It's the next to last chapter! HORRAY! I'm almost done! HORRAY! So close to being able to type my Cliff/Albel fic... HORRAY! Anyway, on to the story. (By the way, if anyone reviewed me, I thank you. -bows-)

Teian no Kokoro- Chapter Twelve: Aftermath

'So, that's what happened. It's been great since. I convinced Dad to let me live with Seto, but he still doesn't like that I'm gay. Serenity doesn't mind and wishes us well. And it's been fun living here. It's fun playing Hide and Seek in this big place! (Normally, whoever hides ends up winning. XD)

'I guess me and Seto have progressed in our relationship. He frenched me yesterday... He's a really good kisser. I haven't been kissed like that before, but... he set a good example of how a kiss should go! We were just sitting there alone, watching TV, and I was leaning on him, and... he just turned me and did it. But I think that's what it's gonna stay at for right now. It's still sinking in that I love him and all, so I don't wanna go any further for a while. Seto'll probably say the same.

'The whole gang comes over every now and then. Tea wishes she'd have been in town when I got kiddnapped. Tristan still hasn't told Duke about how he really feels. (Stubborn prick...) Yugi... is straight and normal. Mai barely ever comes by. I think it's coz she has a crush on me and can't believe that I'm gay... I dunno. She's still a little scared.

'Oh, and another funny thing- every time Tristan sees me and Seto kiss, he walks away twitching.'

ixi

"Say er, Joey."

"This is so stupid..."

"Just say it."

"Er. There, happy?"

"No, now do it again."

"... er."

Kaiba smiled. "Good. Now repeat after me- Time"

"Time..."

"Wiz-."

"Wiz-."

"-erd."

"... i'd"

Kaiba sighed. "Wrong again..."

Tristan sat on the couch, holding back his laughter. "What are they doing?" asked Yugi as he walked into the living room.

"Kaiba's teaching Joey how to speak properly," Tea giggled

"C'mon, Seto... This is pointless..." Joey pleaded.

"You saying 'Time Wizid' is annoying!" said Kaiba.

"Well, if you haven't noticed, you're the only one who cares about the way I talk!" Joey retorted. Three loud coughs sounded at the same time. "Oh come on people...!"

Kaiba smiled. "I told you. Say er."

Joey sighed in defeat. "Er."

"Say it again."

"Er." He kept his head down. "This is so stupid..." he said under his breath.

"Now say this slowly- erd."

"...erd..."

Yugi continued staring at the couple. "This just keeps getting weirder and weirder..."

"Hey Kaiba. Does Mokuba know that you and Joey are together?" Tea asked.

Kaiba and Joey stared at each other. "Uh..." said Kaiba.

"Erd?" said Joey.

"I, uh... I don't know how to tell him..." Kaiba said slowly.

"I know!" Tristan said, "Just set him down and say this- 'Mokuba, sometimes a guy falls in love with another guy, and they end up together. Well, that's how it is between me and Joey. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go bang him now.'" Yugi looked horrified. Kaiba looked quite angry, and Tea shook her head.

"Erd!" Joey said with wide eyes.

Tea looked at Kaiba. "Just what have you done to him?"

"He's practicing," Kaiba answered before glaring at Tristan. "That is not funny."

Tristan laughed. "It was a joke! You know- ha ha!"

"Well," said Yugi, "You could just let him walk in on you two kissing or something..."

Kaiba went to glare at Yugi. "Hell no." He then turned to Joey. "Right. Now say herd."

"... herd." His face lit up. "Hey, I got it!"

Kaiba kissed Joey, making Tristan flinch and look away. "Good job," Kaiba said, pulling away. "Say third."

"Third..." Joey said slowly, getting it right.

"I think it's working!" said Tea.

"Turd!" Joey shouted randomly, making all of them laugh.

iii

Each star in the black sky shone brighter than ever. A cresent moon was directly above them to light the night. Every bug that could make a sound seemed to be out, their noises echoing in the silence. The air was warm, and a gentle comforting breeze swept by every so often.

Kaiba and Joey were laying on the roof of their home. Joey was on Kaiba's left, his head resting above Kaiba's heart, and a hand placed on Kaiba's opposite hip. Kaiba's arms were around him to hold him close.

