Dislcaimer: Beyblade - not mine, the song mentioned - not mine.

A/N: Hi guys!

Almost record time updating isn't it? I am/was until recently on a roll with this and actually wrote a couple chapters ahead. They need serious editing though, so don't expect an update tomorrow. I guess it's safe to say now that we are in the last third of the story. So I'm taking this as an opportunity to thank everyone who is still with me on this after two years and 19 chapters, when you only bargained for like 7 chapters.
Special thanks to the wonderful Ita1412, kaidatinuchan, Julia Fernandez Hiwatari and Random Fan, I treasure your words!

With this said, here's Chapter 20:

Chapter 20

All He Wants for Christmas

Even before Tyson opened his eyes the next morning he know something was different. Something just felt different. Then the memory of last night's events hit. He shot up into a sitting position and looked around. It was broad daylight. It was sunny. And most importantly, it was Kai's room he was in. Kai's bed.

Wow, no dream then. Reality. Tyson grinned. He liked this reality.

He glanced at the other side of the bed. It was empty. Not much of a surprise - Kai was an early riser, and he, Tyson, so was not.

Well, he'd better get a move on, then. Tyson climbed out of bed and tiptoed to the door. He truly liked this reality, but that didn't mean he was ready to share it with everyone else. Yet. He opened the door just wide enough to peek into the hallway. No one was in sight, and the hallway lay quiet. In most houses one could safely assume the hallway was empty. Not in this house. In this house, there was always the slight chance of someone (Gramps!) lying in wait, biding their time to jump at an innocent, sleepy and defenseless person (him, obvi). Reflex training his ass! Tyson figured if Gramps was hiding somewhere it would be next to his, Tyson's door, though, and not Kai's. Probably safe to say the hallway was empty then. Tyson nodded to himself. It was now or never. He had one foot already in the hall when he caught a glimpse of something he'd almost forgotten about. His blanket. His blanket on Kai's bed. Oh wow. Leaving that behind would have made all his fussing pretty useless. He rushed back, snatched up his blanket, then dashed across the hall, into his room and threw his own door shut behind him. Was this what they called a walk of shame, he wondered.

Well, it hadn't been shameful, because, damn, he was good at sneaking out! Contently, Tyson threw his blanket on his own bed. Now he could officially start his day! As Tyson gathered clothes from his closet he thought that being caught sneaking out of Kai's room in his pajamas might not that big a deal after they had already been found sleeping on the couch... but somehow bedroom had a different feel to it. The little word 'intimacy' echoed through his head. Tyson blushed feverishly. They'd definitely gotten a lot closer than they'd been before Kai's accident. He should avoid calling it intimate though. It threw him off-balance. He was a teenage boy after all, and his hormones were killing him.

After his shower, Tyson went to the kitchen to grab something to eat. He was pouring a generous amount of milk over his cereal when Kai came in.

"Good morning," Tyson said.

"Good morning," Kai replied, an unmistakable blush on his cheeks.

That was enough to send Tyson's hormones onto rampage again. Was he just embarrassed or ... maybe ...?

No! Stop! Friend-zone! For the time being, at least.

"You okay?"

Kai nodded, still a bit pink in the face.

"I am. For now. Thanks for, um, everything."

"Sure, sure. Hey, have you seen Ray?"

"He's in the living room, checking something on your computer."

Tyson picked up his cereal bowl.

"Let's join him then."

Tyson went into the living room, Kai at his heels. Ray was sitting cross-legged on the carpet, Tyson's laptop in his lap.

"Hey Ray."

"Hi there, sleepy-head!"

Tyson sat down on the couch and was moments later joined by Kai. Was it his imagination or did Kai sit closer to him than he normally did?

Imagination, Tyson, he told himself. That, or wishful thinking. Or was it? Ugh, no, stop it, Tyson!

Tyson forced his attention onto his breakfast. Food was good. He liked food. Almost as much as he liked Kai. Oh, that was working well… Tyson gave a low grunt and, ignoring the curious stares, began to shovel cereal into his mouth.

