Disclaimer: I don't own
A/N: Here's the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
"Kai!" The Russian stepped out of the shadows, a slight smile tugging at his mouth. Both of the younger bladers were about to jump their ex-captain when a second voice came from the kitchen. "What? No hi for me?" Tyson and Max jumped slightly, exchanging a shocked look. "Tala?" The redhead's hand appeared around the wall separating the kitchen from the living room. Tyson turned to Kai eyes questioning. "Do you have Ian and Spencer in the closet?" The slate haired blader pushed Tyson towards the kitchen. "No. Now move."
An island ran along one side of the kitchen providing an excellent place for people to sit and watch someone work in the kitchen. Tyson and Max sat down at the island, drinks in hand, all to content to let the others cook. The kitchen was filled with idle chatter, Kai being his normal silent self, though Tala was making up for his lover. Tyson threw an ice cube at Max and missed, the ice skittering along the island's top.
The sound of the front door closing echoed through the penthouse. "Tyson, stop glaring, its not polite. Hi Bryan." The lavender haired Russian smirked, joining Kai, Tala and Rei in the kitchen. Tyson and Max watched as the four older bladers prepared dinner, moving around each other with ease.
"Watch it would you!" Tala looked down at his black sweater; specks of flour standing out against the dark color. Rei smiled, fangs peeking out slightly. "Sorry I didn't mean to." The Russian picked up some flour and was about to dump it on the neko-jin's head when Kai caught his arm, mahogany eyes dark. "Don't even think it. Both of you stop acting like children. You don't need to act like that. That's what Tyson's here for." There was an outraged "HEY!" from the person in question.
Both Rei and Tala smiled, middle fingers making an appearance in front of the slate haired Russian's face. Kai just shook his head and turned back to the dinner preparations. Bryan who was standing next to Rei leaned in front of the neko-jin, tapping Tala's shoulder. Blue eyes met moonlight and Bryan smirked, humor barely evident. "Be careful Tala, I'm sure that he'll take you up on that offer tonight."
Tyson and Max watched as Kai turned to look at Bryan, a full-blown smirk on his face. Tala had turned bright red, skin matching his hair perfectly. Rei was laughing so hard that he was bent double, forehead resting against the counter top, knife dangling from one hand. Bryan had just gone back to cutting up the meat in front of him, smirking. Tyson looked at the four older bladers, navy eyes scanning for some hint. "Max, do you get the feeling that we're missing something important?" The blonde nodded, swirling the ice in his glass.
Dinner preparations continued without anymore complications. Tyson jumped when a plate of steaming chicken was set in front of him. He reached one hand out, letting out a yelp when a wooden spoon rapped his hand, skin turning red. "Take that to the table. If one piece of that is missing you'll be spending the rest of your vacation training." Kai turned away, missing the tongue that the navy haired blader stuck out at him. Tyson took the plate to the table, muttering underneath his breath about cranky Russians.
"So Kai," Tyson started, setting his fork down next to his plate, "have you found anyone who wants to wake up next to your grumpy ass every morning?" The four older bladers exchanged looks, smirking. Max looked at them, blue eyes confused. "What's so funny?" Rei smiled, fangs flashing. "Nothing."
Max and Tyson offered to clean up, something Tyson never would have done when he was younger. After they finished they joined the others in the living room, claiming a couch for themselves. Tala was sprawled out on the other couch; Kai and Bryan were ensconced in two plush armchairs and Rei was on the floor, back against Tala's couch.
*****
Max yawned again, the third time in less then a minute. Rei got to his feet; golden eyes about to slide shut. "Come on Tyson. Get Max up before he falls asleep." He handed the navy haired blader his keys. "Go down to the car. I'll be down in a minute." Tyson left, his lover leaning against him. Rei flopped back on the sofa that Tyson and Max had occupied, hand running through his bangs. "What's wrong Rei? Tyson eating you out of your house?" He looked up to see Kai smirking, mahogany eyes lit with humor.
"Shut up Kai. No, they just manage to keep me up all night so that they can tell me about every little detail in their lives. What are we going to do about next week? They're leaving Thursday morning, and I'm certain that they're planning on coming Wednesday." Tala, Kai and Rei all turned to look at Bryan who had remained silent throughout the whole exchange. "You actually expect me to let those two in my house?"
The neko-jin got to his feet and went to stand in front of Bryan, index finger hovering inches in front of the Russian's nose. "Fine we'll be at my house, but you owe me. You have to do dishes at my house the next two times." Bryan shrugged. "Fine. I'll do it." Rei smiled fangs visible. "Works for me. See you all next week." He disappeared out of the penthouse.
Tala looked at Bryan, blue eyes accusing. "What the hell was that? You never give in that easy!" Bryan shrugged and got to his feet, stretching. "I don't know what you're talking about Tala. Goodnight." He left, leaving the other two Russians to stare after him. Kai pulled Tala towards their bedroom. Tala stripped his sweater off, tossing it into the hamper in the corner of the room. "There's something between those two. I knew it! Bryan never gives in that easy to anybody." Kai climbed into the bed, snuggling under the covers. "Don't worry about it. They both need it."
Tala climbed in, drawing the blankets up to his chin, curling up around Kai. He kissed the top of his lover's head, blue eyes slowly closing as sleep claimed him. "I know. It was just a little unexpected. Night."
*****
Rei flipped on the kitchen light, eyes drawn to the bottle of wine on the counter. "Tyson?" The navy haired blader appeared at the door to the kitchen, ready for bed. "What?" Rei held up the bottle. "Is this yours?" Tyson shook his head, and took the bottle from the neko-jin, looking at the label. "Maybe on of the others gave it to you." Rei shook his head, hair swishing. "No, they would have told me or at least left a note." He took the bottle from Tyson and dropped it into the garbage can. "I don't know who it came from so, no point in keeping it. Go to bed, you look like your about to fall over." Tyson saluted and left, leaving his friend deep in thought.
