Chapter 24 - Rollercoaster (of shame)
If death was an option, Kai would've taken it without hesitation. Would've grabbed at it with both hands and clung to it until he was put out of his misery and all he saw was darkness. He ached. Everywhere. His entire body feeling battered and bruised, far worse than the aftermath of any beybattle. Felt like he'd been hit by a train. Not just once but twice.
He attempted to ease himself up from wherever he even was right now and a low groan escaped him. His throat, dry and sore like he'd swallowed glass, and his head, pounding to the point it hurt to even open up his eyes.
He managed to take a bleary scan around the room, lids barely open with the brightness pouring in from the bedroom window before he screwed them shut again when he was confident where he was. Least he was home... Though, how the hell he got back last night he wasn't sure. The last thing he remembered was meeting up with Luke... and then, vaguely dancing with some girl with dark hair?
Oh god he'd actually danced... Ohh just kill him now...
He rubbed at an eye to try and come around more and an excruciating pain shot through the entire left side of his face bringing forth a hiss.
Daaamn! WHY?!
Shit the fight! He gasped. AMANDA! SLUT!
Like a show reel small snippets of last night started to play in his mind. Only the screen was covered with static and was skipping like crazy. None of it really made any sense to him. He should probably text Luke. See if he was alright for starters and maybe he could shed some light on what the hell happened.
Shit his phone... Did he even have a phone right now? There wasn't anything on his bedside table...
He weakly peered to his other side. Brooklyn wasn't here either... What time even was it?
He slumped again face first into his pillow, wincing some at the pressure on his eye and a pathetic whine escaped him. He'd never felt so crappy in his life. Stomach far from his friend right now as it churned making him feel like he could just puke at any moment. The mixture of beer, spirits and whatever else he drank last night still swirling within him. He'd made some mistakes in his life but Christ, this was now the top of his list. Never had he regretted anything so much.
Deciding that a shower would perhaps make him feel a little better, he willed himself to move again after a few more minutes with another zombie like sound coming from him. Albeit slowly he managed to sit upright with his legs hanging off the bed and gave himself another moment before moving any more. He could clearly see his feet were firmly planted on the carpet but the room felt like it was turning beneath them.
Jeez, was he still drunk?
He clutched at his stomach, the churning and swirling within now getting worse, his breathing becoming faster too and he started to feel incredibly warm.
Kai's hand then quickly covered his mouth as he involuntarily retched where he sat.
Oh god.
He dragged himself to the bathroom as quick as his wobbly legs would allow, gagging the whole way there until he could properly hurl and fell to his knees in front of the toilet. He gripped tightly at the bowl as every double vodka soda, tequila shot, and a minimal amount of pasta left him before reaching to flush with a clammy shaky hand.
A small whine came from him as he slumped against the side of the bath with a small thud. Tears streaming down his cheeks as he caught his breath back. Never again, he swore to himself. He felt fucking horrid.
After a few more sudden and powerful bouts of emptying the burning, sour and acidic crap from the night before, the bathroom door creaked open.
"Ohhhhh dear, ooooh dear..." a lazy, lulling voice came through. And despite being on the quiet and soft side, Brooklyn's voice still felt like drills in Kai's head.
He groggily looked up to him, knowing he'd usually keep all evidence of inner turmoil to himself but honestly, right now, he really didn't care. He needed sympathy.
"Hold me..."
Brooklyn slithered in with a small and patronising smirk as he extended his arms.
"Awwww...you poor thing..."
Kai let his head pathetically flop into his chest as the arms surrounded him and rocked him some.
"I don't remember anything..." he admitted in a mumble. "What time did I get home?"
"Ohhhh it was well past your bedtime..." Brooklyn answered vaguely as he pet his knotted and bad smelling hair. "Why don't I run you a bath? You can sit and wash it all off and I'll fix you something to line your stomach."
He got a lethargic nod in response, Kai's expression still looking mournful as he sat feeling sorry for himself on the bathroom floor.
"Mmh... That'd be nice..."
"Okaaay..." Brooklyn cooed, letting him go to get the water running before he came back to him to help him.
"Good thing you're already stripped..."
Kai's face shot down to look at himself and instantly warmed again. All sorts of scenarios running through his head now and in his panic rush to the bathroom hadn't even noticed he was practically naked.
Where were his clothes?! Oh please don't say he'd gone skinny dipping or did a streak over the football field...
"T-that was you right?" he asked him with clear nerves. "I didn't... come home like this did I?"
"You didn't. But that was all you..." Brooklyn answered, yet again vaguely, as he stood and took his leave. "I'll make you some breakfast..."
Kai silently watched as he went, wondering what he meant by that. He was hoping Brooklyn would fill in some of the blanks but he'd left him even more confused now.
He deeply sighed out, running a hand down his face as he stood himself up to peer in the mirror above the sink.
Wow what a picture. Eye all bruised up, half closed, and a cut lip. Maybe as the day progressed he'd have things come back to him. Though, with how he appeared and felt right now it was probably best the memories of last night remained forgotten...
He sunk in to the warm bath which acted as the soothing cuddle he needed on his beaten up and suffering body. Letting himself soak for a little while before accumulating enough energy to shampoo his hair and wash last night's face paint off, as well as the lingering smell of stale alcohol and shame.
Never. Again.
