A/N: Eeeeh, didn't expect a drabble/one shot series to be received relatively well... well in comparison to the near death state of this fandom, anyway. In any case, thanks to those who reviewed!
The next entry was requested by DragonSlavee with the premise of having Tala as a math teacher crushing on his student. The crushing part isn't that obvious, I think, and Tala isn't big on denying so much as being blind to it and it kinda comes off as equal parts romantic and platonic depending on how you look at it but I hope you guys enjoy all the same.
As always, request(s) are welcomed. For the request/entry queue, please see my profile.
Pre-Notes: I'm sticking to the anime/manga's naming system because Russians have their own naming system that I don't have the patience to decode and whatnot. This is more of a one shot than a drabble.
I'm not an MD in Psychiatry like Bryan in this AU and I only wrote what seemed to be the most logical stuff to say.
Salima's Japanese voice actor was Hikaru Ikeda and Mariam was Yuka Komatsu hence they are now Salima Ikeda and Mariam Komatsu to make my life easier. Minami Yuuya is Wyatt's Japanese name.
Michelle is not an OC, she's Michelle K. Davis as in Michelle K. Davis from Terraformars. I borrowed her because I think she's a good match for *cough. Shokichi is also briefly mentioned here, but, no. This is not a crossover, I'm just borrowing characters.
05/16/'15 , 10:50pm - proofread/edited
Wolf Taming
The many disjointed, unrelated, prompts for Tala and Kai across multiple AUs and canon.
Episode 2
Falling, Falling, Fall–Splat
Their first meeting was straight out of a Japanese girl's comics.
It was too early for remedial brats to be loitering, running and being an all around nuisance in the hallways but it wasn't too late for some birds to be singing their too cheery morning call. The sun was high enough to bathe the fourth floor bridge way into a soft glow that oddly enough complemented Moscow's dreary cloudy Monday morning. He had a tumbler full of piping hot coffee that he got from the faculty's lounge down second floor, failing test papers stuck between his arm pits and his cell stuck between his opposite shoulder and ear. Bryan, his ever so bastard of a best friend, was taunting him all the way from some spa-resort in Malaysia for not cashing in his paid-leave like he did last Friday, never mind that said bastard was paying disgustingly pricey minutes for the international call. Then time literally slowed down to a full stop when Tala saw him.
The kid had bi-color blue hair, light tufts at front and darker locks at the back that almost scrapped over the tolerable length of hair for male students. He had the whole bed hair going on for him and Tala briefly wondered if his hair was as soft as it looked. Tala had never seen him before but he was wearing the standard issued school uniform of a navy blue coat, gray vest, white dress shirt and gray pants, the freshman's striped green, black and white tie immaculately fixed under his collar. He was overlooking the courtyard, mouth pulled down in a slight frown but other than that his expression depicted blandness and boredom.
The kid glanced at his way, pinning Tala deeper into his spot, making his breath hitch. He turned towards him, regarding him with dark red eyes set on a boyish face that reminded Tala of a perfectly polished face of a manikin. The kid dipped his head slightly in greeting and then walked away.
"Yo, man, you still there?"
Tala watched him go and disappear around the corridor. "Yeah."
"What's up with you? Saw a nice piece of ass or something?"
Tala choked on air.
The kid did have a nice piece of ass.
:::
The next Tala saw him was on the same afternoon. The affair was all perfunctory with Headmaster Stanley Dickenson introducing him as Kai Hiwatari. He was a transfer student that will be part of Tala's homeroom class that always had the penchant to do a brouhaha—but that was to be official only after the holidays. Hiwatari was to stay in the dorms until school resumed on January.
Tala had forgotten all about the ass business in lieu for wondering why a well to do kid like Hiwatari would be spending his holidays alone in a deserted dorm building save for the odd maid or cook. He spent an awful lot of time wondering about it for many days.
