Jealousy

Hey everyone! Phew! this chapter is about the same length as the previous ones, but it took ages to write! I'm happy with it so far.

Please review/comment! It would mean so much to me 

The next few chapters should get a bit steamier, that's what it's rated for. I hope you all like what's here so far and what's yet to come! Thank you for reading up to this point, I'm really enjoying writing this one XD

Disclaimer: I do not own beyblade

Chapter 4: Intimacy is scary

"The thing is… I need to know how you feel about me." Kai went silent. He'd said all he could muster. He meekly glanced at Kinomiya. He'd never opened himself up so much before. He actually felt… scared. Takao said nothing. He was simply just standing there with his mouth open gaping at Kai. That was not comforting.

They stayed like that for a few moments, until Kai was about to turn around and leave, accepting his rejection, when Takao started to react. The corners of his mouth started to curve upwards into what looked like a smile. Then it all became clear. Takao erupted into laughter. He was laughing so much he nearly collapsed. "Good one Kai! I thought you didn't like cracking jokes but I guess I was wrong! Ha ha ha ha!"

It was humiliating. It wasn't just the fact that Kinomiya thought he was joking and was laughing, but also that now Kai had to explain himself. After a small and shaky breath Kai very quietly began to mutter something. Instantly Takao stopped laughing, having to strain his ears just to hear.

"…ous. Kinomiya, I'm serious." Everything went quiet.

Whoa. Takao wasn't quite sure how to react to that. What should he say back? He really respected Kai, and they were close friends, but… Takao didn't know what to think. He couldn't think. His mind went blank. All he could focus on was the draining feeling in his head. He felt slight pressure around his eyes. He felt light-headed. Why? He looked over at Kai, as if demanding an answer for the strange feeling in his head.

Kai continued to wait for Kinomiya's answer patiently. He could feel his heart beating, he was that nervous. It was understandable that Takao would need a while to process the situation, but that didn't make said situation any less awkward. There was so much tension hanging in the air and very embarrassing. Kinomiya still said nothing.

Then slowly, Takao started to realise something. He wasn't completely sure of himself, but there was no other way to figure it out other than trying something to see if it worked. He needed to know how he truly felt about Kai. Swallowing the lump in his dry throat and taking a few steps closer to Kai, Takao decided on his next move. Closing his eyes and driving his mind blank long enough the bluenette closed the gap between himself and his greatest blading rival.

That was unexpected. Kai didn't have time to think, he just felt Kinomiya's lips on his own. The kiss was sweet, and felt really good. Unbeknownst to Kai, if anyone had been watching the kiss they would have called it sloppy and amateurish. That didn't matter. It felt good. That was what mattered. Takao was the one to break the kiss before it could go any further.

"I didn't expect that." Kai whispered just loud enough for Takao to hear as they were still standing close to each other.

Why hadn't everything become clear to him? Takao had hoped that by kissing Kai he would achieve realisation of his feelings, but now he only felt more confused. Did he like Kai as a friend or did his feelings run deeper than that? It was so frustrating! Why couldn't he just figure it out? When he saw the look on Kai's face, Takao realised he had to say something.

"I don't know how I feel about you."

Cold swept over Kai's entire body. What did that mean? Takao continued. "I thought you were just a close friend… But I liked that kiss. Sort of. But it was my first. So I don't know if I liked it because I like you or because I just liked the feeling of kissing. I… I…" His voice had risen slightly. Kai softened the look on his face. Slowly, gently, he pushed Takao against the wall and cornered him. He nervously began to kiss Takao again, running his tongue softly against Kinomiya's bottom lip.

Takao let out a small gasp, which Kai instinctively took as an invitation and probed his tongue inside the other teen's mouth. He almost whimpered into Kinomiya's mouth, it felt so good. The kiss tasted so wonderful. However, they were both inexperienced, and both incredibly timid, so every move was slow and made with extra care. Kai started to lick the roof of Takao's mouth. Said teen returned the favour and glided his tongue along the underneath of Kai's tongue.

Takao felt his body tingling from the heat radiating from Kai's own body. They were so close yet weren't actually touching. It sent a shiver down both their spines.

Slowly Kai moved to the inside of Kinomiya's cheeks, then down onto Takao's tongue, which was now massaging his own tongue. They both needed air. Pulling his tongue back into his own mouth and sucking saliva to save themselves from an embarrassing dribbling mess, Kai pulled away.

Takao looked at Kai to see the teen breathing just as heavily as him. He was trembling slightly, which surprised Takao as he'd never expected Kai to have such an impact on him. Takao had enjoyed the kiss, but definitely did not like the feeling of embarrassment that came after it. Everything was still slightly confusing. He shakily lifted his head up to look into Kai's intense stare – which was now half-lidded and slightly hazy.

"Kai… I don't think I understand this. I… I think I like you too. But I'm… I'm not sure…"

Kai leaned his forehead against Takao's and began to speak in a serious, quiet tone. "I know how you feel. You're scared, aren't you?" Takao was surprised to find him self nodding. "I'm scared, too."

For a few minutes they stayed like that, close, breathing each other in. Reluctantly Kai pulled away, he could hear Kyouju and Hiromi's voices getting closer and didn't want to fumble for an explanation. He definitely wanted to save Kinomiya the embarrassment too. Speaking of which, Takao was blushing furiously. There was also a look in his eyes that Kai could only just make out.

Enough to worry Kai just a little bit.

A look of uncertainty.