Sleep Troubles
I remember vividly from the show that Joey snores, loudly, and can occasionally talk in his sleep. I knew that in the last story, when I had Mai and Joey decide to live together, I knew that this would be the issue they needed to tackle. But, I didn't want to make Mai bitchy about it, because she's not always like that. Anyway, enjoy!
2 days later
Mai rolls over in the bed she and Joey share and pulls the pillow over her head, and yet the noise still gets through. Letting out an agitated groan, she flips back over and shakes her noisy boyfriend.
"Hmm…?" Joey grumbles as the snoring comes to a halt. Mai only gives him a look and he lets out an apologetic sigh, grabs his pillows and goes downstairs to the couch. Mai curls up into a ball and goes back to sleep, ideas flitting through her mind as to how she could possibly lessen his horrendous snoring.
The next morning
Mai creeps down to the kitchen and starts on breakfast. Soon enough, Joey yawns awake and enters the kitchen.
"Hey babe, what's for breakfast?" Joey asks as he stretches.
"For you, bacon, eggs, and toast with jam. For me, egg whites, turkey bacon, and whole wheat toast with jam." Mai says.
"Sounds great." Joey chuckles as he stretches out his shoulders.
"I'm sorry to make you sleep on the couch again." Mai says.
"I'm used to being told to move somewhere because of my t-rex snoring." Joey chuckles.
"Well, since I have today off, I'm going to look up how to lessen snoring and we can work on it." Mai says.
"It's not big issue Mai." Joey says.
"It is to me. I like having you in the same bed." Mai says.
"The bed is much more comfy, I'll give ya that one." Joey chuckles.
"So, you eat and go to work, and I'll figure this out." Mai giggles as she hands him his plate. As they ate, she was looking up solutions on her phone. Joey finished his food and went to change into his work uniform.
"Found anything Mai?" Joey ask as he comes back into the kitchen ready for work.
"Yeah, nasal strips, vaporizer, and simply elevating your head. I'll go get the things and we'll try something each night and see what happens." Mai says as she gets up from her chair.
"Sounds like a plan. See you later babe." Joey says before giving Mai a quick peck on the lips before dashing out the door. Mai quickly gets dressed before she leaves the house and hops in her car. She quickly gets to the store and buys a box of nasal strips, a vaporizer and a wedge pillow, it wasn't ridiculously huge, but it was angled enough.
"Let's hope one of these works" Mai grumbles.
That evening
Mai reads over the instructions for the nasal strips before Joey walks into the house, exhausted.
"How was work?" Mai asks as he flops on the couch.
"Exhausting as hell." Joey groans.
"Dinner is cooking. Go get changed and then read over this after you eat." Mai says. Joey nods before he goes up to their room and changes. Coming back downstairs in his shirt and pajama pants. He grabs the box and starts to read before Mai sets his plate of food in front of him. As he eats he reads and then takes his plate over to the dishwasher.
"You bought all three things didn't you?" Joey asks as he takes a seat again.
"Yeah, best to make it easier and get it all at once than to wait for each result." Mai says with a shrug as she finishes her food. Soon enough they head to bed and Joey puts on the nasal strip, hoping it works.
The next morning
"Didn't work. Guess we'll try the vaporizer tonight then." Joey sighs as he buttons up his shirt.
"Guess so." Mai says groggily from the other side of the door.
"Don't work too hard today babe." Joey chuckles.
"I should be saying that to you." Mai teases as she walks into their room.
"I don't have a choice babe." Joey chuckles. Mai rolls her eyes as she changes and soon enough she's done and in the bathroom brushing her hair as Joey combs through his. They both leave after exchanging a sweet kiss.
"Hey Mai, you look tired." Jetta says.
"That's because I'm trying to figure out how to dampen Joey's snoring." Mai says as she sips on her coffee.
"I remember he was quieter when we were kids when he had a vaporizer." Serenity says.
"Planning on that." Mai says. The day goes by quickly and it was mostly just modeling for advertisements. Just as they get done Mai gets a text from joey.
Sorry about keeping you up babe. If it's too loud then you can kick me out on the couch tonight. The text reads. Mai rolls her eyes.
It's alright. No, I'll deal. I bought ear plugs today if nothing else works. Mai texts back.
Good plan. Joey replies as he leaves for the day. Just as he got home, so did Mai.
"I'll start the vaporizer now so that by the time we go to bed its refilled and there's a decent amount of humidity." Mai says as she starts on the task. Joey flops on the couch as he hears the water run. Within a few moment Mai returned and joined Joey on the couch.
"So Serenity told me about how this used to help." Mai says.
"Yeah, it did a lot." Joey says. Joey orders food and before they know it, they finish up their food and brush their teeth before going to bed.
The next morning
Mai stretched awake, glad to have gotten more sleep than the night previous, but Joey did still snore, it just wasn't as bad. She heard the water running and knew Joey was showering. Joey walks out of the still steaming bathroom and Mai smiles as he walks out, his pants on but no shirt. Mai smirks at him.
"What's with the look Mai?" Joey asks.
"Enjoying the view." Mai giggles as Joey rolls his eyes, but can't help but blush slightly.
"So what's the plan for tonight?" Joey asks.