When the final day of work rolled out and the faculty could finally get their well deserved R&R, Tala swung by at the students' dorms just because. He saw Hiwatari sitting alone on one of the lawn benches, an open book forgotten on his lap and was staring at nothing in particular. Hiwatari noticed him in a second and dipped his head in greeting again. Tala mimicked the gesture and went on his way, noting to himself to buy a Christmas cake next week to share with the kid. And, no. It wasn't because of that annoying tug in his heartstrings or whatever sappy crap Emily might suggest. It was just because he had nothing else to do that day.
:::
On Christmas, Tala remembered why he always spent that day hibernating bear-style on his couch the moment he moved out of his parents' house. The sheer swarm of people doing their last minute shopping was insane. Every street was crawling with frantic mothers in bakeries, groceries and meat shops, and dads in liquor stores and toy shops. They were all like a chaotic, orderly ant colony only human size.
Although, Tala did make a promise and so had no choice but to venture into the heart of the craziness. He came out with a slightly beaten box of Korolevsky half an hour later. He was looking for a more Japanese inspired cake but beggars can't be choosers and he was about this close from snapping at one of those women, polite be damned.
Getting the cake was only a prelude to a shitty day, however. Tala was subjected to a more insane traffic that had him gritting his teeth and ready to slam his head on the steering wheel on the second hour mark he spent driving on the same street. He arrived at the dorm just before nine in the evening and didn't have the good mood to be surprise when it was Hiwatari who opened the door for him and not one of the dorm staff.
He pushed the white, red and green ribboned box to Hiwatari's chest. "Here. It's not a sakura whatever cake but Merry Christmas."
It was a blink and you'll miss it reaction, but Tala saw that slight quirk on Hiwatari's mouth and it made all the shit he went through well worth it.
"I'm only half Japanese," the boy simply replied.
:::
Tala spent the next of his precious vacation days frequenting the dorm and getting to know Hiwatari. Not that the kid was talkative or anything, but Tala still managed to wheedle him into talking about himself. Mundane things like his favorite color–"Blue," which one was better cats or dogs–"Cats, obviously," and his favorite season.
"Autumn. I'm allergic to pollen so Spring sucks, it's too hot to do anything in the Summer and Winter's out because–what?"
Tala grinned, chuckling. "Nothing, nothing. Just didn't realize you were capable of normal human speech."
"Hn."
Tala ruffled the kid's head and got the answer to his question all those days back when he first saw him. Hiwatari's hair was as soft as it looked.
For New Year's eve, Tala planned on filching Hiiwatari out of the dorm to watch the fireworks at the city square. In any other time, someone would point out that he was developing a soft spot for the brat but to Tala it was only the thing to do. Knowing Kai, he'd be watching the fireworks behind some closed window like a caged bird.
The mental image Tala conjured for it might be a bit too dramatic but it was none the less equal parts sad and wrong that Tala had to do something to remedy it.
Only, Kai didn't agree on being filched and Tala wasn't really keen on getting himself charged with kidnapping. So they spent New Year's eve on the dorm rooftop to watch the fireworks display from afar. It was less than ideal but Tala found that he didn't mind especially with Kai beside him and no longer alone.
"Thanks, Mr Ivanov."
:::
The day before vacation was officially over, Tala, now with Bryan because the bastard was being a little shit, went to the school to check on Kai.
Predictably the boy made himself scarce what with the many students and their family returning to the school. A dorm staff pointed them to the direction Kai went and Tala and Bryan ended up finding him on the other side of the school sitting on one of the bleachers overlooking the football field.
Kai waved at him lazily while Tala jogged towards him, dropping himself onto the bleacher to sit beside him, Bryan followed suit in a more sedated pace. Tala puffed with smugness when Kai scooted closer to him when Bryan approached them.
"Bryan Kuznetsov, Guidance Councillor," Bryan greeted with an extended hand.
Kai took a couple of seconds looking at the proffered hand before he gave it a shake. "Kai Hiwatari, transfer student."
