Chapter 22

phoenix the 1st: I have large brown eyes, but I can't resist a man with blue eyes. Interestingly enough, the two characters I like have lavender and violet eyes. Must be the personalities. :p

Bloody Mary: Your bonehead comment cracked me up.

Jay Kamiya: Hope I didn't confuse you there.

russle: If I tell you why I laughed it will give away the end of the story, so you'll just have to wait. Sorry. :p

eyriess: The author alert is great indeed. So is the review alert feature. :p

KuronekoHikage: Chocolate and ice cream? Damn, how did I miss that!? And I'm the author. smacks head against keyboard

Castles in the Sky: They'll get to experience it soon... maybe... you hope... :p

Ashla: But by missing chapters you go longer without getting a fic fix. I could never do that.

umi n secylia: Tala and Bryan romantic. Who'd have thought, eh?

LadyOrient: I think they might need to breathe there. :p But yes, it's good that there remains the hopes and dreams. If you don't have that, you have nothing.

And the next morning…

Disclaimer: See first page

Ian hit the light switch and groaned, shifting the bag to his other shoulder. "You guys are screwing each other, I know it."

Two pairs of eyes, one blue and one lavender, cracked open to glare at him. Spencer followed his young comrade into the room, Panas and Aizik just behind, all three trying not to laugh.

Tala yawned, stretching. "Is it after breakfast already?"

"Sure is," Panas said with a smile. "You slept in."

"No one said we can't," Bryan muttered as he pushed himself up, rolling his eyes as Tala looped his arms around Bryan's middle, snuggling in. "We have to get up, Tal."

"Comfy…"

Bryan sighed, shaking his head. "Well I need to go."

"Hold it in."

Bryan gently pulled Tala's hands free and slid from his arms, disappearing toward the bathroom as Tala glared at his back.

Spencer shrugged. "When ya gotta go, ya gotta go."

Panas chuckled. "Amen."

Aizik settled into a seat, looking around and taking in the backpacks, then reaching out to pat the bags on the table. "I checked my books and found some fruit, vegetables, and pastries that will help you on your journey. I'm getting some meat this afternoon, as well as some drinks that I'll mix up for you."

Tala slid from between the sheets, straightening his shirt. "Just so long as it tastes better than that other stuff you mixed up for us."

Aizik took it in his stride. "The other stuff was a dietary supplement to rebuild your blood count and immune system, as well as nourishing you at a faster rate. It was made to work quickly, not taste good. Nevertheless, the drinks will taste better. Any requests for flavours?"

"Anything."

Bryan joined them, the two eating a large meal to build themselves up, running their plans by Ian and Spencer. Spencer agreed with the two blanket idea, adding the body heat element and further enhancing the argument for doubling up of a night. Ian simply sat and glared, barely listening as Aizik made some last minute checks of the two fugitives and giving them the okay but be careful.

Finally Tala's eyes slid toward the youngest member of the group. "What's your problem?"

"You." Ian's eyes narrowed further. "Yesterday you told us you weren't screwing each other, and yet when we walk in this morning–"

"We are not screwing each other." Tala paused, then smirked mischievously. "Yet."

Panas, Aizik and Spencer snorted, trying to cover their smiles as Bryan raised an eyebrow. Ian simply scowled.

"So you admit you two are involved?"

Tala shrugged. "Does it really matter if we are or not?"

"It does to me."

Panas looked at him. "How come? You a homophobic or something?"

Ian shook his head. "Not at all. Most of the guys here at the Abbey are gay, it's just that Tala's the team captain."

Tala raised an eyebrow. "Your point being…"

"My point being that Bryan is a team member and you'll take preference over him."

This time, Spencer did laugh.

"Ian, Bryan's the best blader in the Abbey. He already had preference." Tala reached out and patted Bryan's arm, causing the other to look up. "As far as I'm concerned, the only reason Bryan isn't the captain of this team is because Boris can't control him. Anyhow, what does it matter if we're involved or not? I go by skill when choosing who battles, not likability."

