Chapter 5
Jay Kamiya: Indeed it was. Thankfully, no punches
Yaoi Tiger: Ray, eh? Mariah's whining that I do too many "mean things" to her, which doesn't just include things down physically and verbally. She's whining that I keep pairing her up with Kevin. What's wrong with that?
Lady Snowblossom: Just don't drink too much, okay? You've got a story I want to see updated after all, and writing drunk isn't good. Not that I've done that...
lilmatchgirl007: Bryan acting Max-ish? shudders I said they were central characters, but I didn't mean they were the only central characters. As you said, Ultimates. Just that Bryan is the most central plot-wise.
eyriess: Hot? I'm freezing. Mid winter after all. And yes, many contradictions, but that happens in fights.
russle: Caught up on this one too, eh? And you'll find that many things led to the fight, but it was that moment where it just blew up.
KuronekoHikage: pats shoulder and offers tissue There there. It was bound to happen. Save your tears for later... evil grin ... you'll need them
Disengage: Everything leads to something. Even nothing has an end. And every healthy relationship has it's moments. Besides, you'll completely hate me later. :p
Mizuyah: A married couple indeed. :D And the seme/uke thing? Well, we'll see.
Werewolf of Fire: Bryan has to change because Tala wants him too... supposably
Bloody Mary: Maybe Bryan is looking for is looking for a... eh... permanent relationship. innocent
Reiven: You'll have to buy a back support. You can borrow my plaster jacket I had to wear after my back operation if you want... though it was moulded to my body shape. Hm...
Lullaby Lily: You're the first person to say that Tala is right, you know that? Truth is, they're both right. And Bryan is perfectly ready to sleep with Tala. After all, Bryan has done all that before. But Bryan just doesn't feel that Tala is ready yet simply by the way he is acting. And I'm glad you agree with the commitment thing. I agree with it too. I have many reasons for that.
Blk Dranzer: Hm. Indeed, you are right with the Bryan/Tala 'who's to blame' thing. And love isn't everything. As was argued, there are other things involved: trust, loyalty, commitment. All those sorts of things.
umi n secylia: And what's wrong with having another lovers quarrel? smirks
One of my more favourite chapters, this one. Real bonding moment.
Disclaimer: See first page
Bryan walked through the corridors of the hotel attached to the BBA centre, hands in his pockets. A storm cloud reflected from his eyes, everyone taking the long road around him. Everyone, that is, but one person.
"Trouble in paradise?"
"Piss off, Hiwatari."
"Now that's no way to talk to your best friend." Kai fell into step beside him. "So what did my little cousin do this time?"
Bryan growled. "You refuse to take a hint, don't you?"
"I am stubborn, after all. So what did he do?"
"The kid just don't get it." Bryan looked up at Kai as they stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the small garden. "He thinks a relationship is all physical and love."
"But you can't feel love."
"No, I can't, which is a problem in itself."
Kai leant back on the railing, watching the elder teen. "I would imagine that it would be."
Bryan joined him. "He thinks things like commitment are unimportant."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Something you disagree with?"
"Yes."
"Interesting, coming from you." Kai glanced at him. "From where I stand, you're both right. A good relationship comes from a mix of both emotional and physical elements, and commitment, loyalty and respect tie it off."
Bryan sighed, staring down into the garden. "This is why I always avoided getting involved with anyone."
"Ian tells me you were once involved with Panas."
"Ian needs someone to smash his jaw in." Bryan looked at him out the corner of his eye. "Tala wants me to change."
Kai winced. "Ouch. The ultimate relationship killer."
"Mm." Bryan clenched his teeth. "He wants me to do things, feel things, that I cannot. He assumes that since I once had them when I was a small child, I can do it again."
"Perhaps you can, but it will take time. Possibly years." Kai looked at him. "Boris set out to warp us to his specifications. Such things take a while to undo."
Bryan didn't answer, watching a small flock of birds flittering in the trees. "You and Kon seem to make things work."
"Despite our differences, there are also similarities." Kai smiled faintly. "I feel as if Ray compliments me. It's like he's another part of me. He always knows what I want, how I am feeling. Looking back now, I wonder how I could have ever closed him out."
Bryan nodded. "I feel like there is still something standing between Tala and I, only I don't know what." A faint smirk played across his lips. "He's getting pissed cause I refuse to make love to him."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "And here I figured you wouldn't hesitate to do something like that." Bryan shot him a glare, Kai raising his hands in defence. "Easy, my friend, I'm just kidding."
"Do as you always do: keep your trap shut." Bryan narrowed his eyes, frowning. "Back at the Abbey things were fine, but ever since we escape… It's like Tala has become more demanding than normal. You can never please him."
"It's more relaxed here. At the Abbey you were under a lot of pressure, and in leaving that pressure has gone. Perhaps you are seeing Tala's true colours." Kai smirked. "My teammates complain that I am too demanding. Maybe it's just something that runs in the Ivanov line."
"With teammates like yours, you need to be demanding to get them to work. They look like a bunch of slackers to me."
"Kenny: workaholic. Ray: loyal and hardworking, and not to mention gorgeous. Max: sugar-high, but does as told. Tyson: infuriatingly annoying, lazy, a bottomless pit, and a continuous whiner."
"You know your team."
Kai nodded, casting a glance to the side. "So, how did you end up with Ian and Spencer, anyway?"
"They went through the trials, just as we did."
"Our positions were already there. They were created for us."
"Or vice versa." Bryan narrowed his eyes. "Spencer might appear slow, but is actually a rather quick thinker. Unfortunately he has been brainwashed to the point he can no longer think for himself… or so I thought. Recent events have changed my opinion. As you observed, he is strong in his battles, and readily uses the resources within the environment in his matches."
Kai nodded, remembering how Spencer had used the water in the centre of the dish to wash away Dranzer's flames. "Ian?"
"Despite my apparent hatred for him, I respect Ian a good deal. His skills are far superior to many his age, and he passed the trails when he was nine."
Kai blinked. "That young?"
"That is what Tala and I said when Ian was brought to us. In order to prove his worth Ian and Tala battled. Tala won, but Ian gave him a run for his money." Bryan scowled. "Just wish the twerp would learn to keep his trap shut. That, and he stands too strongly by his beliefs and morals. He argued strongly against Tala and I being a couple, as it might give me 'preference' in Tala's eyes."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Hard to give someone preference if they already have it."
"Mm." Bryan sighed. "So how long did Boris hang around?"
"Over a day. Just set up camp on the BBA's doorstep, and they could do nothing about it as this is technically Biovolt's country."
"And due to the negotiations we can't leave the country." Bryan's eyes narrowed. "Why is it that things never go as planned?"
"Maybe because it's you."
"Charming, Phoenix."
For a long while there was silence, Kai glancing at Bryan out the corner of his eye before an idea slowly surfaced in his mind. Smirking, he straightened, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked down at the other.
"I challenge you."
"What?" Bryan looked up at him. "You know you don't stand a chance, Phoenix."
"Been a while since we last battled. I've improved since then. So come on, fight me." Kai's eyes narrowed as a slight smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Unless, of course, you're chicken."
"Yeah right." Bryan met his eye. "Challenge accepted."
So who do you think will win: the Falcon or the Phoenix?