Chapter 28

Cat in the web: No sequel... yet. Most likely there won't be one. Too much to do. If I ever have time on my hands there might be a sequel, but with my life I doubt that.

Jay Kamiya: Yeah, same. Seeing Ian kick Aizik's butt would have been funny. Just seeing Ian trying to reach to kick Aizik's butt would have been even funnier. :p

Werewolf of Fire: Ian and Spencer? Yeah, I made my decision. You'll know by the end of this fic what that decision was. If they're together they'll get together by the last chapter, yet if I decided to not set them up then they'll remain nothing more than friends. You'll just have to wait and see.

Chaco and Lily: The idea of keeping readers interested is cliffhangers or cutting things off when they want something to happen. Makes the climax (Oo;;) more fun when it happens. And you squeeled? ((laughs))

Kappy Locks: You have a friend who likes these? Tell her thank you! I'm amazed by the amount of people who read these and don't review. I keep running into comments everywhere about my fics (mainly Frozen), especially of late. And I'm glad you like Panas. It's a challenge of mine to make believable OCs. One of my main Star Wars OCs, Cenev Maganna, actually has a fan girl following, and not to mention a 'Best OC' award. Really must finish the Eternity series... ((ducks things thrown by Star Wars readers))

KuronekoHikage: Yes, but if you bind them they can't do anything... actually, there is the whole friction thing... hmm...

animeandraia: Not necessarily. Lucas did have other people write the novel adaptations. He only wrote the first one. See, you're not mixing it up completely. :p

Acey1: Panas most certainly is the charmer. Probably where Bryan picked it up... when he's not being a sarcastic prick.

Reiven: Yes, I am indeed registered at G-Rev Images. It's going to be good having more freedom in terms of communicating with you, DC and Rubellite. And okay, how about comparing him to Kai? Moderately longish lashes there. And they appear to have almost the same colour eyes in G-Rev.

Ramen II: I hate Aizik, can you tell? And Panas wasn't exactly flirting with Judy. He was charming her into his graces, and will no doubt exploit her good opinion of him later without her realising it. He's a manipulator, is Panas. And yes, dragging out the meeting...

lilmatchgirl007: Panas ruffles the hair of Kai, Bryan and Tala. He does it to annoy them, and plays on the fact they grew up as brothers. Hn. Tiptoe... I like that.

GemGemJoo: ((tosses down a rope ladder))

Bloody Mary: Max's outfit really does need rethinking. In fact, many of the outfits need rethinking. There are too many to pick them out. Candy? Yummy...

Ashla: I keep dropping Ketsuron onto a disk every so often. Mainly for Izure to read it, but also for safety reasons. However, if my laptop crashed I'm going to lose Believe... that's it, I'm buying a huge packet of 3.5 floppies. And you should like this chappie.

lady Snowblossom: No, he's not tall enough. And it would be hilarious seeing you and Kai throw Tal and Bry off the balcony. I've read and reviewed chappy 19, and I saw your review. Will be updating Centrepiece.

If you don't like two guys going at it, avoid this chapter. If you do, then enjoy the most important chapter in the story. ;)

Disclaimer: See first page

Bryan paused as he saw Tala seated on the balcony, overlooking the view of Moscow. Setting himself, he stepped forward, for the first time in his life afraid of how it would all end. Suppressing his fear, he stopped behind the bench, placing his hands on the back. He knew Tala knew he was there, and leaning forward he pressed his lips to the younger's ear.

"I love you."

Tala swung around, eyes wide in disbelief. "What?"

Bryan smiled faintly, moving around the bench and sitting beside him. "Its taken me this long to realise… just what it was. All I knew is that there was a strange feeling inside of me, and… you were right, Tal. I can feel love… I just didn't know it."

He averted his eyes. "The night I left I… I just didn't want to leave you. Knowing that I might never return I was… I was… scared for you." He chuckled. "For the first time in my life I felt fear, not knowing what would become of you. It's not that I didn't think you were capable of looking after yourself, only that… what would your life be like if I were no longer there? Would I become nothing more than a memory, fading with each passing day?

"And then as I lay in the cold of that cell… I couldn't get my mind off you. I wondered what you were doing. Were you thinking of me? Did you even miss me? It wasn't until Panas questioned me that I finally understood, I finally comprehended what the pain was, the feeling that just wouldn't leave me be. It was love. I completely and utterly love you."

He hesitated, swallowing hard, unable to raise his eyes as a long silence took hold. "You have no idea how vulnerable I feel right now."

Tala reached out, caressing Bryan's face. "Yes, I do know. You were right as well, Bry. I was so closed-minded before that I never realised… Bryan, when I found out you had gone, I was furious. How could you just leave like that without telling me? But then I realised… it was because you were afraid I would follow. You were trying to protect us, the Demolition Boys and Ultimates alike… just like you always have.

"And then the fury faded. I was terrified. The thought you could be dead, it… it tore at me. I just couldn't go on. I just wanted to end it, but I couldn't until I was sure… Bryan, I need you. If you're not there I… I don't think I could continue. I want to be with you forever. I never want to leave your side. I love you, and now I realise I would commit everything I am to keep that love and stay with you.

"There is more to a relationship than physicality and love, and now I realise that. And in knowing what I do now… I never want to be apart from you again."

Bryan reached up, brushing away the tears that trailed down Tala's cheeks. "We were both fools. We allowed our pride to get in the way, our foolish beliefs, and we nearly lost everything." He smiled. "Perhaps my surrendering myself to Boris was a good thing. We learnt a lot about ourselves from it."

