Domino City. Still the same sunny city where countless strange occurances happened. Home of the world famous KaibaCorp., as well as the locally loved BurgerWorld and Turtle Game Shop.

Once I reached the hotel, I was surprised to see the deskclerk reading 'Fell', one of my books. I was always a little embarrassed by it, since it was one of my firsts; but the deskclerk seemed very enthralled in it.

"Um, excuse me?" I asked quietly.

"... One moment..." he muttered, flipping a page. Then he gasped, "how could he?!"

I blushed, and assumed he must have reached the part where the hero denies his love for the archeologist's son. My books always did seem a little controversial, due to some of the same sex relationships, but it never stopped them from selling, which was pleasant for me, having such open-minded readers.

"Henry, that... bastard..." the desk clerk growled.

I almost laughed, "Ben will fix things, don't worry..."

The deskclerk turned red, closing his book over a bookmark. "Please, don't ruin it on me..."

"Oh, sorry..." I smiled, "it's just, Henry isn't supposed to be hated... he's just confused."

"Yes, I liked him since the beginning... but after this... he's just... a bastard."

I laughed, "yes, that's usually what I hear."

"How may I help you, sir?"

"I'd like to check into a room, please?"

"Have you a reservation?"

I sighed, "sorry, but I could never get through... everytime I tried calling to set up a reservation, I would be put on hold, and I didn't have the time, since this trip was pretty much spur of the moment."

"I'm sorry, sir... but you must book in advance if you wish to stay in our hotel."

"Perhaps I can leave a reservation now...?" I suggested, with a shrug. I smiled at his blank expression. "I'm kidding... when will you have a free room?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that information, sir," he said, simply.

I smiled a little wickedly. "Shall I reveal the ending...?" I asked, nodding towards his copy of 'Fell'.

He blinked, "you wouldn't..!"

"I would..."

"You know how it ends?!"

"Yes."

"How would you know that..?!" he demanded. "I had a hard time just getting this book here... you're bluffing..!"

I laughed, "no... I know how it ends... I wrote it."

Why I told him that, I'll never know. But it caused everything to fall into my favor. The deskclerk stared at me, his jaw dropping. He looked at his book, at the cover.

'Fell'.

B. Ryou.

Ryou Bakura, backwards. Not a very clever penname, but it worked. I wasn't bothered by anyone in London with such a simple change of name.

"Oh my...! Mr. Ryou..?! It's a pleasure to have you in our humble hotel...!"

I laughed again, "thank you... I didn't know my books sold here.."

"They do, sir... except your more recent works need to be ordered in... I can assure you they are very loved here in Domino City..." the deskclerk gushed, smiling brightly. "And may I say that I am a huge fan of your work?"

"Thank you, that's very kind of you to say..." I smiled warmly. "And not to be too manipulative, but can you use your knowledge of who I am to get me a room? Please?"

"Mr. Ryou," he said, almost firmly. "It would be an honor to have you as a guest..." After a few minutes on his computer, I soon had a room. One of the more expensive suites, apparently. Not that I minded, it was the least I could do, since I used my 'fame' to get what I wanted.

Then my bags were gathered, and I was lead to my room. I was still very surprised that my books sold in Domino City of all places, hence the extravagantly lush room I was given. It wasn't long until the bellboy asked if I really was the author of 'For Elise', one of the more recent books. I actually thought it was cute that he read it.

"You kidding?! Your books are awesome, Ryou-san!" he praised. "I read it over and over... it's nice, but not too mushy, so of course guys can enjoy it!"

"... Thank you," I laughed slightly.

"Oh, Ryou-san, may I ask you a question?" the bellboy asked.

"Go ahead."

"I can't help but feel really bad for Elise sometimes, it's like she's a real person... where do you get the inspiration for her heartache?"

I smiled wryly. Elise, the heroine, cared very much for her best friend. It wasn't until he had to leave, that she realized she loved him.

"It was easy..." I said, softly. "I simply wrote what I was going through..."

The bellboy stared at me, sympathetically, "I'm sorry to hear that, Ryou-san..."

