Well I got a couple of reviews. ::cringes:: I really should have kept up with this. Anyway, here is the next part that I promised. Sorry it didn't come out last week; my computer hard drive fried so I now have no OS. Luckily my files aren't saved on that hard drive. ::would have cried many rivers:: So yes, onto the part that has romance, hate, anger, secret confessions, and angst. Oh the woe of fanfic lives. ::coughs:: So yeah... here we go.

Chapter 6

Tuesday, December the 24th 7:04 pm

--Duke's POV--

The party is winding down and I still haven't come close to completing my resolution. Like every other human I fear the rejection that is sure to come, but this waiting for what may never be is too much.

"Well, Grandpa will be expecting me to be back soon," Yuugi says and I look to my watch. It's an early end, but I have things to get done with the store too.

At Yuugi's announcement everyone starts saying their good-byes and Seto doesn't seem to upset to see us all head to the door. If I don't do something now I won't get the chance until after New Years, when school starts again, and anyone who goes that long without completing their resolution never does. You head out of the room behind everyone and I follow, unsure of how I'm going to even start this conversation.

I guess saying something would be a start. "Hey Tristan," I call out as you almost reach the main hall, stopping where I'm standing. The butler gives me another sour lemon look, which I'm beginning to suspect is just how he looks all the time, but doesn't tell me too keep moving.

You stop in the large doorway as the rest of the group goes on, and turn back to look at me. "Yeah?"

My throat constricts while I search for something to say, my eyes flit around nervously as I walk up to you. My gaze lands on a spot above your head and I laugh in the face of sanity. If there's one thing that is said about me that couldn't be more true, it's that I have a flair for the dramatic and unexpected.

"You should really watch where you stop," I advice with a quick glance up at the mistletoe hanging from the top of the door frame, and as you begin to look up I lean forward and place my lips firmly on yours.

They stay there for about a second before you register what I had done and then you step back and look at me in shock. "Duke..." You start tentatively, as if you're unsure how to tell me something, and I don't want to hear it.

"Sorry," I mumble as I move past you and head for the door at a fast walk. That done, I'll never be able to speak to you again.

Stepping out into the cold, I hear you call my name. I continue down the driveway and stop only when you call again. I force myself to keep my eyes on the ground, and feel myself shift to the defensive. I don't care what I have to do, I don't want to hear you reject me Tristan. I already hate this damn holiday season enough.

You stop just within the range of my vision and I see your feet shift uncomfortable. "Well? Do you have something to say, or are you just trying to make me hate myself more?" I ask angrily.

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Tuesday, December the 24th 7:11 pm

--Tristan's POV--

The bitterness in your voice hurts and I begin to second guess what I thought the reasoning behind your action was.

"You..." I start, but the memory of your lips on mine causes me to falter. Surely you didn't do that just because of the mistletoe. There had to be something behind it...

"I what?" you snap, glaring up at me. "Did something stupid? I know."

Stupid? "Well, if it was stupid why are you so pissed at me?" I demand. If it was stupid you're not the one who should be mad.

You turn to leave without answering my question. You think I'm going to just let you walk off after you hit me with that fastball?! Stupid indeed.

"Wait just a minute!" I say, taking a step forward.

"Why?!" You spin around and the anger on your face causes me to take a step back. "So you can tell me you hate me? So that you can squash any good that I had hoped could come out of this? No Tristan. I won't hear it from you. Not you," you finish and turn again to walk through the gate.

Good? I stare after you in shock. Everything that you have said and done is confusing me, but now I'm not so sure it's me you're mad at. As things snap into place I run for the gate and look after you, but all that is left of you is footprints in the snow.

Looking out at where the footprints turn the corner, I whisper to myself, "I don't hate you Duke."

I walk back toward my bike and go over everything that just happened. I climb on and head home, trying to think of anyway that this could manage to be fixed.

I remember the box in my room and a small plan begins to form. I won't be able to do this alone though...

I pull into the garage and hastily park my bike. Heading into the kitchen, I grin. Mom is busy putting the finishing touches on glazing the ham and listening to Christmas songs.

"Hi Mom," I say as I giver a small hug. "Is Dad home?"

She places the ham into the oven and looks up at me. "He should be in the study. Why?"

"Well I need to talk to you guys about something," I answer, knowing this has been coming for some time, but still dreading it. Although, I wouldn't be too surprised if they suspected. All these years and not one serious girlfriend?

"Sure thing dear," she says, pulling me back out of my thoughts. She pushes me gently into the living room and heads into the study. I stand by the fireplace and try not to pace or look nervous. It's not that I think they'll be upset. After my sister I've been a breeze for them. Besides, it's the only plan I can think of now, so I have to go along with it. And if I somehow manage to fix this, and you return my feelings, I can't just shock them with a sudden boyfriend.

My parents enter the room and I try and stop thinking. "You wanted to talk about something son?" my dad asks as he sits on the couch by my mom. She smiles at me and I feel more comfortable.

"I have a bit of a problem and I was hoping that you might be able to help me," I explain. "First though, I have something to tell you. I probably should have said something sooner, but," I hesitate, but after already coming this far I know I can't stop. I plow ahead, "I'm bisexual."

My dad blinks in shock, while my mom just continues to smile at me. Well, one of them guessed at least.

"You're sure you are? This couldn't be some stage or anything?" My dad asks me, and ignores the fact that my mom hits him on the arm softly.

I think back on the kiss that caused me to be here and simply answer, "I'm sure."

He simply shrugs. "Can't say I understand, but if you're happy... I'm guessing that this problem involves a boy?"

I nod. "I got into an argument with someone this afternoon and I want to try and fix things. Now, I know that we usually only have Christmas dinner with the family, but he lives by himself and I was wondering if I could invite him over for dinner," I explain, looking between the two of them.

Without even a glance at Dad, my mom stands. "I'll have to make more rolls if he eats like you do," she says as she heads into the kitchen. "Oh!" she exclaims and turns back to me. "What's his name?"

Feeling a little more hopeful, I grin. "Duke Devlin."

So that's it for now! I still need to fix this next part, but don't worry, I'm almost done. And plus you're all in luck. My room mate will maul me and do many evil tortuous things to me if I don't finish it. As always, please review. It makes me feel happy and want to finish faster. ::bribes with pie::