The last chapter/epilogue arrives. I'm going to miss you guys so much…this was so fun! I enjoyed writing this last bit, but it didn't really take me long, there wasn't a lot to say, I've said most of it in previous chapters. Anyway, I wrote this in the present tense, seemingly to make it like this is where he is now and all that's in the past, you know. Hope you enjoy!

The reviewers:

M15t4k5n: Hey! Oh yeah, I updated at about 1:00 in the morning over here…sorry, a little late I know to be reading an 8,000 word chapter. Ehe? Well, I thank you so much for reading, that's great! Such dedication, I can't help but love you for it. Don't worry, I'm not a great dancer either. I flail when my favorite stories are updated, lol. It's more of a ritualistic kind of thing, I find…lol, (just kidding). Your favorite chapter? Oh wow. That's encouraging! I thought it sucked…you give me hope! Thank you so much! I'm going to miss getting your reviews once this ends…please review this one last time and tell me if you would like a sequel. Thanks again.

Fire Kitten: Hiya! What's up? Hmm…not the best but not the worst. Excellent! Can't ask more than that, right? No relationship is perfect, let's be honest. You thought his friends not liking him was a twist? Ok, I thought it was consequential, but still, you're right. Yugi does like everyone, (it's weird), just read on into the chapter, you'll see. The characters OOC, sorry about it, but I do thin that Seto should be OOC when with Joey, don't you? You liked that line? Cool. It wasn't meant to be funny, but that's still great that you thought it was, I'm glad. Thanks for your compliments…so nice of you! No, sadly, they don't die and no it's not from Joey's POV. I'm sorry! Perhaps in the sequel I might throw in some Jonouchi POV, but that's only if you think I should write a sequel, of course. Review and drop an opinion! I'll consider it wisely. You'll be back! Great! But I'll miss you…well, I'll write another story some time, I promise. Until next we speak!

"kaibajoey1": Well, hello! You liked it that much? So cool! The "friends" part was one of the things I wasn't sure about, but I'm glad you endorse it. Means a lot to me. More people review when they see how many reviews there are in a story? Hmm…I never thought about it, but you might be right! You can't wait for the update? Well, here it is! Hope you enjoy! Don't forget to tell me if you would like a sequel, (anytime, whenever you want, you know…). Until next we speak!

Xaio-Darkcloud: Well, hey there! Awww…they're finally acting like a couple…how cute! I'm glad you liked both these last chapters. That's so cool…yeah, they hate him, even Yugi, (oh yes, stand by for Seto's murder of Tea! Please hold…no, just kidding. I only wish). For now. But you now how quickly these things can change. Just read on. Well, don't forget to review and tell me if you want a sequel. Well, talk to you soon!

daughterofanubis: Hello! Well, here's the last chapter! You thought it was just as awesome? Well, cool. I didn't think so, but if you say so, that makes it better. Thanks a lot. And don't forget to review and tell me if you want a sequel! I'll be sure to take it into consideration! Ttyl!

FierieGurl: Hello! You thought it was good? Wow, thanks! Yes, they are serious about hating Joey after all those damn friendship speeches they gave to Seto…what can we say? Some friends. But this happens a lot, to be honest. It's crazy…but keep reading. Please review and tell me if you would like a sequel, I'll miss hearing from you!

Maelin Ditake: Hello! Yes, you were right, there was indeed another chapter. Don't worry about it, a lot of people thought that. Yes it is mean for them to hate him, but it happens a lot, really. (Oh and hypocrites was spelled right, by the way, lol.) I agree! Total hypocrites! Thanks for the compliments, here's the update! The last update…(cries)…so sad. Please review and tell me if you would like to read a sequel, I'll miss you!

marik'slildevil: Hi! Oh don't worry about not reviewing on time…there really is no time-frame, to be honest. Wow! You went to Poland to see your family? That's so awesome! Ok, this may be a stupid question, but do you know Polish, (is that even a language?)? I was just wondering because no one ever teaches about the Polish culture and everything…it's really kind of weird. I've never even met anyone that was Polish, I don't think! They…don't…have…internet? OMG! How did you live? I must know this. But back on topic, yes this story was twisted…you like? You loved that chapter? Thanks so much! No, I didn't really like it…but it gives me courage if other people do enjoy it! Really, it does. Yes, one last chapter, (this one). Sequel? That all depends. Would you like a sequel? Review and tell me, please! I'd be happy to write one, but I won't if you think it'll be like beating the dead horse already. So yeah. Anyway, thanks for reviewing, I'm going to miss you now that this is all over!