"Don't worry..." I waved my hand, lightly. "And thank you, I'm glad to know my books can appeal to both men and women." I must have tipped him generously, since he was bowing as he was leaving. Once I unpacked, I left the hotel. A quick visit to Yugi's sounded like a good idea to me.

oooXXXooo

"No, no, no... not there!" I heard Yugi's cheerful voice.

Then a loud thud, and the sound of numerous things falling. Finally, the sound of something landing heavily on the floor. I walked further into the store.

I smiled, getting hit with a huge sense of nostalgia. The Turtle Game Shop was still as warm and inviting as I remembered. There were still old-fashioned games; card games, board games, and even some tabletop RPGs. I walked towards the register, curiously.

I leaned against the glasscase, peering at the cards proudly on display. I smiled, recognizing the 'Change of Heart', my personal favorite. Then beside it was the Flame Swordsman, Magician of Faith. And the Cyber Commander...

"... Oh, sorry!" Yugi suddenly blurted. He raced to the register, and bowed politely to me. "Welcome to the Turtle Game Shop, how can I help you?"

I had to stare at Yugi. He was almost my height now. Not as short as he used to be, but not exactly average height. And he still had his slender, slightly muscular build. He looked great. "Hello, Yugi..." I greeted.

Yugi straightened up quickly. "Gah, Ryou?!" he asked, stunned. Then he smiled brightly, and raced back around the counter, pulling me into a rib-bruising hug. "Omigosh! I wasn't expecting you to show up so soon!!"

I had to laugh, despite the lack of air I was getting. I awkwardly patted his back, trying to return the hug as best as I could.

"Oh, sorry..." Yugi released me, still smiling that sunny smile of his. "Wow, it's been so long! You look great, you haven't changed at all!"

I blushed, "thank you... I wish I could say the same for you..." I said, slowly.

Yugi grinned, and held his hand above his head, in a simple gesture. "Yeah, I know, it's what everyone notices... call it a growth spurt or something, that's all."

"Sorry, but you do look great..." I told him. He smiled sheepishly, as his thanks.

Yugi grew, that part was obvious, but he still had that angelic look about him. His hair was still wildly styled, with the blonde bangs. It was strange, here was a man, 27 years old, yet still looking as sweet and naive as he did when he was a teenager. Almost incredible. At the moment he was wearing black jeans, and a white dress shirt over a black tanktop. And around his neck was a black leather collar with a silver buckle. His sense of style always did seem a little unusual for his innocent looks, yet he pulled it off very well.

And I couldn't help but think it didn't seem normal to see Yugi without the golden Millennium Puzzle hanging around his neck from its chain. But apparently, Yugi wished to keep the Puzzle safe in his room, away from prying eyes, as a reminder of his beloved 'other self'.

Then a lean blonde man walked out of the stockroom, wincing and rubbing his head, trying to nurse a new bump on his cranium. His golden blonde hair was short, yet his bangs still hung in his eyes. And he wore a simple white t-shirt, and blue jeans, with a hole worn out on his right knee. And around his left wrist was a silver ID bracelet.

"Man, those boardgames are heavier than they look..." he muttered, with a small scowl. Then he looked at me, light brown eyes lit up. "Hey, you made it!"

I blinked. So it was him. "Hi... Joey?"

Now if Yugi's hugs could bruise ribs, Joey Wheeler's were capable of breaking them. As I noticed when he pulled me into a tight hug. Apparently, he managed to keep his physical strength.

"Joey...!" I wheezed. "Air...! Please?!" then I was free, almost falling to the floor. Oddly enough, I noticed his left ear was pierced. I soon decided it must have been from that 'drunken escapade' Yugi told me about in last Valentine's email.

"Man, Ryou! Never thought you'd come by this early! What, couldn't wait to see us, huh? You flatter me...!" Joey crowed, clapping both of his hands against my shoulders.

"Hi, Joey..." I repeated, once I caught my breath. "It's great to see you."

Joey grinned, and brushed his still-golden blonde hair away from his eyes. "Yeah, thanks... almost didn't recognize you..."

