Stone Cold

Chapter 10: Losing My Religion.

Disclaimer: Don't own Beyblade, nor the picture that inspired this fic. Don't own the song, it's R.E.M's, thought it was relevant for this chapter, if you really look into it.

Summary: Kai, Ray, Max, Tyson and Kenny are all within the top ranks of their proffessions. Kai, Tyson and Max are friends from school, Kenny is Max's Software provider, Ray has been employed by Max to help decorate his home. Kai and Ray meet and things start to heat up. Kai/Ray all the way. Okay, since many of you commented on the 'incident' with that good for nothing……yes her. Luckily I haven't seen her this whole week since we don't have the same subjects……but I will see her next week Tuesday as we have an exam together……I swear if she even looks at me funny I'm going to blow a casket. Anyway, she hasn't emailed me yet so maybe she got the hint…thank you for your agreement in the magnitude of her idiocy……I love using such words, they give me a happy feeling in my tummy. J Now though, it's review time!

Baby sweet: Yup she did. Don't worry, just think of it as you knowing a little of my next story….that is if I don't put the other one up first….heehee.

Mika: That it would, kind of a comforting thought…that is if we all get sent to hell for our evil ways……oh well……we sinners are many, and many are sins.

Crystal-light-27: Blushes Thank you, that's so nice of you to say. Too true, they have to take you as you are. Here is the next chapter!

Loner7803: Honestly, I think she was just trying to p me off. She often comes on to read her own brand of stories and she came across my user name (I use a slightly similar one on another site) and she went into my profile…..and happened to come across this story, and the rest is history…personally, I think she's in denial..Heehee. Thank you, I love writing it.

NKingy: He is cute with black and white stripes beaming smile. You'll have to see if Kai finds him in time, and you will see now….cause here is the update!

Kristen Hiwatari: I will read, and if you killed them I'll……I'll……. to think of it, I don't know what I'll do. scratches head Yup, nearly legal smiles. Yes, he seems to get the short end of the stick all the time.

Silver-winged-angle: Yes, gossip isn't nice, but my aunt worked in a kitchen for awhile and when I was young I would go with her, the cooks all used to talk about the head chef, it was really funny…anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. You think so, I like to think that Kai is appreciating Ray at a moderate and personal pace……..it's a little more realistic than Kai openly confessing his love to Ray after their first meeting…….but carry on, I'm taking notes. Perverted huh, perhaps….. yup, it was a lousy excuse. Sun burn…heh….. sorry, I don't understand that last bit…about Ray being bored, please elaborate. True, true. Bye. Bye.

Dark-night-sky: giggles manically Yes, I did it again! bows Thank you, thank you. I can't help it, I love cliffies……I find when I read other peoples stories the need to know what has happened always brings me back, so I do that a lot in my own stories because I find it enjoyable…….plus I love baiting and taunting you guys….. ;)

PandaPjays: Glad you think so, I find your name very cute…….that will be a first for me….framed pajamies…..hmn. Very interesting. Ray is a very emotionally based being, and Kai did rally hurt his feelings like that. Not the smartest idea yes, but the action is natural for him, when he is upset he heads to the nearest place where he can see the ocean. Thank you, here is the next chapter!

Tntiggris: Aw, that's not sad, it's kinda cute. No not friend, classmate…soon to be ex-classmate. Here you go; Ray's fate now lies before you on this page.

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Ray looked around at the ships and tankers. He gave a sigh. He loved coming here, it always calmed him. The sound of the sea as it covered the shore when it surged forward, only to be pulled back to its original position as gravity and lack of propulsion brought it back. He glanced up from under the pier as gulls flew over head. A huge wandering albatross glided closer to a huge tanker, the smaller gulls scattering in its wake. Ray watched as it landed on the bow, folding its wings neatly against its sides, and then screeching at whoever passed as it waited for some titbits. Ray didn't fight the smile that formed when a man, presumably the cook, came out and fed the bird some pieces of bread. He sighed again and looked out at the water again, idly noting that there were some seals playing amongst the waves near the mouth of the harbour.

