Chapter 23

lady Snowblossom: Well, I doubt he's going to go personally to Ray, considering Ray's oversees, but you're part right.

Koneko no Rei: Hey, you guessed right. Nice job. ;)

Castles in the Sky: You mean you weren't already wound in the story? I must be losing my touch. :p Anyway, loved the lack of clothing comment. :D

dead yet a love sick puppy: Sometimes the only one you'll listen to is the one you fear.

Mikomi: Thank you. If you love Kai/Ray, you'll have to wait for Overture, as Kai/Ray are one of the main couples. Barely any Kev/Lee in that one. Though there is a little Tala/Bryan.

KuronekoHikage: What will I do about it? pulls out frying pan. I'll beat it out of you.

russle: Mariah certainly can be scary, can't she. But that can come in handy at times.

Ashla: The jerking off scene is one of my favourite ever written. And yes, Mariah is capable of doing good, though things aren't all lovey dovey yet.

the tigris: We get on when we get on, what else can we do? And he is a stubborn idiot, but you've got to love him for it.

LingXiaoyu: Straight to the point is the only way to get through to him when he's in a mood like that.

So Kevin knows, and now lets find out where he was going…

Tyson's hands clutched the sheets, gasping as he felt Max shift within. In their relationship it had always been Tyson who was the dominant one, the seme, while Max would be the uke. And yet tonight Max had pounced, throwing Tyson onto the bed, tearing his clothes off and taking control.

And as much as Tyson didn't like being on the bottom, he was enjoying the change.

Max worked him from behind, sucking on Tyson's neck as he ground him into the bed, hitting the mark again and again, Tyson arching beneath him, moaning in pleasure. The fingers of one of Max's hands encircled Tyson's erected member, stroking and caressing, causing Tyson to shudder, whispering his name hoarsely.

They paused as there came a knock on the door.

"Someone to see you, dudes."

Tyson panted, finding his voice. "Down in a minute."

"Make it five," Max replied.

"10!"

"Five," Mr Granger said. "And keep it down."

Tyson glanced over his shoulder. "Who could it be?"

Max shook his head, shifting and finding a better angle. "Worry bout that later."

Tyson gave a sharp bark as Max thrust into him again, harder, sending a wave of ecstasy over him. "Holy mother of…"

Max chuckled, the two returning to their play.

---------------

"The dudes shouldn't be long," Mr Granger said as he stepped back into the kitchen. "Just finishing their nightly ritual."

Kevin chuckled. "That's one way of saying it."

"Keeps them fit." Mr Granger nodded, then scowled. "Just wish they'd keep it down."

Kevin nodded, accepting the drink and taking a rice ball Mr Granger offered him, waiting for the two to arrive. Mr Granger engaged him in conversation, having recently learnt of Kevin's expertise in martial art weaponry from Tyson and wanting to compare techniques and methods, despite the differences in weapons and styles.

As soon as Tyson and Max arrived, both slightly flushed, Mr Granger excused himself and left them to themselves.

"So what brings you out so late?" Tyson asked, taking a seat.

"I had to come and ask." Kevin looked up. "Is the real reason you were trying so hard to keep me with Lee because you knew that if I left Lee would kill himself?"

Max and Tyson exchanged a sharp look, Max looking back at him. "Who told you?"

"Mariah." Kevin set his jaw. "I came right after I got off the phone from her. She told me everything, from what you guys and Enrique and Oliver were doing, right through to how Ray and Kai were getting advice from Bryan. That and how Ray's sick from worry."

Tyson sighed, running his hands through his loose hair, brushing it from his eyes. Looking quickly at Max, he nodded. "Mariah's right. It's all true."

Kevin let out a shuddering sigh, rubbing his eyes. "I was hoping she was bullshitting me."

Max frowned. "Why?"

Kevin shook his head. "Because the thought of Lee… Are you guys positive that that's what he said?"

Tyson's lips formed a thin line. "You'd need to ask Ray. We found out from Kai."

"Ray." Kevin sighed, leaning back in his seat. "I don't have the number."

Tyson stood, moving to the phone and scooping it up, setting it on the table. He flicked through a stack of cards, finding the one he wanted and laying it down. "Kai gave it to us in order to keep him updated. Grandpa's been complaining about the long distance calls, but let him whinge. Go ahead."

---------------

Ray looked up as the phone rang, Kai still not back from going to report the latest in a long line of privacy infringements to the resort manager and security. Setting down his book, Ray crossed to the phone and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Tell me, did Lee or did Lee not say he would kill himself if I left? I must know."

Ray let out a shaky breath, settling into the seat. "He did."

"Jesus." A brief pause. "How long ago was this?"

"About two days after you stopped talking." Ray bit his lip. "You should have heard him, Kev. He just didn't care anymore. He said he didn't care about our kinds traditions and honour, which isn't like him at all. He refused to promise me not to hurt himself…" Ray wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand. "He's an emotional mess."

"Just be glad you can't see him." He heard Kevin sigh. "My pride has made me blind. I couldn't see past my own emotions. Everyone could see he was in pain… everyone but me that is."

"You were in pain yourself," Ray reminded him. "Your mind is still trying to come to terms with the events of a year ago. When Bryan went through it he closed everyone out, even those he was close to. Tala and Kai worked hard to get him to open up again, and only when he did was he able to confess his true feelings for Tala.

"You were the opposite. Your mind closed out the events and then you were suddenly reliving them in your mind. I know you have a vivid memory, Kev, which I'm sure makes it worse. I could sense something was wrong, which is why I first rang: I could sense your distress. And since then everything's been getting worse.

"I could feel your anger, Lee's pain… I've been so sick because of it. Kai's turned into a real mother hen. I'm sure he'd find a babysitter for me if he could so someone could watch me when he has to go out, like at the moment." He shook his head. "You've shut Lee out, and in my eyes he's the only one who can really help you. And at the same time, you're the only one who can save him."

There was a long silence before Kevin could find his voice. "I'm sorry."

Ray sighed, shaking his head. "In your own words, Kev: 'sometimes sorry just doesn't cut it'. Make it right."

Both Ray and Mariah have said the same thing. Now Kevin knows the truth, its up to him. But can he do it? And will Lee ever be able to forgive him?