Waa! You guys are too cool. Thank you, thank you! It made me so happy to see that people were feeling sorry for Rei. I don't want everyone to hate him, because I actually like him a lot. At the beginning, everyone was just like, "STUPID REI'S SUCH AN EFFING WHORE FOR BREAKING KAI'S HEART!!11!2!twoeleven" Don't hate Rei. He's a nice guy. Okay, enjoy.

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Chapter Twenty-eight

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The longhaired blader shifted sleepily on his bed, mumbling something before smacking his lips and falling silent. After a moment, he began snoring softly. He'd gotten to sleep sometime during the wee hours of the morning, after Kai and him had left the hotel. He had been tired, but slumber had eluded him for a while because he had been so giddy about Kai's "I think I love you" speech.

"Mmm… Kai… Iloveyoutoo," he mumbled, his words running into each other. A quick snore, and he was dead to the world again, so numb that he didn't hear Kai opening the door and coming in. Kai dropped a bouquet of flowers on the desk next to a small pile of birthday cards and balloons from various others, then walked to the bed and surveyed his sleeping lover for a moment.

"Love you… mm… you look so sexy when you're like that," Tyson burbled senselessly. "Kaaaaai…"

"Tyson," Kai said lightly, reaching out and teasing his bangs. "Wake up, I don't want to hear you fantasize about me."

Tyson suddenly latched onto Kai's hand, pulling down roughly and tucking it under his chin while he curled up like a shrimp and resumed his snoring. Kai almost fell on top of him, but steadied himself by placing a knee on top of the covers.

"You idiot!" Kai used his free hand to give Tyson a sound cuff on the head, and he yelped as he awoke. Kai snatched his hand back and gave him an incredulous look.

"Kai?" Tyson rubbed his eyes sleepily. "Whatcha doing here?"

"I don't think I ever want to get in bed with you, knowing how you act when you sleep," Kai retorted.

"What? What did I do?" Tyson reached over and grabbed his arm. "You have to sleep with me!" he wailed.

"You pig!"

"Well, not right now, or anything. But eventually! I'm not gonna be satisfied with just kissing and fondling forever, you know," Tyson stated. Kai rolled his eyes and rubbed his forehead.

"Why did I even wake you up?" he asked no one in particular. Tyson grinned and pushed the covers back.

"Because you love me."

"You take it to a whole new level."

"Sorry, I'm just so psyched!" Tyson bounced out of bed and spotted the bouquet that hadn't been there before. "Did you bring those for me?"

"Yeah. You're not getting your real present until later."

"How later?" he demanded. Kai smiled.

"What time were you born?"

"I think around ten-thirty at night, or something," he answered without thinking. "Wait! I mean, right now! I was born right about now."

"Nice try. I'll see you around ten-thirty tonight."

"But…" Tyson frowned and bit his lip slightly. "Can't you give it to me earlier?"

Kai shook his head firmly and noticed that he seemed much more subdued. He blinked in perplexity and walked over, tapping Tyson's chin.

"What's wrong? It's not that much of a wait," Kai said. Tyson smiled and shook it off.

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I can't wait to see it!" He gave him a wink. "I'll be right back after a quick shower."

Kai sat on Tyson's unmade bed while he listened to the sound of the water running. Compared to a week ago, he was feeling enormously better and in lighter spirits, but amidst the joy of being able to get his life back together again, there was something else. He knew it wasn't Rei. His ex-boyfriend had him a bit worried, but overall he knew Rei could take care of himself and wouldn't do anything stupid. When it concerned Rei, he was curious above anything else. No, there was something about Tyson that he was sure was there… he just didn't know what. He picked up on little things, like a slight but quick change in attitude. He felt like Tyson was hiding something from him.

Somehow, it didn't seem fitting for him to go and accuse him of anything. He liked to believe that Tyson wouldn't do something that would hurt him on purpose, but maybe he accidentally did something dumb and was trying to protect him by not letting him know. Kai paused and shook his head. Tyson was smart and considerate. Kai couldn't imagine what he could be trying to hide. It just didn't make sense and Kai was beginning to doubt that there was anything to worry about at all. He still believed that he was slightly paranoid, and considering all that had happened, he didn't really blame himself.

He heard the water being turned off and idly picked at Tyson's covers. His pillow was still warm and upon closer inspection, he pulled off a few long strands of hair and brushed them to the floor. The bathroom door opened and Tyson emerged amidst a small wave of steam. Kai glanced at him and saw he was clad with only a towel around his waist.

"Put your clothes on," he said flatly.

"I'm going," Tyson said with a pout. He suddenly struck a pose. "I'm hot, aren't I?"

