Overture

Warning: This story contains strong shonen ai. If you have a problem reading boy/boy love, then I would suggest that you turn back now. While this story is good, it just is not the story for you. However, if you like shonen ai, continue on and enjoy.

Author Note: This is the very first story in the Honesty Saga. You do not necessarily need to have read the other fics - Honesty and Honesty II - but it may help to pic up the cross-references. Hopefully this fic will help clear up a couple of things as well.

Couplings to be seen: This fic focuses on the Tyson/Max and Kai/Ray aspect of the Honesty Saga, but there are also references to Tala/Bryan here.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story, nor do I own Beyblade. Wish I did though.

Every saga has its beginning…

Prologue

Tyson shifted from foot to foot, staring at the numbers on the elevator. Glancing to the side he took in the way the golden hair fell about the others face, framing those pure blue eyes, the faint speckling of freckles on otherwise unblemished skin. The other felt his gaze, smiling faintly and causing Tyson's stomach to twist further.

Tyson squeezed his eyes closed. No. No, he mustn't. Why was he even thinking these things? This was his best friend, his buddy. The older boy had entered his life a year-and-a-half ago, and since then they had rarely been apart, going through thick and thin, backing each other up when things got hard.

They were partners. They were allies. They were brothers in battle and outside. Not to mention Max was a guy. Why Tyson desired him so… it was just plain wrong. Tyson should be lusting after a girl like most other 14-year-olds did, not after his best friend who just so happened to be male.

And a hot male at that…

NO! Why was he thinking this!?

"Are you okay, Ty?"

Tyson opened his eyes, blue-grey orbs settling on the other. He opened his mouth to reply, to tell him everything was fine, but… he couldn't. How could he say everything was fine when it wasn't? And when Max smiled… Tyson turned away as he felt his stomach twist again, feeling a faint tightening in his loins…

Oh no, not again. The last thing he needed was to go hard in public again.

Why was life tormenting him like this!?

"Ty?"

Such a sweet voice, almost a melody on itself. Tyson had never been a fan of music, but during their victory tour they had been forced to listen to many a tune, Ray explaining some of the elements to them. Ray was back in his village now, and Kai was in Russia assisting – not by choice – with the investigation into his grandfather, Voltaire. Kenny was at the apartment where they were staying with Mr Dickenson, Max and Tyson on their way back up after going to the restaurant for lunch…

Man, even food couldn't take his mind off the one who stood next to him.

"Tyson? Tyson, what's wrong?"

If Max knew he would disown him as a friend. Max would leave, probably heading back to America and never blading for the Blade Breakers ever again. And it would all be Tyson's fault.

Why? Why did it have to be Max? Well, maybe it could have been worse. It could have been Kai that drew him in, but no, it had been the blond innocence of his best friend, a friend who went everywhere with him.

"Tyson, you're starting to make me worried. What is it? Maybe I can help."

Help? Help how? Tyson gritted his teeth, looking back toward the other, taking in the way the light caught those sungold strands, how those blue jewels sparkled like precious sapphires, so beautiful and rare. So expensive. Untouchable.

He stiffened as he felt the light touch on his shoulder, the presence of the other moving closer, his scent filling Tyson's nostrils and sending a shudder through him. "Ty?"

It was too much. Tyson's hand snapped out and hit the 'stop' button, the elevator grinding to an abrupt halt.

Max blinked. "Tyson?"

"I can't take it!" Tyson spun around, eyes fixed on Max's face. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me?"

Max blinked, the 15-year-old frowning. "Tyson? What do you mean?"

Taking a step forward Tyson took hold of Max's shirt, pushing him back against the wall of the elevator and pressing his lips to his, his decency screaming for him to stop, his heart telling him to take the plunge.

Max gasped at the suddenness, his legs feeling like water as Tyson kissed him deeper, the caress of the younger boy's tongue on his almost too much for Max to take. For how long had he wanted this? For how long had he dreamed about this moment?

Tyson made to pull back, but Max was quicker, reaching up to place a hand behind Tyson's head and holding him in place, kissing him deeper still. Tyson groaned softly, feeling awkward yet so right, his head telling him it was wrong, but he ignored it.

They became aware of a sharp pain, reluctantly drawing apart as their lungs threatened to explode from lack of air. Breathing hard they stared at each other, neither really believing what had just happened.

Swallowing, Tyson smiled. "Eh… yeah."

"Mm-hm." Max looked around. "Um… someone might be wanting the elevator."

"Yeah, we'd better get moving. Kenny'll be waiting anyway."

Max winced. "Yeah. Kenny."

Tyson looked at him. "We'd better keep this to ourselves."

"Yeah, we'd better." Max kissed him again, ever so gently. "I won't say a word."

And that's how Tyson and Max got together. ;)