Author's Note: This was actually the chapter which started this whole "Bryan/Robert" fiction off in my head. So it was re-written a couple of times to make it a little clearer and logical. My imperfect perfectionist side appeared to be displeased with everything I wrote so that was why it took a little longer.

Chapter Seven


"Ah-" Bryan grumbled and tried to still his hand as the cup fell and shattered on the ground. It wasn't his fault his hands were trembling so badly - it wasn't as if he was meaning to break three cups in a row. Now that the trembling and cravings were worse, Bryan was thinking about packing it in. Perhaps this was a sign telling him he shouldn't quit?

"What is it?" A raised red eyebrow and a small smirk on Tala's face was not the type of reaction Bryan needed nor was he hoping for. Couldn't he just leave him alone for a second? It had been his fault telling him to go to rehab - he'd merely reconsidered it hearing that Robert's Uncle had died by going a little overboard with the alcohol.

"Withdrawal symptoms." Bryan muttered and kneeled down, he was a somewhat relieved that the pieces were large enough to quickly grabbed onto and through them into the bin. The shakes, of course, make the task a little more irritating than it should have been but he managed to over come the annoyance for now.

"Take a drink then." Now there was certainly a statement that Bryan wouldn't have believed Tala was saying to him. Why was he offering when he was the one that had told him to quit in the first place? Or was he just toying with him now? Tala's mind changed like the wind, first it was this now it was completely different, what was the meaning of such a change?

"Weren't you the one that said I should be going to detox?" Bryan asked cautiously wondering if he had just dreamt the idea up, which made Bryan start to wonder why he would do so. He guessed if that was the case then he really would have to try to give up drinking if he couldn't tell reality from some drunken dream.

"Doesn't mean you have to stop drinking now, you're not there yet." Tala yawned and stepped into the kitchen, Bryan watched him carefully as he opened the fridge and grabbed a beer. That was also the reason why Bryan hadn't had any food from said appliance for a good while - all he had been doing was ordering takeaways all day.

"Get lost," Bryan snarled as Tala placed a drink in front of him on the table, as he tried to walk away Tala stood in the doorway, "Move, Tala." A growl of annoyance escape his throat: Tala was going to be hit in a few minutes if this act of his was still ongoing. Tala smirked and mockingly patted the boy's head. "Calm down, Bryan. You'd think you would do as your captain tells you." He grinned as Bryan forced his way past him. it looked as if he was serious about not drinking.

It wasn't long before Tala started up again, knocking on the closed door of Bryan's room: "Bryan, out here now." Bryan could hear him out there, clashing the bottles together just to make sure he knew that there was alcohol outside his room. All he had to keep thinking was that he just had to keep the door shut and everything would be alright. "Get lost!" Bryan yelled back.

He was sitting with his back pressed against the door, his shaking hands running through his hair with a worried expression on his face. Tala continued to call through the door, "Oh come on," He heard his captain's voice raise a little, as if he were making a joke. "I want a fuck. Seriously come out here and gulp a few beers down you." He kept going, on and on, using new excuses trying to get Bryan to move from his room. "Move it. You did it before - or do you not like me anymore?"

"Shut up." Bryan whispered to himself, his head now bowed completely: how could Tala use his feelings against him like that? How could he make such a paradox? Whether or not Bryan left this room did not change the fact that Bryan still felt the need to be with Tala ever second he was awake nor did it stop the pain which struck through him as he realised over and over again that there was nothing between them. "Stop banging on the damn door - my head hurts."

"Come on," He was whispering now, trying to almost seduce him to come out of the room. Bryan could barely stand and that idiot wanted to have sex with him. It wouldn't happened even if Bryan gave in, he was just too...fucked right now. "Just one last time for memory sakes." His defense was crumbling, already Bryan couldn't think of why he was stopping or trying to stop drinking.

