Author's Notes: In this chapter, Wyatt's relationship with his friends is explored more. The quartet of amateur Beybladers discover some secrets they've been keeping from each other. Christopher begins to notice a change in Wyatt. When he confronts his friend about it. He gets more than he bargained for...and more than he can deal with.
Chapter 4: Chrysanthemums
Christopher Worthington II, the top student in his class and one of the most elite members of his academy, was utterly and completely confused. Confusion was only one of the several emotions he felt at this moment. 'It doesn't make sense, the human body must have reactions.' he thought as he gazed down at his friend Wyatt. He sighed and looked around the room he was in. He glanced back at his still sleeping friend and was amazed at how deep of a sleeper the other boy was. He had shaken the boy violently, made loud noises near his ears, and at one point had been desperate enough to jump on the other boy's bed, but still the other boy did not awaken. He put his ear to the other boy's nose to make sure Wyatt was still alive. Seeing nothing more he could do, the other boy padded silently back to the room's door. At the last moment his feet caused a creak in one of the floorboards and caused Wyatt to stir awake.
"Chris?" Wyatt said sleepily. Chris shook his head, but walked back to his sleepy friend. He sat on the side of Wyatt's bed and saw the other boy yawn and rub his eyes. The cute gesture made Chris smile at his friend. Wyatt blinked before he asked, "What are you doing here?" "I came here to wake you up." Wyatt laughed a little, "Yeah I can see that, but why so early." "Early? Wyatt it's 10:00, even Ethan and Michael are awake. They asked me to wake you up and said for both of us to meet them in one hour at the new Beyblade shop in town."
Wyatt slid out of bed and stood up to stretch not noticing his friend's silly reaction. He walked to his closet and grabbed a pair of khaki shorts and a white t-shirt. Chris watched his friend curiously. He'd noticed something was off yesterday with Wyatt, but had played it off as just worrying too much. Now that he could observe his friend more closely he noticed the sadder expression on his friend's face. 'Why would he be sad? It must be something big to get him down. I'll have to ask him later.' "Hey, I'll give you some privacy. Just meet me outside the main entrance ok?." Wyatt didn't turn around and just began to undress.
Chris opened the door and looked at him with a worried expression, before he just shut the door behind him. He walked down the hallway in deep thought. He worried over what could make his usually happy friend so serious. Last night the other boy had at least seemed happy playing with them. It seemed peculiar for him to be the complete opposite the next day. He knew he had to get to the bottom of it so that he and the others could help their friend.
He turned the corner to the stairway took the steps two at a time. He pushed open the main entrance doors and was greeted with sunlight. He turned his gaze across the way toward the cafeteria, feeling his stomach growl in response. He was about to walk toward it until the main doors to the building burst open with boys covered from head to toe with food. He caught a glimpse inside where a food fight was going underway. 'Nevermind.' he thought chuckling. The sound of a door opening caught his attention and he turned around to see who had come out.
There stood his friend in a pair of jeans, a white long sleeved t-shirt with a light blue one over it and a small frown on his face. The whole sight made Chris sigh in confusion. He put a bright smile on his face nonetheless and greeted his friend cordially. The response he got was less than happy, but he still dragged his friend away from the school.
The two walked slowly, Chris talking most of the time, his friend only responding when it was required. Chris began to feel like he was babbling the whole way. The look on his friend's face told him that at least he was feeling a little bit better and wasn't thinking so much about what was bothering him. Letting his curiosity get the better of him, he stepped in front of his friend.
"What's the matter?" Wyatt asked him. He tried to move around his friend, but Chris put his hands on the other boy's shoulders, holding him in place.
"How about you tell me?" Chris said looking deeply into Wyatt's eyes, trying to get a hint at what was wrong.
"There's nothing the matter." Wyatt said with a smile on his face. The first one Chris had seen out of him all morning. The other boy sidestepped him and continued walking. Chris watched him walk away, before rushing quickly to catch up to him. He stole a glance at his friend, before choosing to drop the whole matter entirely.
~~~
"Hey dudes, I know what else we can do." Ethan said walking quickly in front of a toy store. With a wave of his hand, he gestured to the store, "Let's buy some water guns. We'll like have a good ole fashioned water fight later."
"Damn your immature." Michael said, arms crossed. Ethan blew a raspberry at him and was about to argue with him before Wyatt spoke up, "I think it's a good idea." Ethan smiled and surprised Wyatt by grabbing him and dragging the other boy into the toy store with him. Chris smiling at their antics and walked in with Michael, who looked less then happy to go in. They saw Ethan run past several aisles to the back of the store, pulling Wyatt with him. They ran to where the other boys were and looked before them to the big selection of water guns available. All of them grabbed one and began examining them. Ethan and Michael began to argue over which one they should get. Chris grabbed a green medium sized one and held it up high, pointing it slowly. Eventually his line of vision hit Wyatt. He saw that the other boy had picked out a blue and gray one. The look he had on his face this morning was back again and made Chris worried. He thought back on the whole day, remembering all the things he'd done with his friends.