"I will never figure out how you found that particular way to get up here..." Joey said quietly.

"I got bored a few years ago," said Kaiba.

Joey smiled. "I figured that..."

A few minutes passed in silence. Kaiba felt Joey's breathing get quieter. "Joey... You awake?" he asked softly.

Joey buried his nose into Kaiba's shirt. "With the racket those bugs are making, hell yeah I'm awake."

Kaiba chuckled. "Just making sure."

Joey sighed contently, running his hand over Kaiba's stomach. When he felt muscular abs, he ran them over again.

Kaiba smiled. "What're you doing?" he questioned.

Joey's hand went under Kaiba's shirt, feeling his abdomen with his fingertips. "No fair!" he pouted, "You got a six pack!"

"What?" Kaiba laughed.

Joey straddled the Ice King and lifted his shirt. "Oh, cool..." he breathed. He watched Kaiba's stomach rise and fall each time a breath was taken. He ran both hands over Kaiba's abs slowly.

"You're enjoying yourself, aren't you?" Kaiba asked, resting his hands on Joey's thighs.

A grin went to Joey's face. "Make 'em hard." Kaiba obliged and made his stomach muscles tighten. Joey poked each section of his stomach. "Geez, man! These're rock solid! I envy you..."

Kaiba could feel his cheeks getting hot, and it wasn't because of the temperature outside. "It's not a big deal..."

Still grinning, Joey leaned up and lightly kissed him. "I'll bet you all of Kaiba Corp. that you're blushing."

"Oh darn," Kaiba said sarcastically, "I'm out of a job."

("Jim Bob went poo on Kichigai. The end." Just putting what's in my notebook. Sorry for ruining the moment. XD -Blame Ryuukai!)

"Aww..." Joey said, "I'll let you be my secretary." His eyes lit up. "Ooh! I just thought of something!" He scooted down and kissed Kaiba's stomach. "I bless thee!"

Kaiba brought him back up and smiled. "Silly inu-chan..."

Joey pouted. "Why do I always have to be a fucking dog..."

Kaiba came up and kissed his lips. "Because I... say so..." he said inbetween kisses.

"Mm," Joey mumbled through a longer kiss, "Okay."

Kaiba ran his right hand through Joey's hair as they kissed, his left on the small of Joey's back. He let each soft strand slide effortlessly through his fingers as he kept sliding his lower lip into Joey's mouth. After a few teasing kisses, Joey caught Kaiba's lip and made both of their mouths open. Their tongues intertwined with each other, hurridly rubbing and exploring. Joey's hands rested on Kaiba's chest as he lowered himself further against his boyfriend's body. Kaiba lightly moaned and slid his hand from Joey's scalp to the back of his neck.

Joey raised himself up a few minutes later and stared into Kaiba's eyes as they caught their breath. Kaiba smirked up at him. "I love you..."

"I love you, too..." Joey said before smiling. "Belt boy."

Kaiba laughed as Joey got off him. "Still stuck on that, huh?" He watched Joey grin as he remembered something. "I've been meaning to ask you something. How did your Red Eyes get into my deck?"

"Remember a few days before we stpped talking, we were really bored, so we decided to duel just for the hell of it?" Kaiba nodded. "When I was shuffling your deck, I slipped it in then."

"Why?"

Joey shrugged. "I dunno. 'cause I thought it'd be a good luck charm and I had a crush on you?"

Kaiba carefully stood on his inclined roof. "Well, then you thought right, and I thank you. " He extended a hand to help him up. "Come on. It's late, and we have school tomorrow."

Joey took his hand and got to his feet. "Why can't we just skip school? Have a fun day together?"

Kaiba softly smiled. "Good idea..."

END CHAPTER TWELVE

HORRAY! One chapter to go! PLEASE REVIEW! I'm still giving out cookies...

And here's quote number 12: " -singing- PRAISE TO HIM, JIM-BOB!-" Wait, wrong quote. -flips through Holy Book o' Quotes- Ah yes. "Of course I'm her... murfle flergen!" -dies laughing- I LOVE Absolute Boyfriend (manga series in the Shojo Beat magazines). Night's so cute! (Note: "Murfle flergen" is jibberish for boyfriend.) Everytime I think of him saying that, I can't help but laugh out loud, then people look at me funny. XD