We Love In Vain

Chapter IX: Wear Me Out or Wear Me Well

A/N: Sorry for a bit of an absence, I just haven't been doing much writing. Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter, I think it's really cute.

And beware the smut!!

 "Joey, are you okay?" Yugi placed down his cards to look at Joey across the table. "I invited you over for a duel, but you haven't given me much of one."

"Huh?" Joey looked up, and his brown eyes looked tired, "Aw...sorry Yug. Yeah I'm fine! Uh...my move?" He frowned at the duelling mat.

"I just took out your remaining life points so no," Yugi told him, laughing softly.

"Crap! I didn't even hear ya call ya last move. Sorry, man."

"It's alright Joey, it is kind of hard to keep track now we're so used to Kaiba's duel disk systems.

Kaiba. At the mention of the name Joey went silent again. God he was tired. He just wanted to...sleep. Yeah, sleep. Damn it, Kaiba.

"Joey are you okay?" Yugi asked. The smaller boy blinked his big amethyst eyes at his friend in concern.

"Yeah," Joey mumbled, "Jus' tired, sorry."

"Huh," Yugi frowned. He shuffled his deck back together and placed it safely back in its case. "You should go home and rest, Joey."

Joey yawned. "Nah no way! I promised I'd hang out with ya today, Yug! We're way overdue to hang out!" He jumped up from his chair, grinning widely. "So, what'll it be? Another duel? We could play video games? Watch a movie? Whatever you want man!"

Joey was trying to sound energetic but the dark circles beneath his eyes were calling him a liar.

"What I want is for you to get some rest," Yugi said, smiling at him. "We can hang out some other time, really."

Joey's face fell, "I'm real sorry, Yugi."

"No problem, go home and sleep." Yugi's voice was so kind that it made Joey feel guilty. Three consecutive nights spent with Kaiba had really taken it out of him. Ever since Seto's whole 'boyfriend' proclamation the CEO had been especially possessive over Joey. And between school, and hooking up with Kaiba, Joey hadn't had a whole lot of time for sleep.

"Argh, alright," Joey exhaled. "I'll catch ya later, man."

"I'll text you," Yugi nodded as Joey reluctantly walked out the door.

Leaving through the game shop door, Joey nearly collided with Tristan.

"Shit!" The brunet stopped quickly to avoid knocking his friend over, "Joey watch out, dude!"

"Tristan!" Joey looked up, "What are ya doin' here?"

Tristan laughed, "I came to see Yugi," He paused, frowning at Joey, "You look like hell, Joey. Are you alright?"

Joey swallowed and nodded, "Just overtired."

"What have you been up to lately, man? I can't remember the last time I saw you outside school. Are you and uh...Kaiba still talking?" Tristan felt a painful awkwardness between them.

"Yeah, we're talkin'. Look, I gotta go, I'll see ya later."

"Alright man!" Tristan called as Joey walked away.

Joey snorted. Talking? Yeah he and Kaiba were talking. His mind drifted as he walked, remembering the night before and how Seto had pinned him down against the bed, fucking him way too hard and calling him a 'filthy little puppy'. And also remembering how he hadn't slept at all afterwards even though it had exhausted him. He ran his hand through his hair which was messy and unbrushed, and he sighed to himself.