Rimnerel: Hello everyone! I don't have much to say for the opening, just that man I pulled some hours at work today!
Max: And that has a consistancy with this story because?
Rimnerel: I was writing it while I was supposed to be finding something "constructive" to do with the last bit of time we were at work. But hey, at least I was able to finish this chapter up.
Tyson: That's really sad.
Rimnerel: What's really sad is that I'm working on another side project called Sympathy From The Devil. It will be my first ever Tala/Kai fic!
Tala: What!
Rimnerel: I would love to thank Unknown Satan, Red Queen, Black Jaggan, B. Tiamat Atardecer, FREAKO14, and jen wit 1 n, and everyone else for reviewing. Hope everyone likes it!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kenny opened his eyes, feeling the sun on his face. Was it really morning already? It felt like no time had passed from when he laid down to sleep and now. Maybe it was because he had a restless sleep. Turning and tossing in his dreams, occasionally waking just a little before drifting back into slumber. His mind continued to steadily work over the decisions and choices he would have to make soon.
"Kenny, are you up yet?" his mother called from the bottom of the stairs.
"Yes, I'm up!" Kenny remarked.
He knew he had school to attend, but at school he would see Zeo. He would have to tell Zeo about Tala's return. Once he did...he really did not want things to end on such tough terms. Of course he still cared about Zeo. Nothing that had happened between them was just so that Kenny could get over Tala. Sure a part of it was because Kenny thought it would be better to tune his heart off. But another part, a part Kenny realized was because he had begun to fall in love with Zeo. There was no mistaking that.
Zeo made him feel wanted, loved, and the most important person in the entire world. With Zeo, Kenny didn't have to rip out his heart and offer it humbly to the male in hopes he would not destroy the fragile glass spun heart. The way those soft green eyes fell upon him...well...it was as if a piece of his world snapped into place. Yet...no matter how much his emotions for Zeo were growing, they would never reach the peak where his feelings for Tala remained.
Like the most fragile fruit tree in the world, it sat unreachable to taint with regret and hatred. As cliched at it was, the love that Kenny held for the red head was as if a piece of heaven was continuing to be given to him.
At that thought, Kenny's face scrunched up, an amused smile playing on the tips of his mouth. "That is unbearably cliched. If I told Tala, he would probably stare at me as if I grew another head."
"Are you thinking about things, Kenny?" Dizzi inquired, coming online. Her tone was quiet, inquistion as Kenny glanced to where his computer sat on the table.
"It's been a long ride Dizzi. I think we've finally hit the climax of this soap opera drama," Kenny mused jocularly. "I think we can finally settle things. What do you say?"
"I'm glad you're in such good humor about it, Kenny," Dizzi remarked to him. "I was up all night worrying about you and what you were going to do today."
"You were worried?"
"Of course. You're deciding if you want to stick with Zeo or Tala. How can I not be worried or concerned about the outcome? I can't be as nonchallant as you are right now."
"You know Dizzi," Kenny remarked. "This is the only thing I can do now. I'm scared of having to go out today."
"Chief?"
"I want to turn back time," Kenny admitted. "I want to go back to when I found Tala. I want to stop myself from falling into this trap. To not have to feel this suffocating and slow ascend from the bottom of this sea I'm in. It's not easy, Dizzi. To get up and have to face Zeo today, knowing I may turn him away so I can be with Tala. I've never been so afraid in my entire life."
"This was never meant to be simple. It's a part of life, of learning and growing up. It may be difficult I know, but you are not at all alone. Remember that when you step up to take your stand," Dizzi said. "Time was never meant to turn back but move forward."
Kenny stared at the ceiling, already feeling worn. How was he going to pull this off. "Moving forward despite the tangles in your life can be quite impossible at times. You have to brave a path and stick to it until you run out of path to walk on."
"You know, Dizzi commented. "You should really get out of bed before you're late. Won't Tyson, Max, and Zeo be here soon?" That made Kenny jump out of bed. How could he have forgotten so quickly that Zeo, Tyson, and Max walked him to school, being that of course they all attended the same school.
"I completely let that slip!"
