Chapter 16

Avril Fan: Kenny hooks up in Ketsuron. And there are four fics in this series. Overture is in the editing stage, and Ketsuron is still being written. I just got over writers block with it. #--#

Death comes to those who wait: To be honest, aside from Kev/Lee, I prefer Bry/Ray. :p

Chibi Wingzero: We just looked at Cupid (a.k.a. Eros) in Myths and Symbols. Interesting stuff.

russle: It sounds bad but the whole thing with Kai and Bryan is something I needed for the plot to Ketsuron, as you will see when I finish it and put it up. And Kevin is stubborn, yes. That was what that chappie was proving.

Kappy Locks: The changes are confusing. Took me three tries to write them in a way it makes sense. :p And Lee's having a breakdown, yes. :)

Koneko no Rei: Eh... wouldn't Tala be killing you for laying on top of his Bryan? Oo;;

Bluumberry: Once this fic is completed I'll give you Overture. The story is starting to grow on me...

LingXiaoyu: Overture is the prequel that ends where Honesty begins, and Ketsuron is yet another sequel. Ketsuron is a Japanese word meaning 'conclusion'.

the tigris: The rankings in China: #1 Ray, #2 Lee, #3 Kevin, #4 Mariah, #5 Gary

Ashla: It's something. Not enough, but still something.

Castles in the Sky: Out of the Darkness is completely different to this fic, you realise that. ;) As for why they refuse to battle... call it cruelty. Everyone wants to know who #1 is, so they're not going to let them know by dragging it out. You'll find out in Ketsuron. I know who wins but I'm not saying. :p

KuronekoHikage: Honesty was my first attempt at shonen ai so of course it was bad. Glad you're liking the series though. :D

Par-tay!!!

"So did you tell Lee where you were going?" Tyson asked as Kevin climbed into the car.

"Nope." Kevin glanced back into the back seat where Tyson and Max were sitting. "Don't see why I need to. Anyway, that son-of-a-bitch just got his work schedule changed. He only has to deal with the brats four times a week now, spending the rest of his time helping develop and testing some stupid training program. He even gets more time off!"

"From what I saw of the dude while I was in town this afternoon, I'd say the man needs some serious R&R." Mr Granger said, steering them through the traffic. "Looks real run down."

"Probably just comin' down with somethin'," Kevin replied.

"Yeah," Max said softly so only Tyson could hear him. "A broken heart."

Tyson reached out and squeezed his hand, before leaning forward and pointing. "That's it right there, Grandpa!"

"I'm on it." Mr Granger pulled up outside the nightclub, young teens already flocking around the entrance, waiting to get in. "Now behave yourselves, peeps. And stay away from anything that just don't look or taste right."

"You know we will, Grandpa. You can trust us."

Tyson led the way toward the club, the three joining the queue and it wasn't long before they were admitted inside. The room was a mass of dancing bodies, the three mixing with the crowd, showing off their moves on the dancefloor until thirst dragged them toward the bar, the water flowing in good supply.

Steering the others to a corner as far away from the blaring speakers as they could get, Max gestured for them to sit down at the table, the three leaning in close so they could hear one another.

"Man, this is some party," Tyson called.

"Yeah," Max agreed, reaching out to run a hand along Tyson's thigh. "Did I mention you look hot?"

"I don't think you did." Tyson smirked, looking at Kevin. "How about you, Kev? Enjoying yourself?"

"Sure is different to what I'm used too." Kevin grinned and shrugged. "Yeah, this place is pretty sweet if you ask me."

"You have some smooth dance moves," Max said. "Who taught you to dance like that?"

"Well Le-" Kevin sobered, face slipping into a scowl. "Lee did."

"Damn I'd love to see him dance." Tyson's eyes glittered devilishly. "A shirtless Lee in tight leather pants, hair out, covered in sweat, dancing to the beat…"

Max licked his lips, knowing what Tyson was doing. "Yum."

Kevin glared at them, Tyson's plan working as they noted the protective flare to his eyes before he looked away. Max nudged Tyson, the younger smirking and winking at him before leaning toward Kevin.

"You never did tell us what your problem with Lee was."

"Yeah I did." Kevin looked back. "He called me-"

"There's got to be more to it than that," Max cut him off.

"Yeah, he babies me. He's always abusing me. He uses me. All he ever thinks about is sex. And he has this damned notion in his head that he has to protect me, and how could he protect me if he can't even stop…"

Tyson's eyes narrowed, knowing they had stumbled on something. "Stop what?"

Kevin growled, standing. "Forget I said anything."

Max reached out and grabbed him, flinging him back into the chair. "No way, you're not getting away that easy. Go on, tell us, what couldn't he stop?"

Kevin glared at him.

Tyson set his jaw, understanding flooding through his mind as he put two-and-two together. "Because he couldn't stop Mariah from raping you."

Max looked at his lover sharply, Kevin growling, pupils slitting.

"That's it, isn't it?" Anger played across Tyson's face as he fixed his glare on the neko-jin. "You think Lee should have been able to stop Mariah from raping you." Kevin returned his glare, causing Tyson to grunt in frustration. "Kev, how could Lee stop it if he didn't even know what was happening?"

"Yeah." Max nodded his agreement. "It's not his fault it happened."

Kevin hissed, pushing himself up again. "I'm going to get another drink."

This time, they let him go.

I think Kevin needs a good smack over the back of the head.

Kevin: Heeey!

JPC: Sorry Kev, but it's true.