"Get lost..." Thankfully the redhead left as soon as he heard Bryan answer, content enough to leave him. "Please." Bryan's frame shook violently as his body decided to tell him that he, they, needed alcohol to survive. But Bryan wasn't going to budge just yet...


Merely a few blocks away, Robert had some unexpected visitors which he believed he could have done without. "Enrique? Oliver? Johnny, why are you all here?" Robert glanced at each of his teammates and wondered why all three of them had shown up at his door. It wasn't normal: that would only happen if there was a beyblade meeting which they wanted to discuss and even then Johnny didn't usually seem so alert.

"I'm here to see if it's true about you giving Bryan a hickey." Oliver grinned and glanced at Enrique, meanwhile Robert was taking yet another mental note to hurt the blond boy, at least then he would be able to silence the source of gossip. Still it was surprising that Johnny would be interested in such conversation.

"I came to ask why you were at the carnival." As soon as Johnny had said such a thing both Oliver and Enrique stared at him, with the two then glancing at each other. Enrique couldn't help but snigger when Robert turned to glare at him. Enrique's eyebrows had raised in surprise, now that was certainly a bit of gossip he hadn't heard.

"I came to ask more questions." Enrique nodded to himself, he would need more details on such an encounter. Why did they go? What did they do? Yes, what did they do... Robert sighed and opened the door wider allowing the three team mates into his home, this would be a long evening Robert thought about running away. That wouldn't be too dignified though.

"The Spanish Inquisition then? Very well."

The questions were never ending, first it had been a mere: 'So, why did you go with Bryan to the carnival?' Even though Robert had quickly explained that it had in fact been Bryan's birthday neither of them seemed convinced until Robert was almost yelling at the fact. It was then concluded interesting that Robert knew when the Demolition Boy's birthday was.

"What are you inferring?" Robert narrowed his eyes at them all. He was surprised that Johnny had come into his house and appeared as amused as the rest of them. Wasn't he meant to be the one that hated gossip? Well, Robert would certainly remember that. Still the idea that all three of them appeared to know that something had happened at the carnival was a little off.

"He just deflected the question."Enrique grinned and sat down beside the purple-haired German, wondering how he could gain any new and interesting details from him. Oliver nodded: Robert would most likely deflect when they were close to something or it was embarrassing for him. From what it looked like: it was both.

"Ooo..." Enrique saw Robert tense, "What happened?" The grin became wider as Robert ran a hand through his hair, a habit which he only did when irritated. "Go on the love train?" Oliver laughed at how Robert rolled his eyes, Johnny smirked from the other side of the room and Enrique tried to jab the eldest boy in the ribs with his elbow.

"We never went near that ride." Robert spoke as calmly as he could, there was nothing that would stop Enrique and his questions. Robert wouldn't have minded saying a few details of the rides they went on but not anything too incriminating in this case. Oliver and Johnny were another example altogether seeing as the French blader couldn't keep his mouth closed.

Johnny hadn't said anything yet which was beginning to annoy Robert. What was he waiting for? All he had asked was one question and that was "Why were you and Bryan at the carnival?" He had gained his answer, pity it had lead to such a queue of questions from the other two. "What rides did you go on? Other than Bryan?"

"Enough - Enrique, Oliver. Nothing like that happened." The sudden blush made it eminent that something like that did happen and Enrique was going to find out.


Bryan was still being annoyed by Tala and Bryan knew that if someone didn't come here and make sure that the redhead shut up then Bryan was going to fail on his 12th hour. "Shit." His body shook again, this time the cravings were beginning to cause him an awful headache, one of his throbbed constantly. "Ah..." His phone: he had to call someone to keep him sane.

"Spencer." Nausea came over him as he called out the blond boy's name, "Can you-" He had to hold back from being sick, "-come get me?" On the other end of the line, Spencer rolled his eyes. He was surprised that Bryan sounded almost angry - had he gone out and tried to drink away all his problems again?