"Glad I reminded you." Dizzi watched the young man hurry around his room getting dressed and ready for school. At times when she observed him like this, it was as if a part of him continued to be that same kid she first met, though he had definitely come a long way from then. His eyes were wiser than before.
*Kenny, good luck, I hope you can find happiness finally with this choice.*
"Dizzi, I have to go now. I'll see you this afternoon, okay," Kenny replied.
"All right." The young man rushed out the room just as the doorbell rung. She hoped his strength and courage did not fail him when it was needed the most.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zeo looked up from his work to stare at Kenny. There was something wrong with the brunette. Zeo could sense it from the moment he, Tyson, and Max arrived at Kenny's house. Though Kenny seemed to smile and act normal, something in his eyes told Zeo there was something amiss. Especially when Zeo caught a glimpse of those usually sparkling blue eyes underneath the hair. Today, the smile within them hardly reached the point Zeo was use to. The sparkle in them had dimmed considerably.
While they were all walking to school, Kenny tended to space out. As if a tremendous amount of information was trapped inside, making him less than attentive. Tyson had to stop him from getting hit by two cars on two seperate occasions. Tyson wondered, along with Max if anything was wrong, but Kenny had given them one of his smiles Zeo always saw through. Something was eatting at Kenny and Zeo had no clue what it was.
*Kenny, I told you I would be here for you. What is it that you're thinking?* Zeo looked back down at his paper, but knew he couldn't fully concentrate on it.
Shifting his eyes back to Kenny, he silently sighed. He wanted to be there for the brunette, but if he didn't open up, how was Zeo supposed to help? There was nothing that Kenny was worried about that would hesitate Zeo from stepping in to assist with. So why hadn't Kenny told him about it last night or whenever it first started?
Maybe...
Maybe Zeo was a part of the problem. Was that why for that morning? For Kenny's distant nature towards those around him? Was that the reason his smiles stopped short of reaching his eyes? Could Zeo really be a part of Kenny's issue, whatever it was.
*Zeo, you got to calm down. Stop getting paranoid. Even if you are a part of it, that's not the reason he's reflective. There's more to it, I'm sure of that.* Zeo told himself with assurance. All he had to do was talk with Kenny and find out what was wrong.
Just as Zeo was about to look at his paper, a bell sounded, startling him. Looking up, he found the teacher getting up from her chair. Focusing on his paper again, he hurrily wrote the last few answers down before the teacher came down his row and collected it. With a smile, he completed the last answer in time to hand his paper to her. Looking over at Kenny, he found the male staring at him. Their eyes met, a flickering within them caught Zeo's attention.
Now was the best time than any to find out what was eatting at Kenny. Lunch was about to commence. If he could pull the male away before the crowds, they could probably get away to find a quiet place to talk. Standing up, Zeo beckoned for Kenny to come over. The brunette stood up, but had no idea what Zeo wanted. Making his way towards the green haired male, Kenny gave Zeo a questioning stare.
"Come on, lunch is about to start. Let's find some place quiet to talk," Zeo said when Kenny reached him.
"Talk...okay." Kenny's heart pounded in his chest. This was about to be it. He was going to have to tell Zeo now. "Let's go."
"Hey, where are you two going, lunch is about to start," Hilary replied watching the two. Zeo turned to her with a bright smile.
"To get some lunch. I didn't bring mine and Kenny wanted to buy something too," the green haired male lied. "We'll be back in a few, if we don't get caught up in the crowds."
"Hey, wait up. I'll go too," Hilary said. "You'll eventually meet up with Tyson and Max right?"
"Oh, don't worry. You'll probably see them before we do. If you do tell them we went to get something and to not start eatting without us," Zeo joked. If she came along with them, they would never be able to speak openly. She had no idea that the two were a couple nor about anything that happened in the past, to how they bacame a couple. Zeo would rather not have to explain it all currently.
"Oh...kay. Well, I guess I'll see you guys later then," Hilary waved the two off. She had a funny feeling that they were lying to her about going to get lunch and were actually going to meet up with Tyson and Max without her. They had been doing that as of late. Maybe she should follow them this time and bust them. But then, Tyson would say she was sticking her nose into other people's business. She rather wouldn't like to fight with the male today.
