Eh, it's been a while since I've updated, but here's a bright shiny new chapter for you all! Enjoy.
Rei raced into Tala's room the minute Bryan had opened the door and rushed to the redhead's bedside. Tala looked pale and had a pained frown on his face as he slept.
"What happened?" Rei whispered brokenly as he watched Tala struggle in his sleep.
"Let him sleep for now," Bryan said drawing Rei back up and bringing him out of the room. They sat down on the couch and Rei drew his knees to his chest, watching Bryan worriedly. "We met with Boris as we were supposed to," he finally began. "Voltaire was there with him. Apparently he wanted to see Biovolt's best and to try us out."
Rei winced. "You don't look too bad."
Bryan laughed, but there was no humour in it, just a dry bitterness. "Everyone goes for Tala, the curse of his beauty I guess. Voltaire just gave me a quick rough, very rough, look over then moved straight onto Tala. I wasn't able to do a thing to stop him, it was Voltaire, he gets what he wants." Bryan looked away in pain and Rei shuffled over to him, wrapping his arms around him. "I haven't seen something like that … I've never been affected this badly in years.' Bryan sniffed, running his fingers through his hair.
"How bad is he hurt?"
"He'll be out for days, but Voltaire wants to see us all again on Saturday. He's showing his grandson around, since he'll be next to inherit the company." Bryan shook his head in disgust.
"Me too?" Rei asked after hesitating.
Bryan nodded. "I'm sorry kitten."
Rei snuggled in close to Bryan, suddenly apprehensive about everything. "Can I stay with you tonight?" he whispered. He felt Bryan's nod of consent, then he was lifted up by the older man and carried into the bedroom.
"You'll hurt yourself if you do that," Rei told him sternly as he was laid upon then bed.
"You're rather small and light for your age kitten, I'm fine." Bryan grinned at him. "Get changed, I'm just going to lock everything up and check on Tala once more." Rei nodded and started undressing as soon as the door closed.
Bryan swiftly went around the apartment, checking all of the windows and doors. Then he came to Tala's room and quietly stepped inside, not wanting to disturb Tala from his fitful rest. He knelt down by the bed and gently brushed the locks of hair hanging over Tala's face to the side. Tala leaned into the soft touch contentedly, his face clearing slightly with the reassurance that there was someone caring for him nearby.
"You're always getting hurt somehow," Bryan whispered in a choked voice. "Even now I can't stop it. I hate seeing you in pain Tala and I'll do anything I can to try and stop it."
Tala's eyes fluttered open then and he stared at Bryan, wincing in pain. "Don't," he whispered haggardly. He took a breath and said, "Take care of Rei."
Bryan nodded and grabbed the glass on the bedside table, making Tala take a sip of it. "Get some sleep Tala." Tala nodded and closed his eyes again, the painkillers kicking in as soon as his head touched the pillow again.
Bryan made his way quietly back to is own room and managed a small smile at the sight of Rei curled up in the middle of his bed. He quickly stripped down to his boxers and climbed in beside Rei. The boy snuggled up to him as soon as he hopped in.
"Night Bryan," Rei whispered planting a soft kiss on his lips.
Bryan kissed him on the forehead in return. "Sleep well kitten."
*~*
Tyson studied Rei curiously as they sat in class. He looked exhausted and Tyson was really worried. Rei had hardly talked at all and seemed to be haunted by something.
"Rei?" he asked cautiously as they were walking out of class. He laid a hand on Rei's shoulder and pulled it back in surprise when Rei flinched rather violently. "Okay now I know something's definitely wrong, you've hardly talked for the past two days and you've been acting weird."
"I'm fine Tyson," Rei said as he pulled away. "Sorry I haven't been that social."
Tyson watched him worriedly as they walked to their next class. "No it's fine, I just wish I could help with whatever's bugging you."
"I told you I'm fine Tyson."
