Alas, if eff eff dot net were nice, this fic would be an NC-17. What does THAT say? Asides from the fact that I am a pervert who has no qualms with writing lemon, of course.
That said, if the idea of male-male sex (just references of course) frightens you, (what the hell are you doing reading one of my stories? Oo) Then I suggest that you don't read any more, because one relationship is about to get a little deeper. This will shift onto a more sexual aspect, which in relationships, usually happens to be the natural progression.
I'm sorry if anyone finds it cliché, but... well... ARE teenage boys.
The point of this chapter is Passion, fighting, actions... everything is driven by fiery passion Everything changes again for Rei, whether it is for better or for worse remains to be seen. It is definite that the next two chapters will focus on Kai and Rei.
And just to reiterate- I DO like TakaRei, but KaiRei is my favourite, so bear in mind that I am moving much more towards their relationships now. Also know that I absolutely refuse to bash any characters and/ or pairings in this. I am so, very beyond that now.
Birdsong greeted him as sleep faded away; leaving him blinking big yellow eyes in the tired confusion that accompanied waking up. Slowly, thought came to him and he arched his back, yawning as he did so delighting in the feel of muscles, sleep-worn and tired stretching and uncoiling after a night of inactivity. With a contented sigh, he slid back down and glanced towards the window. It looked like it was gearing up to be another fine Japanese spring day. Feeling rather refreshed, Rei smiled and slid out of bed, pausing as deep, slow breathing separated itself from the chirps and twitters of the dawn chorus. He couldn't help but 'awww' softly as he spied a tuft of wild silvery hair poking up from beneath a simple, white quilt. He continued to watch for a moment, strangely comforted by steady rise and fall of the lump wrapped up in duvets. With a soft chuckle, Rei finally turned away from the sleeping teen and glanced at the clock.
07:22. Kai wouldn't be up for at least another half an hour yet, since they had both settled back into their usual sleeping patterns. Rei thought that it was probably because everything had finally settled. The situation was far from ideal, but it was the best, given what they had to work with.
Rei took a deep breath to rid the last remnants of sleep before moving over towards the door leading to their en-suite. With them being the eldest, they had gotten the best room in the dojo, seeing as Kinomiya-Jii-San preferred to sleep on a futon in the training hall for some bizarre reason. Rei couldn't help but be extremely grateful, since he disliked anyone really seeing him with his hair down. On that note, Rei impulsively reached behind his head to the clip that rested against the base of his skull, nimbly undoing it and the bind it held in place and setting his locks free to tumble across his back and shoulders. He threw the material onto his bed and ruffled his hair, finally satisfied and stepped into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.
It was about half an hour later when Rei stepped dripping wet out of the shower. He dried himself, and slipped on a fresh pair of underwear, before donning a robe and exiting, rubbing the towel through his hair.
"Hair day?" A voice, rich and smooth spoke up, bringing him back into awareness.
He smiled at the sight of Kai sitting up in bed, and nodded, moving over to his own bed. "Yeah. I just felt like it this morning for some reason."
Kai nodded, smirking as he twisted on his bed until his legs were dangling over the side and he was facing Rei. "You're a masochist." He muttered, eyeing the length of Rei's locks.
Rei laughed, shifting as he did so. "I must be."
Kai smirked back and went for his turn in the shower.
It was so easy now. Things were like how they had been before it had all gone wrong between them. The same easy smiles and open talks. It made Rei feel so much more content.
He was still running the brush through his hair as the door reopened. He went to turn around, but frowned when his comb caught on a rather persistent knot. The next thing he knew, a hand was working its way into his hair, fingertips brushing at his neck. And then they worked at gently tipping his head backwards.
He couldn't help but shiver as lips pressed softly to the skin of his throat. Kai pulled back, and Rei managed to notice Kai's smile with a hint of mischief playing in molten eyes, despite being upside down to him. He smiled back, comb stilling in his hair as warm, slightly damp lips pressed to his applying firm pressure. However, their lip's embrace remained innocent enough and a few moments later, Kai pulled back a few centimetres with a slight smirk.
