A/N: February already? Damn...
As always thank you for the love for this crazy train!
I know FF is a little messed up atm and isn't sending notification emails out to everyone so hopefully you got here ok!
Shall leave you to the longest chapter to date at just under 11k words. Eek. Apologies.
Though, tis a good one.
Enjoyyy
K~
Chapter 16 – What Will Be, Will Be
Kai hadn't slept at all last night. Tossing and turning, looking to the clock on his bedside table and seeing every hour that had passed by, until finally giving up and peeling himself out of bed at 5am.
This was agonising. He'd busted his ass his entire academic career and today was the day he was going to find out if it had all been worth it.
Quietly, so as not to disturb the redhead that was still sound asleep, he got changed into some workout gear and took himself for a run around the block. Anything to try and burn off some of these nerves he'd been riddled with for the past few days.
Brooklyn had noticed, was hard not to, he'd been quiet as a mouse all week but thankfully he'd gotten better with the whole 'opening up' thing and he understood all of his concerns.
After a shower, three cups of coffee and a bowl of cereal he'd forced down soggy after playing with it for half an hour, Kai was dressed in his uniform and ready to head out of the door.
It was around that time that bleary eyes and messy hair shuffled in to the kitchen, yawning.
"Mornin'..."
"Morning..." Kai parroted in the same dreary monotone he'd used all week.
Brooklyn turned his still foggy head as his feet carried him to the coffee maker.
"Sleep well?"
"Sure," was the sighed out response that gave him his real answer.
Brooklyn's trajectory changed, heading his way instead.
"Liar..." he sighed back sympathetically as he opened his lazy arms and slumped on him.
Kai hummed to him in agreement as he buried his head in his chest. He always had been a shit liar.
"What if I didn't get accepted..."
Brooklyn held him tighter and rocked them both a little.
"If you didn't, which is the worst case, you feel shit about it a little bit then bounce back and find a plan B. Your life isn't over if these pieces of paper don't have the number you need. I promise you, whatever happens, you're gonna be all right. And I'm gonna be right here whatever happens too."
Kai just stayed quiet. Brooklyn's words of comfort not really consoling him as there was no plan B. There was only plan A and that was getting in to Bey City U's Business Studies programme.
Two chances. He had to choose two colleges and apply for arguably one of the most competitive courses there was.
If neither of them accepted his application, if the essay he had to write about why he should be chosen wasn't convincing enough, if there were too many Eggheads that were better than he was...
He was fucked...
He broke the embrace, expression deflated as he stepped and picked up his backpack off the couch.
"I'll see you in a little bit then I guess."
Brooklyn breathed another sigh out his nose and read his mind.
He really was stubborn. And too hung up on this one plan of his.
Why couldn't he see that life would work out one way or another? Disappointment, sure. Not like he'd drop dead if didn't get the college he wanted.
"Oi. I love you."
"Love you too..." Kai mumbled before shuffling over to the front door and stepping out, leaving the redhead behind and at the back of his mind for the time being.
He knew Brooklyn didn't get it. Always had this 'what will be, will be' outlook on life and that was where they differed.
He had to be let in. There was no other alternative.
Walking through the gates and stepping into the school building he reluctantly tread to the teacher standing behind a row of tables with countless brown envelopes neatly organised in alphabetical order.
"Form an orderly line, gentlemen! This isn't a farm yard!" The gruff looking teacher barked, forcing the other anxious looking boys in to a line where Kai waited around three and three quarter eternities before he came face to face with him.
"Ah. Mr. Hiwatari..." he grunted as he took in the two toned hair and rolled his way up and down the rows looking for H.
"Here." He finally announced, shoving the envelope in his hands, "Best of luck."
"Thank you, sir," was his response as he accepted it, trying to ignore the tone he'd been sent though couldn't.
What did he mean by that? 'Best of luck.'
Did he know? Knew he'd been rejected and that was it for him now? Destined for a life of failure and misery?
He saw the other boys tearing open their envelopes the moment it was set in their hands. Ripping out the sheet of paper containing their fate but he didn't dare. It was this very moment that had kept him awake all night and had him so anxious all week. This very moment had finally come and he couldn't bring himself to see how it ended.
With the unopened envelope stuffed into his bag Kai had started to meander home. He'd lingered for a minute or so and watched a few of his classmate's reactions and whilst most had been positive there were a handful of not so good ones.
Lewis, a boy in his science class, had actually started crying and it was clear they weren't tears of joy.
He felt sick. Visions of both scenarios playing out in his mind, the good and the bad. He couldn't take not knowing any more but then also didn't want to find out. He needed to find out though!
Ah! He'd let Brooklyn open it for him! Yeah! He could rip off the bandaid and let him know how much he'd fucked up and then he could call Barbara and get him a job at the garden centre.
A groan escaped him and his feet came to a halt.
No.
That wasn't his plan.
At the end of the day, he'd tried. Ridiculously hard in fact.
He decided to take a leaf out of his boyfriend's book.
What will be, will be.
Regardless of the result at least he could hold his head up high knowing that he'd busted his ass for this and there wasn't any more he could've done.
He eased off his backpack and unzipped it, pulling out the envelope once more before slinging the bag back onto his shoulder.
He took in a breath. Tore the top of the envelope, and fished out the single sheet of paper.
Violet eyes quickly scanned it, taking in the information printed upon it before they started to water.
No way...
Brooklyn lay draped on the sofa, enjoying his day off from the garden center.
It hadn't stopped him dropping by to get Kai a floral gift of congratulations or commiseration from the florist joint on to them.
He checked his phone again. Surely he knew the verdict by now? Right?
Then again, what did he know? He didn't go to school.
University of Life. Til he died.
The front door then opened and in came the love of his life.
His head snapping over to him taking in Kai's body language and facial expression though he couldn't read him.
Uh oh.. didn't seem good..
Though the act was short lived as Kai couldn't keep it up any more and as soon as he'd kicked his shoes off he bound over to him, practically throwing himself on top of him on the sofa and planting a big kiss on his lips.
"You are officially going out with a business student at BeyCity U! I did it, I got in!"
Brooklyn could only sink in to the couch as he got squashed in, eyes wide at the news and shouting and lay there a moment before he cackled, squishing him back.
"Haaaaaahahahaha! I knew you would! Didn't I tell ya it'd be fine?"
Kai grinned to him, easing himself up and off him so he could breathe.