Tyson sighed and let him be. He really did wish he could help Rei, he hated to see anyone with an expression that down, much less the cheerful Rei, he loved seeing the other boy smile cheekily as he had before.
"Hey Rei?" The raven-haired boy looked over. "Do you want to do something on the weekend?"
Rei froze and shook his head. "Sorry, I can't I'm working. I'll be out all weekend."
Tyson looked a bit down. "Oh, okay."
"How about next weekend, after the dinner at my place. I don't think I have much on then, the only problem would be work calling in for an emergency or something."
Tyson nodded smiling slightly as he saw Rei becoming more animated. "That would be cool. You still have to show me around town a bit."
"Well, actually, why don't we go out tomorrow morning then? I don't really have to be at work until four in the afternoon, and I don't have anything else planned for then." Rei was glad he made the offer as he saw Tyson's face light up with delight. His heart pounded at the sight and with a sinking feeing that contrasted the happiness he felt, he realised he was starting to fall for the innocent boy. It was hard not to though, Tyson just had this quality about him, and Rei had never had a real friend before. He swallowed as Tyson stared at him with his wonderful smile and found himself unconsciously smiling back.
"That would be so great Rei. I know I can get Kenny to drive us to the mall or something." Tyson was so glad he got Rei to smile, he hated seeing him down. It just didn't suit him. He looks so attractive when he smiles. Tyson flushed slightly at the thought, even if it was true.
He'd never met anyone like Rei before, he had a very unique attitude and Tyson was amazed that he didn't have any friends. He was the sort of person that others should have flocked around, but he almost seemed to cut himself off from everyone else, seeing something in them he didn't like. Tyson got the feeling that Rei didn't like to get hurt and he felt honoured that Rei thought him suitable material for a friend.
If only he could stop thinking such strange thoughts about Rei.
"How about I call you after school to organize things?" Rei suggested, getting slightly unnerved by the silence. Both boys were blushing slightly, each caught up in their thoughts of the other.
"Yeah. Have I given you my number?"
Rei shook his head and got out his phone to keep it recorded. Tyson told him and he grinned. "Cool. Tomorrow should be so fun."
"Yeah."
"Unfortunately we have to get through the rest of today first."
Both boys sighed and trudged into the classroom.
*~*
Kai was unusually silent as he drove Tyson over to Rei's house. Tyson watched him curiously, even for Kai this sort of behaviour was weird.
"What is it?" he asked, glancing over at Tyson.
Even with the dark shades on, Tyson found himself looking away from the intense gaze. "Nothing really," he answered, "Just wondering why you're so quiet."
"I'm always quiet."
"I guess you are, it seems worse this time though."
"Keep out of it Tyson."
"Whatever." Tyson glared at him before snorting and turning away. Kai's attitude really got to him at times, in fact, it was starting to rub off on him a bit.
Kai glanced at Tyson again then concentrated on finding the address Tyson had given to his earlier. He hadn't been around here much of late and still got a bit muddled. "I think this is it," he said as he pulled up to a rather large and impressive apartment building.
Tyson whistled. "Guess so." He grinned and jumped out of the car. Kai locked everything up and followed the enthusiastic boy through the lobby to the elevator. Once inside Kai had to restrain Tyson from pushing all of the buttons, instead pushing the proper button himself. Tyson pouted at this and kept trying to reach for the control board until they got out at Rei's floor. Tyson ran down the hall to their apartment and knocked very loudly.
Kai sighed, muttering, "Why me?" as the door opened, revealing Bryan in a somewhat disheveled state of dress.
"Sorry," he apologised. "I forgot about getting up early today. Come in." He opened the door wider and the two stepped through. "I was just making breakfast, would you two like to join us?"
"Yeah!" Tyson was practically jumping with glee as he followed Bryan into the kitchen. Rei was already sitting at the table, his mouth full, when they entered.
He swallowed and grinned. "Hey Tyson, glad you could make it. Want some food? There's plenty here." And indeed there was. Remembering finally that Tyson would be coming around, Bryan had made extra and the boy eagerly sat down and started devouring the scrumptious morsels.