While she contemplated following the two, they were already making their way up to the roof where no one would think to look or come now that the temperature was dropping. Zeo pushed open the door, finding no one as expected. He tilted his head back to his boyfriend with a smile.
"We should be okay to talk up here. So, what's up?" Zeo inquired. For a moment, Kenny didn't answer. He leaned against the wall near the door looking up at the sky.
"I like this kind of weather," Kenny said softly. His hair ruffling lightly in the wind as he looked over at Zeo. Zeo walked in front of him, brushing the silky bangs out of Kenny's eyes. Their eyes met for a long seond.
"Tell me what is it, Kenny?" Zeo stated. "I can't help if you shut me out."
"Zeo..." Kenny felt bad for having to put Zeo through this. He didn't deserve it. He had been nothing but kind to Kenny. "I..."
"What?" Zeo asked, searching the brunette's eyes.
"Zeo, I really care about you," Kenny replied, tears welling up in his eyes. "I don't want to tell you because I know what you're going to do. I don't want to...but I know I would eventually have to tell you."
"Kenny." Zeo wrapped his arms around the male. "I will be by your side no matter what. You know that. I love you and because of it, I know how geniune your emotions are. I won't take offense to anything said. So tell me what it is?"
"He came back..." Kenny whispered. "He came back Zeo. He said so many things to me that messed up my head. I don't know what I want to do anymore. I'm afraid Zeo. Help me."
"Tala came back?" Zeo had a feeling this might happen if the red head came back. From what Kenny was telling him now, it only meant that the feelings had never ceased. Now they were stronger than ever. There was only one thing he could do for his beloved Bladebreaker now.
"Zeo, please help me," Kenny said.
"It's okay. I understand," Zeo murmured, letting Kenny go. With a sweet smile that almost tore Kenny's heart in two, Zeo kissed him on the forehead. "I know you couldn't forget no matter how much I tried to make you forget. It's okay now. I'm glad you told me."
"Zeo..."
"No," Zeo said, shaking his head. "I'll let you go, so you can figure out who you really love. If you come back to me, then I'll be happy that you chose me. But if you decide to go back to Tala for good, I hope he finally sees what was always there waiting for him. Like I told you in the beginning. It's what you want that matters the most."
"Zeo! Please don't leave. I know that if--" Zeo placed a finger to Kenny's lips, shaking his head no. The quiet shimmer in his eyes told Kenny not to say it. That it would kill them both if he allowed the words to slip free. Stepping away from Kenny, Zeo opened the door to the stairway. Giving Kenny just one more smile, Zeo walked down the stairs, closing the door. Kenny slumped against the wall, tears continuing to trickle down his face. How had things become like this? This shouldn't have happened.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey, Kenny, it's time to go home," Hilary said. The male staring out the window blankly didn't turn his head towards her nor acknowledge the fact she was there. "Hey! Chief, wake up! It's time you went home!"
"Huh?" Kenny blinked, turning his head to her. "Did you say something Hilary?"
"Yeah! I said it's time to go home. Zeo already left and I'm sure that Tyson and Max have already. So come on."
"Oh..." Kenny lowered his eyes. Hilary noticed the solemn look on the male's face. What had happened when he and Zeo went to lunch to cause such a melancholy nature in the male? Now that she thought about it, Zeo's smile was rather dim this afternoon when he was saying good-bye. It was like their worlds had crumbled down around them.
"Kenny, are you okay?" Hilary questioned. She wasn't trying to pry in his business, but as a good friend, it was her duty to help any way necessary.
"I'm fine."
"You sure?" Hilary remarked.
"Yeah." Kenny got up from his seat, heading out the door. He felt awful for what he did. Not just with lying to Hilary either, but Zeo. He doubted anything right now could make him feel better about it. That look, that one look cut so deep that Kenny wondered if the price for love was too great. Especially a love that could slip through his fingers as easily as before. He wouldn't be able to go back to Zeo if that were to occur once more. There was no way he would cause Zeo anymore pain. He would rather be alone than see that male have to walk away again.