"You did, you did.. Just, ugh, what a relief man."
Stepping back over to his bag he pulled the envelope back out and handed it over to him to show him the proof of his success.
"Still doesn't feel real."
Brooklyn took it from him, eyes looking over the impressive numbers and smiled at it.
He was brilliant.
He set it down on the table, standing up and walking up to him to kiss him again.
"Congratulations. A testament to your hard work."
"Thanks," Kai modestly sent back, feeling all kinds of elated as he cupped the others head and pulled him in again.
It was a short, tender little make out session before Brooklyn pulled away.
"So. How do we celebrate? I did buy my Mrs. some flowers. I didn't think you'd like them, but it just seemed fitting." He told his as he gestured to the vase on the shelf.
Kai's eyes trailed over to where he'd just pointed before sending him a playful look.
"Cute. Though, since you're the Mrs. they're clearly more for you but thanks all the same, you didn't have to," he said with a smile before a slight shrug came from him. "And I don't know really, could get takeout or go out somewhere? Whatever you want."
Brooklyn chuckled and loosely put his arms round his waist.
"This is your victory. It will be whatever you wish it to be."
Kai looked up as he pondered for a moment when his phone then pinged within his backpack on the floor.
"Hm, I don't know really," he mused out loud as he stepped from him and went to pick up his bag and retrieve his phone from the bottom.
Upon pulling it out and reading the screen a message from Ray sat upon it asking if he'd 'received the good news yet?'
[Yep. I got accepted :) ]
Brooklyn tilted his head.
"Who dat?"
"Just Ray," Kai answered, "Was asking how today went."
His phone then started to ring within his hand and after pressing on the touch screen he held it to his ear.
Brooklyn heard a loud congratulations emit from the speaker, Kai pulling the phone away from his ear momentarily before placing it back and lightly chuckling out a thanks.
Kai's feet then automatically started to wander and before he knew it had taken himself upstairs to the privacy of his bedroom.
The redhead was left standing with nothing but an air of discomfort.
...Oh. Yeh. Fine.
It was fine. Was big news after all.
And anyway, Ray didn't buy him flowers.
Kai came back down an hour later with a slightly reddened right ear with it being pressed to the phone for so long. The whole gang having jumped on in the end at the news and them all having a four way conversation sending their congrats and excitement for him.
He slumped onto the sofa next to Brooklyn and rubbed at his ear.
"So a pizza or something sound good?"
Brooklyn folded his arms.
"Sure. Unless you'd rather do something with them." He said in a sarcastic yet innocent voice.
"Oh yeah that reminds me - Saturday. Are you working tomorrow?" Kai asked completely missing the tone he'd sent him.
"Nope. Not this weekend. Gary traded me for his Tuesday. Why?"
"They wanna bring the meet up forward to celebrate or something. Rather than Sunday morning, go grab a bite tomorrow afternoon instead." Kai explained pulling his phone back out again and started typing in the group chat.
"So that's cool I'll tell 'em we can do that then."
Brooklyn tensed, sending an ever so subtle sneer.
It went unnoticed. He was on his phone.
"Great..."
Oooooooh goodie...
Those assholes...
"So pizza?" Kai repeated once he'd sent his text of confirmation.
"Mmhmm...Whatever you want."
With pizza now on the table in front of them and several more pings later, Kai finally had his hands free having set the phone down on the table and replaced it with a cheesy triangle of goodness.
"Mmm, so good.." he gushed after taking a mouthful.
"Yeh. Pizza tends to be good..." the other forced, wanting to be a ray of sunshine on his special day.
Though that attempt was more like a storm cloud and Kai had noticed.
"What's wrong?"
Brooklyn shook his head.
"Nothin'. Why?"
"You seem quiet. A bit down," Kai commented taking another bite.
"Nope. I'm fine. Just sinking in you did it I guess." He grinned at him.
Kai sent his own half hearted smile as he chewed his mouthful and swallowed whilst his eyes trailed back to the colourful bouquet on the shelf.
"They make a big difference to a room don't they flowers? Never really cared for them before but they're nice."
Brooklyn brightened in an instant.
"You like them!? Oh good! I thought they were nice. The colors just look successful, you know? Like I said, I know you're not the girliest guy but it just seemed appropriate. I've never had to deal with anyone getting in to their college of choice before, I wasn't sure what else to get you. And hey! You know, I bet that clover I gave you helped out! So really, plants are to thank as well!" He chuckled to himself.
Slate brows furrowed for a second not really sure how colours could portray 'success' nor recalling the clover Brooklyn claimed to have given him. The hell was he- Ohh!
"Woww that seems ages ago. As if you remembered that..." A light chuckle escaped him as he took another bite. The memory of their lunch on the bench that one time coming back to him.
"Was obviously that though, yeah," Kai humoured him playfully nudging him with his shoulder. "Owe it all to you."
Brooklyn beamed, the sarcasm not reaching him.
"Of course I do. Was our first kiss, that day."
Kai's expression scrunched some to suggest he disagreed.
"Don't think we can really class that as our first to be honest. The week after, that was our proper first."
Brooklyn rolled his head to him with a silly grin.
"Was my first..."
"There ya go," Kai snorted, the face opposite tickling him some.
"Ahhhhh good times. You know I really was taken by surprise when you kissed me back the following week." He reminisced.
"Yeah, you and me both..." Kai admitted, remembering the act completely on impulse. "I was just worried when I'd next see you. Bit dramatic looking back on it. Wasn't like you were leaving the damn country or anything."
"Hn, can't stand the thought of being without me, huh?" The other grinned more smugly.
"Sure, let's go with that," Kai smirked reaching for another slice and chomping into it.
"Lets!" He grinned happily, the sour notes gone now that they were the center of each others universes again. With pizza.
Couldn't beat that.
Having both fallen into a food coma and Kai dropping off to sleep early after his rough night the previous day, Saturday morning came around in a flash and the two were getting ready to head out.
"Brook you ready to go?" Kai called to the other upstairs, phone in hand as he played some game on his phone.
Brooklyn dragged his feet.
Urgh. How draining this was going to be...
But. For his bey, he would do anything.
Heh heh heh...
"Coming, dear!" He called down jokingly.
The sing song tone caused a scoff paired with an eye roll from the one downstairs as he went back to his game, thumbs moving every so often to react to what was happening on the screen.
"Finally," he dully sent at seeing the redhead appear in his peripheral vision coming down the stairs.
