Original Yu-Gi-Oh Series
Parallel
Chapter 051
Originally Written: Saturday, April 23, 2022 1132AM to 1223AM
. . . . .
Tristan drove on his motorbike, head hidden within a helmet and his mind in the clouds. Occasionally, he took moments at the red lights to look at his phone in his front jacket pocket. A set of directions were typed out on it, so he needed to make sure he followed them right. After what Yugi asked and told him, it'd suck if he'd gotten lost.
'Aren't you dating Ryou?' Yugi had asked over his ice cream soda. He had called Tristan out to eat at Burger World. Tristan obliged, only to be confused when it was just him meeting up with Yugi.
'No…?' He responded in confusion. He chuckled and scratched his cheek. 'I mean, I wouldn't mind, but he's hella mad at me, and I can't figure out why.'
Yugi smacked him upside the head and called him a typical man. He texted him a set of directions. 'Ryou moved recently. Didn't need the house anymore. That's his new address. Stop being an idiot and remember he's a man too, and lunch is on me. Ask him you dingus!'
Considering they were all suddenly kind-of loaded, Yugi didn't have to pay for lunch, but Tristan let him. He found Ryou's apartment easy enough. Getting Ryou to answer was the hard part. He wouldn't let him up, but eventually Ryou exited the building. Only to punt him in the stomach and send him flying across the walkway. He landed on his back. He groaned, wishing he hadn't just eaten with Yugi. He stared up at the sky, trying not to heave. Ice cream sundaes did not taste good coming back up.
"Mom! Can I learn how to do that!?" Someone's son asked in excitement.
"Absolutely not." The mother scolded. "Ryou dear, should I call the police?"
"No, we're fine, Mina." Bakura sheepishly replied. "I probably shouldn't have done that, anyway."
A few moments later, Bakura's image hovered over him, holding his hand out.
"I know you're upset about Battle City, but…" Tristan stared at it. "I'm a dude, ok. You gotta tell me why you're upset. In detail. I'm probably gonna figure it out but it's gonna take like a year, and I kinda don't wanna wait that long, 'cause I really like you, and you being upset with me is freaking me out."
"You like me, huh?" Bakura huffed, and folded his arms. "Why are you trying to get with me if you're already with Serenity?"
Tristan shook his head, "What? What? I'm not-...Ohhhh!" He facepalmed, "I'm an idiot."
"Do tell." Bakura looked down at him.
"I'm not dating Serenity." He pushed himself to sit up. "I'm her bodyguard."
"...Excuse me?" Bakura frowned. "You're her bodyguard?" He tapped his foot, waiting for Tristan to explain.
"You know Joey and my past, right? Comes with some consequences. People out for blood and stuff. Usually people in Joey and mine's circle already know this, so I'm not used to having to explain it. One of those consequences is that no one knows who Serenity is like that where she lives, but here, it's open-season. So Joey and I got an agreement. Whenever Serenity's in the area, I guard her. I get a paycheck and everything. Sometimes it's a favor or a gift, and sometimes it's money. You think I wanna sit next to a chick and listen to her gushing about Duke-fucking-Devlin all day?" Tristan looked up at him expectantly. "I'd rather be with you."
Bakura flushed and looked away. He covered his face with his hands. "I'm an idiot."
Tristan stood up and brushed himself off. "No, this is on me. I assumed you knew, but you didn't, and I didn't think you felt about me the way I feel about you either. So…yeah."
"How could I not?" Bakura moped. "I'm with you all the time. I'm such an idiot. I should have realized. You guard Joey too."
"That's the part most people aren't supposed to figure out." Tristan laughed. He held open his arms. "This is dumb. We aren't beating ourselves up over this. C'mere."
Bakura hugged him tightly, laughing.
"Got my bike with me. It's gonna be a clear night, good weather." He sang, "What are you up to today?"
"I'm just cleaning up." Bakura sighed. "Nothing important."
"Well then, lemme park my bike properly before it gets towed and I'll be right up." Tristan beamed as he walked over to his bike. Bakura's smile always made his day.