A/N: Please note that there is a lemon later on in the chapter. There is a mark that shows where it starts and where it ends just in case you would like to skip it. On with the chapter.
Chapter 16
Bryan opened his eyes, his vision blurry at first. He shifted uncomfortably in his bed and stretched his arms from the stiff position they were in. He lay unmoving in his bed as he stared at the ceiling, trying to keep his mind distant from memories of Karina and him over the years. He hated this, all he had were memories, Karina was the first thing that came to his mind when he woke up and the last thought that was in his mind before he slept. He hated the fact that Karina was the one person who could make him feel so helpless, he hated feeling somewhat dependent on her all of a sudden.
It was something he hated more then anything else at the moment. He hated her more because he finally realized that he couldn't hate her. He hated her because he lost more of himself when he finally realized that after all he was taught, he didn't and couldn't hate her. It was just impossible to him now. He shook his head slightly, stopping when a wave of dizziness washed over his mind. He blanked everything form his mind, suppressing all memories and emotions of Karina as best he could, realizing the sudden uneasiness that started to rise in his stomach. He shifted onto his side, a slight groan of pain escaping him when he felt as if all he had eaten earlier was about to come up and choke him to death.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, trying to regain his sudden lack of composure. The pain was becoming unbearable any longer and finally he felt lunch rising up. He got up as fast as he could, wavering slightly but staggering quickly over to the bathroom. Throwing the toilet lid open and throwing up quickly, kneeling on the ground, his head pounding in pain and somewhat some exhaustion.
He stood up slowly when he thought he was finished and rested against the sink. His hot forehead against the cool white sink that he rested against for support. He lifted his head and rinsed his face and mouth with cold water. He walked back into his room, sitting down on the bed. He sighed painfully, getting up again he walked to the other room where Serenity sat on the sofa by herself.
She looked at him sweetly but then worriedly, seeing him sit down on the other end of the sofa not too far from her. "Where's Karina and Tala?" Bryan asked, his voice sounding quiet.
Serenity looked on at him worriedly but answered anyway, "Tala went for a walk and Karina just finished up with a doctor and is changing. Are you feeling ok cause you don't look too good at the moment?" she asked, taking in his weak state slowly.
"I think so" Bryan whispered as he rested his head against the sofa.
"What are you feeling?" Serenity asked.
"Just a little headache" He lied, trying to keep his voice normal more then pained.
Serenity reached forward slightly and placed a hand gently on his forehead but drew it back when he flinched at the cold from her hand on his hot skin, "You're really hot sweetie, maybe you should go back to resting" she advised.
"Not more resting" Bryan complained.
Serenity placed a blanket over his shoulder and Bryan quickly tugged on the edges to tighten it around him. Bryan turned onto his back again since he had been sitting on his side to look at serenity, and his attention was caught by a marine blue beyblade that was on the coffee table. He reached out and picked it up, he sat back again and stared at the bit-chip, where Karina's bit-beast was. "Nahuatl" Bryan whispered. Said Nahuatl had a dolphin tail and was a winged horse from the waist upwards.
"You know her?" Serenity asked, a light smile tugging at her lips.
"Yeah, Nahuatl is Karina's bit-beast and she's been with her since she could first remember" Bryan replied.
"You seem to know a lot about Karina" Serenity stated.
"I guess I do" Bryan whispered.
"Yeah. She's a lot like you if you ask me, she was really afraid of the doctors today" Serenity informed him.
"I thought she would" Bryan whispered, sitting back in his seat and tracing his finger a long the edges of the white attack ring.
Bryan still felt uneasy and rested back, tightening the blanket around him but keeping the marine blade in his hand. Serenity continued watching him as he sat back and shut his eyes tightly. They both heard the door opening and turned round quickly to see Karina walking slowly walking out of her bedroom, she smiled sweetly and walked to the sofa and stood behind them. She wore a pair of white simple trouser that were tucked into a pair of dark blue snow boots and a dark blue t-shirt.
"Hey guys" Karina greeted kindly.
"Hey" Serenity and Bryan said in unison.
"…here's your blade" Bryan said, handing her the blade when he noticed he still had it.