"You didn't tell me Ryou was coming, Joey!" Yugi almost whined.

I would have thought it was strange coming from a man nearly in his 30s, but it was Yugi. He could get away with anything remotely child-like, and cute.

"A surprise kinda thing..." Joey said, quickly. "Don't be mad, Yuge, I just thought it would be good if Ryou surprised you, that's all...!"

Yugi folded his arms, and sighed. "I guess..." he shot me an adorable glare. "It isn't very nice to keep secrets from people."

I laughed, "I told Joey to tell you I was getting on the next plane to Domino City."

Joey grinned innocently, while Yugi pursed his lips for a moment. He pardoned himself, then gave the blonde man a mock scowl. Joey's grin drooped a bit, and he quickly turned and dashed away, Yugi hot on his trail.

I smiled. Those two. It was very good to know that they were still the same. As Yugi was threatening Joey in a half-hearted way, I couldn't help but question their relationship.

oooXXXooo

Later on, Yugi closed the shop early. I said it wasn't necessary, and I became a little flustered for a shop to close, just because I came along. Yugi had laughed, saying it was a 'seriously' slow day, so it was fine if he did.

I noticed more things between Joey and Yugi. Joey had moved into Yugi's a while ago, which explained why he was so at-home in Yugi's house; and Yugi was perfectly at ease with Joey's presence. Joey offered to make tea, while Yugi made sandwiches.

And I'm not certain, since I wasn't really facing them, but I think I saw Joey give Yugi a small kiss on the cheek. Yugi was blushing when I looked at him, so I don't know why I still had my doubts.

If they were together, great. If not, it was a shame. They're a great couple, I think.

"So, how're things going?" Yugi asked, sitting across from me.

I looked around the familiar livingroom. So warm and comforting, it felt so natural to feel at-home in the Muto's. The furniture still as plush and comfortable as I remembered, and the carpet was still thick and soft. Pictures hanging on the walls. Mostly of family and of Yugi and the others back in high school. I turned back to Yugi, just in time to catch Joey sitting on the floor, beside Yugi's legs.

"Things are going fine..." I answered.

"How's the whole writin thing?" Joey asked, holding out a cup of tea for me to take.

I nodded my thanks, taking the cup. "The 'writing thing'?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

Yugi laughed, "I was a little foggy with the details... so..."

"Oh..." I chuckled. "I write books... and, um... they're doing pretty well."

Joey rested his head against his arm that was draped over Yugi's leg. They looked comfortable. I felt warmer just watching the two of them. I was happy for them if my suspicions were accurate.

"What kinda books?" Joey asked. Then he grinned. "Wait, lemme guess... sweet lil' softie Ryou Bakura... romance, right?"

I blushed, while Yugi lightly bopped Joey on the head. The blonde merely laughed.

"Okay, sorry... am I wrong?"

"No..." I shook my head. I stared into my tea, sheepishly, "I do write romance... but they're not exactly the normal variety... at least, that's what some critics say."

"You wrote 'Going Back', right?" Yugi asked, smiling kindly.

"Mm-hmm," I murmured, taking a drink.

Joey blinked, reaching for a sandwich, "oh...! Now, why didn't I know it sooner..? B. Ryou..." He slapped his forehead with his free hand. "Sorry, kinda slow to register sometimes..."

"I've been reading it for almost a week, and you haven't noticed the author?" Yugi teased, tapping Joey on the head.

Joey looked up at him, "I noticed the author... I just didn't link it up with Ryou Bakura..." He paused, furrowing his brow. "Dunno why I didn't... Ryou Bakura, B. Ryou... seems so obvious now, ya know...?"

I smiled, "a simple penname... my publisher suggested I use one, if I didn't want too much publicity."

"So, you're famous, huh?" Joey asked, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Well, ummm..." I blushed. "I don't consider myself famous... I just, uh..."

Yugi laughed, "anything by B. Ryou is considered a bestseller, Ryou..."

"D-does that add up to fame?" I asked, hesitantly. Joey burst out laughing, while Yugi smiled, and wordlessly drank his tea.

