but we don't understand what he and Joey had – the connection they made. He was there for Joey when no one else was and took advantage of that, but at the same time..."
"I was comforted by it," Joey muttered. "He told me he couldn't leave and..." He managed a smile. "He wasn't all bad, really." He saw their guilty faces and grinned. "I'm not mad at you guys, honest. Shit happens. Crazy shit, but it happens."
"So...there's...something inside me?"
"I'm not sure..." Joey admitted. "And without Red I'm not sure how I can help."
Duke managed a smile. "Thanks anyway, Joey. I guess I'll head home and hope for the best."
"You can stay with me," Tristan offered and all eyes set on him.
"You sure, buddy? It could be just as dangerous..."
The brunette shrugged and stood. "I think I can handle it and I won't take no for an answer." He grinned.
Duke stared at him and nodded. "Ok. If you insist."
