Author's Note: So the chapters from now on will be rather long, over 5,000 at least anyway. Mainly because there are going to be a lot of things happening, and well... A lot of points of view to try to capture within that. Still if it becomes too much to read for anyone, then I will place them in smaller "parts" but: just for simplicity and flow they'll just be long chapters for the moment. But seriously, if it's too much I'll be more inclined to make more "part" chapters as I don't want to give anyone Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Thanks to those who reviewed, favourited, and alerted this fiction. Big boost of motivation, for after having done (as it turned out) three tests on a Friday... Boo, college.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
There was never anything to do once Tala disappeared. Bryan would return to his usual anti-social self and stay inside, only on occasion going out to beyblade a few random people. Ian and Spencer seemed to ignore each other and they would barely keep in contact with Bryan. Maybe every so often calling round to see if he was still alive and hadn't died of boredom, however there was an event today, which threw everything out of sync. This had caused not only Ian to go to Bryan's but Spencer and even Kai was present as well. It was of course the attendance of the old BladeBreakers' captain which had caused this odd reaction.
"Hiwatari, what the hell do you want?" Bryan sneered at him, he didn't like Kai being anywhere near him, not to mention that he was now in his house. The thing about Kai was that he was the type to make an assumption before anything had even been said, before any evidence had came to light. No wonder he was so surprised when he got beaten by Granger at the regionals a few years ago. He had been proved wrong. Still to have a rich snob in his little apartment: who knew what kind of insults he was thinking up? Another rich kid he hated with a passion.
"Have any of you seen Tala?" Kai gave a quick glance to Spencer – who was currently standing near the window – and Ian, who was laying on the couch. Neither of them looked thrilled with the current situation. Bryan was more curious on why Kai was seeking out Tala, the two of them may not have hated each other as much as they let on. But Tala and Kai weren't friends, more like rivals for when they were bored with others. Bar from that, they avoided one another like the captain was a pesky fan trying to gain an autograph.
"Nah, he's been sulking for the past few days anyway." Ian shrugged his shoulders, he didn't care anymore. Tala was a loose cannon and had always been somewhat illogical in his own actions. Nonetheless that was probably how he managed to get one over on them all, the manipulative bastard. Still the idea of Kai being here only made them a little jittery in the sense of their minds were beginning to think up horrible scenarios which had befallen the redhead.
"Why are you looking for him anyway?" Bryan wandered around the couch he wasn't at ease with this topic plus, he didn't appreciate Kai sending Ian and Spencer of all people, here. The bladers glanced at one another for a moment before Kai decided to give out a small piece of information in the form of a question. Kai was just wondering what had happened at first, now he was a little worried for the blond: he was somewhat more withdrawn, of course he did well trying to cover his problem up. Just not well enough as Kai caught wind to the lack of hyper behaviour.
"What happened with him and Max?" Bryan knew that there was something not right about that topic. He knew that whenever he had brought it up with Tala, the redhead had become most annoyed and would storm away like a scolded child. Whatever had happened it hadn't been good. It certainly was more concerning when Kai had came to speak to Tala about it... since when did Kai care about them and their problems? Which reminded Bryan, why the hell did he pay for his commission into that recovery clinic? There was no way he was going to ask at the moment, that could eventually turn out that Bryan would need to thank Kai. Not going to happen as willingly as it should.
"Don't know, don't I care. So why do you need him?" It was almost as if Ian and Spencer knew, only from habit of how the two interacted. That the tone and atmosphere of this conversation was beginning to become strained with every second, Kai was still standing near the door. Arms folded with a very passive look on his face – Bryan was standing up and becoming increasingly annoyed...and it showed. The two would bagger each other until one started to snap, which was usually Bryan, but it was not improbable to have Bryan managing to get under Hiwatari's skin either. Then it would be digs, personal attacks, and then... Fighting, until Spencer and anyone else around thought that they had best jump in and stop it.
"Do you know where he is or not?" Bryan hated that. He hated that look, that almost bored and weary look which would drive him a little too mad for his own liking. Just how could anyone want to be so damn expressionless? Granted the Demolition Boys did have a reputation of being cold but that wasn't the same. Kai very rarely showed if he was angry, just maybe would a frown appear – but it was very hard to pinpoint just how angry he was. Bryan just didn't like people like that: it reminded him of people he'd rather forget completely. Still, Kai had believed that Bryan hated him more than anyone else was because he had had it easy in life. Granted they had both been raised in the Abbey for years, but it was the life before those years and after them which made it obvious. That made it clear, Kai and Bryan were too different to find an area of understanding with each other.