He wallowed in his own filth until he heard Brooklyn's soft tone calling up to him that food was ready. Despite feeling like he'd rather lick sand, he knew it was probably best to eat something. The smell of bacon radiating throughout caused a twist in his stomach; torn between wanting to spew again or find the aroma comforting.
He went with the latter. Bacon was always good.
Ugh his head... he felt sick...
Shuffling to the couch, Kai flopped down in a small delicate heap, momentarily closing his eyes again when Brooklyn floated in to join him with plate in hand.
"Here, eat this. You'll feel better. And I'll make you coffee after you drink this." He said in a motherly tone as he set down a big glass of water for him.
The thought of drinking anything right now didn't appeal to Kai at all though he reached for the glass anyway and took a sip, which turned into a gulp, which developed into several more and his body praised him internally for every drop.
Did this come from heaven's tap?! Water had never tasted so good!
He had to stop for breath, the majority of the glass downed before setting it back on the table in front and picking up the bacon sandwich.
"Thanks..." he managed to send up to Brooklyn who remained standing towering over.
"Oh, you're sooooo welcome!" he smiled as he pet Kai's now clean hair, "Least I could do after last night..."
Kai gave a faint smile before recalling the last interaction between the two of them. It hadn't been good, but clearly they were fine now. Putting his foot down had evidently showed him. Bit of a price to pay, and he couldn't exactly say how he was feeling was worth it all but it was done now. Nothing some food and more sleep wouldn't fix.
"S'fine, nothing says sorry better than a bacon sandwich."
Brookie let out a filthy little chuckle.
"...What did you think I was referring to?"
Kai rose a brow. "Our fight, obviously..." he answered though by his tone wasn't so sure. "What else?"
"Oh that? I almost forgot about that. Not hard to do with the show that followed. Knocked our little spat right out of the park!"
The slate brow lowered and knit together with the other one. So this affection wasn't because Brooklyn was sorry for starting with him last night?
"What are you talking about? What show?"
Brooklyn's little chuckle got even darker.
"Mmmm you were such a dazzling performer..."
The face below him paled some. A small wave of nausea swirling within him again and not due to the raging hangover. Brooklyn's choice of words just now seemed to spark some kind of memory there, though it hadn't hit Kai as clear as he'd have liked.
He lowered his sandwich, preparing for the worst.
"What did I do..."
Brooklyn feigned shock.
"Whaaat? You don't remember? Would you like to see for yourself?"
Unintelligible stutters were the response as absolute fear sat within Kai's eyes now.
What the actual fuck did that mean? Surely he didn't...
"What do you mean?"
Brooklyn shrugged as he reached in to his pocket for his phone.
"Well, you were so spectacular I thought it deserved a momento..."
Kai's face paled even more somehow, shaking his head. "Well, n-no, just delete it. I don't wanna see it."
His whole body then tensed up as he saw the phone appear. "I mean it Brooklyn," he warned, tone lowering. "I don't care. So delete it. Now."
Brooklyn stayed quiet as his thumb ran over his screen, Kai taking it as him obeying his order until the sound of moaning, him moaning, came through the speaker on his phone. He really didn't have to see the screen to figure out what was happening on it.
His heart felt like it had dropped to his stomach and his palms had instantly gone sweaty; that same whirl of nausea intensifying and lingering and any minor appetite he'd recovered had instantly disappeared again. The ridiculously exaggerated cries of ecstasy ringing in his ears making his gone pale face suddenly flush with colour.
"Right. I get it. That's enough," Kai spewed, noticeably sinking into himself as he started to feel he was drowning in the wave of embarrassment that had washed over.
Brooklyn snorted a little.
"But you were just sublime, look!" He said as he shoved the phone in his face.
Kai's line of vision snapped away so fast like the very sight of the video would turn him to stone. Though the damned curiosity caused his eyes to reluctantly peek and take it in. Something in him, praying it was all just a joke, some prank Brooklyn was playing on him but lo and behold that was in fact him on the screen. Hand firmly grasped around himself and pumping like no tomorrow.
"Fuck, I want you inside me..."
Once again all colour drained from Kai's face at hearing himself say that. And whilst seeing truly was believing, what was scary was he didn't remember any of this.
With more moans and desperate pleas pouring out of him he was well and truly over the memory jog. He'd have rather have not known.
"Stop it. Now," he snapped, reaching to snatch the phone in front of him though it was quickly pulled away. "Give me the fuckin' phone Brooklyn!"
Brooklyn swiped his hand out of his reach.
"No. Shan't." He said lazily as the moaning and noises kept rolling.
Kai's clenched his jaw before rising to his feet in his upset and reached to grab for the phone again.
"Why would you even record this?! The fuck is wrong with you?! This some twisted punishment is it?!"
Brooklyn scoffed.
"Pff, no. If I really wanted to punish you, it would have ended up on some amateur porn site...Though watching some guy jerk himself to oblivion only to pass out before the big finish is probably a very niche fetish..."
There was a moment of peace and stillness before the second tsunami of shame hit him.
"Huh!?" he blurted almost moronically as his face burned.
Brooklyn gave him an amused glare.
"You heard me." he said ever so bluntly, "Begged me to ravish you, pouted like a toddler when I said no and insisted on dishing out some hearty self gratification only to run out of steam before you got it..." he explained in brutal honesty with the added insult of chuckling towards the end and running a hand through his hair.