Thunder rumbled, and a fork of lightning split the sky. Ray looked up as the clouds seemed to darken before his eyes. 'Perhaps it's an omen?' He began to reach for his cell phone as the rain fell when he growled. He had left it at the house. He sighed and shook his head, dislodging a few drops of water that had managed to already fall on his head. "Guess I'm going to have to wait it out." With that thought he sat on one of the huge rock in the corner, and huddled as he waited for the storm to end. 'Should have remembered my jacket.'

Kai was almost frantic now, it had started raining and he was still a good twenty minutes from the harbour, and he would still have to find Ray. Any number of things could happen to the slender young man during that time. His anxiety grew as the storm intensified. 'Don't let it hail. Dammit Ray, why did you go off!'

He almost yelled when he saw the turn off for the Harbour. He quickly parked his car and got out, luckily remembering to take his trench coat with the hood. He put it on and went down to the pier. No sign of Ray. "Where could he be?" He whispered.' If something has happened to him...' He felt an urge to look down, and not being one to fight instinct, he did.

His eyes widened as he looked through the planks and saw a familiar mop of raven hair. 'He's under the pier!' He looked out to the sea, the knot his insides had formed just tightened, the tide was rising. If he didn't act fast Ray would be stuck under there. He sprinted to the end and jumped onto the sand, landing on one knee he pushed off, using the position to speed him up. He dodged the huge pillars of wood that supported the pier and made his way to the back.

He ran to where he heard a sneeze and stopped as he caught sight of Ray. He slowly covered the last three metres, not wanting to give him a fright." Ray. It's Kai; we have to get out of here." Kai hoped his voice had been gentle and calm enough. Ray's head shot up, glazed eyes sharpening to focus on him. A soft nod was all the answer he got, it was enough though. He moved forward and pulled Ray up till he was standing and leaning against Kai. Kai almost growled in anger as he realised Ray didn't have a coat. He took the back pack off and placed it on his back, under the loose trench coat. He softly shook Ray." Can you walk?" Ray nodded, and then shook his head. Kai fought back a chuckle as he lifted Ray into his arms. 'Damn he's light!' He made sure that the soaked being in his arms was fully covered by the coat before he made his way back out into the storm.

Kai found himself almost swept off his feet as the wind barrelled into him. He felt Ray's hold on his shirt tighten as he curled closer to Kai. His own grip tightened in an attempt to soothe the other. He made his way slowly to the car and opened the front passenger door. He placed Ray in, and then put the trench coat on him. He closed the door and ran round to the driver side, after tossing the back pack onto the back seat, he climbed in. He leant back and pulled the thick blanket, he had put there earlier that day, out. He took the trench coat off Ray and wrapped him in the blanket. He started the car and put the heater and seat warmer on. He glanced to Ray as they drove back to his house, the other had closed his eyes, Kai gently shook him." Wake up Ray." A muffled complaint and sleepy amber eyes was the product of his attempt. He grinned at Ray and put a little more foot onto the gas. "We're almost home."

Kai closed the door with the back of his heel as he carried Ray into the house. He took him to his room and sat him on the bed. He opened the cupboard and began rummaging around for the warmest clothes Ray had. Outside the rumbles of the thunder and the flashes of lighting came with little time between the two. He grimaced. It wouldn't be safe to bath in this kind of weather; he'd just have to dry Ray and dress him in warm clothes. He grinned when he found a pair of thick tracksuit pants and its jacket, then he grabbed a long sleeve top. He also grabbed a pair of boxers, just in case. He placed the items on the bed and quickly fetched a towel from the bathroom.

He came back shortly and sat next to Ray. He began to unbutton his shirt. Ray shook his head and tried to push his hands away." Stop." Kai shook his head." Ray we need to get you into dry clothes." Ray seemed to think it through before he nodded, albeit reluctantly. Kai nodded and took his shirt off. He wrapped Ray's hair in a towel and set to work drying his upper body. He then put the shirt on and the jacket. He moved to undo the pants when a small hand clamped onto his own." I'll do the rest on my own." Kai fought a wince as he looked straight at Ray. After what seemed like an eternity to the two, but was only a couple of seconds, Kai nodded slowly." Fine, but I'm staying here in case you need help, and my back will be turned so don't fuss." Ray seemed about ready to argue, but thought against it. He nodded and reached for the towel. Kai handed it to him then moved a few metres away. He turned round and stared at the wall, carefully listening in case Ray needed help. Ray took awhile but Kai wasn't going to complain.