Love really was selfish. It had no consideration to who it hurt and what consequences laid in its wake. Why did love exist to toil with the hearts of others? It just wasn't fair. It wasn't right nor could it ever justify the pain Zeo and his heart was inflicted with. Sure he wasn't perfect, hew was human. He made mistakes. But that was no reason for this.
Making it down the stairs and to his locker, he got the rest of his things and set out to leave. His mind conflicting with every thought to cross it. Love was supposedly humanistic, right? So why was it the most alienating thing ever to rise in the world. Kenny didn't understand it. Couldn't grasp the concept at all.
"Maybe I'm just not meant--" Before he could finish that sentence, he was jerked back onto the curb of the street as a car sped past.
"If you want to kill yourself, don't do it while I'm standing around," came a voice Kenny knew all too well, right down to the sharpest point of sarcasm. Looking up, he found Tala letting go of his collar. Was he...he couldn't be waiting for Kenny could he? It wasn't possible, right?
"What are you doing here?" Kenny whispered. Afraid he was going to break down and fall apart.
"Thinking," Tala shrugged. "Did you think I was waiting around for you?" The red head watch tears run down Kenny's face. With a curse, he pulled the male away from the school sidewalk, practically dragging him to some secluded area. Letting Kenny go only then, he narrowed his eyes. "Why are you crying?"
"You," Kenny sobbed. "Stop doing this to me! I can't take it. I can't keep facing you on these terms."
"You can't? How do you think I feel?" Tala demanded hotly.
"I don't know. I never know. You don't let me in," Kenny said. He walked over to a tree, leaning against it for support. He was growing even more haggard. When was it going to cease? "You never allow me in to know. I can't stand it. I can't stand this feel that's eatting me alive. I'm not strong anymore. I'm afraid and vulnerable."
"Why are you telling me?" Tala inquired. "You have that male."
"No I don't," Kenny lowered his face to the ground. "Zeo and I don't...we aren't together anymore. He...we parted earlier today. I hope you're happy now. That's what you wanted, didn't you? For me to be miserable, right?"
"You're miserable? You don't know what miserable is," Tala retorted walking up to the male. Lifting his face up, he stared directly into Kenny's eyes. "You haven't been forced to relive those idiotic moments of your past few months. You haven't had nightmares every night since I left. You haven't awaken to reaching out for something always out of your reach, always alone and full of hopelessness. You haven't thought about how much pain is in your chest, suffocating you and you have no idea why! You don't know miserable, Kenny."
"Tala...I..."
"I've had to go through all of that and more. I can't stop thinking about everything no matter how much I try. I can't stop myself from feeling things like jealousy of that male near you. Kissing you, touching you. It drives me insane," Tala admitted for the first time. Kenny saw the pain within those blue eyes. The wounds surfacing to the top finally. "Dammit...I'm insane.
Dropping his hand from under Kenny's chin, Tala looked up at the sky. His face for the first time ever showed signs of weariness.
"Kai came to see me yesterday, you know. He told me if I hurt you again he would kill me. You know, he hits a hell of a lot harder than I gave him credit for. My nose didn't stop bleeding for five minutes after that blow."
"Tala...why?" Why was he saying all of this? Why?
"Even though he hit me, I still plan on never letting that guy have you again. Do you understand me, Kenny? You said you would never leave me. I'm holding you to that, and I'm not letting you go until I feel like it," Tala stated, looking back down at the male, only to find him attached to his shirt sobbing.
"Please dont leave me again Tala! Please don't!" Kenny cried. He couldn't help it. No matter everything that had happened around and to him, this is what he truly wanted the most. The only thing that could balance out the pain and lost dealt to him.
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Rimnerel: Long chapter right guys? I hope you like it. I wrote it with several thoughts in my head that I had to make a comprimise on.
Tyson: There is an epilogue right?
Rimnerel: Of course, a few little details that I'm going to add to it to finish things out. Oh, and I honestly want an opinion from my reviewers. Who do you want Zeo to hook up with in the epilogue? Give me name and what series they're from and whoever gives me the best answer, I'm using it. Kai, do the ending.
Kai: The epilogue will be out Tuesday. But a note first, Monday she will release her songfic, The Reason that will tie into the epilogue of this one. She hopes that everyone will read it. So until then.
