Extermination

Mellow lyrics echoed throughout the slightly quiet bar which Joey lounged around with Tristan, Duke, Mai, and Téa. They had been enjoying a few good beers and cheap finger foods to postpone boredom before it was time to head to the club. He pulled his phone out of his pocket reluctantly and sucked his teeth in aggravation.

"Keith?" They all asked in unison and he nodded.

"I can't fucking believe it! That makes what…? Five times since we've sat down?"

"How'd you meet him again?" Téa asked with her eyebrow raised.

"My father. I should have known better. Tristan, remind me next time to believe in rumors," Joey said.

"What rumors?" Duke asked leaning back in his seat.

"Tris had told me about some shit about Keith being some psycho or something. I don't remember. I was blazed as all hell fucking around with Tristan."

"Something about secret doorways to sex slave dungeons..." Tristan reminded.

Snickers went around the table as Joey tossed his phone on the table and sat back in his chair to relax. It had been great to get out of the house and just be around some good friends. It had only been a few days since he had first went on a date with Keith, but the other male had proved to irritate him in more ways than one, which surprised Joey. He had thought that after a great date that maybe Keith had potential.

That maybe he wasn't another nut job like the rest of them.

Joey had enjoyed a nice dinner out with Keith and even enjoyed the jazz entertainment they had. It was nice to get out and hear something other than the heart thumping headache-giving noise from 'Euphoria'. The calm and soothing sounds helped Joey feel more comfortable and in a way helped stimulate the conversation him and Keith engaged in. He had learned that Keith was an only child with no known biological family and was brought up in a foster home. Did he ever look for estranged family? Keith believed that he was better off not knowing about them and that his life was better than it had ever been.

"I have a roof over my head, food on my table, I have the best job-"

"You have to see my father perform in a dress singing washed up songs from the 60's and 70's. I don't think that exactly qualifies as the best job." Joey interrupted.

"You have to admit though, your father is probably one of the best performers of the club. Everyone comes in hoping he performs."

"It's okay, Keith. I'll allow you to tell me the truth later."

Keith laughed. He had decided that a good walk through would do them some good and not to mention, it was a gorgeous evening included with a warm breeze and clear sky.

"Well, I must say Joey, that I have thoroughly enjoyed myself this evening and I thank you for you company."

"Should I be expecting you to pull out the glass slipper I left at midnight, prince charming? You don't have to be so formal."

"Mm…I'll keep that in mind."

Joey paused at the sight of a basketball court with an abandoned basketball sitting in the middle. He elbowed Keith who raised his eyebrow unsure of what Joey was hinting.

"One on one?"

Keith shook his head. "I'm horrible."

"All the more reason we should play." Joey smirked and Keith returned it taking it as a challenge. Both males raced out onto the court to see who could be the first to grab the basketball. Keith was first snatching the ball up and beginning to dribble, his eyes challenging the other blonde.

"Ready to get your ass whipped? I used to play in high school. I was a monster."

Joey took his defense stance in front of Keith ready to play.

"Oh really? What was that, like fifty years ago?"

"Oh, jokes?" Keith laughed, spinning around Joey and tossing the ball up on the backboard for a lay up. "I think that's two for me, right?"

" " Joey mocked. "Check the ball."

It was now Joey's turn to shoot and he quickly sidestepped Keith and tossed the ball up for two points.

"This is going to be easy." Joey grinned and Keith walked over wrapping his arms around his waist leaning down and pressing his lips to the smaller one. Joey laughed throwing his head back. "That is not going to work."

"Worth a try."

About an hour later, they were knelt over breathing heavy, sweat dripping. They had already ditched their shirts that were now lying on the bench and were bare chest in the night air.

"Let's call it a tie, babe," Keith panted.

"Oh no, Old man." Joey snatched the ball from him and threw it up, landing it straight into the basket. "I win."

"Fine." Keith collapsed on the ground, exhausted. He hadn't exerted himself to the point of fatigue on a while. Not even at the club as a bouncer did he have to do so much work. He looked up at Joey, who hadn't looked phased, and propped himself on his elbow. "You're still alive how?"

Joey held out his hand to Keith.

"Come on…I'll make it up to you."