Halfway through his breakfast he suddenly paused and turned to Kai.

"Say Kai, did you give Tala a call?"

Kai shook his head.

"My phone was in my room and... And I didn't go get it," he eventually finished the sentence.

That sounded about as clever as the excuses Tyson usually gave his teacher for not having done his homework. Kai must be really off his game today. Doing his best to help out, Tyson nodded as if had been a perfectly good explanation and shoved another spoon full of cereal into mouth. Kai, the blush back on his cheeks, mumbled something about going to make a call. When he'd disappeared down the hallway, Ray set aside the laptop and focused his cat-eyes on Tyson.

"Is Kai okay? Did something happen last night?"

Tyson almost choked on his cereal. What the heck! Was Ray psychic or something? Had he figured out they'd both spend the night in Kais room?

In Kai's bed, a sly voice in the back of his head added.

Tyson ignored it. That was impossible right? Ray couldn't really be psychic. Stuff like that didn't exist. It was probably just a general question if Kai was feeling okay. Friendly concern, nothing more.

Yeah. Tyson nodded to himself, then wiped milk off his chin that he'd spat over himself moments ago when he'd almost died from a spoonful of cereal going down the wrong pipe. He'd have been the laughingstock of the afterworld with a petty death like that. Not that that mattered now.

Tyson cleared his throat and said, "Err, what do you mean?"

"I have eyes, Tyson."

Good that they'd established Ray had eyes. As crazy a revelation as it was, it didn't really help Tyson answer his question: Had Ray figured it out or not?

So he simply said, "Glad we talked about this."

Ray made a low huffing sound.

"I'm serious," he said. "Something's off."

"He had a bad dream last night. It might have been a memory too," Tyson mumbled into his bowl, careful to avoid eye contact.

That was good, wasn't it. Answered Ray's question but left out… well, everything else.

"I see," Ray simply said.

Now Tyson had to look up. I see, he said. A part of Tyson was dying to make a joke about this and Ray's earlier revelation of having eyes. Surprisingly enough, a bigger part of him felt quite serious at the moment. So Tyson just nodded and continued to eat.

"You've changed."

"Huh?"

"You've … grown up, I guess. These past months have affected you. I mean, we all were very worried, but for you, being here and seeing Kai like that every day … I can't imagine how hard it must have been on you. I think it's great how you have stayed with him all throughout his recovery, never giving up on him. I know you always have been stubborn… but still, you must love him a lot."

This time Tyson spat a spoonful of cereal across the living table. He'd been caught completely off‑guard here.

"Wh-what?"

Ray grinned mischievously.

"So it really is like that, hm. I'd been wondering for a while now."

And bam! he'd been found out! Again. When…? How…? Maybe Ray really was psychic. Or maybe he was simply very observant – he had eyes, after all. Or he, Tyson, was an idiot that couldn't hide his crush. Whichever it was, Ray knew. And Tyson knew there was no point denying his feelings. He also knew that although Ray now knew, Kai could not know. Not now.

Tyson sat his bowl down (he was so done with this) and locked eyes with Ray.

"Please, Ray… this needs to stay between us."

"Well of course it will!" Ray said. "I didn't think you'd want to confess anytime soon."

"Not really, no," Tyson mumbled.

He then had a thought: maybe Ray, who was so observant, who knew and understood Kai so well …maybe Ray knew if Kai… was gay? Or swinging both ways? Worth a try, wasn't it?

Tyson cleared his throat.

"Say Ray…"

He fidgeted in his seat, not able to look at Ray. Ray was one of his best friends and someone he'd trust with his life without thinking twice, but this was awkward as hell. If Tyson was completely honest with himself, he'd have preferred to battle some crazy villain with the ambition to take over the world over asking what he was about to ask.

"Err... you don't happen to know if Kai… I mean, does he like… is he...," he stammered.

He shot Ray a quick glance.

