DD: WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! Here's your Christmas present from me; an early update! Woo! And voting in the Yugioh Watty Awards on Wattpad is nearly over so I would really appreciate it if some of you could head over to their voting book and leave a vote for TBITA in the Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Yaoi Shipping section! If you don't or can't that's perfectly fine and thanks anyway. Hope you enjoy! I own nothing!


Reviews:

Miqu: Awww, thanks so much! I'm actually planning on making this an original fiction when I finish it and I'm going to try to get it traditionally published. Fingers crossed!

Kigen Dawn: Considering the history of these characters, that's not going to happen.

Ern Estine 13624: Thanks :)


"Okay, so continue the monologue," Tristan said. "My purse, my person…"

"…Are stupid for being part of this play," Joey groaned, burying his head in his arms.

Tristan rolled his eyes. "Joey, you're being ridiculous. The Merchant of Venice isn't that hard to learn."

"Tell that to the 'belov'd' text," Joey mumbled. "I can't understand it! Why couldn't they make it more modern?"

"Because it's school and they want to teach us how to understand it," Ryou replied, taking the book from Tristan. "Besides, it's not as difficult as you're making it seem. What do you think it means? Be assured, my purse, my person, my extremist means lie all unlocked to your occasions?"

Most of their friends were watching. Joey noticed that the tapping of keys had silenced and glanced at Seto to see his boyfriend watching him.

His face heated up. "Um… Antonio's willing to do anything to help Bassanio?"

Ryou smiled. "See? You do know it."

Joey shrugged, fidgeting. "I guess."

Ryou handed him the book. "Now you just need to learn it before the next class."

Joey scowled at him. "Very helpful."

Ryou shrugged, still smiling. "I try."

Joey rolled his eyes before opening the book. Anzu sighed and looked at Yugi. "Think he'll manage it?" He didn't reply. Anzu frowned and waved a hand in front of his face. "Yugi?"

He jumped and looked up at her. "Sorry, what?"

"I… asked if you thought Joey could learn the lines for the test," Anzu replied.

Her gaze trailed to a bruise on his cheek and her eyes widened.

She gripped his chin and turned his head so that she could see it better.

"Ow!" Yugi frowned at her.

"Sorry…" She loosened her grip a bit. "But where did you get that bruise, Yugi?"

Yugi didn't meet her gaze. "Nowhere…"

"Yugi…" She pursed her lips. "Tell me."

"Really; nowhere." Yugi pulled away from her. "I tripped on my way home last night and bruised my face. It's no big deal."

"Yugi, that doesn't look-"

"Malik," Yugi called, cutting Anzu off.

Anzu frowned at him. "We're talking about this later," she hissed, but she was ignored.

Malik glanced over at Yugi. His usual salad had gone untouched. Again. "Yeah?"

"Are you any closer to getting the new uniform?" Yugi asked.

Malik tensed and Yugi realised his mistake.

Anzu kicked him under the table.

Duke frowned in confusion and glanced at Malik. "New uniform?"

Ryou shot Yugi a look and glanced at Malik. Malik had turned his gaze to the table again. "Yeah," he muttered. "New uniform."

"I don't get it."

"What's not to get?" Malik glared at the table.

"Why you want a new uniform."

"Because I do. Got a problem with that?" Malik snapped, turning his glare to Duke.

Duke shook his head. "No; no. Sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"Yeah, well you did." Malik stabbed at his salad. "And no. No luck."

"Malik… Our offer still stands," Ryou said. "We can help you get it if you want us to."

"I don't, Ryou." Malik closed his eyes.

"But-"

"Just drop it," Malik hissed. "It's not like I'll ever get Ishizu to agree to it, even if I get the principal to. There's no point." He stood up and brought his tray over to the bin, dumping his uneaten salad.

The inhabitants of the table watched in silence as he left the cafeteria.

Even Seto had stopped typing. He glanced at Marik. "Well?"

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Well what?"

"Aren't you going to go after him?" Seto's eyes were their usual icy, calculating selves.

"Why should I?" Marik shrugged and took a sip of his water. "He doesn't want my help." Seto rolled his eyes and returned to his work. Marik glared at him. "You think he does after two months of avoiding me?"

"I think he needs it," Seto replied as he began typing again. "Whether he wants it or not is a completely different matter.


"You, uh, you, uh, have to, uh, let me go; my dad can't afford it."

"Oh don't worry about that."

