Disclaimer: I do not own Christmas trees, Christmas music or tinsel. Wal-Mart sure makes a killing selling it though. Oh and Kai's hot ass. I sadly do not own Kai's hot ass.
Woke up on New Years with an insane urge to write this fic. It's 9:00am. Why the fuck am I awake?
This is a chapter that takes a brief look into mental health and grief. Inspired by Frozen 2. The blackness is a reference to anything that pulls you away from you, such a drugs, forming unhealthy habits or even suicide. If you are struggling with these thoughts, please reach out to a friend or family member. If you have no one, you can always reach out to me or a suicide hot-line. I check my emails daily. People do care. I promise.
The good news is I've finally got out of the funk I've been in and I feel like I can write properly again. With full descriptions and not just a lot of dialogue. I got my mojo back!
Tyson couldn't help but to admire the beautiful Christmas scenery as they drove past. Snowflakes swirled around the busy streets of Bay City, families were huddled together carrying packages and boxes of every size and shape. Children gazed in awe of the sweet shops who had their Christmas goodies on full display. The atmosphere was one of jolly brightness as people found their own unique ways to celebrate the most ancient of traditions.
Years ago he had to beg and plead with Kai to spend Christmas with them, especially after hearing he hadn't ever celebrated it before. But after that first Christmas, Kai had found a way to spend every Christmas with them.
This year was their second Christmas together as a couple, last year they had celebrated with Ray and Max, which was ok at first. They had all exchanged gifts, and celebrated in Christmas festivities without incident...until New Years, where after a particularly aggressive game of dice, they had all ended up completely drunk.
And Max just broke.
Two tears fell from his deep baby-blue eyes, his voice cracking as he said "It's not the same...you know?"
A chill went throughout the room. A heavy silence that followed. No other clarification was needed. They all just knew.
The tears fell faster. "I-I'm sorry guys. I j-just can't seem to stop c-crying." The sweet boy was doing everything in his power to keep himself together.
Ray clasped a strong hand on his shoulder, there were unshed tears in his golden eyes as he said, "It's ok Maxie. You're not alone. I miss them too. All of them."
With the permission, Max hugged Ray and finally let go. Tears soaked his face as he finally let out all the hurt, loneliness and hatred he had carried in his heart. His sobs turned into screams of anguish, and Tyson knelt down and embraced his friend, before softly speaking.
"Do you hate me?"
Max froze and looked up at Tyson, before smiling sadly, shaking his head. "No. You made the right decision. In my nightmares, I can still smell it. That horrible smell of ozone and ash. I still see that barrier turning red with blood. Those 2 little boys..." He drew a shaky breath. "I'm happy that we were able to change the future, but this grief is like a black hole of never-ending numbness. It's hard to breathe." his voice cracked once again on the last word as his emotions once again erupted into fit of sobs.
Tyson clutched his friend tighter, now with tears threatening to fall from his eyes. "I know Maxie. It's deep and dark and cold. But we can't give up hope that we'll see them again."
Ray sniffled softly. "And how are you so sure that we will?" Tyson looked at him with a watery smile and the neko-jin immediately regretted asking.
"I not Ray. I'm really fucking not. I just need to believe in that or else I feel we're going to get sucked into the black hole and never come back."
The weight of Tyson's words crashed down on them as the cold pang of reality slapped them in the face. Tyson was right. If they didn't find some shred of hope to hang on to, then they would be swept into the blackness.
"Max." Kai's sudden sharp tone caused all of them to turn to the Russian. "You're not going to fall. None of us are. Because if we fall, then Boris wins. I'm not about to let it happen. Are you?"
Max shook his head. "No."
"Good. Cause we can't suffer even just one more loss. We're all standing on the edge of the precipice and if one of us starts falling, we'll need each other to pull each other up."
"Like Lake Baikal?"
"Exactly. I was frozen to that ice. That's the deepest lake in the world. I wouldn't have come back if all of you hadn't pulled me out."
"So it's agreed?" Spoke Ray. "We call each other and reach out if anything is wrong?"
"Deal." They said in unison.
"So Max, what do you need from us right now?"
The blonde sniffled. "Can I just sit here and cry with you guys a little longer? Everything has just been building up inside for so long...I just can't take it." he sobbed.
For the rest of the night they stayed out in the living room floor, taking turns holding the anguished teen and sharing stories of their glory days, where everything was right with the world.
