Thanks to those who left comments as always!
Let's get straight on with the next chapter!
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Chapter 10 – Hints of Jealousy.
Kai stomped his way down the dirt track to Aoba's.
It wasn't clear if the heat coming from him was from the summer weather, or the fact that he was steaming angry.
After his first, tense training session as co-captain, in which he wanted to hold Ben's smug face in a bucket of water until he stopped moving, Kai refused to go for several days.
Ray secretly thought that was for the best..let the bad blood settle a little before trying again...
But Ray did drop hints that the longer he stayed away...the less involved he was making himself.
Kai realised he couldn't have that...he didn't want to give that bastard even more of a leg up over him...so he sucked it up and went back.
Didn't take long for Ben to worm himself under his skin, making snarky comments, just out of earshot of the others and contradicting him.
The worst part of it was, Ray or the others didn't seem to see it...they seemed perfectly happy with their new captain.
But that wasn't why he was currently stomping to Aoba's.
….Well, it was still Ben's fault...but this was something he did after training...
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Training finally came to an end...to everyone's relief.
Ben had run them ragged today, and the tension between him and Kai wasn't exactly comfortable for any of them.
The guys stretched out before flopping on the crisp grass in the shade where Kai had sat himself the whole time.
A glint caught the corner of Tyson's eye and, like a magpie attracted to shiny things, he turned his head before frowning slightly.
"Hey Ray...since when do you wear jewellery?"
Max instantly looked too as Ray immediately tried to hide the gold on his hand.
The blonde smiled as he observed which finger it was on and put two and two together.
"...Is that what I think it is?" Max asked, excited.
Ray turned his head to Kai, trying to get his attention.
They hadn't told anyone they were engaged yet...thought they would wait a week or two. Let everyone celebrate Aoba's baby first and not steal any of his thunder.
They did, however, get the rings resized and couldn't resist wearing them...they figured no-one would really notice.
At hearing Max, Kai looked to Ray as well and met his smile that was clearly asking for permission to tell them.
For the first time all day, Kai's sour expression turned in to a small, coy smile.
Max's grin broadened as he saw Kai's small but telling smile.
"...guys?"
Ray sat himself up and shifted next to Kai, putting his arm around him.
"...We're getting married!" he announced happily.
The others beamed.
"That's awesome! Congratulations!" Max gushed.
"All right! A Bladebreaker wedding AND a Bladebreaker baby!" Tyson near enough yelled.
Ben let out a smile, too.
"Congratulations!" he said in a sickeningly sweet voice, "How exciting! I've never been to a shotgun wedding before..."
The mood suddenly took a darker turn as Kai glared and Ray stiffened.
Max frowned at him, too...he definitely had a way with words...
He thought it best to quickly change the conversation.
"So...when did you get those rings, Ray?"
Ray was grateful for the diversion...he knew Ben was just trying to be funny, but Kai probably wasn't getting the joke...
"They're actually my grandparent's rings..." he said, his smile back.
"That's sweet..."
Ben let out a smirk.
"So when is the wedding!?" Tyson asked, "there's gonna be cake, right!?"
Kai rolled his eyes and Ray laughed.
"We haven't decided yet, Tyson...all we know is, it's going to happen..."
Ben opened his mouth and everyone tensed...
"Well, I mean...maybe after Kai pops would be better huh?...Give him some time to get back in to shape...no bride wants...you know..." he said as he patted his gut, "this...on their big day."
Kai's eye twitched as he felt himself burning.
Ray instantly tightened his grip on his shoulder and resisted the urge to go shove something in Ben's big mouth.
The others let out slight awkward laughs as Kai looked ready to flatten him.
"You'll both look great whenever you decide to do it...I actually hope you'll do it sooner! I can't wait!" Max said finally, knowing he'd touched a nerve.
Ben checked his watch, apparently over the conversation now.
"Well...I think we should call it a day! Let's get all this packed up!" he interjected, gesturing to the equipment they'd used during their heavy training session.
Kai tried to get up along with the guys, wanting to help with what he could, but Ray gently pushed him down again.