Joey's phone vibrated loudly on the table once more and he snatched it up looking worried for a second before rolling his eyes and answering.

"Pa-pa. Is everything okay?"

"No, everything is not fine, Joseph. For God's sake, call Keith."

"No way until I finish up at the bar with Tris and everyone. I already told him I would be here."

"Well tell him not to call me. I'm going to send a hit squad out on the little shit if he keeps this up."

"By all means, Pa-pa, please do it. He's irritating my phone."

"I am not playing Joseph." Joey rolled his eyes. "Tell him to stop."

"Okay, Okay." Joey hung the phone up more irritable than before and looked at his friends who were wondering the hell was going on. "He called my father," he said taking a drink of beer.

Téa gasped.

"Maybe he's just worried, hon," Mai said. "You haven't talked to him since…?"

"This morning?" Joey shook his head. "He's already cramping my dick and it's been three days."

"Ooh…you really know how to pull them in," Duke said. "I remember when I had a stalker."

"That idiot with the one eye?" Tristan laughed ruffling Duke's hair. "I thought you said you whored yourself out to him?"

"I did, but I don't think that gave him permission to stalk me."

"Why Duke?!" A loud dramatic and accented voice alerted him and he looked up to see the woman waving him over to the counter. He quickly straightened the shirt onto the hanger before walking over to the woman where another taller man was standing with a large smile on his face.

"Pegasus…you're here…Why?"

"Why Dukey boy…" Duke gagged. "I figured I'd pay you a visit. It's long over due."

"Mm…" Duke heard the woman next to him squeal while watching the scene before her as if she was watching a soap opera.

"I brought you something." Pegasus produced a small rectangular box and handed it to Duke who hesitantly took it.

"You didn't have to come up here and give this to me, Pegasus."

"Well I figured since you didn't answer my seven phone calls this morning, you wouldn't be bothered by me coming in to see you."

"I really wish you hadn't bothered," Duke said rolling his eyes and opening the small box. Hey, at least it was another bracelet. It was a white and yellow gold Chanel regency bracelet. Just as he was about to put it on, Pegasus took the fine jewelry from his fingers and put it on his wrist. The taller male lifted the small wrist to his lips and kissed the back of Duke's hand.

"Anything for you love."

Every female in the shop swooned at Duke and Pegasus making Duke even more sick to the stomach.

"Finished?" The ebony haired male asked.

"I'll leave to go back to your work. Tonight at seven?"

"Do I have a choice?" Duke asked despite already knowing the answer.

"Nope."

"Duke, that wasn't stalking. That was getting what you deserve. You led the guy on." Téa said as Duke finished. "The man had just brought you a seven hundred dollar bracelet. You should have been on your knees in the shop."

"Not for only seven hundred dollars, Téa. Honey, do I look so cheap?"

"That's not a trick question, Tristan laughed and got a well deserved smack to the arm from Duke.

Joey was glad that his friends were back to laughing and being normal. The day after he had talk to Tristan, the following morning, Duke and Tristan had been avoiding each other like each had the plague.

But even so, he had to worry about Keith. He was a gentleman, but he was annoying as hell blowing up his phone and wanting to be around him every minute of the damn day. The day before, Joey had stepped out to go to the market with Duke and he had received a phone call from Tristan saying that Keith was outside the apartment wondering where he was.

Wasn't that a hint to stop trying?

"Hey," Joey greeted as he walked into Keith's loft. The older man leaned down and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips before closing the door behind Joey.

"Where were you today?" Keith asked.

"Uh…I need to talk to you about that."

Keith body stilled as he stared at Joey.

"What's wrong?" He swallowed.

"You're a nice person Keith, but you have stop with all the phone calls and the wondering where I am all the time. Why do you do that?"

"I'm not crazy if that's what you're thinking."

"I never said you were." Joey seemed a little taken aback. Did Keith just assume that Joey thought he was crazy? Not that he didn't think that, it was just that it came up a little too sudden as if it had all happened before. "It's just a little creepy that you called me ninety-nine times and then you called my father when you couldn't reach me."

Keith looked to the ground. "I worry about you."

"You've only known me for three days! I'd hate to think that you don't trust me already."