"He's being a damn ass anyway." Ian sighed at the raising aura between the two of them. Kai would eventually give Bryan the cold shoulder and ignore him, and Bryan would blow up – and demand a beybattle, which he would probably lose. Mainly because he hadn't been practising as hard as he should have been. Spencer had noted that the days when Bryan was his usual cold, and unloving-self then he would beyblade for hours without rest. He barely beybladed over the past few days, and with the championships looming ever closer, it was not looking good. "Did Max get fucked by someone else or what?" A cheating Max? That didn't sound like him, Kai let a small amount of annoyance come through in his voice: he didn't want the Demolition Boys thinking it was Max's fault for Tala acting strange.
"Max wouldn't do that." Of course implying that Max was innocent made Tala look like the guilty party and there was no way Bryan was going to let that settle without any proof. The idiot was making assumptions again. However arguing over who was at fault didn't help either of them. Kai actually became most annoyed with how Bryan continued to argue the point of Tala doing nothing wrong – and that 'he didn't think that Tala would do that either'.
"What did he say that after you fucked him for the hundredth time while he was going out with Max?" Ian and Spencer seemed to perk up at this comment. They hadn't ever made a statement of such boldness only because it would cause major problems with the rest of the group and Ian in particular couldn't be bothered with such social rubbish. Spencer had stated that if they had interfered then it could be the end of the Demolition Boys. However, knowing that Bryan was still following Tala around whilst his attentions was elsewhere made Ian want to bash the pathetic boy's head in. Ugh, Bryan had reached a new low.
It was strange, how did Kai know that both of them were still sleeping with each other? Well, at the time period of when he had been seeing Max? Not unless, one of those two told someone else? Bryan doubted that they would tell Max directly, and he hesitated to believe that Tala had told Max that they were fucking each other. The redhead had been most nervous and very adamant to keeping said activity secret. Not unless, it was to keep someone else from finding out? But how the hell did Hiwatari know? "I'll break your neck, you-" Why did everything end in an argument?
Before Bryan could launch himself at Kai and try to extract as much blood and pain from him as possible, a beyblade whizzed by his head. Crashing into the wall, and making Bryan freeze for a moment: glaring at the offender who dared to get in his way. "Calm down, idiot: Hiwatari, go check with Spencer – he'll probably be in their apartment. I'm outta here." Such an odd way of working to have the youngest male in the room to stop the bickering, still with the new information he had heard from Hiwatari, and the obvious embarrassed but pissed attitude which Bryan displayed, it meant it was true at least.
Ian had to think: if Bryan hadn't kept sleeping with Tala while he was going out with that blond BladeBreaker (or All-Star Ian wasn't quite sure), would Tala still be shoving orders in every direction... Like he used to, like he should? Would everything have been normal if Bryan had controlled himself a little better and allowed Tala to go away with Max entirely? If it were true, Ian was sure he wouldn't be able to keep his anger in check. Spencer was probably at his limits too. The bickering and stress which the relationship had caused on the team hadn't been expected but it had been done.
And Ian was sure the very seams of this apparent 'strong' group were slowly stretching until each and every one of them would snap under the pressure, and when that happened... The Demolition Boys would be no more, and they would once again be alone in the confusing world. Ian wasn't going to let that happen so easily, and even if he had to manipulate Tala into doing something of aid, then he would. Bryan wasn't going to ruin them. No matter what...
It was a few days after the little meeting that Ian had reappeared not looking too happy. He had made up his mind about the current scenario of the team. It was all Bryan's fault. Still he was not going to come to his house and yell at him... Not yet, he'd see if he could keep away from Tala once he came back (and the annoying redhead always came back). "Ian? What you doing here?" Bryan frowned at the displeased look upon Ian's face. Usually he'd be sulking or annoyed at whatever had irritated him so but not looking as if he had smelt something rotten.
"I have some bad news for you." A sigh and then slowly, Bryan let the boy in. It couldn't be that bad if he didn't look too serious. Quickly, Bryan shut the door and followed the younger blader into the living room. Ian sat down and pulled out his phone from his pocket, silence, only occasionally marred by the small bleeps and clicks of the buttons which Ian pressed on his phone. It looked as if he was searching his phone for what had caused him so much discomfort. "Bryan." Ian glanced down at the picture he had taken with it – it didn't look good for Robert at all.