The evening was nice. Just catching up with Joey and Yugi. As it turns out Joey was a mechanic, and it fit him since he always seemed to have a love for anything with wheels. And Yugi mockingly complaining that Joey would always come home, smelling like oil and gas.

And to counter that, Joey grinned, telling me that Yugi liked his 'manly mechanic hands'. Which had Yugi red as a tomato. I couldn't help but laugh, as Joey apologized to Yugi, saying he was only kidding. Yugi had sniffed, and looked away, his nose in the air.

"Awwww, c' mon... Yuge..!" Joey was still wheedling.

"... Oh fine..." Yugi finally gave in, with a smile. "Being mad at you is impossible."

"True enough..." Joey nodded. "Care for a sandwich?" and Yugi laughed.

"Um, can I ask you something?" I asked, carefully.

They both turned back to me, "yeah?"

I started turning red, pointing between the both of them, my finger almost wagging back and forth between them. "Ar-are you guys, umm... well, you know... uhh... are you... umm, kind of... well, uh...?"

"... What?" Yugi asked. And he was starting to look tense.

Joey on the other hand was grinning widely. And I still couldn't finish my sentence.

"Um, Ryou...?" Yugi asked, sitting up, looking more nervous than before.

"Wait, wait, wait..." Joey said, still grinning as he straightened up, getting to his knees. "I know what's going on..." He winked at me, "this should answer your question, Ryou..."

And to my surprise, and to Yugi's shock, Joey just turned to the spikey-haired man, pulling him into what looked like one very passionate kiss! I blushed brightly, as Joey pushed Yugi down into the couch, his mouth still devouring Yugi's. I could really not believe what I was seeing.

"... Joey!" Yugi gasped out, pushing him away.

Joey was laughing, as he let Yugi back up. Yugi's wide violet eyes only seemed wider as he looked at me, redder than ever. He licked his lips, which only made Joey laugh almost hysterically. Yugi swallowed, and bowed his head quickly.

"Sorry, Ryou..." he blurted, as he tried to smooth down his shirt.

I stared at them, eyes wide, and jaw hanging. Yugi sighed, and lightly nudged Joey. "Look what you did..!" he scolded.

"Traumatized him...!" Joey gasped out, between breaths. "Oh, c' mon, Yuge..." the blonde said, wiping his tears of mirth away. "I'm sure he could write worse."

Then I smiled. "I'm happy for you," I told them.

Yugi blinked, while Joey grinned again.

"Y-you are?" Yugi asked, shocked.

"Of course I am... I think you two are perfect for each other... I've always thought so, since I met you."

Joey tucked his hands behind his head, and wore a satisfied smile, "see, Yuge... you worry too much... this is Ryou..."

Yugi blushed, but lightly bopped Joey again. "That was no reason to attack me..!"

"I wasn't attackin..!" Joey protested.

"You jumped me..."

"To kiss you."

"You felt me up!"

I burst out laughing, as Joey was at a loss for words. Apparently he had no way to deny that little fact. And as Yugi took on a smug look, clearly saying that he was right.

I liked those two.

oooXXXooo

It the night of the reunion. And to say I was nervous would be a very huge understatement. Yugi noticed that I was fidgeting yet again, and he patted my shoulder assuringly. Joey on the other hand, as soon as we arrived, he dashed off, in search of familiar faces.

He always was the impatient type.

And to my surprise, once Yugi left to chase after Joey, Malik Ishtar approached me. His wheat blonde hair was somewhat shorter, his skin still as tan as it was in high school, and of course the same lavender eyes; and he seemed to make it a point to wear Egyptian acessories. In all honesty, he was still as attractive as he used to be. Not that I was attracted to him; my other self, on the other hand...

I smiled at him, somewhat nervously. I liked Malik, he was a decent friend once you got to know him. But I did feel a slight bit of discomfort when I was with him. He had liked my other self, after all. So it kind of scared me how Malik would look at me every now and then.

"Hi, Malik..." I greeted, "how are you?"

Malik nodded. "I've been fine..."