"Joey…" Keith sighed walking over to the shorter male and took his hand kissing the back. "I promise that I won't call you as much as I do. It's just that when any second that I don't hear your voice…I'm wondering what you're doing. Please give me another chance. I just don't want you to leave me."

Keith dropped to his knees wrapping his arms around Joey's waist, his face buried in the fabric of Joey's s shirt.

What was Joey to do? Did he even want to imagine what more days would evolve to, if he stayed with Keith?

"Come on and get dressed. Let's go to the club. I need a drink."

'Euphoria' was a packed house for the evening. Every gay man and woman in town must have took off a night and came to the party. Joey managed to maneuver through looking for Duke and Tristan. Finally after a several minutes, he spotted them making out in front of the bar. His eyes widened as he stormed over to them leaving Keith to get lost in the crowd and he grabbed Tristan around the collar snatching him from Duke and dragging him away from the other male.

"What the fuck are you doing?!" He shouted over the music. He looked into Tristan's eye seeing that infamous glazed look into the brown eyes. "I thought we agreed this wouldn't happen again?!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Did you even tell him what I told you to tell him?!"

Tristan smirked wrapping his arms drunkenly around Joey's neck beginning to sway his hips to the music ignoring Joey completely. Joey wasn't amused.

"You're going to hurt him, Joey said with a frown. Tristan shoulders sagged as he looked down at Joey.

"I'm not going to Jo. I'll tell him."

"Okay." Joey sighed putting his hands in the air, surrendering. "I just don't want his ass to go crazy and the next thing you know, your clothes are out on the lawn set afire."

Tristan smirked holding up a small packet with two bright colored pills in each.

"Fuck no…put that shit away."

"Like old times, Jo…" Tristan egged.

"No. I have to go and find Keith before he sends out the SWAT team for me." Joey leaned in and kissed Tristan. "Be careful, babe."

Joey turned and left the area going out on the dance floor spotting a saucy looking redhead dancing between a blonde and brunette. He squinted as watched what looked to be his sister between Mai and Téa dancing tightly in a sandwich. His sister?! Shaking his head he went back to bar to grab a quick drink.

"What'll be Joey?" Yami asked leaning on the bar.

"Anything. Be creative. Put every damn thing you have back there."

"You got it, babe." Yami smiled walking away.

"-Hey!" A voice called from beside him and Joey turned to find Keith standing beside him, his smile wide. "I found you." He wrapped his arms around Joey making Joey tense and try to pull away, but he only manage to pull Keith closer and bump into someone behind him.

"What the hell?!" The voice said from behind him and Joey found himself face to face with cold blue eyes. "Watch the hell where you're going." The brown haired male warned, narrowing his eyes.

"Hey buddy, watch who the hell you're talking to. Besides, you're in a club. It was a mistake." Keith threatened pulling Joey against him protectively. The blue eyed male rolled his eyes.

"Or what?" He snorted. "You going to send your motorcycle gang after me? Hey Blondie, tell your dog I don't do well with empty threats."

Joey had to hold Keith back before he pounced onto the other and starting a riot in the club that wouldn't go to well. Besides, Joey felt sorry for the other male. If he had let Keith loose, the other would probably be dead.

"Calm down, Keith."

"Yes, do calm down Keith. You're beginning to foam at the mouth."

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Keith cursed loudly, trying to grab him, but the other moved out of the way smirking and putting his arms around a smaller male and going out on the dance floor. "Fucking prick!"

Joey snatched the drink Yami laid in front of him and quickly downed it.

"Whoa, Joey! Take it easy!" Yami said trying to grab the drink from Joey's lips.

"How do I do it?! How do you break up with a psychopath?!" Joey whined drunkenly as Tristan and Duke tried to carry him up the stairs of the apartment building. Joey wasn't exactly a lightweight and with the muscle he had, it didn't help them. Plus with both under the influence, Tristan needing to be almost be carried himself, it didn't work out easy.

"We'll talk about it when we get your big ass up the stairs." Tristan groaned.

"How much did you drink Joey?" Duke winced as he tried to hold him.

"I don't remember." He laughed. "I told that sexy creature behind the bar keep them coming…and then I'll 'come' ," Joey snickered.

" 'Nuff said. Duke, remind me to kill Yami next time we go back," Tristan said.

"Likewise."