When he and Wyatt had made it to the Beyblade shop, they were greeted with Ethan and Michael fighting over a green Beyblade. When the two settled down, the four of them had looked around the shop finding many interesting things. Wyatt had bought a blue and red Beyblade, while he had bought a gray and red one. All four had found their favorite place to eat, a diner called "Maria's", and had finally settled down to eat something. After leaving the dinner, the four had gone to the local mall and had gone to the see a movie and then the arcade. He'd paid close attention to Wyatt and noted that the other boy seemed to be back to his old happy self and had laughed quite a bit thanks to his other two crazy friends. 'Had it all been a facade? Was Wyatt not really enjoying hanging out with them?' He walked toward the other boy and intended to find out.
"Nice. Are you going to buy it?" Chris asked. "Huh?" Wyatt said as he looked up. "The water gun, I asked if you were going to buy it." Chris said patiently. "Oh, well...yeah, sure. I like it." Chris nodded. Wyatt looked at him, trying to decide on how to say something before he gave up altogether. A small muffled sound caught their attention. Both boys looked around them only to see that Ethan and Michael were gone. "Now where did those two go?" Chris asked. "I hope they're not killing each other." Wyatt said. "Knowing those two, they're probably suffocating each other or something." Chris said dryly. Both started walking in search of the other two. They saw the boy's bathroom and looked inside. The sight that greeted them was not the one they expected.
There was Ethan pinned to a bathroom stall by Michael, both boys locked in a fierce and passionate kiss. They looked very disheveled and completely oblivious to their surroundings. Chris and Wyatt just looked at each other in utter surprise. They couldn't understand how their polar opposite friends could be making out in a toy store bathroom.
Chris quickly snapped out of it as an idea came to mind. He caught Wyatt's attention and pointed to the sink and then to his water gun. Wyatt smiled as he caught on to what he was trying to tell him. Both silently made their way to the sinks and filled their water guns. When they had enough water they aimed right at the couple. Both boys pumped their water guns and began dousing the couple with water.
Ethan and Michael abruptly broke their lip lock with surprised yelps. They both ran inside a bathroom stall to hide from the attack. Wyatt and Chris laughed loudly as they rushed out the bathroom doors. Both boys leaned against each other, but they're laughter increased when the wet couple came out of the bathroom. "Surf's up." Wyatt said in between chuckles. "The look on both your flushed faces was priceless." Chris said smiling. "Argh!" Michael growled out, as he ran a hand through his shaggy wet hair.
"Aww, don't be such a spoiled sport, besides somebody had to cool you two down." Chris said holding his water gun proudly. "Yeah and anyway, when were you two horn dogs going to tell us anyway?" Wyatt said arms crossed. Chris joined him in the stance and both looked at the now blushing couple.
Ethan held a hand behind his head, "Well, uh....we just...wanted to keep it a secret...and we um-" "It's none of your business anyway." Michael said defensively. "When our two friends, who have been known to almost kill each other on occasion, disappear without a word and make us worry then it is, you wanker." Chris shot back, his British accent coming out stronger with each word he spoke.
Before Michael could respond, Wyatt spoke up, "Now all your fighting with each other makes sense. I hope your holding up alright Ethan. We all know how rough Michael can be, although you probably know more about that than us now, ne?" Michael's cheeks turned pink, not liking where this was going. Just when he thought things couldn't get any more awkward, Ethan draped an arm his shoulders and answered slyly back, "I'm holding up fine and let's just say that all the training commando boy over here gives me is worth it, if you know what I'm saying." Michael didn't think his face could be any redder, as he saw all three boys laugh and Wyatt and Chris smile at him in happiness.
"Well as far as I'm concerned. I congratulate you both and hope that now you'll lessen your fights, since now you don't have to pretend anymore." Chris said walking back to the water gun section of the store. Wyatt followed him and threw over his shoulder, "Yeah and your personalities balance each other out. Hehe, most of the time anyway."
Michael looked at them and felt a bit of relief flood through him, knowing that his other two friends weren't objecting with his being with Ethan. Somehow he sensed that they wouldn't shun him or Ethan, but to hear it aloud, made it feel like a small weight had been lifted from his shoulder. He looked back at the platinum blonde boy that was slowly walking away. He grabbed Ethan's shoulder making the other boy glance at him in confusion. Michael simply let out one of his rare smiles and moved his hand down to intertwine with Ethan's. He placed a small kiss on the other boy's cheek and began to walk with him, hand in hand. The whole romantic gesture, although small, spoke volumes to Ethan. He couldn't shake the goofy smile that was plastered on his face as they walked back to their other two friends.
~~~
"Hey guys, can I ask you something?" Wyatt said shyly. "You just did." The other three boys said in unison. Wyatt made an indignant sound that made the other three boys chuckle. All four of them were wet from head to toe, from their previous water fight, and were all sprawled on their backs on the park's grass. The warm breeze felt nice to them all. Michael, who had his hands behind his head, glanced down to see Ethan had made himself comfortable by laying his head on Michael's chest and wrapping an arm around his torso.
Chris cleared his throat and spoke, "So what's on your mind?" He turned his head to his left to see Wyatt had his eyes closed, face gazing up at the moon. He seemed slightly nervous in continuing with his question. Wyatt finally sighed and looked to his left to see that Michael and Ethan were waiting for him to continue. "Well what I wanted to know was...have you guys...ever been in love...and how did you guys find out?"