Ray – bless him! – seemed to have understood his stammering. He didn't laugh at him either. Ray just shrugged, as if Tyson had asked about his opinion on the weather today.

"I have no idea. We never talked about it, if you mean that."

"And if you'd have to guess? I mean, you're… you're Ray – you just know things."

Ray laughed.

"Well know … no, but if I'd have to take a guess," Ray paused for a moment and seemed to rummage through his memories, then said, "If I'd have to guess I'd say it's not completely unlikely."

Tyson winced.

"Not completely unlikely? Is that code for 'never going to happen'?"

"It's just a guess. I can't remember ever seeing Kai with a girl, and he was always exceptionally uninterested in Hilary. But then again, I've never seen him with a boy either – though he seemed very fond of that boy from boarding school."

"Oh yeah, that kid! How is he, do you know?"

"Last thing I know is he's still in the hospital."

"Huh. Poor kid."

"Yeah."

"Well… I won't give up hope just yet then."

"Of course not! This is Kai, we are talking about. I'm not sure he himself knows all his secrets."

Tyson laughed.

"For now, at least, you are right!"

Ray grinned and showed two pointy teeth.

"He's getting there, though," he said, seriously now.

Tyson nodded.

"Yeah. It's a bit scary though. I mean… I have no idea what's about to surface."

"It is a bit scary, isn't it. Just keep doing what you're doing. New Kai seems to trust you completely."

"You think?"

"Oh, absolutely! He's following you around like a little duckling!"

Tyson wasn't sure this was something he was happy about… he didn't want Kai to see him as a father‑figure after all! Ugh, god no!

He sighed. At least that meant Kai didn't hate him. He could even say Kai liked him.
Liked him…

Let's not get carried away, he told himself.

"Well, I'll better go check on my little duckling and see if he's been able to get a hold of the big bad wolf."

"Will you do something about him, please?"

Ray gestured at Bryan, who was currently chasing Hilary around the room with a mistletoe. He'd previously done the same with Kenny and – for about ten seconds, before he'd been smacked hard with said mistletoe – Spencer.

Needless to say, the Christmas party was in full swing. The Blitzkrieg Boys had arrived a bit early and Tala had disappeared with Kai for a bit. When he'd returned, Bryan had already been on a roll. He'd been rolling ever since.

Tala shrugged and watched with moderate interest how Hilary dove behind Spencer. A smart move.

"I gotta pick my battles here, Ray."

"Oh dear god," Ray said.

And Tyson murmured, "Can't we just wrap him up again?"

"What was that?" Tala asked.

"Oh nothin', nothin'," Tyson replied and hastily took a big gulp from his drink.

Tasty drink. Very tasty. So tasty he'd had four already – or was it five? Tyson tried to count them off on his fingers. One when their guests had gotten here, one with Tala out in the engawa when Tala had confirmed that Kai's dream last night had been no dream at all, the one Spencer had brought over for them, the one he'd made himself in the kitchen … oh no, he'd spilled that one. Nah, didn't matter anyways.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Huh?"

Tyson looked up from his fingers to see that Tala and Ray were eyeing him – Tala suspiciously, and Ray extremely amused.

"Counting my drinks," Tyson replied.

Wasn't that obvious? Tala could ask such silly questions.

"Very wise," Ray said.

A blissful smile spread across Tyson's face. Such a good friend, Ray was. Always had his back. Kept his secrets, too!

Tala snorted.

"The answer is too many," he said. "Look at the mess you've made while counting."

Tala wasn't so nice. Ray was much nicer. Tyson still thought he was a good friend. He smiled at Tala, too, and patted his shoulder.

"You're still a good friend, Tala."

"What the-! Come on Granger, you've just earned yourself a glass of water. Ray, if you'll excuse us."

"Oh sure, go ahead," Ray chimed.

As he was dragged to the kitchen Tyson saw Ray join Kenny and Kai, who were deep in conversation over a Beyblade that lay on the couch table in front of them. Was that the new Dranzer Kenny had been working on? Tyson wanted to see.