Kai could have imploded. Just keeled over and died.
"But why record it? Huh?!" he shrieked, getting back to the important question and diverting from the horror story. "Just so you could rub it in later?! Why would you want to do that?"
"Becaaaauuuuseee I waaaarned yoouuu..." Brooklyn sighed out in a bored voice. "We talked about this. You promised me it wouldn't happen. And yet here we are, you an awful state today following a banner evening of intoxication. Be grateful it was me."
Kai ripped his gaze from him, blinking away the water in his eyes before a tear had chance to fall. The scolding 'told you so' was far from appreciated right now and Brooklyn's words felt like salt being forcibly rubbed into his deep open wounds. He was mortified. Had never felt such embarrassment in his entire life and was more than disgusted with himself. How could he have let himself lose control of himself like that? To the point of not even recalling the events afterwards?
And that was just when he got home...
Whilst upstairs in the tub he vaguely remembered the fight, but had anything else happened whilst he was out? Had he done anything else as cringey as what he'd just briefly seen on that video? Wailing and flailing like some bitch in heat?
He didn't say another word and silently stormed to his bedroom. Wanting to just be alone right now and sit in a ball of shame.
Brooklyn let him go, slipping his phone back in to his pocket and cleared up the abandoned breakfast.
He expected him to act like that.
He deserved it too, as much as it hurt to see him that way.
A little time. Let him process it and cool down...
He gave it almost two hours, doing things around the house to keep him occupied before he figured Kai would need something proper to eat and drink.
He'd make him some ginger tea first. Help his stomach...
He boiled the kettle, letting it steep and the aroma to blossom before taking it upstairs to his poor, shamed baby.
Despite feeling as he did Kai had managed to doze some more, drifting in and out of the sleep that his body desperately needed to recover. His mind both replaying what it had remembered and desperately tried to erase it though those sounds he felt would be engrained for life. Sure everyone made some kind of noise when they were in the throes of passion, but it wasn't just that, it was the whole display of seeing himself like that. Dishevelled hair, writhing around, rubbing on his own nipples for fucks sake clearly trying to be hot but failing epically.
There was nothing attractive about that. Nothing at all.
When the bedroom door slowly opened he stirred once more, glazed over eyes peering over before retreating back into the little ball he'd curled himself into.
"Heeeeeey..." the doting boyfriend cooed softly, "brought you some tea. It'll make you feel better." He told him as he shuffled in and set it down on the bedside.
Kai seemed to shift in an attempt on making himself smaller before muttering to him.
"Don't want it..."
"Ohhhhh come now..." Brooklyn scolded a little as he rubbed his curled up back, "you need the hydration."
Scowling behind his arm Kai remained put. What he needed was to be left alone and for the whole ground to just swallow him up. Or perhaps a new identity. That would come in handy too...
Brooklyn sighed, swinging his legs up and cuddling in to his back.
"Come on now..." he repeated in a softer tone.
Kai didn't really know how to feel right now with him though involuntarily relaxed some into his touch anyways and lapped up the much needed comfort regardless of where it came from. Why Brooklyn was being nice to him now though after all that before he wasn't sure. Seemed to have gotten a real kick from upsetting him earlier.
He mumbled something else but it wasn't heard, and Brooklyn lifted himself up to peer over his shoulder to ask him to repeat himself.
"I said I want you to delete it!" he snapped more clearly before going back into his ball.
Brooklyn shifted behind him, slipping out his phone again.
"All right. I will." He said bluntly as he gave him the phone.
"There. I'll let you do the honors."
Clumsily he snatched the phone from him, some energy regained from the short nap though nothing to shout about. Heading straight for the photos album Kai clicked on the most recent, feeling like he wanted to delete all the other photos they had together whilst he was at it but pressed the small trash can on the video in question, locked the phone and shoved it away from him.
Brooklyn snuggled in to him like a cat.
"There. All better."
Kai just wordlessly scowled again. Sure the evidence may be gone but it still didn't erase the fact that 1. He still felt like utter shit, and 2. Brooklyn had done it in the first place. He felt weirdly betrayed, and wasn't really sure what to do with that.
In the meantime he'd be wallowing for a lot longer that's for sure.
"... Whatever."
Brooklyn gently tapped his arm.
"Don't see why I'm getting the shitty treatment..."
"Because you shouldn't have done it that's why," Kai retorted. "I was clearly out of it, you took advantage and you know it."
He then shifted some, wishing he'd never even gone out in the damn first place now. Wished he'd have just taken himself to his room if he wanted to be away from Brooklyn so bad but no, he just had to be dramatic as always and make himself look a fool in the process...
"You knew what that would do... So why?"
Brooklyn sat himself up.
"Because you needed to see the state you were in for yourself!" He raised his voice with a watery tone in his voice. "I can't believe you drank yourself to that! You got in a fight and then were stumbling around like a moron! What if something worse had happened to you!?"
Kai tensed and scrunched his eyes shut as Brooklyn's voice seemed even louder than it really was with how delicate his head still felt. He could not be fucked with the argument right now, even though part of the reason he drank himself stupid in the first place was because of the other starting some shit over something he couldn't even recall right now!
"Don't you think I know that?" he groaned, cradling his head. "Just, stop shouting... please..."