Ethan chuckled and raised his head slightly so his chin rested on Michael's chest. "Well as far as being in love, I'd never really felt that with anyone that I'd dated before. I thought I did with this one girl, but it wasn't that strong and she wasn't the one. It wasn't until I came here and met you guys, specifically Mike, that I began to feel that feeling. It's funny, but it took us so long to be where we are today. I mean it's only been a month ago that lunkhead over here, finally made a move." Wyatt sat up on his elbows, "What happened?"
Ethan glanced up at Michael before he spoke, "Well it was finally during one of our usual sparring matches that I realized that the dude was going harsher than he usually does. When I called him on it, he just stared at me. Took me by surprise that he would be so serious all of a sudden and that's when it happened. Mike surprised me by punching me in the stomach, but before I could hit the floor, he grabbed me and gave me one of the most memorable kisses of my life. Not exactly romantic but still to the point. That's when I knew that all these feelings I had for him, he had for me too. I knew at that moment that I had fallen in love with this strange and crazy dude." Wyatt looked at Michael's face to see that his eyes were closed but that he was smiling in satisfaction.
"The same goes for me." Michael said as he let one hand trail down Ethan's back. The blonde snuggled up to him more and closed his eyes. The two seemed to be asleep, but Wyatt knew better. He turned his head to his right to see Chris was staring up at the quickly darkening sky. As if sensing he was being stared at, he turned his head to look at Wyatt and smiled.
"Love. You know I used to believe that I was too young to experience it. That any feelings that I thought were that, were not real because I wasn't old enough to understand them. Now though my feelings have changed on the matter. I now believe that love at this age can be pure and true." Chris said smiling at his friend. "So does that mean you like someone?" Wyatt asked. Chris looked at him with a smile before looking back at the sky and was silent for several moments before he spoke again and even then his companions noted the very slight hesitation in his voice as he answered, "No, I don't." Wyatt knew that no one was going to press the matter. Chris usually told his friends everything, there must have been reasons for why he would seemingly withhold anything. His friend's question caught Wyatt off guard though.
"Who are you in love with?" Chris asked bluntly. "Huh? What makes you think I'm in love? I just asked because of everything that happened today." Wyatt said while laying back down on his back.
"Bull." Michael said from his spot on the grass, proving that he was indeed not asleep. Both he and Ethan began to sit up and look at the youngest member of their group. Ethan regarded the boy as if he was reading the answer to Chris's question on Wyatt. A crazy thought came to mind as to who it could be, but he felt that the chances of that were too slim.
"You can tell us who you like, after all why the hell would ya have friends if ya weren't going to tell them stuff?" Michael said sitting Indian style facing Wyatt. The other boy looked at him, biting his lip, seemingly very nervous about telling them. 'Damn must be one hell of a guy, if he doesn't admit it out loud.' thought Michael.
Wyatt finally sat up, bringing his knees up so that his elbows could rest on them. "Well the person that I like...is a little...ok make that very different from us. He seems a little like Michael, ya know. Tough guy outside, softy on the inside." A snort from Michael told him he resented the analogy. "The thing is though, he's so...argh...just so confusing. Sometimes he can be the meanest looking guy around and other times...he uh...well he shows me that he's not." Wyatt blushed slightly at saying that. "He's like no one I've ever met before. He's smart, wise, quiet, rude, brave, crazy and kind all rolled into one."
Chris sat up slowly not looking at the others as he spoke, "Just stop, Wyatt." Wyatt turned his attention to regard the other boy who again spoke in the same slightly odd tone, "It's obvious to us all. The way you talk about him, the smile on your face as you do so, the way he affected you throughout the day even though he wasn't there, the way you glow when you remember him." Chris looked at the other boy, "As they say my friend, you got it bad." Wyatt blushed at this and noticed that all three of his friends were looking at him.
"Stop with the analyzing stuff, dude. Get to the point! Come on Wyatt, answer your own question, have you ever been in love and how'd you find out?" Ethan asked. Wyatt looked at the expectant faces before him. He took a deep breath before he spoke, "Ever since he kissed me, I knew that I was falling for...Kai Hiwatari."
"Kai Hiwatari?!"
"I knew it!"
"Hiwatari kissed you?! Hehehe, Wyatt you sly horn dog."
Their reactions startled him slightly. Chris wore a shocked look on his face while Ethan wore a goofy triumphant smile. Both a big contrast to Michael's wily look. He sat Indian style facing them all.
Chris now having gotten over his initial shock proceeded to ask quickly, "When did all this happen?"
"Um well...these past few days that I've known him actually. All this stuff starting happening right after that Beybattle that I fought in. Kai rescued me from falling over the side of the building after that guy unleashed an energy attack on me. After he beat the guy, he yelled at me for taking that guy on. That's when I realized that he cared about me and was secretly worried on the inside but guys, after that is when things went very differently." He looked back at his friends who each had different expression on their face.
