Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.

A/N: Hello to all you lovely people who are still reading this! Thank you guys so much and a big fat thank you to the amazing kyuubi, Ice Phoniex, kaidatinuchan and Little A Granger for sharing their thoughts about this piece! :))

Enjoy~


Felix Culpa

Chapter 12


This morning Tyson got to experience something completely new: once the alarm clock went off he was actually wide awake. It was a miracle! Hard to believe some people woke up like this every morning. Also, somewhat unfair… He jumped out of bed and rushed into the bath, where he quickly went through his morning routine. Then he hurried downstairs and into the kitchen. When he saw the coffee machine had already been switched on and Kai's mug was empty in the sink it put a real damper on his high spirits. Argh maaan, he had so hoped to catch Kai before he headed out.

Last night it had taken him a while to fall back asleep. This was partly because this time he'd really eaten more than he could handle (contrary to the public opinion something like this did happen) and mainly because of Kai. Like that was a surprise. After re-thinking Kai's latest sleepwalking action Tyson had felt his chances at winning Kai's heart had never been better. Why would Kai sleepwalk to his bed if not because he liked him? Also, he'd stayed and actually shared one of his most secret wishes, if not the most secret! Oh yes, Tyson was still in the game! Very much so!

And now Kai had already gone out. What a bummer! It seemed mission win Kai's heart had to wait until after school.


Kai ran and ran and only when he felt the pavement under his feet change to sand he stopped to catch his breath. He let his eyes wander over the still deserted beach out onto the wide ocean. At the peaceful sight he felt himself relax at once. Yes, coming here before his meeting with Voltaire had been the perfect choice.

Ever since he sleepwalked into Tyson's bed last night he hadn't been himself. After realizing his feelings for Tyson he'd spent an eternity pacing his room, and even more time tossing and turning in his bed. Finally he'd surrendered. He'd gotten up, put on his running clothes and started to run towards the beach as fast as his feet would carry him (which was, without bragging, pretty fast indeed).

So now here he was. As he calmed down Kai felt his ability to block out any distraction and focus on what was important return. Not that Tyson wasn't important - quite the contrary! It was just that his meeting was a tad more important at this very moment. Tonight, hopefully everything would be settled with Voltaire and then he could go back to acting like some sad cliché of a love-sick teenager… But not now! Not when there was that much at stake. Focus Kai, he ordered himself. Kai took a deep breath and continued his run at a slower pace. As he jogged down the beach he started to go over his game plan. Today was most likely the day that would decide the outcome of his little game. Kai knew he'd have to be at full alert; one wrong word, one wrong facial expression could give away how badly he wanted this. And what reason would Voltaire have to hurry and step aside if he knew? He could just take his time and toy with Kai, because he knew Kai would grit his teeth and suck it up in order to one day get the company. No, Kai needed make Voltaire believe he didn't care for the company, that he was really doing Voltaire a favor, actually no, he was just doing it for the Hiwatari family. Yes. Voltaire cared greatly about keeping the business in the family, for it meant securing the great power and influence the Hiwatari family had held for generations. Kai would have to play that card. Know your opponent and use his weakness to your advantage!


Tyson frowned. They were still a good hundred meters away from their house, but he could already see that Kai's car wasn't parked in the driveway. He'd so hoped that Kai would be back by now. His meeting with Voltaire sure was long…

"...son. Tyson!"

"Huh?"

"Dude, you totally zoned out. Oh... Have you been thinking about that transfer-girl in class A?" Max asked, a cheeky smile on his face.

"Why would I do that?"

"Why?" Max echoed in disbelief. "Haven't you seen her-..."

"Abs?" Tyson suggested and playfully stuck his tongue out at Max.

Max grinned, "Actually, I was gonna say boobs."

"Maxi!" Tyson called and nudged his impossible blonde friend.

"Gee, Tyson! I'm a teenage boy! I have needs!" Max replied and laughed.

Tyson chuckled. It wasn't like he couldn't relate... If only Max knew what was going on inside Tyson's head for a good three quarters of the day... No, it was better he didn't. If Max knew, he'd never hear the end of it!