"Thanks" Karina said with a light smile, taking her blade from him. " Bryan right?" she asked.
"Yeah" Bryan replied.
"Come sit down" Serenity said, gesturing to the empty space on the sofa next to her.
Karina smiled more at Serenity and sat down next to her. Bryan sat back silently, shutting his eyes tightly as he tried to block out the voices of Serenity and Karina who had started a conversation. He rested his back against the arm of the sofa and his head against the back, his head had been aching and now felt heavy so he needed to rest it any place he could. He suddenly thought that maybe his little headache was far more then little. Serenity moved her attention off of Karina long enough to see Bryan's even paler face resting against the sofa. "Karina could you give me a second, I'm going to take Bryan to his room and make sure he's ok" she said, turning her attention back to Bryan and helping him up.
"Sure take your time" Karina said, worry evident in her light blue eyes.
Serenity walked behind Bryan to his bedroom and Bryan instantly went to lie down on his bed. "Let me guess, you have a migraine?" Serenity asked, sitting on the ground next to the bed.
"Yeah" Bryan whispered, biting down on his lip and his right hand gripping his trouser leg tightly to keep him from yelling in pain.
"I'll get you something to help. Stay here" Serenity ordered as she got up.
She walked out of the room and back into the living room where Karina sat, seemingly having a mental conversation with her bit-beast. Serenity walked over to the kitchen counter and poured a glass of water and took a box from a cupboard, "How is he?" Karina asked.
"Oh, he'll be fine. He just hasn't been sleeping or eating right and I guess it finally caught up to him" Serenity replied, a small smile appearing on her pale features.
"Earlier, did I say something to upset him?" Karina asked, her voice holding fear.
Serenity slowly lifted her head to look at Karina, "Of course not. Don't worry about it" she said.
"I really hope that I hadn't hurt him in anyway" Karina said, her eyes turning to the ground.
"Don't worry, you didn't" Serenity said with a light smile as she picked up the glass and box. Serenity walked back into Bryan's bedroom, worriedly placing the glass and box on the bedside table when she didn't see Bryan on his bed anymore. She looked around the room and saw the bathroom door open very slightly. She walked over to the bathroom and pushed the door open a little and peeked inside, her eyes widening, Bryan was on the floor again, kneeling close to the toilet as he threw up. Serenity looked on in disgust at the sight but moved closer to him, pulling back strands of hair that got in his face and rubbed his back gently and soothingly to try to calm him.
Bryan's breathing was hard but he finally slowed down and when he was done vomiting, the only thing he managed to do was sit against the cold wall. Serenity picked up a cold wash cloth from on the sink and gently dabbed the cold water against his hot forehead. "How are you feeling?" Serenity whispered.
"Don't ever pressure me into eating so much ever again" Bryan muttered angrily as he pushed Serenity's hand away from him.
Serenity helped him onto his feet and helped him to the bedroom, despite him shrugging her hand off his shoulder all the time. Serenity let him fall back onto the bed and rest his head on the pillow before shutting his eyes as tight as he could. Serenity takes two pills out of the box and picks up the glass of water, handing them to him, "Drink up, it'll help a lot" she whispered.
Bryan opened his eyes and sighed, he drew his hand out from under the covers and took the pills from Serenity's hand and put them to the back of his throat and drinking the water quickly and handed the empty glass back to Serenity. Bryan shut his eyes again and pulled his arms back under the warm covers and pulled them tighter around himself for added warmth. "Thanks" he whispered as he shifted his head slightly into a better and more comfortable position.
"Don't worry about it. I'll just go back to my room, just call me if you need me but try not to get out of bed. Hopefully this will pass soon enough" Serenity said.
"I hope so" Bryan whispered, still lay unmoving.
"Don't worry, it will pass. Give it a little time and you'll be up again soon" Serenity whispered. "I'll check on you later" she said, walking out the door and quietly shutting it behind her.
Bryan ignored everything that entered his mind, trying to clear his head of anything and everything that tried to get in the way of his rest. In time, the pain became overwhelming and he felt he couldn't stand it any longer that he wished he could just lose consciousness to temporarily ease the pain he was currently in. He occasionally bit his lip to suppress the flashes of pain and tightening his grip on the bed sheets. In time he finally slept but not before obtaining more shocking blows to the head, he had finally had enough, he was physically and emotionally exhausted and slept within minutes though he still felt the occasional shock of pain.