Max: And that has a consistancy with this story because?
Rimnerel: I was writing it while I was supposed to be finding something "constructive" to do with the last bit of time we were at work. But hey, at least I was able to finish this chapter up.
Tyson: That's really sad.
Rimnerel: What's really sad is that I'm working on another side project called Sympathy From The Devil. It will be my first ever Tala/Kai fic!
Tala: What!
Rimnerel: I would love to thank Unknown Satan, Red Queen, Black Jaggan, B. Tiamat Atardecer, FREAKO14, and jen wit 1 n, and everyone else for reviewing. Hope everyone likes it!!
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Kenny opened his eyes, feeling the sun on his face. Was it really morning already? It felt like no time had passed from when he laid down to sleep and now. Maybe it was because he had a restless sleep. Turning and tossing in his dreams, occasionally waking just a little before drifting back into slumber. His mind continued to steadily work over the decisions and choices he would have to make soon.
"Kenny, are you up yet?" his mother called from the bottom of the stairs.
"Yes, I'm up!" Kenny remarked.
He knew he had school to attend, but at school he would see Zeo. He would have to tell Zeo about Tala's return. Once he did...he really did not want things to end on such tough terms. Of course he still cared about Zeo. Nothing that had happened between them was just so that Kenny could get over Tala. Sure a part of it was because Kenny thought it would be better to tune his heart off. But another part, a part Kenny realized was because he had begun to fall in love with Zeo. There was no mistaking that.
Zeo made him feel wanted, loved, and the most important person in the entire world. With Zeo, Kenny didn't have to rip out his heart and offer it humbly to the male in hopes he would not destroy the fragile glass spun heart. The way those soft green eyes fell upon him...well...it was as if a piece of his world snapped into place. Yet...no matter how much his emotions for Zeo were growing, they would never reach the peak where his feelings for Tala remained.
Like the most fragile fruit tree in the world, it sat unreachable to taint with regret and hatred. As cliched at it was, the love that Kenny held for the red head was as if a piece of heaven was continuing to be given to him.
At that thought, Kenny's face scrunched up, an amused smile playing on the tips of his mouth. "That is unbearably cliched. If I told Tala, he would probably stare at me as if I grew another head."
"Are you thinking about things, Kenny?" Dizzi inquired, coming online. Her tone was quiet, inquistion as Kenny glanced to where his computer sat on the table.
"It's been a long ride Dizzi. I think we've finally hit the climax of this soap opera drama," Kenny mused jocularly. "I think we can finally settle things. What do you say?"
"I'm glad you're in such good humor about it, Kenny," Dizzi remarked to him. "I was up all night worrying about you and what you were going to do today."
"You were worried?"
"Of course. You're deciding if you want to stick with Zeo or Tala. How can I not be worried or concerned about the outcome? I can't be as nonchallant as you are right now."
"You know Dizzi," Kenny remarked. "This is the only thing I can do now. I'm scared of having to go out today."
"Chief?"
"I want to turn back time," Kenny admitted. "I want to go back to when I found Tala. I want to stop myself from falling into this trap. To not have to feel this suffocating and slow ascend from the bottom of this sea I'm in. It's not easy, Dizzi. To get up and have to face Zeo today, knowing I may turn him away so I can be with Tala. I've never been so afraid in my entire life."
"This was never meant to be simple. It's a part of life, of learning and growing up. It may be difficult I know, but you are not at all alone. Remember that when you step up to take your stand," Dizzi said. "Time was never meant to turn back but move forward."
Kenny stared at the ceiling, already feeling worn. How was he going to pull this off. "Moving forward despite the tangles in your life can be quite impossible at times. You have to brave a path and stick to it until you run out of path to walk on."
"You know, Dizzi commented. "You should really get out of bed before you're late. Won't Tyson, Max, and Zeo be here soon?" That made Kenny jump out of bed. How could he have forgotten so quickly that Zeo, Tyson, and Max walked him to school, being that of course they all attended the same school.
"I completely let that slip!"