Kai's tone didn't offer any continuation for any conversation he might have with Bryan. Tala latched on his chance and began his long list of reminders for the kid.
Don't be too shy. If you have any trouble in class talk to Kon, Chinese kid, long hair, hard to miss, he'll help you out. If anyone bothers you, again, your safe bet is Kon, but come to me if I'm there. The class's a bit eccentric but they're a good bunch and etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
"You sound like his mother," Bryan deadpanned.
Tala would have flipped him a finger if Kai wasn't there.
"I don't mind," Kai said. "Thanks, Mr Ivanov."
Smugness triplicate.
:::
Kai's first day, as far as Tala could tell, went off as smoothly as any first day a mid-year transfer student's first day could go.
True enough Kon became his first acquaintance and when the others–others meaning other foreign students–deemed that the broody, gloomy, quiet transfer student didn't bite they all flocked around him. Kai only kept them at arm's reach but Tala figured that if anyone could make someone crack and let them into their personal space it would be Tate. The American had the knack of worming his way into anyone's good graces.
Unfortunately Tala didn't count on Kai's perseverance in maintaining his distance from his peers. Although, Tala guiltily felt satisfied that he was the only one Kai trusted to be comfortable around with.
:::
"So. What's this?"
Kai looked away from his gaze and Tala sighed, patience thinning. He thought changing locations would loosen Kai's tongue but the kid just won't budge.
Months into the school, Tala was impressed to see Kai's progress. Easily acing all his subjects and earning praises from his teachers that even that tight wad Boris Balkov grudgingly admitted that Kai was a fast learner. Tala glanced at the test papers on Bryan's desk. They were all teeming with large, bold and super red Fs.
"I didn't study for it."
Tala bit the tip of his tongue to refrain himself for calling bullshit. There was a really low, really slim chance he'd believe that for the other subjects but with his calculus test? No. Kai got the formulas right and deliberately made his answers wrong. On top of that Kai wasn't looking him at the eye, either. A clear indication that the kid was lying through his teeth.
"Is someone making you do this, Kai?"
It was completely from the left field. There was a zero bullying tolerance implemented in the school and there had been no cases of bullying ever recorded in their logs so that was out... but. But if there was some punk out there forcing Kai to do this he'll fucking steamroll them to expulsion.
Kai thinned his lips and shook his head. It was all the answer Tala needed.
"All right. I'll see what I can do for remedial tests. For now, you're dismissed."
Kai murmured his thanks and left. Bryan entered the office a few minutes after.
"You have free time, right, Bryan?"
Bryan gave him one look and then sighed in exasperation, scratching the back of his head. "You'll owe me big, Tal."
:::
Bryan gave him his answers two weeks after and Tala found out more than he probably should about Kai. As it turned out Kai intentionally failing his subjects was because of one brat named Mikhail Smirnov. Smirnov was their resident royal, heir apparent to the Romanov house, and Kai's half brother.
Obviously the prat had too much air in his head and figured that his lesser bastard brother shouldn't be smarter than him.
Both boys were called into the headmaster's office when Tala brought the issue up. Fortunately for Kai's case, and Tala's squirming innards, the current Arch Duchess, their grandmother, didn't tolerate her grandson's misconduct and gave Stanley permission to give out any punishment he see fit.
The old woman left with a disapproving look at Smirnov and not even a single glance for Kai.
Stanley dismissed Kai and Tala told him to wait for him over at Bryan's office while they discuss what punishment Smirnov would get.
If it was any other brat, they'd get an expulsion no questions asked but both Stanley and Tala agreed that a suspension would suffice. Besides, with them entering the final period of the term it would cause the brat to repeat the year. The whole affair was done quickly and Smirnov left red faced and trying his damndest not to cry.
"Tala, you're a nice enough lad," Stanley started once they were alone in the office. "But lately there are some rumors... You're not playing favorites, are you?"
Tala furrowed his brows and took a second longer to answer. "Of course not."
