Circus Chapter 5: And Then There Were Five, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

…And Then There Were Five

Joey stood still in the middle of the silence of the rooftop. He stood there, still as the quiet wind played with his golden hair. His fingers settled in between the fence's wire weave, while his eyes stretched through the vast of the blue sky.

He quite missed the school rooftop. Ok, he missed going to school altogether.

"Well, what do you know… the great Joey Wheeler."

The blonde turned to look at the source of the offending tone.

"You finally decided to show up."

He turned back to where he was previously facing, without any reaction whatsoever.

"So, where have you been?"

Joey smirked, his back facing the man he's talking to. "Missed me?"

"As a matter of fact, I did."

Hazel eyes seized wide as their owner was hauled around. The two men were standing so suddenly close, with the man's arms circled around Joey's waist. They just stayed like that, staring at each other's eyes.

The man took Joey's lips in his own, and the blonde never resisted.

"I was right." The man pushed Joey away from him. "You have been bitching around these past few days."

"Fuck you."

"If you weren't, you couldn't have let me do that, could you?"

Joey turned around. "Now's…not a very good time."

"Oh, come on, Joey." The taller man uttered irritably. "Where have you been?"

"Don't push it, Seto."

"I will push it if you don't spit out right now."

Joey grinned back at the more-than-six-feet-tall Seto Kaiba, annoying the brown-haired man more. "What, have you become someone significant in my life while I was gone?"

"Whatever. Now spit."

The blonde boy spat at his side. "Happy?"

Seto glared at Joey threateningly. "I'm not in such a patient mood right now."

Hazel eyes looked at the other's with such bewilderment. Why was Seto acting so queer anyway? He could have hit him in the face by this time given the circumstance, or kick him around for that matter. He always did. But he couldn't have even asked in the first place! Is the world nearing the apocalypse or something?

"Did you eat something bad this morning?"

The tall man glared for a second, but he gave up the thought and just let out a defeated sigh and rolled his eyes. "I didn't have breakfast." His face was actually amicable for a moment. "Wanna eat somewhere?"

Joey frowned incredulously. "Are you sure you haven't eaten any rotten eggs?"

"No. Now are you going?"

So now Joey, being the too naïve, brain-deficient creature that he is, agreed, sprinting past Seto to the stairs. "What are you waiting for? Let's go!" He said, the thought of a free meal shunning the thought of cutting classes.

That sure didn't take long, Seto smirked.

---

He cut classes again, Yugi thought to himself as he was walking through the semi-familiar road to Duke's house. He had looked all around for lifetimes around the school, since he hadn't seen Joey since lunch. But, to his dismay, he failed to find him. So, he just figured he'd be back home.

That lazy dog.

He entered the wide lawn, and proceeded to the main door like it was such a normal thing. He arrived at the living room, where surely Duke—who, he thought, doesn't go to class whenever Bakura is around--and his Baku-chan are hanging around.

"Welcome back, 'lil boy." Bakura greeted uninterestedly.

Duke smiled at him. "Where's Joey?" He asked.

A cold flash swept through Yugi's insides. "I thought he came back earlier." He said, uncertainty in his voice.

"Nah. I hadn't seen him since you guys left for school." Bakura muttered as-a-matter-of-factly. "Maybe he got lost on his way back." He smirked. "Stupid, stupid dog."

The raven-haired lad slapped Bakura's shoulder slightly. "When did you last see him?"

"Lunch. He said he had something to do for a while."

"And he didn't come back to class?"

"No."

Duke pondered for a moment, while Yugi made his way beside him on the couch. "Let's just wait here. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

"I hope."

---

Hazel eyes peeled themselves in an unfamiliar place. It was a room, wide as he thought he remembered, but not painted dark all over. He scooted his eyes around…no, this definitely was a different room.

He groaned.

Joey tried to lift himself out of his stupor, but after a brief attempt, he failed. Damn, why couldn't he move? Hell, not even a finger!

He groaned again.

The door creaked open. The door didn't even sound the same as he remembered.

"Good evening." A voice greeted.

The blonde, being the almost-annoyingly childlike person that he is, stopped his vain attempts and stared dumbfounded at the ceiling, not even bothering to think why he was in the situation, how the hell did he get there—he just thought, ok, I can't move, period.

"Seto?"

"Yes?"

"Why can't I move?" He asked innocently, his brain too hazy for any heavy work. Ok, scratch that, for any work. At all.

"It's a sedative. You just stay put for a while, ne?" The towering man, acting very queer still, did not bother waking Joey's thoughts up than it is awake at the moment.

"Why am I here?" Perhaps because of the drug, Joey's brain was half-paralyzed. But then again, maybe not.

"Because I don't have any company. And besides, I said I missed you, didn't I?"

The ever-credulous boy remembered how weird his friend Seto acted the previous afternoon. And as always, his thoughts stayed there, at that point in time, no second past. "Why were you acting so queer this afternoon?"

Joey walked spiritedly a bit ahead of Seto along the idle streets of midafternoon. "So, where'll we eat?"

"I'm feeling generous today…you pick."

"Whoa, Seto. Whatever unknown thing you ate this morning—sure messed you up badly."

Seto smirked. "I didn't have breakfast." He repeated calmly. "Where'll it be?" He asked, but before he knew it, Joey had already disappeared inside one of the random doors.

The taller man walked calmly to where Joey was already sitting. As if reading Joey's thoughts, he smiled to himself again. "Go choose whatever you like." He said.

"Really??" The blonde beamed excitedly and ranted his order to the waiter on standby. After he was through, the attendant approached Seto, who was just amusedly watching his companion.

"What would you like, sir?" The person inquired, smiling.

"Sake."

The waiter paused for a while. "Sir you must be at least—"

"Ne, Kaiba, what were you saying?" Joey asked the person sitting in front of him, resting his face on the palm of his hand above the table.

Without any more ado, the waiter scrammed to get their order. As soon as he was gone, Joey flashed a big grin on Seto.

"I was gonna mention it anyway." Seto looked outside the nearby window. The afternoon was quiet, the youth were still supposed to be in school afterall.

"Seto—"

The brown-haired lad raised a hand to hush his companion. "Let's wait until the food arrives, why don't we?"

"You didn't even order anything!"

The attendant returned with his tray, discreetly putting them in their proper places, then bowing before he left.

"Itadakimasu!"

Now Seto approached the blonde boy lying supine by the bed—his bed. "Never mind my acting queer." He said, his face hovering a distance from Joey's. "Where have you been?"

"You won't quit asking, would you?"

"No I won't, and you will tell me."

Joey smiled, and if he could turn away, he would've. "Ne, Seto, stop it. I want to go home."

Kaiba's dark cobalt eyes glared. "Where is home, Joey?"

The blonde's eyes widened, and Seto smiled at that. Seto's eyes seemed darker than they used to be.

"Why am I here in the first place?" Joey demanded out of the question. "Why did you bring me here?" He asked, growing aware by the count because of Seto's unusualness.

Kaiba poured alcohol on his server. He gestured it at the busy-eating Joey.

"No thanks. I don't drink." He answered, smiling.

"Oh c'mon. A single favor for me." Seto smiled as well.

Joey pondered for a moment then accepted the offer. He looked at the Seto's ceramic server for a while, and the liquid that swirled in it, dancing gracefully in subtle movements as it glistened in the sunlight.