"Glad I reminded you." Dizzi watched the young man hurry around his room getting dressed and ready for school. At times when she observed him like this, it was as if a part of him continued to be that same kid she first met, though he had definitely come a long way from then. His eyes were wiser than before.
*Kenny, good luck, I hope you can find happiness finally with this choice.*
"Dizzi, I have to go now. I'll see you this afternoon, okay," Kenny replied.
"All right." The young man rushed out the room just as the doorbell rung. She hoped his strength and courage did not fail him when it was needed the most.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zeo looked up from his work to stare at Kenny. There was something wrong with the brunette. Zeo could sense it from the moment he, Tyson, and Max arrived at Kenny's house. Though Kenny seemed to smile and act normal, something in his eyes told Zeo there was something amiss. Especially when Zeo caught a glimpse of those usually sparkling blue eyes underneath the hair. Today, the smile within them hardly reached the point Zeo was use to. The sparkle in them had dimmed considerably.
While they were all walking to school, Kenny tended to space out. As if a tremendous amount of information was trapped inside, making him less than attentive. Tyson had to stop him from getting hit by two cars on two seperate occasions. Tyson wondered, along with Max if anything was wrong, but Kenny had given them one of his smiles Zeo always saw through. Something was eatting at Kenny and Zeo had no clue what it was.
*Kenny, I told you I would be here for you. What is it that you're thinking?* Zeo looked back down at his paper, but knew he couldn't fully concentrate on it.
Shifting his eyes back to Kenny, he silently sighed. He wanted to be there for the brunette, but if he didn't open up, how was Zeo supposed to help? There was nothing that Kenny was worried about that would hesitate Zeo from stepping in to assist with. So why hadn't Kenny told him about it last night or whenever it first started?
Maybe...
Maybe Zeo was a part of the problem. Was that why for that morning? For Kenny's distant nature towards those around him? Was that the reason his smiles stopped short of reaching his eyes? Could Zeo really be a part of Kenny's issue, whatever it was.
*Zeo, you got to calm down. Stop getting paranoid. Even if you are a part of it, that's not the reason he's reflective. There's more to it, I'm sure of that.* Zeo told himself with assurance. All he had to do was talk with Kenny and find out what was wrong.
Just as Zeo was about to look at his paper, a bell sounded, startling him. Looking up, he found the teacher getting up from her chair. Focusing on his paper again, he hurrily wrote the last few answers down before the teacher came down his row and collected it. With a smile, he completed the last answer in time to hand his paper to her. Looking over at Kenny, he found the male staring at him. Their eyes met, a flickering within them caught Zeo's attention.
Now was the best time than any to find out what was eatting at Kenny. Lunch was about to commence. If he could pull the male away before the crowds, they could probably get away to find a quiet place to talk. Standing up, Zeo beckoned for Kenny to come over. The brunette stood up, but had no idea what Zeo wanted. Making his way towards the green haired male, Kenny gave Zeo a questioning stare.
"Come on, lunch is about to start. Let's find some place quiet to talk," Zeo said when Kenny reached him.
"Talk...okay." Kenny's heart pounded in his chest. This was about to be it. He was going to have to tell Zeo now. "Let's go."
"Hey, where are you two going, lunch is about to start," Hilary replied watching the two. Zeo turned to her with a bright smile.
"To get some lunch. I didn't bring mine and Kenny wanted to buy something too," the green haired male lied. "We'll be back in a few, if we don't get caught up in the crowds."
"Hey, wait up. I'll go too," Hilary said. "You'll eventually meet up with Tyson and Max right?"
"Oh, don't worry. You'll probably see them before we do. If you do tell them we went to get something and to not start eatting without us," Zeo joked. If she came along with them, they would never be able to speak openly. She had no idea that the two were a couple nor about anything that happened in the past, to how they bacame a couple. Zeo would rather not have to explain it all currently.
"Oh...kay. Well, I guess I'll see you guys later then," Hilary waved the two off. She had a funny feeling that they were lying to her about going to get lunch and were actually going to meet up with Tyson and Max without her. They had been doing that as of late. Maybe she should follow them this time and bust them. But then, Tyson would say she was sticking her nose into other people's business. She rather wouldn't like to fight with the male today.