Tyson let them into the house and as he kicked off his shoes he yelled, "Raaay, we're home! ...Ray?"

"He's probably still at the BBA," Max said. "I do wonder where Kai's off to though. He hasn't been around all day, has he?"

"At his grandfather's," Tyson replied.

"Oh great," Max sighed. "That means he's gonna be in one hell of a mood when he gets back." Then he shrugged and said, "Well, nothing we can do about it. Come on, let's tackle this homework. Heck, I might just be in a mood worse than Kai's after this."

Tyson highly doubted that. What Max called 'being in a bad mood' was normal behavior for Kai! He sighed. This day had started out so well, but only gone downhill since then. Not only hadn't he seen Kai this morning, he wasn't home now either, and to cap it all off he had to do math homework now. Great! If anything, it was him who was going to be in a mood worse than Kai's.

Tyson slowly dragged himself into the living room and dumped his bag on the table. With half an ear he listened to Max, who was back to talking about the transfer student and how hot she was and how he'd like to take her on a date.

"...son! Tyson!"

"Huh?"

"Seriously, what's with you today? Will you focus, this is really important."

"Err, sorry, what did you say?"

"Do you think she'll be impressed by my Blading skills?"

"How am I supposed to know?" Tyson said. He grinned when he added, "If not, the fact that they print your face on T-Shirts and postcards might help."

"Hey, all this merchandise will help me pay for tuition. Or a license! Aw, Tyson, we so have to get our licenses! I'm dying to get behind the stirring wheel of a car like Kai's. …Do you think he'd let me drive his?"

"Well, if you get him drunk …maybe. But hey, if they put your face on some coffee mugs as well you might be able to afford a car like that one day," Tyson teased.

"When I'm forty or something," Max wailed.

Then he sat up straight and took out his books.

"Whatever. Come on, let's get this done."

Tyson sighed and followed his lead.


Just as Tyson finished with his last homework, he heard the front door open and close again. His mood brightened instantly. Kai! He could tell it was Kai by the fact that he hadn't said anything. Ray would always say hello and then stick his head into the living room to see what they were up to. Tyson quickly shut his books and started to put away his stuff. He wanted to talk to Kai before he appeared again to who-knew-where.

"Woah, Kai, what happened to you?"

Tyson, sitting with his back to the hallway, spun around to see what Max was talking about. He just hoped that Max hadn't referred to Kai looking a complete mess, because then his meeting with Voltaire wouldn't have gone well and Kai would be in one hell of a mood for months! And that would not only hurt Tyson to see, but it would also make mission win-Kai's-heart a lot more difficult.

What Tyson saw when he turned around made his jaws drop - literally! Kai most certainly did not look like a mess. In fact, it was quite the opposite: he looked ravishing! Kai was wearing a tightly fitted and probably ridiculously expensive dark suit over a white dress shirt. And he looked hot! Smoking hot! So hot Tyson had to double check he wasn't drooling. Which he wasn't, luckily!

God lord, this sight so made up for having to do math homework. Like, every math homework he had ever done and would ever do. Oh yes. He wondered if there was a subtle way to convince Kai to always wear a suit. Nothing at all would be fine, too. Oh no, he couldn't think about stuff like that. This could easily result in a very awkward and highly embarrassing situation. Fortunately Max was still there and curious about Kai's outfit, which gave Tyson something else to focus on.

"Don't you think the suit might be a bit overboard if you're visiting your grandfather?" Max asked and scratched his head.

Kai rolled his eyes and started to loosen his tie. It was a dark burgundy red, which brought out the color of Kai's eyes even more. Tyson thought that he'd probably keep this image etched into his memory for as long as he lived, treasuring this moment.

"I wasn't wearing one when I got there, smartass," Kai said. "I had to put it on for a meeting with the board of directions this afternoon."

"Huh?" Max asked.

But Kai had already left.

"I'll be right back," Tyson, having finally found his tongue again, said to Max.

He hurried out the living room and caught up with Kai at the top of the stairs.

"Kai, wait," Tyson said. "Does this mean you got it?"

Kai turned around, his face unreadable as usual. Then he smirked and nodded.

