Disclaimer: nope, still not mine... although... *looks in her dusty
christmas stocking* ... uh... nope, never got ownership of Beyblade for
christmas, so yeah... still not mine...
Warnings: shounen-ai, heads up... and pointless repetitive beginnings...
Nanashi: Yasuo... you're a slump, I'm a writer, who's in charge?
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* .......er, heh... I - I thought I was your muse?
Nanashi: ....... uh, slump-turned-muse then...
Yasuo: *snickers* you're in charge...
Nanashi: thank you... oh, and speaking of thanks! ^__^ Angevar, FireKali- sama, Little Leila, Glay-sama, Hob-sama, asa-chan, CrazyJen-sama, timmy! my thanks! so very much!!! Getting your reviews really really makes my day!!! *bows in thanks*
Yasuo: what? no glomp?
Nanashi: .................. *laughs insanely and glomps Angevar, FireKali- sama, Little Leila, Glay-sama, Hob-sama, asa-chan, CrazyJen-sama, timmy, one at a time* AI DAISUKE!!!
Yasuo: me and my big mouth... *sighs*
~~~***~~~
Kai straightened his shoulders, as he was preparing to enter the dining room. He pursed his lips, giving himself the once-over. Yeah, he was still in his clothes from earlier, but there was no harm in checking, was there?
Satisfied, Kai slid open the door, and walked in, noting the seating arrangement. Max was at Kenny's right; Kenny at Tyson's right, Aiano at Tyson's left. Rei beside Aiano. And an empty space, probably for Kai, between Max and Rei. Violet-grey eyes then instantly landed back on Aiano. Holding Tyson's hands. Making his basic promises, and compliments.
Kai was suddenly behind Aiano, raising his fist.
His teammates, excluding Tyson, sighed and cringed expectantly.
BONK!
Aiano was then slumped over the table. Tyson blinked cutely in confusion. Calmly, Kai grabbed the back of Aiano's shirt, and tossed him aside, and took a seat beside Tyson.
The others anime sweatdropped, while Tyson glanced past Kai at Aiano, concerned.
"Aiano-kun? You okay?"
Aiano sat up, looking confused to where he was at the moment. Then blinked, seeing he lost his seat beside his fiancee. Standing up, he started to roll up his sleeves. Anyone who had anything to do with a temple, be it priest, priestess, or caretaker, they had to have incredible amounts of patience, and never resort to violent means.
... But Kai was REALLY starting to tick Aiano off.
Kenny anime sweatdropped, "uh, Aiano... here, have my seat." As he spoke, the Chief got up and darted to the free seat beside Max.
Aiano blinked, and nodded, once again taking a seat beside Tyson. Max frowned inwardly. Well, that couldn't be good. Tyson between Kai and Aiano. Max glanced at Rei, waving his hand to get the nekojin's attention. Rei then glanced at Max, waving his hand around, telling the others his hand was asleep.
Max grinned, noticing he finally had the Chinese teen's attention, "trade Tyson places..." he mouthed.
Rei blinked, dim sum halfway to this mouth. "Wha...?" he asked, mouth still hanging open.
"Trade Tyson places..." Max mouthed again.
Rei blinked, noticing the seating arrangements. Then glanced at Max, and shook his head. Max nodded eagerly. Rei shook his head again. Max nodded more. Rei shot him a stern look, and shook his head firmly.
"Something wrong, you two?" Kai asked, dryly.
Rei and Max blinked, then they smiled at their captain. Max's smile being sugary sweet, and Rei's smile being innocent. "Not a thing, Kai..." they replied.
Raising an eyebrow, Kai watched them for a second, then shrugged and went back to eating. All the while glaring at Aiano, for offering Tyson some of his potstickers.
Max shot a glare at Rei.
Rei merely shook his head again.
Max blinked, and his large ocean-blue eyes welled with tears. Rei anime sweatdropped, then cringed. His shoulders slumping in instant defeat. "Tyson..." he muttered.
Max smiled in triumph.
Tyson glanced at Rei, rice halfway to his mouth. "Huh?"
"Wanna trade places? I, uh... want more rice."
Tyson blinked, then noticed he was seated pretty close to the rice. He nodded, and got to his feet. Rei smiled, and got up. They both took each other's seats. Aiano and Kai both looked confused for a second. They were both beside Tyson. Now they weren't?
It was quiet for a few seconds. Kenny blinked, "we're outta okanomayaki..." he said, holding up an empty plate.
Tyson blinked, "aw man... already?"
"There should be some in the kitchen..." Rei said, slowly.
Kai got to his feet, and silently made his way to the kitchen. When he got back, he anime sweatdropped, seeing Aiano in his seat. Kai gritted his teeth, and walked over.
"Excuse me..." he growled. How tempted he was to just smack the caretaker with the plate of okanomayaki. But it was Tyson's favorite, so...
Aiano blinked, and smile serenely. "Hello, Kai-san..."