---With The Others---
Karina had been sent back to her room to rest and Serenity lay resting on the sofa, waiting for Tala to return from the seemingly long walk. She heard the door slowly opening and she looked up instantly, Tala walked in and shut the door behind him. Serenity smiled sweetly and walked toward him, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and rested her head against his chest, despite his slightly wet clothes from the light rain outside, as he snacked his arms around her. "Don't go so far next time" Serenity whispered.
Tala looked down at her quickly, a look of shock on his features, "Why, did something happen?" he asked worriedly.
Serenity laughed slightly but didn't move from her current position, "No but you were gone for too long" she replied.
Tala smirked, "You missed me that much?" he asked.
"Yeah, of course I did" Serenity said, her fingers tracing along his back.
Tala just tightened his hold on her and kissed her head softly, "I didn't want to leave you behind on purpose, but I just…" he got cut off.
"Needed some time alone. I know" Serenity said. Serenity drew away from him a little and pulled his top a bit that had started to stick to his body, "Come on, you better get changed before you get sick too" she said.
"Too?" Tala asked as Serenity led him to their bedroom.
"Yeah, Bryan's got a migraine" Serenity said, closing the door behind them.
"Is he ok?" Tala asked.
"Yeah, he'll be fine. He's resting now" Serenity called from the bathroom where she brought a towel from.
Tala stood by the closed balcony door, watching the wind and rain outside as he removed his wet white jumpsuit jacket. Placing the jacket on the chair and removing the white muscle t-shirt that was on underneath and tossed it on the jacket, still staring intently at the raging storm outside. Serenity walked up behind him, a towel in hand, she started to gently wipe at the water on Tala's back, startling Tala at first but still letting her continue. His back had been dry and Serenity noticed all the pale white scars that still drew along his back from the abbey beatings.
She gently traced her finger along the scars, running from his shoulders and across his back to his lower side. Tala turned round and Serenity brushed the water off his shoulders and chest as he stared down at the shorter girl. Serenity placed the towel on the chair and looked back up at him as his hand went to her shoulder. She moved closer to him, her head once again against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat as he gently stroked her bare shoulder. She kissed his chest and her kisses moved up to his neck. Tala leaned down and pulled Serenity closer to him into a deep kiss, his emotions suddenly fuelling his kisses that now traced along her neck.
Serenity moved up and closer into him as her arms latched around his neck. A pleasurable heat rising in her when she felt his lips leave hers and trail down her neck, she knew that it wasn't the best thing to do at the time since anyone could suddenly walk in on them at the wrong time, but she just didn't have the urge or strength to push him off. "You might…want to be…careful…the only shirts I have are strapless" she whispered between pleasurable moans and gasps.
"Don't worry, I won't do much" Tala whispered back between kisses. Tala slowly pulled away, staring at her with a hint of what seemed like sadness in his eyes, he pulled away and gave her a simple little kiss on the lips before retreating back to his bed. He lay back on his bed, shutting his eyes, finally realizing how far he had gotten and felt somewhat ashamed of what he had done.
(A/N: Please note that the slight lemon starts here so in case you want to skip it then I'll mark where it ends so you won't miss what happens after. Please also note that this is only a slight lemon so don't expect anything huge from me; I'm just an innocent girl so I won't be writing such stuff often.)
He then felt a light weight on him and opened his eyes, looking down to see Serenity sitting on him with her legs around him, she leaned forward and kissed him passionately on the lips before pulling away and smiling slightly, "Don't worry, the door is locked" she whispered in his ear.
Tala smiled a little, "What would Mike say?" he asked.
"Who cares what he says, I know what I'm doing" Serenity replied before kissing him again.
Tala pulled his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him, kissing her and running his fingers along her bare shoulders, stomach and back.
