AN. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! Wow! I never got so many reviews in such a short amount of time. Writing TyKa pays off. And I actually got reviewed twice by the one who got me hooked on TyKa in the first place. Thanks, Kali! By the way, where are your stories now? Cause I can't find you on mediaminer either. And everyone else who reviewed, thank you so much. The next chapter is for all of you! goes off to gloat

In close quarters

Part three: Tyson is helpful. No, really!

Kai:

I can't believe it! Tyson is sleeping on my bedroom floor! Why didn't he take the couch! Or the bed! Or... Wait a second. Heheh, of course he wouldn't take the bed. Never mind, I never thought that.

Was he really so concerned about me, that he thought the living room would be too far away? I want to scoff at him for bing such an idiot, but I can't. How can I scoff at someone who's been so sweet, and still is?

Sweet?

Oh, well, he is sweet. He looks like a child laying there, with his hair all tangled up like that. Maybe he'd let me brush it.

What am I thinking? The fever must still be addling my brain. Turning on my back doesn't really help, though. I can still hear his breathing. He snores, softly, but still, he snores.

The blankets shift. Is he waking up? I hope so. No, I don't. Oh, crap, I'm a freaking lunatic. But other than that, I'm fine, thank you for asking.

Just for the record, I will never say this again, not even under torture, but Tyson looks really cute right now. He just woke up and he's sitting up with these really sleepy eyes, looking all cute and rumpled and absolutely huggable.

I'll never say it. And Tyson will never hear it. Because I'll never say it.

He's looking at me now, his face all scrunched up as if he's trying to remember something. I guess his brain is still too sleepy. He rubs at his eyes with fisted hands. He really is so child-like. Endearing. I guess the gears in his head just kicked in, because he speaks. "Morning, Kai." Okay, so it's more like an articulated yawn.

"Morning," I answer. I might as well engage in the civilities. "Sleep well."

"Yeah," he yawns. "I found a few blankets." He stands and stretches, raising his shirt above the waistband of his boxers. His stomach looks so soft and touchable. I wonder how his muscles, very nicely sculpted muscles, would move if they were being touched.

Bad Kai! Mustn't think like that! Very bad. You've seen all your teammates without shirts on countless of times (one of the side-effects of having to share hotel rooms during Tournaments) including Tyson, so why would it effect you now? Why would it effect you at all? This is getting freaky.

"You think you're up for something to eat?"

What? Is he still thinking about me? Feed yourself, Tyson, please. No need to be so considering towards little ole me. But now that you ask, I am feeling a little peckish. I just hope it won't come out again. But I really need some kind of nourishment or else I'll only get weaker. And I hate being weak!

So I nod.

"Okay, I'll get you some dry toast. Better start with something easy to digest." He walks off.

For a while I just lay there. Sounds from the kitchen reach my ears. Then the smell of toasted bread tickles my nose. My stomach doesn't revolt (yet) so I guess it's okay to eat.

Tyson comes back, but he's not bringing anything. "Come on, let's go to the livingroom."

Livingroom? I could barely stand on my own feet and he wants me there? But I'm not exactly in a position to protest, 'cause he's already hauled me to my feet. Well, he's practically dragging me there. Feels nice having him so close, though. Agh! Bad thought! Very bad thought. Why would I think that at all! I hate physical contact. And I don't do emotions.

Change of scene. Livingroom. Not that I don't know what my livingroom looks like. But it's not my bedroom, where I've been staying for about four days. Couch is comfy. I'm not panting. Such a little trip does not tire me out. I am Kai Hiwatari and who am I trying to kid. I have no stamina left and I know it. Damn.

Wow, Tyson actually managed to make food! Okay, now I'm mean, I know. Tyson is not a total klutz and he can cook. I heard his grandfather can't cook at all, so Tyson had to learn or they'd live on take-away and frozen dinners. That's not healthy.

Back to the tray that was just nearly shoved in my face - no, bad Kai, Tyson's being nice, be nice back - toast, soup and tea. I actually feel like eating, now. It's a miracle, people! Chicken mushroom soup. My favorite. Does Tyson know that? Is that why he made this flavor? Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if he did. That's my Tyson for you. Always conside...