"You're in my seat," Kai growled, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Oh, I thought you were finished," Aiano said, lightly. "Ty-chan said you were a light eater."
Kai frowned. But couldn't help but feel just a little happy, knowing that Tyson talked about him.
"There's another seat here, Kai..." Kenny said, with a small grin, pointing at the empty spot beside himself. Kai glared at him as his answer.
"Uh, here Kai... take my spot... I know how much you like stirfry!" Max declared, as he started to get up.
Until Tyson blinked, "you like stirfry, Kai...?" he asked. Then he smiled, "here take my seat..." Then he got up, and walked over, sitting between Rei and Kenny.
Aiano and Kai anime sweatdropped, while Max slapped his forehead.
"Here, Aiano... more potstickers are over here..." Kenny said, getting to his feet. Aiano nodded, and traded Kenny places.
Max shot Rei a look. Rei anime sweatdropped, food once again halfway to his mouth. He just wanted to eat dinner! With an inward sigh, he turned to Tyson.
"Trade me places, Tyson? I'm outta potstickers..."
Tyson blinked, looking at Rei's plate. "No, you're n..." he started to say.
CHOMP!
Rei held up his half-empty plate, void of potstickers up, for emphasis. His cheeks filled with food. Tyson anime sweatdropped, and laughed.
"Didn't know you could eat like that, Rei..." But Tyson agreed, anyways. And again, Tyson and Rei traded places. Max furrowed his brow, thoughtfully. Now, how to get Tyson closer to Kai...
"Here, Aiano... I want potstickers...!" Kenny then declared. And they traded places. Max anime sweatdropped. What was Kenny doing!?
"Rei, trade me places!" Max commanded. Rei sighed, in exasperation. Why couldn't he just eat!? Griping to himself, the nekojin got up and traded Max places. They sat like that for a second. Max then grinned at Kai.
"Hey, Kai... trade me places?"
Kai blinked, then nodded. And Max and Kai traded places. And another few seconds passed. Then Max shot a smile at Aiano.
"Trade me places?" he asked, hopefully.
Aiano anime sweatdropped, "what? But, I..."
"Please?" Max pressed, just a little more sweetly.
Aiano's anime sweatdrop grew.
Max blinked, and again, his large ocean blue eyes welled with tears. Sighing, Aiano nodded glumly as he got up. He was polite and courteous. And with Max's puppydog eyes, Aiano could now be Max's personal doormat.
Taking pity on Aiano, Rei bit his lip. "Hey, uh, Tyson..."
Tyson blinked, then rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah... here you go..." And again, Rei and Tyson traded places.
"What're you doing!?" Max hissed, as Rei sat beside him.
Rei cringed, "sorry, Maxie... but look at him..." he whispered back, gesturing at Aiano. Who was smiling happily to be beside Tyson, again.
"Traitor!"
"Okay, okay... I'll fix everything... trade me... then trade Kai..."
Max blinked, "huh?"
"Do it..."
Rolling his eyes, Max traded places with Rei. Then Max shot him a look. The nekojin calmly flicked his head towards Kai, signalling who Max's target was.
Pursing his lips, Max turned to Kai, smiling innocently. "Kai, trade me places?"
Kai, who was glaring at Aiano, aimed his arctic gaze at the blonde boy, "I'm sick of this game, Max... no..."
"What game? Just trade me places..."
"No."
"C' mon, Kai... please?"
"No."
Max blinked, his large ocean blue eyes yet again welling with tears. Kai whipped his eyes away hastily to avoid the puppydog eyes.
"No!"
"Kai, c' mon..." Tyson said, with a small grin. "Cut him a little slack..."
Kai swallowed, staring at Tyson. Damn, his one huge softspot, was on the side of everyone else's softspot. Grimacing, the team captain traded Max places.
Rei grinned, "Tyson..."
"Rei, this is the last time, okay? Seriously, I wanna eat..."
"You and me both... seriously, yeah... last time," Rei agreed. Nodding, Tyson got up, and traded places with Rei. Again.
Max anime sweatdropped. As did Kenny. Kai on one side of Tyson, Aiano on the other. And both 18 year olds were glaring viciously at each other, behind Tyson who ate cheerfully, completely oblivious to his jealous suitors. Max and Kenny both shot Rei a look. The Chinese teen smiled, about to take a bite of dumpling.
"Problem solved," he told them, and went back to eating. Max and Kenny glanced at each other, then sighed. Rei just didn't understand!
~~~
"You want me to what?" Rei asked, stunned.
After dinner, with Aiano's flirting with Tyson, Kai's clubbing Aiano, and Tyson's blinking cluelessly, Rei, Max, and Kenny said they would take clean up. And at the moment, they were stacking the empty dishes.
"Talk to Tyson..." Max and Kenny repeated, in unison.
Rei anime sweatdropped, "why do I have to?"
"You're in a neutral zone..." Kenny answered. Max nodded.
"What he said."