"You did! Oh my god! You did!" Tyson cheered.

Before he could stop himself he'd taken two steps towards Kai and thrown his arms around him, pulling the surprised Kai in a close hug. For a moment Tyson panicked – what if Kai would push him away? Then he told himself that Kai hadn't the last time he'd hugged him and it was too late now anyways. Might as well enjoy it while it lasted! Tyson had been longing to be this close to Kai again, to feel Kai's body against his own. In his opinion, it was a perfect fit.

Tyson eyes grew wide when he felt Kai's arms wrap around him, returning the hug. Naturally, his heartbeat started to pick up speed and Tyson didn't need a mirror to know his cheeks had turned a dark red. Only a second later Kai's arms were gone and Kai took a step back. Tyson was surprised to see a little smile on his face and a strange glint in those crimson eyes he'd never seen before.

"Thanks," Kai said in a voice much softer than his usual tone.

Then he turned and walked into his room.

The door fell shut, and Tyson found himself alone in the hallway, with his heart threatening to jump out his chest any second, incredibly happy and at the same time utterly confused.


Kai threw himself down on his bed, the smile that had crept onto his face still lingering. It had been nice having Tyson in his arms, if only for a second. He hadn't dared returning the hug for longer than that. Guys didn't hug their friends longer than a second. And that was what he was to Tyson, wasn't it? A friend? Yes. He'd heard Tyson call him his friend a couple times.

Kai frowned.

So, was he stuck in the friend zone now? Did he even want anything else?

He took a moment to listen to his inner voice. For once, it was quite easy to tell what it was saying: yes, he wanted to be more than Tyson's friend. He wanted to be able to hold him in his arms whenever he felt like it, and for however long he wanted. Certainly longer than one bloody second! He wanted to feel the warmth of Tyson's body, be surrounded by his scent…

Kai moaned and covered his face with both his hands.

What was happening to him? Suddenly all his clear, rational thoughts had vanished, leaving nothing but corny fantasies behind. Tyson, Tyson, Tyson – it seemed there was no room left for any other thoughts. And that, while he had so many other things to think about! His meeting with Voltaire, for instance! Kai dropped his arms back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. The meeting had gone well. More than well, actually! In the end, his grandfather and he had signed a contract, stating that Kai would go to business school for two years, than gain some work experience in the company for another year before he would be made new CEO of Hiwatari Enterprise. With full power! Kai smirked. Kai Hiwatari, CEO! …Yes, the family card had played out nicely. Things couldn't have turned out better. He was confident that he'd still be able to Beyblade while attending business school, so he wouldn't yet have to end his career. Two years would be plenty of time to prepare Tyson for the time after as well.

Oh great.

Tyson again!

Kai sighed and got up. It seemed now that he'd got ridden of one problem, there was another one waiting to take its place. An even bigger problem! Hell, he hadn't even been in a relationship with a girl before, so how was he supposed to go out with a guy? Did he even want a relationship or just…? This was beyond weird. Kai pushed the window opened and leaned out, slowly breathing in the fresh air. The days were starting to get colder, which helped greatly with the smog, so for once one could actually call it 'fresh' air.

Kai sighed again. This really was weird. A couple days ago the thought of dating Tyson Granger would never have crossed his mind. Kai ran his fingers through his hair. But was the thought really so strange? He liked Tyson. A lot! It felt good to have him close. So good, he wanted to walk out there right now and take that boy in his arms again and… Kai wondered what it would be like to kiss Tyson. Would it be any different from kissing a girl? Would his lips be as soft? Would it be a gentle kiss, barely more than a peck, or would it be passionate? And with all these things going through his mind, how could he even doubt for a second that he'd want to make Tyson Granger his?

A smirk worked its way onto Kai's face and his eyes began to sparkle. Oh yes, making Tyson his was exactly what he was going to do next.


A/N: Apologies for the cheesy last line - it was impossible to resist! Guess who'll be back next chapter? Here's a hint: he's pain the the behind and he used to dress in orange even though it's not his color. ;D I figured Kai could use some help.

Please, let me know what you thought?

Have a lovely weekend everyone!
NoEarlyBird :)