"Would you like to join us Kai?" Bryan offered, gesturing to an empty seat.
Kai was about to refuse when he caught a whiff of the food. "Sure, why not," he said, taking a seat next to Tyson. Bryan served him up some food and he hesitantly took a bite.
"Wow, Tyson wasn't joking," he said after he swallowed.
"And this is just a hurried breakfast," Rei said with a grin. "Wait until Friday."
"Yes! More food!" Tyson grinned enthusiastically, to the amusement of the others at the table. Well, Kai actually groaned and shook his head in exasperation.
"So your other guardian is not here?" Kai asked Rei curiously.
"Tala's still sleeping," Rei said with a grin. "He's very lazy when he gets the opportunity."
"This time he's a bit sick though," Bryan told Kai. "Otherwise I know he'd be up here greeting you. He hates impoliteness, but I'm refusing to let him come out of the room until toady … when he finally wakes up."
"He takes sick easily?"
"Sometimes, when he's exerted himself."
The late breakfast and dining room chatter continued on until everything had been eaten and the two boys finally noticed the time.
"Ah, we're going to miss the movie," Rei groaned.
Kai looked at his watch and said, "I could drive you two in if you want."
Tyson grinned. "Thanks Kai."
Rei smiled gratefully. "Yeah, thanks."
Kai looked over at Bryan. "That was a wonderful meal, I'm looking forward to Friday more than ever now." He got up from the table, with the two boys looking excited about the outing. Bryan walked them all to the door, waving at the two boys as they dashed excitedly down the hallway.
Kai caught the expression on Bryan's face as he watched them. Noticing Kai's curious look, Bryan told him, "Rei doesn't often go out, it's quite strange to see him acting so animated around someone his own age. And Tyson seems like the prefect person for him."
Kai nodded. "He's s good kid." He shook his head as he heard Tyson all out impatiently for him to hurry. He shot Bryan a wry look and set off after them. "I'll see you around sometime."
"Yeah." Bryan watched them leave then closed the door, heading back to the kitchen to finish with Tala's breakfast. He should have been waking up right about then.
Packing everything else away to be washed, Bryan headed into Tala's room with a tray laden with food. He opened the door and stared for a few moments at the still figure on the bed, his heart tugging painfully with guilt. He stepped forward and placed the tray on the table beside the large bed and sat down beside Tala's sleeping form.
Bryan gently brushed back Tala's hair from his face and smiled as the frown on his face faded.
"Bryan?" Tala murmured softly, waking up.
"I have breakfast," Bryan offered with a smile and Tala returned the smile, looking over at the table.
"I think the poor invalid still needs someone to feed him," Tala said with a yawn and a smirk. Bryan laughed but nodded, feeding a few pancakes to Tala before the redhead finally got sick of it and sat up, pulling the tray over to himself, much to Bryan's amusement.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better," Tala told him truthfully. "I'll be fine for this afternoon."
"And after that?" Bryan asked coldly. Tala glared at his tone.
"That won't matter, what matters is that I do my job."
Bryan looked sour but nodded, knowing that there was really nothing either of them could do to get out of this today.
"I think I'll take the car today." Tala looked thoughtful as he finished off his breakfast. "I don't think I'm quite up for a ride on your motorcycle yet. I'll take Rei too."
"You'll have to pick him up when he calls, he's at the mall with Tyson."
Tala nodded. "Sure." Then he frowned. "How did he get there?"
"Kai dropped them off." Bryan took Tala's plate from him, heading to the door.
"Kai?" Bryan nodded at Tala's inquiry. "Seems like a nice guy then."
"You'd like him," Bryan said as he moved out.
"That you can be sure of," Tala whispered to no one. He sighed and got up, no longer in any real pain. He grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom to ready himself for the day.
AN: Hope you all liked that and I promise next chapter things get really interesting. Really interesting.
Until then.