"Uh, no! Uh, I s- I saw them when I was little and I-I don't wanna… be a Mayview kid. Just tell me how to stop it."

Yugi sighed. He loved The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It was his favourite movie.

But he couldn't concentrate.

"Stop what?"

"S-Seeing it? Uh… All, uh… their lives, all the time, just…Ho-how do you stop seeing it?"

"Enjoying it?"

Yugi jumped with a small shriek and whipped around to see Yami standing in the doorway.

He let out a slow breath and pressed pause. "Y-Yami, don't do that…"

Yami shrugged a shoulder. "Sorry."

He sounded it, but he didn't look it.

His gaze was fixed on the screen.

Yugi stood up. "Yami… Why are you always staying late after school?"

"I'm a grade above you. We get more work," Yami replied.

Yugi scoffed. "I've seen the homework Bakura and Marik do."

"Yeah, well that's Bakura and Marik. Bakura wants to write for a living and Marik wants to go into the army. Not much schooling needed for either of those," Yami replied. "I want to actually do well on homework and in tests."

His gaze was still fixed on the screen.

"Yami, please…" Yugi mumbled.

Yami sighed. "What is it, Yugi?"

"Please just tell me the truth," he pleaded. "I miss you… You've been avoiding me since-"

"You're being paranoid."

"No I'm not!" Yugi protested. "This is one of the first times we've had a conversation since you kissed me!"

Yami's eyes flickered from the screen to Yugi and down to the floor. "There's nothing to talk about."

"Yes there is." Yugi walked towards him. "Please, Yami. I want to help you. Please… let me."

"I don't. Need. Help."

"I think you do," Yugi replied. He stopped in front of Yami. "Is it what he did to you?"

Yami tensed. "Don't."

"Yami-"

"Don't Yugi."

"It wasn't your fault."

Yami squeezed his eyes shut.

Yugi reached up and cupped his cheek. Yami flinched away from him. "Yami, please… Talk to me."

"I can't…" Yami's voice was strained.

"Yes, you-"

"No. I can't."

"You need to talk about it to someone," Yugi murmured.

Yami shook his head and walked away.

Yugi hesitated, unsure whether or not to follow him. After a few moments, he sat down again and pressed play.

"Seeing what, Charlie?"

"There is… so… much pain… and I-how-I… I-I-I-I don't know how to not notice it…"

"What's hurting you?"

"No; not-not me. It's them. It's everyone. It never stops… Do you understand?"

Yugi nodded along with the doctor. I almost wish I didn't…


Seto sighed as he closed his laptop. His head was pounding. I need a break…

Normally it wouldn't bother him, but Joey had been coaxing him away from his job more and more.

Of course, he didn't have to do nearly as much as he usually did. He just took on the work of doing most of the other jobs in his company because he didn't trust anyone else to do it.

But now others were doing more of their work, he had grown more used to spending time away from the computer than with it.

He sighed and stood up, stretching his back. He glanced at the television above his desk.

Had it always been on? Probably.

His secretary was always turning it on if anything about Kaiba Corp. came up on the news.

He frowned.

That looks like the gates to my mansion…

He narrowed his eyes, trying to focus on the person that the cameras and microphones were pointed at.

Joey.

He gritted his teeth and stormed out of his office.

His secretary scrambled to her feet. "Mr. Kaiba, is something wrong?"

"Yes," he replied, not slowing his pace. "Have the guards at the gates and waiting."

He barely took in her stammered response as he made his way downstairs and to the front door.

Even approaching the gates, he could hear the questions bombarding his boyfriend.

"Mr. Wheeler, is it true you had your father arrested?"

"When did you and Mr. Kaiba start dating?"

"Are you even dating him?"

"Mr. Wheeler?"

"Please answer the question Mr. Wheeler!"

Everyone fell silent as Seto exited the gates. Then the questions started again.

Seto held up a hand to silence them but they kept going.

He glared at them. This time, his methods worked. He glanced at Joey, who seemed very flustered.

"Are you okay?"

Joey nodded, looking at his shuffling feet. "Yeah. M'fine."

Seto glared at the reporters. "What questions did you want to ask? One at a time."

Instantly the questions all began at once. Seto saw Joey tense and he wrapped an arm around his waist. "All of you, shut up," he finally growled.

Silence descended again.

He sighed. "I had Joey's father arrested because he tried to get onto my property without my consent and because of some things that I'm not at liberty to-"

"Don't bother," Joey mumbled, looking up again. "He also had him arrested because my dad abused me."