"...It's OK, you stay here...we got this." he said softly before leaving him sat...again...
Kai sighed as Ray walked off...before stiffening as Ben sauntered up to him and took a seat.
"...Shouldn't you be helping?" Kai spat.
"Eh...what's the fun of being captain if you don't delegate sometimes!"
Kai scowled.
"So...exciting news..."
Kai's scowl got harder, knowing there was a remark coming...
"Yup..."
"...I'm guessing you got granny's ring?"
Kai's face hardened more as he turned his head sharply to him.
"What's it to you?"
"Oh, nothing really...I was just thinking how fitting it is that the woman in the relationship got the woman's ring..."
Kai let out a low growl as he instantly felt the aggression in him reach a peak. It took everything in him not to launch himself at him...one jab at his masculinity too far...
Ben smirked, knowing he'd gotten to him.
He turned his head away from Kai's livid expression to the others packing away.
"...Maybe you're right...maybe I should go help...we can't both be sat here being useless..." he said slyly before standing himself up and walking away, leaving the other steaming.
Kai's mood remained foul as they finished up and went their separate ways back home.
Ray was very aware of it...
"...you just need to learn to take him with a grain of salt...he doesn't mean things to come out the way he does..."
Kai boiled at his partner's naivety.
"Oh bullshit! He knows exactly what he's saying!" he snapped.
Ray stopped them on the path and took his hand.
"Hey...come on...I know what he said was kind of blunt, but forget it! This is a happy thing for us, we just told the guys about our engagement!"
"Yeh! Which your little friend shit on!" Kai replied angrily.
Ray sighed, feeling trapped in the middle.
"And whenever we decide to get married, that fucker is sadly mistaken if he thinks he's coming!" Kai continued on a rant.
Ray frowned.
"What do you mean? Yes he is..."
Kai's eyebrows raised as he huffed out a laugh.
"The hell he is!"
Ray huffed too.
"He's a friend, Kai...and part of the team right now...we can't not invite him."
"He's no friend of mine! And it's our wedding! We can do what we want! I'm not having him there being all...dickish!"
Ray raised a brow.
"...is this all because of what he said about your belly...? Because I wish you'd stop being so sensitive about it...you're pregnant...of course you've got a belly on you!"
He instantly regretted saying that the second he stopped talking.
Kai looked murderous.
"...and it's really cute...and sexy! You look great!" Ray added to try and soften him.
He hadn't taken the bait...
"...And wow, does your skin looks incredible! Glowing even..." he continued.
Kai glared harder.
Ray scanned him for more ammunition.
"...And I noticed the sun has bleached your hair lighter! I didn't think I could love your hair any more, but it's such amazing colors right now...silver at the front...prussian blue at the back...it's stunning! I'd walk you down the aisle right now if I could! I want to show off my gorgeous husband to everyone..."
Ray knew he'd overdone it...
Kai shifted, tilted his head a little and touched his hair.
"...Really?"
...or maybe not.
"Yes, really..." he said, amazed it had worked... "so please...don't let your belly get in the way of our wedding plans..."
Mistake.
Kai instantly went back to angry.
"What!? Like it gets in the way of everything, you mean!?"
Ray let out almost a whimper, defeated. He was doing so well...
"That's not what I-"
"Forget it! I know what you meant!" Kai yelled, "and just a friendly reminder...I have this thing because of you, you asshole!"
He turned on his heel and stormed off.
Ray almost went after him...but he just didn't have the energy. He was physically exhausted from training, and mentally exhausted from the constant fiery mood swings Kai was afflicted with.
He took himself home...he'd be back when he cooled down...he'd grovel then.
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Kai reached Aoba's door and took a breath to calm himself before knocking at the door.
"Just a second!" came the familiar, friendly voice.
The door opened.
"Kai! Hey! Wasn't expecting to see you today! Come on in!" he said cheerfully as he let him step inside.
They went to the living room where Mei was on the floor playing with some dolls.
"Kai!" she squealed happily as she threw them aside, got up and ran at him, wrapping her arms around his legs.
Kai instantly felt better.
"Let Kai have a seat, baby..." Aoba said as he gently pushed Kai on to the couch.