"Forsaken Sanity Slayer": Aww…you think this story rocked? Thank you so much! I should publish an actual novel? OMG! That's crazy, I would suck. Whoa, you've had stuff published? Cool! Like what, for example? If it's a novel or something, I'll be sure to check it out, things like that interest me, (ehe?). Just asking…how old are you? I'm not trying to be weird or anything, I just want to know. I'm sure my stuff doesn't kick the crap out of it…lol…but I thank you for your compliments! Here's the final chapter, (so sad, yes…I'm going to cry…). Please review! It was cool hearing what you had to say about this story, and I would like to know if you want to see a sequel. I mean, I have a few ideas for it and stuff, but I refuse to write it if you think it'll be like dragging it out for too long or something. Give me your opinion on the matter, it'll count! Ill miss you!

"Green Eggs and Ham": Hi! You think it was really good? Thanks. No, it was sadly not as good as some of the others…but what can you say, right? Oh, you liked the fluffiness…cool. There's some fluff in this chapter, but not a lot, so maybe you'll enjoy that factor. That whole scene with the Attendance Office lady was meant to add a little light-heartedness to the story, glad you found it funny. Dislike and respect…Seto and Yugi…if you think about it, that's all there really is to it. Oh yeah, well, he kind of has to give up insulting him because Jou really wouldn't allow that type of thing, don't you think? Of course, Joey would understand about Seto because technically he's been through a lot of the same emotions, and even if he hasn't, he can easily see where Seto's coming from so he can be sympathetic to him in a lot of things, (most things). I wanted to save that conversation for the end, though, because it added depth to the relationship. Poor, poor Seto doesn't think he deserves to be loved…(cries)…Rabbits do have a lot of energy going downhill, in case you were wondering, so even though Chisai was injured previously, it's likely that he could have gone down 4 flights of stairs. That maid deserved everything she got from Seto, the bitch! Oh, oh, sorry…heh…why do I always pick fat, chubby guys for him to deal with? OMG, what does that say about me? Poor, poor floor…lol. You laughed at that note? Well, ok. It wasn't meant to be funny, but, hell, if you got a kick out of it, I'm not complaining. Death and killing…well isn't that all she thinks about? Lol, but you're right. I guess it was funny in a way. Aww, don't die, Seto! Hate is often brief…don't worry about that, just keep reading! Yes, the ending was obvious, but I had to do it. I mean, I had to stay true to the title. Come on! Thanks for all the compliments, hope you enjoy the epilogue. Aww…don't cry! Review and tell me if you would like a sequel! I really want to know what you think, I've got ideas but I would hate to drag it out and everything. So, go ahead! Oh and no worries, I'll write another story regardless even if it isn't a sequel, I'll be writing. I love writing. Anyway, I'll miss hearing from you! I can't believe this is over…well, until next we speak!

Kujiku Tamashii: Hi! OMG, your review was so nice! Thank you so much! OMG, it was so wonderful to receive that an excellent of a review…omg, thank you, thank you! I believe that your schedule it busy, especially for my story, it's so damn long…weird. Anyway, don't worry about it in the slightest, (but you won't, yeah…). You'd read it again…omg, thank you! That means so much to me…you like my style? Oh cool, thanks! I try hard to make the things I say kind of like different…it doesn't always work out the way I like it to, though, lol. But thanks a lot for saying so, (ew, I hate loose ends, lol). Seto's personality is one of my favorite aspects of writing here. I don't' know why but I just love kind of getting into his POV and picturing things the way he would, it's so cool. I love it. Really. You know, that's actually a good idea to finish your fics before posting them…why didn't I do that? Well, oh well. Hey! I really want to read that story once you do post it! I read your one-shot Seto/Jou fic, (I think it was called "Because I love You"), and it was SOO good! It's on my favorites list if you want to look at it, (I don't why you would have to go there, I mean you wrote the story you probably have it saved somewhere in your computer…but if you want to see how pretty it looks on my list, you're welcome to! Lol). I didn't drop a review because it was a kind of old story, but I thought it was excellent. You write Seto's POV extremely well, also! So, anyway, back on topic, when you do publish that Seto/Jou story, expect to hear form me! I can't wait, really. Thanks for your review, please let me know if you would like a sequel to this, if you do review again. Until next we speak!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Warning: Well…you get it.

Chapter 10: Sleep

Night envelops the city like a blanket of darkness. Lately I find myself looking forward to these nights, nights that I can spend with my lover in passionate displays of love making.