Rei's anime sweatdrop grew, as he shook his head. "What do you mean 'a neutral zone'..."
Max bounded up to Rei, grabbing his arm. "It's like this, Rei... you're a nice guy, and you know when to stay out of things that aren't your business, right?"
"Uhhhhh... I guess..?"
"This whole Aiano/Tyson/Kai thing is complicated," Kenny stated.
"Well, duh, Chief..." Rei said, rolling his eyes. Max snickered, while Kenny ignored the statement, as he straightened his glasses.
"Rei, you're in a neutral position, because you're managing to stay out of everything, more or less... unlike me and Max, you haven't offered your help to either Kai or Aiano..."
Rei blinked, "you offered your help to Aiano, Chief?"
Max glared at the shorter teenager. "Yeah, he did... he's a traitor!"
"For the last time, I'm not a traitor! Aiano just asked, and I couldn't say no!"
"Well, what if he asked you to jump off a cliff, would you do it?" Max challenged.
"Or better yet, if Aiano asked you to sleep with him, would you...?" Rei asked, with a mildly devillish grin. Max laughed, while Kenny flared a bright red.
"Rei, if you value your hair, you'll shut up!"
Rei cringed, and hugged his long rope of hair, protectively, "okay, okay... sorry, I take it back!"
Kenny took a relaxing breath, then looked back at the Chinese teenager. "Now, as I was saying, since you're in a neutral zone, you can speak calmly about the situation to Tyson..."
"What, you guys can't?"
"Well, I'm sided with Kai, Rei... and the Chief's with Aiano, so... if either of us talked to him, we'd probably be trying to convince Tyson to pick our guys..." Max said, shrugging.
Rei blinked, "you guys wouldn't do that... would you?"
"... It's just being cautious, Rei... this is Tyson's feelings we're trying to get a good look at, and if Max talks to Tyson, he'll be prodding Tyson into liking Kai more, which would cloud our view of Tyson's feelings towards Kai... and it'd be the same if I talked to Tyson about Aiano..."
"So see?" Max said, smiling. "You're perfect, Rei! You won't be telling Ty to side with anyone, because you're trying to stay out of things..."
"Exactly! I'm trying to stay out of things... and you guys are trying to drag me in!"
"REI, JUST DO IT!!!" Max and Kenny snarled.
Rei cringed, and backed up against the wall, quickly. "Yeesh, okay okay... I will... geez..." he straightened up, and walked out of the diningroom into the hall, looking around for the little Triangle.
"... It's a beautiful night, Ty-chan... I suggest we go for a walk, to get to know each other better..."
"... Uh, well..."
"..... I think not!"
BONK!
Rei anime sweatdropped. Well, there they were, in the livingroom. Hanging his head, Rei sighed, and walked to the voices. Peering in, sure enough, there was Aiano on the floor, a lump forming on his head. Kai standing over him, glaring down at the blonde caretaker. And Tyson, clueless as always.
"Tyson...?"
All three looked at the nekojin. Aiano's eyes being a little dazed. Kai's eyes being a little cold. And Tyson's eyes being perfectly cheerful.
"What's up, Rei?" he asked, eyes closing as he smiled warmly.
Rei forced a grin, "uh, can I talk to you... it's kinda important..."
Tyson nodded, and walked closer to older boy. Rei grabbed his hand, and started leading him to a more private place. Then a dark shiver of terror struck his very being. Slowly, Rei glanced over his shoulder, past Tyson, seeing two glaring figures.
Kai and Aiano. And they did not look happy.
"Heh, hey guys...?"
"Where are you going, Rei?" Kai demanded.
"I'm rather curious on that, as well..." Aiano said, scowling.
And both older teenagers were glaring at Rei holding Tyson's hand. Cringing, the nekojin was struggling not to run for dear life. "Uh... I need to talk to Tyson..." he answered, tugging lightly at the pony-tailed boy's hand. Tyson shrugged, and started to follow. Rei paused again, hearing two sets of footsteps following.
Rei sighed, "privately..." he said, impatiently.
Kai and Aiano were silent. And after a few more seconds, went back to the livingroom. Tyson was smiling lightly. "Heh, they're a little weird, huh?" he joked.
"... Weird is putting it mildly..." Rei grunted, lightly pulling Tyson along, again. Stepping out on the patio, and pulling Tyson out as well, Rei slid the door closed. Sighing, he sat down.
"Okay, Tyson, listen..." Rei blinked, as Tyson merrily dashed to the koibito pond. Sighing, the Chinese teen got to his feet and walked after him. "Tyson?"
"Yeah, Rei?"
"Can we talk?"
"Sure... what about...?" Tyson knelt down, staring into the water. Rei dropped his head back, his neck growing tense. He was really playing with fate here, he was sure of it. If he didn't do this, Max and Kenny would torture him. If he made one small slip-up, Kai and Aiano would have his head.
Sighing, Rei opened his eyes, staring at the star-filled sky. Gosh, it was a beautiful night.