"I saw that snob walking about. I was going to piss him off until this happened." Ian chucked the phone at Bryan, who managed to catch it before it plummeted to the floor. Bryan didn't bother to really look at the picture on the screen until he suddenly realised what he was actually looking at. "Now at least you can stop fantasising about the-" However, Ian hadn't counted on the reaction of Bryan being so livid.
He hadn't really thought that Robert and Bryan were serious. Ian had mainly thought that Robert had simply taken the place of Tala in Bryan's world. Still, when Bryan turned around, grabbed his jacket and left the house, Ian was sure there was more going on than he had thought otherwise. This was going too far, he'd call Spencer from here as Bryan had taken his phone. 'Bryan has to stop this...' If his feelings for Tala had ruined so much, then what would be the result of him genuinely liking Robert?
Even if Ian demanded that his hate for everyone be known, he still required this dysfunctional team. Unlike most of the other members he was much more capable of showing emotion: other than rage and sadistic glee. Of course that also meant he could become embarrassed and stumble, terribly, over words – especially since Bryan seemed to be competent in humiliating others than beyblading. The facts remained that Ian needed this team he probably wouldn't quite know where he should go or how to function. Society was only a small part of their lives very rarely did they speak to others...
"That idiot, fucks everything up." Standing up, Ian wandered around the small apartment trying to locate the phone. A small sigh as he found it, shoved into the corner of the room. Ian was pissed with Bryan, yet they all seemed to forgive one another in an odd way. Even though Bryan and Spencer had willingly admitted to one another, that they disliked each other: it still hadn't stopped the blond from questioning on Bryan's progress in the clinic. Nor had Bryan been calm or even happy when Spencer had also been terribly injured by Garland last year. Everyone just had to be so damn difficult, so damn proud... and it infuriated Ian and for the first time since he had been part of this peculiar family, he regretted being in it.
On the other hand, Bryan was walking quickly towards the proud manor which Robert lived in. Like hell was he going to wait and see if Robert was going to phone him up and explain what had just happened, he wanted an answer now. There was a worry, a small voice in his head that niggled at him and it kept repeating over and over: 'Robert isn't yours. He belongs to no one.' It was a fact, of course no person could ever own another unless they had no pride, nor will which differed but... For that fact to sound so deafening, to pin feelings of defeat and betrayal, feelings which Bryan knew he shouldn't be experiencing, into his very soul made him walk faster.
He would replace these unusual sensations with anger and spitefulness. There wasn't a guard in sight, it seemed as if Fate itself had cleared Bryan's war path. However, it did not take long for security to try to track him down and calm the raging young man. Yelling obscurities and quickly lashing out and fleeing, deeper into the mansion, brought the needed results. "What is the meaning of this, Bryan?" Robert blinked when he saw Bryan glower at him almost as if he were coming to eradicate him after a gruellingly long vendetta. 'Oh dear...' It wasn't the greatest feeling, knowing that the person of his affections was angry – for some reason – and also knowing that the previous...person of his feelings was in the other room.
When Bryan ran up the start – skipping a few with each giant step – he continued to move forward, and grabbed Robert roughly. The aristocrat was very nearly winded when he was shoved against the wall behind him violently. Why was Bryan so darn angry? However, the question was lost on Robert as Bryan yelled viciously in his face. Robert could only grimace as he noticed how sore that the vice like grip was causing him.
"What the fuck is the meaning of this?" Bryan hastily shoved a phone near him, dreading to hear the true answer. His head felt like it was spinning, his heartbeat was just too fast and his face felt a little too hot. Robert shook his head slowly, trying to calm his own racing pulse at the sudden attack. Gradually, the hold on his arms was slackened, but the intense glare he received stayed put. At least now Robert had the chance to hold the phone and look at what was wrong with Bryan. The picture itself was slightly pixelated and blurry, however the actual content was plain. It was in the park in which the event had occurred, and so Robert had thought no one would have bothered.
