"About time you showed up."

Atemu flinched as he threw his overnight bag onto his bed. He had thought that he had snuck in quietly enough not to wake up his twin at five thirty in the morning. Apparently not though, and from the rare harshness in Yami's voice he was in big trouble.

Slowly, he turned around just as Yami pulled himself out from the covers and turned the small lamp by his bed on.

"I didn't mean to wake you Mocoso."

"Don't Mocoso me!"

Okay….his brother was really pissed. Of course one had to really know Yami to read the signs considering that glare he was sending Atemu's way couldn't even scare a puppy. Nope, it was all in the tone of voice. Yami's tended to take on a quiet, steely edge to it when he was mad.

With a sigh, he flopped backwards onto his bed then rolled onto his stomach. He had a feeling this was going to take a while so he might as well get comfortable. "So, what's got your panties in a bunch?"

There was that cute little glare again. "This," he stated as he pulled something hard and black out from under his pillow and threw it at his brother. But he threw it which such a force that Atemu fumbled with it, juggling it in his hands before it finally slipped through and crashed on the floor. Grabbing the edge of the bed, Atemu pulled himself forward till he could peer over the edge only for his eyes to widen when he realized what it was.

"Why do you have this?"

"It's not like I wanted to see your and Bakura's naked butts. And I don't think Seto and Malik wanted to see it either."

"T-they saw this?" Atemu gulped as he snatched the videotape up from the floor and quickly shoved it under his pillow. This was not good. He didn't want to do it in the first place and now other people had seen him…

"Yeah they saw it!" Yami fumed as he got up and began to pace the space between the two beds. "Why didn't you label it or something? Do you realize I got no sleep last night 'cause every time I closed my eyes I saw you…him….dirty deed!"

Atemu raised an eyebrow in amusement. "It's called sex Mocoso. S E X – sex. Now say it with me…."

"Atemu!"

"Geez, moody much?" The older twin sighed as Yami fixed him with another glare. "Look, I'm sorry ok? I never wanted you to see that, or anyone else for that matter. Hell, I never wanted to be video taped in the first place."

Yami stopped pacing when he saw his brother lower his head and close his eyes. Well, this was strange and not like Atemu at all. Normally, he would be defiant all the way to the end about things he did that Yami or others didn't approve of but now…he seemed almost remorseful.

"You really didn't want to do that did you?" Yami asked as he sat down beside his brother and began to run his hand through the other's hair.

"No," came the muffled reply and Yami started to open his mouth to speak again when he was cut off. "And I don't want to talk about it, so don't ask."

Biting his lip, Yami nodded his head, conceding to his brother's wishes. They rarely kept anything from each other, so they few times they did, they tried to respect each other's needs. He smiled when he felt his brother shift on the bed so Atemu could lay his head down on his lap, Yami's fingers still working through the silky strands.

Seeing his twin relax, he figured now was a good time to bring something up. "Atemu?"

"Hmmm?"

"What do you think of Burbujas?"

"Ummm, he's sexy, nice, more girly than you –OW! See that's what I'm talking about, damn girly slaps," he grumbled as he rubbed the top of his head. "Why?"

"Because, I think he likes you."

"What?" Wide crimson eyes looked up into Yami's. "You have got to be kidding me. There is no way he likes someone like me."

"There's nothing wrong with you." Yami frowned and flicked the tip of his brother's nose earning him a scowl. "Anyway, I think you should ask him out on a date."

"Did I accidentally hit you on the head with a golf ball the other day?"

"I'm serious Atemu."

"So am I. I could have sworn I only hit Seto."

"Atemu!"

"Fine." Atemu sat up, faced his brother and crossed his legs under him. "Why do you want me to ask him out?"

"Because I think he would be good for you. Someone stable, someone who would like for you for more than your body or how good you are."

He snorted in amusement. "That's all anyone cares about, haven't I told you that enough by now?"

"Seto's not like that."

"Are you sure about that?" Atemu asked earnestly. "He's male, he's rich and you could be nothing more than an exotic catch to him."

"Can we not talk about that? I'm sure he won't do anything to hurt me and in the meantime, I believe you have a date with Malik."

"I do? Since when? I never agreed to that."

