A/N: Thanks for your patience guys; sorry this took so long to write. And just so you all know, I have AP finals to take in a few weeks…so I'll be out for just as long. When I come back though I'll make sure it's a chapter to remember. We'll be hitting the plotline hard and fast soon. So…brace yourselves.
…
Tala closed his eyes, letting the hot water run over his body, relaxing his tense muscles and washing his face free of tears. His eyes hurt from crying, so he kept them shut, leaning against the tiled wall for support.
Taking a deep breath he let it out slowly, and raised his arms above his head to stretch. Shaking out his flaming hair, he turned around to let the water pour over his back and his shoulders. The morning kept flashing back through his mind in a blur, but this time he blocked it out. He shut out the pain, the helplessness, and all of the depression and agony he had felt. Instead, he focused on Kai, and what his best friend had did for him. He focused on the safety and comfort that Kai offered him…he wasn't mad. He never had been.
Rubbing his eyes, he brushed the water from his long lashes, and blinked rapidly to get rid of the rest of it.
Tugging a slender hand through his hair, he reached for the shampoo, and discarded his worries for now. This wasn't about him. It never was. So he promised himself to never put Kai through that again. They needed to finish the case. His problems could wait till it was over.
…
Rei walked down the streets of the city, not really paying any attention to where he was going. Normally, he'd have been careful about that sort of thing, but at the moment, it really didn't matter.
His mind was an empty room filled with fog. His golden eyes were dulled, and tired. The coffee hadn't helped.
His feelings for Kai, the case, Tala, Max…Tyson…what was he going to do with all of these new emotions that seemed to creep up on him at the worst possible time? What was he going to do for himself?
He was putting everyone in danger. His carelessness could very well kill all of them. It wasn't a fact, but there was no real way of knowing the extent of the damage that he'd done. Someone had stolen his files. Very important files.
Because he had left a fucking window open.
Closing his hand into a fist, he gripped the small key to his window tightly. It had become his alternative. If he wanted to go through the window, then he would have to unlock it himself when he got up there.
What if they hadn't been so lucky? What if Max had been in the apartment at the time? It made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end just thinking of the possibility. Max could defend himself, he knew that, what he didn't know was the level of skill this other person could be packing. Or weapon. He shuddered.
Even though something told him that who ever it was had been counting on the fact that no one had been home, he still worried. There was too much potential for anything else to happen.
Sighing, he ran a hand through his unbound hair, twirling one of the shorter pieces around his finger. He hadn't bothered to pull it back before he'd left. Come to think of it, he probably looked like he belonged six-feet under right now. Self consciously he shook his hair out.
Kai seemed to understand the situation. Either that, or he was one of the few people who knew that you can't change the past, and therefore there isn't any reason to dwell on it. At the very least, Kai wasn't reprimanding him.
He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not at this point, but at least he didn't feel any worse.
The whole situation had his mind reeling. Tala had been with Kai for so much longer than he had, and now he knew that it was certainly taking its toll on the red-head. How could he possibly do the same? He wasn't so sure that he could. That was the one thing that frightened him more than anything his mind could conjure up at this point.
That, and…did he even want to?
The thought entered his mind before he could do anything to stop it.
His head snapped up. He was standing on the sidewalk in front of his apartment building. People were passing him by on the streets; they all seemed to have such random, blank expressions plastered on their faces. Everything became monotonous in that moment…only one thing held his attention.
"Kai…"
…
Max didn't look up when the door opened, too comfortable on the couch to bother to move. And he wasn't worried. Only one other person had the key to the apartment.
"Feeling any better?"
"I…'m not so sure Maxie."
The sullen, quiet voice was enough to drag those large blue eyes away from his documentary. Glancing over his shoulder, the blonde teen studied his best friend for a moment before standing up to meet him.
Rei was frozen where he stood in the entrance hall, his hands still fisted in his coat pockets, long strands of raven hair loosely falling over his shoulders and down his back. His eyes shone with dark confusion, and worry. Max frowned, approaching the Chinese teen cautiously.
"Rei?"
"Is it worth it?" he whispered. Taken aback, the American teen didn't know what to say.
"What do you mean?" he replied softly. "I…I don't understand."
"Is it worth it?" he ground out, lifting his head slightly. His eyes were shining with unshed tears. His friend blinked, still unable to answer him. Frustrated, the neko brushed past him, throwing off his coat and heading for his room.