"Go on. It's good."

With that, Joey took the liquid and let it slide effortlessly down his throat, not even minding that he drank from the same server as Seto. He then turned to the other man, who was watching him like he was some sort of TV show. He flushed slightly.

"I didn't know…it's this strong…"

"Answer the question." The taller man said threateningly. The amicable disposition had slipped away, replaced by rude impatience.

But the blonde was too stubborn. "No." He turned away. "Bring me home."

"Damn!" Seto cursed loudly. "Answer the fucking question!" He ordered, fisting Joey's blonde hair and tilting it against the mattress.

Joey flinched a little. "Prick!" He breathed forcefully, cursing his state at the back of his mind.

To his surprise, Seto let go and smiled angelically, running his fingers on the sides of Joey's face and eyeing him as if he was the prettiest thing he'd ever seen. "Now tell me…" Joey flinched again as Seto's hand gripped his jaws and yanked his face towards his. "…Where have you been?!"

"Fuck it, Seto! You're just a couple of classes away from mine, on the same fucking school grounds—how come you haven't heard of the commotion with the DDD king some days back?"

"DDD King? You mean…"

"Yes, Duke Devlin!"

Seto's sharp, dark eyes narrowed. "And?"

"Don't you know what happened?! Weren't you there?!" Joey shouted hardly, any motor movement still maimed by the cursed sedative thing. "Everybody was there!"

"Just tell it, stubborn bitch!"

"I challenged Duke to a duel and I lost—I was condemned to him for a week."

"What?"

"Fuck you! I'd be a dog—his dog for a week, dammit!" He scorned exasperatedly, memories of that day coming back to recognition, and the tinge of shame still beat in his heart. But something else occupied the rest of it, he knew, because of what had happened as well.

Seto's eyes widened and a wide smile stretched along his face. "So, you'd had indeed been bitching around!"

Hazel eyes avoided the glowering figure in front of them. The tall man smiled gently. "Say that for me."

Joey glared, obviously offended. He kept his lips pursed. Even under similar circumstances, his pride was the last thing he'd give away.

A harsh hand slammed into Joey's cheek, turning it to one side, leaving another burning handprint there. Then the same big hand grabbed his jaws and forcefully turned his head to face the owner. "You will say it for me again, imbecile!" Seto tightened his grip, and frustrated tears slipped on the sheets.

A couple of wild heartbeats, dark blue eyes boring deeply into hazel ones, cold sweat.

"Please, Joey, say it for me." Seto smiled, stroking Joey's face with the back of his fingers. Then the tall man closed his eyes.

Joey, completely dumbfounded, just uttered the words unconsciously, never taking his bewildered eyes off the other man. "I…had been…bitching around…"

Seto opened his eyes with a horrified look on his face, his blue eyes seized wide open. "You have…?" He said, a tearful expression in his face. "With whom…?"

"Duke…"

"Duke Devlin?"

"…And his lover…" Words were pouring from the blondes mouth like saccharine syrup…he didn't know why he was admitting all of that, he was all too confused with all that is happening and all he's feeling. Who is this person anyway? Why was he so suddenly scared of him?

"Lover…?"

"Ryou Bakura."

The brown-haired lad seemed to have stopped breathing for a while, then he let out a loud, pained scream, like he was just pierced with hot steel. He gripped his head and started going berserk like a wild beast, screaming and thrashing until he fell onto the ground.

Seto managed to get up on his knees, using the bed as leverage. He was smiling, a very demented smile as he looked at Joey with bloodshot eyes. The blonde was shaking in fear. Seto's actions are beginning to really freak him out now. Big time.

The tall, brown-haired man was chuckling as he tried to stand up to his feet, his eyes shot wide. His very wide smile bared his teeth, and his hair was messed on his forehead, his hand spread over half of his godforsaken face.

"What is happening to you, Seto…?" Joey managed to cough out despite the large lump in his throat. His numbness and immobility was fading away by the count, but he was all too paralyzed in fear.

"You know, Wheeler, you're nice." The tall man uttered, still smiling. "Maybe a little too nice."

Before Joey knew it, long fingers were already wrapped around his throat. He tried to pull off Seto's large hands, but he was still too weak against him.

"S-seto…let…go…" He choked out, pressure starting to form up his face. "…Can't…breathe…"

And to his surprise, the man let go. "That was nice, wasn't it?" He smiled.

"Damn you…you've lost it, man…" Joey inhaled deeply. He choked for a second.

Weak arms tried to fend off large forceful ones that were ferociously trying to rip his clothing away from him. He was scared, he was lost, he didn't know what to do, he didn't even know what was happening.

Seto…

---

10:00.

It was late.

Way too late. And Yugi was getting way too anxious by the second.

"Maybe he just decided not to come back." Bakura uttered indifferently. "You know… you said he can go anyway, right?"

"He told me he'd stay for a whole week." Duke defended with firm resolve. "It was a deal."

"Don't you think we should go look for him?" Yugi's voice was slightly trembling, and his hands were getting colder.

Duke eyed Yugi with almost the same worry, noting his tension. "What do you think, Bakura?"

"Well…" The white haired man was far from wary. "I think Joey's a big boy. Don't you think he can take care of himself already?"

Yugi fidgeted. "Well he could've let me know at least." He reasoned, as if he was in the middle of self-battle.

Bakura raised an eyebrow. There was an evil glint in his eyes. "Unless…"

"Stop it." Duke sounded very serious to his lover for once.

Both of Yugi's hands clasped with each other as he bowed his head low, his overwhelming thoughts and mixed feelings already forming at the corner of his eyes. Could Joey have--

"Yugi, don't think about those things right now." The raven-haired lad flashed a quick threatening glare at the tall pale man sitting beside him, before putting a hand on Yugi's shoulder. "I'm sure Joey would never—"

"Would he really never?"

"Look, Yugi. Trust is something you owe Joey."

Bakura gave out a snort out of nowhere. "Ok, ok, I'll help find him."

Duke raised an eyebrow, a small smile at the corner of his lips. "We should call his house first. If he's not there, we're gonna go look."

---

"Good evening, sir. Is Tea there?"

"Ah, Yugi. Would you like to come in?"

"Thank you, but we're in a hurry."

"I see. Wait a second."

… … … …

"Yugi! What's the problem?"

"Sorry to bother you this late hour, but I'd like to ask you something about Joey."

"Why, what happened?"

A shadow appeared beside Yugi, his gleaming green eyes almost luminous. "He's gone missing. No calls, no whatsoever."

Tea raised an eyebrow, infuriated. She could actually vividly remember the other day's incident, where she had seen pain and humiliation in her friend's eyes like she never saw before, as he knelt in front of this man. "You bastard." She hissed.

A startled gasp escaped the girl's throat, as a foreign face suddenly covered her sight. It was the tall white-haired man, his eyebrows furrowed, and his lips crumpled into a nasty frown. "Who you callin' bastard, eh, kitten? He's helping lil' boy find your friend, can't ya see?" He growled.

"Bakura, please." Duke spoke calmly, prioritizing whatever needs to be done at the moment.

"Missy here is making me want to rip her eyes out."

"Calm down. I can tell you if I want her eyes." Duke smirked. "But right now, we need you to answer." He turned to the poor girl who was already trembling with Bakura's beastly ways.

"Tea, please." Yugi pleaded.