"Mr. Kaiba is this true?"

"How do you know that Mr. Wheeler is telling the truth?"

"Do you think he's just after your money, Mr. Kaiba? He's from a poor family after all."

"Does this mean that you're gay, Mr. Kaiba?"

The flurry of questions began again but another glare silenced them.

Seto nodded. "Yes, it's true. I don't doubt Joey's word and whoever suggested that he's just after my money is an idiot. And no. I'm bi. I have never tried to hide this fact in any way." His glare darkened. "And in case any of you have any doubts, I love Joey."

Joey looked up at him, blushing slightly. Seto smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

Flashes of cameras bombarded them and they broke apart.

Seto glared at them again. "If any of those photographs end up in any magazines, or news channels, or newspapers, every single one of you will be sued so that I don't miss whoever sent them in. Now get off my property."

He led Joey back inside the gate, ignoring the questions that followed them. When they were back inside, he turned to Joey again. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"Really?"

Joey hesitated. "A bit shocked," he mumbled. "Didn't expect them to run at me when I went out to get a milkshake."

Seto rolled his eyes. "They're idiots that will do anything for a story except actually call to plan an interview. They wanted to catch you off-guard."

"Well they succeeded," Joey sighed. "Is that going to happen a lot?"

Seto nodded. "For a while, yes. Then they'll move onto something else. But it's something that'll happen if we're going to date."

Joey smiled and pecked his lips. "Then I guess I'll just need to get used to it. Because there's no way in hell I'm giving you up."


"Hey."

Malik looked up from where he was sitting – the ground on top of the roof. Marik was standing in front of him. "Hey."

"Why aren't you eating with the others?" Marik asked.

Malik shrugged and turned back to his salad. "Didn't want to."

Marik kept his tone level. "They were worried."

Malik took a bite of food and shrugged.

After a moment, Marik sat beside him cross-legged. "So what's the deal with you getting a new uniform?"

Malik tensed. "I need a new one."

"Your current one seems fine to me," Marik shot back.

And it was. Ishizu got him a new one every term, so it was only three months old. There was only a thread or two loose.

It even fit him perfectly.

If anyone needed a new uniform, it was Ryou, and even his was fine.

Malik shrugged again. "Then I want a new one."

"Why?" Marik snorted. "Not like the new one will look any different."

Malik bit the inside of his cheek.

Marik sighed. "Malik-pretty, you know you can tell me. I won't judge."

Malik snorted. "Sure."

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Malik, you didn't judge me when I… when I killed your father," he said.

"Don't call him that," Malik cut in. "And that's different. I hated him."

"You cried when he died."

Malik blinked in confusion. "I did?" He didn't remember much about that night.

He didn't remember crying at all.

Except, maybe, when Marik was arrested.

Marik nodded. "When the police came in."

Malik shook his head. "Marik, I wasn't crying for him," he mumbled. "I was crying for you."

Marik looked at him, but Malik kept his gaze on his salad. Marik sighed. "My point is that whatever it is, I won't judge or hate you." He placed his hand over Malik's in order to get some kind of reaction. "Okay?"

Malik looked up at him and hesitated. "I…" He took a deep breath. "I hate boys' clothes," he mumbled. "I like girls' clothes. Dresses and that kind of stuff." Marik hadn't slapped him yet, so Malik decided that it was safe to continue. "So I'm trying to get the girls' uniform. But… Ishizu's not going for it because of this religion bullshit and the teachers are being medieval asses so it doesn't look like it'll happen."

Marik frowned. "That sucks. Need any help getting it?"

Malik blinked. "Really?"

Marik nodded. "I mean, I wouldn't be able to do much right now but I could convince Bakura to steal one from the office for you. And if anyone complains then I'll step in."

"You'd do that for me?"

Marik smiled. "Of course, Malik-pretty. Just don't tell anyone else. They'll think I've gone soft."

Malik laughed and nodded. "Thanks, Mar." He took a bite out of his salad. "So how's counselling going?"

Marik shrugged. "It's going," he replied. Malik gave him a flat look. He sighed. "The counsellor's nice and she's doing her best to help me through things but she's saying that I'm struggling. She's probably right."

Malik nodded in understanding. "Well… I'm here if you ever need me. If you want I could go to your next session with you."

Marik raised an eyebrow. "That's allowed?"

Malik nodded. "Yeah. It's usually couples or family only but I think it's allowed."