Robert had been caught on camera, smiling awkwardly, along with Martin: whom was kissing his cheek. "How did you-" Robert was shocked, it was however obvious that Bryan hadn't been there to take this photograph. If Bryan had been there, he would have known about it. Sighing, and trying to calm his growing nerves, Robert handed the phone back. "This is going to be hard to explain-" Bryan didn't care who had said anything at this moment in time, he just wanted to know what was going on. Surely Robert liked him slightly, enough to maybe... Stay somewhat... Or at least feel as if he needed to be faithful. 'What the hell am I talking about?' Bryan didn't like these thoughts, they were new and confusing. He didn't understand this. This feeling, the need to monopolise the other completely.
The voice cut through the atmosphere, not out of admiration or even trying to keep the topic low profile. It was because Bryan was so damn shocked that the person whom had been hanging all over Robert in the photograph was now in front of him. 'I'm going to throw this bastard down the stairs.' The brunette which stood in front of his was slightly taller still, and was much older than what Bryan had thought. Or maybe he was young but had aged horribly? Still, it seemed he was in his mid-twenties... "So, is this Bryan?" Too old, Bryan hissed to himself. He didn't bother to do anything other than stand with his hands in his pockets. Unaware to the painful scenarios which Bryan was concocting.
With the face which Bryan was pulling, Martin knew very well what was running through his head, it was obvious that was confused. Or rather suspicious of whom he was. "Martin. I sure you've heard of me." That was it, all that had to be said, until Bryan bared his fists and was very ready for a fight. Martin didn't flinch and Robert sighed and stood in the middle of the two. Bryan was reacting far too angry to be talked to. It was beginning to frighten Robert – he wasn't used to seeing such an angry Bryan. Perverted, rude and maybe antisocial but this annoyed? Never.
"Please, calm down, Bryan." For that moment, when Robert seemed to almost plead with him, and look oddly scared Bryan felt his resolve almost break under a handful of words. 'What the hell is going on?' If this was Martin – the same person whom Robert had said whom he hated with a passion - why was he standing in front of him, protecting him. 'I could just throw him down the stairs and kill the bastard...' Bryan narrowed his eyes, if Martin was being protected by Robert then maybe he wasn't over him? Maybe this was what was so complicated? Robert liked both of them... Bryan felt himself growl lowly at the thought, fists still ready to take aim. 'Why does Robert have to be here?' Bryan was sure that if Robert hadn't been here then Martin would be dead already.
Robert watched as Bryan stilled, he was no way near calm: merely calmer than what he had been originally. The rich blader sighed in relief, and relaxed slightly, that was until Martin decided to mix this scenario up even more. Martin smirked towards Bryan, and pulled on the back of Robert's shirt: the blader was drawn backwards closer to the brunette. Martin smirk grew once he rested his chin on Robert's shoulder, almost as if he were taunting Bryan. 'Stop touching, Robert.' Bryan swallowed those words quickly, he couldn't say such a thing... He wouldn't allow this Martin to know that he was getting to him.
But it seemed that Robert knew very well what was going on around him and shrugged the other boy off. A moment to reconsider his options and suddenly, like in the photo, Martin draped over Robert and kissed his cheek. Almost instantly Robert grimaced and pushed himself away and Bryan snarled. "Get your hands off him." The brunette was in no mood to be told that Robert had already been taken away from him. He had saved a lot of money, cancelled his old ways of life just so he could get here. He wasn't going to be shoved away so easily.
But Bryan's possessive reaction caused Robert to feel a quick flash of rage. Why was he only ever interested in him when someone else was around? Was he just a toy that Bryan wanted to keep ownership over? The three of them stood quietly assessing the situation, meanwhile Bryan continuously thought about the negative points of hurting the idiot in front to him. It still didn't explain what was going on. Martin had reappeared and from what he had heard from Enrique, he was going to try to play Robert. Like he was going to let that happen. However, if Robert was completely and utterly indifferent to the old love, why was he still letting the guy stay in his home? It made Bryan itch with uncertainty on his own position in this twisted affair.
Still the dramatic stand-off between them was cut short as a voice from downstairs boomed, "There you are, Bryan." The Demolition Boy glanced down the stairs to see the familiar blond, along with the little 'closeted case'. They looked anything but pleased, "this is pathetic, you know." Robert frowned at the way they had stormed into his home and had interrupted this bizarre scene – it was about to get even more complicated. On the other hand Martin looked down upon them and rolled his eyes, and then took this distraction to get a little closer to Robert. He wasn't going to let this Bryan fellow get too close to him.