My Tyson? My Tyson?

I'm going nuts. Okay, Kai, step away from the tea, you're not going to throw a tempter tantrum, because of a simple misphrasing. You simply meant: that Tyson you hav come to know. There, that's it. Problem solved. No more worries.

Except maybe this one! Oh, my stomach. I shouldn't have eaten. I knew it. Witness the almighty Kai all curled up like a little baby. Oh, the pain! Okay, I'm exaggerating, but this really doesn't feel good. Maybe I should get back to my room. Yeah, I should probably just lay down for a bit. I get up and realize I shouldn't have. Dizzy! Not the laptop.

"Wow, Kai, you okay? You went as white as a sheet there."

Hey, Tyson. Where'd he come from all of a sudden? He puts his arm around me to steer me back to the bedroom. Would the room please stop spinning?

"Kai?"

" 'Athroom." I manage to croak.

Ack, Tyson! You don't have to carry me! Though it's probably a lot faster this way, because six seconds later I'm hunched over the proverbial porcelain god. Sorry, about your cooking talents going down the drain (literally) but I really couldn't stomach it.

He flushes the toilet for me. Oh, I feel so embarrassed! Showing weakness like that. If only I were alone. With no-one around, I can shamelessly wallow in my selfpity. Now my pride won't allow me to feel sorry for myself. Twisted little bugger, ain't I?

Wha...? Oh, toothbrush. Thanks, Tyson, my gastrin fluids taste awful. I brush the fowl taste out of my mouth and rinse, spitting that in the toilet too. I just can't seem to get up on my feet. Oh well, I've been pathetic enough as it is. Can't get much worse, no matter what I do.

Now that's nice. I haven't had a proper massage since... well... never. Hmmm, feels good. I hadn't even noticed all the hurling had made my shoulder muscles knot. This is really relaxing. I think... I'm... fallin'...

Tyson:

Poor Kai. I guess I wanted him to be better too soon. It's just weird to see our strong captain like this. Like a little puppy. He's sleeping now. So cute.

Ack! Now, Tyson! Don't think like that! Don't...! Ah, screw it. I love the guy. Can I help it? He's just amazing. And I'm not only talking about his looks, though there's absolutely nothing wrong with those. It's his personality. He's strong, aloner sometimes, but I think he also needs friends around, to ensure himself he is accepted.

Tyson gets philosophical in the bathroom. I should get Kai back to bed. But I don' wanna! When he's asleep, he's all relaxed and sweet and cuddly.

But he needs a shower. I'll get around to that tomorrow. Right now, let's put the sleeping beauty to bed.

I'm sorry, I made you eat when you obviously weren't up for it yet, Kai. You know, despite the fact he hasn't eaten anything in the past four or five days, apart from what I just flushed down the drain, he's still pretty heavy. Carrying him around, isn't as easy as it seems, but I make it to the bedroom alright, thanks for asking. At least he can settle in a clean bed. Which he does. Have I mentioned how cute he looks? Well, he does. Hey, I didn't realize, but his triangles are gone. You know, the blue ones on his face?

I've been wondering what makes him look so open and almost vulnerable. I say almost, because there is no way for Kai to look completely defenceless, especially if he tried. I guess it's part of the mask he hides behind, the distant exterior to keep people at bay. And I hadn't even noticed.

I think I need a nap too. I'm exhausted. Fussing over Kai is hard work. Ah, look at him. I guess it's like raising kids. Hard work, but very satisfying in the end. How cute. Chibi Kai. I'm sure he made the most darling little boy, glaring at everyone who dared to try and feed him, or change his diaper. You know those kind of people about whom it's near impossible to imagine they were ever kids? Kai's like that.

But now I think I have a pretty good idea what he would have looked like as a child. If I wasn't so tired, I could look at him for hours on end. Now, I'll just kick back and go to sleep. Good night, Kai.

AN Ah, poor Kai. I am cruel for making him go through that. The humiliation! Big, strong, independent Kai having to rely on someone else. Well, review please? goes off to gloat some more