For a few seconds the younger teen wasn't sure what was happening. And then, everything fell back into place.
"Wait—wait!" Max yelled, hurrying after him. The other male didn't stop, didn't pause to acknowledge him. Grabbing his shoulder, the pale teen spun him around.
"What are you asking me Rei? What is worth it?"
"Is he worth…risking all of our lives?" he kept his head bent, searching for the answer himself, not comprehending the sickness that he felt at the thought of letting go of the duel-haired Russian. Max's hold on him had relaxed, and he looked up into those friendly blue eyes.
Swallowing hard he added, "If it were Tyson, could you make that decision?"
Rei allowed himself to be walked to the couch, where his companion gently sat him down, taking a seat next to him. Before he started speaking, the blonde reached over and turned the T.V. off, throwing the apartment into silence.
"I don't know the whole story—" he stopped, raising a hand before Rei could protest. Reluctantly, he closed his mouth. "And I don't expect you to tell me."
"You want to save him." The raven haired teen nodded.
"You can't. You can help him, but in the end he needs to save himself. These are his demons Rei, not yours. The most you can do is be the light that keeps him from falling into the dark surrounding those demons."
"I know," he half-growled; his tone mournful. "But what if to stand on the edge with him meant risking your friends falling over it as well?"
Max turned his head, observing the room as he thought over his answer. With a sigh, he glanced at the coffee table, still a mess with papers and notes. His drawings lay scattered over its surface, their carefree smiles reminding him of a few days ago; of a certain someone whom he spent his time with. His eyes softened, but he didn't look up.
"Do you love him enough to believe in him?"
"I believe in him!" he cried, startled.
"And I trust you," Max added, smiling shortly. "And if it were Tyson, I would do everything I could."
…
Rei ran the large brush through his hair, watching himself in the mirror, thinking over the events of the last 48 hours. Shaking his head, he set the brush back down on the bed next to him, and parted his hair, plaiting it easily.
He could hear Max moving around in the apartment, cleaning while he was waiting for his hot chocolate to heat up. He smiled at that. His best friend had to have the biggest heart in the world. He felt so lucky just to know of him.
Tying off his braid, he ran his hands through his bangs before adding his red bandanna. Standing up, he stretched, giving himself another quick glance in the mirror before walking out into the kitchen. His loose khaki's and grey T-shirt suited him for now.
"Here." Rei caught the cordless phone easily as he stepped out of his room. Max smiled and continued washing the dishes.
Sighing with a smile of his own, the neko turned back around shaking his head. Shutting the door, he dialed Kai's number.
"Hello?"
"Kai?" he started, somewhat stupidly. His lover didn't respond.
"Max told me he talked to you earlier…so Tala's alright?"
"Yeah," Kai answered. His tone sounded much better, he seemed relieved. "We're working through it."
"I'm glad," he replied. "If he's feeling up to it, Max and I would like to have you both over."
"Rei, what happened last night—it wasn't your fault. I should have seen this coming."
"I think we all had our part in it," he compromised. "Don't blame yourself."
There was a pause. "I'd like to finish this in person, I think."
"You're always welcome here Kai."
"I'll bring Tala over with me, when would be the best time?" Rei smiled to himself.
"If you're ready, you can come over now. Max and I are free all day." He could hear Kai smile as well.
"Alright, I'll see you in a little while Rei."
Hanging up, the Chinese teen took a deep breath. He could tell Kai was uncomfortable with the inability to gauge emotions over the phone. The fact that he couldn't see the person he was speaking to unnerved him. It made conversations over the phone difficult for both of them.
After another moment of silent contemplation, Rei walked out into the apartment for the second time, setting the phone in its cradle as he headed for the couch. Hopping the back, he landed heavily next to Max, who yelped when his hot chocolate threatened to spill over the rim.
"Hey!" The raven-haired teen laughed when his friend stuck his tongue out at him. The blonde mock glared him in protest, licking the chocolate off the outside of his mug.
"So, what's going on?"
"Kai is bringing Tala over now." Max's smile got so bright then, Rei had to laugh. "Both of them are pretty closed off when it comes to their problems Maxie, don't expect too much."
"I figured," he nodded, sipping his drink. "I guess I just don't want him to be so upset anymore…"
"You're too good Maxie, you know that?" The pale teen blushed, shaking his head.