They had managed to get Joey up to the apartment door and Duke unlocked the door and threw it open helping Tristan guide Joey into the house and threw him onto the couch.

"Advice…please?" Joey pouted and both Duke and Tristan collapsed onto the loveseat chair. They really both weren't in the mood for this.

"If you break up with him…" Duke started. "Be gentle. Don't go crazy Jo screaming wondering why he won't listen. He's an obsessive possessive."

"What the hell is that?" Tristan asked.

"Take it literal, Tris. He's determined to not let Joey go. This could have stemmed from anywhere. Like maybe a past relationship or childhood or…I don't know…blue balls."

"Desperate for dick. Sounds familiar," Tristan said glancing at Duke. Duke rolled his eyes. He really wasn't in the mood for the other's humor.

"Can't I just text him and get it over with?"

"How pathetic Jo! No, you can't break with the prick in a text message. Show some nuts," Tristan said standing up and walking into the kitchen.

"I don't wanna!" Joey whined again. So maybe a text message was a little pathetic. He then turned his head to Duke. "What about a phone call?"

"Oh my God, Joey! Nothing that is not face to face. That leaves only one option."

"You're right, Duke. I'm going to set up the webcam."

Needless to say, Duke and Tristan refused to let him break up with Keith over the webcam. Either way, he wouldn't have remembered if he did it or not because the next morning he woke up, he could hardly remember his name. He tried standing up, but only winced at the pounding pain in his head and almost fell back down from the dizziness that took over.

Finally lifting getting a hold of himself, he stumbled into the next room finding Keith standing in front of the stove. He turned to Joey with a smile.

"Hey babe. Hungry?"

"Wait…I'm not home?"

"Of course you are. Tristan let me in this morning. Duke had to head to work. They were glad I came over to check on you. I didn't know what had happened after you had left last night, and well…I didn't exactly want to call you."

Joey made his way to the stool at the island and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I have to head down to the club in a few. I have an early meeting, but I figured I'd make you breakfast before I left. What are you doing later tonight?"

"Um…working and then studying. I have an exam in…uh, something." It wasn't a lie. It was just with the hangover, it was making it impossible to think straight.

"You have classes today?"

"Yeah, not that I'm going to any. I appreciate this Keith, but I really need some rest."

"Of course." Keith said sadly. He turned out the stove and walked around the island to Joey, leaning down kissing him. "Have a nice day."

And with that he walked out of the door. It was evident to Joey that Keith was upset and that he really didn't want to leave, but Joey had seriously needed some rest and some time to think about the whole Keith situation. And the fact that Keith hadn't called last night (or this morning), it didn't excuse what he had done and the fight that he had almost started because he was defending Joey.

Possessive and short tempered.

That was a wonderful combination.

Joey slid off the stool and walked into the living room, laying down on the couch and grabbing a pillow to cuddle.

He had to figure out a way to talk to Keith and explain that things wouldn't work without Keith going ape shit and locking him in the bedroom forever.

"Ooh…look who decided to show up. Didn't realize that you still were apart of the family Joey."

"Good afternoon to you too Serenity," Joey said walking behind the cafe's bar. Serenity walked over to him and hugged him around the waist.

"You look like shit, Joey," She observed.

"Thanks sis. I can always count on you to tell me the truth."

"That's what I'm here for." she pulled away. "Dad's here today."

"Oh no! Not while I'm like this." Joey groaned. "I'm really not in the mood."

"Go home then. I'll tell them you're sick."

"Ma-ma, would have a fit." Joey sighed. "I'll be fine."

It had been a long day, but Joey managed to keep his food inside and with some medicine his mother gave him, he managed stay focused the entire day.

It was eight o' clock and him and Serenity were shutting the café down for their parents. His mother and father were going out on a date, which both Serenity and Joey were thankful. They loved them to death, but they were still parents.

"Hey, Joey?" Serenity called as she sat on a stool.

"Mm?" He responded wiping down a table.

"How did you know that you were gay?"

Joey stopped washing the table. Did his sister just ask him that question? This only meant one thing…

"Does this have anything to do with what I saw at the club last night between you, Téa, and must I say it, Mai?"

"Let's talk. Please…" Serenity pleaded. Joey made his way over to the stool next to his sister. "So tell me. How'd you know?"