Brooklyn flopped back down and roughly grabbed him again in to a hug.
"Could have been a lot worse than a black eye..." he grumbled, "Then what would I have done?"
Kai let himself be pulled back and held, his eyes staying closed though rest his hand on Brooklyn's arm around him.
He just shrugged in his sulky response. Hell if he knew, couldn't even remember getting the black eye...
The two laid there in silence for a moment, Kai feeling himself start to doze off again as he was cradled and caressed before another pitiful mumble came from him.
"I'm sorry..."
Brooklyn jolted out of his own journey in to slumber at the voice, sighing through his nose and pulling him to turn himself to face him.
"Just promise me you'll never do that again...you frightened me."
Once again letting himself be moved, Kai buried his face into Brooklyn's chest and breathed him in. Seeing how he was on that video and having no recollection of it at all had frightened him too. He didn't have to promise because over his dead body was he going to do any of that again. Why would anyone with sense do such a thing?
Though, he assured the redhead anyways, giving the words aloud cementing it further. Brooklyn was right. Anything could have happened to him and then what?
After a while of laying with him and stewing in his own distaste of the events of the night before, Brooklyn's arm started going dead.
He carefully and slowly pulled his arm out from under his boyfriend's now heavy head and quietly slipped out to leave him to rest.
Really, he felt they weren't done with this conversation, but he also was no good in this state.
He would order something to feed him later when he felt a bit better.
Until then, he'd enjoy some solitude and reflection downstairs on the couch.
Enjoy the quiet.
He sat there, staring at nothing in particular and going over and over all of it when he felt a familiar tingle.
He rolled his head to the side and smiled slightly.
"Hello again."
The glowing red eyes stared out to the wall as he had been.
"You did well, Brooklyn."
Brooklyn sighed.
"If that's what you call humiliating the man I love...'
"You know as well as I it was a reflection he sorely needed."
"Well, yes. That's why I did it. You know that. He's so stubborn, he'd sweep it under the carpet or feign ignorance. But can't argue with proof like that." He sighed heavily again, "No, he learned his lesson."
"For the time being..."
"Oh, stop will you?" Brooklyn bit back, "You make him out to be a monster sometimes..."
"And sometimes you are too blind to see when things are unravelling right under your nose."
"Oh, shut u-"
His face contorted when a deafening, almost demonic roar echoed between his ears and pierced his brain.
"I will not have this discussion again! Nor have you dismiss me!"
Brooklyn quickly nodded, rubbing his temples and deciding to stay quiet.
By the time he glanced to the side, he was gone.
x-x-x
The remainder of the weekend had been a quiet one. Kai keeping to himself as he recovered, physically, emotionally and spiritually, whilst Brooklyn had worked the Sunday giving the two some needed space. Things were fine... sort of.
Hell, who were they kidding, things weren't fine at all. The air still seemed thick around them in the house and even though they weren't arguing they weren't exactly talking either. Truth be told Kai still felt a way after the events of Saturday morning and the bruising still hadn't faded from his features Monday lunch time.
He felt, betrayed almost? Like the one person he should have been able to trust in such a vulnerable state had gone and used it against him. He still didn't understand why the hell Brooklyn had gone and done that and it hurt... He didn't want to admit it... but it really had...
Though, the problem with being his usual chirpy self was that Luke didn't seem to really notice, and if he did hadn't mentioned anything. He of course mentioned Friday night and gave him a full blown recap of yet more embarrassing things he'd gone and done and said along with yet another gushing on how amazing he was for standing up for him over the whole Amanda fiasco. As sincere as he was, it didn't make Kai feel any better, and the rest of the lunch break was spent with both of them wallowing with one being more vocal about it than the other.
Adjusting the heavy backpack on his shoulder he was finally able to key in his door's code and write off another day. He had a ton of work that needed seeing to though part of him couldn't bring himself to do it whereas another was up for welcoming the distraction.
He stepped into the house and caught a mop of red hair sat on the couch flicking through his own diversion in the form of a glossy magazine. He knew he couldn't avoid Brooklyn forever but for the time being he wordlessly figured he'd go right upstairs and do just that.
"Hey." He got in a less than perky tone, magazine not dropping so much as a centimeter lower to greet him.
"Hey," he dully parroted, kicking off his shoes and heading straight for the stairs.
"Bye then." Followed him with a definite bite.
Feet just kept on going, perhaps slightly heavier up the stairs than normal as Kai refrained himself from flipping the other off over his shoulder.
The other didn't appreciate the silence.
"You'll need to sort dinner yourself tonight. I have plans."
"Fine by me," was the dry response called down before the sound of the bedroom door opening and closing made it to Brooklyn's ears.
Brooklyn felt a hot shudder go down his spine.
Ooooooohhhh that stubborn prick...
Sure. Made perfect sense! He goes out and makes and humiliates himself, but Brookie is the dick here.
Well fine then. If it was fine by him then...then...OFF HE'D GO TO HIS PLANS!
He turned his nose up, slipping his jacket on and sending a middle finger via his mind as he sent back the slamming door right back.
Already laid out on his bed in a pissed off heap, his bag slumped forgotten about on the floor, Kai exhaled a sigh at the sound of Brooklyn leaving and continued to stare up at the ceiling. He did wonder where he'd gone admittedly. Wasn't like he ever usually went out at this time but the curiosity passed pretty quickly. Probably just had a meeting with his counsellor. Steve or whatever his name was...