Marik smiled. "I'd like that. Thanks."

A comfortable silence descended on them. Marik glanced at him again. "Want to see a film with me tonight?" He offered. "There's that new Pixar film."

"Inside Out, right?"

"Yup."

Malik hesitated. "Well… Ishizu probably wouldn't want me to…" He saw Marik's face fall. He chuckled. "But what's she done for me recently? I'd love to."


"Yugi?"

Yugi didn't respond until he had taken the last of his books out of his locker, and shut the door. Then he turned to face Yami. "What?"

"Talk to me."

"Okay." Yugi nodded. "How did you like that new episode of Once Upon a Time? I think they're losing the plot a bit. I mean Hook a Dark One?"

"Yugi, that's not what I mean and you know it."

Yugi paused. "So you don't watch Once Upon a Time? Damn, I just gave you a major spoiler."

Yami frowned. "Since when do you swear?"

"Damn doesn't count."

"Yes it does," Yami said. "When it's you. You never swear."

Yugi rolled his eyes. "So I started swearing. Big deal."

"Yugi, tell me what's going on."

"What's going on is we'll be late for class if we don't hurry."

"Yugi…" Yami's tone was warning. Yugi tensed. Yami paused, his gaze softening. "I'm sorry, I-"

"Don't worry about it." Yugi shrugged it off.

Yami sighed. "Where are you getting those bruises from?"

Yugi tensed again. This time, he couldn't shrug it off. "What do you mean?"

"The bruises, Yugi. And the cuts. And the extra homework you suddenly have to do. And the long trips home that take twice as long as they should."

Yugi looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't play dumb!"

"I'm not!" Yugi hissed. "First of all, I tripped. Second, I should be able to take a scenic walk on my way home if I want to. Third, I want to get into a good college on a scholarship. And fourth-" He cut himself off and took a deep breath.

"Go on."

"No."

"Say what you were going to say."

"I said no, Yami."

"Why not?"

Yugi sighed. "Because I don't mean it. And I don't want to say something that would hurt you like that."

Yami held his gaze. "Thank you."

Yugi shrugged one shoulder. "There's no need to thank me." The bell rang and he moved to leave.

Yami caught his arm. He loosened his grip when he saw Yugi wince. "We're talking about this later."

"No we're not."

"Yugi, you need to talk about this stuff."

Yugi sneered at him. "Like you're one to talk," he muttered before pulling his arm free and walking away.


"See you tomorrow, Malik-pretty."

Malik nodded. "Yeah. See you then." He watched as Marik turned away. "Marik, wait."

Marik glanced back at him, one eyebrow raised. "Yeah?"

Malik hesitated before pecking him on the cheek. "Thanks for a great night," he mumbled.

Marik smiled. "You're welcome." Once he left, Malik walked back inside again.

Ishizu was waiting for him with a cold gaze. He frowned at her. "Don't."

"What was that?"

"Ishizu, don't."

"Did I just see you talking to the man who murdered our father and interrupted Alumuna's sacred rituals?" Ishizu hissed.

Malik glanced at Odion, who was standing beside Ishizu. He looked… tired. More so than he had ever seemed.

He smiled at Malik but it was forced. He and Ishizu had probably been arguing. Again.

It was probably about him.

Again.

"Malik, are you even listening?"

Malik turned his attention back to Ishizu. "Yes."

"Yes to what?"

"Both of them," Malik replied. "Yes, I'm listening, and yes, I was hanging out with Marik. We went to see a film."

Ishizu's eyes widened. "You what?"

"You heard me, sister." Malik's voice was cool. "We went to see a film." He picked up his schoolbag. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have homework to finish."

He began walking towards the stairs that led down to his room, but Ishizu's arm blocked him.

"You are not to see or talk to him again," Ishizu hissed. "Understood? I refuse to have you converse with someone like him while you're living under my roof."

Malik laughed. It was cold and emotionless. "Oh, so it's your roof now? What happened to me being the first born son and inheriting everything here?"

Ishizu sighed. "I'm the oldest child and you can't pay a mortgage."

"Odion's older than you," Malik pointed out.

Ishizu pursed her lips. She was still in the grey area when it came to Odion. She considered him to be her brother, but her father's laws forbade it.

Or 'Alumuna's' laws forbade it.

"Malik, you're not to see him again," she insisted.

Malik glared at her. "No."

"What?" Her eyes widened again.