Stanley only nodded and Tala excused himself, going straight to Bryan's office. When he opened the door a body collided into him, burying itself in his chest, and a pair of thin arms encircling his torso in a death grip. Tala patted Kai on the head, warmth washing over all his senses and figured that everyone had their own favorites and he was allowed to have his.
:::
End of term came without any hitch and Kai was safe to proceed to the next level of his education despite his earlier mishap with Smirnov. Although, it was not without any reprimands from his other teachers especially Balkov since the man was not so subtly positioning Kai into his Science club. Tala would have to do something about it, he was in need of another member for his own Math team and he just knew who to get.
"You know, you should lay off the kid," Bryan said absently during their end term meeting. "He's turning into one golden teachers' pet."
Tala knew that both parts were pointed directly at him but couldn't bring himself to care much. He also knew there was something fundamentally wrong when a kid was more comfortable hanging around his teacher than his peers, but Tala couldn't, for the life of him, push Kai away when he was visibly more at ease around his company.
Besides, Kai might as well own the title since Tala was already taking him home in the province during summer break. The haphazard plan was hatched when he asked Kai what he was going to do for summer break and the kid answered that he'd be staying in the dorms again.
The amount of red tape Tala had to go through was one big pain in the ass but, again, it was well worth it especially when he was treated to another Kai Hiwatari bear hug upon breaking the news.
:::
Tala had already forewarned his mother of their guest and was a bit worried what the woman would say about it. Thankfully she didn't say anything and only welcomed Kai like a well missed son. Tala even had an inkling that his Ma liked the kid better because Kai got a hug while he didn't.
"You're too old for it," she teased, kissing his cheek.
His Ma ushered Kai inside to settle down and the kid looked back to him in uncertainty. Tala gave him a thumbs up and a grin for reassurance.
Summer found Kai helping around the farm and busying himself with the new litter that Ma's cat, Boots, had during the course of their stay. Kai's demeanour also changed. He was more open and didn't bother buffering any of his reactions making him all the more endearing. Tala also noticed that he literally brightened up whenever Ma paid attention to him and gave compliments for a job well done.
"I think Summer's my favorite season now," Kai said out of the blue one night.
Tala only made a noncommittal sound, already too sleepy to do anything else. Carrying all those sugar beets was no light task.
Kai peered down from his bunk bed and gave Tala a smile. Not that slight quirk of the mouth or a twerpy smirk but a proper, sincere, honest to God smile.
"Thanks, Tala."
Kai bid him goodnight and Tala remained awake till morning trying to calm his skipping heart.
:::
When Tala learned about Kai's birthday he was almost two months late for it. The second of August had come and go during their stay back home and the twerp didn't even make a peep about it.
"It's not important. It's just a day," Kai insisted while helping Tala organize his documents.
Tala wouldn't have any of it and so found himself calling a number of people for two consecutive nights. Come weekend, he was due for a trip to a more secluded area of downtown to pick up the perfect present for Kai.
The bell chimed lowly when Tala entered the shop. He had his misgivings about the place what with the faded red paint already chipping off, the dim lighting when you peeked into it from the outside and the general dilapidated state of the whole building. Hell, it would had been mistaken for a horror movie setting hadn't it been morning and the old grandma owning the place.
It was a pleasant surprise, however, when he was finally treated to what the shop had in store for him. The place was comfortably warm and smelled strongly of leather and paper and burning wood. One quick look to the side confirmed that there was a cobbled fireplace with wrought iron fencing, a lazy fire steadily eating the kindling within. Looking around, he saw numerous books organized in tidy rows on the many carved shelves with faded porcelain book ends of bears and wolves. There were the odd pieces of metal tipped quills and silver letter knives displayed inside the glass counter with what seemed like red velvet cloth cushioning them from underneath. Then there was collection of porcelain dolls in vintage clothing sitting on an elevated shelf attached to the wall that had Tala looking away because old dolls creeped him out.