Brooklyn dramatically held the railing and made himself walk down like a girl going to prom.
"You weren't waiting long, were you?"
"Oh nah only twenty minutes," Kai waved off though his annoyance was clear. "Do you not wanna go or something?"
"Whaaaaaaatttt?" He asked back in a higher pitch. "Of course I do!"
"Could've fooled me. Come on then, let's go," Kai said standing up from the couch and shoving his phone in his back pocket. "Starving over here."
"I got something delicious you could savor..." Brooklyn winked at him as he went to get his shoes.
"Later. Come on." Kai firmly said as he stepped to the front door and opened it, the heat of summer hitting him full force.
"Ugh, it's so hot out. Definitely won't need a jacket."
"Oh really?" Brooklyn asked as he suggestively and slowly went to remove his white jacket in exaggerated sensuality.
A light smirk appeared on the others face before stepping outside.
"You're too much."
Playfully shaking his head Kai casually started walking leaving Brooklyn to mess around for as long as he wanted on his own. He'd soon catch up.
"Is it too hot for pants too?" He called after him.
"Let's go Brook!" Kai called back in a bored tone, saving him a glance though lips were still curled somewhat. Too warm for games.
Moments later, white pants and a black t-shirt trotted after him.
"Ugh. It really is too hot. I do hope we don't burn...that would make love making awfully uncomfortable later."
Kai didn't respond to that. Conserving his energy for whatever the others had planned for him today.
Would they even be outside? Nothing had really been given away to him when they were discussing it all. Tyson had just said to meet down by the river bank and they'd go from there.
Brooklyn pouted.
"Hey. What's wrong?"
"Hn? Nothing," he answered taking a glance to him. "Why would something be wrong?"
"You're being off with me?" Brooklyn said/asked back.
"No I'm not," he argued. "Don't start Brooklyn it's too warm."
Running a hand through his hair the two continued to trek down to the meeting point, needing to get a move on as they were already ten minutes late though could not be bothered to walk any quicker.
And ten minutes late they were. Irritable feet tapping as they finally arrived.
"Trust you to be late to your own celebration, man!" Tyson scolded.
Kai rolled his eyes.
"Here now aren't I? What are doing any ways that couldn't wait til tomorrow?" He asked with a slight squint with the sun beating down on them.
"Only the most fabulous way to spend a summer day and celebrate! The ancient art of le barbecue!" he said dramatically as he pointed off towards the river.
"Already set up! Just need to get some coals burnin'!"
"You're not cooking are you?" Kai sceptically asked, looking down at the baseball cap clad teen with a cocked brow.
Ray snorted. "Course not, I am. What kind of celebration would it be with a case of food poisoning? C'mon let's get you guys a drink. Hi Brooklyn." He then added noticing the redhead hadn't said a word yet and didn't seem to be wearing his usual smile.
But after one more moment of deadpan, the sloppy, slothish smile returned.
"Hello Ray..."
Ray forced a smile back before turning and letting the others follow him back to their set up where a head of blonde hair was rooting in the cooler bag.
"Whatcha looking for there Maxie?" Tyson asked as he brought along the remaining two stragglers to the party.
"I can't find the mayo!" He sent in his distress. "You packed it didn't you?!"
"Why on earth would you need mayonnaise at a barbecue?" Brooklyn asked with a slight curl in his nose.
Max's expression fell uncharacteristically deadpan. And he was the one to originally vouch for this guy!
"Why would you not have mayonnaise at a barbecue? Chiieeff, help me find it!" He whined causing the petite brunette to set down his laptop and rummage in one of the other bags they brought.
"Just, don't ask," Tyson waved Brooklyn off before turning his attention to Kai.
"Well now that we're all here! Congratulations buddy! I knew you could do it!" He praised, lightly punching him in the arm.
Kai sent him a lazy shrug though a faint proud smirk graced his lips.
"It's whatever," he tried to brush off in his modesty.
Brooklyn slid in beside him, slinking an arm round him beaming with pride.
"He's full of shit, don't listen to him! Worked his ass off for this and it all paid off!"
Ray smiled over to him as he got the barbecue up and running.
"Now that I believe. Insane dedication this one. Always was one to give it your absolute all, huh dude?"
Brooklyn side glanced him.
Ray knew everything, apparently.
"Very true..."
Though the comment was seemingly missed by Kai who had stood up from Brooklyn's hold and stepped over to the cooler bag to pick up the white bottle that must have fallen to the ground behind it and handed it to the blonde.
"YES! Aw! Life saver!" Max exclaimed throwing his arms around Kai's neck in his giddiness.
Kai recoiled back, but since it was Golden Boy Max, couldn't help but snicker a little.
"Welcome. That's twice now, you know..."
"Twice what?" Brooklyn asked, appearing at his side out of nowhere.
"Saved his- nothing. Inside joke," Kai brushed off, ignoring the look he was being sent now as he stepped back from Max and grabbed himself a can of Coke from the bag.
"Right Kai you get first pick buddy whaddya want? A burger? Got some pork chops here, or, maybe a bit of, sausage?" Tyson tried to bite back his smirk as he showed him the packs of food they'd brought.
Kai almost choked on his coke.
"A burger please, Ray." he directed over to the actual chef ignoring funny guy over here.
"Comin' right up!" Ray gave a thumbs up
It was there.
So Tyson had to go for it.
"...That's what happens with the sausage option as well."
Kenny and Max both face palmed though giggles started to erupt from them.
Kai even having to bite his own cheek though voice came out as dry as it usually did.
"Comedy genius aren't you?"
"Thank you, I'm here all week!" He waved.
"But...speaking truths now y'all, these sausages look really good. Got black pepper or some shit in them!" Brown eyes continued to scan the pack before turning to the redhead.
"I bet I could tempt you for one or two right Brooklyn?"
Brooklyn finally came back to earth, having spotted some squirrels in the tree.
"Hm? Oh sure! Thanks!"
"See this guy knows what's up Kai," Tyson teased who got another eye roll in return.
With various cuts of meat being thrown on the grill and placed onto paper plates being distributed around the group they all started to chow down seeking some form of refuge from the relentless rays by the large oak trees that surrounded them much to the pale one's liking.
"So tell us Mr. College Man." Tyson started with a mouthful of burger. "When do you start?"
Kai raised a brow at him.
"Same as when every other school year starts. April."
Tyson stopped chewing.
"But...It's July?"