"Well…he…I…"

"Ryou, go apologize." The raven-haired boy commanded quietly.

"Why do I have to?!" Bakura rasped.

Again, Duke's face displayed hard, serious stone. "I am not asking you. Ryou, please. She's scared out of her wits."

And with a brief growl, the angelic Ryou Bakura turned to face Anzu with an apologetic smile on his face. "I'm really sorry about Bakura, Tea. I beg your pardon for his manners. It won't happen again." With the last words, Bakura, the darker shade of his pale, returned.

And Tea was plainly dumbfounded. And conscious, at the least.

"Thank you, Ryou." Duke said plainly, then turning to the girl.

"Ok…so Joey…I saw Joey sprinting towards the main hall while I was out. I just came from the washroom when he almost bumped into me. I asked him where he was going, he said he's eating out. I tried to stop him, but…"

"But what?"

"Hey, Joey. Where you going?"

"Eating out." Joey happily answered.

"We're not supposed to go out of campus before dismissal." Anzu frowned, speaking in scold-like manner. "You know that, don't you?"

"Well, maybe we just have to break the rules." The tall person walking behind Joey spoke coldly, arrogantly.

Anzu couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you serious??"

"Go ahead, Joey. I'd be there in a sec." The man smiled at the blonde. He turned back to the girl, and smirked. "Oh c'mon, you know me." His words were overflowing with sarcasm, the type that could tick Tea off in an instant—so ticked that she would leave it alone.

"Prick!" She exclaimed, stomping out of his face.

Tea looked away. "Seto was such a prick."

Yugi's mauve eyes flew wide. "He was with Seto?"

"Well, yeah…"

---

Bakura sniffed. And sniffed. Duke and Yugi followed.

"Here." The white-haired man pointed to a door beside him. Only a few people were inside. The other two men hurriedly entered the room, discreetly nevertheless, and the raven-haired man walked ahead.

"Excuse me sir, did you notice a tall man with brown hair visit here earlier this afternoon? His name's Kaiba. Seto Kaiba."

Of course everybody knows the name. Oh, the fame, the power.

"Yes, sir." A waiter who just happened to pass by and overhear the conversation answered. "He came in with a blonde boy."

Yugi was getting more anxious, if he could get any more. "What time did they leave?"

"They haven't even finished their food, sir."

"And do you happen to know why's that?" Duke asked, knowing that Joey leaving his food alone would be way too abnormal. If he said or shouted anything at least before they went. Or something.

"The blonde boy passed out, sir."

Cold sweat formed on the King of Duelists' forehead, his eyes darkened with worry. He was too fretful for words.

"What, he hit him or something?" Bakura snarled from behind Duke.

"I'm not sure, sir, but they ordered sake."

"He's underage." Duke said ominously. This conversation was getting way too…disturbing.

The waiter fussed. He just happened to glance at Bakura who was absentmindedly fondling with his sharp fangs with his tongue, while idly looking around the place. "But he's—he's Mr. Kaiba, sir!" He stammered.

That, Duke could do nothing about. Afterall, the Kaiba Corporation was the largest and most famous company in the area, which makes Seto more powerful than he seems to be.

"Thank you very much." Yugi was totally disheartened. His worry was getting the better of him. He proceeded to vacate the restaurant, and Duke, followed by his lover just calmly followed.

"Yugi, don't you think we should ask Seto?"

"Yeah, I think we should." Bakura seconded.

---

Yugi took the courage to grip the two iron knobs and turn them. The doors made faint squeaking sounds as they parted.

Fallen bodies marked their trail through the wide and winding halls of the Kaiba mansion. None of them even knew what shot them down, left to marvel the stealthy prowess of Bakura in their unconsciousness. It's their fault anyway for not considering Duke's mannerly request to see the master of the house.

The moment the King of Duelists got a grip of his sight, he was shot immobile. Raging cold flashes seized his whole body. He wanted to shout, but he was too weak to do so. He was too shocked to do anything anymore, even breathe.

Duke's voice echoed through the chilly air as he brushed past Yugi towards the interior of the room.

There he was, Joey Wheeler, lying on his chest with eyes closed in the middle of the bed, ugly bruises visible on his bare flesh. There was a sea of crimson staining the white of the bedclothes, the origin of which was beneath Joey's hand that was lying face down, a silver dagger with a golden handle pierced cruelly through it.

Yugi's body was visibly quaking. He approached his Joey on where the boy lay. He looked at him with such horror, more over when he tried to touch the gleaming wedge, then he found out he had not the heart to do so. He glanced at the blonde's face, his cheeks stained with shades of angry red, the expression of his face as empty as it was pale. Finally, he mustered the strength to pull out the knife, slowly, watching as blood gushed out.

Duke and Bakura's eyes widened the moment the dagger was removed. It dematerialized, taking with it the wound, leaving only the blood and the dread.

Even Bakura had a hard time looking at Joey. He'd known him enough to like him as he is, afterall. But then, something caught his eye.

"Yugi." Duke called to the mauve-haired boy softly. Yugi turned to look at him, slowly, devastated. He approached where he stood, and tried to see what he was trying to point.

Seto Kaiba. Lying, naked, on the floor beside the wall, a trail of blood running through his chiseled face and through the wall. But there was something else. In his chest, written in blood, were symbols. Symbols Yugi never knew, but he somewhat recognized. And, below them, barely readable, was the word "refuse".

Duke's sharp sense caught the intensity of Bakura's face. This, he rarely, rarely saw in this man. Since Bakura was that apathetic kind of guy, moreover when it comes to others. Ah, right. Joey was not one of the others anymore.

"Let's…bring him home." Bakura said, as if he ran out of energy.

"Of course we would." Duke responded while he assisted Yugi in fixing up the still unconscious Joey. He turned to look at his lover. "Bakura—"

As if he didn't hear the raven-haired boy, Bakura just went on and picked up Seto in his arms and lay him beside Joey on the bed.

Yugi shot a hot glare at the unconscious Seto, offended, his fists balled in infuriation. What kind of blind moron would not know what had happened? He didn't say a word anymore, though.

"Him?" Duke asked, puzzled.

"Yeah." The white-haired man answered.

"This is his house, Bakura." The raven-haired lad's tone was somewhat accusing. Like his was trying to rub off insanity.

Bakura didn't say a word, but he looked at his lover, rarely serious, as if telling him he is indeed sane and that he was serious.

"Let's go."

"Damn you…you've lost it, man…" Joey inhaled deeply. He choked for a second.

Seto…

"I got to teach you some manners." Seto proclaimed forcefully as he was pulling Joey's clothes off. "Not to slut with anyone behind my back."

"Fuck you!" Joey struggled.

"Stop moving and spare yourself the energy. You're gonna need it."

Hot tears streamed out of Joey's eyes in anger. He looked at the evil-looking Seto, slightly trembling in anger and fear. He didn't quite well get it – why was all of this happening? He looked at those gleaming dark cobalt eyes…and saw hell.

The blonde boy mustered the courage he got to throw his fist straight at the taller one's face. It hit, and hit hard. Seto was forced to step backward. He glared at the boy lying on the bed. "You imbecile! You even have the courage to hit me when you are at my mercy?!"

"Mercy your face." Joey scorned. "I'm at nobody's mercy."

"You still have that pride." The tall man smiled evilly. "Now I'm gonna have to teach you to know your place as well."