"I just knew Serenity. When I realized that I wasn't neither physically or sexually attracted to women, I guessed that was it. During growing up and stuff there were signs. Of course there's your usual "porn with best friend's" time. Me and Tris," Joey heard Serenity suck her teeth. "Me and him would look at straight porn all the time until we realized it wasn't getting us off. Me and Yugi had experimented some time back in high school. It was freshman year when we had been studying for a test in English."

"Did I ever mention that I hate English?" Joey threw his pen onto the table and sat back against the couch.

"Three times already." Yugi tossed his own pen onto the table and sighed. "Hungry?"

"Always, Yug. Whatcha got?"

"I'll find something."

Yugi got up from his seat on the floor beside Joey and went into the kitchen. When Yugi came back, he was holding a tray of sandwiches, chips, and two bottles of soda.

"Oh Honey, you didn't have to make dinner." Joey joked as Yugi took his seat. Yugi went to open him and Joey's soda only to spill Joey's into his lap.

"Shit! I'm sorry Joey!"

"Yug, it's fine." Joey laughed. "Just get me a towel please."

Yugi ran back into the kitchen and brought back a dishtowel to Joey. Before Joey could grab the dish towel, Yugi was already going to work on Joey's lap patting and rubbing vigorously to get the stain out. It wasn't until he heard Joey breathing heavy that he looked up and saw his friend's eyes closed.

Feeling Yugi had stopped, Joey opened his eyes and looked into the bright purple eyes sitting next to him.

"Sorry." He said releasing a breath he didn't know he was holding. Yugi didn't say anything as he looked into Joey's eyes. Joey didn't know what to do or say. He had just been aroused by Yugi getting a stain out his jeans. "Buddy, say something."

Yugi's eyes descended to Joey's lips before leaning in slowly and pressing his own against the other's. His hand fell into Joey's lap, undoing the zipper on the blond's jeans and reached inside.

"Oh shit…" Joey hissed after breaking the kiss. Yugi's nimble fingers was slowly making it's way inside of his boxers and Joey thought he would die of anticipation. When Yugi had finally found the flesh, Joey thought he would come that instant.

"Yugi?" Serenity asked.

"Yeah. We never got together. We just played around with each other. I think we were both experiencing with each other for when the time came around we'd be ready with other people rather each other."

"Did you two ever have sex?"

"No," Joey said shaking his head. "We both said we'd save ourselves for someone else. His just so happened to be Yami while Yami was studying abroad over here for a bit. Mines…well…let's leave that one alone. Why are you asking me all this?"

"Just curious. I've been having the feelings about Mai."

"By dear God, Serenity," Joey rolled his eyes. Why did it have to be her?

"I know Joey. I think it's the way she carries herself. She's an older woman…she has that sex appeal, confidence, she's perfect."

Joey laughed. "Same thing I thought," He said leaning back. "I'd say if I ever lost my virginity to woman, it'd be her. She rejected me flat." He snickered. "Wait until I tell Tristan he turned you into a lesbian."

"Me and you have too much of the same taste, Joey. Mai, Tristan…"

"Tell me about it. It's scary. Speaking of Tristan, do you hate him?"

"I don't hate him Joey. I'm just still upset."

"It's been over a couple of years."

"If he knew he was gay, he should have told me! He waited until we were engaged to tell me he thought that he could rid those feelings with trying to use me. He was my first Joey."

"Don't remind me. The idea of Tristan anywhere near my little sister's vag makes me nauseous. I couldn't stand to be around him for a while. I hated what he did to you."

"Well…you've already showed him that."

"Yeah, he still has the marks. Especially the little scar near his eye. Almost makes me feel bad." He took a minute to think before shaking his head. "Never mind…it doesn't."

"So…I talked to Mai about it and she said that I should try with another woman. So she took me last night to meet someone."

"Did you?"

"Nope. Instead me, her, and Téa went back their apartment and had sex."

"I think I'm going to be sick!" Joey jumped up from his seat running into the back and emptying what he thought would stay down.

"Shopping can make any girl's day. From a depressing shitty day it can instantly turn into something fabulous with a little fashion therapy." Mai smiled at Joey from behind a pair of big sunglasses she had been trying on. "Whatcha think?"