She climbed up next to him and rested her head on his belly.
"The baby is getting bigger!" she said.
Kai sighed.
"Yeh...so everyone keeps reminding me..."
Aoba fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"So...to what do we owe the pleasure?"
"I just...came by to say hi..." he answered awkwardly.
"...Uh huh..." Aoba smirked, "training was that good, was it?"
Kai gave him an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry...you've got enough going on, I just...wanted to escape from...certain people for a little...I won't intrude long..."
"Don't be silly! It's nice to have the company...you might need to speak in code though..." he said as he gestured towards his daughter, who still had her head resting on his belly.
Kai smirked back and nodded.
"So...was our friend on top form today?" Aoba asked.
"Oh...wasn't he just...he's such a...mudak..."
"...What's that?" Aoba asked with a confused frown.
"...the Russian word for an...orifice on the human body that describes said friend."
"Ah...I'm with you now..." Aoba smirked back.
Their conversation was cut short by cries coming from the next room.
"Ah! Hold that thought!" Aoba said quickly as he got up from his seat and excused himself, leaving Kai and Mei alone.
Mei gently poked his stomach.
"When is your baby coming out?"
"Only half way there...still a little while to go, yet." he said tiredly.
"...Daddy thinks it's a girl..." she said in a less than happy tone.
"Yeh...he does...Why? Don't you want it to be?" he asked, hearing the way she said it and the slight scowl on her face.
She shook her head.
"No! It has to be a boy..." she demanded.
Kai frowned.
"It does? Why?"
She didn't answer and went back to cuddling in to him, burying her face in his side.
"Look who's up!" Aoba said proudly as he came back in with a bundle swaddled in his arms.
Kai turned his head to them and let out a small smile as Aoba settled back next to him.
"How's he doing?" he asked over the cries.
"Good! Eating and sleeping...living the dream..." Aoba laughed as he pulled out the bottle for him.
As they continued to talk about Yi and Kai watched Aoba feed him, Mei pulled her head from Kai's side and watched the two of them talking.
"Kai, you wanna play?" she asked him as she tugged gently on his shirt.
Kai turned his head back to her.
"Just a second..." he smiled at her before turning back and letting Aoba finish telling him what he was saying.
A pout formed on her face as she continued to sit and listen to the grown-ups talking and she waited.
As she continued to wait, the pout grew deeper.
"Kaaaii..." she whined, tugging his shirt again after she got tired of waiting.
"Daddy and Kai are talking, sweety...hold on." Aoba said to her softly before going back to it.
He finished feeding the baby...the two of them kept talking.
She frowned, feeling tired of being ignored and raised her arm, bringing it down and slapping Kai's stomach.
It wasn't hard, just enough to make Kai jump a little. But Aoba gasped and his face turned angry.
"Mei!" he yelled, "You never do that again! Tell Kai you're sorry!"
Her eyes instantly welled up.
"But he-"
"What if you hurt his baby?!"
Kai raised his hand, he didn't want her to get in to this much trouble for it.
"It's fine, Aoba...it didn't hurt."
"That's not the point!" Aoba continued to yell before turning back to his sniffing daughter, "tell him you're sorry!"
She continued to snivel.
"I'm s-orry!" she strained out before she burst in to tears.
Kai panicked a little, not really sure what to do here...
"It's OK..." he tried to comfort.
Aoba sighed.
"I think she needs to go down for a nap...probably over tired..." he said before shifting his position and holding Yi out, "You mind holding him while I take her up?"
The feeling of panic increased.
"Uh..."
Aoba smirked.
"Relax, you won't break him...here, put your arms like mine..."
Kai nervously did like he was told and Aoba lowered the newborn in to his arms.
"There...we...go..." Aoba said as he settled him in, "just make sure you support his head...that's it..."
Kai froze, scared to move a muscle. He only got more stiff as Aoba pulled away.
"Yup! Just like that! I'll be back in a minute..."
He picked up his still crying daughter and quickly took her upstairs.
Kai's eyes watched him go before looking down at the tiny human in his arms, watching him like he was afraid he'd suddenly leap up and attack him.