"Yes?"
"...So what the hell we celebrating for now!?"
Again. Others face palmed.
Kai shrugged. "Wasn't my idea!"
"Because it's still an achievement!" Brooklyn jumped in almost defensively. "He got unconditional offers from both his choices..." he added, pride seeping from his voice.
"...Whassat mean?"
"It means pretty much no matter what, I'm in." Kai informed him, smugness in his.
"Oh! So you can just kick back and do shit all now?"
"Well...No...but the pressure sure is off..."
Tyson's brows came down, deep in thought.
"...Seems a bit weird considering you're gonna be a lawyer...you'd think they'd be hella strict."
Kai gave him a look.
"I'm not gonna be a lawyer?"
"You're not...?"
"Business."
"Oh...who's doing Law then?"
Brooklyn just gawked.
Complete. Fucking. Buffoon.
Kai shook his head, waiting until he'd finished his mouthful before answering.
"I have no idea. But I will be doing Business studies."
"Sounds pretty boring. But you'll even all that out with the SICK COLLEGE PARTIIEEESSSS!"
"Oooohh yeah!" Max chirped in, his baby blues sparkling. "Though, can you really imagine Kai going wild like that?"
Tyson laughed into his burger.
"Yeah you're right. Whole experience will be wasted on him."
Kai scoffed. He could be wild. Only downside was he tended to take his recklessness just a little too far and it scared everyone.
"You never know guys, he might become the leader of some dickish group of guys. Like those frat houses in America." Ray joined in taking a bite of his hotdog.
"Ohh yeah! Been a while since you've been a gang leader huh bud?" Tyson smirked nudging Kai with his elbow who promptly sent him the eyes.
Brooklyn looked between them as if they'd switched languages on him.
"Gang...leader?"
Group of guys!? Wild parties!?
University was a quest for knowledge was it not!?
"Oh yeah you won't know. Was loooooonngg before you came along." Tyson waved him off taking another bite.
Brooklyn looked to Kai, feeling red flags.
But...why wouldn't he have told him?
"Care to share?"
Kai shifted where he sat.
"It's nothing, honestly. Wasn't even that big of a deal," he assured him though Tyson begged to differ.
"I meeaaaann, you did kidnap Kenny and all..."
Kenny looked up and waved awkwardly.
"Why would you kidnap Kenny?" Brooklyn asked, having not taken his eyes off Kai.
If Kai rolled his eyes one more time they were gonna fall out of his head.
"We were just messing around. Isn't like he was in any real danger. We were what, thirteen? Get over it already."
"I'm over it..." Kenny added with another small raise of his hands.
If anyone was listening...
He still saw that vertigo inducing drop from the warehouse beams at night sometimes...
"Fascinating..." Brooklyn forced a smile, "What else don't I know about you, baby?"
Kai noticed the tone but was not even going to entertain it right now. Not in front of an audience and definitely not in this damn heat.
"That's it, and it's far from ground-breaking," he dryly sent back taking another bite of his burger.
"Yeh, yeh! You don't wanna know about past Kai. Just a crabby asshole. Which you, you know, love and...find attractive." Tyson shuddered a little, "but this is meant to be about future Kai! Uni Kai! Come on man, for once just show some enthusiasm! You must be pumped! Even if you don't go to wild parties, you're gonna meet so many new people and do so many new things! Like-like HIRO! Right!? When he went to University he said the first year was just a blur! He was drunk most of it! No one cares about first year grades! You can just cut loose and explore the realms of YOURSELF!
Brooklyn twitched at the mention of him.
And Kai wasn't exactly thrilled to be reminded of that guy's existence either though ignored the small simmer and swallowed it down with the last mouthful of juicy patty. Compliments to the chef.
"I mean, yeah, I guess I am looking forward to it," he then admitted taking a sip of his drink. "Though mingling and getting trashed isn't exactly the first thing on my list of things to do, Tyson."
"Exactly. Not everyone is a cunt like your brother." Brooklyn jeered.
"WOAAHH!" Ray and Max exclaimed and recoiled in unison and even Kai's wide eyes snapped towards him.
"The fuck did you just say?" Tyson sneered about to set his second burger down and launch himself at this guy.
One minute they seemed to all be getting along fine yet months later they were still hitting bumps in the road.
Brooklyn touched his chest in sympathy.
"Oh...I'm sorry...I thought you knew..."
"Brook..." Kai said low in warning though it wasn't like he didn't agree with him.
"Yes?" Brooklyn looked to him, clearly either not caring about the upset or not realising he'd caused any.
Kai just slowly shook his head to him hoping he'd get the hint to not keep pushing and prayed at least one of the others would douse this fire before it got any bigger.
"Soooooooo you going to be living in dorms!?" Ray fired out, seeing Tyson's face and eyes flaming stronger than the ones on the coals.
Ugh. Thank god for this one.
"No, gonna stay where I am," Kai answered. "There's no need to move really. Isn't like the place is far out."
"You must be happy about that, Brooklyn!" Ray offered, getting him that...weirdly unsettling smile back.
"Incredibly..."
Ray forced his own smile back as he always did and reached for another hotdog. Once again the tension that surrounded them suffocating and could be cut with a knife.
"But still. Moving out or not you're bound to meet a whole bunch of new people and join clubs and study groups and whatever." Tyson then reeled off glancing to Brooklyn for his reaction. "Barely gonna have any time to be at home."
To Tyson's delight, he bit instantly.
"Oh, nonsense! Of course he will be! Won't be much different from his school hours now!"
"Actually no they'll change on the daily," Kai regretted to inform. "Some days I'll go in later and finish later, some days I won't have to go in at all but have to do home study. Bit of a mix really."
Brooklyn's head snapped back.
When was be going to tell him that!?
First the gang member thing, now this!?
"How late are we talking?"
Kai sent him a shrug. "I don't know I don't have my timetable yet, it's not for months and months. I just know the schedule will be all over. Isn't a big deal though you can just stay at your own place those days."
"Yeh. That way he can bring the party to hisssss!" Tyson danced.
"Obviously not," Kai shut down straight away but it was clear by the look on the redhead's face the damage was already done.
And Tyson knew it too.
"All right, whatever you say! Just sayin', university changes a lot of people."
"He isn't going to transform in to some wild party dude, Tyson. He'll still be Kai." Ray laughed awkwardly, feeling the tension shift, but still coagulate in to something thicker.
