Chapter 14
MyHeartBleeds: Mental images? Oh good. My ability to write descriptive things still works. :p
The Valkyrie: I'm not sure if it comes out in this story. Actually, yes it does. Last chapter. That's when you'll learn how Panas knows. Think you can wait that long?
Mizuyah: Watching your friend get raped and being helpless would be worse than getting raped yourself. Of course, Boris knows this...
HimekoSukie: Boris did the same to Panas, yes.
Acey1: I'm cruel? Did you only just work that out did you? :p Actually, I'm evil, but same deal.
Ashla: True. Reviewers can do anything. But it's the authors who have the power!!! [[[evil laugh]]]
Cat in the web: You find out about Tala in this chapter. And you're right, Boris wouldn't last.
DranzerGirl: Bryan lost the bomb to Boris right before Boris raped him in the helicopter. That's the problem.
Ramen II: I enjoy hurting people in stories, yes. Can you tell? I have an award from TheForceNet Kyp Durron Club for 'Best Death Fic', and I've been nominated for 'Best Angst' in the Fan Fic awards on the same site. Ironically, I have two 'Best Humour'. Go figure. :p Anyway, torture scenes are my fave. Love 'em.
Kappy Locks: Bryan's a purple haired freak. ;)
lilmatchgirl007: Call for blood all you want, but I'm the one with the power here. And I work for Biov... eh, never mind. [[[whistles innocently]]]
eyriess: The chapters are as long as I wrote them and chopped them up. Nothing I can do about it. Sorry.
Reiven: More hurting? I like you. [[[tosses Bryan vodo-doll plushie with pins]]] Have fun. And Tala's here.
Chaco and Lily: Bryan dying would piss Boris off a treat indeed. Always good to have a few cards up my sleave.
Bloody Mary: Good to have you back, BM. And Tala collapsed, not fainted. Not much of a difference but... yeah. And Bryan is being heroic. Reckless heroic. Maybe even suicidal heroic. But anyway, heroic none the less. So... are we going to see an update from you anytime soon? [[[wide brown puppy eyes]]]
Jay Kamiya: Bryan survived for now, but there's plenty more where that torture came from. :p
Time to find out what was wrong with Tala. Let's see if anyone guessed.
Disclaimer: See first page
"Feeling better now?"
Tala glanced up as Kai stopped beside him, the younger reaching up to tiredly take the mug the elder held out. "A little."
"You should take it easy, Tal." Kai dropped down beside him, eyes taking in his cousin's still pale complexion. He reached out, fingers playing through Tala's fiery hair. "The doctors say that if you rest up a bit the chances of having another anxiety attack are low."
Tala snorted. "You probably think I'm weak."
"Not at all." Kai shrugged it off. "Under this kind of pressure anyone will crack. Not to mention you're still recovering from your time in the dungeon."
"Among other things." Tala flexed the fingers of one hand, feeling a twinge move up his arm. His memory flashed back briefly as he remembered Boris attacking him, beating him with the iron bar, fracturing his abnormally strong bones. "We're in trouble, aren't we?"
Kai sighed, eyes distant. "Guess it really depends how you look at it. BBAs got control of the Abbey and the authorities have all they need to put Boris away."
"Pity they don't know where he is."
Kai glanced to the side as Tala sipped his coffee. "You need not think so negatively, Wolf."
"Wolf." Tala sighed, closing his eyes. "Been a long time since you called me that."
"Been a long time since I got to spend any time alone with you. Good to be able to catch up."
"Speaking of catching up." Tala glanced to the side, an evil twinkle in his eye. "I do believe you still have some money of mine."
"You're just not going to drop that, are you?"
"Of course not. Where is it, Hiwatari?"
"I don't have it on me, Ivanov." Kai rolled his eyes. "It was just a lousy bet."
"Which I won."
"Bryan still lost."
"Ray did not get up."
"And the authorities are after Boris."
"He originally got away with it."
"Whatever."
Tala chuckled, eyes once more returning forward as he took another sip from his drink. "So how long's this thing with you and Ray been going on?"
"Day after the Finals. Mariah was all over him and he came to me for help. We talked and some things come out and… well, things got interesting."
"I can see why you like him." Tala watched his face, sapphire eyes wide yet soft. "He's fairly attractive, and he comes across as being somewhat complex. Not to mention you make a good couple."
"Hn." Kai bit back a smile. "Our dimwitted teammates accepted it pretty quick. First thing they did was offer to change the sleeping arrangement so Ray and I shared a bed."
"Your teammates are perverted."
"You have no idea."
Tala sipped his drink again, a small frown playing over his features. "Wait, I thought such relationships were illegal in China. Isn't that where Kon is from?"
"It is." Kai shrugged. "He doesn't seem to care about the reactions of his country, though he still tries to keep it low key. The media does not know that the relationship exists, and we intend to keep it that way."
"What about the White Tigers?"
"They're in on it. Lee got a little pissed, but I believe he's over it."
"He probably wanted Ray for himself."