"That place is never beneath you." The other replied hardly.

A harsh hand once again slammed on Joey's cheek. Nerves showed on Seto's already flushed skin. "You could talk as much as you want…but that ain't gonna change my mind, Joey Wheeler."

"Who said I wanted to change your mind? You can violate me but you can never have me, Seto."

Seto growled. He was pissed off, alright. He walked away to the corner of the room, leaving Joey on the bed. Joey, meanwhile, cannot stop the tears. He knew he couldn't do anything, and he just wished that Yugi was with him right now. Damn he was so stupid. It was all his fault in the first place. And he would be so dirty…maybe Yugi wouldn't love him anymore after this. No…

The tall man came back, hiding one hand behind his back. "I've got a gift for you, whore."

Joey looked up at Seto with now empty hazel eyes. Seto forcefully flipped him to his chest with one hand. He lay one of Joey's hands beside the boy's head face down. The blonde flinched a little as Seto yanked his hair to turn his head towards that hand.

"Watch closely, ne? You're gonna love this."

A pained, strangled scream echoed through the room as silver blade pierced through Joey's hand, and tears formed anew on the corner of his eyes as he watched the blade slide through his flesh. Blood spread on the white sheets.

Seto licked his lips. "Ah…I like that." He smiled, his hands wrapped around the golden handle. "Won't you thank me?"

"Damn…you…" Joey huffed out in between groans. The pain burned unexplainably and spread through out his whole arm, and through his whole body. He was trembling as he saw more blood gushed out.

"Imbecile. Did your parents teach you any manners at all?" Seto breathed indifferently. "It's a gift, bitch, and you didn't thank me for it!" He shouted, enraged. Then, his face turned calm again, and he smiled gently. "Now I have to teach you to say thank you when somebody gives you a gift."

Joey's eyes widened, not able to see Seto in his position. Then, before he could realize anything, he closed his eyes and let out a agonized scream once more as the blade slid deeper into the mattress until the rim of the handle reached the back of his palm.

---

Tears formed in the corner of Yugi's eyes as he watched the peacefully sleeping Joey. He brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and touched the blonde's cheek, gently rubbing his thumb over the smooth, pale skin.

What have you done to deserve all this?

Hot anger suddenly raged inside him, and he felt the familiar urge that kept on bothering him for quite some times now.

The urge to go to the next room. The room where Seto Kaiba lay unconscious as his Joey was. To go to that room and do anything he can to just harm that man. He cannot explain it either. And that rage burning anew inside him was just as great as his thankfulness that Duke and Bakura were just joking when they said this house only has one bedroom. If they were all in the same room right now, things could have gone ugly ages ago.

Why did Seto do such thing? They've known each other for quite some time now, and yes, he was a big prick to everyone especially him, but no, not like this.

And was he, Yugi, the reason why Seto did this to Joey?

Since ever since, Joey had been a nice guy, even to Seto. Even if he would push him around. What could Joey possibly have done?

These thoughts made him very tired. After a lifetime of questions, he fell asleep, holding Joey's cold hand in his own.

---

Was that Joey?

Yugi lay still and tried to wake from his stupor. He thought he just felt something move. He lifted his head to look at the boy sleeping on the bed.

Shit.

Panic arose inside Yugi. Joey was not there.

He quickly stood up, paused and collected his thoughts. Joey was definitely there before he closed his eyes. He looked outside the window, and behind the curtain, he knew it was still dark, maybe a very early hour in the morning.

The King of Duelists glanced at the bathroom. Empty. He silently but briskly vacated the room. He went downstairs, to the living room, the kitchen, still no signs of Joey in the still quiet. He ascended back up the stairs.

And stopped.

Fuck.

He contemplated for a while.

What if…

He proceeded to the room beside theirs, briskly, hesitantly. He opened the door.

"Joey!" He gasped, anxiously quiet.

Joey was there, standing very still beside the quietly sleeping Seto, looking at him with empty eyes. Empty eyes that were streaming with tears.

Yugi literally ran towards the blonde boy, wrapped his arms around him and turned him around. Joey fell to his knees and Yugi just continued to hold him. After a very short while, the smaller boy looked at his lover's face.

Sleeping.

Sounds of agony forced their way out of Joey's throat and through the ears of the man who was fondly watching him. That man, Seto, was smiling as he watched pain torment the blonde boy lying spread on his bed.

The tall man walked to the bed, bent down to Joey and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "You look so beautiful, Joey." He whispered.

And Joey could hardly answer a coherent word.

"Shhh." Smiled Seto. "I'm not through. Not just yet."

Hazel eyes widened. Joey just tried to keep his body as still as possible, trying to prepare for whatever havoc could befall him. And he expected the worst, even worse than the hell he's burning in at the moment.

And before he could even contemplate about what it could be, it came.

The other's impressive girth rammed forcefully inside his body and pushed his whole frame up the bed with its force. Again, he let out a loud scream of pain. His hand was searing more painfully now, having been pushed through the sharp blade, and a wide trail of crimson flowed anew. And obviously, it hurt down there, moreover because he was not a bit prepared.

He felt the pain. The pain. The hatred spread inside him, and still, confusion whirled in his mind, and it intensified that pain, that vile darkness. It tore him apart.

His head was turned to the side of his wounded hand, and he just stared at it. Stared and stared at it as the pain repeated itself on him, degrading him with every blow. The large hands that tightly gripped his shoulders and its fingers that seemed to penetrate his flesh grew more and more eager every second, like they wanted to tear his flesh apart. Tears blurred hazel eyes. He just let it come. He cried all the pain as he resentfully embraced it. He wanted to scream, but he was weak.

Seto was just not too happy about it. He wanted Joey to scream, to beg for mercy. But no, this boy just lay still and accepted the inevitable. It did not deter him at all, as a matter of fact because of it, he wanted this boy to hurt more. Even more.

Teeth sank unto Joey's bare shoulders before he felt Seto got up. His face merely twitched in pain. Maybe all of it was just too much…and maybe he was just growing numb of it. The air got colder and colder.

Joey could not help but bury his face in the mattress as one of Seto's huge belt buckles slammed his back. He bit his lip as it was repeated again, and again.

"Now, Joey, why so quiet?"

The blonde boy turned his head to the side once more. He smiled, such a pained, bittersweet smile. "Whatever pleases you, Seto." He said. "I gladly submit to it."

"Imbecile!" Seto growled.

"I tried to fight, you got angry. Now I'm not, you're still angry. Just tell me what you really want, master. Anything."

The smile was still there. So empty and bitter.

Joey's words were dragging. Even his eyes were now half-shut. He was too tired, too spent, too hurt to even recognize. Even if he died, he could have barely noticed. Or maybe death would have been a lot better than this. "Why are you doing this, Seto?"

But the tall man just answered with more ill-treatment, cursing in between gritted teeth. He wanted to Joey to hurt. To bleed. To scream and beg. And he didn't want to stop until he gets what he wants.

The blonde boy's sight was already dimming. He felt his consciousness slipping away with every blow he was receiving, and he could tell it wasn't going to be long until he'd finally break.

"…I…give…up…"

---

"Is there something bothering you, Bakura?"

A dark, gentle hand rested on Bakura's pale chest, soothing and undemanding. True, Duke didn't demand any explanation from Bakura, nor did he ask any question since they got home a couple of days ago. Though he didn't understand why his lover brought Seto Kaiba home, he didn't ask, because above all of it, he felt Bakura's unusual anxiety and he was more worried of it than anything else.

