Part IV

After a couple of hours of much dancing, talking, laughing, playing, snacking, and some drinking, everyone was pleasantly buzzed and excited and Hilary announced that it was time for The Cake. They all crowded into the kitchen, where the largest cake Takao had ever seen in real life was sitting deliciously on the kitchen table. It was shaped like a huge baseball cap (many sniggered at this) with HAPPY 18TH BIRTHDAY TAKAO written on the flap. Eighteen candles were arranged on it, and Rei turned off the kitchen light as Hilary lit them.

"Let's sing!" she commanded when she was done, Takao rubbing his neck in slight embarrassment. The guests, who seemed in a hurry to get a taste of the cake, began to sing at once.

"Happy Birthday To You. Happy Birthday To You..."

Takao looked around, eyes seeking out Kai. He leaned against the kitchen wall, watching the proceedings though he wasn't singing along. Takao felt slightly sad, and something moved in him when their eyes met across the room and Kai's eyes bore into his being. He quickly concentrated on his cake again.

"...Birthday Dear Takao... Happy Birthday To You!"

"Make a wish!" Rei called as everyone watched expectantly.

Takao stole another look at Kai, who was now looking directly at him, their eyes meeting again. Takao looked down at the candles and tried to make a wish.

I wish... His thought stopped briefly. I wish... words failed him, and he knew everyone was waiting and probably wondering what was taking him so long. The candles were also melting fast, some candle wax drops having fallen on the blue and red icing. Hastily, he blew them all out without completing his wish, Hilary putting herself into the midst of this as well and impatiently blowing out the last two with him.

The onlookers clapped and cheered, and Rei came forth with a butcher's knife and made quick work of cutting the cake into nice, even pieces. People surged forth, but Rei, in an uncharacteristic manner, chased them away sadistically with his knife.

Miguel crossed his arms, "Well are we getting cake or not?!"

"You will," Rei said, "But Takao gets the first piece."

The second the piece of cake was on the birthday boy's plate, the bodies all moved forward in a tight fit, some quarrelling about who should get their share first. Gritting his teeth with an effort not to be crushed, Takao slowly and painstakingly extracted himself. Sighing with relief when he got to the doorway, Takao decided that since everyone was distracted for now, he should find and speak to Kai whom had slipped from the room not long ago.

"Hey, Birthday Boy," someone called and Takao turned to find Mystel and Garland, both of whom had somehow secured their own pieces of cake.

Takao grinned at them, "Having fun?"

"You know, I wasn't going to come," Garland shrugged, "No offense, but, you know."

"So what made you come?" Takao asked curiously.

"Someone got blackmailed," Mystel snorted, "By Hil—"

Garland shot him a dirty look, effectively shutting him up.

"This cake is delicious," Brooklyn joined his teammates, seeming every bit as calm and content as he usually was.

Takao shot them the peace sign, "Great you're having a good time, then," he said before hurrying away. Hilary blackmailed some people, huh? He thought, not knowing whether to laugh or to be disapproving. Set on finding his captain, he searched for a little to no avail, and he kept being interrupted by various people for small talk. Finally he gave up and remained in the living room, where the TV was on and a newscaster was raving about gas prices. Emily from the All Starz watched attentively while others groaned and demanded more music. An argument about something or another broke out between Bryan and Michael with Tala watching with arms crossed. When Takao, lounging on the couch and now feeling tired from the long, exciting day, bothered to tune in he heard the following.

"I was just joking, man!" Michael was defending himself.

"Joking?" Bryan bared his teeth maliciously, "Watch it or your jokes might get you in trouble."

"Heh, what's the big deal?" Johnny decided to butt in, "I agree with Michael, Tala's really got a nice ass." It was obvious to everyone around that he was just provoking the lilac-haired man, however.

A second later he had crashed against the wall. "The big deal, fucker," Bryan began to advance on him as the highlander seemed to ready himself for a fist fight, "Is that he's mine."

Tala rolled his eyes as Julia awwh-ed and seemed about to intervene when a cold, commanding voice said, "enough."

Takao's heart leapt, Kai had come in and was looking coldly at the two about to fight, Michael sweat-dropping on the sidelines. Kai glared at them all, "Anyone who's got a problem take it outside."

Bryan gave Johnny a disgusted, I'll-deal-with-you-later look and backed off.

"I agree with Kai," Hilary swept in from the kitchen huffily, "because now it's... PRESENT TIME!"

There was a slight commotion as Rei, Max, Kenny and Daichi hauled wrapped presents and gift bags, which had previously been holed up in Takao's bedroom, into the room. Takao however didn't miss Tala's mischievous grin at his boyfriend and his, "You're such a jealous bastard." Bryan only sent him a glare.

Takao was dragged from his perch by Hilary to the front of the room, she demanding that he begin opening his presents before the watchful eyes of everyone. Takao eyed the little mountain of gifts before him--he did feel excited about what they contained but he wasn't the fourteen year old he was anymore. In his fatigue it felt like a chore having to rip all the wrapping paper and discerning what was from whom and giving profuse thanks no matter how he felt toward what he was given.