A tap on his shoulder alerted him to the fact that Ray was finished. He turned and faced the other. He frowned at his appearance, his face was paler than Kai's own and he was shivering. Kai saw the towel wrapped around Ray's hair was almost soaked. "Sit down, I'm going to get you a cup of tea and grab a towel." Ray frowned." Towel?" Kai nodded." For your hair." With that he walked out and down the hall.

He was back after five or so minutes, armed with a cup of steaming tea and a big fluffy towel. He made Ray sit on the bed and draped the blanket over his shoulders; he then wrapped it round his front. He got up and grabbed the tea; he handed it to Ray and then fetched the towel. Ray frowned as Kai began to dry his hair." It's going to be a mess tomorrow." "Why?" Ray sighed, typical of someone with short hair not to know why. "I usually plait it before I go to bed, that way it's not knotted in the morning." Kai nodded; silently glad he had short hair. "Where's your hairbrush?" Ray frowned, not liking the idea of someone messing with his hair, and other things." In the drawer." Kai nodded and grabbed it. He sat behind Ray and finished drying his hair; he moved to grab the brush, which lay next to Ray. The moment his hand made contact with it, Ray's whole body tensed. Kai frowned and slowly placed the brush near Ray's head, he flinched. Kai put the brush down, with it went the tension in Ray's body. "What is wrong?" Ray shook his head, not meeting his eyes." I just don't like people playing with my hair." Kai frowned, an idea came to mind, fuelled by what he believed was the real reason behind Ray's reaction. He got up and motioned for Ray to follow him. Kai sat him in front of the dressing table and stood behind him with the brush." There, now you can see me." Large amber eyes stared into his own, he tried to give a reassuring smile, and then he reached up and began brushing the long hair.

They sat like that for almost an hour, Kai brushing Ray's hair while Ray watched him through the mirror. Kai could almost feel the tension disappearing. He glanced at the mirror and almost laughed. Ray was starting to doze. He moved forward, till Ray's back rested against him." There now you can sleep." Ray nodded slowly, and after a few moments seemed to doze off. Kai carried on brushing the hair, sometimes using his hand rather than the brush. He had already decided that this particular task could become addictive, not that he was complaining though. The hair he was currently touching felt like silk in his hands, it moved with the same fluidity as water would when it was disturbed. He forced himself to put the brush down and began plaiting the hair. After a good half hour he had plaited the whole lot. He left Ray's fringe loose, so that it fell across the one side of his face, partially shielding it.

He gently lifted the sleeping young man into his arms, before slowly making his way to the bed. He frowned as the other shivered. He placed him on the bed, being careful not to wake him, and drew the blankets and duvet over him. He went and put the heater on, then made his way back to the bed. He sat on it and just looked at his guest. He couldn't help it, Ray was one of those people that others just could help but look at in awe as they marvel at how something so unusual could be real. Especially now, as he lay snuggled into the blankets. Kai couldn't help but see him as more of a child than the adult he was, he looked like an angel lying there. A dark haired angel. Kai yawned and looked around, there was no where else to sleep, and he had to be close in case Ray needed something. He grabbed a pillow and spare blanket and moved to the foot of the bed. He lay down on the edge, silently thankful that the bed was almost as wide as it was long. Now the two could sleep in comfort, without compromising personal space.

Before long Kai felt himself drifting off, idly wondering what had made Ray go to the pier.

tbc

Okay, there you go. Cute hey. For those wondering about the hair thing and all, Kai was on the right track. Next chapter: Ray wakes up with a cold and more, the doctor says he has to rest, so Kai is looking after him. Oh I need advice here. Kai is going to do something romantic. The options are A. he leads Ray to wherever they are going with love notes B. he sends a personal assistant to take Ray around to get him ready for a date or C. he plans a romantic dinner at his house and Tyson and Max keep Ray busy while he is getting it ready………honestly the first two so far are the funnest to write, but either way I'm trying to work out a way to get Tyson slapped…just for you Lunartigergurl, since I read your stories and love them so much, that will be my way of thanking you………..if anyone else would like to see Tyson slapped then give me a shout…. I promise it will be worth it ;)