"So what happened afterwards?" Ethan asked excitedly. "Your asking like a gossipy junior high girl." Michael said while looking at Ethan. "Is this your secret way of telling me, that me wearing a school girl uniform would turn you on?" Ethan asked. He smirked at the big blush that came to Michael's face. Wyatt and Chris laughed slightly, understanding that now that their relationship was out in the open, Ethan was now able to crudely respond how ever he wished to Michael's insults to him.
"Alright, enough details of your kinky relationship to Michael, let Wyatt finish what he was saying." Chris said looking back at said boy. "Well there's really not much to tell. I mean once we got back to my room, he gave me an ice bag and took care of the gash on my hand." "Yeah I was wondering where the hell that came from." Michael said looking at Wyatt's hand. Wyatt nodded as he continued, "I thought this all meant that he was starting to care about me as a friend, so you guys know that when I think someone is my friend, I'll make stupid jokes. Well I made a joke about him forgetting to kiss it and make it better and uh...he asked me, if I wanted to. Thank god you guys came in before he could."
"We ruined your moment? Bummer. Sorry 'bout that dude." Ethan said, his Californian accent ringing clearer. "It's alright. If he had kissed me then, it wouldn't have felt right and I wouldn't have liked it."
"So when did he kiss you?" Chris asked him. Wyatt relayed the story to his friends. He told them everything he thought would be proper to say, not wanting to go into boring details. As he described everything, he didn't notice Chris give him a brief look of complete and utter sadness. As Wyatt talked he felt his heartbreak more and more. The joyful words Wyatt said about Kai, felt like knives to his heart. Everything he said made him fall deeper into a state of self-loathing and depression. Wyatt's revelation made him wish he had just told the other boy how he felt. 'Even if I had told him today it wouldn't have made a difference. Then he'd know and the look of pity he'd give me as he tells me he doesn't feel the same...it's not something I ever want to see. If I had told him earlier, before Kai ever came, then maybe I would be the one he's talking so happily about.' Chris sighed slightly, 'It doesn't matter now. He's too far into Kai that he wouldn't notice me. The only thing that's still good about this is that I haven't lost my friendship with him, something that means more to me than anything else.'
"Wow. Sounds sappy, but nice." Ethan said putting his head onto Michael's shoulder. "You should talk." Chris said in a slightly bitter tone. Ethan just looked at him. The look made Chris squirm a little. He recognized the look that meant Ethan was studying him. Chris was the only one of them who had figured out that although the blonde boy was usually happy and carefree, underneath he was empathic and could see through things better than them. Chris surmised it was one of the reasons why Ethan was able to fall in love with a troubled boy like Michael.
When he saw the other boy's eyes widen, he knew Ethan had figured out his slight change in attitude. He gave Chris a smile and a sympathetic look before turning his attention to Wyatt, not wanting to hint to the others of Chris' secret. It wasn't his place to say anything anyway. "So your lover boy will be back tomorrow?" asked Ethan. "Hopefully. I know this sounds a little silly, but I miss him." Wyatt said biting his lip. "Aw don't sweat it. He'll be back before you know it and if he's not, then he'll have to deal with me." "Some threat." Ethan muttered sarcastically. He rolled out of the way as Michael was about to tackle him. He got up quickly and got into a fighting stance. Michael got up as well and smirked at his counterpart.
"Come on Mike. Can you catch me? You may be a little stronger, but I'm way faster." "Shut up and prove your a black belt for once." Both boys began to counter each other before they began to fight.
Wyatt just sighed as both he and Chris watched the two fight. Although he had to admit it was entertaining to watch. "We should bring popcorn and a camera to film this." he said turning his head to look at Chris. "You realize that they do this to relieve the tension they have for each other. When they take their relationship to the next level, they will have a whole new way to relieve it." Wyatt blushed as he realized what his friend meant.
"So you really like Kai?" Chris asked him still looking at the other two fighting. He saw Wyatt nod from the side of gaze. Chris took a breath and said, "Then I support you my friend and hope things work out." Chris felt like a liar as he said that but continued anyway, "If Kai hurts you, then Michael is not the only one he will have to deal with." That made Wyatt look at him and give him a big smile. Chris smiled at him as well, knowing deep down though that he didn't really feel it.
~~~
"Achoo!" "Gesundheit. Man Kai you've sneezed a lot today. Either your coming down with something or someone's talking about you." Tyson said from his futon, which was next to Kai's. "Shut up, Tyson...A-A-Achoo!"
End of Chapter 4
Author's Notes: Ok #1, yeah that was long huh. Sorry about that. It's just when I'm cooking with spice, I end making a five course meal instead. I really do hope you like it though and didn't find it boring, annoying or two silly and stupid. If you did...can you say so in a "constructive" way?
Something else I thought I should clear up, is that Ethan's habit of saying 'dude' all the time, is not supposed to be a stereotype. I happen to be a Cali kid myself and where I'm from, that term is used all the time by believe it or not, all types of people. It's kinda cool when you think about it. One slang word used by many, instead of few.
Thank you very much to those that have reviewed so far. Sorry this blasted thing took so long. Stupid writer's block.