"How much have you had?" He asked casually believing that the way Bryan's rather laboured breathing was a result in a drunk throwing up his lunch. Bryan had to take a few seconds to compose himself again, the pain in his head was sore: to the point Bryan would have gladly hit his head repeatedly off the wall to knock himself out. It least then this headache wouldn't be felt.

"None. I'm detox-ing apparently." The words seemed odd coming from Bryan - the boy who drank like a fish. It was not a bad surprise but after being told a few times that Bryan was off the wagon for him to come over to the apartment to find him drinking again had placed doubts in Spencer's mind. He wasn't going to be hopeful that Bryan realised how stupid he had been. "Just come to the apartment."

"Bryan: get the hell out of here and drink these!" The voice of Tala could be heard over the phone and Spencer sighed sadly: why Tala had started forcing the boy to drink so much in the first place was probably only a reason he understood. It was probably something stupid either way.

"Just hurry, will you?" Bryan shivered suddenly feeling a little too cold in his room, he knew that the alcohol - if he were to take it would make him feel warm and perfectly well again. But he couldn't give in just yet - he hadn't even lasted a day. His pride kept him sitting at the door for now. He wouldn't lose to mere feelings and cravings.


"How do you know?" Robert narrowed his eyes at Johnny who in turn glared back at him. Johnny was hoping that Robert would have just answered his question and be done with it, however the idiot had to go and ask his own questions. Still the attention wasn't wanted as both Oliver and Enrique appeared to be interested in the answer a little too much.

"I was in the carriage above you." He said calmly though decided not to take his eyes off of Robert for the moment. He could always tell Enrique and Oliver to shut up and they would probably leave him alone, however if it was Robert who continued to ask they wouldn't be backing down either. Perhaps he should have thought this through before doing his nosy?

"Why where you there?" Robert was sitting back in his chair happy that the questions were off of him and Bryan. The thought of Enrique or anyone other than him and Bryan - in fact the thought of Bryan knowing that he had willingly done so was embarrassing enough. He would never live this down. "You wouldn't go to such an event alone such a place is social event."

"I didn't say I was alone." Johnny clenched his jaw as suddenly he was surrounded by Oliver and Enrique. The blonde leaning a little too close to not be considered annoying and Oliver was leaning over the back of him chuckling and agreeing with everything that Enrique was asking. Why did he have to be apart of this team?

"Oh? Has Johnny been keeping someone from us too?" Oliver giggled as Enrique continued to question the furious Scottish blader, annoyed that such a topic had turned on its head. All he was curious about was why was Robert up so high when he was terrified of heights? It had been obvious after the escapade at an expensive hotel and Robert being locked outside on the balcony of the top floor. Saying he panicked was an understatement.

"We're interrogating Robert at the minute, remember." Johnny narrowed his eyes wondering why he had to come here today, why couldn't he have chosen tomorrow, when Enrique and Oliver wouldn't have been floating around, and in his private space no less. There was a pause in conversation which was suddenly filled with a distinctive ringing tune. "Huh? Who's phoning you?"

"Why do you sound so surprised someone is phoning me?" Robert was almost insulted, why was it odd for him to have a phone call in the middle of the day. He wasn't going to answer it seeing as Robert knew exactly who it was. Bryan had been calling him in the middle of the night just to mock him for answering. There was no way he was going to admit that they had each other's phone numbers.

"Well usually it's only us and your parents that call..." Oliver trailed off wondering who else could be one of the small proportion of people on Robert's phone list, "unless...Bryan's calling you." The three team mates grinned and Robert regrettably rolled his eyes and took out the phone. Hopefully the idiot wasn't drunk and wouldn't flirt down the phone - that would be just too much.


It was ringing, at least it was on he should be happy. Bryan was hoping that Tala would leave him alone for the moment but apparently he knew that he was calling people and seemed to talk louder and with more sarcasm dripping from his words. "If you do come out - and drink this I'll pretend I love you for a while."

