I am back with a Kai/Miguel three shot that I hope you will enjoy. Dedicated to Mr S, who has caused many a ripple.
Seven years earlier
Kai's feet pounded on the sunny Spanish path. Terror filled his small body yet he was overcome by terrible anger and sadness. Kai reluctantly slowed down. He had been running flat out for a long time and it was beginning to take its toll. His breathing was fast and frantic. He took a deep breath that came out as a choked sob. He stumbled forward clumsily. People were beginning to stare so Kai made his way over to a small bench over looking the large scenic cliff. He collapsed onto the bench. He started to see spots so he put his head between his skinny legs. He was shaking slightly.
He had been through rough training after training that pushed him to his breaking point and over. Yet he had never felt this way before. His hands shook with emotions filling his small body. How had he fallen so far? This was beyond him. He couldn't understand why he was in so much pain. Maybe he was weak just as his grandfather had always told him. As if on cue, his last living relative came up behind him and placed his hand on his grandchild's shoulder.
"Kai, why are you always drawn to the sea?" asked Voltaire who appeared genuinely curious.
"Just leave me alone," said Kai who didn't even look up but kept his head in his hands.
"Kai we are family. I cannot just leave my only heir to run around Europe all alone now can I?" asked Voltaire as he tightened his grip on the young boys shoulder.
"I HATE YOU," yelled Kai. "I hate you so much that I…" Kai couldn't finish he didn't know how.
"Why do you hate me so? Is it because I came here and broke up your happy little family? Kai you do know that they didn't love you, right? Why would a total stranger love you? You are still so naïve. They found me, they offered you to me, for a price of course. Do you want to know how much you are worth to them?" asked his grandfather snidely.
"I hate all of you," said Kai eerily calmly. He got up off the bench stiffly still not looking his grandfather in the eye.
"You won't get away this time Kai. We are going home," said Voltaire as he pointed to the guards closing in on his grandchild.
"I'd rather die," said Kai under his breath as he ran towards the cliff. The guards who had been congregation on either side of the bench ran forward as one as Kai darted forward. Many hands missed the small boy as he sped towards the cliff.
The main path led away from the cliff but Kai knew that a short wall ran along the cliff edge. It wasn't the safest option in a chase but it was the only one Kai could think of. Kai hopped onto the wall and ran along it.
"Grab him you useless goons," yelled Voltaire. The guards made some wild grabs but none ventured onto the wall. Kai ran carefully along the wall and into the thick shrubbery.
Now the thick undergrowth was blocking the main path from the wall. The wall was old and Kai was struggling along. A fall here could mean capture or as Kai looked to his right a very nasty fall into the Mediterranean sea.
A hand shot out of the bushes and tried to grab him. Kai yelled out in surprise and jumped out of the hands reach. He landed awkwardly on his right foot but he limped on. Another hand reached out. Kai's foot was pulled out from under him. Kai twisted around towards his attacker but the motion caused him to fall backwards. His attacker's grip loosened and without anything holding him, Kai fell backwards.
"Shit," yelled the guard as the small boy slipped off the wall. He tried to grab him again but he missed by centimetres. Kai let out a small gasp and then fell straight down. He put out his hands to protect himself as he hit the water. Kai heard cracks and snaps as he hit the water but he was spared any pain as his world went black.
Miguel sighed deeply. He was not having a very good week. His parents had left their 12-year-old son to go to a big conference in New York. Of course, they had left him a childminder. A bad childminder but still a childminder when she wasn't drunk, parting or asleep. That didn't leave a lot of time. Last night they had partied until dawn in his parent's house so Miguel wasn't expecting to se her until this evening.
Miguel walked down the docks felling sorry for himself. Why did his parents always leave him? He wondered to himself. Miguel sat down on the pier with his feet dangling over the edge. He stared out into the brilliant blue sparkling water with the cliff looming on the other side of the bay. Miguel sighed and threw a small stone into the water and that's when he saw him. The boy in the water.
Miguel jumped up and yelled. He looked around franticly but there was nobody nearby. He could run into the town but it would take to long. He looked down at the pale unmoving boy in the water. There was only one thing to do and without hesitation, Miguel dived into the water.
Miguel was a good swimmer and he reached the boy without problem. Miguel grabbed the boy and began swimming back leading the floating boy as he went. He reached the pier and grabbed on. However, the pier was to far up and he lost his grip. He fell back into the water dragging the boy with him. Miguel surfaced, terror and panic filling him. The boy beside him coughed and moaned slightly. The boy grabbed onto Miguel instinctively. His grip was loose and his eyes were still tightly closed.
The boys grip on Miguel filled him with a sense of protectiveness for the young boy. Miguel made sure the boy would not fall, then with both hands he reached up for the pier. His small hands found a hold and he pulled himself up. The boys grip suddenly loosened and he fell off Miguel. Miguel's reflects were fast and he grabbed the boys arm and hauled him up onto the pier.
Miguel sat down panting hard. He looked down at the boy he had saved. He looked paler now and he was more still. Yet he was still beautiful. Miguel heart fluttered lightly. He placed his hand lightly onto the young boys face. He was cold, wet and still, to still. Miguel shook the boy and yelled wake up in his face. The boy still didn't move. Miguel didn't know much first aid things but he had seen how to do mouth to mouth on his mothers TV programs. He shuffled over to the boys head and placed his warm lips onto the boys cold unmoving lips.
The boy didn't move. Miguel tried again hard this time. His hand laced around the boys neck and that's when he moved. Miguel sat up and looked into the boys startling crimson eyes.