"So what do you think?"
"You should take him out for a little while so that Kai and I can talk here. Kai can't be seen out much, or someone else will notice."
"And Tala?" The neko shook his head.
"To my knowledge, he was never mentioned. Kai was careful to keep him out of the spotlight. No one knows he has anything to do with this case."
"Well, that's good then. How long do you two want?" His friend shrugged.
"Tala will know when to come back."
They both glanced over their shoulders when there was a knock on the door. Max stood up to put his mug in the sink while Rei headed for the door. He opened it, smiling warmly as Tala and Kai entered.
The red-head smiled back wearily, keeping his head low. He was visibly ashamed of what had happened last night. Kai was watching his friend discretely, his crimson gaze calculating, but soft.
Max cleared his throat as Rei shut the door behind them. The slate haired teen looked up.
"Tala, this is Max," he nodded towards the blonde. The elder Russian shot his friend a look that clearly said, do I look stupid to you?, but he held out his hand to the petit American as he did so.
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Max grinned cheerfully, shaking his hand. "Would you like to go on a walk?" Tala looked surprised, but nodded.
"Yeah, I'd like that."
Kai and Rei were standing off to the side, watching quietly. While Max slipped on his shoes, the Chinese teen laced his fingers with his lovers.
As the door shut, he found himself lost in an impossible silence. What was he going to say…?
Turning, the Chinese teen stared up at the blunette. Tightening his hold on the others hand he gently leaned in and pressed his lips to Kai's. He didn't know what else to do. When he pulled back, those crimson eyes were full of emotion, all concentrated on him.
Hesitating, as if unsure, Kai reached up a hand and pulled Rei closer to him, bringing their lips back together. The raven-haired teen smiled into the kiss, and responded passionately. For a long time it stayed that way. When they finally parted, Kai sighed contentedly, his hand sill wrapped in his lover's hair. After another moment, he opened his eyes.
"I thought you'd be angry," he admitted quietly. Rei blinked, shaking his head.
"About what?"
"About…what happened. I—" He stopped short at the fanged grin he received.
"Tala needed you. I could never be angry at you for that." As he watched the other male, he could see relief, but also an exhaustion staring back at him.
With a slight frown, he lightly brushed the long silver bangs out of Kai's face. "You're tired."
The other turned his face down, not saying anything. He looked…ashamed. After a deep breath, he shook his head.
"It's nothing." Lifting his chin with a tanned finger, Rei smiled.
"You can talk to me you know, it's what I'm here for." It hurt him, to see doubt in his lover's eyes. When he received no answer, he tugged gently on his pale hand, pulling him over to the couch.
They didn't speak as they sat, and Kai allowed himself to lean on Rei, resting his head on his shoulder. When they were comfortable, the stoic Russian relaxed in his new place, Rei kissed him lightly on the head and played with his hair until the boy in his arms fell asleep.
…
A/N: Six pages of angst and fluff. And now for my complaints. I liked this chapter a lot up until Kai and Rei met up in the last scene. They are difficult to write as I have characterized them for this story…I wasn't so sure about the last part…but if you don't understand, then I will explain.
Because of everything that has been happening, coupled with the fact that Kai has constant re-occurring nightmares, he doesn't really sleep anymore. He isn't ready to tell Rei that kind of thing yet though, because it is personal to his experiences with Boris and Voltaire. The only one who knows about his nightmares is Tala, which is why you haven't heard about them yet either. He doesn't like explaining them, and he won't until much later.
…I still didn't like it though. I may edit it. We'll see. Tell me what you all thought. Did you think it was in character? Or was the scene awkward? Constructive criticism much needed and welcomed.
Tala and Max's budding friendship made me smile. I actually didn't think that Max would have a big part of this story until he got woken up by Tala, Rei and Kai the night before. And then he jumped in to save everyone…Rei, Kai and even went so far as to make Tala feel better.
Aww…Maxie is my favorite BB character. He rocks. Speaking of which, Max and Tala go for a walk next chapter and interesting things happen. Bryan continues searching Boris's office…DUN DUN DAAAAA.
As for everyone who said that Max was writing about the bit beasts last chapter…then you were awesome. Throws cookies to audience I love incorporating the real BB plot into this story as there is a serious lack of it otherwise.
Again, thank you for your patience. I appreciate all of your kind words and thoughts.
