I finally updated. Granted this is relativly short. It's under 1000 words, 963 words to be exact. I'm sorry, but Nezrin demanded I update so I did. i think it's pretty good for the short amount of time and lack of inspriation for it. Anyway, please read and review!

Dedicated to Nezrin for informing me that it was entirely unacceptable not to update this.

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The friends were all gathered around the dinner table enjoying their meal and catching up on everything they had missed since their last get together. Kevin had just finished telling a story that involved Ray, Bryan, several village elders and a very compromising position that had everyone except the two bladers in question laughing hysterically. Ray kicked his young friend in the shin under the table causing the monkey to yelp in pain. Ian glared daggers across the table, but backed off when Bryan's deadly glare fixed on him. The other sobered and returned to more harmless conversations. They were all perfectly content to joke, eat and drink with one another without the pressures of their everyday lives influencing what they said.

The lights flickered briefly causing them to worry about a power outage, but they stayed on so the bladers began to relax again. Robert rang for a maid and told her to get out candles and flashlights in case the power did indeed go out again. The storm was picking up again causing worry for the host. Spencer draped his arm over Robert's shoulders as he leaned over to whisper in his griffin's ear that he needed to relax a little. Robert placed a quick kiss on the Russian's cheek before they both settled back in their chairs. The affectionate gesture brought out several teasing remarks from their friends. The couple shrugged off the comments and returned to their conversations.

Spencer's eyes landed on Bryan and Ray who didn't seem to be speaking to each other at all. They were a constant source of worry for the whale who knew that they could both be extremely happy if they would only allow themselves to be. He watched them for a few minutes and was briefly reassured when Bryan rested his hand on top of Ray's. Ray turned his attention to the falcon and smiled clearly happy to have his lover be even mildly affectionate. Robert squeezed Spencer's hand to get his attention and sea-green eyes focused on the griffin. He smiled reassuringly before turning his attention back to his friends. The other couple that worried him was actually being quite calm. Tala and Johnny seemed perfectly relaxed and content as they held hands and chatted easily with Oliver and Enrique. The two redheads were, for once, not putting on a show for everyone to see. They were allowing their friends to see what their relationship was really like when they weren't trying to fool the whole world. Tala looked up and smiled at his friend before bringing Johnny's hand to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on his fingertips. Johnny promptly turned red as the others chuckled over the affection and result.

Robert watched his friends flirt, but let his gaze rest longer on Oliver and Enrique. The two had been together for so long he really doesn't have to worry about them. He did, however, worry about them. They were both very sensitive about what was said about them and their families were still shunning them for their choice to be together. They pretended to be okay with their families' decisions to avoid them. They went on with their daily lives as if nothing changed and that's what worried Robert. He wasn't sure that they were getting out all of the hurt emotions that they had taken on after being told that their families wouldn't support them. With a soft sigh he let his eyes wander to Miguel and Kai, both of whom had become close friends of the noble. They were whispering to each other smiling happily as Kai laughed over something Miguel said as he leaned in close. Robert shook his head as his and everyone else's attention was diverted to the two youngest members of their group.

Ian and Kevin were clearly planning something, but the others couldn't say what that something was. After a quick threat from Tala about pulling pranks and the consequences that would follow things quieted back down and they were able to relax. Spencer shook his head know that the threat would do nothing to deter the two mischief makers. That was another couple that could be worrisome from time to time. There were times when they got along perfectly, but every now and then the hate part of their love/hate relationship came out causing all of their friends to worry. When things got competitive their natural competitiveness came out and they couldn't help but strive to beat the other. They were getting along though so Spencer didn't allow himself to worry about them.

Kai looked over at his hosts and smiled softly. Robert was perfect for his blond friend because the griffin had been able to do what everyone else on the planet had failed to do. He had gotten past Spencer's barriers and made him open up. Spencer had a tendency to worry about everyone but himself, but because Robert was willing to look after and over the oldest Russian it meant that his friends didn't have to worry as much. At the same time because Spencer had such a tendency to worry about those most important to him it meant that Robert was doing better as well. With the whale in his life the griffin was being forced to work less and relax more. He had opened up significantly to his friends, something that his teammates attested to constantly. They had all changed since getting together with their lovers, but they were all in agreement that they had changed for the better. They complimented each other perfectly and all had found their soul mates. Some just hadn't realized it. Given time there was no doubt that they could all be extremely happy for the rest of their lives.

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It's been awhile since I last wrote something without dialogue and I really didn't want to have everyone say something. I'll probably write another chapter, but I could end it here as well. Let me know if you really really want another chapter. I don't know what it would be about, but I might be able to get something up. -sighs- Maybe I will do another chapter for each couple. Let me know what you want.

Kai: You're rambling again

So?

Kai: It's annoying.

Miguel: Leave her alone, Kai. She hasn't rambled in awhile.

My hero!

Kai: -glares as he clings to Miguel-