"Yeah sure but it's only natural to wanna experiment a little right? It's a whole new learning curve and curiosity and temptation is gonna lie at every corner," Tyson continued to dig, taking a sip of his lemonade and eyeing Brooklyn over the can.
"I'm going to America for summer vacation!" Max screeched like a golden parrot.
He could feel himself sweating bullets.
He knew Tyson was searching for open nerves to poke. Revenge for the harsh but accurate words thrown at his brother.
But he didn't think Brooklyn was the guy to play that game with.
He looked mad.
He was already unsettling...
Maybe they needed to not talk about University.
Ray grabbed at the opportunity of a diversion from the group's puppy with both hands, putting on the same amount of enthusiasm the blonde had just shown.
"Ah cool! Will be nice seeing your mom again huh? D-do you still see any of the All stars?"
While they chattered in the brilliant move to defuse the situation, Tyson threw a filthy look Brooklyn's way, only to find he was already getting one right back.
His brother may not be perfect, hell he hurt him too.
But just like Brooklyn, just like Kai, he'd made mistakes and they had been forgiven for them.
So how dare he throw such a word at his brother like that!?
What did Kai see in this prick!?
Brooklyn turned his eyes away, fed up of looking at the ape in a man suit.
How was this his best friend and rival?
Kai was superior in every way.
Hell, Max and Ray were better than him as well.
He glanced around them.
Max he had no qualms with. He was a kind hearted guy who just wanted peace and he respected that.
And Ray...
Tyson was direct in his attacks. Blunt.
He knew he was disliked and knew the feeling was mutual.
But Ray, despite his saintly reputation, was clearly a snake in the grass.
Just knew everything didn't he? So perfect.
He shifted in his seat, moving his eyes to the only person that mattered and watched him listening to Max talk.
...Kai wouldn't be so easily lured and tempted, would he?
...Sure, he ditched the Bladebreakers in Russia. But that was Boris! That was different.
Sided with the Blitzkrieg Boys too...
That was to try and win on his own! They all did it.
Joined BEGA...
He still didn't understand that one...
His musings came to an abrupt halt when the enigma himself shifted where he sat beside him and rose to his feet, as were the others. Must be done here now.
"Well keep us updated on how it all goes, yeah? I'm sure you'll pick everything up no problem."
Sending a small smile over to Ray, Kai finished off his can of Coke and dropped it in the trash bag they'd brought along.
"It really isn't going to be that exciting."
"Nonsense! You got all those crazy raves to attend remember!" Tyson tried to get just one more twist in of the knife before they parted ways. "Kai Hiwatari, the party animal of BeyCity University. I can see it now."
With his fingers he made a rectangular frame and set it around Kai like he was some photographer though the model was doing anything but smiling.
"What's with the face? I put money on it dude, first week, you're gonna get shitfaced."
Kai rolled his eyes.
"Isn't happening. Anyways, you guys need help clearing away?"
"Nah you're good Kai we got this." Max beamed. "The guest of honor doesn't get cleaning duty."
"Yeh. Make note for college."
"Tyson!"
With a snort the wind up merchant straightened up his baseball cap before waving him off.
"Yeah go on ahead we got this. Text us yeah? Bye, Brooklyn." he then added with forced bite.
God he hated this guy.
"Farewell, Tyson. My best to you and your heinous relatives!" He waved theatrically, turning to the others to give them a more polite goodbye.
With any luck, Kai would be too busy for these losers if anything.
"Bye guys," Kai dully added sending an unimpressed look to Brooklyn before the two of them turned on their heels and left the group of boys behind. The one in the cap foaming at the mouth and flipping off Brooklyn's back.
"You knew that would escalate so why even bother?" Kai snapped some to the taller male walking beside him once they were far enough to not be heard.
"Because he needs to be knocked down a peg or two! And besides, where is the lie!?" He bit back, angry he was the one getting scolded when he'd done nothing wrong.
"I know but he's still the kid's family. Tyson'll know he's a dick but doesn't mean anyone else can go round saying it."
"Oh! And its fine for him to say the shit he does!? He ain't my fuckin' friend, Kai! I could give a shit if I hurt his feelings!"
Kai took in another breath to say something else but chose to exhale it in an exasperated sigh instead.
There was no point even getting into this. For months now they'd tried to all get along, and whilst Max and Ray seemed to be civil enough, bordering on quite pleasant, Tyson just couldn't help himself in poking, and Brooklyn bit every time.
"Right. You just do you then."
Brooklyn snapped his head towards him, riled up and fuming.
Every time he took his side!
Yeh, he'd be himself!
And Kai would be himself!
He was not going to become some dog with five dicks and a liver-rotting fratboy!
No one was going to turn his head!
Even if there were people studying the same things, the same intellectual level...
He was smart too! Just not bookish! No piece of paper with grades on it!
He was destined to be with Kai! Him! Only him!
He snatched up his hand, picking up his pace and dragging him roughly.
"The fuck are you doing? Get off me," Kai sneered at him trying to pull his hand back though the other's grip was like a vice that continued pulling him along.
He didn't want to hold his hand right now. Not that he even cared for whatever today was supposed to be but he was sure it wasn't supposed to end in childish bickering.
It was supposed to be a nice day and this time Brooklyn was the one to start it all.
"Just shut up and walk!" Brooklyn bit over his shoulder, marching faster.
They'd be home soon enough...
Face sour the entire way, Kai did so purely for the sake of not yelling at each other in public.
Brooklyn punched the code in, yanking him in and slamming the door behind him only to very quickly slam Kai against it, crashing their lips together in a bruising force while his hands pinned his wrists against the door with him.
A muffled noise came from Kai's throat and in his shock mindlessly mirrored Brooklyn's movements though wasn't dominating the kiss by a long shot.
After a minute or so, desperate for breath, he roughly pulled his head away from him, his chest panting in and out as he hurled his question over.
"The hell Brooklyn?! Have you lost your damn mind?!"
Brooklyn's hand let go of a wrist and roughly rubbed the front of Kai's pants.
"Get your ass upstairs..." he growled back at him, face right in his.
Kai's mouth dried almost instantly as he stared back at him with his lips parted, a small gasp having just escaped them as his palm had cupped him and groped.
An odd mix of fear and excitement swirled within him as he wordlessly did as he was told when Brooklyn stepped aside for him, almost nervously looking back to him over his shoulder as he followed him like a predator up the stairs.