"Elevating your head. We'll see if it completely quiets your snoring." Mai says as she stands up.
"Sounds like a plan. We should both get ready for…" Joey starts before Mai kisses him, effectively shutting him up. Her nails scratch down his back and he lets out a growl before reaching down, grabbing her thighs and carrying her over to the bed.
"As much as I would like to just stay home and make out with you all day babe, we got work to do." Joey says as he breaks the kiss.
"I know." Mai sighs as she sits up and grabs her clothes to get dressed in the bathroom. Going downstairs Mai smiles as Joey sips from his coffee mug and eats some toast. Mai grabs a bagel and butter and cup of coffee as well and joins him at the table. They ate in semi-silence and soon left for their respective jobs, exchanging a quick kiss before they took their cars to work.
That night
Mai beat Joey home and quickly went up to put the wedge pillow under his pillow and then put on a movie, since he had texted her he would be late that night. After the first movie, Mai sends a text to Joey.
When you gonna be home? It reads
It probably won't be till after midnight. Go ta bed babe. You have work tomorrow, I don't. Joey replies.
The shoot isn't till one, and I don't have to be there till 1245. Mai replies.
Ok, then I'll see you later babe. Joey replies before he continues his round. Valon walks up to Joey.
"Kaiba really has the crew workin' late tonight." Valon chuckles.
"No shit. He just sent me a text letting me know dat we'll probably be here until two in da mornin'. Apparently, Marik an' crew are almost done wit a design." Joey says.
"So, how are you an' Mai?" Valon asks as they continue their course.
"Well, we're figurin' out ways to quiet my snoring." Joey chuckles making Valon laugh.
"Anything work yet?" Valon asks.
"So far, a vaporizer." Joey shrugs.
"Well, at least you're working on it." Valon chuckles. Joey nods while keeping an eye out for suspicious peoples. Getting near the front door they see Bakura push the door open, looking more than pissed.
"Yo, you ok bud?" Joey asks as he runs up to Bakura.
"Just need some air. Fucking tired as hell and just as we're about done so we can all get home early-ish, the fucking new guy drops something rather important and now we have to fix that. That's why we'll all be here till fucking two." Bakura growls. Valon reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a pack of cigarettes.
"No, I don't smoke. Migita would kill me if I did. I already get enough shit in my lungs from my career." Bakura chuckles.
"Just know that I have 'em." Valon says. Bakura nods before taking a deep breath.
"Wait, who's Migita?" Valon asks.
"My girlfriend." Bakura says.
"Oh damn. Please don't take this offensively but I always thought you and Marik…" Valon says earning a chuckle from Joey and an understanding smirk from Bakura.
"We get that a lot. No, we were just roommates. We now live with our respective girlfriends." Bakura says.
"He has a girlfriend too. Well I'll be damned." Valon chuckles.
"Yeah. The whole group has girlfriends." Joey adds.
"Shit." Valon chuckles.
"As entertaining as this is, I need to head in and get back to work and maybe prevent Marik and Tristan from killing the new guy." Bakura says.
"Ok, we'll make sure no one else pisses you off." Joey laughs as Bakura heads back in.
"Please do." Bakura says. The minutes tick by and turn into hours and soon enough they get a text from Seto.
"Finally!" Valon exclaims.
"Yeah, the graveyard crew already showed up and takes over from here." Joey yawns. Seto, Marik and crew, and the security crew all takes off as soon as they can and Joey gets home to find Mai crashed out on the couch. Closing and locking the door behind him, he quietly walks over and wakes Mai.
"Mai, babe, wake up." Joey says as he gently wakes her. Mai blinks awake and smiles up at Joey.
"Hello Joseph." Mai says tiredly.
"I'll go get changed and then we'll go to bed." Joey says Mai nods as she turns off the TV and turns off the lights following Joey upstairs. Joey grabs his pajamas and heads to the bathroom while Mai crawls into bed. Joey soon enough joins her. Noticing the slight elevation, Joey rolled onto his side, pulled Mai close and let sleep take him.
The next morning
Mai woke more refreshed and well rested than she had in the last few days. Looking over she smiles at Joey, who sleeps silently. She smiles brightly as she hears his gentle breathing.
"It worked." Mai smiles as she stretches out of bed. Going to the shower, she lets the warm water relax her muscles. Joey wakes up and looks around before he hears the water running in the bathroom. Getting out of bed, he walks down to the kitchen and looks around for something to eat.
"Why am I not surprised." Mai chuckles from the doorway to the kitchen, making Joey jump.
"Dammit Mai, knock on the frame or somethin'! Gave me a damn heart attack!" Joey says earning a smirk from Mai.
"It worked. Just a little elevation and you slept quietly, not even a peep from you, and you know I would tell you otherwise and you know I'm a light sleeper." Mai chuckles as she walks over and wraps her arms around his waist.
"Good, at least that's handled. Now, I really hope that I don't have to do too many more late shifts like last night." Joey chuckles.
"Doubt it until the job is done, but you always are the optimist." Mai says as she gives a quick kiss on Joey's shoulder.
I know some of the chapters are longer than others, and that based on the issue that couple is dealing with. Hope you're enjoying it so far!