And Bakura could never deny that he knew Duke very well, and so is the other way around. Why Duke never pried, he knew. But…

"Nothing, Duke. Maybe I'm just tired."

And Duke always left it at that.

---

Blurry.

Cobalt blue eyes opened to the dark of the room. Dark and blurred. He tried to get up, and he felt like his head was splitting open. He touched it, and felt bandages wrapped around it.

He looked around, and realized the place was smaller than what he remembered. Even the window was not where it used to be.

Where in the seven hells was he?

He stood up and found his way around, barefooted. He turned the knobs open. Still dark. And his head still hurts very, very badly. It took some immobile time there by the door, before his vision stopped whirling.

Seto gripped everything he can in order to keep himself straight. He held on to the staircase rails tightly while descending it, trying to scoot his eyes around for anything. After a lifetime of careful, slow steps, he found himself in the living room. It was a wide room. There, on the 4-seater leather couch lay a blanketed form, and another one lay on the floor beside it.

Huh?

As he was walking towards the couch, the person lying there got up and raised a finger to his lips. Long black hair and luminous bottle green eyes. Seto didn't recognize him at first, but he did eventually.

"Duke Devlin? Is that you?" He squinted his eyes for a better look in the dark.

"We're not in school. Just call me Duke. Or master, if you prefer." He winked. "Finally, you're awake."

"Since when was I here? Why am I here? Who—"

"Slow down, honey. I didn't bring you here." Duke pointed to the man sleeping wearily on the floor. "He did."

"Who's he?"

The black-haired man smiled, and gently peeled the blanket from the person's face.

Seto stared at the sleeping man. Seems he recognizes him…but he doesn't know this person. He just stared at him blankly, without word.

"Why? Don't you know him?"

"No."

---

"Good morning, Yugi."

The King of Duelists opened his eyes to the sweet, smiling face of Joey Wheeler. The blonde boy was playing with a lock of Yugi's hair while he was asleep.

"Morning." Yugi smiled back, his eyes blinking slowly from just-sleep. "You're so cute."

"Yeah I know."

He touched his face, staring fondly at his hazel eyes. He would gladly be used to wake up like this. "Feeling ok, Joey?"

"Yeah. Much better." Joey closed his eyes and just let Yugi touch his face. He was so glad to be back here with him.

The smaller boy is still a bit worried for his lover, but he was glad that Joey was helping himself too. Seeing the blonde boy smile made him very happy, and he could almost forget it.

"I wonder if Seto's awake now." Joey thought aloud, his lower lip pouting a bit.

Yugi could just look at Joey with sadness in his wide, mauve eyes.

"Don't worry, Yugi. I'm all ok now." The blonde smiled.

But Yugi was never convinced.

Joey had finally woken up the day before, and he had plenty of time to catch up. Yugi, Duke and Bakura stayed with him until he felt better. Well, Bakura just sat beside him silently, but he's still there anyway. He had appreciated Yugi's presence most of all—he didn't think he would still be there after all that happened, but he is, and that was almost enough to bring Joey together.

And Seto…there he was, in the other room, still in deep slumber.

"Are you sure?" Yugi asked, apprehensively.

"Yup." Joey answered cheerfully. "Now get up. I made you breakfast."

Yugi let out a quiet laugh. "Shut up, Joey. I know Duke cooked breakfast."

Joey laughed.

---

The quiet sound of silver in motion filled the morning table.

"Good morning." Duke greeted. "Breakfast." Bakura just made a small gesture, which probably means likewise.

"How are you feeling?" Joey asked, smiling.

Yugi kept his lips pursed, still unable to look at that person without wanting to hurt him.

And Seto, Seto could not say a word either. He just sat the empty chair beside Duke, in front of Yugi; picked up his silver and ate. Why Duke set an extra place in the table, no one asked. The raven-haired man hasn't told anyone Seto already awoke the previous night, and Duke just egged him to rest until morning.

"Bakura, why so quiet?" Joey asked innocently. Of all the days they ate in the same table, Joey never saw Bakura act this queer. He was eating silently, neatly, today.

Bakura acted as if he hadn't heard anything.

"Heyyyy" The blonde boy kidded, in an attempt to cheer the whitehead up.

"Joey." Duke smiled at him. "Look at Bakura. He looks miserable, doesn't he?"

"Yeah."

"We'll make him look more miserable later."

Joey blushed.

"It's your last day here, after all."

"Is that so?? It has been a week already?"

"Yup."

Seto still had no idea what he was doing here, but pretty dumbfounded, he was. He knew these men, but their relationships confused him. He did not dare ask, wary to move in unfamiliar territory.

"So, Seto, how was your sleep? Did you rest well?" Yugi asked.

The blonde boy looked at him worriedly, sensing the sarcasm and bitterness in his lover's words.

"Fine. Thank you." Seto answered quietly and without tone.

"Well deserved. I assume you had a nice dream."

"Not quite."

"Why so? You seemed pretty satisfied before you went to sleep."

Bakura turned gaze on Yugi.

"Pity your room was messed up badly that you had to sleep here."

"Yugi." Bakura called, in an effort to stop the boy.

"Joey's feeling better now, too." Yugi glared at Seto Kaiba, who was now just staring blankly at his plate.

The blonde boy held Yugi's hand, with his bandaged own. There was no wound, but it still hurt a bit. "Please, Yugi."

Seto saw Joey's hand, and he stared at it. Flashes. The brown-haired lad held his head tight as he felt the searing pain inside. He saw the flesh, the sheets, the blood, the wall, the darkness.

"Seto, are you alright?" Duke asked apprehensively.

"I…I didn't…" Seto muttered in between gasps. "…No…stop…" He stood up and edged away from the table. His hands were still desperately clawing his head when he stumbled down. He scurried into a corner and stayed there, muttering the same words as he rocked himself.

Of all people, Bakura stood up and went to where Seto sat, knelt, took him in his arms and tried to hush him up.

Duke turned to stare at his plate instead, his eyes beginning to blur.

The silver were clenched tightly in Yugi's shaking hands.

And Joey was almost as mad as Seto was right then.

---

Duke sat alone on the corner of the wide black bed as he stared at the glass windows, his arms and legs gathered near him. The sky was a dull amber.

Seto came back to his room this morning and stayed there. The other three were left downstairs.

He was convinced that Bakura loved only him. But eventhough, he can't help but feel jealous with that Seto. He'd never seen his lover act like that to anyone, not even him. Suddenly being all quiet and serious and everything that totally wasn't him—who is this Seto anyway? Who is he in the life of his Baku-chan?

Then he remembered.

Could Seto be one of Bakura's flings? But Seto doesn't even know, or recognize, Bakura.

How could that be?

Can Bakura possibly have feelings for this person who doesn't know him at all?

He can't seem to think of any explanation. But definitely, after all that he'd seen these past few days, he's feeling bad about it. He's feeling totally, totally bad about it that now, he doesn't want to talk or see anyone.

After he saw that little scenario in the kitchen this morning, he couldn't help it. And Bakura wouldn't tell him about it at all.

What was happening?

Knock, knock.

"Leave me alone."

"Duke? Please open the door."