How could he be doing this? How dare he use such emotions against him - it wasn't as if Bryan had planned nor had any intention of feeling such an intense emotion for someone who treated him like crap. "Go away..." Bryan muttered as he stared down at the phone which was still ringing quietly.

When Robert answered the phone, Bryan didn't bother with any polite conversation starter - he needed to get out of here or at least wait until Spencer came to save him from Tala's enticing offers. "I have a favour to ask. You're just a few blocks away: come to my apartment." Robert frowned when he had heard Bryan's strained voice, what was wrong with him?

"May I ask-" However Robert stopped speaking when he heard the presumed redhead start to yell, what was going on? It wasn't as if Bryan had never phoned him but he certainly didn't appear to be the time to call in any time of need. He was irritatingly stubborn and proud, not like Robert could say much. 'Bryan open the god damned door!' He heard the redhead yell again.

"I can't. I'm with friends." It was obviously an argument between Bryan and Tala occurring and in all honesty the redhead was the type of person that Robert disliked most and no doubt Robert would start an argument, which would be rather pointless and tiring to do. However Bryan's patience was quickly fading as ever few seconds he would shake then his head throbbed again.

"I'm dying move your ass." Bryan snarled, his anger for Tala suddenly being transferred to anyone within ear-shot. "Listen, I'm in pain. So if you don't want me to end up in the same condition as dear Arthur then move your ass." He knew it would hit a nerve, he knew he was over stepping any social boundary but in reality Bryan just didn't care.

"Go away, Bryan. Don't think you can emotionally blackmail to do as you please." Robert was very nearly hanging up, there was no way he could have a civil conversation with Bryan unless he was intoxicated which suddenly made Robert pity himself. How could he have been enjoying a drunks company more than the actual, sober person?

"I'm in pain! What do you expect me to damn well do! Beg?" The angry voice of Bryan's turned slightly desperate near the end, as if he had just been hit with something heavy was trying to stop himself from yelling. However Robert didn't want to handle Bryan's mess, he would stay here and would not go near Bryan's apartment.

"Bryan -" Suddenly the phone was yanked out of his hands, and Bryan heard a new voice - one of which he recognised. Enrique had watched with interest and unlike Oliver and Johnny how appeared to allow Robert his privacy when talking on the phone, he had listened in. The dear boy was asking for help and Robert wasn't going - oh - this would not do. Not if they were going to be a couple.

"He'll be there, don't worry," Enrique hung up and turned to face a most displeased Robert.


The front door went, a few heavy thuds on the wood and Tala rolled his eyes walking away to see who it could be. "Spencer? What do you want?" Tala frowned when he saw that Spencer of all people looked pissed, and not just pissed but at him. What had he done now? Still this at least showed that Bryan's determination was already wavering, it was obvious that the boy would not be able to go into rehab so easily.

The bulky blond hammered onto Bryan's door hoping that Tala would stop whatever he was doing to the poor boy. "Bryan open up, I'm here." It wasn't as if Spencer got on fabulously with Bryan - it was a mere dislike for Tala which fueled Spencer's protectiveness. If Bryan stopped drinking then maybe Tala wouldn't be such an obnoxious ass.

It didn't open until a few minutes after Spencer had declared his presence. In other words Bryan was finding it all to difficult and painful to even stand. Tremors were occurring for longer and he could barely keep his limbs still, "'Bout time." Bryan muttered as he opened the door and leaned against the doorway for physical support.

"You look a mess." Spencer stated quickly while glancing inside the boy's room. Beer cans and bottles were scattered across the place. On the other hand Tala was still at the door, holding it open: confused at why Bryan would call Spencer of all people. Then again Spencer was one of the few people who could easily fend off his attacks, both physically and verbal.

"Yeah, nice to meet you too." Bryan shivered again. Spencer frowned, his team mate looked pale: perhaps a little too red around the eyes to classed as just eyes watering and a what appeared to be a lack of balance. He just wasn't capable of walking in a straight line. Spencer sighed, what was going on in his body? No doubt there was still some alcohol in his system with the amount he consumed daily.