A couple of minutes later, Serenity still lay on top of Tala, her now bare body covered by the thick blankets. Serenity hissed in pain and rested her forehead against Tala's, he gently kissed her neck a couple of times when she hissed and flinched, occasionally digging her nails in his shoulder, "Shhh, just relax now. You know the pain will go soon" he whispered in a soothing manner, butterfly kisses being traced from her jaw-line to the base of her neck.
Serenity flinched again; she then smiled very weakly at his kindness and the soothing sound of his voice. She kissed him softly on the lips again, being her only source of distraction from the pain, but she always got consumed by the pain and fell short in the kiss. She finally got fed up with her sudden bursts of pain and kissed him even deeper consuming him with the passion and fire of her kiss.
She parted slightly for breath and rested her forehead against his again, shutting her eyes and panting heavily. Tala looked up at Serenity and saw her wincing, tracing his hands gently along her the soft skin of her back, and really hoping he didn't hurt his Lunarian princess. Serenity loosened up and kissed him one final time, she moved off him and lay close to him, kissing his shoulder. Her arms latched around his waist and her head rested against his shoulder, she noticed the scars on him that had snaked from his back and onto his sides and sat up slightly to see the scars on his chest.
Scars started from his shoulders and moved downwards, meeting to his waist where Serenity saw the scar end. She sighed and pulled her arms around his waist again but one hand moving to trace along the scars. She kissed him again before moving away from him a little and tightening the blanket around herself and falling asleep, as did Tala.
--- (End Lemon)-Next Morning- 10:30am---
Serenity's eyes fluttered open, looking around from her position without moving. The room was quiet and no one had been in the room until Serenity shifted and saw Tala close behind her. She smiled and moved back against him and pulled his arm around her, her fingers lacing through his as she turned her head again and kissed him softly and quickly.
"What time is it?" Serenity asked, closing her eyes again.
" 10:30" Tala replied, looking behind him at the clock that was kept on the bedside table.
"How long have you been awake?" Serenity asked, quietly.
"About an hour" Tala replied.
Serenity opened her eyes and looked back at him, "Why didn't you get up then?" she asked confusedly.
Tala smirked, taking his hand out from under the covers into the cool air and lightly tickling her shoulder and her upper back, "Because I wanted to stay with you" he whispered.
"And do what, if you don't mind my asking?" Serenity asked, raising a delicate eyebrow.
"Watch you sleep" Tala whispered with a light laugh.
"Well I'm not asleep anymore so you can go to change now" Serenity said, smiling as she moved away from him.
Tala sighed and sat up in bed, grabbing his dry t-shirt from the chair and next to him and pulled it over his head. Getting out of bed (he had his boxers on so quit drooling already) he walked to the bathroom and shut the door behind him. Serenity shifted in the bed, tightly pulling the silk blankets around her, a small smile tugged at her lips, 'It seems like you enjoyed yourself' Luna teased.
'Go away Luna, I'm in too good a mood to deal with you at the moment' Serenity said, rolling her eyes when her bit-beast intruded on her thoughts.
'Oh please Mistress, we haven't spoken as much as we did when we were in the abbey' Luna complained.
'I know that and that's probably why I'm having so much fun' Serenity answered back teasingly.
'Mistress' Luna complained.
'I'm sorry Luna but things have been a little hard since Bryan's been sick and upset about Karina, helping Karina adjust to living here when she ahs no idea who we are and help Tala stopping from getting so worked up' Serenity finally said.
'I'm sorry Mistress but are you helping him or are you helping yourself?' Luna asked, jokingly as she laughed.
'Shut up Luna' Serenity laughed.
'But you must admit that you seem to enjoy it when he is like this' Luna said.
'I never enjoy it when he is hurt or uncomfortable. He is suddenly worried about what everyone outside the abbey thinks of him. Mike is quite upset with the fact that Tala and I are in love and what's been going on between us and he's afraid that what used to happen in the abbey isn't acceptable to what happens here' Serenity started, turning on her side and sighing.
'I see why he worries. Things are so different here that I'm not too surprised' Luna said.
'Yeah but at least I think he's adjusting a bit everyday' Serenity said.
'That's good' Luna said.
'Yeah. Now could you leave me alone?' Serenity asked.
'Why?' Luna asked confusedly.
'We talked now I want to rest so could you go please?' She asked again.