"I said no," Malik said, slower this time. "I don't care what you say. I don't care about the rituals or any of that crap. Marik's my friend and I'm not going to stop hanging out with him."

"Malik, our father was-"

"A controlling, abusive dick that Marik saved us from," Malik cut in. "And if you can't see that, you're no better than he was."

"Then so be it," Ishizu growled. "But I won't stand for you seeing him."

He grabbed one of the empty collectable shopping bags by the door.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm leaving," Malik replied. "Your house, your rules. But if those are your rules, then I'm not staying here any longer."

"You don't have anywhere else to go." Ishizu folded her arms.

"Trust me," Malik snorted as he stormed downstairs to pack. "Anywhere is better than here."

By the time he had packed the end of his school books and a few pairs of clothes – only jeans and t-shirts, really – as well as his phone and charger, Ishizu had retreated to her room.

Odion waited by the door for Malik. "Will you be okay?" He asked.

Malik let out a slow breath. "Yeah. I think. I just need a break. Maybe. I don't know."

Odion nodded and hugged him. "I'll be here if you ever need me."

Malik returned the hug. "I know, Odion," he whispered. "Thank you."

Odion pulled away. "Have you got a place to stay?"

Malik nodded. "I think so."

Twenty minutes later, he was standing on Ryou's doorstep, shuffling his feet as he knocked.

A few moments later, Ryou opened the door. "Malik?"

Malik offered him a feeble smile. "Hey."

Ryou held the door open for him. "What's wrong?"

Malik hesitated. "Family stuff. Do you think I could stay with you for a bit?"

Ryou nodded. "Of course, of course. You'll need to share a room with Marik or sleep on the couch though. Sorry; I'm kind of out of spare rooms."

Malik smiled. "Thanks, Ry."

Ryou shook his head and took one of Malik's two bags. "No need Mal. You'll always be welcome here."


Yugi took deep, steadying breaths as he walked across the school yard. It had been so long since he had done this… Not since he had met Ryou and Malik over a year ago.

Rex looked up as Yugi approached. "You're back, eh?"

Yugi nodded, pulling at the sleeves of his uniform. "I guess I am."

Weevil grinned and elbowed Rex. "Didn't I tell you he'd be back?" He snickered. "Everyone always comes back."

"Oh, shut it, you two," Mai sighed. She was the only one out of the group that Yugi actually liked as a person. She nodded at Yugi, a cigarette between her fingers.

When she wasn't smoking cigarettes, she was smoking weed. When she wasn't smoking weed, she was smoking cigarettes.

Yugi didn't think he'd ever seen her without one or the other either in her hand or between her lips.

Except when she had dated Joey for a month. But once they broke up, she had gone back.

Just like Yugi was now.

Keith passed Yugi a roll and a lighter.

Yugi hesitated. Just for a second.

He had come so far. Was he really willing to throw it all away again?

Hell yes.

He lit the roll and took a long drag. The drag was followed by him nearly coughing a lung up.

Rex and Weevil laughed but Mai just rolled her eyes. "Take it easy there, champ. It's been a while."

Yugi nodded in agreement and took a smaller one. This time, when he let it out, he didn't start coughing.

Keith grinned and threw an arm around Yugi. "Good to have you back Mutou."

Despite the pang in his chest, Yugi returned the grin. "It's good to be back."


Ryou smiled as he curled up next to Bakura on the couch. Bakura wrapped an arm around his waist.

The fire was lighting, keeping the last of the winter chill at bay, and they had just finished watching some kind of romance film.

Bakura wasn't a fan, but Ryou loved romance as much as horror, so he had suffered through it.

Malik and Marik had gone out. Again. Just like every other night that week.

So they had the house to themselves.

"I love you," Bakura mumbled, kissing the top of Ryou's head.

Ryou nuzzled against Bakura's chest. "Love you too, Kura."

Bakura pulled Ryou onto his lap and pressed a soft, loving kiss to his lips.

They broke apart when they heard the door unlock.

Bakura groaned. "I thought they said they wouldn't be back until eight…"

"They did…" Ryou frowned and glanced at the clock. Seven.

The door swung open and Ryou's eyes widened. "M-Mum?"

Akane Bakura stood there, clinging to the arm of a man that made Ryou turn even paler.

Bakura grimaced. "Well… This is awkward…"


DD: Again, Merry Christmas and please vote in the Watty Pad Awards for the story! Please review! See you next time, Killer Queens!