While she contemplated following the two, they were already making their way up to the roof where no one would think to look or come now that the temperature was dropping. Zeo pushed open the door, finding no one as expected. He tilted his head back to his boyfriend with a smile.
"We should be okay to talk up here. So, what's up?" Zeo inquired. For a moment, Kenny didn't answer. He leaned against the wall near the door looking up at the sky.
"I like this kind of weather," Kenny said softly. His hair ruffling lightly in the wind as he looked over at Zeo. Zeo walked in front of him, brushing the silky bangs out of Kenny's eyes. Their eyes met for a long seond.
"Tell me what is it, Kenny?" Zeo stated. "I can't help if you shut me out."
"Zeo..." Kenny felt bad for having to put Zeo through this. He didn't deserve it. He had been nothing but kind to Kenny. "I..."
"What?" Zeo asked, searching the brunette's eyes.
"Zeo, I really care about you," Kenny replied, tears welling up in his eyes. "I don't want to tell you because I know what you're going to do. I don't want to...but I know I would eventually have to tell you."
"Kenny." Zeo wrapped his arms around the male. "I will be by your side no matter what. You know that. I love you and because of it, I know how geniune your emotions are. I won't take offense to anything said. So tell me what it is?"
"He came back..." Kenny whispered. "He came back Zeo. He said so many things to me that messed up my head. I don't know what I want to do anymore. I'm afraid Zeo. Help me."
"Tala came back?" Zeo had a feeling this might happen if the red head came back. From what Kenny was telling him now, it only meant that the feelings had never ceased. Now they were stronger than ever. There was only one thing he could do for his beloved Bladebreaker now.
"Zeo, please help me," Kenny said.
"It's okay. I understand," Zeo murmured, letting Kenny go. With a sweet smile that almost tore Kenny's heart in two, Zeo kissed him on the forehead. "I know you couldn't forget no matter how much I tried to make you forget. It's okay now. I'm glad you told me."
"Zeo..."
"No," Zeo said, shaking his head. "I'll let you go, so you can figure out who you really love. If you come back to me, then I'll be happy that you chose me. But if you decide to go back to Tala for good, I hope he finally sees what was always there waiting for him. Like I told you in the beginning. It's what you want that matters the most."
"Zeo! Please don't leave. I know that if--" Zeo placed a finger to Kenny's lips, shaking his head no. The quiet shimmer in his eyes told Kenny not to say it. That it would kill them both if he allowed the words to slip free. Stepping away from Kenny, Zeo opened the door to the stairway. Giving Kenny just one more smile, Zeo walked down the stairs, closing the door. Kenny slumped against the wall, tears continuing to trickle down his face. How had things become like this? This shouldn't have happened.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey, Kenny, it's time to go home," Hilary said. The male staring out the window blankly didn't turn his head towards her nor acknowledge the fact she was there. "Hey! Chief, wake up! It's time you went home!"
"Huh?" Kenny blinked, turning his head to her. "Did you say something Hilary?"
"Yeah! I said it's time to go home. Zeo already left and I'm sure that Tyson and Max have already. So come on."
"Oh..." Kenny lowered his eyes. Hilary noticed the solemn look on the male's face. What had happened when he and Zeo went to lunch to cause such a melancholy nature in the male? Now that she thought about it, Zeo's smile was rather dim this afternoon when he was saying good-bye. It was like their worlds had crumbled down around them.
"Kenny, are you okay?" Hilary questioned. She wasn't trying to pry in his business, but as a good friend, it was her duty to help any way necessary.
"I'm fine."
"You sure?" Hilary remarked.
"Yeah." Kenny got up from his seat, heading out the door. He felt awful for what he did. Not just with lying to Hilary either, but Zeo. He doubted anything right now could make him feel better about it. That look, that one look cut so deep that Kenny wondered if the price for love was too great. Especially a love that could slip through his fingers as easily as before. He wouldn't be able to go back to Zeo if that were to occur once more. There was no way he would cause Zeo anymore pain. He would rather be alone than see that male have to walk away again.
