I know this'll sound a little pushy, but...if you're gonna read this, please review. So far about 1 out of every 11 people has reviewed this story... Even if you didn't like it much, please say so. I'm not going to improve if you don't tell me what's up with it, am I? Many thanks to the people who did review though.
Anyway, this is that last chapter, so happy reading!
A fortnight later when Lee was to be discharged from hospital, Rei said he would collect him. He picked up his car keys and locked the back door, then-
"Are you going to get Lee?" Rei turned to find Denver standing behind him.
"Yeah."
"Can I come?" Rei stared for a second. He hadn't thought Denver would be interested in coming. But...
"Yeah, sure!"
They got in the car- a black mercedes- and set off, Rei cranking up the stereo and singing along happily. He was in such a good mood that nothing could perturb him, not even hitting every single red light on the way to the hospital and spending twenty minutes trying to find a parking space. Sat beside him, Denver couldn't help but feel happy too. It was as if Rei's mood was infectious, somehow. When they eventually -did- find a parking space, Rei jumped out of the car and locked it after Denver. It was then that the younger of the two noticed that Rei was wearing boots. Boots with heels. Women's boots. His eyes travelled up and met a bright stare.
"I only ever wear them when I feel so good I know I won't mind if people laugh about them!" And then Rei started walking, so fast that Denver had to half jog to keep up. When they got up to the ward, Rei broke into a run, leaping into Lee's lap and snuggling up to him. Lee laughed at his enthusiasm and hugged him tightly. "Pleased to see me?" He looked Rei up and down and smiled. "I like those boots. You should wear them more often."
"I don't know, I think they unnerve Denver..." Rei said playfully, reaching out an arm to invite Denver into the hug. Smiling, the blonde joined them.
"I don't mind. They just shocked me a little." Lee bit his lip, then started to laugh.
"Come on, let's get out of here. I can't stand being here when I know I don't have to be..."
When they got back out to the carpark, Denver was surprised to see Lee letting Rei drive. "I thought you hated being driven anywhere?" He asked, curious. Rei answered him, turning and grinning.
"He's not allowed to for a while, in case his scars tear. But having been his passenger for the last three years, I pretty much know his style of driving..." Rei slammed his foot on the accelerator and swung the car out of the carpark and into the traffic, jolting them all to one side.
"Rei..." Lee said warningly. Rei shook his head.
"No, no. I'm going to drive you like you always drive me." With a particularly vicious stab of the brakes, Rei turned a corner, somehow still having a hand free to stroke Lee's thigh. "So what are you doing with the rest of the day, Denver?"
"Uh...I'm going round Brownie's."
"Need dropping off?" Denver smirked.
"If that means 'go round your friend's so we can shag like rabbits', fine." Rei and Lee looked at each other flirtatiously.
"Where does he live, then?"
"Eleven Rose Court."
Several hours later, Denver opened the front door warily. "Hello?" No reply. "Rei? Lee?"
"In here!" Came the answering call. Denver followed Lee's voice into the living room, and found Lee and Rei sitting snuggled up on the sofa together. "How's Brownie?" Asked Rei lazily, head resting on Lee's lap. With a shrug, Denver sat down on the armchair.
"He's alright." Rei nodded and closed his eyes, letting Lee stroke his hair gently. Before very long he fell asleep, leaving Lee to smile down at him fondly.
"He's tired, bless him. He always gets like that when he gets excited about something."
"Oh yeah?" Denver asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Mm. It comes from being part cat. We both are."
"Cat?"
"Yeah. Neko-jin. We come from a small tribe in China, but...we both moved."
"Because you beybladed, right?"
"Yeah. We left, and we never really found it in us to go back. Rei had no relations still alive, and I don't get on with my parents. My sister still lives there, she's not so bad, but we like here better."
"You've got a sister?" Lee nodded. There was a short pause, then-
"Will you teach me to beyblade?"
Lee looked over, surprised. "Shouldn't you be asking Rei that?"
"I'm asking you." Lee frowned, then his lips tugged up into a small smile.
"His stubborn streak's rubbing off on you. But yeah, okay. I'll teach you to beyblade."
Rei sat back on the grass, watching Lee showing Denver how to use his launcher properly. Yawning in the midday sun, Rei rolled over, pulling a form towards him. Clicking his pen thoughtfully, he started to read the questions on it.
"No.1: Why are you applying for a job as a relationship counsellor?"
For a few seconds, Rei just stared at the paper, then he smiled.
"Because I'm a fully qualified psychologist who has personal experiences of relationship trouble."
He looked up at Lee and Denver happily, then a bright idea struck him. "Lee? Come here a second." Lee left Denver wrestling with a ripcord and came over.
"What?"
"Would...would you mind if I gave Denver Driger? I mean...we don't beyblade any more, I just keep it to remember, and...um..." Lee looked thoughtful.
"No. I don't mind." Rei gave Lee a quick kiss and went inside. When he came back out a few minutes later, Lee and Denver were standing in shocked silence, staring at each other.
"Lee? Denver? What's the matter?" Lee blinked.
"He just called me Dad!" Denver blushed bright red.
"I...sorry..." Lee shook his head.
"I don't -mind-, you idiot. I just...never thought I'd ever hear anyone call me that..." Rei felt tears spring into his eyes. He reached out and took Denver's hand, placing Driger's bit-chip into it and closing the fingers over it. "We used to fight over that bitbeast when we were younger...but now it's yours."
He grabbed Denver in a crushing hug, starting to cry. Denver smirked. "Is it okay if I call you Mum then?" Rei nodded as Lee slid his arms around the two of them. Rei turned and cried into Lee's shoulder.
"Perfect...it's so...perfect..."
He could have sworn he heard a long dead voice whispering back "It took you long enough...".
Fin.
Ah well. Another fic finished. And there won't be any more chapters after this, so don't ask me, 'kay? Hope you liked it, and (as ever) R&R please!