"Ian?" Bryan hissed, this was the only word Robert or Martin understood as Bryan began to shout in Russian. Enraged and confused already, their presence was not helping him keep his cool. "What the hell are you two doing here?" The greeting in which Ian and Spencer had received also turned their own emotions bitter and sour and instead of calmly telling Bryan what was going to happen, Ian yelled. Robert frowned and glanced between them all, what was going on? Bryan had a scowl on his face, and looked to be angrier with those two than what he had been with Martin.
"You're going home, now - idiot." Ian yelled back, and raised his launcher – taking aim for Bryan's head. Stern looks were exchanged between them all, meanwhile, Martin began to hold onto Robert. A hand merely brushing his, and then eventually holding rather possessively Robert's waist. An action like this did not go down well with Robert himself and he batted the boy away. The aristocrat was far too interested in what was happening here. "Don't think you can run around as you please. We do have an image to upkeep." A line directly from Tala – a little speech which he had used to make sure they had done as he had asked. They were meant to be cold and cruel, not weak and carefree.
"Piss off, this has nothing to do with either of you." Bryan knew that be had left Falborg behind in his rush to come here, which only meant that he would lose... If Spencer really wanted to get him out of this manor. There was always a problem between them, however it was rarely sorted with violence, unlike Bryan's way to deal with Ian or Tala. Spencer for one was far too strong, physically Bryan knew he wouldn't stand a very good chance, if any, if he and Spencer were to start throwing fists.
"Of course it does. You think anything you do is just your business?" Those words made Bryan shake his head. What was this all about anyway? For all he knew this was just a stunt by Tala to get him to go back to his little apartment and stay away from Robert. Doubting that, since Tala would have certainly came here himself if he wished it – then it must have been about something else. He hadn't been horrible to Ian and he hadn't been disrespectful to Spencer. However this was giving the vibe of... Bryan couldn't remember the last time he had heard those two sound so angry, especially with him.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Naivety was not a trait of the Demolition Boys, however, Bryan had one main problem – he lacked any kind of observational skills when it came to a social context. He could read people well, just not the reason behind them or the consequences of such a relationship or interaction. That was why this whole idea had been blown out of the water, and now Spencer and Ian were annoyed to the extreme about his actions. Previous actions in particular.
"You caused more problems than you think." Spencer spat spitefully, he couldn't take this. Why was Bryan even trying to deny it? Bryan had caused a lot of trouble for himself because of 'feelings' he had developed for their captain. It had probably messed Tala up even more. How did one overcome the fact that a friend, had fallen for them? What had to be said to revert to how it was? "Fucking Tala is just another one of them, falling for some rich snob?" Ian could tell Spencer had been pissed because of Bryan's new friend.
The fact remained that he had been very close to revealing all of their pasts and he hadn't even discussed it with them. What was he trying to do? Get thrown from the team? "What the hell is wrong with you?" It was confusing... For both Ian and Spencer to sit back and watch Robert slowly become a trusted friend of Bryan's. He had ranted for ages on how rich people should go die along with their money, and yet he was sleeping with one of the richest guys in the country? It sounded more like a cry for help than anything else. People didn't just turn over their ideals like that – certainly not Bryan.
"I didn't do anything Tala didn't want: and this has nothing to do with you!" Bryan could understand only to a slight extent to what Spencer was saying. Sure, it probably had been annoying for them to know about it. But it wasn't as if the two of them had broadcasted it and made it most public. The fact remained, this situation did not involve either of them: in anyway. Or at least that was what Bryan was trying to get through to them.
Alternatively, Robert was standing stunned, he had heard names: and that was what he was picking up on. Apparently – it was Tala, again. His own fists almost clenched till they were white. Why did that redhead always seem to be brought up? Martin gave the tightening fists a glimpse, before giving Robert a fleeting look of worry. There was also the small fact, that even if Martin knew he didn't understand what was going on – Robert could very well understand. Had he learned Russian while he had been gone? It was possible...
"So it was his fault you kept fucking him?" Ian yelled back, just as annoyed with this. He didn't want to cause such a commotion and there was no doubt in his mind that Tala would be furious with him and Spencer with how they were acting. However cornering Bryan, and making sure he at least admitted to having some fault to this mess was what they were hoping for. It wasn't fair on Bryan and it certainly wasn't the best place to be yelling furiously back and forth between one another. However the pent up rage had now been released and it wasn't going to stop until someone let up.