Luminous bottle-green eyes widened, having recognized his lover's voice. "What do you want?" He managed to say, a little insecurity playing at the back of his mind.

"I know what the matter is. Please let me in."

---

Sigh.

Joey silently smiled, there, lying on Yugi's lap on the bed, the boy's hands raking his blonde hair gently. Duke huddled to Bakura at the foot of the bed.

Damn this idleness.

A little more and he could very well get used to it, so used that he'd not want to be anywhere else that here, in the comfort of these young men, idle.

It's amazing how he learned to appreciate the quiet stillness in just a week.

"I hate being idle, don't you?" Duke, suddenly, thought aloud.

"Not really." Joey answered innocently, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.

"I'd rather prefer otherwise." Bakura grinned, pulling slightly on Duke's ear. "I suppose…"

Yugi stared knowingly at the two. "Don't you think someone's not in the shape for un-idleness?"

Duke laughed. "Oh c'mon, Yugi, you're no fun." He said, waving his hands. "He needs to have his blood moving. And besides, look at him. He's…just look at him."

"Yeah. Making sure he lives up for his name…a dog. A lazy one, but a dog nevertheless. Just look at that recovery." Bakura chuckled, for the first time in seemingly such long a time. "And after all, we need to make sure he has good circulation."

They all laughed at that.

Joey inched up a little so he could look at the lovers on the other end of the bed. "Then come and get me, you horn dogs." He chuckled.

"Could you at least respect my presence?" Yugi raised an eyebrow in fake offense, attempting to hide a grin.

The blonde got up, ruffled Yugi's spiky hair and pulled him for a playful kiss. "Honey, you need exercise."

---

Sigh.

Seto stared at his crossed arms, his feet huddled close to himself as he sat silently in one corner of 'his' room.

Damn this idleness.

But for now, he has no choice. The pain in his head returned when Yugi said the things he said in the dining table this morning. He didn't know, but shivers ran up his spine, and his guts felt like turning over. If he went out again…he just didn't want the pain to come back.

He doesn't know what time it is, how long has he been there, or whoever the hell people were wondering where he is. He felt…lost. He wanted to demand his clothes and go, but somewhere in the back of his mind, a voice was telling him not to. Why? He does not know, but he was willing to find out by staying.

Laughter.

Was that really…laughter, that he heard?

Uh, I must be hallucinating again, he thought.

After a few moments, the laughter reverberated again.

He thought for a moment, then realized that it may be from the other room. They're laughing, huh? Resentfully, he broke his stare at the adjacent wall.

What was he feeling so bad about anyway?

Just to fill in his curiosity. Wouldn't hurt.

---

"He heard us, alright." Duke said softly, winking.

Joey giggled.

Yugi made a slight upset face.

"Loosen up, li'l boy. You got plenty 'o reason to."

The upset face deepened. What exactly did he mean by that? Yugi thought.

Knock, knock.

The raven-haired lad stood up and opened the door, just a gap enough for Seto to see him. "Oh, what a surprise." He said, with no look of surprise in his face at all. Maybe a little sarcastic, with one brow slightly raised, and a foxy smile on his lips.

"Uh…I was just wondering…" Seto cursed at himself. Why was he stammering anyway? He could just ask…but he couldn't seem to look straight to the man he's talking to. He felt…awkward, being smiled at like that. Well, kinda.

"What's the fuss all about?" Now the smile on Duke's face turned sweet, like telling the taller one to just relax. "Wanna come in?"

"No…thank you…I just—"

"Ok." The other answered right away, and posed to close the door, but stopped halfway. He smiled again. "Just kidding." Then he pulled the dumbfounded Seto in.

A jaw almost kissed the floor.

Yugi was sitting by the headboard, with Joey's head on his lap. Bakura was on all fours on top of the blonde boy. He didn't even bother…uh, fix himself when he greeted the visitor.

"Hey there."

"Uh, hi." The tall man answered back, still unknowing how to react.

Joey pouted. "Did I look as stupid as that when I first arrived here?" He whispered to the man on top of him.

"Nah." Bakura gave the blonde's lips a lick.

The blonde smiled victoriously.

"I didn't see you when you first saw me and Duke. Couldn't say."

"Yugi, he's bullying me."

"As if he can do anything."

"Shhh." Yugi hushed the two men in front of him, his neck extending to see above Bakura's head and to the sight behind it.

Duke was going at it again. He must be that…

Hospitable.

Yes. Maybe that's it. And there was a very amused smile on the black-haired boy's face right now, seeing Seto's reaction. Perhaps he wanted to do things for amusement, that's why he does what he does. After all, he is what he is, and those who liked him liked him for it.

"What's the matter, Seto?" Duke asked as he inched nearer the taller man.

"Why's he here?" Yugi asked, trying to play with the game. As Bakura said, he should at least loosen up. And for some reason, Joey's acting towards this man seemed to convince him a bit, even if he didn't clearly see the reason.

Duke turned to Yugi. "He wanted to know what we're doing. Maybe we woke him up." A wink, then he turned back to Seto. "Am I not right?" He breathed into the man's face.

"Ne, Duke, just get it over with." Bakura bellowed.

The green-eyed man chuckled, eyes still pasted to the dark cobalt of Seto's eyes. "I'm sorry. He's very impatient." He said, his tone very liquid, trying to get as close as possible to the other, which was very close. Too close for comfort.

"Ok then…I'm going back now." He said, feeling awkward and taking a step back.

A blush crept on the brown-haired man's face, his dark blue eyes widening as Duke took his lips in his own. After a brief moment, a whisper. "Could you stay…let's see…a little longer?"

"Ok he agrees so take off his clothes now and come over here." Bakura grinned at Joey, and Joey gave out, again, a chuckle.

Seto blushed.

Yes, the world is not ending, he blushed. They all saw it, especially Duke, and this fueled the glow on his lime green eyes, which, fortunately, makes Seto blush more, adding to everybody's amusement.

"Oh come on - he's going to join us?" Yugi, again, faked the mockery to add to Seto's feeling of nervousness.

"Join where?" The brown-haired boy asked, uncertainty in his voice. Not uncertainty of what the previous statement meant, but uncertainty of what he wanted to do about it.

"Just be quiet." Duke said, cupping his mouth over Seto's. His tongue tried to snake through the brown-haired boy's pursed lips, and Seto unconsciously obliged, his own tongue meeting the other's inside. Duke tried to move gently so as not to receive any resistance due to shock, but gave out more passion as Seto's muscles tensed beneath his hands.

A graceful bronze hand settled at the back of Seto's neck, and another tried to worm its way inside Seto's robe. That hand roamed Seto's chest in feathery contact, lower, but stopping short on the brown-haired boy's lower abdomen. Seto was already moaning in Duke's mouth.

Duke, with much experience and delight with first-timers, sucked on Seto's tongue, afterwards nibbling at the corner of the other's mouth, then moved lower to Seto's chin, his neck, pulled the man's robe sleeves down to work on his shoulder, bending down to his chest. Seto unconsciously raked his hand in Duke's untied hair.

"Ne, Bakura's getting jealous." Joey teased, pulling Bakura in the ear.

"Oh shut up." The white-haired lad retorted. Then he let out a deal of teasing, "Look at your li'l boy. Seems he's enjoying himself immensely," he said.

The blonde looked up to Yugi, who was unblinkingly watching Duke induce Seto. Joey rolled his eyes. Yugi doesn't even seem to give any attention at all to his and Bakura's conversation.