"Since I said you were going."

"Mocoso…."

"Please? At least try it for me. Malik's really sweet and I swear you won't regret it."

Atemu sighed as he flopped back down on his bed, running his hands over his face. "Fine, I'll ask him. But if he wears anything pink I'm coming straight back here."

Five days later found Malik painstakingly applying glitter lip gloss in front of the floor-length mirror he had hung on his wardrobe door. The blond smacked his lips approvingly and twisted his body to get one last outfit check in before Atemu arrived. Black pants that framed his butt just right, check. Boots with as little heel as possible – he didn't want to be too much taller than Atemu – check. Silver glittery sleeveless shirt that matched his lip gloss, check. Perfect. And of course his trademark gold armband and dangly gold earrings.

Satisfied with his appearance, Malik sat back on his futon to wait for Atemu, turning on Bravo in the meantime.

It was fun to be gay sometimes.

Malik didn't know why Atemu had asked him out – he suspected it had something to do with a fight with Bakura, maybe an attempt to get him jealous or something – but he had agreed readily enough. Atemu wasn't the one Malik wanted to be dating, but he was still hot, and since Atemu was one of his best friends he could be fairly sure the other wouldn't try to date-rape him at some gay bar or anything like that. Plus if he went out with Atemu, Malik was guaranteed at least a little attention from the white-haired object of his affections. All in all it would make for a fairly agreeable night.

After about ten minutes of watching some old Broadway musical on television Malik heard a knock at his door. It was Atemu of course, and when Malik caught sight of his date he had to grin. Yep, Atemu was hot alright, although, he was confused as why the Latino wasn't dressed up more and his style was different. Dressed in a pair of snakeskin black cowboy boots – giving him a couple of extra inches in height - black boot-cut jeans, an unbuttoned maroon colored long sleeved western shirt, revealing what Malik assumed was a plain black t-shirt underneath, topped off with a black leather belt embellished with silver conchos – Atemu looked every bit like a modern cowboy or redneck depending on how you looked at it.

"Howdy, ma'am. I reckon you're lookin' mighty fine this evening," Atemu drawled.

Malik blinked. Then burst out laughing. "Atemu, what the hell was that?"

The other attempted to look offended, though he couldn't help grinning a bit. "What? You didn't like my Southern accent?"

"First of all, that wasn't Southern, it was an eighty-year-old Texan in an insane asylum, and second I'm not a 'ma'am.' I happen to be male." Malik locked the door behind him and the two of them made their way down to Malik's car – they had agreed for the blond to drive, since Atemu and Yami didn't have a car, though Malik still didn't know where Atemu planned to go.

"You're male? I didn't know that – Ow! What's with all these girly slaps?"

"Hmph. Serves you right." Malik stuck out his tongue; then grinned. "So, where are we going?"

A knock at the door roused Bakura from a deep sleep and he stumbled to the door, yawning heavily. "Coming, coming," he muttered as he opened the door and registered the sight of spiky, tri-colored hair through his sleep-blurred eyes. "Atemu I was going to call you, I swear… I guess I fell asleep…"

"No, it's me."

"Huh?" Bakura rubbed his eyes. "Oh, Yami. What's up?"

"Nothing much." The other stepped inside and Bakura took the opportunity to check out Yami's ass under his tight jeans before closing the door. "I was wondering if you'd like to go down to the campus coffee shop with me. There's a pretty good musician playing tonight."

"A student?"

"Not sure, but I heard some people talking about him. Plus I'm in the mood for a cappuccino. Coming?"

"Let me in that hot little ass of yours and I will be."

Yami made a face. "Bakura!"

"Alright, alright, I repent. A guy can't even give someone a compliment these days." The sophomore scratched his head and walked to his wardrobe to change, tugging off his old t-shirt on the way. At the sight of Bakura shirtless Yami reddened, muttered something that sounded like "damn video," and moved to the other side of the room. Bakura raised an eyebrow at him. "Something wrong?"

"No," Yami replied – a little too quickly.

Bakura stared at him, but when Yami wouldn't meet his eyes he merely shook his head and muttered, "Whatever," grabbing a t-shirt that read "Elect Nader 2004" and pulling it over his head. A pair of jeans and some worn-out brown flip-flops later he and Yami were headed out the door.

