Apologizes…I know, I don't update. I suck. Blame the Natrona County School Board and their overload of work and neglect of holidays. Our Spring break, yeah,3 days off.
P.S. Without Stephen, y'all wouldn't be reading this! Thanks for a last minute Beta dude!
Ch. 7 Long Intermissions
The flight was long, to say the least, and no one could keep themselves occupied with anything for more than an hour at a time. There was only so much you that could be done on a plane for 12 hours, even with the transfers. So it ended up a nightmare.
Kenny, who on a normal basis was totally engrossed with one thing or another on his laptop, could do nothing more on it for forty five minutes at a time. Either he had run out of ideas, he was stuck, or carpel tunnel syndrome had finally taken hold of the young scientist. So, for lack of better reasoning, he handed it over to Max and Tyson to watch movies or play games and the like while he read and slept.
Tyson and Max managed to keep themselves entertained on and off again with the computer throughout the trip, but those were only in short bursts. Otherwise they were having a contest to see who could seduce the stewardess in the shortest amount of time. When neither of them won, they quit promptly and started up other random games that proved just as useless. After trying everything they could think of, they finally fell asleep and remained that way for hours.
Rei was actually content just reading his book or watching the on flight movie. Occasionally he would join in on the other boys games, but it just didn't suffice. That and since he had inadvertently won the stewardess game between Max and Tyson, unintentionally mind you, they refused to communicate with him for a while. But that didn't matter since he spent a majority of time watching Kai.
As strange as it was, the moment they boarded the plane, Kai had suddenly returned to his emotionally closed off, hard ass self again. He was gruff, said little, and had a bad attitude towards everyone, Tyson in particular. Though he had his reasons, he refused to tell anyone. He simply did not want anyone seeing him as he had become; caring, gentle, and even kind to those around him. He could not protect himself that way, and reverting back to his old self was the only choice.
Rei, being the natural peace maker he was, decided is was not going to fly if they were visiting his friends for a while. Sliding out of his seat and nudging past Tyson, he slipped into the seat next to the grouch of the day and smiled warmly. "So, having fun yet?" Though a peace maker, sarcasm was obviously not above him.
"No." It may not have been much, but it wasn't that stupid 'Hn' stuff he used to pull all the time. Even so, Kai refused to look Rei in the eyes, instead staring at the seat in front of him as if he could force it to burst into flames.
"I see, but you know…" Pausing, he saw the sideways glance Kai shot at him for a brief second. "Trying to tell the chair that it is the vilest thing in the world by glaring at it will do you no good."
Hearing the demeaning comment, Kai immediately turned his eyes away from the chair to instead let his crimson iris's bore holes into Rei's nearly golden ones. "What the hell do you want already?" It was cold and harsh, like he really didn't give a care in the world, but he wasn't concerned with his attitude at the moment.
"Look here," Rei warned, leaning in closely with a threatening tone to his quiet voice. "You need to get rid of that piss ass attitude. I don't know why, but you have no damn good reason to suddenly go all 'pre-teen' on us again." Raising a hand, he cut off Kai just as he was about to speak. "I know, you don't like the notion of visiting my home, but you have to get over it. You're a young adult, just like the rest of us, and as such we have to suck up the things we don't like and put on a pretty face anyways."
As Rei finished, Kai did not say a word, he didn't even hold that menacing look anymore. He seemed more worn out and frustrated than anything else. Letting out a deep sigh, he turned in his seat to rest his arms over the arm rest comfortably. "Ok, yes, I am nervous and none too happy about going on this little 'visit'. It's been one hell of a long year, traveling around with the old team again missing our homes so much. Personally, I was looking forward to going home. I thought that all this was over now that we were technically done."
"So you-." Rei was silenced by a smooth finger pressing gently on his lips.
"My turn. I wanted to go home. But instead we are shipped off to 'visit' yours. I just don't see why. And truthfully, I am getting a little sick and tired of listening to Mr. Dickenson's ramblings about us having to go on a tour since, and I quote, 'You are one of the greatest teams and now that you are older you may not stick with the sport and all.' It's really annoying.
"And another thing. No, I do not want to see all your pals. I know they may act nice and sweet, but a grudge is easy to hold. I don't feel like having everyone complain that I'm still the same old fourteen/fifteen year old pain in the ass bastard I was. So if you were wondering why I am being that way, I can't help it. And I'm sorry, but it's my little defensive shield and when ever I get agitated, it comes up."
Rei waited a moment, not sure if Kai was done or not but the young man, as he now truly was, just watched him with a clam and lazy expression. Taking that to be a good thing, he guessed it was his turn again.