I am standing behind the wall-length window of my office, my usual post for this time. Joey is late. He told me he would be here by 10:00. It's now 10:30 and he remains absent. Probably at that game shop with his friends, fighting the endless battle to retie their loose friendship. They're coming around, finally.

I watch passively as the last of the stragglers in the town proceed home to warm beds, perhaps families. I try to muster up contempt for these innocents, but I can't. One day they will learn of the harshness of life, (most already had). It's none of my concern when this happens. I have better things to do with my free nights.

Glancing down at my watch, I see the time: 10:37. That feels about right. Slowly, very slowly, I'm beginning to catch up with time. This feels good, like I'm in control again of my life. I haven't felt this way in a long, long time.

Where is he? I sigh and unclench my fists, trying to be calm about it. We have been living together for a few months now, (Joey finally conceding to my wishes and leaving his abusive father in rehabilitation, which he escaped from after three days of the "abstinence" rule. Where he is now, no one knew. It doesn't matter. My lover and I have better things to occupy our time with), and he's spending time to coax his friends into a state of neutrality about homosexuality. It's a slow process with such straights, but Yugi was always a cling-on friend, (it really only took a day of not talking to get him to come around). The others were the tough part. Oh well. Good things take time, I'm told.

The lights in my office are off, as always. I hate them on. The brightness burns my eyes and ruins this precious darkness. Of course, Joey mocks that I'm turning into a vampire, but he doesn't really feel that way, I don't think. Who cares if I like it with the lights off?

Highly trained eyes scan the empty room. Mokuba's spending more time at home rather than in my office because of the presence of a certain blonde mutt that everyone claims took away the spookiness of the large mansion. I can't possibly deny this, either. Hadn't I been feeling more comfortable in my home every since he moved in?

A knock comes from the door. Without waiting for response, a blonde matted head enters with a sly, toothy grin and a look of excitement spread across his face. Ah, Joey at last.

"About time. Where have you been?" I ask, standing up, briefcase in hand and trench coat securely on, ready for the journey home—(one which he refuses to take in limousine, and insists on walking to).

He keeps on grinning and spreads his arms out in a gesture of helplessness. "What? Yug' wanted me to read him a bedtime story."

I step from behind my desk and move toward him saying, "What the hell are you talking about?" (This is a frequent question of mine.)

"Ah, nevamind. I's just kiddin'." He casually throws a hand in the air to show his lack of severity.

"Whatever, mutt." Shortly after, we are pressed together, lips engaging in a heated kiss. He moves to slide a hand in my pants when I stop it. "Not here," I whisper in his ear.

Seemingly disappointed, he asks, "Why? Why can't I just throw ya' down and screw you right here on this damn clean floor?"

I grab his hand and lead him to elevator, the path on which we leave this building of pure virginity. "For that reason in itself, pup. The floor is damn clean."

As the elevator door slides closed he protests, sifting onto me like water over sand, "Aww, now ya' jus' bein' picky."

Quietly he begins kissing the slant of my neck, nibbling slightly on my earlobe. A calm, smooth sort of pleasure washes through me. I close my eyes in brace. It's the best feeling in the world, I can tell you. The feeling that after a long, stressful day of premature work, there's someone waiting for you—someone who wants nothing of you, except to love you. I'd never felt it before Wheeler, but it is such bliss.

Just as things get interesting, there is an all-too-loud ding as the elevator door opens again in the main lobby. There are no people before us that we have to separate for, and the temptation to remain as one in the solitude of the elevator is outstanding, but thoughts of a nice warm bed in which we can finish this gives me the strength I need to pull apart from Wheeler and lead him out the door.

We hold hands through the night stroll. I can tell that he's eager for home and things that allows us to do to each other. But we can not display affection in public, in the open street, so we wait.

Fleetingly, I wonder who will be the dominant one tonight, (the seme). We had been taking turns at first, but eventually that collapsed and went by degree of whoever could win it first. Secretly, I enjoy Wheeler's dominance, it gives me a liberated feeling only I can possibly understand, but every once and a while I enjoyed being on top.

Reminiscing of past experiences, I take a deep breath and close my eyes, stealing the fresh night air to fill my lungs. It smells of the day's trivialities and of the occasional plant life that we passed on our trek. I had come to enjoy this time, the deep night. It reminds me of freedom where once I was only bound, (bound to kill). I imagine somewhere out there D.B. is alive still, but it has been too long for me to even care about her. If she ever wants to begin our old fight again, I'll be waiting. She knows where to find me.