"It has and had nothing to do with you! You didn't even need to concern yourself with anything we were doing! Nosy bastards." There was a feeling of anxiety which kept flashing throughout Robert's body, he could see the way Bryan was reacting to those words. It was alarming to think that whatever they were discussing was causing so much ill-ease between the team, which were meant to be emotionless. Everything was confusing now, Robert couldn't concentrate. If this was about Tala – then maybe it was about how Spencer and Ian felt about Bryan's involvement. But even the thought made Robert queasy, 'He's probably not even over him.'
"Nosy? You know how damn disgusting it was to have you two making passes at one another during training?" Ian had made it clear to Bryan in his own way, so long as no one tried to flirt with him it was fine. However, the youngest team member drew that line after a few weeks of Bryan and Tala making comments to one another during training – they didn't need to hear those. They didn't need to see the captain of their team, and a friend drool over each other nor have a secret snog behind something. It wasn't secret nor was it appropriate. "Sly comments, my ass – why couldn't you keep that business in the bedroom? Why the hell did you have to go and ruin Tala?"
To be accused of ruining anything, especially Tala, made Bryan want to stop the arguing and start fighting - how could they saw that he had ruined anyone? Tala had his own problems, and Bryan was not obliged to hold his hand when things got bad – just like Tala had no obligation to do the same for him. But with Tala's odd appearance now and then: only to disappear again for a few days...was unnerving to all of them. To find someone to blame made that worry composed itself, and drift away. "I didn't ruin anything!"
However, when Bryan and Tala had been together there were of course two major problems, beside the sickening display of attracted between them. Tala became incompetent, and Bryan didn't think about anyone else but Tala. It was always, Tala this, Tala that, and for his supposedly 'best friend' the whole thing drove him up the wall. To the point that he wouldn't talk to Bryan if he mentioned him. So, Ian was ultimately ignored because Bryan knew the boy wouldn't stand to hear another love-filled word about the redhead. Spencer was given the instructions which Tala should have given: which he couldn't do because he was in 'recovery' from a previous night – though most of them knew...
Tala was just getting lazy, and unreliable. It was with that knowledge that Ian and Spencer decided that if this hadn't went on then Spencer wouldn't be loaded with tasks to do, Ian would still have someone to speak to: and the team would be perfectly normal. "Then why the hell is Tala gone? Because you kept fucking him, and Max found out – that's why he probably left the stupid redhead." Robert perked up when he heard the two names together. So had they been in a relationship with one another like he had suspected? Sighing as Martin held his hand yet again, the young man decided not to shove him off this time. Bryan wasn't even paying attention to him anymore. He hadn't given him so much as a glance since this argument had started.
"If Max and Tala broke up for that reason, it's your fault. You should have had some common sense, and decency." Surely it wasn't just Spencer and Ian who believed that it was just wrong for Bryan to entice Tala into bed, while he was going out with Max. Even if it had been Tala to start the flirtations, Bryan should have denied him: it didn't matter what his feelings were – he shouldn't have done it. No matter how hard or painful it would have been, it wasn't an impossible feat. Bryan was just being weak again. It was certainly unfair to Max, and with Tala being as clueless with emotions as the rest of them – the deal hadn't helped.
"Why didn't you bother to say anything to me, as the apparent friends you are?" Nothing had prepared Robert to hear what was about to be said. Martin's hand was still entwined into Robert's – whose hand suddenly squeezed tightly as if in need of support which the brunette gave happily. At least he was allowed to touch the boy again, at least he wasn't being as horribly rejected as he thought he would be. There could always be a chance to get back together with him.
"Because you don't care about anyone's word, or anything else, except from Tala's." Once those words were heard, in English, out loud for everyone to hear. Bryan just wanted to earth to devour him. Why did they think he didn't care about them? Yes, he had slept with Tala on more than on a few occasions, but why did it come across... Why did everyone think that he didn't mind if they were to drop dead? It just reinforced the thought of the media being right, maybe he was selfish and unable to love. But had he been cruel to them, that much? Had he been led so strongly by his captain?