*****
Rei pushed open the door to his office, eyes widening in shock. A huge bouquet of flowers sat on his desk, their scent filling the room. "Danya, when did these get here?" Danya glanced down at her watch. "About fifteen minutes ago. This came with it." She handed him an envelope, leaning back against the wall to watch him. Rei opened the envelope, pulling out a single sheet of folded paper. He unfolded it, revealing a single line of handwriting:
What's wrong Rei? Didn't like the wine?
He folded the paper back up and ripped it into pieces, dropping them into the garbage. He picked up the flowers, hands trembling slightly. "Take these and get rid of them." Danya took the flowers and disappeared out the door. Rei sat down in his chair, face buried in his hands. The silence in the room was almost unnaturally quiet, grating against the neko-jin's nerves. ~You would have thought this would have stopped after we broke up. I don't miss the fangirls and other crazies.~ A harsh laugh escaped from his lips, echoing in through the silence office. He shuddered slightly and turned to his computer, trying to drown his thoughts in his work.
*****
"Max, would you get the door!" Rei called out, too busy in the kitchen to get the door. Max set his laptop on the coffee table and poked Tyson on his way to the door. The blonde opened the door, his smile dimming slightly at the sight of who was at the door. Bryan nodded to the younger blader before going to the kitchen. A slight smile appeared as he entered the kitchen.
Rei was covered in flour, the only color on his body his eyes, golden orbs slightly angry. "Shit!" He stomped his foot, raising a small flour cloud from the floor. "What happened?" The neko-jin smiled, starting to brush the white powder off of his clothing. "I accidentally dropped the flour and it exploded. I guess we're having pizza for dinner. Go call while I clean up the mess in here. Use the phone in my room. We don't need Tyson to know."
Bryan settled on the edge of Rei's bed, phonebook open on the covers next to him. He quickly placed the order, not wanting to have to deal with the people on the other end of the phone any longer then necessary. He had just hung up when he heard the bedroom door open. Navy eyes met his, the dark depths glittering with anger. "What the hell are you doing in here?" Tyson leaned against the doorframe, trying to block the door. The Russian got to his feet, muscles tensed. "Using the phone. I didn't think you were that stupid. Now move." Tyson stood up to his full height, almost to the Russian's eyes. "I don't trust you Bryan and I know you know that. Just watch it around Rei." Bryan didn't answer, instead pushing past the shorter blader.
When he got back to the kitchen Tala and Kai had arrived and were talking to Rei as he finished cleaning up the flour. He put the dustpan and broom back into the closet, closing the door with a resounding click. "I'm going to go take a shower. I'll be out in a couple." He disappeared, leaving the three Russians to their own. The house was almost silent, the only sounds running water and moans from the wind outside.
There was a knocking at the door, followed by loud yell of "PIZZA!" from Tyson as Max took the pizza from the startled deliveryman. "Bryan, go get Rei before Tyson gets the pizza from Max. We'll go help." There was the muffled whimper from the living room followed by "Kai…Why'd you do that?" Bryan slid past them, pale eyes drawn to the half open door to Rei's room.
Rei's back was to the door, hair drawn over one shoulder as he tried to dry the unruly ebony strands. Water ran down his bare back, tracing small glistening trails as they moved, soaking into the top of his pants. Bryan slipped into the room, closing the door with a soft click. The neko-jin continued to untangle his hair, seemingly unaware of his silent watcher. The Russian moved forward, thick carpet muffling his footsteps.
Rei pulled his hair into a low tail, black strands following the contours of his lithe body. He was about to pull his shirt on when cool hands settled on his sides, fingertips caressing the velvet skin. He shuddered slightly; fingers leaving behind ice trails along his still shower warmed skin. Leaning back he allowed his eyes to close, relishing the warmth that surrounded the lavender haired Russian. Bryan smiled slightly as a soft purring filled the room. He placed a soft kiss on Rei's neck, one hand roaming towards the edge of the neko-jin's pants.
"As much as I would like to continue this if we want to eat we had better get out there." Rei sighed and moved out of Bryan's arms, pulling on his shirt, golden eyes twinkling with faked innocence. "And what if I said that I didn't want pizza?" Bryan's pale eyes took on a predatory shimmer. "I'm sure we could think of something, although I'm not sure how Max and Tyson would take it though." Rei crinkled his nose slightly. "Point taken." He grabbed the Russian's hand and dragged him from the room, the sounds of low talking reaching their ears.
*****
Rei locked the front door behind him, the feeling of being watched not diminishing. The entire day he had felt as though eyes were boring into his back. Not once had he found anyone watching him and as the day had progressed he had started feeling more and more uncomfortable.
The phone rang, causing him to jump, heart feeling as though it was going to burst from his chest. He picked up the phone, turning on the light next to the table in the process. "How's it going Rei?" He dropped onto the couch, phone in his right hand. "Fine Tala. Other then the fact you nearly gave me a heart attack. What's up?" There was the sound of drawers opening and closing before the Russian answered. "Kai was called for a business meeting. I'm going with him to keep him from killing any of his underlings. We'll be back Friday night. So," there was silence and Rei could almost see the Russian smiling. "it'll just be you and Bryan Wednesday night." Rei got to his feet, smiling. "I'm sure Bryan and I will manage to entertain ourselves." There was the sound of snickering on the other end of the line.
Rei turned to look out his living room window, the street light casting odd shadows. "I didn't mean it that way Tala, you…OH SHIT!"