"Rei?"
Rei dropped his head forward again, looking back at Tyson. A truly picture- perfect sight. The World Champ was kneeling beside the pond, staring up at Rei, his thick silken ponytail being blown about in the warm breeze. Silvery moonlight reflecting from those warm friendly eyes. Looking so much like an angel.
"What's up?" Tyson asked.
Rei blinked, then shook his head quickly. Whoa, almost lost it. No wonder Kai and Aiano acted a little out of it around Tyson. Clearing his throat, the older boy sat beside Tyson.
"Okay, uh... Tyson..."
"Yeah?"
"... Uh, you should know, that, uh... well..." Rei pursed his lips. How to do this. He pinched the bridge of his nose, licking his lips as he tried to put his thoughts together. And Tyson was actually waiting patiently, since he was staring at the koibito fish.
"Ah, okay..."
Tyson glanced back at the nekojin, smiling warmly, silky hair still blowing about. Tyson alone was making this whole ordeal almost dream-like... Rei blinked, then shook his head quickly.
"No, no, no! Spit it out!" he commanded himself.
"Seriously, Rei... you alright?"
"Uh, yeah... Tyson, listen... I just think... that, uh... you should know that, uh.... um, okay, wait..."
Tyson started to laugh. Rei blushed, getting embarrassed.
"Alright, uh... Tyson... it's a little complicated, but, uh... you see, when someone likes someone else, they start acting... well, a little... different, right?"
Tyson blinked, "I guess..."
"Uh, heh... yeah... um, and it's not like they're trying to act different... it's more like a reflex, kind of..."
"Uh-huh."
"... It's just... when someone REALLY likes someone else, they can't help but act a little differently, since it's not up to them... it's more like, up to their heads... or bodies, I mean..."
"Okay."
Rei glanced at Tyson. "I'm just saying, Tyson... that if people are acting a little strangely, or differently, you should really acknowledge it... or... you might regret it, if you don't... you know what I mean...?" he said, slowly.
Tyson blinked a few times. Then furrowed his brow, "Rei... what are you saying...?"
"Uh... I'm saying, that, uh... just... don't ignore those who are acting a little weird, because... it might be because they really, seriously like you... that's all."
Tyson stared at Rei. Suddenly his eyes widened in realization. "Oh! I... oh, uh..." he started to blush. "Um, wow... I mean... uh, wow..."
Rei nodded, "uh yeah..."
Tyson's cheeks blushed a little deeper, as he traced patterns in the ground. "I - I had no idea... I just thought... uh, well... you know... that, it was just playing, Rei..."
"... It's not, Tyson... it means a lot..."
Tyson quickly got to his feet, still blushing. "Um, right... well... uh... hmm, uh... sorry Rei... I, I really need to think about this..."
Rei stood up, "uh, yeah... I understand... this kinda thing needs time... there's no rush..."
Tyson nodded, taking a shaky breath. Then looked up at the taller teen, "uh, heh... right... thanks, Rei... I think... um, yeah..." Still blushing, Tyson lightly tugged at Rei's hand, then darted back into the temple.
Rei sighed in immense relief. Well, that went well.
~~~
"WHY DON'T YOU JUST BACK OFF!!!???"
"WHY DON'T YOU!?!?!?
"BECAUSE I KNEW HIM LONGER!!!"
"FOUR YEARS!? THAT'S NOT LONG AT ALL!!! I KNEW HIM FROM HIS YOUTH!!!"
"YOU ONLY KNEW HIM FROM HIS YOUTH THROUGH LETTERS!!!"
Max and Kenny anime sweatdropped. Even without Tyson, Kai and Aiano still managed to find a way to fight. At the moment, Kai was clutching at Aiano's shirt, and they were both shouting in each other's faces.
"WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE!?" Aiano was demanding.
"IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!!" Kai retorted.
Just then, Tyson entered the livingroom. Everyone instantly looked at him. Tyson. Blushing. Kai and Aiano's hearts instantly went double-time at the lovely sight.
"Ty, you okay?" Max asked, slowly.
Tyson looked up, his eyes shining beautifully, as his brow furrowed uncertainly. Kai and Aiano's hearts pounded even more. Gods, Tyson was so beautiful this way!
"I... I think so..." Tyson said, softly.
Max stood up, blue eyes showing obvious concern. "Anything wrong?" he prodded, gently.
"... I think... I think Rei just confessed his feelings for me..." Tyson murmured, then swallowed, resting his hand against a still-blushing cheek.
Kai and Aiano's jaws hit the floor, eyes bulging. "WHAAT!?" Max and Kenny yelled, in disbelief.
~~~***~~~
Yasuo: .......... you really like complicating things, don't you?
Nanashi: heh, yeah ^_^()
Yasuo: *hands Nanashi flame-proof armor*
Nanashi: *anime sweatdrops* think I'll be flamed?
Yasuo: just a precaution... go put it on...