Anyway, next chapter is about Wyatt discovering a small sad truth about Kai. Why are Wyatt's friends getting so persnickety? Is something wrong with Wyatt? Kai better find out the truth fast, or he'll lose Wyatt forever, literally.
Please read and review!
Chapter 4: Chrysanthemums
Christopher Worthington II, the top student in his class and one of the most elite members of his academy, was utterly and completely confused. Confusion was only one of the several emotions he felt at this moment. 'It doesn't make sense, the human body must have reactions.' he thought as he gazed down at his friend Wyatt. He sighed and looked around the room he was in. He glanced back at his still sleeping friend and was amazed at how deep of a sleeper the other boy was. He had shaken the boy violently, made loud noises near his ears, and at one point had been desperate enough to jump on the other boy's bed, but still the other boy did not awaken. He put his ear to the other boy's nose to make sure Wyatt was still alive. Seeing nothing more he could do, the other boy padded silently back to the room's door. At the last moment his feet caused a creak in one of the floorboards and caused Wyatt to stir awake.
"Chris?" Wyatt said sleepily. Chris shook his head, but walked back to his sleepy friend. He sat on the side of Wyatt's bed and saw the other boy yawn and rub his eyes. The cute gesture made Chris smile at his friend. Wyatt blinked before he asked, "What are you doing here?" "I came here to wake you up." Wyatt laughed a little, "Yeah I can see that, but why so early." "Early? Wyatt it's 10:00, even Ethan and Michael are awake. They asked me to wake you up and said for both of us to meet them in one hour at the new Beyblade shop in town."
Wyatt slid out of bed and stood up to stretch not noticing his friend's silly reaction. He walked to his closet and grabbed a pair of khaki shorts and a white t-shirt. Chris watched his friend curiously. He'd noticed something was off yesterday with Wyatt, but had played it off as just worrying too much. Now that he could observe his friend more closely he noticed the sadder expression on his friend's face. 'Why would he be sad? It must be something big to get him down. I'll have to ask him later.' "Hey, I'll give you some privacy. Just meet me outside the main entrance ok?." Wyatt didn't turn around and just began to undress.
Chris opened the door and looked at him with a worried expression, before he just shut the door behind him. He walked down the hallway in deep thought. He worried over what could make his usually happy friend so serious. Last night the other boy had at least seemed happy playing with them. It seemed peculiar for him to be the complete opposite the next day. He knew he had to get to the bottom of it so that he and the others could help their friend.
He turned the corner to the stairway took the steps two at a time. He pushed open the main entrance doors and was greeted with sunlight. He turned his gaze across the way toward the cafeteria, feeling his stomach growl in response. He was about to walk toward it until the main doors to the building burst open with boys covered from head to toe with food. He caught a glimpse inside where a food fight was going underway. 'Nevermind.' he thought chuckling. The sound of a door opening caught his attention and he turned around to see who had come out.
There stood his friend in a pair of jeans, a white long sleeved t-shirt with a light blue one over it and a small frown on his face. The whole sight made Chris sigh in confusion. He put a bright smile on his face nonetheless and greeted his friend cordially. The response he got was less than happy, but he still dragged his friend away from the school.
The two walked slowly, Chris talking most of the time, his friend only responding when it was required. Chris began to feel like he was babbling the whole way. The look on his friend's face told him that at least he was feeling a little bit better and wasn't thinking so much about what was bothering him. Letting his curiosity get the better of him, he stepped in front of his friend.
"What's the matter?" Wyatt asked him. He tried to move around his friend, but Chris put his hands on the other boy's shoulders, holding him in place.
"How about you tell me?" Chris said looking deeply into Wyatt's eyes, trying to get a hint at what was wrong.
"There's nothing the matter." Wyatt said with a smile on his face. The first one Chris had seen out of him all morning. The other boy sidestepped him and continued walking. Chris watched him walk away, before rushing quickly to catch up to him. He stole a glance at his friend, before choosing to drop the whole matter entirely.
~~~
"Hey dudes, I know what else we can do." Ethan said walking quickly in front of a toy store. With a wave of his hand, he gestured to the store, "Let's buy some water guns. We'll like have a good ole fashioned water fight later."
"Damn your immature." Michael said, arms crossed. Ethan blew a raspberry at him and was about to argue with him before Wyatt spoke up, "I think it's a good idea." Ethan smiled and surprised Wyatt by grabbing him and dragging the other boy into the toy store with him. Chris smiling at their antics and walked in with Michael, who looked less then happy to go in. They saw Ethan run past several aisles to the back of the store, pulling Wyatt with him. They ran to where the other boys were and looked before them to the big selection of water guns available. All of them grabbed one and began examining them. Ethan and Michael began to argue over which one they should get. Chris grabbed a green medium sized one and held it up high, pointing it slowly. Eventually his line of vision hit Wyatt. He saw that the other boy had picked out a blue and gray one. The look he had on his face this morning was back again and made Chris worried. He thought back on the whole day, remembering all the things he'd done with his friends.