'Yes Mistress' Luna said with a laugh before disappearing again.
Serenity opened her eyes again, turning onto her back and staring at the ceiling when she heard the bathroom door creak open. She sat up and smiled at Tala when he walked towards her and held a hand out for her to take. Serenity took it and pulled to her feet, the covers still wrapped around her. She moved up to him and gave him a simple kiss before walking past him and grabbed her clothes from off the floor and walking to the bathroom for a shower.
Tala walked over to the balcony and stepped outside, in need of some fresh air and some room for thought on all that had happened. He leaned against the railings, patiently waiting for Serenity to come back out of the shower. He really wanted to talk to her but he didn't want to do it so close to the others, he wanted her away from the apartment just long enough to tell her a few things.
Serenity walked out a few minutes later, her jacket tight around her thin body. She walked up and stood next to him, "Will we be able to go for a short walk later?" Tala asked her, looking into her deep blue eyes.
"Sure, are you sure you want me to come though?" Serenity asked, leaning against the railings too.
"Yeah, I'm sure" Tala replied.
"Let's go check on the other two" Serenity said with a sweet smile, taking Tala's soft hand and leading him back inside. They both walked into the empty living room, looking around to see no one in the kitchen which meant that Karina and Bryan were still in their rooms. "Let's check on Bryan first" she said.
"Whatever you say" Tala muttered with a smirk.
Serenity glared at him, more jokingly then coldly. She opened Bryan's bedroom door and walked inside. Both teenagers smiled, seeing Karina sitting in a chair next Bryan's bed, sitting forward in the chair to be closer to Bryan as they spoke. "Hey, what are you doing here Karina?" Tala asked, while he and Serenity walking up behind Karina.
Karina turned round and smiled, "Oh, I woke up really early this morning and I came to check on Bryan and we just started talking" she replied, young innocence in her voice.
"What were you talking about?" Serenity asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing much, just random stuff" Bryan answer for Karina, his voice still sounding rather weak as he lay on his arm.
"Right" Serenity said, still not believing him but letting it slide without another thought. "So are you feeling any better?" she asked, moving toward him and placing a hand on his forehead to check his temperature.
Bryan jolted his head away from her hand but regretted it, "Not as bad as yesterday so it's better" he replied.
"That's good" Serenity said, she turned her head to look at Tala and winked.
"Karina have you had breakfast yet?" Tala asked suddenly.
"No, not yet" Karina replied, looking up at the taller blader.
"Come on, I'll get breakfast" Tala said, gesturing for her to follow him.
Serenity watched after Tala and Karina as they left they room, she turned back to Bryan who had finally shut his eyes again. "So what were you two talking about?" Serenity asked curiously.
"Nothing" Bryan replied.
"You know…for someone who doesn't remember how close she was with you, she really does care about you and gets worried about you easily" Serenity stated with a light smile.
"How'd you know?" Bryan asked, opening his eyes and glaring at her.
"She was in the living room the other day, and was really worried she had done something to hurt you. I'm sure that deep down inside, she still has deep feelings for you" Serenity said.
"You think so?" Bryan asked, his features softening as he relaxed from the death glare.
"Yeah, I think she really likes you" Serenity said, nodding and smiling sweetly.
"But she doesn't even remember who I am" Bryan whispered in a complaining voice.
"If she loves you enough then she'll remember but it isn't just going to happen over night, you've got to give her time" Serenity explained kindly, sitting on his bed closer to him and pushing his hair back.
"I hope she just remembers soon but even if she does, what am I going to do? I never fell in love, I have no idea what its like" Bryan complained, turning onto his back and shutting his eyes. Serenity started to hold back her laughs but in vain when she burst into a fit of laughter, Bryan opened his eyes and looked at Serenity confusedly, "What the hell is so funny?" he asked coldly.
Serenity held back more laughs and started to speak between laughs, "I never would have thought that something like this would really happen and you'd be worried about it"
"Thanks for your help" Bryan muttered sarcastically, closing his eyes again.