But in reality, Brooklyn sulked on a padded booth under a glowing yellow M.
He sipped angrily at his coke.
How dare he be mad at him! What the hell had he done!?
Typical. He knew he was in the wrong so was turning it on him.
Well too bad Kai! You don't get to moody your way out of lying to him!
A few fries shovelled in more sadly.
He promised him he wouldn't do that...be one of those partying buffoons.
"I told you so."
Brooklyn made an annoyed growl and flailed his hand in demand to be left with his mouth full, getting a stare from a group of girls enjoying some nuggets.
He was not dealing with him on top of Kai too.
He wiped his fingers before grabbing a few more fries, rendering the cleaning pointless.
He had to make him see. That was a slippery slope.
He would need to stick with him if he didn't want to end up sliding right down it.
Needed to learn to listen and appreciate him.
He checked his phone.
He'd been gone about an hour.
How long would he stay out?
Pondering, he lazily brought the straw to his mouth.
Eh. He could go for some ice cream after this. Little longer.
He deserved it and besides, he'd walk it off.
Burgers, fries and fudge sundae later, the long walk home commenced, bringing up to approximately three hours by the time he stepped back in through the front door.
Kai's eyes snapped over at the movement from where he sat on the couch before glancing to the clock on the wall and taking in the time.
Where the fuck had he been? It was nearing on 8pm. He was the one that went for long brooding outings for hours at a time, not- well... Brooklyn liked the outdoors too he figured but still. He didn't have reason to be mad or upset right now to warrant such an outing!
"Remembered where you live then?"
Brooklyn's eyes snapped and honed in.
"I did! Eventually! Was having such a good time the evening slipped away. That's what happens when you're in good company."
"Hn. Good for you," Kai retorted through a clenched jaw, going back to his book that he was far from able to concentrate on right now.
"Mmhmm. Really is. Nice to be in some pleasant vibes." He continued to prod.
Yeh that's right, you booze swillin' butthole! Brooklyn didn't need you tonight!
Kai continued to keep his mouth clamped tight, so much so he could feel his teeth grinding together as he tried to refrain from biting at the clear taunts being sent his way. If this was anyone else, he knew he'd be able to drown them out, ignore them, but Brooklyn always had been able to bring out the worst in him and he couldn't hold back.
"And who gave you those then?" he asked in a bored tone though was actually interested in the answer.
Brooklyn held back the smirk at getting him to nibble.
"Ahhh just went for dinner with Vladimir. Been meaning to for a while..."
He knew he'd be able to use trusty Vlad at some point. He was waiting for the right time.
Kai needed a dose of jealousy. Remember what he had.
A gem! Just like Barbara said!
There was a moments silence but Kai's more than unimpressed tone broke it.
"Really? You fuckin' serious right now?"
Brooklyn threw back a look and leaned himself in the doorway.
"Why wouldn't I be? It was great. Good guy. And he's teetotal. Has better ways to enjoy himself."
"Yeah he also doesn't exist so how about we try this again, hm?" Kai sent back in the same smug attitude.
Brooklyn felt his stomach clench.
"Excuse me? What? You think I don't know anyone other than you? Your arrogance astounds me."
"And your audacity impresses me as well!" he snapped back, chucking his book carelessly to the side of him on the couch. "You must think I was born yesterday pal if you honestly believe I don't know what you're trying to do here. Making up this picture perfect other guy? For what? To try and make me jealous? Who in their right mind does that?"
Brooklyn's eye twitched.
Gasp! How did he know that!?
"Oh please! You can't be so up your own ass you don't believe people as good as Your Royal Highness exist..."
"Oh I've no doubt they do since, believe it or not, Brooklyn, I know I'm far from perfect!" Kai countered, voice raising at the admission. "Only difference is, I can admit to such a thing whereas you can't seem to grasp the concept!"
At that he rose from his seat on the couch. His legs needing to do, something.
"So here's a piece of advice. Drop the act 'cos I sure as hell ain't buying it! Now I'll ask again, where the fuck did you go off to? By yourself!"
Brooklyn gave him a defiant look.
"I told you where I was..."
Another silence fell upon them for a second, both staring the other down with the same unwavering glint in their eyes before Kai huffed a laugh at the continued performance. He was done with his stupid game.
"Alright, y'know what, I don't care anymore. If you say you were out with your imaginary friend, then fine, you were out with your imaginary friend." Snatching up his book from the couch he sent another glare before turning on his heel, muttering under his breath as he head for the stairs.
"Fuckin' crazy..."
His words wrapped round his neck and choked the other, sending hot ripple through him.
"The fuck did you just call me...?" He snarled in a raspy voice.
"I said you're fucking crazy!" Kai spat back with zero hesitation, turning back around to face him and lock heated stares again. "Now leave me alone! I'm done with, whatever the hell this is right now!"
The snarl intensified. Despite not physically having any fur, his heckles were well and truly up and his eyes spelled fury.
He muttered something incomprehensible, throwing his hand to the cup Kai had set beside the sofa before it turned into an enraged yell, using the rise in force to power his throw.
As the shrill shatter echoed through, so did another yell.
"Don't call me that! Don't ever call me that!"