"What was that for?" Rei smiled, leaning back and propping his foot up on the mattress.
Kai chuckled. "I didn't say good morning yet." He went to pull away entirely, but paused as his eyes caught something. His expression changed, though, being upside-down, Rei could not tell to what.
After a few seconds ticked by, Kai's stare began to unnerve Rei. "Kai? What's the matter?" He enquired. Kai looked indecisive for a moment before he backed off rather suddenly. "Kai?" He asked again in surprise.
"Get some clothes on." Kai said quietly in an unusually husky voice and he hastily exited the room, leaving a very surprised Rei sitting upon the bed.
Despite the low level of his voice, Rei had still caught the strain in it. This left him perplexed and he recalled Kai's words. It was a glance in the mirror that explained all. Silky white robe, hanging open enough to display an indecent amount of a slim chest and stomach by a slack cord; and a leg, propped up enough to have allowed the material to slide down to reveal a little too much thigh.
Rei's resulting blush was almost enough to light up the room.
Rei glanced at the clock, noticing with a sigh that it was time to get dinner started, since it was his turn to cook. He shifted, drawing Takao's arms from around him and sitting up from where his head was nestled upon his chest.
"You okay, Rei?" Takao asked, straightening in his seat.
Rei smiled fondly at him. "I've just got to make a start on dinner."
As expected, Takao beamed. "It's your turn? Fantastic! You always make the best meals!" He said enthusiastically.
Rei's own smile grew, feeling warmed by the other boys gratitude. He'd never get tired of being appreciated, Rei decided. "Thank you, Taka. I'm glad that you think so."
"Damn right I do." The younger grinned.
Rei stood up, smiling happily and shaking his head. Upon reaching the kitchen, he rummaged through the fridge, and gathered the ingredients to make a stew, before he moved over to the sink to wash his hands. And then he began the labourous task of cutting up the vegetables.
He had just begun flouring the beef when he felt himself pulled back against chest broader than his own. He smiled. "Hey Takao."
The body behind him stiffened. "Takao?"
Rei had to smirk at the offence in that deep voice. "Oh, it's you."
A tug on his hair had him looking up into incredulous red eyes. It was only when Kai saw the laughter dancing in Rei's own eyes that he relaxed. "You're a little sod." He huffed, grip tightening.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist." Rei beamed, before attempting to squirm away. "Kai. Let go."
Kai only smirked and held him closer, before dropping his head to kiss the side of Rei's jaw, which only made Rei struggle more. His lips moved down to press against the skin of Rei's neck, using his knowledge of the sensitivity of Rei's neck ruthlessly as he nuzzled the pale column of flesh. Rei stilled, paralysed as usual as the nips, suckles and open-mouthed kisses reigned down upon his neck, sending tingles through him. He shivered. "Kai, stop." His whisper carried less sincerity once he sighed breathily. "Stop." He tried again.
One of Kai's hands dropped down to massage the swell of his hip, as the other splayed across Rei's chest, resting over his wildly beating heart. "Why?" He said simply, lips brushing against Rei's neck as he spoke.
"Because anyone could walk in." He grunted, starting to get a little desperate.
Kai bit lightly at the juncture of neck and shoulder, as his hand dropped to brush against the top of Rei's thigh. "Don't care." He whispered, kissing along Rei's jaw until he reached his lips, before kissing him with a passion that surprised Rei. Rei knew it was risky, but he couldn't help but submit to the raw desire that kiss held. And then, without warning, Kai's hand had slipped around him to cup at his crotch, reverently squeezing.
Rei broke away with a shocked squeak, struggling to get out of Kai's hold. Kai released him silently, upon seeing his distress. "What the Hell do you think you're doing?" Rei hissed as he spun around, eyes wide and a little frightened, and cheeks burning.