He hadn't even noticed this mess until it had escalated to this. What did that mean? At the minute, Bryan didn't want to turn around to face Robert: he had heard that, and Robert probably still believed that he was in love with the redhead. How could he explain this? Why did he feel suddenly lost – and why was he suddenly thinking about how he wished Tala was here to fix everything... Tala always seemed to know what to do...He'd prove them all wrong...
"Come on," Martin whispered into Robert's ear: he had noticed how tense he had become after the tall blonde had yelled something about Tala. He didn't know what was going on between them all, but he could use this time to sneak away with Robert and have a chat with him. But Robert didn't move for a while, he just kept staring at the angry Russians. If Bryan's own teammates thought that he cared only about that ghastly redhead then he had no chance of gaining his affections. No chance. "Come on, let's give them some space." So slowly pulling and pushing the young man gently, Martin managed to get Robert into another room. Closing the door, the Russian insults flew again. There would probably be a scrap or two in a while.
Martin glanced around, he couldn't believe how expensive everything looked in this house. He was scared just in case he broke anything as he certainly hadn't the money to repay for it. Robert had wandered into the room and went almost straight towards the window, though seemed to turn his back on it and looked at Martin finally. "Martin. How can you think I can trust you after all that you did?" Sighing, and knowing very well that it would be extremely hard for anyone to trust again, Martin slowly walked over hoping to get close to Robert. At least then he wouldn't be able to run away again.
Outside there were yells – louder than any other. It appeared that the fight had started between those Demolition Boys.
"Do you hate me?" Robert tensed slightly when he felt Martin hold onto his arms, as if to keep him in place. Robert looked away from him, not wishing to remind himself about what Martin was actually apologising for. Everything was so confusing today, he had thought that maybe everything was smooth sailing from now on.
That Bryan would eventually fall for him like he had and that would be it – he hadn't believed that Martin would come back. He hadn't believed that even Ian and Spencer would place such worry within him with a mere sentence. Bryan cared too much for Tala, that there was no way he could be let in. "Why can't you give me another chance? We had fun, right? The first few months, I was just trying to forget and pass the blame onto you. But I had to come back, even if it just meant apologising. I missed-"
"Stop it." Robert hissed and shook his head, trying to step away, but the wall behind him and the two hands keeping him from escaping to either side – made him stand in place. How could he be boxed in like this? "Please, don't." Robert muttered, he didn't want to go through this all again. He had just got over the idiot and he was here begging for another chance. Why did he feel himself wishing that Bryan came in and acted like his usual possessive self? Just for a second, just so Martin would admit that there was nothing to gain being here and then leave?
"I'll do whatever you want...Just please, trust me again." Martin's other hand left Robert's arm and seemed to travel to his face – he forced the aristocrats to look up. Robert hated the 'puppy eyes', from anyone; Oliver, Enrique: who ever it was, Robert felt the need to hit them. Only because he knew what they were trying, trying to convince him into doing something he didn't want to do. Manipulation never sat well with him.
"No, how can I? You burst into my life then walked right back out again." Robert sighed, "Why did you bother to find me?" He didn't want Martin to be here – in reality he wanted to be in the other room, to know the Russian language, to understand what the Demolition Boys were yelling about. It involved something personal, and it had made Bryan look most stressed and annoyed: so why couldn't he know about it? Bryan might not have returned his feelings, but Robert still cared what was happening with the boy.
"You know," Martin forced a small smile, and came a little closer than what Robert was comfortable with. "A girl started whining at me, saying that she would do anything for me... But you were the only person I've ever known to be so bloomin' loyal. You're the only person who never even tried to change me." Robert blinked, he didn't want to hear this and he didn't want Martin so close. It was almost as if he was about to kiss him, the hand on his cheek had moved to the back of his neck, and the hand which had grasped his arm was now around him. "No." Robert turned his face away.
Conflicted feelings made Robert's head hurt. For one, he wanted to kiss Martin – to prove that Martin had indeed come back for him, like his naive self had believed. The other didn't wish to do such a thing while Bryan was so close by. Martin understood that he was putting Robert in a terrible position especially since he had explained that he was after this Bryan bloke. But for once in Martin's life, he didn't know if he was doing the best thing, he didn't know if he truly wanted Robert to fall for him again. What if something happened again? What if he fell completely in love with Robert? All he knew, for the moment, was that he wanted to be near Robert as much as possible for now.