"See?" Bakura nibbled on the blonde's ear, licking and sucking it. Joey closed his eyes, enjoying the treatment. Pale hands crept down to Joey's pants, tugging it and trying to open it single-handedly. The blonde boy got that hand, and brought it up to his mouth, then sucked a finger.

"Could I undo you?" Joey asked sheepishly.

Bakura was a bit shocked of this, used to being the active half most of the time. "Sure."

Duke's hand moved down from Seto's nape to his backside. Cobalt eyes opened, surprised with the touch. The raven-haired lad got one of the other's from his hair, put it beside his face and cradled to it. He gave his palm a brief lick, before looking at Seto again.

Bottle green eyes smiled at dark blue ones. Seto's lips stretched oh so slightly to a little smile. Duke untied the other's robe, quietly marveling at his prowess that was proved by the evident bulk below that knot he was working on. The robe effortlessly fell to the floor, revealing Seto's toned body, and his very alive member.

"He's happy to see me." Duke smiled slightly, eyeing it. His eyes not tearing away from Seto's manhood, "Hi, nice to meet you." He grinned.

Seto chuckled. His hands settle on Duke's shoulders, caressing the other's arms and settling on his hips.

"Go ahead. It's getting tight."

Bakura sat up, Joey straddling him. The blonde pulled up the whitehead's shirt and tossed it to the floor. Slightly, he pushed Bakura down on the bed and worked on the buttons of the man's pants. After a short while, he pulled them off together with the man's boxers and again, threw it to the floor. He bent down to the man lying on the mattress on all fours.

"Heyyy." Yugi blurted out. "How about me?"

"Mine." Bakura stuck out his tongue on the boy.

Joey claimed Bakura's lips, violently, thrusting his tongue inside the other's mouth, the white-haired lad not refusing at all and playing with the foreign appendage with his own tongue. The blonde pulled off and proceeded in licking Bakura's body in one single line as he traveled down to his crotch. He gave its tip a naughty lick, running the tip of tongue through it length, then planting kisses on Bakura's thighs.

Long, pale legs circled around Joey's neck, feet clamping together down Joey's back. The blonde took Bakura inside his mouth and sucked with all his might.

"Shit." Bakura closed his eyes, bucked his hips up, shocked with Joey's choice of movements.

After going down a couple of times, Joey got up, licked his lips and wiped the spit off his chin with his arm. His eyes widened a bit when he felt Yugi behind him, the boy's hands around him. Yugi pulled Joey's shirt up and kissed the boy's shoulder, before working on the blonde's pants. Joey pressed his body to the man behind him, to the warmth of Yugi's bare body, to the press of his aroused cock on his backside.

"Yo." Duke greeted, hand in hand with Seto, before he laid the taller man on the bed. "Having a good time?"

"Damn…blondie learns quickly." Bakura grinned.

"Yugi?" Joey called, now lying on the bed beneath his lover.

"What?"

"Could you kiss Seto?" He smiled mischievously.

Before Yugi could disagree, Joey put on his best puppy dog eyes. "Please? For me?"

The King of Duelists gave out a defeated sigh. As he crawled on where Seto lay, Duke rubbing their hips together, he thought, I'm loosening up, right? He convinced himself. More and more, as he watched Duke and Seto's display a little earlier, he realized that the uneasy feeling in the brown-haired boy's presence was melting away, moreover as he saw him smile a couple of times.

Yugi bent down to Seto, whose eyes are closed in elation, and placed his mouth over the other's. And Seto, being in a state like that, kissed back more ardently as he released his approval of Duke in Yugi's mouth.

"Hey blondie." Bakura whispered in Joey's ear. The white-haired man managed to get Joey to sit on the edge of the bed. Bakura went to Duke, muttered something, and came back dragging Seto along with him. He got Seto on all fours on the floor facing the sprawled Joey.

"Go ahead. Joey's waiting." Bakura urged Seto to take Joey in, the blonde eyeing at them and their arrangement that aroused him all the more. Who wouldn't be aroused is Seto Kaiba was down on all fours before you?

Seto hesitated for a moment. He just closed his eyes to take the uneasiness off, and took Joey in his mouth anyway. He tried to take it as far as he can, which was very far, and Bakura just amusedly watched them. The white-haired lad decided to take it a step further as he inserted a couple of fingers inside Seto, causing the brown-haired lad to fire up. He was now moaning in Joey's hardness, sending maddening vibrations to it and through the whole of Joey's body, all the while bucking his hips backward to meet Bakura's digits.

Joey threw his head back and fell back to the bed, his hands weaving in Seto's hair, not being able to control himself any longer, moreover after watching the brown-haired boy's mouth fill with his member. Yugi took this as a chance to take Joey's lips, bending down from above the blonde. Joey circled his arms around Yugi's neck, deepening the kiss. And Duke, of course, could not stand there and neglect himself. He went down to Bakura on the floor and behind Seto, Bakura giving way for him. He, then, gripped Seto's hips and pushed his weeping cock inside the man, rapid thrusting following not so long after.

And Bakura had his eyes on the last remaining prey left to take. Yugi.

He climbed to the bed and positioned himself behind the boy who was still on the rabid liplock with his lover. And Bakura was no gentle—or even considerate—person. He, abruptly, rammed his aching shaft inside Yugi, hitting his pleasure center with accuracy, without thought of going easy or slowing down a bit. He leaned down the boy's back, the boy meeting his thrusts with the same rapid succession, his pale hands seizing Yugi's abandoned hardness and pumping it with the same rhythm as his hips, making Yugi snap back to him harder. Yugi's lips broke away from the blonde's to make way for the urgent moaning and urging cries that were escaping his throat.

"Faster…harder…" He pleaded.

And with all that begging that filled their ears, Duke was persuaded to rock Seto all the harder, his own incoherent niose now unrestricted as well, thus urging the man to suck harder on Joey. Seto brought up a hand to help himself, but dissatisfied, he took one of Duke's hands from his hips to his arousal. Duke willingly obliged him, stroking the man inside and out in the same cadence, his thumb momentarily fondling the shaft's tip.

Yugi let out one last loud groan before leaking in Bakura's hand, and with his muscles in spasm, it got tighter and tighter for Bakura's hardness that it pushed him to his own fulfillment. Joey came in Seto's mouth not long after Seto's strong moaning and sucking. Seto swallowed it all. Duke threw his head back in his orgasm, his grip on the man's hips almost bruising, and his last fast thrusts pushed Seto all the more to his peak and spurted his essence in Duke's hand.

Heaving breaths.

Duke climbed up to the bed just as Bakura was withdrawing from Yugi, and the raven-haired lad just threw his arms around his Baku-chan weakly. Yugi fell to the bed, and Seto's knees collapsed as well. He just leaned on Joey's thighs, resting his head on the blonde's stomach.

"Damn all…of you beginners…" Duke muttered breathlessly, grinning.

"Am I still considered beginner?" Joey asked, a smile on his lips as he panted. Yugi ruffled his blonde hair.

Bakura just shook his head in between breaths.

"Hey you. Come over here." Joey pulled Seto by the arm as he mounted the lower half of his body up the bed. Seto managed to clamber up as well, and lay his wearied body beside Joey's.

Silence.