"What is with you today?" Kai demanded, inwardly amused.

"Admit it! You know it's true." He grinned slyly.

"All right, it's true," he conceded nonchalantly. Tyson paused and placed his hands on his hips.

"Okay, that was no fun at all. You're supposed to be an ass about it and deny until I pin you down on the bed and have you at my mercy. Then you admit it. Don't you know anything?"

"Apparently not." Kai tilted his head and gave him a smile, and Tyson melted. He went to his closet and Kai shifted so that he had his back to him, and after a moment heard a shuffling noise that he assumed was Tyson getting dressed. He closed his eyes briefly when the room was quiet.

"Done?" he asked. He felt a dip in the bed behind him and Tyson's arms slipped over his shoulders.

"Mm-hmm. What time is it?" Tyson nuzzled his face into the side of Kai's neck, and Kai felt a pleasant tingle run through his body.

"I don't know. Around eleven," he answered.

"Aw, I missed breakfast." Tyson pushed down gently until Kai was lying on the bed beside him, then traced a finger along his jaw line, gazing at him with adoring eyes. "Oh, well… this is worth it."

"I didn't want to wake you earlier since you went to bed so late," Kai told him.

"How thoughtful."

"It's your birthday, I might as well be nice." Kai closed his eyes as Tyson leaned in and kissed him lightly. His hands traveled down from his shoulders to his chest and Kai felt his breath catch in his throat when Tyson tickled him lightly, a playful smile on his lips.

"Sexy."

"Stop saying that." Kai shifted comfortably.

"Can't. It's too true. You ooze sex."

"I don't ooze anything," he said in a tone of slight annoyance, but mostly amusement. Tyson chuckled and burrowed his head beneath Kai's chin, wrapping his arms around his waist.

"This is bliss," he said softly, his voice muffled. "Pure, unrestrained bliss." He snuggled up closer and Kai gently ran his fingers down Tyson's long hair, resting his arms lightly around his neck. The dark strands tickled his chin delicately, and he sighed in satisfaction.

"Your birthday cake is in my room," he commented. Tyson looked up immediately.

"You got me a cake?" he asked and Kai nodded. "Score! I'm starving, let's go eat it."

"You can't eat cake for breakfast."

"Watch me."

"You'll make yourself sick." Kai planted a kiss on Tyson's silky locks before untangling himself and standing. Tyson climbed over the bed and grabbed his hand before pulling him forcefully towards the door.

"I can't get sick off cake," he scoffed as he dragged Kai into the hallway, heading for his room. "Especially not my own birthday cake. Is it chocolate?"

A gentle smile played around Kai's lips as he allowed himself to be lugged by an overly excited Tyson. The door to his room was unlocked, and Tyson immediately went to the fridge and looked inside. He let out a small squeal of delight.

"Chocolate icing!"

"Get away from there," Kai said, shoving him lightly. "Or make yourself useful and take these to the table." He handed him two saucers and forks, which Tyson obediently took. Kai slipped the cake out of the fridge and found a book of matches and a box of candles before joining him at the table. Tyson sat in anticipation.

"Twenty candles."

Kai rolled his eyes and began sticking candles on the cake. When he had nineteen, he struck a match and lit the last one, then proceeded to light the rest before placing the twentieth candle on the cake. He sat next to Tyson and looked at him expectantly. Tyson grinned.

"C'mon, Kai. You have to sing for me before I blow out the candles."

"Sing for you?"

"Sing me happy birthday!"

Kai rested his chin against his palm and sighed. Only for you, Tyson. His thoughts wandered momentarily to Tyson's birthday years ago, when Mr. Dickinson had told him about the arrangements of his being captain of the Blade Breakers. He gazed into Tyson's hopeful eyes and relaxed slightly. Why the hell not…

"Please, Kai?"

"Okay… fine," Kai relented. In a soft voice, he began singing. "Happy birthday to you… happy birthday to—mmf!"

Tyson lunging over and throwing his arms around his neck rudely cut him off in mid sentence. His over-enthusiastic gesture caused him to fall out of his chair and flat on the carpet, Tyson landing on top of him. The wind was momentarily knocked out of him.

"Tyson!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Kai, I just… you were actually singing for me!"

"I know, and if this is how you react, I'm never doing it again." Kai blinked, regaining his senses. Tyson still had his arms around his neck, and he hugged him tightly, giving him a wet kiss on the cheek.

"Sorry… I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No." Kai stared at the ceiling.

"Good." Tyson laid his head down on Kai's shoulder and after a moment, he felt Kai's arms snake around his waist. He sighed softly in contentment. "Um… would you finish the song for me?"

