Note: I made a stylistic choice on how I wanted to write this. It definitely made things more difficult, but I'm pretty happy with it in the end.
Thank you to Player Zero, AzikaRue394 and MidnightStarr for the reviews! Very much appreciated as always.
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.
Thunder
"Ozuma?"
Max was sure he had heard Tyson wrong. It had been almost four years since he had heard any of their names. But all his friends had turned to look where Tyson stood gaping in his yard, upward to the wall surrounding the dojo and toward the sun, all wearing the same surprised expression. Max jerked his head, squinting in the sunlight to see four familiar faces. Static erupted through his brain.
"Long time no see!"
The group jumped from the wall, down to the dusty ground in front of the former Bladebreakers. Max was lost, his brain trying to process the goings-on before him as Tyson grasped Ozuma's hand firmly in an overly enthusiastic handshake.
"Dude, no kidding! Thought we'd never see you guys again!"
Everyone else in the yard might as well have been gone. Max felt his mouth go dry just looking at her. Mariam. His brain kept repeating her name. Over and over. Trying to make sense of everything, how she was here after all these years. His stomach flipped.
"What brings you guys here anyway?"
Mariam.
"Just checking up on you."
She was so familiar. Hand on her hip, smirk playing on her lips as a discussion erupted between the two teams. Max didn't hear a word. His eyes traced her every feature, every curve. Heart beating so loud he could hear it thump in his ears. She was beautiful.
"Y'know, making sure all bit beasts are present and accounted for."
He had always known it. It was obvious. Her eyes lit up at something Joseph had said, the corners of her lips pulling into a real smile. Max couldn't help but also smile. His heart soared as his insides continued to twist in uncertainty. It didn't feel real.
"We're still the best team in the world, so no need to worry."
Max wouldn't lie, he thought about her sometimes. But never imagined she would just show up back in his life, not like this. Not somehow more gorgeous. Not able to steal his breath away without even trying.
"Hey, uh, what's up with Blondie?"
And like that her eyes were on him. Max felt his heart jump into his throat. He never could forget her eyes. They could always tear right through him, leaving him absolutely defenceless. She raised a single eyebrow. Static continued to blow through his brain leaving every tangible thought in pieces. But her eyes, if he was honest he -
"Ow!"
Max grabbed his arm, head twisting to stare at Hilary bewildered.
"Sorry! You were zoned out."
Hilary had pinched the skin by his elbow. Hard. He continued to rub the wound, quickly noticing that everyone in the yard was now staring at him.
"Do you have a problem?"
His attention flitted back to Mariam. He swallowed, unsure if his voice would betray him or not. Max's throat felt tight, constricting every word he wanted to say. He tried focusing on willing his heart to slow down.
"Yes."
Mariam's attention flicked to Joseph when he snorted. It was a brief. The look she gave Max made him replay the moment in his head. His blue eyes widened.
"No. I... no. I meant no."
Max could feel the heat of his blush taking over his face. His stomach plummeted. The sudden smirk on her face got to him, rolling her eyes in amusement before they rested back on him. In his head, no one else was in the yard again.
"Okay. Other than Max, anyone else here suffered a head injury?"
He could never think straight when she looked at him.
"Joseph."
Max couldn't break her gaze. Absolutely entranced by the way she was staring at him, his heart hoped every feeling was mutual. His insides buzzed at the thought. There was so much he wanted to say.
"C'mon, Sis. All I'm saying is that you're clearly gonna have to challenge him again."
Max watched as her eyes surveyed him. Head to toe and back again. He swallowed hard. Chest tightening as he felt a blush flare through his entire body. When their eyes met again his stomach twisted further. The static in his brain had never been so loud.
"What do you say Max?"
Mariam fixed him with a predatory stare. His knees desperately wanted to buckle.
"Think you can handle me?"
Max almost forgot how to breathe. His breath hitched in his throat at the question while the coy look she was sending him shot shivers down his spine. His tongue never felt so heavy. He didn't trust his words to not betray him again or his voice to not break. But Max knew he couldn't just stare at her forever. His heart was screaming an answer through the static in his brain.
"Definitely."