"That was better than the last." Joey uttered, turning over to his side to face Seto. He brushed a lock of hair fm his sweaty forehead, and gave him a peck at the cheek.

Dark cobalt eyes just stared at the blonde absentmindedly.

Joey was a bit startled when a finger poked at his back. He turned over to his other side, only to catch Yugi pouting big time. The smaller boy had the most pathetic puppy dog eyes as he pointed at himself.

"Oh Yugi…I'm sorry." The blonde imitated the pout and gave Yugi's head a pat.

The three laughed quietly.

Now Joey turned over to face the ceiling, sighing happily.

It will just fade…and I didn't even know. But I don't care.

He whistled. "But, seriously, Seto." He glanced at the man beside him who was staring at him. "That was not bad for a first-timer. Not bad at all." He grinned. Seto blushed. "Ne, Bakura, who do you think's better between the both of us?"

No answer.

Joey got up a bit and peeked behind Yugi, where Bakura is. And blushed.

"Do you two ever get tired?"

And with that, Yugi and Seto both looked at where Joey was looking.

Duke laughed. "Not quite." He answered. "How about you, Bakura?"

Bakura, who was then on top of Duke and working on the man's neck, halted and looked at them, a puzzled look on his face. "What?"

"He asked us if we ever get tired, baka."

"Hm." Bakura looked up to think of an answer. "We do…but not of each other. 'Course not." Then he got back to work.

Yugi looked at Joey, and smiled. "How about you, Joey, do you ever get tired?"

The blonde returned the smile with a wicked one of his own. "Not tonight, no."

"And you, Seto?" He asked again, and Joey smiled to himself at that.

"A bit. But not really."

So Joey straightened out, gave his lap a couple of taps so as to tell Yugi to mount himself there. And so, Yugi got up and straddled Joey's lap. Seto just watched them.

A finger played by Yugi's lip, and the boy opened his mouth a bit, trying to give that finger a little more space to fondle with. Joey's finger traced at the other's lower lip, his own lips mimicking how it is slightly opened. He licked his lips, and put his finger in Yugi's mouth. He got his hand back and licked the same finger.

Yugi bent down to kiss Joey's lips, Joey putting his tongue out for convenience. They shared a tongue-dance for some moments, before Yugi got the chance to attack Joey's exposed neck. Joey's fingers roamed Yugi's back, making shivers run through his whole body. The same fingers crept to his back side and momentarily played by the boy's cleft, but then moved lower to the back of Yugi's thighs. He stretched them out so that Yugi was lying on top of him. Then, he bucked his hips against the other's, rubbing their cocks together, and reawakening passions as he did so. Yugi buried his face on Joey's shoulder and let out sighs and moans of approval as he moved as well. The seed that was dripping from their now erect members added more to the wonderful friction.

Then, abruptly, Joey grasped Yugi's arms and pushed him up, forcing Yugi to fold his legs once more.

Duke was lying on all fours on the mattress, Bakura behind him. The white-haired man's mouth traveled through Duke's lower back, and down to his backside. Duke thrashed his head up on all directions, writhing madly, folding his arms so that he could push more to that skillful tongue. Throaty urgings and moans made their way past his lips.

"Do me good." Joey said, his head turning to Seto, who, by now can't help but touch himself. "Can I help you with that?" He smiled, his finger playing at the side of his mouth.

Duke tried to stretch out his arms as Bakura stopped his ministrations. He leaned over Duke's back, grabbing the man's quivering arousal, fondling the tip with his thumb, then afterwards bringing that finger to his mouth. "Wouldn't trade this for anyone else's in the world." He muttered, before shoving his own erection inside his lover's body, earning him a loud moan in reply.

Seto glanced at the two men beside them before sitting by Joey's chest. "You sure?"

"Just shut up." He said, grasping Seto's length and licking its tip which was as far as his tongue could reach. Seto then leaned over to give the blonde better access, his hands gripping the headboard. Meanwhile. Yugi had his shaft in, and the blonde's legs circled around his waist in reciprocation. Joey moaned, and it made Seto close his eyes. Using the headboard as leverage, Seto thrust himself inside Joey's mouth, the blonde sucking him willingly, circling his tongue as Seto pulled backward.

Duke's mouth was opened wide, a sound accompanying every thrust. He tried to keep his arms straight, though he was weakening in pleasure. He brought one hand up to his mouth a bit his knuckles to lessen the sounds he was making, but Bakura, sensing that he did so, snatched the arm away and put it where it was. He didn't want Duke to restrain himself, as he, himself, was starting to slip away from his sanity. He'd done it plenty of times before, but Duke never failed and bore him even a bit. He gripped at Duke's hips and thrust deep and hard, if it can get any harder than that. The raven-haired boy brought a hand to his arousal, stroking himself in unison with Bakura, but his lover already had that in mind. He removed Duke's hand from where it was, and replaced it with his own. He pumped Duke with all the passion burning inside him.

As Yugi did with Joey. He rammed without constraint, knowing that Joey would want it that way, his rhythm accompanied by his hand that was expertly handling Joey's manhood like it was his own. Joey's hands were on both of Seto's thighs, gripping hard, as he was moaning loudly and swallowing hard at Seto's pre-come. Joey's legs tightened their clasp on Yugi's waist, as Seto's grip tightened on the headboard as his movements became more and more feverish, his hips moving faster and faster, Joey's mouth and tongue driving him nearly insane.

Two pairs of knees collapsed simultaneously after a couple of hard thrusts, both men coming at almost the same time in each other. They both land on the mattress, as tired as hell, but as satiated as ever.

Joey swallowed every single drop that came from Seto, giving it one final suck before the brown-haired boy drew himself out of Joey's mouth and rolled to his previous place. Joey came and Yugi followed closely, Yugi's head falling on Joey's chest as he let go of him and pulled out of his lover,

And again, the room was filled with heavy panting that could only emanate from one truly satisfied night. Joey's lids are getting too heavy for him, and he closed his eyes to slumber. Yugi took him in his arms and closed his eyes to drift off as well. Seto threw his arms around the blonde boy and posed to sleep as well.

Duke, meanwhile, huddled close to his Baku-chan, the white-haired lad automatically circling his arms around Duke. They both closed their eyes to rest, a smile prominently seen on Duke's lips.

"Damn all you… scrawny…beginners." He muttered.

Bakura chuckled weakly. "Well, for one…they do have talents…"

"N."

"Goodnight, dear."

"'Night."

---

"I knew it."

"You got my letter?"

"Go away. You don't belong here."

"But I belong…with you."

A/N: AKEMASHITE OMEDETO MINNA-SAN! HAPPY NEW YEAR, HAPPY NEW CHAPTER!

Sorry if it took so long. Twas not so easy to write…with that change in mood and all what a pity that I only got to unleash my naughtiness in the lemon. This chapter…took a lot of my…energy… need…to…sleep…

Lol. I gave a deadline to myself to finish this. If I don't finish it 'til new year, I won't sleep until it's finished. So, here, it's almost dawn, and I gotta sleep now. Sorry if it's barely comprehensible. It sucks in my opinion, not exactly my quality but not the lemon coz I'm a shameless hentai right now, but only because it goes with the last chapter which is coming soon. Hopefully everything will be clear by then, and hopefully I can be more ecchi then so I can write another good orgy …six men…how can I do that…?

You'd review for this sleepless fu-fu, right? Domo…arigato… zzzz