"Are you okay?" asked Miguel feebly under the hypnotic stare. Kai looked around confused. His head was pounding and his body was numb. He couldn't even stand up. So no, he was not okay.
"What were you doing?" asked Kai sleepily.
"Saving you with mouth to mouth," said Miguel.
"Weird mouth to mouth," said Kai as he blacked out again.
Miguel bent down to Kai's side. The boy was deathly pale and freezing. His foot was twisted awkwardly and both his hands were red and swollen.
"I better take you home," said Miguel as he lifted Kai unceremoniously off the damp wooden pier.
2 days later
Kai woke up with a start. His heart was hammering painfully in his chest. His hands were shaking and sweet covered him brow. Kai began to assess his injuries. His hands were both plastered and they were feeling sore but it didn't feel too serious. His foot was pounding painfully and he felt a bit nauseous and worse of all he had lost his bag. At least he could still feel his Dranzer blade in his pocket. Kai sighed. At this point, he was truly pathetic thought Kai. He couldn't even move his fingers let alone defend himself.
"You're awake. I was becoming nervous. You had been out of it for 2 whole days," said Miguel entering the room smiling. "Are you hungry? The doctor said you are a bit malnourished so you have to eat a lot more, okay" said Miguel as he walked over to the bed. Kai nodded. He vaguely remembered a boy who had saved him from the water. Kai looked around the room. This must be his room thought Kai.
Miguel placing his hand on his forehead interrupted Kai's thoughts.
"Your fever is gone but you are very quiet. Are you alright?" asked Miguel.
"Fine. Where am I?" asked Kai. Miguel smiled broadly. His smile sped up Kai's heart and brought a small smirk onto his lips.
"Your voice is so cute. And as to where you are, you are in my house," said Miguel.
"And where is your house and where are you parents?" asked Kai.
"My house is outside the southern part of the village. My parents are away and my childminder is at her boyfriend's house. You look hungry so I will get you something to eat," said Miguel changing the subject. Miguel hurried into the kitchen.
He returned a few moments later with a big plate of food. Kai looked up at him and raised his bandaged hands. Miguel smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry. I will feed you," said Miguel as he sat down by the bed. Kai blushed deeply.
"No don't bother I am not hungry," said Kai softly. However, his stomach gave him away as it growled. Miguel helped him to sit up in the bed.
"Don't be embarrassed," said Miguel as he held out a fork with a piece of chicken at the end. Kai blushed deeply out of embarrassment and ate the piece of chicken. After a few mouthfuls, Kai shook him head.
"That's enough," said Kai.
"No its not. You have to eat more," said Miguel stubbornly.
"Look I shall eat more tomorrow just," Kai was interrupter by Miguel.
"So you will stay here?" asked Miguel hopefully. Kai was surprised he hadn't meant to imply that he was staying. He didn't want to stay here with this stranger. Just as Kai thought that, he knew it wasn't true. He did want to stay but he couldn't. He wouldn't do that to himself again. Besides, he couldn't risk this kid getting hurt.
"I don't think I," Miguel interrupted Kai again.
"Will you please stay here with me? I promise to keep you happy and safe. It is really lonely here. I am by myself for ages everyday. Just please stay," Miguel looked up into Kai's eyes. Kai looked down. He was unable to meet his gaze. Miguel leaned in. Kai looked up to see Miguel's face really near his. Warm strong arms wrapped around Kai's frame. Kai could feel the boy's soft breath on his neck.
Kai wrapped his arms around Miguel chest and smiled. Kai felt so warm, safe and another feeling that he couldn't place. Miguel planted a small kiss on Kai's lips. He drew back with a small cute smile on his lips. Kai blushed slightly.
"Just think about it please," said Miguel as he shifted to lie down next to Kai.
"Thank you," whispered Kai as he buried his face in Miguel's light blond hair. The two young boys fell asleep in each other's embrace. Two lonely souls finally found the peaceful rest that they both wanted.
By midnight Kai had gone. He had woken up feeling more relaxed and contented then he had felt in years. He knew that he needed to get out of this town before his grandfather caught up with him. He wanted to protect this boy. The best thing he could do right now was to leave, to go now and hope that the boy would forget him. All he left was a light kiss on the cheek and a note.
Thanks for everything.
Sorry I couldn't stay.
It was short and simple. Kai was never good at saying goodbye.
Present day
Miguel woke up with a start. The boy he had found in the water all those years ago had haunted his dreams again. Miguel sighed and sat up in his bed. His feelings had been unclear back then but now they were clear. He had loved that boy and he was still in love with him. Miguel sighed deeply. He was such a weirdo falling in love with a person that he had only been with a few days. Yet he could never forget the mysterious boy. Every time he tried, something would remind him of the warm strong feel of the boy in his arms and he would fall in love with him all over again. He always forced himself to face reality. The boy had left him and he would never come back.
Miguel shook his head as if he could shake his thoughts off as easily. He got up out of bed stretching lazily. He had to cheer himself up, the bladebreakers were coming to his town to play a charity game. He would be playing host for the day. He smiled at the thought. The bladebreakers were his favourite team besides his own of course. He also had a big crush on their team captain, Kai. Hanging out with the team today should be fun.
A/N: The title of this story is Ripples because of all the consequences of Kai's fall into the ocean. One of those consequences being the meeting with Miguel of course. Some parts of this chapter are unclear but they will be revealed over the next two chapters.