Nanashi: *sighs, and goes to put on the flame-proof armor*
Warnings: shounen-ai, heads up... and pointless repetitive beginnings...
Nanashi: Yasuo... you're a slump, I'm a writer, who's in charge?
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* .......er, heh... I - I thought I was your muse?
Nanashi: ....... uh, slump-turned-muse then...
Yasuo: *snickers* you're in charge...
Nanashi: thank you... oh, and speaking of thanks! ^__^ Angevar, FireKali- sama, Little Leila, Glay-sama, Hob-sama, asa-chan, CrazyJen-sama, timmy! my thanks! so very much!!! Getting your reviews really really makes my day!!! *bows in thanks*
Yasuo: what? no glomp?
Nanashi: .................. *laughs insanely and glomps Angevar, FireKali- sama, Little Leila, Glay-sama, Hob-sama, asa-chan, CrazyJen-sama, timmy, one at a time* AI DAISUKE!!!
Yasuo: me and my big mouth... *sighs*
~~~***~~~
Kai straightened his shoulders, as he was preparing to enter the dining room. He pursed his lips, giving himself the once-over. Yeah, he was still in his clothes from earlier, but there was no harm in checking, was there?
Satisfied, Kai slid open the door, and walked in, noting the seating arrangement. Max was at Kenny's right; Kenny at Tyson's right, Aiano at Tyson's left. Rei beside Aiano. And an empty space, probably for Kai, between Max and Rei. Violet-grey eyes then instantly landed back on Aiano. Holding Tyson's hands. Making his basic promises, and compliments.
Kai was suddenly behind Aiano, raising his fist.
His teammates, excluding Tyson, sighed and cringed expectantly.
BONK!
Aiano was then slumped over the table. Tyson blinked cutely in confusion. Calmly, Kai grabbed the back of Aiano's shirt, and tossed him aside, and took a seat beside Tyson.
The others anime sweatdropped, while Tyson glanced past Kai at Aiano, concerned.
"Aiano-kun? You okay?"
Aiano sat up, looking confused to where he was at the moment. Then blinked, seeing he lost his seat beside his fiancee. Standing up, he started to roll up his sleeves. Anyone who had anything to do with a temple, be it priest, priestess, or caretaker, they had to have incredible amounts of patience, and never resort to violent means.
... But Kai was REALLY starting to tick Aiano off.
Kenny anime sweatdropped, "uh, Aiano... here, have my seat." As he spoke, the Chief got up and darted to the free seat beside Max.
Aiano blinked, and nodded, once again taking a seat beside Tyson. Max frowned inwardly. Well, that couldn't be good. Tyson between Kai and Aiano. Max glanced at Rei, waving his hand to get the nekojin's attention. Rei then glanced at Max, waving his hand around, telling the others his hand was asleep.
Max grinned, noticing he finally had the Chinese teen's attention, "trade Tyson places..." he mouthed.
Rei blinked, dim sum halfway to this mouth. "Wha...?" he asked, mouth still hanging open.
"Trade Tyson places..." Max mouthed again.
Rei blinked, noticing the seating arrangements. Then glanced at Max, and shook his head. Max nodded eagerly. Rei shook his head again. Max nodded more. Rei shot him a stern look, and shook his head firmly.
"Something wrong, you two?" Kai asked, dryly.
Rei and Max blinked, then they smiled at their captain. Max's smile being sugary sweet, and Rei's smile being innocent. "Not a thing, Kai..." they replied.
Raising an eyebrow, Kai watched them for a second, then shrugged and went back to eating. All the while glaring at Aiano, for offering Tyson some of his potstickers.
Max shot a glare at Rei.
Rei merely shook his head again.
Max blinked, and his large ocean-blue eyes welled with tears. Rei anime sweatdropped, then cringed. His shoulders slumping in instant defeat. "Tyson..." he muttered.
Max smiled in triumph.
Tyson glanced at Rei, rice halfway to his mouth. "Huh?"
"Wanna trade places? I, uh... want more rice."
Tyson blinked, then noticed he was seated pretty close to the rice. He nodded, and got to his feet. Rei smiled, and got up. They both took each other's seats. Aiano and Kai both looked confused for a second. They were both beside Tyson. Now they weren't?
It was quiet for a few seconds. Kenny blinked, "we're outta okanomayaki..." he said, holding up an empty plate.
Tyson blinked, "aw man... already?"
"There should be some in the kitchen..." Rei said, slowly.
Kai got to his feet, and silently made his way to the kitchen. When he got back, he anime sweatdropped, seeing Aiano in his seat. Kai gritted his teeth, and walked over.
"Excuse me..." he growled. How tempted he was to just smack the caretaker with the plate of okanomayaki. But it was Tyson's favorite, so...
Aiano blinked, and smile serenely. "Hello, Kai-san..."
"You're in my seat," Kai growled, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Oh, I thought you were finished," Aiano said, lightly. "Ty-chan said you were a light eater."