Kai stared back with an unwavering gaze. "Since this morning, I haven't been able to get the image of you out of my mind." He said, as if that explained everything.
"That wasn't my fault!" Rei replied in a harsh whisper. "And that gives you no right! You had no right! That wasn't fair!"
Kai continued to watch Rei expressionless. And then he sighed, closing his eyes. "Look, I didn't mean to scare you. I wasn't exactly thinking, but I can't help it."
"Can't help it?" Rei asked incredulously.
"I want you." Kai said, so softly that Rei almost did not hear him.
Rei couldn't help but gawp. "You… you… what?" He responded, nervousness making his fingers twitch.
"I want you, Rei." Kai said again, more firmly than before.
It was those very words that made Rei realise that they had gone too far. This stupid game he was playing was becoming far too dangerous and people were about to get very, very hurt. He'd gotten carried away in a fantasy and the truth was he was rushing recklessly too far, and too fast. It was time to end it. He had to.
"Get out." Rei said very quietly.
"…what?" Kai asked, surprise clear on his usually expressionless face.
"Get out of the kitchen, Kai. I… I need to make dinner." And with that, he turned his back on Kai and resumed preparing the meat.
It was only when he heard Kai walk away, that he relinquished his self-control and went about preparing their meal with shaking hands.
The night had come and gone. In order to set his plan to finish his dalliance with Kai in motion, Rei had once again taken to Takao's bed. Inevitably, Takao had tried his chances again, but seeing as Rei had had enough of being some kind of sex magnet for the day he feigned sleep. In truth though, Rei had again barely slept, recalling how things had once again changed between himself and Kai.
It was one thing thinking that Kai might have been thinking of him in a sexual way, but knowing for sure that he did want that sort of thing from him scared Rei. Badly. He was new to this whole relationship thing. He was new to kissing and being held. And now Kai had made it apparent that he wanted more than just that. He wanted Rei. He has said as much and that had thrown Rei right out of his stable little bubble of contentment.
What had shaken him up the most though was that for just a moment, a tiny part of him had wanted it. He had wanted those hands on him. He had felt wanton, if only for a second before sense had kicked in. And still now…
He couldn't stop thinking of it.
Why did Kai have such an affect on him?
With a sigh, he dragged himself up out of bed, though he paused before he walked away. Gently, he reached out and brushed stray blue locks away from where they covered Takao's face. Innocent. He looked so innocent. Rei felt a powerful wave of protectiveness run through him as he gazed upon Takao's sleeping expression. He was so naïve and, despite his eagerness to pursue the physical aspect of their relationship, Rei couldn't help but look upon him as a child. A wan smile touched his lips as he withdrew his hand. It was good that he was stopping whatever he had with Kai. It really wasn't fair on Takao.
He didn't deserve it.
As was becoming the usual, Rei crept back into his room, moving silently to avoid waking Kai up. He quickly dressed, and ran the brush through his hair as fast as possible, before stalking over to the bathroom and washing his face and brushing his teeth. Rei held his breath as he stepped back into their bedroom, but released it once he saw that Kai was still sound asleep. He pocketed Driger and grabbed a hair tie before slipping from the room and heading towards the kitchen, tying his hair back loosely.
Once there, he began the usual ritual of making breakfast, deciding to make rice again that morning. He busied himself with fetching the bowls, rice and plugging in the rice cooker. He turned on the tap, filled it up and turned it on before waiting, idly playing with a shamoji and staring at the wall as he leaned on the counter.
He jumped when strong arms wrapped around him, drawing him into a loose embrace. He tensed. "Where were you last night and this morning? I missed my 'good morning'." Kai whispered, lips near his ear and breath sending warm breezes over the sensitive skin.
"Let go of me." Rei whispered.
Kai tensed himself, in surprise. "Excuse me?" He sounded as if he had not heard Rei correctly. They both knew that he had.