The baby's eyes were closed and appeared content...maybe this wasn't so hard...maybe if he just stayed as still as humanly possible...
A minute later, Yi's face began to scrunch and he stirred, letting out a small whimper.
Kai held his breath...
Yi wriggled a little more before his face strained as he began to let out loud cries.
"Shit...shit! I broke him!" he panicked out loud before looking to the doorway, "Aoba!?"
Not long after he called out to him, footsteps came down the stairs and Aoba re-entered the room chuckling at the terrified, guilty look on his face.
"I don't know what I did! He just started crying!"
Aoba smirked and folded his arms.
"Probably because you're stiff as a board! Can't be comfy for him! Just relax!"
Kai looked at him with pleading eyes.
"Will you please just take him back!?" he begged.
Aoba chuckled again as he put him out his misery and took his son back, sitting back down next to him.
Yi settled down quickly after his mom took him back.
"See? He's fine...You just need to relax..."
Kai sighed...he sucked at this...
Aoba seemed to read his mind.
"...It just takes getting used to...don't fret! I'll show you the ropes before yours gets here. You'll be fine..."
Kai nodded.
"And I'm really sorry about Mei...she's been up and down since we brought Yi home...one minute she adores him and is a model big sister, the next she hates him and acts out when he's getting attention...guess she didn't like you paying attention to him..."
Kai smirked.
"It's all right...she'll come round."
"So..." Aoba said as he let out another smirk, "you never did tell me what happened with our buddy Ben..."
Now that Mei wasn't in the room, he could talk openly.
He immediately went on rant and told him about all the shitty little comments he'd thrown at him during training.
"And then we finally told the guys we were engaged, and the fucker immediately had to open his mouth and make shitty comments about me being fat at my 'shotgun wedding'...then he had the gall to tell me I got the woman's ring because I'm the woman in the relationship..and then-"
"Whoa, whoa! Hold on! You and Ray are engaged!?"
Kai's face dropped.
He'd completely forgotten he hadn't told Aoba yet...or anyone else.
"...No?"
"When did it happen?!" Aoba asked excitedly.
"Like...a week or so ago..."
Aoba looked slightly annoyed.
"And that jerk found out about it before I did?!" he asked, feeling a little hurt.
Kai looked guilty.
"It's not like I wanted him to know...he was there, they saw Ray's ring...it just happened! We didn't want it to come out right away..."
"Why the hell not?!"
"...we didn't want to butt in on yours and Shou's celebration..." he admitted.
Aoba's face softened.
"That's both sweet and stupid...tell people, please! It's great news! Congratulations!"
Kai let out a small smile.
"Thank you..."
"And don't listen to that...moo...what was that Russian word again?"
Kai's smile grew.
"Mudak." he reminded him.
"Yeh! That! Don't listen to him...he's trying to get to you and it sounds like it's working...do not give him the satisfaction..."
Kai sighed.
"I'll do my best...he's making it hard for me not to swing at him though..."
They continued chatting a while longer before Yi started crying again, and Kai thought he'd stayed in Aoba's way long enough.
Aoba insisted he could come by any time. That he was no bother and besides, it would be good to show him how to take care of a newborn.
He walked himself back home. As he walked through the front door, Ray's wary head peeped from behind the doorway.
"Hey...where did you get to?"
"Aoba's..." Kai answered bluntly.
"Oh...how's the baby?"
"Fine..."
Ray let out a deep sigh, he hadn't forgiven him yet...it was time to grovel...
"Kai...I'm sorry about what I said...I didn't mean it to come out like that..."
Kai folded his arms and shifted his weight from his right leg to his left, his hip slightly jutting out in his usual style...but it didn't have the same intimidating impact with his baby bump there...it actually was quite cute...
Ray made his way over to him and dared wrapping his arms around his waist.
"I understand it's probably not great people commenting on it all the time...but it's not that you got fat...you're carrying my child, and that's...really sexy..."
He could tell that softened him up slightly.
"...and I love you so much for it...we're going to be a family...I can't wait to marry you."