Love really was selfish. It had no consideration to who it hurt and what consequences laid in its wake. Why did love exist to toil with the hearts of others? It just wasn't fair. It wasn't right nor could it ever justify the pain Zeo and his heart was inflicted with. Sure he wasn't perfect, hew was human. He made mistakes. But that was no reason for this.
Making it down the stairs and to his locker, he got the rest of his things and set out to leave. His mind conflicting with every thought to cross it. Love was supposedly humanistic, right? So why was it the most alienating thing ever to rise in the world. Kenny didn't understand it. Couldn't grasp the concept at all.
"Maybe I'm just not meant--" Before he could finish that sentence, he was jerked back onto the curb of the street as a car sped past.
"If you want to kill yourself, don't do it while I'm standing around," came a voice Kenny knew all too well, right down to the sharpest point of sarcasm. Looking up, he found Tala letting go of his collar. Was he...he couldn't be waiting for Kenny could he? It wasn't possible, right?
"What are you doing here?" Kenny whispered. Afraid he was going to break down and fall apart.
"Thinking," Tala shrugged. "Did you think I was waiting around for you?" The red head watch tears run down Kenny's face. With a curse, he pulled the male away from the school sidewalk, practically dragging him to some secluded area. Letting Kenny go only then, he narrowed his eyes. "Why are you crying?"
"You," Kenny sobbed. "Stop doing this to me! I can't take it. I can't keep facing you on these terms."
"You can't? How do you think I feel?" Tala demanded hotly.
"I don't know. I never know. You don't let me in," Kenny said. He walked over to a tree, leaning against it for support. He was growing even more haggard. When was it going to cease? "You never allow me in to know. I can't stand it. I can't stand this feel that's eatting me alive. I'm not strong anymore. I'm afraid and vulnerable."
"Why are you telling me?" Tala inquired. "You have that male."
"No I don't," Kenny lowered his face to the ground. "Zeo and I don't...we aren't together anymore. He...we parted earlier today. I hope you're happy now. That's what you wanted, didn't you? For me to be miserable, right?"
"You're miserable? You don't know what miserable is," Tala retorted walking up to the male. Lifting his face up, he stared directly into Kenny's eyes. "You haven't been forced to relive those idiotic moments of your past few months. You haven't had nightmares every night since I left. You haven't awaken to reaching out for something always out of your reach, always alone and full of hopelessness. You haven't thought about how much pain is in your chest, suffocating you and you have no idea why! You don't know miserable, Kenny."
"Tala...I..."
"I've had to go through all of that and more. I can't stop thinking about everything no matter how much I try. I can't stop myself from feeling things like jealousy of that male near you. Kissing you, touching you. It drives me insane," Tala admitted for the first time. Kenny saw the pain within those blue eyes. The wounds surfacing to the top finally. "Dammit...I'm insane.
Dropping his hand from under Kenny's chin, Tala looked up at the sky. His face for the first time ever showed signs of weariness.
"Kai came to see me yesterday, you know. He told me if I hurt you again he would kill me. You know, he hits a hell of a lot harder than I gave him credit for. My nose didn't stop bleeding for five minutes after that blow."
"Tala...why?" Why was he saying all of this? Why?
"Even though he hit me, I still plan on never letting that guy have you again. Do you understand me, Kenny? You said you would never leave me. I'm holding you to that, and I'm not letting you go until I feel like it," Tala stated, looking back down at the male, only to find him attached to his shirt sobbing.
"Please dont leave me again Tala! Please don't!" Kenny cried. He couldn't help it. No matter everything that had happened around and to him, this is what he truly wanted the most. The only thing that could balance out the pain and lost dealt to him.
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Rimnerel: Long chapter right guys? I hope you like it. I wrote it with several thoughts in my head that I had to make a comprimise on.
Tyson: There is an epilogue right?
Rimnerel: Of course, a few little details that I'm going to add to it to finish things out. Oh, and I honestly want an opinion from my reviewers. Who do you want Zeo to hook up with in the epilogue? Give me name and what series they're from and whoever gives me the best answer, I'm using it. Kai, do the ending.
Kai: The epilogue will be out Tuesday. But a note first, Monday she will release her songfic, The Reason that will tie into the epilogue of this one. She hopes that everyone will read it. So until then.