Part Four

Michael was slightly more confident on his feet as the pair took another walk through the gardens, although he still kept his arm curled around Robert's arm in case he fell.

"You really were spectacular in Moscow..." The knight said awkwardly, trying to start a conversation. "I never got the chance to tell you that."
"Thanks." Michael smiled, but his voice betrayed his sadness. He didn't want to remember how good he had been. "So were you... We sure taught Tyson a thing or two, didn't we?"
"Indeed."

Robert sighed, looking up at the clouds. He had been so concerned with coaching Tyson to victory that he had not taken much notice of the All Starz' captain, or anyone for that matter, back then. The boy had stood beside him the entire time they (along with Lee of the White Tigers) had given Tyson a last-minute training session, and he hadn't even cared to talk to him. He had been too proud to talk to him.

Stubborn, arrogant, outgoing... the kind of personality he despised. The All Star even had the audacity to fight without a Bit Beast and expect to win! As far as Robert was concerned, both Michael and Lee's pretentious antics had done more harm than good - apparently world-class Beybladers reduced to battling with hobbled blades. He had a right mind to tell them to go back to the hotel and let him handle Tyson alone, but they hadn't been worth his time.

He had to admire their determination, though...

The very same traits which had once repelled him now bonded him to Michael in ways he couldn't describe nor admit to. He reached into the pocket in the lining of his leather vest, pulling out a finned piece of orange plastic.

He had been furious at Judy for sending it. Was the woman so blinded by her own ambitions that she would risk Michael's health just to continue her experiments on him? He wasn't ready to return to his training - and she knew it.

Robert hadn't planned on handing Trygle over so soon - not until his guest's medical reports said he would be up to using it again, but...

But...
Michael looked so sad...

And if he could earn a smile just like Enrique could so easily, then he would give Michael anything. And as a blader himself, he knew the one thing that could get that smile would be the boy's very own Trygle.

He guided Michael to sit beside him on one of the many elaborate stone benches placed around the gardens. Not saying a word, he took his guest's hand in his and placed Trygle in his palm.

"Oh... Robert, thank you!"
And there it was - the smile he wanted. It lit up Michael's face, the likes of which even Enrique would be envious of!
"Was this... was this what Judy sent you?"
Robert nodded. "Your launcher and your hat are waiting inside."
"I... I don't know what to say."
"Then, do not say anything."

The pair were close, very close, to each other. Robert took a chance and reached his hand up to touch Michael's face. The All Star's smile faded into a different breed of expression... almost seductive as he leant into the caress. The knight's heart felt fluttery. He never expected a response, let alone one so encouraging. He moved closer still... his face so close to Michael's he could feel the other boy's heated breath against him.

Heads tilted in agreement that a kiss was inevitable; lips parted ever so slightly, ready to meet with the awaiting lips of the other. With eyes closed and heart beating so fast Robert was sure it would burst out of his chest, the nobleman's hand curled around the back of Michael's neck, never wanting to let him go. Closer...

Closer...

A mere centimetre spanned the length of the universe as they slowly, hesitantly drew in to each other. No longer master and guest, or even competitors... here, their relationship changed. How it would change relied solely on a single kiss...

"Hey, Robert!"
Emotions once so intense fled the instant the third voice called out; leaving Robert infuriated with whoever was yelling at him, and leaving Michael hungry for what was taken away from him so suddenly.
"What are you doing?!"

"Johnny?!" The knight stuttered, completely unprepared for the intrusion. "I was not expecting you."
"Well, that's obvious." The redhead smirked as he strutted closer. "I was in the area, so I thought I'd stop by and challenge you to a rematch, but if you've got better things to do than play Chess..."

Michael scowled, puffing his chest out and putting his hand on his hip. Attitude radiated off him with an intensity that made even Johnny feel threatened. "As a matter of fact-"
"Not here." Robert cut him off, throwing his arm out to block him away from any fight that might eventuate if the pair were to continue the stand-off.

"Just who is this guy?" Johnny asked - demanded - more to intimidate Michael in return, rather than out of actual curiosity. "He doesn't look like someone you'd usually hang around with, Robert."
"Johnny McGregor," Robert flourished his hand toward the Scotsman, and then to his guest. "Michael Parker, captain of the American All Starz."

It seemed he was constantly introducing and reintroducing people to the ignorant highlander. He never knew (and never cared to ask) if the boy was simply that forgetful, or just plain rude. Robert tended to lean toward the latter.

"Oh. Now I remember. So what's he doing here anyway?" Johnny snorted, unimpressed. He turned his attention to Michael with a slight tilt of his spiky head. "I heard about your team's embarrassing losing streak. I really wish I'd been there to see that."
"Johnny, be polite." Robert cautioned.

Michael wasn't as irascible as Johnny, but he certainly wouldn't sit back a let his team's honour be trash-talked either. Robert was worried Johnny was intentionally picking a fight - and whether it came down to fists or Beyblades, Michael couldn't possibly win in his current condition.

"Michael was injured, if you will recall; or have you forgotten why I left Russia so suddenly?"
"Yeah, thanks for leaving me with those two morons. You know they invited themselves over to my place after that?! Enrique I don't mind, but I swear I'm going to kill Oliver the next time I see him."
"Are you finished?" The purple-haired knight asked irritably.

"No, I've barely even started!" His team mate spat back, still trying to rile the outsider. "What do you want me to say? That it's embarrassing you would sink so low as to kiss this loser?"
"Say whatever you want. I'm outta here." The need to get away from Johnny's judgement far outweighed whatever discomfort Michael felt as he shakily rose to his feet and began to limp as fast as he could back to the castle.

It took all of Robert's willpower not to chase after him. His one chance, ruined. And there was nothing his pride would let him do to grab onto the hope of getting it back. His heart may have broken, but his stony face showed no sign of it in Johnny's presence.

"So..." The redhead drawled, planting his hands in his shorts' pockets and giving a self-satisfied grin. "What about that game of Chess?"
"One game, and that is all."
With any luck, Oliver and Enrique would have finished whatever they were doing by then, and Johnny could annoy them instead - giving Robert time to attend his other, more important guest.
"Best of three."
"One." Robert argued back. "You know I am going to beat you anyway. Why make it more painful for yourself?"