Tala's frown deepened when he saw Bryan. Only an hour ago had he looked completely fine, maybe a little jittery but that was it. Now he looked as if he needed to go to hospital. The door was still open seeing as Spencer had no plan to stay - and he was certainly taking the detoxifying boy with him.

"Robert, you took your time." Bryan hissed as the aristocrat appeared at the door. Bryan had to let his own ego grow - he knew that Spencer and Robert would come near enough the same time. Seeing as Spencer didn't own a car or the like, he walked everywhere: still he was a couple of blocks away and Bryan couldn't see Spencer running for his sake. Robert on the other hand had a car and someone to even dive him: it wasn't a surprise he got here that damn quickly.

"Traffic was rather monotonous." Robert took this time to wander inside though decided to take his time in avoiding the glare he knew he was receiving from Tala. He could feel the hated glare on him, still from what Robert had believed was happening appeared to be wrong. Guilt was certainly an emotion he was feeling, Bryan really did look rather bad.

"You called him too?" Tala hissed, "What the hell do you think you're doing?" He glared at Bryan who had now slowly eased himself from his room and was holding onto the wall to keep him upright. He didn't quite trust his legs. Pain, Bryan always tried to avoid it and he knew that this was the reason why he didn't want to stop. He couldn't take such discomfort to go without something he needed.

"Robert: take Bryan outside." Spencer ordered as he watched Bryan slowly slide back down the wall, obviously in too much pain to even think about standing up without any encouragement. Robert didn't quite know how he felt about being ordered to do a task in which he would have gladly done. "I'll have a word with him."

"Oh stop it both of you we all know Bryan's going to fail and come crawling back to me." Tala rolled his eyes when he saw Robert frown and glance down at the trembling Bryan. "So take a drink." A bottle was then thrust into Bryan's face: Tala waving it from side to side as if trying to make Bryan pounce on it like a feline. Panic set in Robert as Bryan grabbed hold of the neck of the bottle, "Go on-" Tala encouraged. Then there was suddenly another hand on the bottle, neither Tala's nor Bryan's, yet the hand grabbed it off both and flung it away - the bottle smashing against the wall and the contents running down. Bryan blinked and glanced over at Robert who appeared enraged at the whole scene.

'No wonder, he's probably pissed 'cause of his uncle's...' Bryan thought and squinted his eyes at Tala who he couldn't see was coming back with any retaliation for such an action. '...not me, mind you.' The rooms occupants' eyed each other carefully wondering what would happened next.

"Don't be such a disgusting whelp, Tala." The aristocrat spat. Spencer eyed Tala carefully knowing that if the redhead felt angry enough he would fine well attack the boy and that wasn't what Bryan needed. However the redhead just stood still almost frozen by the action, there was a thought that had been popping into his mind about Robert and Bryan, now all he could think about was how true it was. 'There is something going on between them.'

"Come on, let's go," Bryan grunted as another tremor wracked through his body, he couldn't believe people wanted to feel like this willingly. He wanted a drink, now. The cravings were slowly taking over his brain: to the point where he was in fact angry at Robert for throwing the bottle away.

Robert hauled Bryan to his feet the instinctive message was to put as much distance between Tala and Bryan as possible. There was no way that Bryan would be able to over come his addiction if that damn redhead kept teasing him. Spencer watched the scene with unconcerned eyes and as soon as the two young men managed to leave, he slammed the door.

"We need to talk." Spencer turned to glare at his captain. There were a few oddities of such which had just occurred for example, why the hell did Robert Jurgen know what apartment Bryan lived in? Still Tala didn't seem phased by the bottle Robert had thrown. He had however started smirking to himself...


Author's Note: Sorry, the reason why there were a lot of breaks was because some of the events were happening at the same time. If that makes any sense. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, leave a review if you have time: if not... Later, until next time I review.