Chapter 33

Sorry for not answering any reviews, but I haven't had the time, with Christmas and all. However, thank you for sending them, and have a very merry Christmas.

Time progresses quickly in this fic, as you will see.

"Kai?"

The Russian's crimson eyes cracked open to look down, taking in the Chinamen curled in his arms. "Yeah?"

Ray's golden eyes flicked up toward him. "How long have we been together now?"

Kai sighed, thinking. "It would have to be almost two weeks, wouldn't it?"

"Around that."

"Why do you ask?"

"Just thinking about Kenny." Ray sighed. "If it's been two weeks since we first got together in the car, then it's been two weeks since Kenny first locked himself in his room. We really need to get him to come out. Or at least get him out of the apartment."

"You have a point." Kai set his jaw, mind buzzing. "That's what you were talking to Lee about yesterday, was it not?"

"Mm. He says Kev suggests we drag Kenny kicking and screaming out into the world. Maybe dunk him in some ice cold water as a wake up call. Just anything to get him to snap out of it."

Kai frowned. "Did you tell Lee why he was doing it?"

Ray bit his lip. "Eh… no. All I told him was that there'd been a fight."

"Ah." Kai raised an eyebrow. "So you're not ready to tell your 'brother' that you're gay then?"

"No." Ray looked up at him. "Being gay is… shamed upon within my kind. I'm not sure how Lee would take it. I'd rather wait until I get the opportunity to tell him in person."

Kai frowned. "A lot of things seem to be shamed upon in your kind."

"My village, my people, our life revolves around traditions and values. Some of them are as old as the clans themselves, and some of the clans, such as the Kons, the Minxs, the Yins and the Kis, have been around for many centuries."

"Your system sounds outdated to me."

"It is, very much so." Ray sighed. "But it is our way. The only ones with the power to change the laws are the Elders, or more specifically, the most senior Elders of each clan, such as Lee's grandfather. They're happy with the way everything is going, and I guess they just don't see any need to change the laws."

"So if they find out you're gay, what will happen?"

"Most likely, I will be exiled."

Kai stiffened as he tightened his hold on the younger teen. "Exiled?"

Ray sighed. "Yeah."

"That's a lot to put on the line." Kai's eyebrows knitted as he frowned, staring over at a spot on the wall. "I never realised you had so much riding on this. If I had known…"

"Kai, don't even think it!" Ray pulled himself from his captain's arms as he sat up on the bed, turning to look down at the other as golden eyes flashed. "As much as I love my kind that does not mean I agree with their laws and traditions. I'd take you over them anyday. I love you."

"I never said you didn't." Kai pushed himself up on his elbow, eyes on his beloved's face. "Ray, being with me could mean that you lose your family. I just wish you had of said something sooner. Now I understand why you were so reluctant coming into this relationship."

"I was reluctant because I was confused. My emotions were a mess." Ray sighed, reaching up to tuck several strands of his ebony hair behind his ear. "As for my family… right about now they don't care if I'm alive or dead. They never bothered to try and contact me or anything. My parents are probably so disappointed in me they're wondering what they did to deserve a son like me."

"They should be proud." Kai reached out, caressing Ray's face and trailing his fingertips along the jawbone. "You're perfect in every way. You're smart, caring, a little eager to please maybe, and strong yet shy. You never back down from a challenge, and you're always there when your friends need you. I can't say the same."

"That's where you're wrong." Ray raised his hand and pressed it to Kai's. "You're just different, that's all. You're the strong and fearless leader, the one who will never back down no matter what the odds. You say you don't care about us yet you've bailed us out of trouble and saved us again and again. You've stood up for us, looked out for us… you're highly intelligent and know people better than they know themselves. You just have no faith in yourself."

Kai smiled faintly. "If you guys stopped getting into trouble, then perhaps I wouldn't need to save you so much."

"You know us: trouble clings to us like metal to a magnet. Especially Tyson."

"Hn." Kai's gaze drifted toward the doorway. "What do you think of Tyson's plan to move into Max's room?"

"I don't see why not. He practically lives in there anyway. In my eyes, the only one who'll object is Kenny." Ray smiled faintly before looking back at Kai. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Can I move into your room?"

Kai gestured around them. "And what's wrong with this room?"

"Nothing. It's just that yours is bigger and a lot nicer, that's all." Ray smiled faintly. "Then it wouldn't matter so much when one of us got cold and decided to sneak into the others bed cause we'd already be sleeping together."

"Is that all you think of me as? Your living hot water bottle?"

"Hot air maybe."

"Nice." Kai couldn't help rolling his eyes before he looked around the room. "Well, I can't see no reason for you not to move in. Guess it depends if you can put up with me 24/7. You won't be able to sneak off to your own room to think anymore."

"Kai, I could put up with you forever. And if I want some time alone, I'll just lock myself in the bathroom."

"Ah. The age old 'thinking on the toilet' ritual."

"Mm-hm." Ray smiled, then shot a questioning look at the other. "Why did you come in here, anyway?"

"Felt like it." Kai shrugged. "To be honest, I got sick of Tyson's shit and had a sudden desire for your company."

"At least I'm wanted."

"Ray, you're always wanted."

Ray felt his cheeks warm faintly as he stretched, sensing Kai watching him and blushing harder. "You'd better not be trying to picture me naked."

"Shirtless maybe, but I honour your modesty." Kai raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

"Curious. Not that I think you're a pervert or anything." Ray slid from the bed, pulling his hair from his loose ponytail and redoing it. "I'm going to go find Max and tell him he and Tyson have the okay for Ty to move in with him. After that, we'll go and try to talk to Kenny. I think we have more of a chance of getting him to open up then either you or Tyson do."

"Hn." Kai climbed off the bed and slid his arms around Ray's waist, kissing him gently. "I'd better go get the groceries. Noticed this morning that Tyson has emptied most of the fridges contents."

"Don't blame him for the ice cream. I took care of that, and what was left Max pinched."

"The chocolate ice cream?"

Ray played absently with Kai's hair. "Mm-hm. Pay It Forward was on the other night. You and Tyson got dragged to that beyblade forum, remember?"

"Don't remind me." Kai raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of Tyson, I told him I'd drop him at the movie rental place. Seems he has a rather lengthy list of 'must sees'."

"You going now?"

"Yeah."

"K. Max and I will see to Kenny." Ray pushed himself up, kissing his boyfriend. "Kai?"

"Yeah?"

"Stop growing, would you?"

I have a feeling Kai is tall, don't you? :p