"How're things in Egypt? And what are you doing these days?" I asked, curiously. Malik was intelligent, but...his working skills always did seem a little limited. But his knowledge on Egyptian history was very astonishing. I remember thinking it would be a wonder he never got a job as a historian.

"Egypt's fine... still hot, and sandy... and, I'm still unemployed," Malik answered, smiling sheepishly. "A few expeditions here and there, but that's about it."

I raised an eyebrow, "h-how are you...?"

"Surviving?" Malik chuckled. "Rishid and Isis are handling things pretty well... and please restrain from calling me a loser, for living with my sister," he joked.

I laughed, "I would never say something like that."

"It'd be true, though..." Malik shrugged. "What've you been up to?"

"Ummmm..." I realized it was only going to get harder to tell others of my profession. "I, uh... ahem, I write..."

"Write what?" Malik asked, raising an eyebrow, questioningly.

"... Books..." I mumbled. I turned red, seeing Malik stare at me, almost dumbfounded. Then he actually offered me a small smile.

"Oh... well, uh... uh... that's interesting..."

I grimaced, "don't try to pass judgement, it pays the bills..!"

Malik laughed, "I'm sorry... I just... okay, never mind... let's skip this subject, since it makes you so uncomfortable..."

"Thank you," I sighed in relief.

But before we could actually move onto another coversation topic, I was suddenly surrounded by three young women, all of whom were chattering at once. Malik had blinked, and stepped back, giving me another questioning look.

I shrugged slightly, since I was just as confused.

"How are you, Ryou?"

"You haven't changed one bit!"

"You look so good!"

I had to give each woman a careful once-over, then I recognized them. My 'fanclub' they dubbed themselves in high school, when I first transferred. I couldn't help but smile, they were actually very nice once they got past their fan-ish ways.

"Hello..." I said, politely bowing my head a bit. "It's great to see you all, again."

All three of them laughed, and hugged me in a warm friendly way. Thankfully, because I didn't think I could have handled them any better than in high school if they were flirting with me again.

I still didn't understand why they were attracted to me in the first place. I'm not exactly the most 'masculine' type. Joey called me 'pretty', so maybe that was why. After a few quick exchanges of our, or rather their, lives, the girls had to either go back to their husband, long-term boyfriend...

... and girlfriend. Who knew?

Malik shot me a look, and I smiled weakly with a shrug.

"Ryou?!" another woman's voice gasped.

Malik and I turned around, and we were greeted by an attractive woman, with red-brown hair and big blue eyes. And she was smiling happily. I looked her over as well, hoping for something to jog my memory. A pale pink dress, and black and gold bracelets on her wrists, a black satin scarf around her neck, and she wore black high heels.

The colors definitely rang a bell.

"Tea Gardner?" I asked, smiling faintly.

"Hi!" she practically glomped me. "How are you?" she asked.

"I'm fine, and you?" I asked, politely.

"I'm great... been getting dancing gigs left and right for about five years now..." she told me, cheerfully. "It's so great."

I laughed, "I can tell."

Then Tea noticed Malik, "hey, Malik... how've you been?"

"No hugging..." Malik said, smiling wryly, his hands up in a mock defensive position. Tea laughed, and stayed put. "I've been fine, thank you... life is good, nice and uneventful," he then answered.

Tea raised an eyebrow, "and, uh... that... that's good?"

"With everything my family's been through, the quiet is appreciated," Malik said, shrugging.

"I'm sure it is," I smiled.

"What about you?" Tea asked, turning back to me, her eyes glittering curiously.

I blushed, "I, um... I kind of, uh... just... write... that's all..." I mumbled, sheepishly. I almost glared at Malik for smiling in amusement.

"Really? What are you writing?" Tea asked.

I shifted a little uncomfortably. I noticed I had been doing that a lot lately, since I arrived to Domino City. "Um, just a few books here and there..." I answered, then I cleared my throat.

"You write books?" Tea asked, stunned. Then she laughed, "that's cool... an author, huh? So, what's your genre?"

"... Romance," I mumbled, blushing darkly as both Tea and Malik stared at me for a moment.