"You shouldn't get involved with your teammates."

Tala frowned. "Are you trying to tell me who I can and can't date?" Ian looked away, causing Tala to sigh. "What am I going to do with you?"

Bryan looked at him slyly. "I say we kill him."

Tala glanced to the side. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

Bryan smirked, eyes sparkling with predator intent.

Ian swung around, pointing accusingly at Bryan. "He is insane."

Panas sniggered. "Oh yes. He was born that way, trust me."

"Would a sane person stand up to and back answer Boris?" Tala leant forward. "Look Ian, I'm perfectly capable of making my own choices, and have been doing so since before you were born. Bryan and I have been to hell and back, and I'm not just talking recently either." Blue eyes narrowed. "I don't care what you think, I don't care what anyone thinks, I'm staying with Bryan."

Aizik applauded, stopping and looking away when Ian glared at him

Ian turned up his long nose, leaning back and crossing his arms, closing his eyes. "Well I don't have to like it."

Bryan's gaze shifted to Tala. "Want me to string him up by his suspenders?"

"Tempting, but no." Tala gazed coolly at the youngest member of the team. "You're right, you don't have to like. But that's not going to change anything now is it?"

Bryan's eyebrows rose marginally, eyes drifting to meet Panas's as they took in Tala's tone, preparing themselves for the explosion. Spencer shifted in his seat, eyes flicking between Ian and his captain, reaching out to touch the youngers shoulder.

"Eh, Ian, maybe you should–"

Ian growled. "Come on Spence, surely you can see the problem with this. Not only will Tala give Bryan preference, but Tal will be distracted in his matches. That, and we all know Bryan's the kind who only wants one thing–"

Panas cleared his throat, cutting him off. "Actually, Bryan's not. And that comes from experience."

Spencer and Aizik stared at him, Ian barely registering what had been said. "And how could anyone want Bryan anyway? There are tons of guys better than him. He just isn't good enough–"

"And you are?" Bryan's gaze finally fell on the youngest member coldly. "You know Ian, it almost sounds like you're jealous. Perhaps you be wanting Tala for yourself?"

Aizik gestured to him. "Actually, he has a point…" He fell silent as Ian's glare fell on him again.

Once Aizik was silent, Ian's bright crimson eyes fell on Bryan in a burning glare. "What makes you think you're good enough?"

"Absolutely nothing, and I've asked that question myself." Bryan shrugged it off casually. "It's Tal's choice. If he wants me, he wants me. He did make the first move after all."

Ian blinked. "He… what?"

Tala chuckled. "Bry likes playing hard to get."

"I'm entitled to my fun." Bryan winked at him. "And it ain't a crime, despite what you might think."

Panas bit back a smile. Some things just don't change.

"You always did like making things tougher than they are," Tala smiled warmly at the lavender haired teen. "But then, that's just you, isn't it?"

"Let's me know how serious you are." Bryan met his eye, a faint smile on his lips. "If you weren't in for the long haul, you'd have given up long ago."

Tala blinked, it suddenly dawning on him that this was more than a game to Bryan: it was a test to see what Tala's intentions were. "You sly prick."

The smile widened. "Your opinion of me improves if I've risen from the rank of 'jerk' to the rank of 'prick'."

Spencer looked from one to the other. "So it's Tala that want's Bryan, and not the other way around?"

Tala nodded. "Wanted him for a long time."

"Who says you've got me yet?" Bryan glanced at him, then at the clock. "And you four had better get movin' unless you wanna give us away and force me to kill you all."

Panas glanced at the clock and did a double take. "Jesus, time moved. We'd better run, and quickly." He reached out, grabbing the daydreaming Aizik by the collar and shooting a look at the other two. "Come on."

Some friction there between Ian and Tala and Bryan. Could cause some problems in the future.