Kai melted and immediately hugged him back...he couldn't stay mad at Ray.
Ray breathed out in relief...he'd meant what he said, but Kai's mood swings were starting to wear him out.
The next day, the two walked over to training. Kai was determined not to let Ben get under his skin this time...Aoba was right, it was exactly what he wanted.
For some reason, training was scheduled for the early afternoon instead of the morning...which meant it was getting hot.
He gave Ray a confused look when they took a different route.
"Where are we going?"
Ray let out a small smile.
"We're meeting at a different place today..." he replied as he kept walking.
Eventually, Kai realised where they were going. Back to the lake.
As they made their way through the woods and in to the clearing, Kai could smell food.
The clearing soon came in to view, as did a small crowd of people.
The second they set eyes on the couple, they stopped and burst in to applause.
Kai didn't have time to turn and ask Ray what was going on before Mariah ran at them and threw her arms around them both.
"Congratulations, you two! I'm so happy for you!" she squealed.
As she pulled away, Kai gave Ray a dumb, questioning look as the others began to come over.
He smiled at him.
"Aoba messaged me yesterday to say congrats, we chatted, apparently he messaged Tyson, too...one thing led to another and they asked if they could throw us a small engagement party."
"...What about training?" he asked.
Ray rolled his eyes.
"Today's a day off...we could all use a break...and besides, we thought we should make the most of the barbecue weather before the rainy season hits."
The smell of burning charcoal made Kai's stomach growl.
He turned his head to the party. It was a small gathering of the White Tigers, Ray's family, Aoba, Shou and of course, the guys...and Ben.
A line seemed to form as everyone wanted to offer their own congratulations, until Yui and Aoba took hold of Kai and gently dragged him to a shady area and insisted he sit down. Ray joined him.
Not long after, Ray's mom joined, too, carrying two plates of food for them.
"Here you go, my boys! Eat up!" she beamed as she handed them to them.
Kai looked down and fought a sigh...she'd loaded his right up.
"I want to see all that gone..." she said to him a little sternly before leaving them to go back to the grill.
Ray let out a small laugh.
"Talk about favoritism! I thought I was her golden boy! Look at the size of yours! I got all the burnt stuff, too!" he laughed as he looked down at his plate of slightly overcooked food.
Kai looked over at it...that burnt, charcoally taste was exactly what he wanted. The smell made him crave it. Not to mention there was no way he could handle the mountain Yui had dished up for him.
"Trade with me...please..." he said in a low voice, despite no one being close enough to hear.
"What? And risk my mom's wrath for starving her poor pregnant prince? Forget it!" he continued to laugh.
"Ray please...I need that charred stuff..."
Ray looked both amused and puzzled.
"You mean you actually want the burnt stuff?"
"I didn't say want, I said need..." he said almost pitifully.
Ray snickered and looked to see if the coast was clear from his mom's beady eyes and quickly switched plates with him.
He immediately picked up a blackened piece of...he didn't even care what and popped it in his mouth. As soon as he tasted the smoky, gritty flavor, he let out a content sigh.
"Fuck...that's so good..."
"Ray! You made Kai eat the burnt stuff?!" came a laugh.
Aoba and Shou had wandered over to join them with their own food.
"He asked for it!" Ray argued back, making Aoba laugh.
"You crave it? I remember really liking that burnt taste when I was carrying Mei..."
"Oh god, I remember that..." Shou laughed, "Had to physically stop him from getting a spoon and scraping the black stuff from the bottom of the pan...so gross."
Aoba hit him playfully.
"Speaking of Mei..." Ray said, looking around, "where are the kids?"
"Oh, my parents are watching them for a few hours." Aoba explained quickly.
"So, Kai..." Shou asked, "what other weird stuff have you been craving?"
The four of them sat and chatted, laughing playfully at Kai's expense as Ray listed off his recent food requests that ranged from reasonable to just bizarre.
"Hey guys! Room for one more?"
Aoba and Kai glanced at each other as Ben's voice reached their ears.
"Sure!" Shou said with a smile, "come have a seat!"
Kai immediately set his plate down.