Kai frowned. But couldn't help but feel just a little happy, knowing that Tyson talked about him.
"There's another seat here, Kai..." Kenny said, with a small grin, pointing at the empty spot beside himself. Kai glared at him as his answer.
"Uh, here Kai... take my spot... I know how much you like stirfry!" Max declared, as he started to get up.
Until Tyson blinked, "you like stirfry, Kai...?" he asked. Then he smiled, "here take my seat..." Then he got up, and walked over, sitting between Rei and Kenny.
Aiano and Kai anime sweatdropped, while Max slapped his forehead.
"Here, Aiano... more potstickers are over here..." Kenny said, getting to his feet. Aiano nodded, and traded Kenny places.
Max shot Rei a look. Rei anime sweatdropped, food once again halfway to his mouth. He just wanted to eat dinner! With an inward sigh, he turned to Tyson.
"Trade me places, Tyson? I'm outta potstickers..."
Tyson blinked, looking at Rei's plate. "No, you're n..." he started to say.
CHOMP!
Rei held up his half-empty plate, void of potstickers up, for emphasis. His cheeks filled with food. Tyson anime sweatdropped, and laughed.
"Didn't know you could eat like that, Rei..." But Tyson agreed, anyways. And again, Tyson and Rei traded places. Max furrowed his brow, thoughtfully. Now, how to get Tyson closer to Kai...
"Here, Aiano... I want potstickers...!" Kenny then declared. And they traded places. Max anime sweatdropped. What was Kenny doing!?
"Rei, trade me places!" Max commanded. Rei sighed, in exasperation. Why couldn't he just eat!? Griping to himself, the nekojin got up and traded Max places. They sat like that for a second. Max then grinned at Kai.
"Hey, Kai... trade me places?"
Kai blinked, then nodded. And Max and Kai traded places. And another few seconds passed. Then Max shot a smile at Aiano.
"Trade me places?" he asked, hopefully.
Aiano anime sweatdropped, "what? But, I..."
"Please?" Max pressed, just a little more sweetly.
Aiano's anime sweatdrop grew.
Max blinked, and again, his large ocean blue eyes welled with tears. Sighing, Aiano nodded glumly as he got up. He was polite and courteous. And with Max's puppydog eyes, Aiano could now be Max's personal doormat.
Taking pity on Aiano, Rei bit his lip. "Hey, uh, Tyson..."
Tyson blinked, then rolled his eyes playfully. "Yeah, yeah... here you go..." And again, Rei and Tyson traded places.
"What're you doing!?" Max hissed, as Rei sat beside him.
Rei cringed, "sorry, Maxie... but look at him..." he whispered back, gesturing at Aiano. Who was smiling happily to be beside Tyson, again.
"Traitor!"
"Okay, okay... I'll fix everything... trade me... then trade Kai..."
Max blinked, "huh?"
"Do it..."
Rolling his eyes, Max traded places with Rei. Then Max shot him a look. The nekojin calmly flicked his head towards Kai, signalling who Max's target was.
Pursing his lips, Max turned to Kai, smiling innocently. "Kai, trade me places?"
Kai, who was glaring at Aiano, aimed his arctic gaze at the blonde boy, "I'm sick of this game, Max... no..."
"What game? Just trade me places..."
"No."
"C' mon, Kai... please?"
"No."
Max blinked, his large ocean blue eyes yet again welling with tears. Kai whipped his eyes away hastily to avoid the puppydog eyes.
"No!"
"Kai, c' mon..." Tyson said, with a small grin. "Cut him a little slack..."
Kai swallowed, staring at Tyson. Damn, his one huge softspot, was on the side of everyone else's softspot. Grimacing, the team captain traded Max places.
Rei grinned, "Tyson..."
"Rei, this is the last time, okay? Seriously, I wanna eat..."
"You and me both... seriously, yeah... last time," Rei agreed. Nodding, Tyson got up, and traded places with Rei. Again.
Max anime sweatdropped. As did Kenny. Kai on one side of Tyson, Aiano on the other. And both 18 year olds were glaring viciously at each other, behind Tyson who ate cheerfully, completely oblivious to his jealous suitors. Max and Kenny both shot Rei a look. The Chinese teen smiled, about to take a bite of dumpling.
"Problem solved," he told them, and went back to eating. Max and Kenny glanced at each other, then sighed. Rei just didn't understand!
~~~
"You want me to what?" Rei asked, stunned.
After dinner, with Aiano's flirting with Tyson, Kai's clubbing Aiano, and Tyson's blinking cluelessly, Rei, Max, and Kenny said they would take clean up. And at the moment, they were stacking the empty dishes.
"Talk to Tyson..." Max and Kenny repeated, in unison.
Rei anime sweatdropped, "why do I have to?"
"You're in a neutral zone..." Kenny answered. Max nodded.
"What he said."
Rei's anime sweatdrop grew, as he shook his head. "What do you mean 'a neutral zone'..."