"I said; 'let go of me', Kai." Rather mechanically, Rei reached down and pulled Kai's hands from around him, allowing him to step out from Kai's hold.
Kai's hands hovered in midair for a moment, as he suddenly stood, unsure of what to do. "Is this… is this because I grabbed you, yesterday?" He asked perplexed.
Rei suddenly found the shamoji very interesting again. And then, gripping it tightly, he let out a long sigh. "It has to end, Kai. This thing… whatever it is. It's done. We're done." He was proud when his voice didn't waver.
Kai stared at him in disbelief. "Look, if you're worried about Kinomiya, we'll be careful, you know that."
"Careful?" It was Rei's turn to sound incredulous. "Kai, you were… groping me in the kitchen. How is that careful?"
"That is what this is all about isn't it? Because I touched you." Kai stated.
"You had no right to do that, Kai." Rei whispered harshly.
"So you keep telling me, Rei-ki." Kai replied, sounding rather dismissive.
Rei hissed. "This isn't a game, Kai. We enjoyed one another's company, but we should cut our losses and stop this before we end up hurting people." He argued.
"I don't care if Kinomiya finds out. It's his own fault for being so stupid to notice that you're not even attracted to him."
His head snapped to the side from the force of the sudden slap. "Don't you dare talk about him that way. He is your team-mate and friend and like it or not, he is my boyfriend." Rei spat, voice dripping with venom.
Kai growled, sounding almost feral as his hand curled into a fist. "You have a funny way of showing it." He snapped in a tone of voice that near held the power to physically cut.
Rei however was undeterred. "At least I'm not too much of a coward to admit that I'm doing something wrong." Kai snarled at that. "Angry at the truth, Kai? Would you feel better if you hit me? Would it make you feel better about yourself?" Rei's voice held a challenge and the smaller teen tensed up, readying himself in case Kai took him up on his offer.
Instead, Kai sprang forwards, moving like lightning to force Rei up against the counter. Rei resisted wincing at the impact and glared heatedly into an equally enraged and spiteful glower. Kai's eyes narrowed to mere slits, eyes turning to dark mahogany as he fought to regain his temper. And then, he stepped back, feigning indifference. "You're not worth my time."
Rei gave him a baleful stare. "I wish you'd known that from the start. Then you wouldn't have started this mess."
Kai chuckled, though it was utterly devoid of humour. "Oh don't worry. I learn from my mistakes. See you around, Rei. I hope you have a happy relationship with Takao, you know, if you can ever actually get it up for him." He mocked as he walked away.
"Yeah, well you weren't even close, Kai!" Rei yelled.
Kai paused and stared at him with contempt. "Just keep acting the martyr, Rei. Maybe you'll even convince yourself that it's true. Just remember, I never forced anything on you. You did this all willingly, I've betrayed no one, but if you want to use me to cover up your own insecurities, then fine go right ahead. Just don't expect anything from me in return."
"I don't want anything from you ever again!" Rei shouted even as the door slammed closed.
And then, as the air stilled once more, Rei had to resist the utterly insane, but almost overwhelming urge to burst into tears.
Shaking rather badly, he occupied himself with staring at the rice cooker. The next time the door opened, it was Takao's voice that greeted him. "What on earth was all the yelling about?"
Rei just carried on gazing at the rice cooker.
Tensions within the house rose to levels none had experienced before, clawing at them like a childhood monster, intangible, but as thick and poisonous as smog. It was choking, though they pretended not to notice the way that Kai and Rei utterly ignored one another. Even Takao had held his tongue on the matter, knowing better than to get involved even if his boyfriend was involved.
He did, however, develop a plan three days later that he hoped would help clear the air and help Kai and Rei make up over whatever they had so spectacularly fallen out over. Little did he know that his plan would be effective… only it would be in a way he most definitely would not have ever anticipated.
Blissfully unaware, Takao slammed the phone down, grin stretching across his face. He ran through his home, and into the courtyard where his friends –minus Kai- were currently training.