Serenity relaxed and looked at him still with a sweet smile on her face, "Look don't worry about any of this. In time things will just happen, you shouldn't worry about this, things will just happen. Tala is my first love and I was still twelve years old when I realized how much I loved him and that's also when I had my first kiss. This is your first time and Karina's too so at least the two of you are on the same page" she said.
"I guess" Bryan whispered, opening his eyes again, "Thanks" he whispered a small thankful smile appearing on his face.
"No problem, it's what friends are for" Serenity replied. "When you feel better you can come out, we'll be in the living room if you need us" she said as she got up and walked out the door.
Karina stood near the kitchen counter with a plate in her hand as she ate, Tala sat on the sofa waiting for Serenity who went up to him and sat next to him. He pulled an arm around her, "Can we go out now?" he asked.
"Sure, is there somewhere in particular you want to go?" Serenity asked.
"Just away from here" Tala replied quietly.
"Ok. Karina is it ok if Tala and I go for a walk?" Serenity asked Karina.
"You're asking her?" Tala asked, earning himself a hit in the ribs from Serenity.
"Sure, I don't have a problem" Karina replied, smiling sweetly.
"Ok, I'm going to tell Bryan that we're going" Serenity said, getting up as she walked to Bryan's bedroom again.
---20 minutes later---
Serenity and Tala had left, leaving Karina alone in the living room and Bryan still resting in his room. Karina got bored at picked up a magazine from the coffee table, she quickly looked through it and scrunched her face in confusion, she couldn't understand anything that was written and tossed the magazine back onto the wooden table. She took Nahuatl out of her pocket and stared at the bit-chip intently, carefully studying every detail of her long lost friend. She got up again and went into the kitchen and picked up an apple and ate it quietly still staring at her beyblade with her fingers curled around the metal. She walked out of the kitchen but bumped into a hard object and dropped her beyblade. Her head shot up to see Bryan standing in front of her, "Oh my, I'm so sorry I should have been paying better attention" Karina apologised quickly. Bryan nodded simply and they both knelt down to pick up the marine and white blade from on the ground. Karina touched the blade first and Bryan's hand fell on top of hers, a bright light emitting from the bit-chip. Bryan quickly moved his hand and Karina's head shot up again, her caring eyes softening more then usual as tears welled up in them, "Bry" she whispered, she grabbed the blade and before Bryan could do or say anything she leapt into his arms and hugged him tightly. "I missed you so much" she whispered, still not letting go of him but gripping tighter on his black shirt.
Bryan stood there with Karina's arms around him tightly, still in shock from her words and her sudden reaction to him. He stood there not knowing what to do, it's not like anyone ever taught him what to do when something like this happened. Where was Tala when he needed him the most? Typical Tala, he's there to pick fights with you but never around when you need him to show you what to do when a girl hugs you. He moved his arms slightly and wrapped them around her thin and fragile body, not a tight hug but with a hand on her back that kept her close enough to him to saver her warmth. He kept her close, taking in her scent and trying to find something to say, "I missed you too" was all he could whisper back.
A/N: So how was this chapter? Interesting, crappy? Tell me what you honestly thought of it. I hope it was good since like most chapters, I put a lot of work, heart and soul into this chapter. So, Karina finally remembers Bryan, is anyone happy? I bet you are. I know this wasn't at all a special chapter but I'd like to dedicate this chapter to my good friend SpiritualEnergy who turned thirteen today. Happy Birthday Sweetie!
As usual, please review and tell me what you thought of this since it will really help future chapters. Also on another note, when I first started this fic one of my readers, Silvan Arrow, told me she had written a fic similar to this one titled 'When The Ice Melts' I have started reading it but hadn't continued since from the very first chapter I could see how much our fics were alike so I didn't continue because I didn't want to use an idea and be blamed for stealing it from her but I DO intend on reading it when I am done with childhood hell. The point of my saying this is that if you enjoyed reading this then you'll enjoy reading her fic so I recommend it to those who like Tala/OC pairings and abbey stories. Silvan Arrow doesn't know I am writing this (until she reads it of course) so she might kill me for not asking permission, people usually find a reason to kill me so I wouldn't be surprised if she does. Anyway, I wasted more then enough of your time with my constant rambling so just review and you'll make me very happy. Bye for now my lovely readers!