"Wow. You have a lot of nerve," Kai commented, breathing in the scent of Tyson's hair.

"Pleeeeease?"

Kai laughed softly. "Happy birthday, dear Tyson… happy birthday to you," he finished. Tyson loosened his grip around his neck and raised his head.

"Thanks, Kai."

"You're welcome."

His long, dark hair slipped over one shoulder as he leaned down and brushed his lips against Kai's. After a moment, he gently licked Kai's lower lip, poking his tongue out and probing gently. Kai parted his lips and let out a moan when Tyson pushed inside eagerly. He breathed in deeply as a tremor ran through his body, feeling Tyson's fingers caressing the back of his neck. Kai moaned again when Tyson ran the tip of his tongue along the roof of his mouth, tickling him in a most tempting way. He shivered and his muscles tightened as he deepened the kiss even further, and Tyson reacted pleasurably.

Kai didn't realize that he had lost track of the time until he noticed how hot he was, and how his lungs felt like they had been deprived of oxygen for far too long. Tyson chose that moment to bite down on his lip harder than he had intended to, and Kai let out a whimper and broke off the kiss, panting lightly. Apparently that hadn't been enough to satiate Tyson's hunger, for he began planting kisses down Kai's chin, moving lower to his neck. Kai licked his lips and shut his eyes.

Tyson nuzzled his nose into Kai's neck before kissing it gently, then added some teeth, enjoying the sound of Kai's reaction. He opened his eyes and saw that there was only a small trace of the bruise Cleft had given him left. He left it alone and unbuttoned the top of Kai's shirt, pulling it open and lazily dragging his tongue in a wide arc across his chest. Kai bit his lip and groaned, his eyelids fluttering, and Tyson smirked as he began to trace circles with his finger.

"You look happily tormented," he commented. Kai managed to open one eye, his lips parted as he sought to regulate his breathing.

"You're driving me… insane." Am I forgetting something?

"This feels good, doesn't it?"

"Uh-huh…"

Tyson smiled and reached down to give him a short kiss. "You should put a bow on your head and give yourself to me for my birthday."

Kai glared and Tyson laughed heartily, rubbing their noses together. "It's just a thought."

"A pretty stupid one."

"You know you'd enjoy it." Tyson waggled his eyebrows suggestively and Kai rolled his eyes. A short moment of silence passed.

"Hey… Tyson?"

"Hm?"

Kai sat up quickly and Tyson tumbled to the floor beside him with an indignant yelp. "You never blew your candles out, you idiot!"

"Uh-oh. My cake!" Tyson scrambled to his feet and went to the table, hastily blowing at the candles that were just a moment away from melting on top of the icing. Kai joined him after a moment and let out a short laugh at the stricken look on Tyson's face.

"It's all right, it's just a cake. Besides, you saved it in time."

"Do you realize that I was this close to ruining it?" Tyson asked, gesturing with his index finger and thumb. "Not only did you buy me that, it's cake. It's food." He picked up the knife that Kai had brought to the table and cut out a large wedge. "Jeez, Kai, where the heck are your priorities?"

Kai shook his head with a smile. "You never cease to amaze me." He took a fork and picked up a small piece of the chocolate cake, lifting it to Tyson's lips. "Happy birthday. You get the first bite."

"Mmm," Tyson said, closing his mouth over the morsel. He grinned and took the fork from Kai, getting another piece and poking it in his face. "Second bite."

"I can't believe you," Kai stated, but allowed him to feed him nonetheless. Tyson pushed him into a seat, obviously delighted by their little game.

"Your turn. Feed me," Tyson demanded. Kai sighed affectionately as he proceeded to obey Tyson's orders.

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It was nearing ten-thirty that night and Kai was sitting on his bed, idly playing with the handles on the brightly colored bag that held Tyson's birthday present. Wyatt was cross-legged atop his own bed, tapping his pen against the open textbook in his lap.

"Then we went out for lunch, since he hadn't eaten anything except his cake," Kai was saying as his roommate listened. "Later on we talked in his room and he kept trying to get me to give him his gift. He seemed really antsy about it, but I guess he's just not the patient type."

Wyatt laughed. "Tyson's never been patient in any way."

"Yeah." Kai smiled faintly and sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "It's getting easier and easier for me to tell him that I love him."

"That's such a beautiful thing." The brown-haired boy smiled. "I'm glad for you, Kai, I really am."

"I just never thought…" Kai shook his head, standing and picking up the bag with a shrug. "That things would turn out this way."

"Things never turn out the way you think they will."

"That's the truth." He went to the door and opened it, throwing Wyatt a backwards glance over his shoulder. "See you later."