"Hey guys! Guess what?" He announced, breaking through their discussion over Driger's speed.
Max beamed back, looking excited all ready. "What, Takao? It's a surprise for us, ne? Tell! Tell!" He chattered, half using English and half using Japanese as he typically did.
Takao's grin grew wider still. "My big brother is holding his house warming party tonight and we're all invited!"
Max jumped up. "A party?"
"Yep." Takao gave him thumbs up. "He even said there'd be booze!"
"Alcohol, ne? How exciting!" Max cheered.
"Am I invited?" Hiromi asked, giving Takao a look that told him that she'd better have been.
Takao considered his brother's words. "Well, he said 'everyone', so I presume so." Hiromi brightened.
"Everyone's under the legal drinking age, though Takao." Kyoujyu stated, referring to Japan's legal drinking age of twenty.
Takao rolled his eyes. "It's a party. Armed police won't turn up."
"How will we get home?" Kyoujyu tried again. "Hitoshi lives on the other side of Tokyo and taking the train back at that time of night isn't a good idea."
"He said that we can stay over." Takao replied, waving his hand dismissively.
Max jumped up, pumping his fist into the air. "All right!" He shouted.
Takao stood quietly, proud to have his brother as he watched the others ramble to each other in excitement. Hiromi was murmuring to herself about what she was going to wear, and Rei was… Takao frowned and made his way over to where Rei was staring intently at Driger clasped in his hand. "Hey, Rei? Didn't you hear?"
"Hmm," Rei looked up, dazed. "Oh yeah. Party, right." His gaze dropped back down to Driger.
Takao's smile dropped a little, but he moved closer, speaking so that only Rei could hear. "You know, Hitoshi said that we could take the double bed in his guestroom."
Rei bit back a sigh, wishing that Takao could at least try to be subtle sometimes. He had definitely misinterpreted the fact that Rei was now sleeping in his bed on a nightly basis, but fuelled by alcohol…
Rei almost grimaced. Instead, he offered a hopeful smile. "That sounds great, Takao. I hope I'm up to it later."
Takao's expression morphed into confusion. "Up to it?"
Rei faked a depressed sigh. "I've felt really bad all day. I think I've got a stomach bug, but I should be okay by this evening."
Takao pulled him into a hug. "I hope so!"
As it transpired, Rei's mysterious illness did not get better. If anything it got worse. By the time the team was ready to go, he was lying on the settee, an arm cast over his eyes. Max, Hiromi and Kyoujyu milled about by the front door, while Takao walked over and sat down on the edge of the couch.
He reached out and gently brushed his hand against Rei's arm. "Rei… how do you feel?"
"Not good." Rei muttered.
Takao sighed. "All right then. I'll stay here with you, and we'll watch a movie or something."
Rei's eyes widened and he struggled up. "No! No, Takao. This is your brother's house warming party. You need to go."
"But-"
"No buts." Rei broke in, looking stern. "Go! Have fun for me. I want you to enjoy yourself."
Takao let out a puff of air. "You sure?" A nod. "All right then, I'll be back later on tonight."
"No." Rei said again. "I'll see you tomorrow. I told you; go and have fun. I can take care of myself. Some rest should do it." Takao looked ready to disagree, but Rei leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips to distract him.
It worked. "All right then. Phone me if you need me, okay? I'm really sorry. Have a good night, okay?" Rei nodded again and Takao leaned back in, to place a slightly firmer kiss to Rei's lips before getting up and making to leave. "Love you." He said softly, walking away.
A chorus of 'bye's' was heard and then the door closed and the sound of chatter outside faded away as the group moved off. When Rei could no longer hear them, he sighed and sat up properly idly watching the television, only feeling slightly guilty for lying.
It was about ten minutes later when the sound of the front door opened again. Rei started, lying back down on the settee.
"Oh, I thought you'd all gone." Kai said simply, hovering by the doorway.