Kai's head snapped to the wall the mug had just been launched at, the last mouthful of forgotten about coffee now trickling down the white paint along with shards of ceramic dropping to the floor. The way his heart was pounding had him heaving for air through parted lips and his initial hardened expression had faltered as he stared at Brooklyn with widened eyes.
"W-well look at you! How you're acting right now! The fuck was that?!"
Brooklyn didn't seem to hear him. All he saw, heard and felt was red.
His feet started towards him, burning teal and a just as flaming face right up in his.
"You ever call me that again! Nobody calls me that and gets away with it you hear me!? Not even you!"
As he neared, Kai took a step backwards, and another, and another, the remaining spit in his mouth being swallowed whilst keeping fear laced eyes locked ahead even when his back met the wall. He had his fists clenched in preparation but he'd only start swinging if the other made the first move.
The last time he saw this look from the redhead was that day with the others and he'd snapped at Tyson the same way. Kid must've been terrified cos even he was pretty unnerved right now...
"Alright, fine, just- calm down," he tried to reason, tone firm though losing its earlier bite.
Brooklyn's mouth was near enough foaming. His hands threw out to his black t-shirt, grabbing as much fabric as he could with both hands to slam him as best as he could against the wall he was already up against.
"Don't tell me to calm down!"
Kai's breath had hitched at the force though on instinct pushed himself forward and threw his arms tight around the taller male in a bear hug. Brooklyn's arms being restrained between them and unable to move due to his strength.
"Alright enough!" he shouted whilst the other tried to fight against his grip. "I'm sorry, okay! Stop it!"
Brooklyn wriggled and resisted, livid sounds coming out of his mouth pointlessly against the stronger.
With the smell he loved coming through in the close, albeit less than pleasant hold, his anger and rage simmered to upset and hurt.
His struggling weakened eventually, throat clamming up and eyes aching from watering.
"Why would you call me that?" His voice strained.
"Why would you lie and make things up?" Kai countered, loosening his grip some though didn't release his hold completely just yet until he knew for sure he wasn't going to get swung at.
"Because you hurt me! Why did you do that!? You promised!" He sniffled hard and flopped in to his shoulder in an attempt for some comfort. "You said you loved me and then you went and did that and then called me that fucking awful word!"
At that the grip on him loosened and Kai's arms dropped to settle around Brooklyn's lower back in a more genuine embrace, though he hadn't forgotten his own earlier anger, even with the rapid shift of events.
"Okay and what did you do, Brook?" he rhetorically asked. "You claim to love me but took complete advantage of a stupid mistake of mine and for what? Why would you want to embarrass me like that?"
Brooklyn's head came up.
"To show you how fuckin stupid you were! Oh you're embarrassed!? Little red in the face about that!? I was terrified!"
The arms retracted completely and fell back to Kai's sides.
"Terrified of what?!" he scoffed. "Why are you talking like I was coming at you with a knife? I was drunk, that was it! All you had to do was put me to bed and lights out. Not lights on, camera, fucking action!"
Brooklyn's face moved in line with his, letting his hand come up to brush over the still healing bruise.
"I wasn't scared of you! I was scared for you! You didn't know which way was up! Someone attacked you! What if someone came at you with a knife while you were staggering around off your ass!? What if something awful happened to you and I had no idea where you were?"
As gentle as the touch was, Kai had winced a little all the same and tilted his head back to pull away from his hand.
"Then that would've been my problem, not yours, but it didn't happen so it's irrelevant," he stated, brushing off the figurative questions completely. "I was already more than aware the next morning I'd fucked up, Brooklyn, I didn't need actual proof showing me the fact so all you did there was hurt me and make me question my damn trust for you. So if that was your intention, then good going. You succeeded."
Brooklyn frowned.
"Look me in the eye and tell me you remember what you did without the video."
Kai held his gaze briefly before running his tongue over the front of his teeth and wordlessly turned his head away from him.
Brooklyn's look got stronger.
"Exactly..." he sighed, "Sure. Part of me was furious with you. Wanted you to squirm. Comin' home carrying on like that. But mostly I wanted you to see just how out of control you were. You can give me the it's my problem bullshit all you want but you know it isn't! It isn't just you! What the hell would I do if something had happened to you!?"
"But nothing happened! I'm fine!" Kai seemed to plead with him now turning his face back to look at him. "I know I messed up... and I wished I hadn't gone in the first place, but there was still no need for what you did. I don't need your help Brooklyn in pointing out my fuck ups, I'm more than capable of recognising them just fine on my own."
Brooklyn let out a noise of upset frustration.
"Whhhyyyyyy aren't you listening to me?! Why are you pushing me away?!"
"Because I don't need your protection!"
Side stepping from between the other and the wall, Kai took in a deep breath as he ran his hand through his hair and let his eyes trail back to the smashed cup on the floor. Where the hell that sudden rage came from he didn't know, but they could talk about that later.
"I've never needed taking care of, or looking after..." he continued before turning to face him again. "For as long as I can remember I've always fended for myself, so whilst I am listening to you, and can, kinda, see why you do what you do, I don't need it."
"Oh yeh and look how well that's worked out for you thusfar! Look how well it's worked out for me, too! We need each other Kai so why are you fighting it?! I thought you loved me!" the other yelled at him. "You and I aren't like other people...There's no one like us. The world has been, is and always will be out to get us. Alone we are both strong and can endure but together we are safe and untouchable. We were both born gifted and cursed. We both got thrown to the same wolf and we both came out the other side but that doesn't mean the seas are calm..."