When he and Wyatt had made it to the Beyblade shop, they were greeted with Ethan and Michael fighting over a green Beyblade. When the two settled down, the four of them had looked around the shop finding many interesting things. Wyatt had bought a blue and red Beyblade, while he had bought a gray and red one. All four had found their favorite place to eat, a diner called "Maria's", and had finally settled down to eat something. After leaving the dinner, the four had gone to the local mall and had gone to the see a movie and then the arcade. He'd paid close attention to Wyatt and noted that the other boy seemed to be back to his old happy self and had laughed quite a bit thanks to his other two crazy friends. 'Had it all been a facade? Was Wyatt not really enjoying hanging out with them?' He walked toward the other boy and intended to find out.
"Nice. Are you going to buy it?" Chris asked. "Huh?" Wyatt said as he looked up. "The water gun, I asked if you were going to buy it." Chris said patiently. "Oh, well...yeah, sure. I like it." Chris nodded. Wyatt looked at him, trying to decide on how to say something before he gave up altogether. A small muffled sound caught their attention. Both boys looked around them only to see that Ethan and Michael were gone. "Now where did those two go?" Chris asked. "I hope they're not killing each other." Wyatt said. "Knowing those two, they're probably suffocating each other or something." Chris said dryly. Both started walking in search of the other two. They saw the boy's bathroom and looked inside. The sight that greeted them was not the one they expected.
There was Ethan pinned to a bathroom stall by Michael, both boys locked in a fierce and passionate kiss. They looked very disheveled and completely oblivious to their surroundings. Chris and Wyatt just looked at each other in utter surprise. They couldn't understand how their polar opposite friends could be making out in a toy store bathroom.
Chris quickly snapped out of it as an idea came to mind. He caught Wyatt's attention and pointed to the sink and then to his water gun. Wyatt smiled as he caught on to what he was trying to tell him. Both silently made their way to the sinks and filled their water guns. When they had enough water they aimed right at the couple. Both boys pumped their water guns and began dousing the couple with water.
Ethan and Michael abruptly broke their lip lock with surprised yelps. They both ran inside a bathroom stall to hide from the attack. Wyatt and Chris laughed loudly as they rushed out the bathroom doors. Both boys leaned against each other, but they're laughter increased when the wet couple came out of the bathroom. "Surf's up." Wyatt said in between chuckles. "The look on both your flushed faces was priceless." Chris said smiling. "Argh!" Michael growled out, as he ran a hand through his shaggy wet hair.
"Aww, don't be such a spoiled sport, besides somebody had to cool you two down." Chris said holding his water gun proudly. "Yeah and anyway, when were you two horn dogs going to tell us anyway?" Wyatt said arms crossed. Chris joined him in the stance and both looked at the now blushing couple.
Ethan held a hand behind his head, "Well, uh....we just...wanted to keep it a secret...and we um-" "It's none of your business anyway." Michael said defensively. "When our two friends, who have been known to almost kill each other on occasion, disappear without a word and make us worry then it is, you wanker." Chris shot back, his British accent coming out stronger with each word he spoke.
Before Michael could respond, Wyatt spoke up, "Now all your fighting with each other makes sense. I hope your holding up alright Ethan. We all know how rough Michael can be, although you probably know more about that than us now, ne?" Michael's cheeks turned pink, not liking where this was going. Just when he thought things couldn't get any more awkward, Ethan draped an arm his shoulders and answered slyly back, "I'm holding up fine and let's just say that all the training commando boy over here gives me is worth it, if you know what I'm saying." Michael didn't think his face could be any redder, as he saw all three boys laugh and Wyatt and Chris smile at him in happiness.
"Well as far as I'm concerned. I congratulate you both and hope that now you'll lessen your fights, since now you don't have to pretend anymore." Chris said walking back to the water gun section of the store. Wyatt followed him and threw over his shoulder, "Yeah and your personalities balance each other out. Hehe, most of the time anyway."
Michael looked at them and felt a bit of relief flood through him, knowing that his other two friends weren't objecting with his being with Ethan. Somehow he sensed that they wouldn't shun him or Ethan, but to hear it aloud, made it feel like a small weight had been lifted from his shoulder. He looked back at the platinum blonde boy that was slowly walking away. He grabbed Ethan's shoulder making the other boy glance at him in confusion. Michael simply let out one of his rare smiles and moved his hand down to intertwine with Ethan's. He placed a small kiss on the other boy's cheek and began to walk with him, hand in hand. The whole romantic gesture, although small, spoke volumes to Ethan. He couldn't shake the goofy smile that was plastered on his face as they walked back to their other two friends.
~~~
"Hey guys, can I ask you something?" Wyatt said shyly. "You just did." The other three boys said in unison. Wyatt made an indignant sound that made the other three boys chuckle. All four of them were wet from head to toe, from their previous water fight, and were all sprawled on their backs on the park's grass. The warm breeze felt nice to them all. Michael, who had his hands behind his head, glanced down to see Ethan had made himself comfortable by laying his head on Michael's chest and wrapping an arm around his torso.
Chris cleared his throat and spoke, "So what's on your mind?" He turned his head to his left to see Wyatt had his eyes closed, face gazing up at the moon. He seemed slightly nervous in continuing with his question. Wyatt finally sighed and looked to his left to see that Michael and Ethan were waiting for him to continue. "Well what I wanted to know was...have you guys...ever been in love...and how did you guys find out?"