The fuck was happening?
Once the bedroom door closed, the predator struck.
And like he'd been hit by some kind of venom, Kai was powerless to him.
His neck bore teeth marks and dark colors.
His clothes were near enough torn off, tossed aside.
His mouth had his way with him until he decided he'd had sampled enough, now wanting to feast.
Kai snapped his eyes open at the sudden loss of contact. Feeling back on edge again with the other's unpredictable and erratic movements once he'd locked with the eyes above that were looking down like he was a piece of meat.
"W-what's gotten in to you?" His panted out tone was uncharacteristically nervous as he even made a useless attempt to lift himself and shift further from the edge of the bed.
No explanation came and like a rag doll he was thrown, his face shoved down in to the dishevelled covers while pale hands yanked his hips up and ran them roughly down the arch in his back.
Kai's chest heaved on him like he'd been running for a mile, not even knowing which direction he was facing now until he dared to lift his head up from the bedsheets and look back at Brooklyn over his shoulder.
Teal eyes had glazed over in their lust and was far too engrossed in what he was doing to notice the slight worry the other pair held as Kai watched on.
He shuddered as the cool gel was carelessly squirted down his ass crack and smeared with Brooklyn's fingers, the wicked grin sitting on the redhead's face taking Kai right back to the last championship and a cocktail of panic and thrill churned in his stomach.
A finger slipped inside, gently but firmly stretching him.
"Let's get you good and ready for me..."
A slight hiss came from Kai at the sudden intrusion and even with him knowing full well on how this worked now had tensed up around the digit that had already started to thrust inside him.
"B-Brooklyn."
Brooklyn's free hand groped his ass cheek as he let out a gruff sound as his slipped another in.
"Oooooooh that's right baby, say my name..."
Kai grit his teeth and tightened his grip on the bed sheets. Which wasn't the only thing that tightened.
He willed himself to relax but couldn't swallow the rising sense of anxiety that had hatched from god knows where.
The rough groping turned to soft petting.
"...Hey, you okay? If it's hurting I can add more lube."
His hands unclenched the sheets some at the tone. "Y-eah yeah," he answered trying to seem nonchalant though his scrambled thoughts had him sounding flustered anyways when he continued. "I mean yeah, I'm okay... You're not hurting me it's fine..."
Which wasn't a lie. Brooklyn wasn't hurting him but the way his heart was pounding in his chest would seem like he had him in agony.
Why was he so nervous right now? They'd fucked a whole bunch of times so what was so different now?
Just breathe...unclench...was fine...
Feeling his muscles relax, Brooklyn was satisfied he was ready to receive.
He eased out is fingers, getting back in to the vibe he'd started off with and gave the ass cheek a sharp slap for good measure as he grabbed the bottle of gel.
He basted himself until he was slick, taking the time to admire the view of his head down and ass up. Ready and waiting.
Feeling his own heat rising to bubbling, he took hold of himself and placed his tip teasingly against his entrance.
"Say my name again..." he purred in a low but strong voice.
He longed to hear it. The only name that would leave his lips in this way.
Kai had jumped slightly at the swift smack but like he'd been requested breathed out Brooklyn's name and closed his eyes as he felt him circling round his hole.
The cool gel making the sensation all the more tingly as he braced himself for what he knew he loved. And he did love it. He really did. They had good sex. It was amazing whether he was inside him or vice versa. He knew this. So why was he as nervous as he'd been the first time? When he was drowning in the unknown and had no idea what to expect? He knew how this went, yet the swirls of anxiety in his stomach continued to churn like he was a virgin again. Why? The hell was wrong with him?
Instead of the gentle ease in he usually gave him, Brooklyn threw himself in, dick sliding deep and starting to pound him before he had a chance to realise what hit him.
His hands roughly pulled his hips in to him to get himself in deeper, hissing and grunting wildly.
Kai's breath hitched in his throat before a cry poured out of him, his knuckles ghost white as he clutched at the sheets for dear life to steady himself from toppling over from the brutal force driving into him from behind.
"Br-Brook-lyn!"
His voice shook out of him with the hips behind relentlessly continuing to pound into him. The bout of initial panic slowly being taken over by waves of pleasure as his prostate had been stimulated pretty much from the get go and the more the redhead drove into him his own raging horniness started to cloud over his mind.
With a more drawn out moan of satisfaction escaping him, Kai's head fell down in to the sheets and his eyes had rolled to a close.
Beads of sweat rolled down Brooklyn's flushed and hard working back.
He cast his eyes down, watching himself claim him again and again.
He let out a ragged cry.
Whole new noises starting to radiate shamelessly from the pair of them as Kai just as wildly started throwing his hips back, skin smacking violently on skin joining in the sexual orchestra.
"Don't stop... fuck, don't stop..."
The redhead abused his power and stopped.
Not out of malice.
But now that Kai had joined in the screaming, he was desperate to shove his tongue down his throat while he fucked his brains out.
He eased out again, flipping him like a pancake on to his back and shuffling forward on his knees. Throwing his legs over his shoulders.
Startled by the man handling, Kai locked with teal eyes that had darkened in their lust and all he was able to do was stare up at him, currently towering over him as he lay frozen on his back.
There it was again...that feeling.
He swallowed in an attempt to ease his dried throat, feeling his heart rapidly pounding in his chest and hearing it in his ears.
This... this was too similar. The memory hadn't even been fully recalled yet when Brooklyn threw himself back into him, another gasp of pleasure emitting before the redhead's tongue took advantage of Kai's open mouth and dived right in. Low moans rumbled in both their throats as their tongues fought for some time before the need for air was too strong and the kiss was broken.
Violet eyes snapped open again immediately after and couldn't help but remain fixated on the one hovering over. Pleasure was coursing through him but that bout of fear remained lingering in his chest and with every deep thrust, much to the others liking, the only word Kai could muster and choke out was Brooklyn's name.
Though he wasn't saying it to satisfy the redhead's ears or to give an ego boost, it was more to convince himself that it was in fact Brooklyn above him right now.
His Brooklyn.
Brook.
Brookie when they were being silly.
His boyfriend, lover, best friend, whatever he was supposed to call him.
Regardless of the title, he held a position of love, care and trust and he wasn't the same person he was last year. He wasn't. He wasn't someone who was out to harm him and even worse destroy him. That chapter had closed, was sealed shut...
Oblivious, Brooklyn was too lost in his own trance. Lost in the throes of passion and soothing his own mental niggles.