"So where are Bubbles and your brother? Shouldn't that blond airhead be waxing your legs right now, or whatever the two of you do together?" Bakura paused. "Hey, that's kind of hot. Do you help Malik wax his bikini zone?"

Yami shoved him, though he couldn't help laughing. "No! You are such a pervert."

"What can I say, I'm gifted." He reached out and grabbed Yami's rear, only to receive a yelp and a slap to the side of the head.

"Stop hitting on me, I'm with Seto."

"The two of you have had one date, it's not like you're married."

"We're going out again next week."

"So?" Bakura wrapped his arm around Yami's waist as they reached the coffee house, the white-haired male holding open one of the glass doors for the other. "He's still not your boyfriend."

"Bakura…" Yami sighed. "Go find us a seat; I'll get us something to drink."

"French vanilla frappucino," Bakura said, watching the other's ass once again as he walked away. "Twins," he groaned under his breath. "How can I resist?"

Atemu grinned in amusement at his date. The poor guy didn't know what to stare at the most – him or the large wood-carved sign that hung on the building they just pulled up to. He never told Malik where they were going, just gave him directions to the place he picked out and now both of them still sat in Malik's ridiculous car while Malik tried to decide if this was a joke or not.

"Hoedowns?" Malik asked when he finally got his voice back. "A country-western club with the motto 'You can't keep a good hoe down?' You have got to be kidding me. Why this place?"

Atemu shrugged his shoulders, turning away from Malik's wide eyes and open mouth to look out the windshield. "I've been here in Atlanta a few months now and I've yet to experience anything 'Southern'," he replied by making air quotes with his fingers. "And I wanted to see what it was about but I also know that there are a lot of people from this area that frown on gays, so I spent all week researching places where we would be comfortable. The last thing I want is for our date to be ruined because of stares, whispers or close-minded nejas."

Malik blinked at Atemu's profile. The tone of voice he was using almost sounded depressed and Malik had to wonder for the first time if there was something more to his little twin friend.

"Do you miss your home?" Why he suddenly brought that up he had no idea but it had just occurred to him that the brothers weren't used to things in the United States and were thousands of miles away from their home and family. Hell, he would be homesick if the tables were turned.

Atemu shrugged again, linked his fingers behind his head, relaxed in the passenger seat and closed his eyes. "If you mean do I miss my country, then yes. Do I miss the way of life, the freedom, and villages? Then yes. But if you mean do I miss my mother and father… then that, my friend, would be a no."

"Oh." Well, this had turned slightly awkward and depressing. And after Atemu had tried to keep Malik from feeling that way by picking out a place where they would be comfortable.

Time to liven things up.

"Well!" Malik smiled as he finally cut the engine off and pulled the key out of the starter, sticking the little plastic square of the keychain that said "I want my man to have a VCR – Very Cute Rear" into his front pocket. "Well since you look cuter than a basket of speckled pups…let's go see if I remember how to line dance!"

Atemu looked at Malik, perplexed, until the word cute registered in his mind. His confusion quickly turned into a scowl. "I am not cute. I'm sexy, charming, and…."

"….bootylicious!"

"And…what?"

The blonde just giggled at the Latino's baffled expression, checked his lip gloss in the rearview mirror and climbed out of the car, making sure to lock it up once Atemu was out.

"So you know how to line dance Burbujas?"

Malik blushed cutely under the streetlight when Atemu joined him and slid his arm around Malik's small waist. "Umm….yeah. I went through a Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman phase. Sully was so hotand I just had to go out and learn anything to do with country or westerns. Did you get that show in Costa Rica? Joe Lando – the guy that played Bryan Sully – had long hair and he was so manly….."

"Well, I've dealt with him a lot in the past, so I'll go talk to him for you. He likes me. It shouldn't be a problem to get him to sell me the stock."

Seto stared at his brother doubtfully as the two of them walked into the coffeehouse. They had both been on campus late that night, working on respective class projects in the library, and decided to take a coffee break. Caffeine was one of the few things the Kaiba twins agreed upon.