Rei sat up; hating the way the atmosphere had suddenly been distorted by awkwardness and tension. "They have. I stayed here. I thought you'd gone."
"Didn't feel like it." Kai shrugged. He eyed Rei. "How come Kinomiya didn't whine at you to go? I thought he was attached to your hip now."
Rei sent him a glare, but refused to bite back. "I'm ill."
Kai chuckled and walked in, sitting down besides Rei upon the couch as if nothing had happened between them. "Ill? Or 'ill'." He asked.
"What can I say? I wasn't in the mood." Rei replied, though his gaze didn't drift from the television set.
Silence fell upon them, weighing down upon their shoulders. Rei sighed heavily. Was this really going to continue? It was affecting the team, and now he had to spend the entire evening and the following morning with Kai. More so… it was painful. He desperately missed Kai. He was unhappy without him around. Despite everything… Rei still craved him.
He gathered his courage and spoke. "I'm glad I didn't go. It's embarrassing when they get drunk." There. He'd made the first step to resolving this stupid problem.
"Yeah." Kai said back.
They grew quiet once more. "Re- remember last year? When the BBA threw that annual party?"
Kai was silent for a moment, before a small smirk touched his lips. "How could I not? You gulped down that glass of vodka thinking it was water. Your expression after was hilarious."
"It wasn't for me. It hurt." Rei pouted.
Kai laughed. "I had to fend off several guys from threatening your chastity. And then I had to carry you to bed. You were mortified the next morning."
Rei laughed. "What about you? Whatever possessed you to be so noble?"
"Well you're my best friend. I wasn't just going" Kai paused, belatedly realising what he had said. "…to leave you." He trailed off.
Rei's heart gave a tug and the quiet that re-presented itself was awkward. "… I miss this." Rei admitted quietly after a while.
"Miss getting so drunk you can't stand?" Kai smiled.
"Heh." Rei chuckled. "No… I miss us. What happened to us? How did what he had become so twisted and perverse?"
Kai sat in quiet contemplation, before he finally answered. "I don't know. Everything seems to have gone wrong when hormones decided to take over the team." Kai joked, before sighing almost sadly. "This isn't what I wanted though."
"What was?" Rei asked quietly.
"… I don't know." Kai whispered back.
Maybe it was because Rei was fearful of falling into another silence, or perhaps he was motivated by some higher, more complex will, but the next thing he knew he had captured Kai's lips in a soft, small kiss. Stranger still neither seemed to be surprised by the action and their eyes met and locked together. A silent and ethereal cord of understanding grew between them, tangling around Kai and drawing him back to press an equally tender kiss to Rei in return.
The next time, they met in the middle, kisses soft and unhurried. Rei's arms came to wind around Kai's neck, keeping him close, bringing him down to lie on the sofa with him. They moved slowly, and yet it seemed to blur within Rei's mind into a great mass of feeling. He was unhesitant when he found himself being drawn up from the settee. Neither was he fearful when he found himself, back pressed to the bed with Kai looming above him.
Thoughts flittered like excited dragonflies, fleeting and jumbled until, finally they fled and Rei was left trembling in the wake of basic and overpowering emotions. He was hot, despite his clothes long being discarded. He couldn't think. Couldn't breathe. And he wanted it. Without Kai's hands and mouth upon him, he felt like he'd die.
He needed it. He needed this. More than anything in his life, Rei knew somewhere within the depths of his muddled mind that this was the most important moment of his existence. And somehow, just before he fell into a seemingly endless pool of bliss, and before the raw passion overwhelmed him and rendered him senseless, he had an epiphany.
His name, whispered like a heartfelt promise. His heart pounding. Fingers curling around crisp white sheets… In those moments before he gave in completely, Rei's questions were answered and finally, he knew why.
And that's all she wrote.
XD;
I seriously worry if people can't figure out that they're going at it like bunnies
Til next we meet. xxx