"You look like a bug."

"Good." She took them off and walked over to another rack, which was full of clothes. "So what's bothering you, babe? You of all people would never dare to call me and ask to hang out. It's not about your sister is it?" She paused as she looked at him over the rack.

"Can we please not talk about that? I think I almost threw up my intestines when she told me."

"What are you talking about?"

"She said you guys…did…" He raised his eyebrows hoping that she would catch on and if she didn't, he refused to say anything else to help. The mere idea of saying what happened made him feel sick again.

Mai outright laughed.

"Serenity got you good, Jo. Me and her never had sex if that's what you're trying to say. She asked me about some things that I will not discuss with her brother because I promised her."

Joey grabbed Mai and pulled her into a hug.

"You don't know how that makes me feel."

"Okay, loverboy." She laughed pushing him away. "Now, tell me what's wrong with you? I don't have to fight anybody, do I?"

"Uh…I've never had to break up with anyone before. Even though, it's not really breaking up of what I have to do. It's a matter of telling someone I don't want to see them anymore."

"Just tell them, Jo. How hard can it be?"

"Really hard." Joey sighed. "He's just a little strung on me than I am on him. A little too strung."

"The only thing I can tell you is that you tell him the truth."

Mai was right. Why Joey thought this should be any harder than what it actually was, he didn't know. He just felt bad at the simple fact that he had told Keith he would give him a try and now he was going to end it so quickly. Keith had tried to do as Joey asked with the phone calls and other attempts of stalking, but in the end, Joey didn't want to be with him.

So, he invited Keith to the bar, grab them a table, and decided he should start somewhere.

Keith wouldn't kill him in plain sight of a bunch people around.

Would he?

"How was your day?" He asked Keith. Start small. That would be best.

"Good. Glad you called me."

"Mm…" Joey took a swig of his bottle of beer.

"How was your day?"

"Good. Good." Joey bit his bottom lip in thought.

"Penny for your thoughts," Keith said.

"Keith…I really hate to tell you this. I honestly do, but I have to tell you the truth. I think there was a little part in me that actually thought this could relationship could grow, but after dwelling on it…it's not going to work."

Keith sighed.

"You're a good guy Keith. Just for someone else."

Joey looked at Keith. He looked disappointed and as if he had too much on his mind, concentrating and contemplating on what to say next. His eyes looked into Joey's.

"I figured sooner or later my begging would have been in vain. I should have followed my first mind and left you alone after the first fuck."

Joey's eyes widened. "You make it sound vile. If I recall, you were the one about to have a hernia if we didn't go on a date."

"All I'm saying is that everyone make mistakes."

"You're absolutely right. I should have ended this trivial fling the first time!" Joey saw Keith wince as his voice raised. Be gentle. He heard Duke's voice in his head. "I don't want this to end horrible Keith because face it, we never had a real relationship to begin with. I'm letting it go because I can see you're being a bitter prick since it's me ending it before it can go any further down the hell drain."

Keith swallowed.

"See ya, Keith," Joey said getting up from his seat and heading straight for the door.

"I think you deserve a special drink for growing balls Jo!" Tristan shouted over the loud music of the club. After ending it with Keith, Joey decided that a little R&R with the besties would do him some good.

As soon as he got to the club, he looked for Duke and Tristan and told them everything. Not that it was a lot, but he had to get it off his chest to someone. He felt like he could be wild again without having to look over his shoulder wondering if Keith was at Euphoria's doors with a machete ready to go haywire on anyone who touched Joey.

He took the drink that Ryou brought over and took a sip.

"Damn, Ryou. Are you trying to kill me?"

"No never that Joey!" Ryou panicked and went to reach for the drink. "Is it horrible? I'm really trying!"

"Calm down, Ryou. It's fine."

Ryou released a breath of relief. "I'm sorry. The boss has really been on my ass about the customers complaining about the drinks."

Tristan leaned onto the bar trying to give a debonair smile to the platinum blonde behind the bar.

"Tell him to take his complaints and shove it. You're too cute to have anything said bad about you."

Joey and Duke rolled their eyes as Ryou blushed.

"I think that's our queue while this idiot tries to get some ass," Joey said into Duke's ear and linked their arms pulling him out onto the dance floor.