Then Tea spoke up again. "That's perfect!" she said, brightly.

"It is?" I asked, in surprise.

"You're such a sweet guy, Ryou... it only seems right that you write romance... I bet they're beautiful, and flooding with love, lust and desire, correct?" she raised an eyebrow, playfully.

If it were possible, I blushed even more, while trying to ignore Malik's snickering. "Ummmm... I, uh..."

"So, you write lovemaking scenes, too?" she asked.

I couldn't tell if she was teasing or not. I almost wanted to cry since I was becoming so embarrassed. And Malik's laughter was not helping matters. Soon I was praying for someone to arrive, so I could avoid answering that particular question.

"Alright, Tea found you..." Joey commented, strolling up with Yugi.

I sighed in relief. They had the best timing.

"You bet I found him," Tea said, giving Joey a brief hug. Then she grinned, and hugged Yugi. "Awww, Yugi, you handsome devil, look at you!"

Yugi laughed, since he was the same height as Tea now, and returned the friendly hug. "Hi, Tea... I missed you."

"Yeah, I missed you too..." Tea said, sincerely.

Yugi smiled, and he turned to Malik, "Malik, hi... how are you?"

Malik bowed slightly. "I've been fine, thank you..." he said, politely. Then he blushed, as we stared at him. "Sorry... it's a... reflex," he said, shrugging helplessly.

Yugi smiled, a little sadly, "no... it-it's okay... it's kind of nice to get a reminder of... of him..." He shook his head, "uh, anyways... it's good to see you."

Malik gave Yugi an apologetic look, "uh, thank you... it's... good to see you all, too."

Joey lightly rested his hands on Yugi's shoulders, then he turned back to Tea, to lighten the subject. Which was his forte in most cases.

"Tea, you're lookin good... dancin must do wonders, huh?" he said, cheerfully.

Tea smiled and backed up, doing a little spin for our benefit. "Thank you... I have no kids, maybe that's why," she joked. "I figure my maternal instincts will kick in about 2, 3 more years."

"So, no special someone, huh?" Joey asked, draping his arms down around Yugi, resting his chin against Yugi's shoulder, comfortably.

"Nope, nice and single..." Tea winked playfully. "Interested, Joey? I do like blondes"

Malik blinked, while Yugi and I smiled in amusement; and Joey went rigid and sputtered. "Wh-what?! No... no! Uh, I mean, no offense... I just don't... well, I..." he paused. "Wait, you're a dancer, right?"

Tea snickered, but nodded just the same.

Joey pursed his lips, and seemed to seriously consider that.

"Joey!" Yugi cried, his eyes widening as he spun to face him. Me, Malik, and Tea laughed, as Joey grinned nervously.

"I'm kiddin, Yuge!" the blonde cried, stepping back and waving his hands frantically.

"... Try the mechanic hands?" I suggested, still laughing.

Malik blinked, yet again, looking at me in confusion. "Mechanic hands?" he asked, slowly.

"Good idea.." Joey was nodding, then he lunged at the blushing Yugi. It became very clear that Joey was a very handsy kind of guy. Yugi's life must have been interesting.

"Joey, no! Bad boy, heel!" Yugi yelped, as he was suddenly pulled into a rather heated embrace, hands roaming, despite the obvious audience.

Joey shot a look at us, "I dunno why, but it just turns me on when he says that kinda stuff, ya know?" he confessed, waggling his eyebrows.

Malik smiled faintly, as Tea and I only laughed harder, watching Yugi trying to struggle out of the loving hug. I had to assume Tea knew about Joey and Yugi, too. And I had to guess that witnessing the scenario was nothing for Malik, seeing as he was in a similar relationship a while back

"Okay, okay, okay..." Yugi was laughing almost hysterically. "You're forgiven, I'm sorry!"

"I'm beginning to think you guys had no other friends in high school."

We all turned to the new arrival. Bright green eyes, and a jet black hair. Short jet black hair. No more ponytail, but it was still who it was. "Duke! Hey, how're you?" Tea glomped him, too. I was amazed at the amount of energy Tea had at the age of 28. Impressed, and maybe a little nervous.