Martin moved closer, and Robert muttered out a plea – he couldn't kiss Martin here. "Please don't." For one, Robert knew very well that if he did, then he wouldn't be able to push Martin away. He was far too familiar and his old feelings were already threatening to surface again. He couldn't do this if Bryan was in the same house as him. But Martin didn't stop, and eventually took part in a meek kiss. During so, the beyblade captain tried to push the other feebly away, until finally: the guilt felt was too much and he quickly turned his head away ending it.
However, Bryan was closer than either had thought, as Martin was grabbed and pulled off Robert. "I told you to get off him." Bryan snarled, he gave a quick glare to Robert who was stunned to the spot and looked concerned at the black eye and burst lip he seemed to have already. Robert shook his head as it seemed that there were a few punches thrown, and Robert decided that he didn't want another fight in his house. Robert quickly hid the tremendous shame with a calm expression. He would not weep over such a weak moment. Not yet anyway.
"Bryan, stop this nonsense." Robert grabbed hold of Martin's arm (as he too was about to hit the Russian and begin another brawl), but as Martin backed away, and Bryan threw a punch: it didn't hit whom it was intended to. The atmosphere turned from violent, to carefully concerned within seconds. Robert had immediately let go of the eldest man's arm and held the side of his face it throbbed and stung at his very touch. Although he was shocked more by being hit, it gave him the small moment of peace: and everything seemed to fit into place. He could handle this situation now that all of the drama had been hushed up.
"Hey, I didn't-" Bryan started off, trying to say that he was actually sorry for hitting him. There hadn't been enough time or rather enough self-control in place when he had swung at Martin. It probably hadn't helped the matter that now as a result Martin wanted to start the fight. A shaky sigh and a rub of the bridge of his nose, and Robert seemed to have closed any insecurity and anger away. He started to speak to Martin in a very quiet and calm voice, as if he was speaking to a misbehaving child.
"Martin: I'm perfectly fine, don't start another scuffle. Now, it's rather late, could you please close the door behind you when you leave?" It was a hint towards what Robert wanted. Peace and quiet. To have so many people rush into his home and demand his time and attention was just too much. He was never a very social person either: he preferred a few close friends and the rest could be acquaintances which he would only speak to if and when necessary. Martin nodded and gave Bryan a wary look as he barged past.
"Robert-"
Robert turned to look at Bryan, his wounds no longer Robert's concern. "If you do think to come rather late in the night to speak with me, don't bring that rabble with you. Neither should you accuse me of doing something wrong, when in fact I'm socially sanctioned to do so." Bryan blinked at the way Robert was speaking to him. It was as if he was speaking to a stranger, one of those fake people at those fake parties... Why was he speaking so monotonous? Why did he sound so damn vacant about the words he was saying?
On the other hand, Robert was keeping every emotion he was feeling inside of him: there was too much going on in his head – he just wanted to tell Bryan what he thought and hope that he would leave quietly. The way he acted was like a jealous boyfriend, but painfully Robert realised that they were in no way in that kind of relationship, and they probably wouldn't be. "You don't own me and you certainly have no say in, to whom I spend my time with. We're not formally together after all." Still, maybe there was a part of Bryan which wouldn't mind the idea of being together with him: even if he was apparently a dull prude.
"Then again, if you even looked at that picture, you would see I wasn't exactly fond of it nor expecting such a thing." Bryan tilted his head for a moment, he had looked at the picture on the phone, but he hadn't analysed it – he had went on impulse: he had to gain an explanation from Robert as quickly as possible. It had felt as if his mind was about to explode and he was about to be condemned to a feeling of confusion forever.
"But still you automatically assume I'm at fault when you're the one causing a calamity," A strike of the tongue and Bryan had felt a twinge within in chest and a heavy weight at the back of his throat. Did guilt always feel so terrible? Or had it been building up along with the feelings of dread? "Goodnight, Bryan." Bryan didn't say anything as the door was slammed.
Author's Note: Hopefully, you can understand both Ian's and Spencer's stance on what's going on. Along with Bryan's. I feel slightly sympathetic towards Robert though, he hasn't a clue what to think. Tala's appearing in the next few chapters, (oh goodie). Well, if you have time, review: if not. I'll see you next update. XD I will be trying to update soon (like in the next several hours or so), but don't quote me on this... Just a very over-the-top goal.
. -cries- I'm a total moron at times. X( Thanks Shyki, sorry! ;.;