"Mm-hmm, see ya. Oh, and Kai? Tell Tyson I said happy birthday."

"Sure." Kai smiled before stepping into the hallway, closing the door behind him. He knew Tyson had a thing for angels, and he had found a crystalline, twelve-inch statue of one of the celestial beings that he immediately knew Tyson must have. He himself had found it beautiful, and he'd never cared for sculptures of any type.

The hallways were still bright, but most of the students were either locked behind closed doors at this hour, or out. Kai made his way to Tyson's room with a light heart, imagining Tyson's reaction to his gift. Imagining Tyson's reaction to anything was always a pleasant thing to do. He stopped in front of the door and knocked lightly. There was pause before a redhead with piercing green eyes opened it.

Kai blinked at him. "Oh, hi…"

"Hi. I don't recognize you. You here for Tyson or something?" His response was blunt and to the point, and Kai decided that this guy must be the other one living in the room.

"Are you his roommate? And yes, I am here for him."

"The name's Rake." He extended a hand, which Kai shook. "Yep, I'm his roommate and you're outta luck. He's not here right now."

"Do you know where he is?"

Rake gave him a funny look. "He's at work."

There was pause before Kai let out his breath irritably. "Hell." He'd just remembered that he hadn't a clue as to where his own boyfriend worked. "You wouldn't be able to tell me where he works, would you?"

"Ah…" His green eyes shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know where he works."

Kai studied him for a moment and watched him squirm. "Liar."

"Who are you, anyway?" Rake asked, switching to the defensive. Kai paused before answering.

"I'm his boyfriend, today is his birthday, and I'd really like to get him his gift." Why is he acting so weird?

"Oh… shit," Rake muttered. Kai glared at him.

"What? Would you just tell me where he is?"

Rake sighed. "Look… I don't know what he's told you, but… you really don't know where he works?" He stared at him intently. Kai shook his head, and Rake began muttering again. "Of course you don't, you're the boyfriend…"

"I'd like to know," Kai said testily, getting impatient. Rake suddenly looked apologetic.

"I don't really know Tyson that well, but he's a good guy. Just remember that… he has his reasons," he said softly, confusing Kai even further. He didn't answer and Rake went on with another heavy sigh. "I can't just drop this in your face. Let me… I'll take you there."

"Take me where? I'm sure I can get there myself."

"I know you can, but… I can't bring myself to just say it and leave."

Kai felt a sinking sensation in his chest. He didn't know what to say about the whole situation, and it wasn't helping that Wyatt's words were running through his head at that moment.

"Things never turn out the way you think they will."

"I'll just be a second, okay?" Rake said, disappearing into the room. Kai hardly heard him. When he came back out and asked Kai to come with him, they both made their way out to the parking lot and Kai took the passenger seat while Rake started the car in silence. The drive proved to be the same way.

Kai gazed through the window, apprehension building with each passing moment. Tyson wouldn't hurt me. Tyson would not hurt me. Tyson—

"I never got your name." Rake glanced at him.

"It's Kai," he replied quietly. The redhead nodded.

"Okay, Kai… I guess it was just pure bad luck that today had to be his birthday." He sighed for the third time and Kai shut his eyes briefly. Tyson would not hurt me.

A few minutes later, Rake pulled up into a plaza with a small chain of stores lining the place. Kai scanned them briefly.

"Well? Which one?" he asked. Rake responded with another question.

"Do you love him?"

"That's none of your business."

"You do, don't you?"

Kai sighed, his words taking on a steely edge. "Yes. Now would you tell me already?"

Rake shook his head and gestured to the right. "Look over there."

He looked, and as soon as he found the place Rake was talking about, his eyes narrowed and he felt an indescribable rage rush through him. The Golden Gate was a popular haven of filthy pleasure and Kai was absolutely put out that Rake would suggest such a thing. He rounded on the redhead with smoldering eyes, almost too angry to speak.

"Do you think this is funny or something?" he demanded. Rake shook his head again and Kai went on. "How could you even think of such a thing? Whores work there!"

"Hey, don't kill the messenger, Kai. I'm not bullshitting you and if you think I'm getting a kick out of this, you've got another thing coming."

"You're lying! This doesn't make any sense at all."

Rake didn't answer and Kai looked back at the cavern, where people were coming in and going out as if it were the normal thing in the world. He couldn't even imagine Tyson inside. His hand reached up to unlock his door.

"I'm sorry you had to find out this way," Rake said.

"I don't believe you," Kai answered, but inside, he wasn't sure of his words. "Tyson would never do this."

Again, Rake didn't supply an answer. Kai got out, still holding Tyson's gift although he had forgotten about it long ago.