Max bounded up to Rei, grabbing his arm. "It's like this, Rei... you're a nice guy, and you know when to stay out of things that aren't your business, right?"
"Uhhhhh... I guess..?"
"This whole Aiano/Tyson/Kai thing is complicated," Kenny stated.
"Well, duh, Chief..." Rei said, rolling his eyes. Max snickered, while Kenny ignored the statement, as he straightened his glasses.
"Rei, you're in a neutral position, because you're managing to stay out of everything, more or less... unlike me and Max, you haven't offered your help to either Kai or Aiano..."
Rei blinked, "you offered your help to Aiano, Chief?"
Max glared at the shorter teenager. "Yeah, he did... he's a traitor!"
"For the last time, I'm not a traitor! Aiano just asked, and I couldn't say no!"
"Well, what if he asked you to jump off a cliff, would you do it?" Max challenged.
"Or better yet, if Aiano asked you to sleep with him, would you...?" Rei asked, with a mildly devillish grin. Max laughed, while Kenny flared a bright red.
"Rei, if you value your hair, you'll shut up!"
Rei cringed, and hugged his long rope of hair, protectively, "okay, okay... sorry, I take it back!"
Kenny took a relaxing breath, then looked back at the Chinese teenager. "Now, as I was saying, since you're in a neutral zone, you can speak calmly about the situation to Tyson..."
"What, you guys can't?"
"Well, I'm sided with Kai, Rei... and the Chief's with Aiano, so... if either of us talked to him, we'd probably be trying to convince Tyson to pick our guys..." Max said, shrugging.
Rei blinked, "you guys wouldn't do that... would you?"
"... It's just being cautious, Rei... this is Tyson's feelings we're trying to get a good look at, and if Max talks to Tyson, he'll be prodding Tyson into liking Kai more, which would cloud our view of Tyson's feelings towards Kai... and it'd be the same if I talked to Tyson about Aiano..."
"So see?" Max said, smiling. "You're perfect, Rei! You won't be telling Ty to side with anyone, because you're trying to stay out of things..."
"Exactly! I'm trying to stay out of things... and you guys are trying to drag me in!"
"REI, JUST DO IT!!!" Max and Kenny snarled.
Rei cringed, and backed up against the wall, quickly. "Yeesh, okay okay... I will... geez..." he straightened up, and walked out of the diningroom into the hall, looking around for the little Triangle.
"... It's a beautiful night, Ty-chan... I suggest we go for a walk, to get to know each other better..."
"... Uh, well..."
"..... I think not!"
BONK!
Rei anime sweatdropped. Well, there they were, in the livingroom. Hanging his head, Rei sighed, and walked to the voices. Peering in, sure enough, there was Aiano on the floor, a lump forming on his head. Kai standing over him, glaring down at the blonde caretaker. And Tyson, clueless as always.
"Tyson...?"
All three looked at the nekojin. Aiano's eyes being a little dazed. Kai's eyes being a little cold. And Tyson's eyes being perfectly cheerful.
"What's up, Rei?" he asked, eyes closing as he smiled warmly.
Rei forced a grin, "uh, can I talk to you... it's kinda important..."
Tyson nodded, and walked closer to older boy. Rei grabbed his hand, and started leading him to a more private place. Then a dark shiver of terror struck his very being. Slowly, Rei glanced over his shoulder, past Tyson, seeing two glaring figures.
Kai and Aiano. And they did not look happy.
"Heh, hey guys...?"
"Where are you going, Rei?" Kai demanded.
"I'm rather curious on that, as well..." Aiano said, scowling.
And both older teenagers were glaring at Rei holding Tyson's hand. Cringing, the nekojin was struggling not to run for dear life. "Uh... I need to talk to Tyson..." he answered, tugging lightly at the pony-tailed boy's hand. Tyson shrugged, and started to follow. Rei paused again, hearing two sets of footsteps following.
Rei sighed, "privately..." he said, impatiently.
Kai and Aiano were silent. And after a few more seconds, went back to the livingroom. Tyson was smiling lightly. "Heh, they're a little weird, huh?" he joked.
"... Weird is putting it mildly..." Rei grunted, lightly pulling Tyson along, again. Stepping out on the patio, and pulling Tyson out as well, Rei slid the door closed. Sighing, he sat down.
"Okay, Tyson, listen..." Rei blinked, as Tyson merrily dashed to the koibito pond. Sighing, the Chinese teen got to his feet and walked after him. "Tyson?"
"Yeah, Rei?"
"Can we talk?"
"Sure... what about...?" Tyson knelt down, staring into the water. Rei dropped his head back, his neck growing tense. He was really playing with fate here, he was sure of it. If he didn't do this, Max and Kenny would torture him. If he made one small slip-up, Kai and Aiano would have his head.
Sighing, Rei opened his eyes, staring at the star-filled sky. Gosh, it was a beautiful night.
"Rei?"