Kai tried. He really did. The look on his face was obviously that of a man whose cogs were turning at a rapid rate but for the life of him he couldn't decipher what the fuck had just been said to him at all.
"... the hell are you talking about Brook?"
Brooklyn gave him the very same look back.
"...What do you mean!? What is so hard to understand!?"
He must be fucking with him. It was obvious!
"You. Me. We were meant for each other in so many ways! But clearly I'm the only one who can see it!"
"No no, I can see it too!" Kai blurted out. "I just, want your take on it, that's all..."
That was convincing right?
Brooklyn's frown lifted.
He was so thoughtful...sometimes. When he wasn't drunk.
"Well I mean it's just hard to verbalise...we just do, you know? You and I know what the world is really like. We don't see things the way other people see it. We're different and people are scared of what they don't understand. People see you and me and they don't want us to prosper. They either want to use us or destroy us. Be it a monster like Boris or a drunk douchebag who swings a fist!" he tried to argue coherently as he pointed at the bruise on Kai's face.
Whilst Brooklyn was making a little more sense to him now, Kai couldn't help but think they were quite bold assumptions for him to make. What happened at the party hadn't been some premeditated attack against him? He'd just stood up for a friend and 'boys will be boys.' It really hadn't been that complicated.
"I... think you have me on some kind of pedestal here Brook that I don't deserve to be on," he said, seeming uncomfortable. "I don't think anyone's against us at all. Why do you think that?"
Brooklyn tilted his head.
"Pedestal? What are you talking about?"
Kai suppressed the eye roll. Now he was the one talking in riddles?
"You're saying that we're different from everyone else and I don't get how?"
Brooklyn continued to look at him like he was an idiot before he started to chuckle in disbelief.
"Come now.."
The blank expression opposite remained staring back wordlessly. Kai, as Brooklyn first said, clearly not seeing what he was and the shrug he got in silent pressing to clarify further proved it.
Brooklyn's face turned more in to one of adoration.
For someone he knew to have boat loads of confidence, to a point of sheer arrogance, to get so modest over their status...
"You know neither of us would have been Boris' prized possession if we weren't altogether extraordinary..."
He got another shrug showing his uncertainty for the statement whilst still mulling it over.
"I guess... but it wasn't like I was the favourite because I was extraordinary as you say... I was specifically trained to be that way because of who I'm related to... If I wasn't Voltaire's grandson I probably wouldn't have ever been tangled up with Boris in the first place."
Brooklyn gave him his Brooklyn smile.
"Exactly. So you were born to endure and then defeat...free us of him."
Kai gave a slow nod, still musing over the whole mess of his childhood for a second when it then suddenly dawned on him he was still none the wiser on how the other had ended up in Boris' clutches. He was practically born into them... but Brooklyn?
"You said Boris just like... turned up for you?" he recalled, expression scrunched some at the initial vagueness of the tale. "But like, where? How did you go from just living your normal every day life to being one of his puppets?"
Brooklyn's smile fell at the sudden interrogation.
"I mean. Pretty much. He saw me play at some junior friendly competition."
"How old were you?"
Brooklyn thought.
Shit. How old was he now? Didn't do birthdays.
"Like 15? 16?"
He got a small nod to show the other was listening before a glance to the couch and a beckon of his head lead the two of them over to it. Kai facing him and resting his head on his hand on the back with Brooklyn sitting the same way though not as relaxed knowing where this was probably heading.
And then Kai's next words confirmed it.
"So then what happened?"
Brooklyn seemed to squirm somewhat.
"Well. I mean he came in with an offer too good to be true. I'd become this legendary ultimate beyblader. No one would ever come close to me. It was my destiny because of how naturally gifted I am. So. I went."
"Right but... I know most of the kids in the abbey went along having no other choice and also had no one to intervene. Like Tala and Bryan for instance, they were just street kids..." he told. "But if you were at some tournament, then someone must have taken you? Didn't your parents have nothing to say about it? Or did Boris manage to fool them too?"
Brooklyn's entire being seemed to sink.
"No...No they weren't around." He sighed before snorting "I say 'they'. Never had a dad. Could be some drunk Irish guy caller Bob for all I know. Would explain the hair." He rambled before he narrowed his eyes, "which reminds me. You wouldn't be trying to distract me from the actual matter at hand here would you?"
Kai too sent back the same expression. The new piece of info of the other he'd got now being snatched back just as fast.
"Which is?"
"Promise me you'll never drink like that again..."
Kai scoffed. "I already did didn't I? Isn't a lesson I need to learn twice that's for sure..." he muttered, recalling the churning stomach and banging headache that the two day hangover had brought him. "So you really don't have to worry about that."
Brooklyn sighed.
Even though he had said it before, somehow this time it sank in.
"Good..." he said gently as he closed the space between them and snaked his hands to the dark hair on the back of his head, "then show me how sorry you are. I've missed you."
Taking a glance down to Brooklyn's lips Kai obliged wordlessly and leaned in, tilting his head and bridging the gap between them completely as he softly pressed his lips upon his. He'd missed him too even though the two of them had never really been apart. Even with the other soul in the house the place really had been lifeless the past few days.