"I can wait out here for you," Rake said softly. Kai slammed the door and Rake rolled down a window.

"Don't bother. I'll catch a cab."

"Kai, look… I'm sorry."

Kai felt his breath catch in his throat and swallowed quickly, his eyes betraying the worry that was gnawing away at his soul. He nodded slightly and turned away, walking to the entrance of The Golden Gate. There was a doorman, but he didn't seem to care who came or went. Kai took a breath and slipped inside unnoticed.

The inside was everything he could imagine a place like this could be. The lights were dimmed, the tables were crowded with people, and a man on the stage was announcing the name of the next dancer. The smell of alcohol bit at his nose. Kai peered through the crowd, his eyes searching. He would be heartbroken if he found who he was looking for. He walked over to the side where a woman that didn't leave much to be desired was chatting and serving drinks. She smiled when she saw him.

"Hey, there. You won't have any trouble picking up anybody."

Kai ignored the comment. "I'm actually looking for someone."

"Oh, you have a preference?"

"No… I just want to know if a certain… friend of mine works here."

"I dunno, I'll see what I can do." She looked down and caught sight of the gift bag in his hand. "Oh! You must be surprising someone today."

Kai glanced despairingly into the crowd again. This is impossible. Rake has to be lying. Tyson isn't this stupid. He wouldn't do this… "His name is Tyson."

"Oh, Tyson, eh?"

Kai's heart sank. "You have someone named Tyson here?"

"That we do." She smiled.

"That's… maybe it's not the one I know," Kai said, his voice carrying a note of desperation.

"Well, he's about your height… and he's got longish-darkish-bluish hair…"

"And tanned skin, reddish-brown eyes…" And the most beautiful soul in the universe.

"And he's loud and really fun to be around," she finished. "Oh, yeah—and he's always got a baseball cap on."

Kai drew in a long breath. "That's the one."

"Things never turn out the way you think they will."

"Would you like me to get him down here? He might not be busy right now," she said uncertainly, finally noticing the painful look in his eyes. Kai bit his lip, hard.

"No, thanks." He turned around without another word, almost thankful for the numbness that had settled into his mind. He slipped through the crowd with a heavy heart, quietly excusing himself as he wove a pathway to the door. Once outside, he was at a complete loss as to what to do next.

He seated himself at a bench a few yards from the entrance of The Golden Gate, placing the present next to his feet on the ground. This makes absolutely no damn sense at all. Tyson is not stupid! He wouldn't ever do something like this.

Feeling lost, confused, and utterly broken inside, Kai gazed up at the sky, warm tears pooling in his eyes. After a moment he looked back down and angrily wiped at his tears, shaking his head in frustration.

"I don't get it! Dammit!"

The doorman gave him a wary glance. He was a muscular fellow with dark skin and burly arms. "You okay?"

"No!" Kai looked up at him. "Why the hell would anyone willingly go and work in there?" he asked, gesturing at the door. The man shrugged.

"They all have their reasons."

Kai stared at him, feeling defeated. "But… he told me he loved me, and I… believed him." He shut his eyes and turned away. "And then I find out about this…"

The doorman didn't answer and Kai didn't expect him to. Letting out a deep breath, he dropped his face into his hands and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms. Even after everything that's happened… this stupid game called love hasn't changed at all.

"Tyson, how could you?" he whispered to himself. He let out a bitter laugh. "Someone probably thinks this is funny… God, I'm such an idiot. I never fucking learn."

The anger was just a mask. He was terrified inside at the thought of he and Tyson parting ways. In his mind, he regretted having told Tyson that he loved him, but in his heart he knew it was the truth. He did love him, but he couldn't imagine that Tyson, his Tyson, the one he'd grown up and shared so many experiences with, could actually be selling his body for any reason. Tyson, the one who'd taught him to laugh at himself, the only one who'd always been with him during the worst times of his life…

"He can't be a whore. It just isn't possible… he wouldn't do this to me." Kai took a shaky breath. He was afraid that his relationship with Tyson was going on that same downward spiral that him and Rei had gone along. He clenched his hands into fists and suddenly wished that he could go back to the very beginning, before Tyson, before Rei, before the Blade Breakers, before his stupid grandfather had taken over his life. Why didn't he have parents? Why couldn't he have been a normal child living a normal life, like so many others out there? Why did he have to meet Tyson and inevitably spark a growing relationship that ended up with him falling madly in love with the most unlikely person he could have ever imagined?

He snorted, a sour taste growing in his mouth. It didn't end up with him falling madly in love. It ended up with a harsh reminder that life wasn't fair.

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To Be Continued

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You all hate me now? Yes, I think you do. O.O