The old owner motioned for him to come towards the counter, an antique looking leather bound book already in her hands. She placed the book on the countertop for him to inspect. Tala ran his hand on the cover feeling the smooth leather and the gold embossed strokes and lines of the title and filigree. He carefully opened the book and found creamy pages with texts clearly printed by an old press.
"Vermiculo Avis," the old woman said. "The Vermillion Bird, first edition English translation, 1928. Limited to a hundred copies that being the sixteenth. Is good copy, yes?"
Tala nodded absently, same as Kai's age. "Do you have something to wrap it with? It's a birthday present."
"Oh? Your girl must be a real special lady."
"Mhm. He is," he agreed, thinking of that special smile Kai gave to him all those nights back home and hoped that his gift would get Kai to smile like that again.
:::
"Be honest with me, man, what's your real intentions for the kid?"
Tala furrowed his brows. Bryan was unnaturally serious and somehow he knew that this conversation wouldn't end well. "Not–"
"Don't go lying to me, Tala. I know you well enough," Bryan glared at him behind his thin, metal rimmed glasses making his sharp gray eyes more severe.
Tala glared at Bryan in return. "Nothing. I just feel responsible for the kid."
"You're not his homeroom teacher anymore, Tala, haven't been since this school year started. And even then you care too much."
"I don't see how that's a problem, he's probably my long lost son from some past life or something."
Bryan shook his head, sighing thinly. "Do you really want me to spell it for you?"
Tala crossed him arms, challenging Bryan to do just that.
"Fine," Bryan said, going around the desk to sit on his chair, getting the furniture between himself and Tala. It was Bryan's way of telling him that he was more of that guy with an MD in Psychiatry than Tala's best friend. "You're romantically interested in him."
Tala felt his mouth slacken. He snapped it close the moment Bryan's words sunk. "I am not!"
"Fuck," Bryan clicked his tongue. "Do you really want me to do this with you, Tala?"
"No because I don't care for him like that!"
"Fine. What kind of caring do you think you're doing for the kid?"
Tala furrowed his brows. "The normal teacher to student. This is a waste of time, Bryan."
"And normal teachers take their students home for the summer break? Just because?"
"He was going to stay at the goddamn dorm again! What did you want me to do? Leave him?"
"What do you think?" Bryan asked, his tone accusing.
Tala scowled. He knew Bryan was a hard-ass but he didn't know that he was a cold hearted one on top of that. "You're a bastard, you know that?"
Bryan muttered a curse under his breath and sighed, visibly calming himself. "A normal teacher fucking would, Tala. Sure I'll give you brownie points for caring for your student's welfare, but there's such a thing as too much and you're doing over and beyond it."
"And that's your basis for this bullshit?"
"No. If it was I'd call in favoritism and that shit isn't enough to warrant a free shrink session." Bryan cleared his throat. "You bought him a present."
"It was his birthday."
"His birthday's August 2. You gave it mid October and it was worth three months of your fucking pay check."
"Of course it did! That thing's older than Ma!"
Bryan gave him a look that told Tala what he exactly thought of his mental capabilities. "Fine, whatever," Bryan sighed. "You're incapable of sharing him."
"I do, too, and you can't prove that."
Bryan adjusted the bridge of his glasses and leaned deeper on his chair. "The mere fact that you think you could share him tells me that you think he's yours, and don't make that face. I'm fucking licensed to pull any underhanded psych analysis on you.
Now, as I was saying. You feel threatened whenever someone, anyone remotely shows interest in him."
Tala opened his mouth to protest but couldn't get a word in.
"I don't mean Balkov, that slimy shit gives me the creeps too. I meant any of the students, people around his age group. The ones that are more likely to pursue a relationship with him."
"What are you a stalker now?"
"Quit being such a little shit, it just shows how guilty you are, idiot. And stop interrupting me, I'm doing this because you're too stupid and too blind to realize what's going on," Bryan grumbled. "If you want proof you only have to look at the students' performance rating. They don't outright accuse you of favoring Hiwatari but quite a few noted that you suddenly developed mood swings especially with Julia Fernandez."