"I want a new Beyblade!"

"You're getting a water first."

Tala took the glass from his hand and emptied the bit of drink Tyson hadn't spilled on the floor while counting into the sink. Tyson hopped onto the kitchen table and let his feet swing back and forth as Tala filled his glass with water.

"Would you say the glass is half full or half empty?" he said.

"You are not making any sense, Granger," Tala growled. "Drink this!"

Tyson obediently took a sip from his glass. He then pointed at the glass.

"Would you say the glass is half full or half empty?" he repeated.

"It is completely full – I told you to drink, didn't I."

"Guess you're some über-optimist then," Tyson mumbled into his glass.

Under Tala's stern look he quickly emptied his glass though.

"Done!"

"Do you want more water?"

Tyson shook his head.

"I want the yummy drink."

"I don't think so."

"But you poured Hilary one earlier."

"She's a lady."

"First off," Tyson put one finger in the air "She's not – she's Hilary! And you're not really a gentleman anyways. Second," He raised two more fingers, "You poured Ray one as well."

Tala rolled his eyes and refilled his own glass. With a real drink. No fair.

"Trust me, under normal circumstances I'd even spice yours up with an extra shot and then watch with glee how you make a complete ass of yourself, but I need you to be at least conscious."

"That sounds dirty."

"Dude, I like women."

Tyson grinned.

"Like Hilary?"

Tala snorted.

"You need to sober up, Granger. Think about Kai – no, not this way. Think about what happens if he remembers something else and needs you. You can't be lying in some corner, passed out and pitiful."

"Ah."

Tyson nodded. That made sense. But he was conscious, wasn't he! He was sitting here, talking to Tala. Tala was so silly.

"So why don't you – hey, Bryan, put that down!" Tala suddenly yelled.

Before Tyson could even open his mouth to ask what exactly Bryan should put down, Tala had stormed off to chase after his teammate. Tyson twirled the empty glass in his hands. Tala was being a mother-hen. He giggled. Mother‑hen.

"Need a refill?"

Spencer had come into the kitchen and pointed at Tyson's glass. Tyson beamed and held out his glass. He sure did!

"Yessir!"

He watched Spencer refill their glasses and spill a good amount left and right in the process. Tyson giggled again.

"Maybe you need some water."

Spencer snorted.

"Water's for sissys."

"For sissys!" Tyson repeated.

They clinked their glasses together and both took a gulp.

"Why's yours got a different color?"

"Mine's the Russian version."

"What's the Russian version?"

"Too much for you to handle!" Spencer grinned.

"Psh, I-…" Tyson protested.

"Oh fabulous, you're at it again."

Tala had returned.

In his most serious tone Tyson said, "Water's for sissys!"

Spencer nodded.

"For sissys!" he added, slurring a bit, but dead serious.

Tala rolled his eyes.

"Don't come crying to me if you do something stupid later on. Spencer, why don't we have our drink with Bryan. Before he starts chasing people with mistletoe again. Or carve stuff into other people's furniture."

"Sure, sure."

With a wave to Tyson, Spencer followed Tala back into the living room. Tyson stayed behind, wondering how one could carve stuff into furniture with mistletoe. Mistletoe wasn't sharp. A knife was sharp. Why didn't Bryan use a knife.

Tyson was still pondering over the matter when Kai appeared in the doorway.

"Are you having dessert again?" Kai asked with a cheeky smile.

Even in his happy daze, Tyson's heart skipped a beat when he saw him. Gosh he was adorable! Tyson tilted his head. Kai looked especially gorgeous tonight. His eyes had a spark and his pale cheeks a touch of pink.

"Have you had some too?" Tyson asked.

"A bit."

"Did they give you the Russian version?"

Kai walked and sat down on the table next to Tyson.

"What's the Russian version?"

"Too much for me to handle, apparently," Tyson slurred.

Kai laughed.

"Did Tala say that?"

"Nah, Tala said I should drink water. But water's for sissys."