Clearly the other felt the same. The instant rush was intoxicating...
This kind of inebriated he would allow any day of the week.
He let out a small sound from his throat, pulling Kai with him as he leaned to go down on his back.
He wanted closeness...
The kiss deepened and intensified. Kai holding himself up on one arm where he hovered over the other now beneath him. His free hand roaming as their tongues twirled and brazenly slithered up Brooklyn's shirt to grope at warming skin.
Another sound reached his ears and seemed to captivate him completely. Like another substance taking him over the past 48 hours were being forgotten about.
He'd missed him. Regardless of the ill feelings. He'd fucking missed him! Brooklyn was right... he needed this... needed him...
Kai's hips moved and ground into the spread legs at either side of him, the hand reappearing from material and grabbing at a thigh before repeating the action, deeper. The friction of both their clothes having the sound pouring into his mouth from below match the one sitting in his own throat.
"I'm sorry," he breathed through his pants, locking lips desperately again before repeating the same words. "I'm so sorry..."
They indulged. Hands getting where they could and revelling in each other.
Getting to a point where they both needed something a little stronger, Kai peeled himself off to take him by the hand and lead him upstairs.
Brooklyn followed gladly.
As always, Kai delivered exactly what he wanted when he needed it...
"Ahhhhhh Kai..."
As he writhed, the sheets under his back stuck to his drenched skin while the fevered skin on his face seemed to evaporate to steam in to the now humid and sticky air.
His one hand clawed in to the dark, damp strands while the other gripped at the toned ass that moved slowly but firmly in a way that had been steadily making him lose control.
He tried to get his legs wider apart, let him in as deep as he could.
Torture had never felt so great...
He was used to the more rigorous kind. But he was taking his time with him. Relishing.
This wasn't just sex. This was connection. And it was euphoric.
He moved his face to nudge the other's. Parched. For a moment he locked on to flushed violet until his tongue quenched him.
The hands gripped harder.
His hips delved harder.
The kiss broke to let out a deep, hot cry of ecstasy, his pleasure being dragged by the other thrusting with more passion a few more times before he reciprocated, slumping their clammy and heaving bodies even closer.
Once they parted it was the taller male that instantly snuggled back into the warmth of the other. Not caring for the sheen of sweat that graced both of them and sought comfort in the heavy thumping he could hear beneath where he laid his head.
In his contentment eyes remained closed, and with the rising and falling of the toned chest as well the rollercoaster of emotions the two had just endured, it wasn't long before his body made small twitches and sleep took him.
The one beside him however laid wide awake and stared up at the bedroom ceiling. His breathing finally calming and heart rate dropping back to a more comfortable resting rate.
...What... the fuck... just happened?
Now that Kai's mind had finally cleared of the lust filled haze it was like the realisation of the past few hours had just hit him in the face and thinking about it, it was somewhat surreal.
A fever dream almost...
One minute he and Brooklyn weren't even speaking to each other. The weekend's events still festering bitterly in them both to the point they didn't even want to be in the same room as each other and had zero tolerance for the others mere existence.
The next, raging argument (which was bound to happen sooner or later) that had gotten so damn heated a freakin' mug was thrown against the wall, which, whilst they'd had their spats before, smashing things up was something neither had ever done. Sure Kai had punched a few walls in his time but he didn't go around breaking shit... And all over what? Some childish word? He'd called him crazy because Brooklyn had acted just like that - Crazy. Had gone as far as to grab at his shirt over it and then what really stunned him was the tears that immediately followed afterwards.
Whilst he knew Brooklyn could be a little touchy, (in more ways than one), to be that damn sensitive and rage and carry on over something so minor was a little odd for someone of his age.
Wasn't the first time either... He'd lost his shit too over some comment Luke had made when they first met which he hadn't understood why either... And the same with Tyson, though, Tyson was a bit of a wind up merchant.
Why couldn't Brook just let shit go though? Take a joke? Ignore it? Kai knew he himself wasn't exactly the type to laugh at something he didn't find amusing but he could walk away from something he found irritating or a waste of his time. He might sulk about it but he sure as hell wouldn't throw a tantrum over it.
But then, after all that was said and done... they're lip-locked and fucking? Not even just regular sex either, it was perhaps the most, passionate? Dare he say? That they'd ever been with each other.
Was fuckin' awesome but... talk about a ride...
As he continued to muse everything he exhaled a small sigh from his nose. Letting his eyes trail down from the ceiling to the head of red hair that was now evidently sleeping soundly with the deeper breathing he could hear coming from him. He still had questions... hell, after all of that perhaps even more, but it was all said and done now he figured so there wasn't much point in bringing any of it back up again.
After that steamy session too it was especially clear they were more than fine now so he guessed he'd just have to let it slide. Was kind of annoying though too to almost find out more of Brooklyn's upbringing but then in true Brookie fashion the conversation did a complete 180. He wasn't trying to distract him at all, he just wanted to understand him better. Really figure out what the hell went on in the guy's head because sometimes. While sometimes he felt so in tune with him, others he just couldn't figure him out at all, even after all this time...like that weird ass speech about how the two of them were different from any other asshole on the planet.
Gently Kai stroked at the orange strands and let his eyes fall closed. Conversation for another day perhaps.
But for now, he'd just bask in the calm.