Bryan gave Tala a hard look. Tala looked away, the little tart had it coming anyway because she didn't know when to quit even though...
Tala's frown deepened.
"What? Finally starting to sink in?" Bryan prodded.
"Kai's special..."
"You had a student like him before. Zeo Zaggart. Their circumstances are a bit different but Hiwatari was essentially like him and you never lifted a finger for that one."
Tala thinned his mouth, offering no more response.
Bryan snapped his fingers. "Hey, hey, look at me, Tala."
Tala hesitated but did as he was told.
Bryan looked sorry but his tone didn't offer any reprieve. "I'm saying this for your own good. Stop this infatuation of yours before you ruin both yours and Hiwatari's future."
:::
Tala avoided Kai after that talk with Bryan. Kai was a bright kid and Tala knew that Kai already realized what was happening. However, Kai would still approach him and it physically hurt whenever Tala gave an excuse that they both know wasn't true and Kai would still take it at face value with a small smile in his lips but with dry eyes that were crying.
:::
"Was it something I did?"
Tala stood stock still, not daring to flick the switch in fear of illuminating the room and see the one person he was trying so hard not to see any more.
"If it was, can't I do anything about it?"
No. He can't do anything because he wasn't the problem. Tala steeled his voice. "Go back to the dorm, Kai. It's already late."
There was some shuffling and soft steps quietly approached him. Tala thought Kai had dropped it but found a familiar weight leaning on him, and desperate hands fisting the front of his shirt.
"Please tell me, I'll do anything."
Tala hands twitched, restraining himself from hugging Kai and patting his head like he always did to reassure him that everything was all right.
"Please, just don't hate me."
Tala squared his jaw and his hand remained unmoving on his sides, repeating apology after apology that never gotten pass his tightly closed mouth.
A few days later, Tala handed his resignation letter.
:::
Tala went home after his resignation and spent many months like an aimless driftwood. His Ma didn't ask anything but Tala was sure that she knew why he was burning a hole in their front porch couch day after day. Mother's instinct and all that and she didn't ask anything about Kai either even though she took a complete shining on the kid.
Bryan called often, asking how he was. Tala didn't want to ask about Kai, afraid of what he'll hear but found his courage to ask eventually.
"The kid's fine. Last time I saw, Kon and his posy forced him into their club. He looks annoyed most of the time but I don't see him pushing them away either."
"I see..."
"He's fine, Tala. He'll get over it. He'll get over you."
Tala found another thing to hate about himself when what was suppose to put him at ease only succeeded in hallowing his stomach instead.
:::
It was nearing the end of the current school year and perhaps it was already a month too long imposing on Ma, and Tala could grudgingly admit that he did gain a bit of weight, when a printout for an overseas teaching position appeared on top of their kitchen table. He gave it a quick run through and then only took a minute to bring out his laptop and a plate of toast and jam to the front porch. He made himself comfortable on the couch and began typing in his introduction letter. He glanced at the printout again.
5 Year contract...
He hesitated but then ploughed through his application. It was a little too long, maybe, but perhaps it was just the time he needed to straighten out his head. Besides, he always did want to see a cherry blossom viewing ever since Kai told him about it.
:::
"Sumeragi! Don't run in the hallway!" Tala yelled. "Goddamn kid..."
"See you tomorrow, Ivanov-sensei."
Tala grunted grumpily at the red haired girl knowing that Ikeda would only take it in a stride. "Don't stay out too late, there's some weirdo running around, you hear?"
"Hai, sensei," the girl replied not looking back.
Tala watched the last of his brats go out of the room before straightening out his books and the numerous test papers waiting to be checked and graded back in the faculty.
He slumped down on his chair the moment he arrived, sparing only a quick greeting to his co-teachers on his way. He loosened his tie with a hand and picked out one test paper with the other from his gradually mutating, gradually increasing pile. Just his luck it was Sumeragi's.