"We're here."
Tyson blinked, slowly coming back to reality. He had gotten so caught up with thinking about the past, it took a moment for him to realize where "here" was. He blinked. "The airport? I thought you said you weren't going to whisk me away."
"I'm not. We've got idiots to pick up." he thumbed over to the entrance where Tyson immediately caught sight of one hideous looking orange jumpsuit. His face broke into a smile and he immediately raced out the truck.
"Tala! Bryan! Spencer! Ian!"
The Blitzkrieg Boys glanced and saw Tyson running towards them, with Kai casually walking up behind.
"I didn't know you guys were coming this year! I thought you would've taken your vacation some place warm."
Tala gave a wolfish grin. "So you haven't heard."
"Heard what?"
"I signed a new contract with Hiwatari Industries. This one comes with 4 vacations a year." His voice was full of a smug glee.
"And we're here to gloat." Bryan said with a laugh.
Tyson spun around to his boyfriend, who just stood there with crossed arms with a look of disdain marring his handsome features. "Fucker knows too much." he muttered.
From what Tyson gathered, it seemed that his contract with Kai had finished and he threatened to quit unless his demands were met. He had to give it to Tala. He was as patient as they came. "So while you're rubbing Kai's face in it, you've decided to stay for the holidays?"
"That's the plan." affirmed Tala.
"Cool. Sourpuss worked me to the bone and I forgot it was Christmas and so nothing is decorated."
Tala sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why am I not surprised."
"There's a tree lot just up the road." said Kai, turning back towards the truck.
Tyson looked to the group of burly Russians and smiled warmly. "I just realized, this will be your first Christmas with us in Japan right?" They all nodded. "You're going to love it!"
Kai was right, there was a tree lot nearby. A huge, obnoxiously decorated sign that one could see for miles was placed on the side of of the highway said "Tree Lot, next right.". Kai took the turn and soon they came to a cozy cottage, which looked like it came straight out of a post card. Cobble stone, warm candle light coming through the frosted windows, complete with a fresh layer of snow. On the roof there was smoke coming out of the red brick chimney, the sweet scent of gingerbread beckoned them inside the cabin.
Inside, it was just as warm and inviting as the outside promised. Tons of Christmas trinkets lined the shelves, snow globes, nutcrackers, ornaments, teddy bears, tiny Christmas trees, lights, and delicious Christmas baking was a feast for the eyes.
Tyson curiously picked up a slow globe, and shook it, instantly becoming mesmerized as the tiny flakes danced and swirled in the thick liquid. He flipped it over to check the price, thinking it would be a perfect gift for Max, his face blanching when he saw the $50.00 price tag. Gingerly he placed the snow globe on the shelf.
Kai examined each of the trinkets and their prices, and he wasn't impressed. Everything was a knock-off brand that the store owner was trying to pass off as the real deal. The tiny imperfections gave away that the original brand name had been carefully painted over.. Clearly they were dealing with an experienced con-man. With that fact at the forefront of his mind, he approached the counter and rang the bell.
Immediately a gentleman came out from the back room, he had a fair complexion and blonde hair that was slicked back. His mustache was long and well groomed and it had a very exaggerated curl at the ends. He was dressed sharply in a well-tailored green and red suit. "Merry Christmas! What can I do for you gentleman, doing some Christmas shopping?" he conversed in perfect Japanese.
To confirm his suspicions, Kai replied back in English, "A tree.".
The store owner's face immediately lit up. "Oh well if it's a tree you want, might I recommend one of the beautiful artificial pieces behind me?" He replied back in English, it was apparent that it was his native tongue with how much he seemed to ease up while speaking the language. "Saves you the trouble of cleaning up needles and looking for a tree next year. I'm selling them for the low, low price of $400!" He grabbed one that was decorated in silver tinsel. "This one won first prize in the Christmas Tree Contest last year!|
Tyson and Tala were watching their dual-haired friend closely. Kai had straightened his back and held his nose up. A stance Kai only took when he wanted his opponent to feel inferior. "Yeah, I'm not interested in your fake needles. I want a real tree, do you have any or not?"
"Oh you must be a lover of that real-tree smell!" said the salesman without missing a beat. He lead the boys around to the back of the cabin. "There we go! The best evergreens that I can find. Only $50.00!"