Duke Devlin grinned, waving at us with one hand, and he used the other to hug Tea. "Hi, Tea... and hey guys, how's it hanging?"

"That's none of your business..." Joey snorted. Yugi shook his head, smiling with slight exasperation. I waved slightly, and Malik nodded in acknowledgement.

Tea examined Devlin's shorter hair, saying how she would kill for silky hair like his. It was much like Joey's, short and sleek in the back, with long bangs, only not as shaggy as Joey's. Devlin looked great.

So far, everyone was doing very well.

Devlin shook Yugi's hand, even pulled him into a small hug. Devlin shook Joey's hand, then mine. And with Malik, they had to re-introduce themselves to each other.

I looked around the circle of friends. "Yugi's circle" we all called it. Yugi had Tea on his right side, and Joey on his left. And beside Tea was Devlin, and beside me was Malik. It was the normal circle. Even if Malik was only around for a short time, he was still considered a member of Yugi's circle.

But the circle didn't feel finished yet. And I was pretty sure everyone felt the same way.

oooXXXooo

"So, how's the gaming industry?" I asked, quietly. It was just me and Devlin, since Malik had headed off, wandering into the crowds. He always seemed to like being around several people, so crowds never bothered him. And Tea had dragged Yugi out onto the dancefloor; Joey, being Joey, tagged along, pretending to accuse Tea of trying to 'steal' Yugi.

Devlin was twirling a strand of his hair. He must have kept his bangs just for that habit. He smiled, "it's all going great..." Then he turned to me, "so, uh... how've you been?"

I shrugged, "I'm fine..."

It was a little awkward trying to converse with the man who I began to consider my rival in romance. For some reason, I couldn't help but think that Devlin wanted Tristan and it continued to bother me, even in England.

"... Seen Tristan, yet?" Devlin asked.

Right then my chest suddenly felt hollow. I swallowed, and shook my head slightly. "No, no I haven't..." I murmured.

... So Devlin came with Tristan..?

"Hm, wonder where he is..." Devlin was saying. "It'd be nice to see him after so long."

My head shot up quickly, as I looked up at Devlin, whom was still a couple inches taller than me. "Y-you mean... he's not with you?"

He blinked at me, "huh?"

I turned red, and started stammering like a fool. "I mean, I just... I always thought... that... um, that maybe you... and Tristan were... um, I mean, I..."

Devlin stared at me, confused. "Me and Tristan?"

Oh Gods, I remember thinking. What if he's not even gay!?

And to my surprise, Devlin started laughing. I even became offended as he showed his obvious amusement. He noticed I was frowning, and he trying to quiet down, yet he kept his grin.

"You flatter me, Ryou."

I blinked, "huh?"

Devlin turned his attention back to the dancefloor, where Yugi was being shared between Joey and Tea.

"In all honestly," he murmured. "I did come back every now and then, to Domino... you know, to pay a visit... and, I... well, maybe I did hit on Tristan a few times, but he never seemed to notice..."

Relief seemed to swell inside of me. "Really?" I asked, softly.

Devlin suddenly scowled. "He changed..."

The relief quickly diminished. "Wh-what do you mean?"

"Well... I dunno... it just seemed like he changed." He smiled wryly at me, "my last visit was about two years ago... and he wasn't himself at all... I mean, everytime I came by, I noticed he changed a little, but two years ago... he just really didn't seem like himself..." Devlin furrowed his brow, "it was a little scary."

We both went silent. I was suddenly feeling more empty than before. So Tristan had changed? I couldn't help but wonder why. Why would he change? What could have caused him to change? And to what extent had he actually changed?

I wasn't sure how Devlin meant Tristan changed. People change all the time. I was about to ask Devlin if he could specify...

But Devlin was smirking, "well, speak of the devil..."

I looked up, following his gaze, and my eyes widened. He was there. Tristan Taylor was standing at the entrance, looking around, completely expressionless. Almost like he didn't really see the need to be there. He changed.

TBC...


Oi vey. I dunno. I have nothing to say at the moment. So, sorry 'bout this.