"Why would you want to buy company stock? I thought you hated Gozaburo."

"And you don't? It's not about him, it's about you. And being a freaking family, for God's sake!" Seth glared at his twin. "I may not want to run the company, but you do. Why shouldn't I want to keep it in the family instead of letting some rich old fart buy up all the shares?"

"Noble of you, isn't it. But I don't have time to knight you right now, I'm afraid. I need an espresso."

"Seto, if you'd take your head out of your ass for one second you'd see that—"

"Hey isn't that your boyfriend? He and that white-haired prison reject are awfully cozy."

Seth followed his brother's gaze to one of the tables toward the middle of the room, where Bakura sat with his arm around a spiky-haired male's shoulders – Yami having finally allowed his friend to prop his arm there after several instances of its wandering into other, more private places. The older Kaiba glared and crossed his arms across his chest, feeling that simultaneous writhing and sinking sensation that began every time he saw Atemu with Bakura.

"So? Why should I care what he does?" Seth snapped defensively.

Seto tapped his chin. "You know, that's a good question. Maybe I'll ask him." And he started walking toward the pair, weaving through the tables as Seth raced after him, hissing expletives under his breath.

"Seto! Stop it! Seto, you bastard!"

"Hiiii Atemu! Seth was wondering why he should… Yami!"

Seth skidded to a halt just as his brother stopped in front of the table, staring at the cuddled-up pair with wide eyes. "Yami? What are you… is this a date?"

"Seto! No! We're just friends; Bakura just gets grabby sometimes…" Yami pushed Bakura's arm away and quickly stood up, reaching for Seto, who snatched his arm away.

Seth couldn't help it. He wanted to be the bigger man, really he did, the older twin setting a shining example for his wayward little brother, who would eventually come to him on his knees, begging Seth's forgiveness for being so rude and difficult… Uh… anyway, normally Seth would support his brother instead of rubbing his face in his disgrace; but really. Seto was asking for it.

He snickered. "He and that white-haired prison reject are awfully cozy, aren't they, Seto?"

"It's not like that!" Yami cried.

"What did you call me?" Bakura growled.

Yami reached for Seto's hand again, this time catching it and grasping it tightly between both of his own. "Seto, please… I know we've only been on one date, so… um… it's not like we're married or anything, but I really like you. And even if I didn't I would never date Bakura. Ew."

"Hey," Bakura muttered sulkily.

Seto eyed his would-be boyfriend suspiciously, his eyes darting a couple of times between Yami and Bakura before he relaxed and nodded. Yami breathed an audible sigh of relief at this and, grinning, stretched up onto his tiptoes to kiss Seto on the lips. Seto had to fight to keep a grin off his own face after that; choosing instead to pull Yami closer to him and kiss him more properly, making sure to add plenty of tongue.

Seth sank into the seat beside Bakura and tried not to feel jealous.

"So what are you two doing out together, then?" the younger Kaiba asked when he and Yami broke apart. "Where's Atemu?"

"Oh…" Yami looked a bit guilty. "I was keeping Bakura occupied while he and Malik went out on a date."

The Kaiba twins raised identical incredulous eyebrows. "So now your brother is dating the blond? This is like a soap opera," Seto muttered, shaking his head.

"Bubbles and Atemu are out on a date?" Bakura asked, surprise lighting up his pale features. "Atemu… and Malik…"

Atemu grinned as Malik was thrown off the mechanical bull for the second time, landing harshly on his butt on the pale blue padding that surrounded the machine. Slowly, the blond got up with a look of determination on his face even as both of his hands were currently rubbing the soreness out of his abused bottom.

"Burbujas, come on and forget that thing. Let's go dancing!"

"Oh, no!" Malik yelled over the music as he climbed back on the bull. "I'm going to beat this thing if it's the last thing I do."

"Why's that?" Atemu shouted back just as the machine started up, trying to buck his date off. But he had to admit, Malik looked hot with his hair messed up, clothes in disarray, and a light sheen of sweat glistening on his bronzed body.

"Can't have everyone thinking I can't hang!"

"Don't worry, I won't judge your cowboy riding skills on your bull riding ones, but I can test you out later…."