Tala met his eye. "Bryan?"

"Yes?"

"Promise me you'll never do something like that again."

Bryan chuckled softly. "Some promises I cannot make, Tal, but should I ever find myself in such a situation, I will seek other alternatives first. Or, of course, I will tell you."

Tala nodded, knowing this was the best he would get. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips against Bryan's, bringing them down again and kissing him deep. Bryan slid closer, reaching up and looping an arm around Talas' neck, the kisses becoming more intense, more meaningful as time past.

When they drew back, they rested their foreheads together, eyes closed as they regained their breath.

"Hm."

Tala's eyes cracked open. "What is it?"

"The barrier is gone."

Tala blinked. "Barrier?"

"An invincible wall that stood between us, keeping us apart. It seems to have disappeared. Interesting."

Tala's eyes narrowed as he sat back. "I never felt the wall."

Bryan smirked. "I have better control on my emotions. I am able to sense these things easier than you can."

Tala sighed, playing with a fastener of Bryan's jacket. "But it's a good thing, it being gone?"

"Indeed." Bryan drew circles on the back of Tala's neck with his index finger, feeling the other shudder at his touch. "It's cold out here."

"This is Moscow. And it is still winter."

"I know that." Bryan nodded toward the doorway. "What say we go inside where it's warmer. Turn the heat up in our bedroom."

Tala's ears pricked at the last, allowing Bryan to pull him to his feet. "Sounds good. I may be ice, but sometimes ice needs to be thawed out."

"Exactly, my little Ice Wolf." Bryan led the way to their room, opening the door and allowing Tala enter first. He closed the door behind them, turning the lock and looking to the side. "It would appear someone has already turned the heat up."

Tala looked toward the controls on the air conditioning. "They have."

Bryan stepped closer to him, cupping his chin in his hands. "But it's not quite warm enough, is it?"

Tala shook his head, lips descending to meet Bryan's. He felt a shiver run through him as Bryan slid his fingers under Tala's shirt, hands exploring the smooth chest and pushing both layers up. Tala reached out, easily undoing the fasteners on the front of Bryan's jacket, pushing it back off his shoulders where Bryan let it fall to the ground.

Bryan raised Tala's shirt over his head, dropping them down beside the jacket as he leant forward, lips playing over the exposed skin and causing Tala to moan. Both teens kicked off their boots, Tala sliding Bryan's shirt off as Bryan's fingers worked at Tala's belt, easily undoing it and pushing the pants down over Tala's hips. Tala reached out and undid Bryan's own belt, the two stepping out of the lasts of their clothing with an almost expert ease.

Now fully disrobed they were free to explore each other's bodies, Tala slowly backing toward the bed as his knees threatened to give way. They fell onto the mattress, lips locked in battle as hands roamed exposed skin, each touch sending a shockwave over them.

Breaking the kiss Bryan moved down, running his tongue over Tala's chest and causing the other to moan harshly. Smirking, Bryan continued his path down, lingering over each kiss, each caress, listening to Tala's sharp intakes of breath with every contact.

Bryan's fingers closed around Tala, causing him to gasp before Bryan's lips encompassed him, Tala jerking as he clutched the sheets. Tala threw back his head, eyes squeezed tightly closed as Bryan's tongue rolled over and around him, lavender eyes the whole time watching Tala's face.

All at once Tala came, exploding as Bryan drank him, savouring the taste as Tala groaned, panting. Bryan smirked, wiping the remains from his face before he moved back up the bed. Tala welcomed him with a fierce kiss, hands roaming Bryan's back, marvelling at the texture.

Tala broke the kiss, smoothing back Bryan's hair. "Do it."

Bryan lost himself in those icy pools. "You're sure?"

"I've wanted this for so long." He trailed his fingers along the jawbone. "I want to be one."

Lips met again, this time gently as Bryan reached up and took hold of a pillow. Tala arched his hips up as Bryan slid the pillow beneath him, settling himself between Tala's legs. Tala shuddered as Bryan's hand slid down between them, gently fingering the opening, using Tala's own seed to prepare the area.

Tala's arm's tightened around his lover as he felt Bryan carefully enter him, a small burning pain washing over him and causing his eyes to water. Bryan blinked as he took in Tala's expression, concern reflecting in Bryan's eyes.

"I'm hurting you."

"It'll pass." Tala smiled reassuringly. "Don't deny me of this, Bryan. Please, not this time."

"Not this time."

Lips met once more, Bryan carefully moving within the tightness of his lover. Tala moaned, one hand wandering down to press against Bryan's rear, urging him to move faster, harder. Bryan complied to his captains wishes, the air becoming filled with their pants and grunts, Tala crying out as he threw his head back, the pleasure almost overwhelming him.

Bryan had almost lost all sense of his surroundings, growling throatily as he shifted, Tala's moans becoming more intense with this new angle. Their bodies worked together as one, building toward the pinnacle of pleasure and crashing over it, calling each other's name as they were swept away.

The moment passed, leaving them exhausted and trembling. Bryan moved to get up, Tala tightening his arms around him. "No, stay. Stay inside me."

Bryan smiled, pressing his lips against Tala's before he rested his head on Tala's chest, still panting heavily. Tala tightened his arms around the elder, kissing his forehead and closing his eyes, joining Bryan in an exhausted sleep.

And about bloody time. If you're like me, you've probably been waiting for that since the last fic. Certainly took them long enough, didn't it?