"I think I understand. And I can tell by that look," Rei pointed to the slight twitch in Kai's eye, "that you are waiting for me to say a 'but'. Well, guess what. There is no but. I know you're not happy and we have just started to get things between us figured out. It's stressful and annoying. The only thing is…I wish you would just trust me."
"Rei, when you've been burned many times, it's hard to put faith in others." It came out as a sigh, not an irritated one, but more of a 'this is what has happened before' one.
Drooping slightly, Rei scratched his head, buying some time and answers. "Well, then let me ask this. Do you care for me?"
A small flicker could be seen and Kai's eyes went wide. "You shouldn't even need to ask that, but I suppose you are going somewhere with this. Yes, I care."
"Do you fear being weak?" The question lolled out.
"Yes, I do. Now, please tell me what little psychology you are doing here." Kai reached out, taking a finger to tilt Rei's chin up just a bit.
"Caring for someone can be seen as a weakness." They, the words, simply came out, as if Rei didn't fear what kind of reaction it could cause in Kai. This was a subject that no one liked to talk about, yet he was prodding and poking it to the point that it could very well turn and bit him; however, Rei didn't care. There was not a lot he could lose from this, with the exception of Kai himself, but that thought didn't seem likely.
"I'm not following."
"You see, when you care for someone, you do things that may be harmful to yourself, physically, emotionally; maybe even things that could ruin your good name. A person's true self is revealed. That could very well be a weakness. However, having a special person can also make a person believe that they have something worth defending; something they love and have the desire to be with…and in that case, it is a strength. Now, which do you see me as?"
Leaning back slightly, Kai let his arm slide off and grab at the zipper of his jacket to hold onto. "Why are you asking me this? Rei, you aren't being fair."
"No, this is fair." Leaning closer, he managed to snatch Kai's hand from its fiddling and pulled it closer to himself. "It may seem like I am speaking in riddles, but I have a point."
Kai took a moment to think, the whole time watching Rei silently as he shifted in his seat and waited patiently for an answer. "You…" it came out a bit dry and hoarse sounding, but all Kai had to do was clear his throat. "Are not my weakness."
"Alright then. You have nothing to fear." Rei smiled and sat back in his chair, closing his eyes as he suddenly acted very tired.
"What?" Kai snapped, stunned to the point that he could rip some heads off. "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING! HAVING A GOOD TIME SCREWING WITH MY HEAD!"
By now, Rei had flung himself from his chair and wrapped a hand firmly around Kai's wrist, dragging him quickly to the end of the isle where he threw them into a bathroom and shut the door tightly, locking it before a stewardess could protest.
"Stop it! I'm not doing anything to your head." Rei hissed, trying to find a comfortable position in the tight space. His eyes were glowing in anger as he stared the taller of the two down, having no fear of what he may do in this situation.
"Then what are you doing Rei, huh? Trying to get me all clam and happy, 'cuz guess what? It ain't workin' for shit. I don't want to 'visit' anyone and unless you give me a damn good explanation right now, I'll get on the next flight out of 'Bum Fucked No Where' as soon as we land." Crossing his arms, Kai waited for Rei to answer him at least half civilly. He'd done nothing as of late that remotely constituted an action of this level. Rei had no right to be ticked off at him for trying to understand what type of game he was playing.
"Fine!" Rei huffed, throwing up his arms in exasperation. "Black and white, here it is. You're afraid that because you actually learned to love someone and not be that hard outer shell, you are weak; people will hurt you and you'll lose any sense of yourself. I'm not your weak point, and you said so. Kai, you have nothing to fear by letting people see the real you instead of that mask. It doesn't mean that you are vulnerable. It means you're human."
"Old habits die hard." Kai slouched, no longer confident in himself at all. He was actually starting to get very exhausted from all this. It wasn't like he really wanted to fight with Rei.
"Well, break them."
Letting out a deep breath of air, Kai glanced down to Rei, noticing the expectant look. Seeing the way those golden orbs stared into the very depths of his soul, he almost felt like he had to get away. But there was something else in that look, something warm and kind…it was acceptance. Rei was willing to take him as he really was; not the self image he portrayed, but the real emotions and person that lay buried deeply. How could he let something like that slip away?
"I understand. I will try, hard, for you."
"Thank you. Now, we can get out of here." Rei smiled and turned, trying to unlock the door as he ended up being pressed firmly against Kai's chest in the process. His mind realized in an instant what a situation like this could lead to, but he threw the thought away as the door remained locked; for some reason, it was jammed. The dirty half of his mind was telling him that this wasn't so bad, that the warm and strong body leaning against him was comforting while his rational side told him they had to get out before anything happened and they were caught.