Apparently "Christmas Tree Lot" meant three half-bare trees that were barely 5ft in height. Kai raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"Well it's pretty late in the season. Of course it's slim pickings, it's why I was showing you that gorgeous silver." His face darkened. "After all, I'm the only tree lot for miles."
So that was his game. Have the worst of the worst of the real trees and sell the artificial ones for twice their worth. "A tree lot also means we can have any tree growing on your property. How much would that one be?" He pointed to a gorgeous full evergreen.
"$20. Unfortunately, this is the only saw I have." he pulled out a small, rusted, old hand-saw that looked like it would fall apart at any second. "So about that artificial tree-"
"Tyson. Pick any tree on the lot." ordered Kai.
"Really? Then I pick that one!" He pointed to the tree that Kai had inquired out. It really was gorgeous in almost every aspect. The perfect Christmas tree.
The con-man's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're not seriously-"
"Boys, blades out!" Commanded Tala, understanding Kai's plan. All 4 Blitzkrieg Boyz loaded their respective launchers. "Let it rip!"
Wolborg, Seaborg, Falborg and Wyborg we launched right at the tree base and the sharp metal tore through the bark with ease. Within seconds they sawed right through. The beyblades then returned to their owner's hands as the tree began to fall.
"TIMBER!" Shouted Spencer as the tree landed in the fresh white powder. Spencer then picked up the massive tree by the trunk and carried it to the truck. Effortlessly he picked it up and threw it into the cargo bed. The other 3 Blitzkreig boys then secured the tree with rope.
The owner just stood there with his mouth hanging agape.
"Thanks for the tree!" Tyson said cheerfully, throwing him a twenty dollar bill, which gracefully landed in the snow at it's new owner's feet. The bluenette gave a small wave as he climbed into the truck, seconds later Kai sped off.
As soon as they turned back on the main road, the truck roared with laughter.
"Did you see his face?!" shouted Tyson.
"It looked like Boris' after you and Brooklyn trashed the BEGA building." chuckled Tala.
"Well it's about to get a lot more entertaining." Kai pointed to the other side of the road where a police car was just cruising down. Everyone who wasn't driving cranked their heads to watch the car turn into the tree lot.
"You texted The Chief of Police?!" exclaimed Tyson.
"He was selling fake merchandise." shrugged the driver. "Might be part of a bigger chain."
"You totally love being the hero!" teased Tyson.
'Yours, most of all.' Thought Kai as he stared at the giant smile plastered on his boyfriend's tanned cheeks.
When they arrived back at the house, Bryan pointed to the mailbox that was overflowing and the sticky notes that now carpeted the whole door. "You've got mail."
"Nah, just a few jealous neighbors." laughed Tyson.
"Let me see." Tala ripped off one of the sticky notes and read it out loud. "You sound like a deformed moose fucking a shrubbery."
Tyson shrugged. "Hey, Mooses need love too."
Bryan ripped off a note. "For godsakes shut your windows next time, you horny fucking rabbits! You woke up my baby! :( "
Kai shrugged. "Her fault for having one."
Ian pulled one of the notes out of the mailbox. "Keep it down, he sounds like a cat being beaten to death." He raised an eyebrow at the duo. "What kind of sex are you having?"
"The best kind." retorted Tyson with a grin.
Amused, Tala ripped off another note. "I suppose anything is dildo seeing as you're brave enough." He chuckled. "Indeed."
Ian pulled another note out of the mailbox. "I've heard less vicious beating from a crocodile." He paused. "What kind of vacations do your neighbor's go on?"
"Don't know. Don't want to know." dismissed Kai.
Bryan pulled another note off the door and immediately a boisterious laughter sprang up from his belly. "A little less lube next time, I can smell it over my curry." He struggled to get the words out cause he was laughing so hard. "Alright this one wins! Everyone else can go home!" Immediately he and Tala started plucking all the sticky notes off the wood door.
When the door was clear the opened the entry way and stepped aside for Spencer to bring in the tree, where he quickly propped it against the only corner in the living room that had space. Tyson disappeared into the basement and returned a moment later with the tree stand.
"Tyson. You're in charge of things until Tala and I get back." stated Kai.
The bluenette stopped in his tracks and spun around. "You're leaving?"
"Tala and I have to stop by the office to settle a few things."
"I thought you weren't going to work today?"
Tala stepped in. "Relax. I'll have him home by dinner. All we're doing is just signing my 4 vacations a year contract. Plus other benefits. It's an hour of paper work." he exchanged a quick look with Bryan, and the silvered-haired beyblader nodded.