Present after present he opened, receiving clothes, books, movies and music, a soccer ball, a basketball, a beyblade collection, stuffed animals, a new baseball cap, gift cards, and a whole lot of other things he stopped registering as he became more and more tired and tried not to show it. Somewhere in the middle he had gotten an iPod from Max, a watch from Hilary, a collection of DVD movies from Rei, and a statue from Kenny. Finally he came across Kai's gift, and his mind immediately cleared when he realized who it was from. He opened the slim, book-like though much heavier package and extracted a beautiful silver picture frame. It was empty. Takao looked up and gave Kai a smile.

"Thanks, Kai!" he exclaimed, putting the special gift on the table nearby rather then in the jumble he had placed on the couch beside him.

In the end, Takao was relieved to have it all done. People were still alert and wanted to continue hanging around and playing games even though some already left, saying that they had to get back to their hotel rooms. Takao didn't mind how long anyone decided to stay, but he excused himself when he saw Kai slipping outside.

Out of the crowd and the noise and the light, Takao found himself in a fresh breeze with stars glinting in the night sky. Kai was sitting in silence on the ledge at the side of the house, and Takao joined him.

"Hey Kai," he said softly, enjoying the quiet and the refreshing coolness of the air.

Kai turned his head and gave him a small smile—smile that caused sparks and warmth to make themselves known within Takao. He returned it before both of them looked up at the sky again.

"Today was crazy," Takao began, "I mean, who knew I would turn out such a good actor."

To his amazement, Kai chuckled lightly, making more warmth burst in Takao's chest.

"Hey," he grinned, "Even you find it funny!" he laughed lightly before, heart thudding, leaned his head on Kai's shoulder. Kai stiffened for a fleeting second before he relaxed again. Takao's felt his heart hammer faster.

"But today was hectic," he said, as though hoping to give them both an excuse as to why he had leaned on his friend, "I'm actually worn out."

Their hands were resting side by side on the wood between them. Takao looked at them, and felt his fingers twitch with need to touch Kai's hand but kept them firmly in place.

"So many presents," he murmured, "You'd think I'd be more excited—and I mean, I am, I really appreciate everyone spending money to get me something. But I feel that it doesn't matter, what matters is that all of them came here, for my birthday."

There was a pause, and Kai, being his usual self, listened but did not answer.

"Thank you, Kai," Takao whispered finally.

"What for?" Kai questioned just as softly.

"Your present."

"You already thanked me," Kai reminded him.

"Yes," Takao closed his eyes and smiled, "But it means so much to me. You don't know how much."

He felt a deep breath fill Kai's lungs before it was let out again.

"Takao..."

"I really care about you, Kai," Takao said, speaking firmly now, "I hope you know that."

For some reason, Kai shuddered lightly, letting his head slowly, as though unsurely, rest against Takao's. Takao felt a small jolt of happiness and remained absolutely still lest Kai move away.

"I—know," Kai replied finally, and for some reason it was Kai and not Takao that joined the hands between them though it was Takao who held on, entwining their fingers.

Takao's felt his insides about to burst—he was leaning against Kai AND holding hands with him. He could feel his blood gushing as his heart expelled it faster and faster and tried to keep his body from trembling.

"What's wrong, Kai?" He asked, "Lately. I want to know."

"It's..." Kai seemed to hesitate very briefly before continuing, "This."

To Takao's disappointment, he pulled away and the bluenette almost cursed himself for saying anything. When he saw how Kai was looking at him now, his eyes burning with emotion, all other thoughts wilted from his head. The dual-haired man rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a small jewellery box. Takao almost fell over in shock, the thought, he's going to propose to me?! skimming through his mind before Kai opened the box and he felt like an idiot.

Inside, on the silky jewellery cushion, lay a beautiful silver necklace with a sapphire-studded dragon pendant. Takao gaped at it as Kai pulled it out and set the box aside.

"My real gift," he whispered, offering it for the blunette to take. Takao took it slowly, examining it in the star light.

"It's beautiful," he whispered.

"Read the back," the other told him, and Takao read the letters inscribed on the other side of the miniature dragon. Takao, My Dragon. He looked up, overjoyed, and his shining eyes met Kai's still burning ones.

"Do you mean it, Kai?"

Kai nodded, and he was already too close and Takao's lips were already pressed against his. The ex-team captain mouthed something against the bluenette's lips and Takao trembled and wrapped his arms around him.

I love you.

MWMWMWMWM

Not long after, they were both laying in Takao's room on his bed with Takao nestled against Kai. He was contently drifting into sleep, Kai laying awake and elated himself, when Takao half-consciously murmured something.

"Sing me Happy Birthday, Kai."

Kai didn't know if Takao was really asking this or sleep-talking but decided to give his now lover what he wanted for once.

"Happy Birthday To You..." He began to sing, softly. When he was done, he felt Takao smile against his neck and felt slightly embarrassed.

Takao kissed the spot and whispered, "You have an amazing voice." Before falling asleep comfortably.

He wouldn't remember this little episode the next day.

The End! Hope you enjoyed it! Review, please.