"So, what are we talking about over here? Not boring married couple and baby stuff, I hope..." he said sarcastically, making Kai and Aoba glare slightly.
"As a matter of fact, that's pretty much the conversation." Shou laughed.
"Pff...and you used to be cool..." Ben 'joked'.
Aoba's glare intensified slightly.
"I don't see why it's lame to talk about that..." he argued.
Ben smirked at him.
"I bet you don't...you've never exactly been the life of the party, have you Aoba?"
Ray and Shou exchanged awkward glances as their partners stared at him dangerously.
Aoba's glare quickly turned in to a small, almost natural smile.
"I guess not...I guess with such a perfect man like this one to wake up next to everyday, I don't feel the need to be the life of the party. I've got everything I need..." he said sweetly as he put an arm around his husband, who looked at him lovingly.
Kai watched Ben's face falter slightly and smirked himself. He knew what Aoba was doing...Aoba had told him he always suspected Ben had a thing for Shou back in the day...by the look he was trying to hide, it wasn't completely gone.
"...you still hold a flame there, huh asshole?" he wondered to himself.
"Want some more food, honey?" Shou asked him, noticing his empty plate.
"Sure...let's go...we'll be back, guys..." Aoba told them before standing up with Shou and taking his hand before walking off.
Shou looked confused as Aoba led him right past the barbecue.
"Babe...it's right there..."
Aoba continued to drag him...feeling a sudden urge.
"Forget that...there's something else I'm hungry for..."
"...What?" Shou laughed out.
Aoba looked back at him with suggestive eyes and leaned in to his ear.
"...When was the last time we did it in the woods?" he whispered.
Shou's eyes widened before he grabbed Aoba's hand tighter and almost broke in to a run in to the woods.
Meanwhile, Kai pressed himself in to Ray and let out a deep sigh, sensing an opportunity to finally get his own kick in.
"You know...I really hope our marriage will be as happy as Shou and Aoba's..." he started.
Ray turned his head to him and smiled.
"Yeh...they're a great couple, huh?"
"The best..." Kai went on, "I mean, really...some people are just meant to be, you know? Made for each other...they're the real deal..."
He could feel Ben's eyes piercing him...it felt fantastic.
"Shou clearly worships the ground Aoba walks on...and Aoba does the same for Shou. They really love each other...no one else would ever compare...true soulmates."
Ray both frowned and smirked a little, wondering where this romantic commentary was coming from...must be the hormones...
"You're right...I guess they are."
Ben rolled his eyes.
"I'm curious..." Kai continued, "how were they when they first started dating? Have they always been this good together? Did you know they were going to end up married with two kids? The perfect family?"
Ray's smile came back.
"Yeh...I always thought they made a great couple..." Ray reminisced, "Shou had been nuts for him for a long time before he actually grew the balls to ask him out..."
Kai smiled.
"Is that right?"
"Heh, yeh...the hours he spent fawning over him...remember Ben?" Ray asked over to him.
Kai's smile grew. He loved Ray even more right this second. He looked over as he saw movement out of the corner of his eye, Ben was standing himself up, his face showing that this conversation was touching a nerve.
"I don't really remember..." he near enough snapped out before walking off abruptly.
They watched him go.
"...wonder what his problem is..." Kai asked innocently, feeling rather smug.
Ray chuckled.
"Ah, he's not in to mushy stuff...a bit like you...or... you before you got pregnant, anyway."
Kai's smugness vanished.
Damnit, he couldn't enjoy his one small victory?!
Ben made his way over to the rest of the team, hoping for a different kind of conversation and to get away from Kai.
He got what he wanted for a while at least...
"Aw, look how happy they are!" Max gushed as he looked over at Kai and Ray.
Ray was laying with his head resting on Kai's lap, talking to him while Kai brushed his fingers through his long, raven hair.
Ben fought his eye roll for what felt like the millionth time that day.
"Yeh..." Mariah sighed happily, "Isn't it funny how things change, though!? Ray would never let anybody touch his hair as a kid...not even his mom really!"
Tyson swallowed the chicken he was chewing on and let out a laugh.