As they danced, Joey could see in Duke's eyes that he wasn't fully focused on the dance. His mind seemed just as busy as Keith's was earlier that night. As he followed Duke's eyes he looked to see Tristan just leaning in to get a small kiss from Ryou.

"Duke?" Joey asked stopping his dancing. "Hey," He said grabbing Duke's chin and turning his face to his own. "What's going on?"

"He acts as if nothing happened."

"That's what you guys wanted right? Didn't you talk about it?"

"I fucked up Jo. I shouldn't have slept with him. I'm turning in early."

"Whoa…wait a minute, Duke. I'll go with you."

"No, stay. I'll be fine," Duke said sadly.

Joey watched as Duke walked through the crowd and disappeared. He turned to Tristan who was still chatting it up Ryou at the bar. He made his way over, now disappointed that his night may just be getting worse, thanks to Tristan and Duke and their stupid feelings.

"Well I see you got rid of the leash that had your dog attached to it." Joey heard and turned to the voice.

"Not you again Kaiba," Joey said remembering the blue eyes. "I didn't bump into you, if that's what you're thinking."

"Where's your pet?"

"What does it matter?"

"Just curious." Kaiba smirked. A short blond walked over to him whispering something into his ear before grabbing his hand and pulling him into another direction. "Have a good night."

Joey rolled his eyes as he walked over to Tristan, poking him in the chest.

"I'm leaving."

"Why?"

"I'm tired and I have classes early tomorrow." Joey lied. He had really only wanted to go home and make sure that Duke was okay. Or before he choked Tristan.

"Where's Duke?"

"Home. Away from you."

Tristan laughed. "He's still not upset about us, is he? He just needs time Joey. Don't fall for it."

"Fall for it? This isn't an act Tristan! He's really torn up about what happened. Did you talk to him?"

"No I didn't talk to him after I realized, what the hell am I going to say? He already knows that nothing is ever going to happen between the two of us. I'm not going to jeopardize our friendship because he can't get his head out of the clouds. Drunken one night stand DO NOT equal marriage!"

Joey shook his head, turning on his heel and heading for the door of the club. That guy wasn't his best friend. It wasn't the Tristan he knew and loved. The Tristan he knew would have came home to make sure Duke was okay and then they would talk over everything with pot and cookies.

After getting out of the cab and making his way to his apartment, he threw open the door ready to go to bed and pass out. Had it not been for the scene that was in front of him.

Duke hadn't come alone. He was tainting their living sofa with some extra brutal buff on top of him.

"-Torn up?" Joey heard from behind him and found Tristan standing in the doorway.

Duke looked up to see both Joey and Tristan standing there.

"Something I can help you with?"

"Yeah, would you mind getting King Kong off your back so we can talk?" Tristan asked pulling off his jacket and tossing on the back of the couch where Duke was.

"What did you call me?" The man asked as he stopped what he was doing.

"You heard what I said. Now get the hell out."

The man was silent as he looked down at Duke who didn't say anything. The stranger scoffed before grabbing his clothes and walking out of the apartment slamming the door behind himself.

"That was weird," Joey said sitting on a stool facing Duke, who was pulling on his jeans.

"Tell me about it. So what do you have to talk about?" Duke asked.

"About me and you before Joey rips my fucking head off. You do know that the other night was a mistake between the both of us. We know it's never going to happen again, right?"

"Is it because you don't want it happen again or that you're scared of what may come out of it happening again?" Duke said turning his head to Tristan. The taller male pulled out of a cigarette, lighting it, and inhaled.

"What are you saying, Duke? You'd put our friendship on the line to be with me?"

"First off, I'm asking you what is your reason for not trying?"

Tristan stood up and walked over to Duke and sat beside him.

"I just see us better as friends than lovers." Tristan handed Duke the cigarette who took it willingly. "Besides…can you really see me and you going out on dates or having children? Like straight people?"

"What the hell Tristan?" Joey finally interrupted. "I date and one day if possible…kids may not seem like a bad idea."

"You're right Jo. I can so see you asking "does my ass look fat in these jeans?" They do, in case your wondering."

"Ass…" Joey mumbled going into the kitchen's fridge.