Ethan chuckled and raised his head slightly so his chin rested on Michael's chest. "Well as far as being in love, I'd never really felt that with anyone that I'd dated before. I thought I did with this one girl, but it wasn't that strong and she wasn't the one. It wasn't until I came here and met you guys, specifically Mike, that I began to feel that feeling. It's funny, but it took us so long to be where we are today. I mean it's only been a month ago that lunkhead over here, finally made a move." Wyatt sat up on his elbows, "What happened?"
Ethan glanced up at Michael before he spoke, "Well it was finally during one of our usual sparring matches that I realized that the dude was going harsher than he usually does. When I called him on it, he just stared at me. Took me by surprise that he would be so serious all of a sudden and that's when it happened. Mike surprised me by punching me in the stomach, but before I could hit the floor, he grabbed me and gave me one of the most memorable kisses of my life. Not exactly romantic but still to the point. That's when I knew that all these feelings I had for him, he had for me too. I knew at that moment that I had fallen in love with this strange and crazy dude." Wyatt looked at Michael's face to see that his eyes were closed but that he was smiling in satisfaction.
"The same goes for me." Michael said as he let one hand trail down Ethan's back. The blonde snuggled up to him more and closed his eyes. The two seemed to be asleep, but Wyatt knew better. He turned his head to his right to see Chris was staring up at the quickly darkening sky. As if sensing he was being stared at, he turned his head to look at Wyatt and smiled.
"Love. You know I used to believe that I was too young to experience it. That any feelings that I thought were that, were not real because I wasn't old enough to understand them. Now though my feelings have changed on the matter. I now believe that love at this age can be pure and true." Chris said smiling at his friend. "So does that mean you like someone?" Wyatt asked. Chris looked at him with a smile before looking back at the sky and was silent for several moments before he spoke again and even then his companions noted the very slight hesitation in his voice as he answered, "No, I don't." Wyatt knew that no one was going to press the matter. Chris usually told his friends everything, there must have been reasons for why he would seemingly withhold anything. His friend's question caught Wyatt off guard though.
"Who are you in love with?" Chris asked bluntly. "Huh? What makes you think I'm in love? I just asked because of everything that happened today." Wyatt said while laying back down on his back.
"Bull." Michael said from his spot on the grass, proving that he was indeed not asleep. Both he and Ethan began to sit up and look at the youngest member of their group. Ethan regarded the boy as if he was reading the answer to Chris's question on Wyatt. A crazy thought came to mind as to who it could be, but he felt that the chances of that were too slim.
"You can tell us who you like, after all why the hell would ya have friends if ya weren't going to tell them stuff?" Michael said sitting Indian style facing Wyatt. The other boy looked at him, biting his lip, seemingly very nervous about telling them. 'Damn must be one hell of a guy, if he doesn't admit it out loud.' thought Michael.
Wyatt finally sat up, bringing his knees up so that his elbows could rest on them. "Well the person that I like...is a little...ok make that very different from us. He seems a little like Michael, ya know. Tough guy outside, softy on the inside." A snort from Michael told him he resented the analogy. "The thing is though, he's so...argh...just so confusing. Sometimes he can be the meanest looking guy around and other times...he uh...well he shows me that he's not." Wyatt blushed slightly at saying that. "He's like no one I've ever met before. He's smart, wise, quiet, rude, brave, crazy and kind all rolled into one."
Chris sat up slowly not looking at the others as he spoke, "Just stop, Wyatt." Wyatt turned his attention to regard the other boy who again spoke in the same slightly odd tone, "It's obvious to us all. The way you talk about him, the smile on your face as you do so, the way he affected you throughout the day even though he wasn't there, the way you glow when you remember him." Chris looked at the other boy, "As they say my friend, you got it bad." Wyatt blushed at this and noticed that all three of his friends were looking at him.
"Stop with the analyzing stuff, dude. Get to the point! Come on Wyatt, answer your own question, have you ever been in love and how'd you find out?" Ethan asked. Wyatt looked at the expectant faces before him. He took a deep breath before he spoke, "Ever since he kissed me, I knew that I was falling for...Kai Hiwatari."
"Kai Hiwatari?!"
"I knew it!"
"Hiwatari kissed you?! Hehehe, Wyatt you sly horn dog."
Their reactions startled him slightly. Chris wore a shocked look on his face while Ethan wore a goofy triumphant smile. Both a big contrast to Michael's wily look. He sat Indian style facing them all.
Chris now having gotten over his initial shock proceeded to ask quickly, "When did all this happen?"
"Um well...these past few days that I've known him actually. All this stuff starting happening right after that Beybattle that I fought in. Kai rescued me from falling over the side of the building after that guy unleashed an energy attack on me. After he beat the guy, he yelled at me for taking that guy on. That's when I realized that he cared about me and was secretly worried on the inside but guys, after that is when things went very differently." He looked back at his friends who each had different expression on their face.
"So what happened afterwards?" Ethan asked excitedly. "Your asking like a gossipy junior high girl." Michael said while looking at Ethan. "Is this your secret way of telling me, that me wearing a school girl uniform would turn you on?" Ethan asked. He smirked at the big blush that came to Michael's face. Wyatt and Chris laughed slightly, understanding that now that their relationship was out in the open, Ethan was now able to crudely respond how ever he wished to Michael's insults to him.