The onlookers started laughing –whether it was from Atemu's comment or because Malik fell off again, he didn't know – and Atemu just smiled as sweetly and innocently as possible at his fallen comrade. Lavender eyes narrowed, sending a weak glare his way while rubbing his butt once again.

"Come on, you can work off that soreness by dancing with me."

Turning his glare into a smile, Malik nodded his head as he left the bull area and took Atemu's hand as the Latino led him out onto the dance floor. They made it out to a relatively open spot just as Little Texas' song God Bless Texas came pouring out of the speakers. Even though this was Atemu's first time dancing to something like this, he proved to be a quick study - pleasantly surprising Malik - and even joined in when the other patrons yelled out "God Bless Georgia" instead of "Texas".

Amid the laughter and dancing, Malik realized this was the most carefree 'date' he had ever been on. Not even with his ex, Rishid, had he enjoyed himself so much. Atemu was the perfect gentleman – which surprised him considering his promiscuous life – opening doors for him, pulling his chair out, and paying for everything. Not once had the Latino tried anything other than harmless teasing and of course Malik dished it right back. Too bad he didn't have white hair, brown eyes and….

"Hey sexy."

Malik's mind snapped back to reality, lavender eyes looking directly into amused crimson. Atemu was now standing in front of him, just inches away and that's when he noticed that the tempo of the music had changed into something soft and intimate. "Huh?"

Atemu laughed softly, "You were spaced out there. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, just was thinking."

"I see…so, would you like to dance?"

Malik blinked when he felt a hand rest lightly on his hip, fingers curling just enough to let him know they were there. "Ummm…."

"Relax. Its just a dance," the Latino replied, his voice dropping an octave or two as he brought his unoccupied hand to Malik's other hip, pulling him in closer, hips beginning to sway to the music.

The blond stood there, unmoving, with images of the first night he met all of them at the party and they way they danced together. Would they be doing that? He hoped not; he wasn't much for public displays. But soon it was clear to him how the other was going to play when he felt a muscled thigh spread his legs, slipping between them. One hand sensually wondered away from his hip, up the small of his back, pulling him impossibly closer till their chests were touching. Malik could smell Atemu's cologne and natural scent and feel the heat radiating off his body.

Lavender eyes were wide. "Atemu?"

"Relax, Burbujas." He whispered huskily into his ear, "Just pretend I'm Kura and enjoy yourself."

Malik's body went ridged, mouth agape. "W-wha?"

Pulling back, Atemu just flashed him a sexy smirk. "I love my brother to death, but he's slightly naïve when it comes to reading people. He got it in his head the other day that you liked me and wanted me to ask you out on a date. Said it would be good for me to be in a stable relationship."

He relaxed slightly, letting his body mold better to Atemu's. "So you know?"

"Yeah."

"And you're not mad?"

He quirked an eyebrow, "Why would I be? Listen, there is something you need to know." Pulling his hands from Malik's hip and back, he slid one of them into Malik's hand and pulled him off the dance floor to a dark corner away from everyone. Turning back to his date, Atemu looked Malik carefully in the eyes, his hand still in the other's.

"I like Bakura, maybe even love him on some level. He's my friend - first one I've had besides my brother - but that's about as far as it goes. Yes, we sleep together but its physical only, mutual needs and all that."

Tilting his head down, Malik looked at his feet while he absentmindedly scuffed his toe of his shoe, causing blonde wisps to fall in front of his face. "So?" Fingers carefully brushed the locks away, tucking them gently behind his ears, while Atemu's other hand cupped his chin, making Malik look at him.

"So, go after him if you want him. Malik, you're a sweet guy and I think you would make Kura very…happy." In the shadowed corner, he never noticed how Atemu's eyes darkened as he spoke, or knew about the frown he fought to keep in check.

"Thanks, Atemu."

The Latino just shrugged his shoulders, flashing him another smirk. "How about we leave this place? Doesn't seem to be any need to stay here any longer now that things are out in the open."

Smiling, Malik nodded his head and gave Atemu a quick kiss on the cheek, again not noticing the slight flinch the other made.

Dragon: Yes, Hoedowns is a real place in Atlanta GA, and that is the motto. Nejas is Costa Rican slang for idiots.