Faintly, he felt Kai's hands playing with the hem of his shirt, trying to be discreet. He ignored it until Kai had actually managed to pull it up a few inches and slide his hand over his bare skin. Suddenly, his hands didn't bother with the door and his mind said 'fuck it' as he leaned back slightly, his eyes closing half way.
Kai nuzzled into the side of Rei's neck, his fingers gently gliding over the muscles in Rei's abdomen as they tensed and contracted with the touches. Dragging his hand over to the side, he traced the scar from the accident, feeling how it was nearly healed, leaving only a faint roughness over the rest of the smooth skin. With his free hand, Kai gripped Rei's neck and chin carefully, turning his head to the side so he could almost gaze into those half lidded golden orbs. Dipping his head low, he pressed his lips over Rei's neck, ghosting over the smooth skin that covered his currently racing pulse.
"Kai…don't stop." It came out as a deep, breathy whisper. Rei was starting to feel very lightheaded as he let Kai have his way with him so to speak. The pressure on his side was beginning to increase, causing only minimal discomfort, but he paid it no mind. The hand was still gentle, keeping him in place for the most part as it searched out his body slowly, learning every line and every crevice.
Out side, a stewardess seemed to be knocking softly and asking if everything was alright. After a moment of not answering, she became more stern and asked the person politely to return to his or her seat or she would have to take further actions. So she didn't know that there were two of them, or at least, she didn't let on if she did. Rei could have cared less; Kai's mouth on his neck was soft like silk, and his touches were like little points of fire that seared into his skin gradually.
Without warning, Kai shoved Rei forward, the slightly smaller of the two throwing his arms out in front of himself, his palms slamming against the door and creating a dull noise that he was sure everyone near could hear. His arms nearly gave away as he locked his elbows, the force so great he had not expected it. And though it was slightly surprising, the biggest surprise was Kai pushed roughly up against him. On the other side of the door, the stewardess squeaked and footsteps leading away quickly were heard.
"I don't plan on stopping."
Feverishly Rei felt as his body betrayed him and he fell flush against the door, Kai following him all the way. His strong arms squeezed his hips gently before continuing up and raking over his sides softly, causing small shivers to run down Rei's spine and make him shudder. Vaguely he felt as his shirt was pulled up to his underarms and as he lifted his arms, was pulled completely off, the cool metal of the door making contact with his warm skin. Gritting his teeth, he realized it was probably a good idea that they stop this, even though it felt incredible, or else…
Hearing the small, nearly faint purr Rei let slip through his mouth, an idea popped into Kai's head then, and quickly, he slipped his hand past the waist of Rei's pants and wrapped his fingers around his…preferably sooner than later to be lovers flesh, his free hand pressing into the half naked teens chest to bring his back closer to himself. He smirked, feeling the slight tense in Rei's body as he gasped, caught completely off guard by the gesture.
"Kai!" Rei jerked then, spinning around to face Kai, his breathing harsh. "We can't…not here." In the same moment, he removed Kai's hand and pulled it up between them instead. His cheeks were burning but not from lust; he was far too embarrassed by this point to have any more lusty or sinful thoughts.
"Sure we can…it's called the mile high club."
"No, it's called not going to happen. Kai, we haven't been dating all that long and something like this…it's never really been that big of a subject in my mind. I…I'm just not ready!" He rushed the last bit, feeling a little claustrophobic at this point. Well, that and the sound of footsteps coming closer made him worry. Snatching the shirt that Kai held limply in his hands, he struggled in the confined space to put it on and refrain from making unneeded contact with his boyfriend…which wasn't so easy.
Kai stared him down a moment, like he was contemplating either jumping him or storming out of the small room. Instead he fell forward quickly, resting his arm lazily on the door, not even an inch away from Rei. "…Ok, I can wait." Ducking his head he placed a small kiss on Rei's lips, smiling as he faced the other once again. "But so you know I'm not a sex maniac, I wasn't planning on anything more." With that, he turned Rei around and threw the door open, slipping out. But as Rei tried to exist, Kai turned and placed a finger to his lips, silencing the other as he shut the door.
Rei stared at the closed door, hearing as the stewardess asked where the other gentleman was, and Kai replying that he was in the other stall at the end of the hall. As the footsteps left, the door was opened and Kai yanked him out, quickly dragging them back to their seats so none was the wiser.
"Smooth…" Rei snorted, glancing around the seats to see that none of their friends had noticed them at all. Max was sleeping quietly in his seat while Tyson was leaning over with his head on the blondes lap, snoring and nearly drooling. And Kenny was still zonked out. "And as a little side note, I love how you say 'visit' like allegedly that's what were doing."