"Probably." Kai chuckled, spotting something out the corner of his eye and looking sharply to the side, noting the single tear as it traced its path over those soft, pale cheeks. "Tal?"
"I am happy for you, Kai." Tala smiled at him, Kai noting for the first time that what he had thought was a sparkle in the younger's eye was rather the glistening of unshed tears. "I do hope it works out for you. It must be hard being who you are and still finding someone who respects you rather than your money."
"A lot of people fear me, now. It's nice to have someone, I won't deny that." Kai's fingers trailed through Tala's hair as he reached up with the other hand, flicking the tear away. "It'll all work out, Tal, you wait."
"I hope you're right, Kai, cause as the moment things don't look that good." Tala sighed, shuddering before he laughed softly. "Look at me. I'm supposed to be the great Tala Yuri Ivanov, the strong, powerful and charismatic leader of the Demolition Boys."
"You still are."
"I'm not so sure anymore." Tala's head dropped as he shivered, fingers tightening on his mug. "I've always had some form of control on my life, my actions, my emotions, but for the very first time I have no control at all. I don't know what to do anymore."
[-------------------------]
"This is all starting to piss me off."
Spencer glanced up from where he was reading the newspaper, his eyes falling on the younger. "What is?"
"All this." Ian slumped deeper into the couch, glaring into space. "Everyone makes a fuss over us when we arrive, then practically ignore us. We're stuck within the same building as Granger in the middle of winter, Boris vanishes, Bryan walks out, Tala's not talking to us and I'm getting chilblains."
Spencer had to smile faintly. "It's not all that bad. We've got food, warm clothing, safety."
"Yeah, it's boring." Ian scowled.
"And don't pick on Tala. He's sick."
"Only because he's so stressed out about Bryan. If that bastard hadn't just upped and left then everything wouldn't be so chaotic."
"He did it for us, Ian." Spencer flipped a page, scanning the headlines. "The BBA got people going over Boris's assets. They're looking into Biovolt too. They'll find them."
"I hope you're right, Spence, for Tala's sake." Ian flipped onto his stomach, crimson eyes watching the other. "I kinda miss him."
Spencer glanced up. "Miss who?"
"Bryan. I kinda miss him. Not being around, you know. I mean, he's always been there. I can't remember a time when he wasn't. It's just strange."
"Yeah." Spencer closed the newspaper, looking up toward his little friend. "I miss him too. Doubt the team would work without him."
"As much as I hate to say it, I agree." Ian sighed, closing his eyes. "Bryan's the real reason we've gotten so far. Not because he's the best blader in the Abbey, but because… well, I don't know. Whole bunch of reasons."
"I know what you mean." Spencer glanced once more down at the paper, pushing it away so not too see the headlines, his own little escape from the mess. "Many of the boys thought Bryan should've been captain."
"I heard that too." Ian shrugged. "I overheard the Blade Breaker's geek talking earlier. Apparently before Aizik showed up Kai and Bryan had a bey battle. Classic bowl, no audience, no rules. They drew. That Kenny kid seems to think they could have probably battled stronger, too."
"Bryan was holding back against Ray."
Ian growled, twisting back onto his back. "See, that's why I should have battled. Boris shoulda known Bryan would do that, deliberately lose. He should have never sent him in to battle Kon."
"Bryan almost killed Kon, Ian. Remember that."
"I remember. Bryan was toying with him. He should have gone straight in for the kill."
"Don't let Kai hear you say that." Spencer shrugged, running a hand through his blond hair. "Bryan was ordered by Voltaire to toy with Kon. The idea was to scare everyone."
"Well Bryan never has any trouble doing that. The guy's just plain cold-blooded." Ian sighed, staring toward the roof. "I just wish I knew where he was."
Spencer raised an eyebrow, studying the younger. "I thought you hated him."
"I do hate him. Just wish I knew where he was so I could tell him that."
"He already knows."
"So I'll remind him." Ian shuddered. "What Tala did today… collapsing… that was kinda scary."
"Yeah. Anxiety attack, the doctors say. Comes from pressure and worry mainly."
"Tala's got plenty of that." Ian pushed himself up, swinging his feet around so that they hit the floor. "Hey Spence…"
"Yeah?"
"Do you… What do you think about… well, Bryan and Tala?"
"What about them?"
"What do you think of them being… together?"
"You're not still on that, are you?"
"Oh come on, I'm just asking your opinion." Ian scowled, crimson eyes narrowing as he watched the other. "I realised earlier that no one ever bothered to ask what you thought about the whole thing."
"If they want to be together, than they can be together. That is their choice, and I'm okay with it." Spencer watched him. "You should be too."
Ian shrugged, biting his lip. "What do you think will happen to Tala if…"
Spencer frowned. "If what?"
"If…" Ian raised his head, meeting the elders gaze. "If Bryan… doesn't survive?"
Gee, isn't Ian certainly optimistic. --;;
And has anyone heard the song Switchblade? I downloaded it the other night and have fallen in love with it. I can think of no song better for the Demolition Boys (including Kai). :D