Hooking his arm around Tyson's neck Bryan asked, "What? You're too good to spend time with us? C'mon, let's get this place decorated and when these two workaholic's come back, we'll force them to going looking at Christmas lights as punishment for making us do all the work."
Tyson looked at Bryan and remembered that the Russian knew exactly how he felt. At least he could be Kai's assistant and spend most days with Kai, but to Tyson's knowledge, Bryan was usually stuck at home all day playing video games or training. Bryan probably was as impatient as he was to have his lover all to himself, and probably legitimately wanted to hang out. Tyson's mood did a 180 and he clapped Bryan on the back. "Not at all man. Let's get Christmas up and we can have a match afterwards!"
"Mew."
They looked to the kitchen where 10 pairs of eyes glowered at Tyson.
"Oh shit, I forgot to feed them this morning." Tyson sweat dropped.
Ian stared at the kittens in awe. "I forgot you had so many."
"Here, I'll introduce you guys to them and you can help me feed them. They'll warm up to you much faster that way, especially Takao. Takao's my little glutton."
As Tyson and the Russians piled into the kitchen. Kai and Tala silently left and ventured out into the snow.
Tala stared in fascination and awe. "So you've decided on this one?"
"Yeah. Do you think he'll like it?"
"Pffffttt. You could give him your toe fungus and he'd like it."
"Nah. He'd laugh and ask where his real present was. My worry is that he'll think it's too girly."
"That bastard wears his hair in a pony tail and drinks cocktails whenever we're out at a bar. He's got no right to say shit."
"Fine then." His voice became soft. "Do you think it's too soon?"
Tala studied his comrade, looking for any sign of doubt, but Kai look impatient and eager. "No. If this is what you really want Kai, there's no sense in putting it off."
Kai nodded a thank-you and pulled out his wallet.
When they returned, the house and the walls were truly and fully decked. Garland and mistletoe hung from every conceivable place. Little santas and snowmen were strewn strategically around the house and Christmas rock music was playing at full blast.
"Oh for fuck's sake. No one told me that this place would be turned into a glitter bomb." cursed Tala as he turned to his younger comrade. "How did he get you to allow this in the first place?"
"Three words." Kai held up 3 fingers. "Anything. I. Want." He counted down each finger with each word.
Tala raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"
"Anything."
"Even-"
"Yeah."
"Well then." The red-haired male around at the decorations. "Its not so bad then."
Tyson then walked into the front entrance carrying a box. "Oh Kai! Tala! Didn't realize you'd be back so soon."
"As we said. Just one measly contract to sign."
"Yeah, but for all I know the secretary could've dragged you into one last meeting." laughed the teen. Tyson turned to go into the living room, but winced, feeling a familiar throb from his lower back.
Kai immediately kicked off his boots and grabbed the box from his boyfriend. "Take 2 Advil. Rest."
"Awwww! No way Kai! Besides, we're almost done!"
"I'll finish up."
The teen looked at his boyfriend in bewilderment. "You? But you always say "What's the point if we're going to take it down anyways?" He lowered his voice and changed his tone so it mimicked the older male.
"Go sit down. Now." Kai's new tone left no room for argument.
The aching teen threw his arms up in the air. "Fine. I'm going! I'm going! Sheesh!"
Kai and Tala entered the living room.
"Bryan...what the actual fuck?"
Kai chuckled.
Both Spencer and Bryan were both dressed up as Santa's elves, complete with little green hats and tights.
"We took a break and had a beybattle. 2 verses 1, us against Tyson. Loser had to wear these." stated Spencer.
"They're surprisingly comfortable." shrugged Bryan.
"I agree. There's definitely some benefits." said Tala, enjoying the view of the green tights greedily hugging onto every curve of his boyfriend's perky ass.
Tyson returned into the room with Takao in his arms and took the time to place one of the fluffy couch pillows under his tailbone. "I'll let the Advil kick in while you finish decorating. Then can we go see the Christmas lights?!"
"Fine." conceded Kai, ruffling his boyfriend's hair.
That's it for this chapter. It was heavily rewritten but I think I'm finally happy with how it turned out! Question for next chapter: Should we have a Tala and Bryan lemon? Cast your vote with your opinion of this chapter in a review! I'll be back in February for sure!