In the darkness, I can just make out Wheeler's hair and the sparkling glint of his eyes. His clothes and body, (dark green), disappear in the absence of street lamps, so he appears a head floating near my shoulder. The only thing reminding me of his delicious body is the hand tightly grasping my own. We don't need to speak to each other; stories of the day and week only pass between us in the morning, at school, and in the afternoon time when he fool around in my office. Never in the night, before or after sex. I suppose that's because in those frozen moments after passionate sex when you can still feel your lover clenched tightly around you or in you, and the hot feel of their flesh groaning against yours is still vividly branded in your mind, the day seems unimportant, even my company takes a backseat. Absence of the mind can truly be liberation.

My home stands proudly and awkwardly in the distance. We're almost there.

"Seto," he says suddenly, fracturing the stillness of the moment.

I turn to face him. "Yes?"

"I know you love me, and you know I love you, right?"

I nod. "I believe that's correct." Where is he going with this? A thousand questions appear in my mind at once, and all in the next second they disappear as he continues.

"Will you promise me something?" His face is sincere. He's stopped walking.

"Of course." I wonder what I'm getting myself into.

He nods, chestnut eyes hard with determination and face set in a seriousness that rarely shows on his normally teasing face. "Promise me that you'll never kill again."

He wants me to put away my katana for good, take up the life of an innocent. I was never really attached to the killing, but…it's become part of my life ever since I was fifteen and my stepfather's life ended by my hand. All the same, I see no reason for my having to kill at present, so it seems like an easy promise.

"I promise."

He tilts his head downward slightly, no traces of a joke showing. "I'm serious, Seto. I don' want ya' to keep killin' people. I forbid it."

I can't help but feel startled at the force in his voice. With the exception of sex, we have lived under the assumption that I am the last voice in everything, the dominant in the ultimate relationship. He's never told me what to do before, (and he's never used words like "forbid").

I feel the need to respond with just as much resolve. "Joey. I promise you. I will never kill again."

One more second of uncertainty, then the seriousness is gone from his face and everything is back to normal. For the rest of the night he is the regular Wheeler, but the memory of his urgency never quiet leaves me.

I shake the thought from my mind.

After the sex, I lay next to him, both of us bare—covered only by the slim silk covering of my bed and each other's bodies—thinking random things. I wonder suddenly if I'll ever need to kill again. D.B.'s farewell note pops up flauntingly in my mind. The shadows around us begin to seem darker, bolder, and bigger. I clutch Joey's sleeping form.

It's no matter. Whatever happens, I'll protect him. I'll give my life protecting him. Just like I would kill for him, I would die for him.

I want these thoughts to go away now. I want my own moments of happiness. I want to sleep…sleep for a long time. Sleep and be with Wheeler. Sleep and forget my past, live for the present.

And gradually sleep comes, pulling my eyelids down willingly into a new kind of darkness, the kind I find peace in.

It's time for me now.

The End

A/N: I promised I wouldn't cry…(sniffles)…I'm sorry everyone! Ok, how was this chapter? Short, yes, but that's ok because it's only like an epilogue kind of thing. It was also happier than I first anticipated it to be…that's weird. O.o But oh well. I think it ended well! No deaths!

Now…for a sequel! I already have many ideas on the subject, (I totally left it open, no?), I'm thinking of new inventive things…it'll be dark, I can promise you guys that. But! I'll wait until I get reviews, tell me if you think this story deserves to be continued! Really! I need to know. I won't start writing it for a while now, but if everyone writes and tells me they want another story, I'll definitely begin. The only thing is, I don't want to be dragging it out to the point of exhaustion…so, please tell me if you think it's warranted! Thanks guys, I would enjoy it!

Now, my thank yous…..

First of all, I have to thank all the creators of YGO, of course. Next, the characters. Seto put up with a lot…I made him slightly insane for this story, sorry! And Joey had to deal with being pushed aside in a lot of scenes, at times the damsel in distress, so sorry! Mokuba, of course I love you! (Yeah, I'll stop being stupid now and get to the real thank yous…)

The reviewers! Where would this story have gone without you? It would be dead and buried long ago! You guys are the inspiration that has kept me going throughout! I love you! Really, I do. You guys deserve a big hug! (hugs) Live long and prosper! (I don't own that.)

Also those that read and did not review…hoped you enjoyed it!

At last…I stop typing and end this story gracefully. My deepest wishes to you all reading this right now. Happy future reading!

The Authoress,

Seto'swhiterose