"Is it?" Kai asked, grinning. "Well, the drink Tala handed me he could have given to a toddler, too, because I don't think it had a single drop of alcohol in it."

"That cheeky bastard."

Kai's grin broadened.

"Bryan's been generously handing out shots though. I think he's slipped Kenny quite a few."

"Why d'you think that?"

"Listen."

And Tyson's listened. From inside the living room, the voices of Kenny, Hilary and Spencer drifted over, who were singing Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas in three voices. It wasn't pretty, but it was unique.

All he wanted for Christmas. Tyson glanced at Kai. All he wanted… he knew what he wanted. If only Kai hadn't amnesia, if only Tyson knew if Kai even liked men - if only things weren't this complicated! If things weren't this complicated, Tyson could use his boozy confidence and confess to Kai.

Confess to Kai?!

Tyson lowered his glass. What the hell was he thinking! There was no way he could confess his feelings to Kai now. Not now, when Kai was in the middle of remembering a past so horrible Tyson couldn't even imagine. Not now, when he needed Tyson to be a friend and someone to rely on.

God, he needed to sober up. He needed water! Food! Air!

Tyson jumped off the table, poured his drink into the sink and filled his glass with water instead. Under the curious looks of Kai, he gulped down the water, refilled his glass and drank that as well.

"I'm a sissy," he said in a way of explanation.

"We still have the Christmas cake, if you want some food in your system as well," Kai said and pointed at the fridge.

"Oooh," Tyson said. "Caaake! Yes!"

He dropped his glass into the sink and hurried over to the fridge.

"I'll grab plates and cutlery," Kai said and hopped off the table.

Together they carried everything into the living room. At the threshold Tyson paused. How long had he been in the kitchen? He had clearly missed something! Hilary now had two Christmas ornament looped through her earrings, Kenny was standing on the couch table next to Spencer, who was still more than a head taller, and both were singing at the top of their lungs into what appeared to be the wii's remote controls and Bryan had decided to wear his T-Shirt as a head-band. Tyson's eyes lingered on Bryan for a moment. Whatever the Blitzkrieg Boys' training routine was, it seemed to be a guarantor for rock-hard abs. Only Tala and Ray didn't seem to have lost their minds; they were sitting on the couch, deep in conversation.

Tyson shot a worried look at Kai. To his surprise, Kai appeared to be fully enjoying the chaos in front of them.

"Cake, anyone?" he asked cheerfully.

The response was instant and overwhelming. They barely had time to light the sparklers on the cake - "Don't touch the firework, Bryan!" Tala said - before the cake was cut up and the pieces handed out.

"Where have you two been?" Ray asked as Tyson and Kai joined him on the couch, their plates in hand.

"Getting it on under the mistletoe," Bryan said through a mouthful of cake.

"Eh?!" Tyson, Kai and Ray said in unison.

"Kidding. Who'd wanna kiss Tyson?"

Bryan then plucked the burned down sparkler from Tyson's piece of cake, gave it a critical look, and disappeared with the sparkler and his piece of cake into the garden.

Tala growled and got up to follow him.

"How do you keep eyes on him all the time?" Ray asked.

Tala snorted.

"I don't. We have excellent insurance."

"But-…"

"If he burns down the house there's no more dumpling night."

When he left, a puzzled looking Ray turned to Kai and Tyson.

"Dumpling night?"

"Tala loves Grandpa Grangers dumplings," Kai mumbled.

His face was flushed and he never for a second took his eyes off his cake. Tyson's heart skipped a beat. Was this bashful Kai, or was he flustered because-… Nooo! No, no, no! Why did this question continue to pop into his head?

Because, maybe-…

Tyson, no, his inner voice said sternly.

Luckily just then Hilary pulled him off the couch and demanded he'd dance with them. And Tyson gladly went with her. What he didn't see was a pair of crimson eyes following him…

A/N: And that was tipsy Tyson for you. Hope you liked this. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone. ~Bird