"I guess I have to let it go then Tris. I don't know why I was being so melodramatic in the first."

"Because I'm awesome in bed," Tristan said leaning bad looking smug.

"Oh please…that was some of the sloppiest sex I have ever had in my life."

"Sloppy can be hot." Joey commented from the kitchen.

"Yes…says the guy who dated the American psycho down at the drag bar." Tristan laughed.

"Fuck you guys. Try finding food on your own tonight!"

It had been a week later since Joey wiped down the bar as another customer left. It was now 5:00 in the evening and it was a little slow, which Joey was thankful for. That meant less work and more time to read for one of his classes.

"Joey?!" Serenity called loudly as she walked out of the back kitchen.

"What?" He turned to her.

"I'm going home early. Ma-ma said to make sure dishes are done and to make sure the drawer is counted correctly tonight."

"She'll be lucky if it's counted at all."

"-Joseph, I heard that!" He heard his mother shout from the back and he rolled his eyes.

"Why are you leaving early?" He asked Serenity.

"I have a date." She smiled. "And no, before you start, it is not a she, but a he. I realized that first, nothing would happen between me and Mai and secondly, maybe the reason I had wanted women was because I couldn't find a decent guy. Some times, it can just be a phase."

"I say nothing," Joey said with his hands up in surrender. "Whatever floats your boat…which I hope doesn't float."

"Hey, my ship isn't wrecked. I'm not Ma-ma."

Both Joey and Serenity snickered, until they actually thought about the horrible realization that maybe their parents did have sex.

"Who's the date with?" Joey shook the thoughts from his head, leaning on the counter top.

Just before Serenity could answer, the sound of the bell on the door made them both take a glance. Walking over to the two of them was a tall brunet, eyes as blue as the sky which Joey knew instinctively who they belonged to.

The asshole from the club.

"Hi Seto," Serenity said casually. "I was just on my way home. You're brother is supposed to be meeting me there so we can head out for dinner."

"Ah…no wonder he was about to piss his pants about what to wear," Seto said dropping his briefcase onto the bar where Joey had been leaning.

Serenity laughed before gasping.

"Oh! She said nudging Joey who didn't look phased or felt as though he should acknowledge the other's presence. "Joey, don't be rude."

"Don't worry Serenity. I'm used to it. Especially from your brother." Joey straightened up as Seto looked at him. "Caffé Macchiato."

"When was the last time you've seen each other?" Serenity asked looking confused.

"Tried to feel me up at the club." Seto smirked and Joey snorted.

"Please…I wouldn't dare. I try my best to stay away from egotistical snot-nose pricks."

"I don't believe I asked for a side of insults with my coffee."

"Have a good evening you two." Serenity sang as she left the coffee shop with a smile.

Joey went off to make the said order while Seto went off to sit in the corner of the shop. As Joey made the drink, he couldn't help, but glance out the corner of his eye at the male sitting so far away. Seeing Seto in the light and not in that dim lit overcrowded stuffy club, made the other male far more physically attractive by incomparable measures. Seto had pulled out his laptop and was constantly typing away glancing back and forth from the screen to his phone which lay conveniently next to him.

"-Joseph! What are you doing?" His mother asked coming around the corner finding the milk spilling over the steel counter. "You are making a mess."

"Ma-ma, it's fine. Calm down, geesh!" He said grabbing a dish rag and began to soak it up. "Didn't they ever tell you, "don't cry over spilled milk"?" Joey grinned.

"Milk was not almost $4.00 a gallon then, Joseph. Don't be smart. Besides, you do this every time you get googly-eyed around Tristan and Duke, so who is it this time?"

"I am too old to be googly-eyed over a boy," Joey said taking a quick glance into the corner once more where Seto sat. His mother caught it, her eyes following.

"He's cute, Jojo. I must say…a lot hotter than Keith."

"Ma-ma…I think you were doing something in the back," Joey said going back to re-doing the order and then quickly took it over to Seto who turned from the screen and looked up at him.

"About time, considering there's all, but five people in here."

"It was done purposely. I tend to pace myself when customers are so demanding."

"Well I'm a very demanding person, so I would advise you to get used to it. I get what I want, when I want it."

Joey swallowed.

Why did he take that so sexually?