Kai wouldn't leave him...they were destined. He knew that.
He wanted to hear him say it...
"Kai! You're mine, tell me you're mine!" He begged, demanded.
Kai's shuddering breath caught in his throat as his skin went cold. That sounded... familiar...
"You're mine... First I'll knock your blade out of the stadium, then I'll put you down for good! JUST STAY DOWN!"
His voice box clammed up. His muscles tensed up and paralysed.
Very much like the sensation he'd felt when he sank in to whatever the hell that nightmare was that day.
Brooklyn slumped forward, sucking on his neck before moving to nip at his ear while his hips carried on.
Hadn't he heard him?
"Tell me you're mine..." he panted in to his ear.
Kai's arms stayed down on the bed. The weight of his body on top of him feeling suffocating.
...Fuck...
Was he trembling...?
His mouth opened and closed.
Brooklyn couldn't see this...
"I'm yours..." his voice wobbled, despite the effort to be natural.
The rough thrusts ceased. The mop of red to the side of him lifting and waning over to line up with his.
His eyes, despite still showing the fever, seemed more tranquil.
The smile he knew him for curled in to place.
Kai finally felt able to inhale.
This was Brooklyn.
Lips tenderly touched his and hips began to move more gently.
Kai felt his eyes sting.
No. He was not one of those assholes that shed a tear during or after love making.
It wasn't the sex or the softer pace.
It was a weird overwhelming and shitty sense of relief, guilt and shame.
That was Brooklyn.
How could he react to Brooklyn like that? The guy had done nothing but try and make up for it. Showered him in love and devotion. Excessively so.
And how could he have such a pathetic...episode, whatever you'd call that, out of nowhere so suddenly? He was over it...
His arms went around his neck, kissing back and willing him to move his hips more. He wanted more...sweep it away with something good.
Before long, Kai was hot, cheeks flushed and shuddered cries being rammed out of him with every thrust.
He clutched at whatever part of Brooklyn he could reach given the latest position he'd thrown him in and his eyes screwed shut as he was pushed over the edge.
Brooklyn's own feral moans and heavy breathing vibrated hot in his ear as he threw himself in to him the last remaining times he needed to get off, the muscles clamping harder with Kai's release only making him tighter.
He cried out, whole body tensing before flopping on top of him in a sweaty, spent heap.
Having landed firmly back down to Earth with a bang once he'd ridden out his high, Kai's eyes snapped open and stared up at the ceiling over Brooklyn's shoulder as he lay there panting on his chest.
It was such an odd feeling. Post-orgasmic chill after a good fuck...and yet being thrilled it was over...
"Well that was, different."
Still winded, Brooklyn weakly rolled his face to plant a sloppy kiss on his cheek.
"Oooooohhh fuuuuuckkkk that was soooo good..."
Kai turned his head to look him over, red hair stuck to his face and he was sure his own was just as dishevelled.
Yeah it was but...
"W-where did that come from? That...aggression?"
Brooklyn cuddled in to him and stayed quiet a minute.
"What if you do change...?"
"Hn? What do you mean?" Kai asked in the same soft tone he'd just received, keeping his eyes on him holding a hint of weariness.
He wasn't following at all. Hadn't followed any of this actually.
One minute they were almost arguing, the next Brooklyn's tongue was down his throat and he was all alpha, fucking him into next week, and now he'd gone all delicate with some form of concern?
"Well, what if people do try to turn your head? What if you do see the allure of all the parties and stuff? What if you do find yourself surrounded by people the same intellectual level as you and realise I don't fit in with your life any more?" Brooklyn spewed out as he clung on to him, insecurities running wild without the disguise of a dominant alpha with an axe to grind any more.
"Wait... that's what this was about?" Came the next question as he held him.
He should've known. All made sense now. He'd clung on to every taunt from Tyson and for some reason let it bother him to the point he felt threatened.
"Brooklyn... look at me," he sighed out, shifting himself away slightly to get a better view of him.
"Do I really look like the party type? Seriously? And people can try all they like, what difference does it make to us?"
"Well no...but people don't just hook up at parties. There's study groups and...classrooms and stuff."
"So what, you think I'm just gonna run riot over campus sticking it in wherever like a damn rabbit? Is that really what you think of me, Brooklyn?" Kai's soft tone had transitioned to more of a bite now. Not really knowing or liking what thoughts were potentially running through the others head.
"No! But its true, going to university changes people and you of all people seem pretty quick to change your mind!" Brooklyn blurted out back.
It took a few seconds for the words to sink in but as soon as they had...
"And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" He spat back easing himself up completely on the sheets and glaring down at him.
Brooklyn's eyes faltered, but his face strengthened.
"You know what I mean...I love you Kai. I could give a shit about what beyblade team your on. Hell, I'd have done the same. You go with whoever you think will get you to the finals. But how do I know it only stops at beyblading? How do I know I won't get traded in for something better!?" He fired back upset and bitter.
"Leave."
Was all Kai said. The single word dripping in venom and holding a dark tone he couldn't remember the last time he used.
Brooklyn's eyes fired up, throwing himself up to tower over the other.
"You can't even face the question! The hell am I supposed to do with that!?"
"Whatever you damn well please!" Kai roared back grabbing at some bed sheets to cover himself.
"You don't trust me? Think I'm some treacherous asshole then fucking get out!"
Brooklyn did the same, riled in the face while his eyes screamed.
"What am I supposed to think!? Why did you keep it from me until now about these 'late finishes'!? Where I can 'just stay at my place'!? Why am I being kicked out already!? Why shouldn't I worry about people!? Why am I wrong for not wanting to lose you!?"
"I'm not going anywhere!" Kai threw back feeling a headache coming on already.
"Shit isn't going to change that much Brooklyn! So I might finish a little later some days, why is that such a big deal?!"
Brooklyn flumped down on the bed again.
"I don't know...it just is..."
"It really isn't," Kai dryly stated, glad to no longer be shouting though was still furious inside over what he'd implied.
"If you don't trust me Brooklyn then seriously you can just leave. No one is forcing you to stay."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Brooklyn began to sniffle.
"I don't want to leave you. And I don't want you to leave me either."
At the sound Kai had glanced to him and a small sigh escaped his nose. He didn't want to see him upset but this whole thing had just been so unnecessary.