Rei dropped his head forward again, looking back at Tyson. A truly picture- perfect sight. The World Champ was kneeling beside the pond, staring up at Rei, his thick silken ponytail being blown about in the warm breeze. Silvery moonlight reflecting from those warm friendly eyes. Looking so much like an angel.
"What's up?" Tyson asked.
Rei blinked, then shook his head quickly. Whoa, almost lost it. No wonder Kai and Aiano acted a little out of it around Tyson. Clearing his throat, the older boy sat beside Tyson.
"Okay, uh... Tyson..."
"Yeah?"
"... Uh, you should know, that, uh... well..." Rei pursed his lips. How to do this. He pinched the bridge of his nose, licking his lips as he tried to put his thoughts together. And Tyson was actually waiting patiently, since he was staring at the koibito fish.
"Ah, okay..."
Tyson glanced back at the nekojin, smiling warmly, silky hair still blowing about. Tyson alone was making this whole ordeal almost dream-like... Rei blinked, then shook his head quickly.
"No, no, no! Spit it out!" he commanded himself.
"Seriously, Rei... you alright?"
"Uh, yeah... Tyson, listen... I just think... that, uh... you should know that, uh.... um, okay, wait..."
Tyson started to laugh. Rei blushed, getting embarrassed.
"Alright, uh... Tyson... it's a little complicated, but, uh... you see, when someone likes someone else, they start acting... well, a little... different, right?"
Tyson blinked, "I guess..."
"Uh, heh... yeah... um, and it's not like they're trying to act different... it's more like a reflex, kind of..."
"Uh-huh."
"... It's just... when someone REALLY likes someone else, they can't help but act a little differently, since it's not up to them... it's more like, up to their heads... or bodies, I mean..."
"Okay."
Rei glanced at Tyson. "I'm just saying, Tyson... that if people are acting a little strangely, or differently, you should really acknowledge it... or... you might regret it, if you don't... you know what I mean...?" he said, slowly.
Tyson blinked a few times. Then furrowed his brow, "Rei... what are you saying...?"
"Uh... I'm saying, that, uh... just... don't ignore those who are acting a little weird, because... it might be because they really, seriously like you... that's all."
Tyson stared at Rei. Suddenly his eyes widened in realization. "Oh! I... oh, uh..." he started to blush. "Um, wow... I mean... uh, wow..."
Rei nodded, "uh yeah..."
Tyson's cheeks blushed a little deeper, as he traced patterns in the ground. "I - I had no idea... I just thought... uh, well... you know... that, it was just playing, Rei..."
"... It's not, Tyson... it means a lot..."
Tyson quickly got to his feet, still blushing. "Um, right... well... uh... hmm, uh... sorry Rei... I, I really need to think about this..."
Rei stood up, "uh, yeah... I understand... this kinda thing needs time... there's no rush..."
Tyson nodded, taking a shaky breath. Then looked up at the taller teen, "uh, heh... right... thanks, Rei... I think... um, yeah..." Still blushing, Tyson lightly tugged at Rei's hand, then darted back into the temple.
Rei sighed in immense relief. Well, that went well.
~~~
"WHY DON'T YOU JUST BACK OFF!!!???"
"WHY DON'T YOU!?!?!?
"BECAUSE I KNEW HIM LONGER!!!"
"FOUR YEARS!? THAT'S NOT LONG AT ALL!!! I KNEW HIM FROM HIS YOUTH!!!"
"YOU ONLY KNEW HIM FROM HIS YOUTH THROUGH LETTERS!!!"
Max and Kenny anime sweatdropped. Even without Tyson, Kai and Aiano still managed to find a way to fight. At the moment, Kai was clutching at Aiano's shirt, and they were both shouting in each other's faces.
"WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE!?" Aiano was demanding.
"IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!!" Kai retorted.
Just then, Tyson entered the livingroom. Everyone instantly looked at him. Tyson. Blushing. Kai and Aiano's hearts instantly went double-time at the lovely sight.
"Ty, you okay?" Max asked, slowly.
Tyson looked up, his eyes shining beautifully, as his brow furrowed uncertainly. Kai and Aiano's hearts pounded even more. Gods, Tyson was so beautiful this way!
"I... I think so..." Tyson said, softly.
Max stood up, blue eyes showing obvious concern. "Anything wrong?" he prodded, gently.
"... I think... I think Rei just confessed his feelings for me..." Tyson murmured, then swallowed, resting his hand against a still-blushing cheek.
Kai and Aiano's jaws hit the floor, eyes bulging. "WHAAT!?" Max and Kenny yelled, in disbelief.
~~~***~~~
Yasuo: .......... you really like complicating things, don't you?
Nanashi: heh, yeah ^_^()
Yasuo: *hands Nanashi flame-proof armor*
Nanashi: *anime sweatdrops* think I'll be flamed?
Yasuo: just a precaution... go put it on...
Nanashi: *sighs, and goes to put on the flame-proof armor*