"Maybe so, but that hair belongs to Kai now. I don't think either of them would let anyone put a hand on it."
Ben fought a smirk and internally thanked Tyson...he was a bit of an idiot, but he had his moments...like this...
About half an hour later, Aoba and Shou reappeared finally, not looking too dishevelled.
They went back to Kai and Ray and chatted with them a little longer before they realised the time...they had to get back to the kids.
Kai watched his ally go, and did his best to avoid Ben for the rest of the party.
Luckily, it appeared Ben was doing the same and avoiding him, too. Leaving Kai to actually enjoy his engagement party with Ray.
The barbecue began to die down and the sun began to fall. It was time to wrap it up.
They cleaned everything away and got ready to go back home.
"All right guys, it was fun today, but tomorrow we go at it harder to make up for it!" Ben announced as he rallied the team together.
Despite it being exactly what he would say if he were still in charge...Kai glowered...because that was exactly what he would say if he were still in charge...but he wasn't...
The next morning, Kai and Ray head to training. Kai feeling somewhat more optimistic.
Despite getting some not too subtle eye-rolls from Ben, Kai was more assertive in giving his critique to his team.
The snarky comments didn't come either...which Kai was both grateful for and wary of...he knew it wouldn't last.
When training came to a close, they went home and enjoyed a lazy afternoon together at home, out the heat.
That was...until Ray's phone went off.
He lazily reached over and opened the message before frowning.
"Kai...mind if I head out for a while?" he asked.
Kai rolled his head to him.
"No...where you off to?"
"Ah, Ben said he wants to discuss some stuff with me..."
Kai instantly felt mad and sat up.
"...discuss what?!"
Ray shrugged.
"Beats me...he just said it was important..."
Kai frowned.
"What, and he can't tell you at training tomorrow? And if it's so important, why don't I know about it?"
Ray already regretted asking...his head was starting to hurt.
"I have no idea, Kai. He asked me to go over...I'll tell you when I get back..."
"Fine..." Kai huffed.
Ray gave him an apologetic look before taking his leave.
Kai stayed on the couch for a while, feeling annoyed.
He glanced around, wondering what to do with himself. The house felt so quiet...
He picked up his own phone.
Kai: Hey, mind if I come by?
He sighed at himself the moment he sent it...he knew he shouldn't be bothering him so much.
His phone buzzed.
Aoba: Of course not! I'm actually about to give Yi a bath, you can come help!
Kai smiled and instantly got up, leaving the house in a heartbeat.
Several hours later, he returned after spending a fun and insightful afternoon with Aoba and the kids. Luckily, Mei seemed in better spirits...Kai had made sure to give her more attention this time, which she'd lapped up.
Ray was home when he got in.
"Hey...where did you get off to?" he asked.
"I just went to Aoba's."
"Oh...OK..."
Kai slumped himself in his seat.
"So...what did he want?"
Ray sighed.
"Ah...just some stuff about the tournament...nothing exciting."
"I see..." Kai said as he stiffened, not liking how vague he was being.
Ray didn't like the atmosphere in the room...it felt more tense than it needed to be.
He leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
"You wanna make dinner together? It's been a while since we cooked together..."
Kai smiled slightly...his annoyance subsiding...that did sound nice.
Ray took him by the hand and led him to the kitchen.
The next day, they finished off training with a practice battle between Ray and Max.
Kai watched intently, making mental notes of everything he wanted to give them pointers on.
He couldn't help but let out a small, proud smile as Ray sent Max's blade flying out the dish.
But the smile got wiped off his face when the two picked up their blades and walked straight over to Ben for his comments.
"That was good, guys! Ray, nice job! I don't really have much to say in terms of improvements...Max, we need to work a little more on your defence, huh?"
The two of them nodded, and like that...the conversation was over before Kai got a chance to give his input...again...
Kai tried not to let his displeasure show and stood himself up, wanting to actually help clear up this time.
Ray wandered over to him, looking tired and hot.
"Hey...what did you think?" he asked.
Kai's mood improved as he was finally being asked for his opinion.
"You did good...your attack is getting much stronger...but don't forget, Max has been slipping on the defence lately..."