"Well acting like this isn't the way to go I'll tell you that for free," he muttered in his annoyance. "I'm not going to leave you. I'm going to go to my classes and come back. That's it. In case you need reminding I'm not exactly the most social of people. Took me long enough to like you."
Brooklyn pulled himself up and bounced a little across the bed to him to wrap round him, shoving his face in his chest.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it! After earlier it got me thinking about things I never considered. I just want to be with you! To make you happy!"
Kai almost toppled over with the force he'd flung himself into him, only being steadied by the tight arms around him now.
This moron...
"You do make me happy," he sighed out, gently holding him back and stroking through red locks. "So why am I going to leave you when I have everything I want right here?"
Brooklyn shrugged in to him, melting in to him at the soft touch.
"I'm hardly educated and work part time in a garden store. Hardly a catch..."
"You are to me..."
"Hn..." he sighed happily in to him as he coiled himself round him more. "I love you so much."
A smile appeared above him though was short lived.
"I love you too but... do you really think that? What you said about me?"
Brooklyn shook his head in his chest, keeping his eyes down for a reason.
"Well, good," Kai seemed to sigh in relief, though wasn't sure if he believed him completely as fair fingers continued to play with the bright orange stands.
There was a strange atmosphere between them now and he wasn't sure what to do about it.
"Just.. don't ever say that again, okay?" He firmly added. "It's bad enough coming from other people, never mind you..."
Brooklyn's grip on him got harder before finally lifting his face to his.
Well, now he felt terrible...
He didn't want to hurt him. And now he'd cooled, the gravity of what he said sunk in.
Even if he did think it...a bit.
"I'm really sorry...I guess I lost my head a bit. I just can't stand the thought of losing you. Fucking Granger..."
"I don't know why you let him get in your head." Kai hunched his shoulders some as he locked onto teal finally. "You used to be able to let childish taunts go in one ear and out the other, so stop rising to them..."
Tightening his own grip on him Kai rest his head on the others and that was how they laid for some time.
Brooklyn clung to him like he would disappear as soon as he let go with his head buried in his chest.
But somewhere in the tranquil fortress of Kai's pectorals, faced with the infamous scar that had been his doing, Brooklyn felt his eyes open and a small smile crack when he felt an all too familiar presence.
"Hey Zeus."
There was nothing.
Brooklyn shifted his head slightly, being met with a vivid red glow and settling himself back down.
"Rude. You know I dislike rudeness. Is there a problem?"
"I don't like this."
Brooklyn snorted.
"Oooohhh don't you start. Yes, we fought. But he loves me. And we are much stronger than that."
"You yield too easily. Granger was right. What lies ahead will change the one you love. You are purposefully being blind to it, even though you know the danger it would bring."
"Oh am I? Then what, Zeus? I break it off?"
"You and I both know that isn't an option. But you need to make a plan. You need a way to protect this, Brooklyn. You know the importance. The gravity of what you both are. It is he who doesn't know yet. He who could destroy it all."
Brooklyn shifted a little.
"I know that. But what am I to do? I can't stop him from going to school now, can I? That is part of his path."
"You need to watch over him. Protect him from himself. We know he is weak to his own desires and temptations...you and I both know he would face death for his own ideals."
Brooklyn curled in to him uncomfortably, face burying closer in to the chest scar.
"I won't let him get hurt again...by anything."
"Then do something!"
Kai tried not to laugh.
Well, this was something.
He guessed he shouldn't be surprised that Brooklyn talked in his sleep.
Wondered who he was talking to. Or what he was even talking about.
His eyes went back to the ceiling, taking advantage of the...almost silence to reflect.
Where the hell had that awful feeling come from?
He'd always been touchy about his scar, sure. But why wouldn't he? It was huge. Stared at him in the face every day in the mirror.
But about Brooklyn himself? After he'd forgiven him?
He sighed, train of thought changing rails some.
What Brooklyn had just said hurt him more than he cared to admit. The traitor card being thrown in his face yet again.
He just never thought it would ever be Brooklyn to throw it.
But. That mistake was public knowledge. No going back there.
Just like Brooklyn's was...
And he was guilty himself just now for holding that against him too. Even if he hadn't said it to his face.
Time was a healer, so the saying went. Perhaps despite standing by his forgiveness, he needed a little more time was all. No biggie.
After all, he loved Brooklyn. He really did.
As infuriating as this stupid spat was, at the heart of it, it was all down to fear of not being good enough for him.
Maybe, now the dust on the silliness and bickering was settling, he should consider himself very lucky that someone cared enough about him to be terrified that he would leave.
He never thought he'd have that...
And he was glad to have this moron. Spats aside.
The small smirk that had been sat on Kai's lips softened when the body snuggled into him flinched.
Whatever Brooklyn was dreaming about now must have been turning sour as his rambling mumbles he'd been listening to for the past five minutes had come to a halt too.
He rubbed against his bare back and whispered his name, shifting himself back to see his face and hoping he'd wake with the movement.
Brooklyn's head snapped up, pupils almost pin dots and staring at him with a stunned expression.
Kai set his hand on his cheek, lightly caressing it.
"It's okay, only me... Think you dozed off then."
"What?" The other fired off, eyes shifting between Kai's soft and calm eyes to the glowing red that lurked over his shoulder.
"You were having a full blown conversation with someone," he lightly chuckled. "Do you remember what happened?"
He continued to stroke his thumb against Brooklyn's cheek to console him as he still seemed a little spooked even after coming around fully now.
Brooklyn's frightened and dazed expression morphed in to a relaxed and cheeky smile.
"You were watching me sleep?"
It was Kai's turn to look horrified.
"N-no! Was just, kinda hard to ignore you mumbling away to yourself that's all, little weirdo," he teased.
Brooklyn glanced quickly at Zeus before draping himself around him.
"Mumbling was I? Sorry. Don't think I've ever done that before. Did I say anything interesting?"
"Couldn't really make anything out, seemed to be turning into some kind of argument though," he answered as he was set onto his back with the weight of the other.
"Was kinda cute til you flinched... Anyway you wanna get some dinner?"
"Oooooo! Yesss! Somehow I worked up an appetite," Brooklyn giggled flirtatiously as he ran his hands down his sides.
"Mm I bet. Been an eventful day," Kai sent with his own coy smile.
"C'mon, let's see what we can rustle up."
With the two of them throwing on lazy clothes, they left the room together, a look of warning being thrown back to the glowing red just before he closed the door.
He'd do something...