"Well, allegedly that is what we are doing. It's not like it's a vacation."
It was very hard to decipher if Kai was being sarcastic or simply telling the truth. Shaking away the thought and letting the comment slide, he took up his headphones and reached over the seat to take Kenny's laptop, starting up a simple game of Spider Solitaire. He ignored the slightly annoyed look Kai shot at him, but he found it highly amusing to see the other so riled up, simply because he was ignoring him.
Reaching out, Kai pulled the headphones off his ear, keeping a straight face as Rei turned to him. "I want to play." The statement was innocent enough. He just wanted something to do with Rei as he wouldn't likely get a chance to in a few hours. Secretly, he had decided that it would be better to just act as if he had nothing going on with the mild mannered young man once they got to Hell. He may have been assured about a million times that nothing would go wrong, but he knew better.
So Rei let him play along, laughing out loud when Kai became fed up because he could not figure the game out. So to be fair, Rei switched it to pinball, which proved to be something in the others favor. They kept amused for about an hour before everyone just so happened to wake up at the same time and become loud and annoying once more. Tyson was carrying on about his boredom while Max took up a pen and began drawing on the complaining teens arm as Kenny took his laptop back, intent on working on some sudden enlightenment.
"And so it goes on…" Rei muttered, placing his head phones back on and turning it up to drown out the others. He didn't notice his eyes drooping and his body sliding down on the seat as he slumped sideways, leaning heavily on Kai. He hadn't really gone to bed the night before so he was rather exhausted. The only thing on his mind was the soft music that slowly lulled him to sleep. "…seem to fade…wake of yesterday…you looked into my eyes, you had me…and I can still remember you…"
"Rei, Rei…" Kai hissed, shaking the teen lightly who shot up and gave him a confused look. "You were singing." He explained, musing over the blank look Rei had plastered on his face before shrugging and rubbing his temples. "Mind you it doesn't bother me, it would just be nice if I could actually understand what you were saying rather than listening to you mutter half coherently."
Glancing at him, Rei took the device off his ears and turned it up loudly. "Ok smartass, you can listen to me sing until your ears bleed." With that, he made sure to sing rather off key with the entire song, skewering the words by slurring his speech. "I had a dream of you and I. A thousand stars lit up the sky. I touched your hand and you were gone. But memories of you live on…" Looking over, his eyes widened as he realized Kai was also singing along with him and he stopped, listening intently.
"Do you ever think of me and get lost in the memory. When you do I hope you smile and hold that memory a while…" Cheekily he waved a hand in Rei's face, dismissing the mesmerized look he had. "You're not the only one who listens to good music and not that crap that Tyson and Max do."
"Hmmm, you know, as I recall…when I was hospitalized, you had quite a hard time coming up with anything to sing to me. So, for all intensive purposes," now Rei had taken on a mocking voice, "where did you happen to learn that song, if I may inquire?" Oh, he was in a mood now.
"Well…" But Kai was cut off as the 'fasten seatbelt' light came on and a stewardess announced that they would be arriving at their destination momentarily. So much for it being a few more hours.
Grumbling to himself, Kai sat wishing he could have just a few more minutes along with his innocent sweety, but apparently someone had it in their minds that they would torture him a bit longer and make this so called vacation hell. If he wanted any free time with Rei, he was going to have to come up with some damn good excuses. But with the way he predicted this 'visit' to be, certain people were going to keep Rei as far away from him as they could. Sighing, he grabbed his back pack and slouched, feeling even worse when they finally landed and were allowed to exit.
"On to the Promise Land…"
TBC...
Note: Those who are anal like me have noticed I switch back and forth with descriptions such as young teen, teen, boy and young adult. To clear it up…Kenny is around 14 or 15, Max and Tyson 16, Rei 17, and Kai about 17 as well. I seem to think that it stated somewhere Kenny was younger than Kai by 2 years or so and Max and Tyson were in the middle. However, I found it amusing that in V force, they claimed Max was the youngest. HAHAHA!
I use these terms loosely. Mostly because I am lazy, but being 17 myself, I find that I don't feel much older than a 12 year old at times while other times I feel like an adult. So please, bare with my horrible typing, spelling, and grammar. And the spell check on my computer is warped. LAPPY LOVE!
NO MORE THOUGHTS! I hate writing those. Besides, not a part of my style any more. Sorry, no more inner workings of what our naughty boys are really thinking.
CREDITS:
Song they were singing, not mine. I Still Remember by Blackmore's Night is beautiful. Plus I was listening to it while I typed this chapter. And if you actually listen to it, I can see the words fitting into Kai and Rei's relationship pretty well at one point…hint hint maybe.