"Alright, enough details of your kinky relationship to Michael, let Wyatt finish what he was saying." Chris said looking back at said boy. "Well there's really not much to tell. I mean once we got back to my room, he gave me an ice bag and took care of the gash on my hand." "Yeah I was wondering where the hell that came from." Michael said looking at Wyatt's hand. Wyatt nodded as he continued, "I thought this all meant that he was starting to care about me as a friend, so you guys know that when I think someone is my friend, I'll make stupid jokes. Well I made a joke about him forgetting to kiss it and make it better and uh...he asked me, if I wanted to. Thank god you guys came in before he could."
"We ruined your moment? Bummer. Sorry 'bout that dude." Ethan said, his Californian accent ringing clearer. "It's alright. If he had kissed me then, it wouldn't have felt right and I wouldn't have liked it."
"So when did he kiss you?" Chris asked him. Wyatt relayed the story to his friends. He told them everything he thought would be proper to say, not wanting to go into boring details. As he described everything, he didn't notice Chris give him a brief look of complete and utter sadness. As Wyatt talked he felt his heartbreak more and more. The joyful words Wyatt said about Kai, felt like knives to his heart. Everything he said made him fall deeper into a state of self-loathing and depression. Wyatt's revelation made him wish he had just told the other boy how he felt. 'Even if I had told him today it wouldn't have made a difference. Then he'd know and the look of pity he'd give me as he tells me he doesn't feel the same...it's not something I ever want to see. If I had told him earlier, before Kai ever came, then maybe I would be the one he's talking so happily about.' Chris sighed slightly, 'It doesn't matter now. He's too far into Kai that he wouldn't notice me. The only thing that's still good about this is that I haven't lost my friendship with him, something that means more to me than anything else.'
"Wow. Sounds sappy, but nice." Ethan said putting his head onto Michael's shoulder. "You should talk." Chris said in a slightly bitter tone. Ethan just looked at him. The look made Chris squirm a little. He recognized the look that meant Ethan was studying him. Chris was the only one of them who had figured out that although the blonde boy was usually happy and carefree, underneath he was empathic and could see through things better than them. Chris surmised it was one of the reasons why Ethan was able to fall in love with a troubled boy like Michael.
When he saw the other boy's eyes widen, he knew Ethan had figured out his slight change in attitude. He gave Chris a smile and a sympathetic look before turning his attention to Wyatt, not wanting to hint to the others of Chris' secret. It wasn't his place to say anything anyway. "So your lover boy will be back tomorrow?" asked Ethan. "Hopefully. I know this sounds a little silly, but I miss him." Wyatt said biting his lip. "Aw don't sweat it. He'll be back before you know it and if he's not, then he'll have to deal with me." "Some threat." Ethan muttered sarcastically. He rolled out of the way as Michael was about to tackle him. He got up quickly and got into a fighting stance. Michael got up as well and smirked at his counterpart.
"Come on Mike. Can you catch me? You may be a little stronger, but I'm way faster." "Shut up and prove your a black belt for once." Both boys began to counter each other before they began to fight.
Wyatt just sighed as both he and Chris watched the two fight. Although he had to admit it was entertaining to watch. "We should bring popcorn and a camera to film this." he said turning his head to look at Chris. "You realize that they do this to relieve the tension they have for each other. When they take their relationship to the next level, they will have a whole new way to relieve it." Wyatt blushed as he realized what his friend meant.
"So you really like Kai?" Chris asked him still looking at the other two fighting. He saw Wyatt nod from the side of gaze. Chris took a breath and said, "Then I support you my friend and hope things work out." Chris felt like a liar as he said that but continued anyway, "If Kai hurts you, then Michael is not the only one he will have to deal with." That made Wyatt look at him and give him a big smile. Chris smiled at him as well, knowing deep down though that he didn't really feel it.
~~~
"Achoo!" "Gesundheit. Man Kai you've sneezed a lot today. Either your coming down with something or someone's talking about you." Tyson said from his futon, which was next to Kai's. "Shut up, Tyson...A-A-Achoo!"
End of Chapter 4
Author's Notes: Ok #1, yeah that was long huh. Sorry about that. It's just when I'm cooking with spice, I end making a five course meal instead. I really do hope you like it though and didn't find it boring, annoying or two silly and stupid. If you did...can you say so in a "constructive" way?
Something else I thought I should clear up, is that Ethan's habit of saying 'dude' all the time, is not supposed to be a stereotype. I happen to be a Cali kid myself and where I'm from, that term is used all the time by believe it or not, all types of people. It's kinda cool when you think about it. One slang word used by many, instead of few.
Thank you very much to those that have reviewed so far. Sorry this blasted thing took so long. Stupid writer's block.
Anyway, next chapter is about Wyatt discovering a small sad truth about Kai. Why are Wyatt's friends getting so persnickety? Is something wrong with Wyatt? Kai better find out the truth fast, or he'll lose Wyatt forever, literally.
Please read and review!