"Yeh, that's what Ben said..." Ray said without thinking.
"Hn..."
As if his ears were burning, Ben appeared.
"Hey Ray, ready to pack up?" he asked.
"Yeh, I'll be right over."
"OK..." he said before his eyes squinted while he looked at him.
"Oh...Ray, come here a sec..." he said as he stepped close to Ray, almost close enough to press against him.
Kai stood right by them, feeling himself already burning.
The heat in him increased as he saw Ben's hand lift up...
"You've got a little...something..." Ben said...as he reached up and brushed his fingers through Ray's hair.
Ray stayed perfectly still.
"What is it?!" he asked, worried it was a bug.
Ben finally brought his hand away and pretended to flick something on the floor.
"Ah...just a leaf...and wow, Ray...your hair is amazing!"
Kai's eye twitched.
"Oh...thanks..." Ray said a little awkwardly.
"It's so soft!" Ben continued to praise, "I always wondered...since you were always so fussy about people touching your hair growing up."
Ray smirked.
"Still am...it's only Kai that gets the privilege..."
Ben smiled.
"Well...it's out now...let's get packed up..."
Ray nodded and head off to help pack away.
Ben turned to Kai and smirked at him as he met his powerful glare.
"What an honour...he let me touch it..."
Kai's hands balled in to fists.
"...You ever do that again..." he growled.
Ben looked amused.
"Ohh...touchy, aren't we? What's the matter? Worried I'll steal him from you?"
Kai's growl grew deeper.
"Don't flatter yourself! He'd never be interested in a slimy prick like you, he has some taste!"
Ben cocked a brow and looked him up and down.
"I'd hardly call a bloated, overrated, clingy wreck taste..."
Kai grit his teeth.
"You watch your god damn mouth..."
"Or what?"
"Hey...what's going on here?"
The two turned to see Ray coming back over, looking between them.
"Aw, Kai here is just a little upset that I touched your hair..."
Ray flashed Kai a look.
"There was something in it, Kai..." he warned, knowing it would be just the kind of silly thing he'd lose his temper over.
"That's what I tried to explain to him!" Ben said innocently, "I think he'd rather hear it from you..." he said to Ray with a sympathetic look before leaving them to it.
Ray gave him a tired look.
"Really? You look like you're gonna pummel him because he pulled a leaf out my hair?"
Kai hissed.
"Oh, there was nothing there! He's doing it to undermine me!"
Ray rolled his eyes.
"Do you hear yourself!? I know it's not easy having to take the sidelines...I'm trying to be understanding here, but you're making it really awkward for everyone by being like this! Stop being so petty and learn to play nice, will you? For my sake at the very least! I'm sick of being in the middle of you two and it's only been, what? Two weeks?"
"Oh! I'm so sorry this is hard for you!" he spat before turning on his heel and storming off.
Ray let out an exhausted sigh and trotted after him.
"Kai...come on...where are you going?" he asked as he took hold of his arm.
Kai ripped his arm out his grip.
"To go be around people who don't think I'm a fuckin' bother!" he yelled angrily before continuing to storm off.
Ray let him go this time.
"Let me guess...Aoba's..." he said quietly to himself.
"Ray? Where you at?" came a call from the trees.
He sighed and walked back to the others.
"He all right?" Ben asked as Ray came back.
"Yeh...just...in one of those moods...sorry about that." he apologised.
Ben waved it off.
"Ah, no worries...I should be a little more careful not to upset him...I know he's in kind of a fragile state..."
Ray nodded in thanks.
"Where'd he go, anyway?"
"Aoba's...probably..."
"Ah, those two momma hens can cluck it out! He'll come back in a better mood, I'm sure...hey, since you're free now, wanna get some lunch?"
Ray sighed. Kai would probably throw a fit...but he didn't need to know...and he didn't really want to sit at home wondering what mood he'd come back in.
"Sure...sounds good."
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End of Chapter 10!
Flickers of jealousy all round lol. From a four year old girl, to Kai, to Ben, to Aoba, to Ray...let's see how all this goes...
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!
Any comments appreciated! See you next chapter!