The kid wasn't stupid, he was about on the average side, but goddamn fucking shit, his chicken scratch was the worst Tala had ever seen. Sometimes he just wanted to slap a 0% on the kid's paper because he can't freaking decipher anything. He can't imagine what kind of headache Sumeragi was causing Yuuya-sensei for his English essays.
"I-va-nov-sen-sei~"
Tala shuddered at the small pitched, utterly girly singsong tone Komatsu-sensei used to bastardized his name.
"You have a knot here again," she said, jabbing a thumb between her eyebrows. "You'll get premature wrinkles. What would your pubescent little fan girls say if you did, eh?"
Tala rubbed the spot with his fingers. "Their teacher's getting old, that's what."
Komatsu-sensei only laughed. "Thirty three's hardly old, sensei. But I guess your girlfriend back home would still keep you, wrinkles and all. I know I would."
Tala only waved a dismissing hand, already used to the harmless flirting. He didn't have anyone waiting for him back in Russia and only said that so he won't be subjected to much teasing and humiliation in the faculty. It also dissuaded all his admirers from taking him behind the main school building to confess. Apparently that was a thing in Japan.
He still, however, sometimes, entertained the thought of a young man with a deep set of dark red eyes welcoming him home at the airport.
:::
The last year of Tala's contract in Japan eventually came and he didn't expect it to be full of waterworks. Although, he did appreciate when the senseis arranged a farewell-slash-birthday party for him. Most of his students attended it too, both alumni and current ones.
He laughed and teased that they were all very dramatic but his eyes were stinging something fierce as he delivered his impromptu thank you speech.
When he arrived back at Russia the first people he saw was his Ma, Bryan and Bryan's girlfriend. Though he would miss his second family in Japan it was good to be home.
:::
Tala found himself a new job after a short month of bumming around and messing with Boot's new kittens. He also found himself wanting to study again and so attended PhD classes during the weekends.
Two years passed with him teaching college brats on the day and writing one too many thesis papers during the night.
:::
"Remind Bryan he owes me big for this," Tala said to his blonde companion.
"Oh you know you can't say no to your boyfriend," Michelle replied.
"He's your husband."
"I don't mind sharing," she whispered conspiratorially.
Tala took another flute of champagne from the passing water and took a sip. Bryan couldn't be here to be his pregnant wife's date because of some shrinks' weekend-long seminar in Texas. He still had a ton of research material to go through but accompanying Michelle wasn't a hardship since he could do for a bit of break himself. Although attending a private military's formal black and white event was a bit too classy for his normal TV, couch and fish and chips bum evening.
"Stop fidgeting, you look good in a suit."
"Easy for you to say, I haven't worn one since your wedding."
"You'll live," Michelle laughed.
Tala only grunted, briefly scanning the room and saw a large, buff Japanese man approaching them with sideburns that Bryan would kill for and a sharply cut goatee that made him look real dapper. Tala couldn't figure if the old guy was a president of some company, a politician, a bodyguard or what in that suit but he certainly seemed influential.
"Ah. So this is the famed husband," the man greeted, a smile stretching across his face.
"Unfortunately, no, he isn't," Michelle replied in good humor. "Shame too since he has such a nice ass."
Tala made a face that made both his companions laugh.
"Shokichi Komachi," the man said, extending a hand towards Tala, his deep voice still thick with mirth.
"Tala Ivanov," he said, taking the hand and giving it a firm shake.
Komachi began conversing with them about the ongoings of his and Michelle's industry. They included Tala for the first parts but Tala soon lost interest and busied himself with his champagne while he scanned the room, finding the chocolate showpiece at the center of the dessert table the only thing interesting.
He lifted his eyes to the second floor loft and only saw more people in tuxes and cocktail dresses socializing and then the past suddenly slapping him across the face hard enough to throw him into a daze.
Tala stared at the young man in a crisp black suit leaning on the rails, his back turned to him. The young man turned his head to the side and Tala saw a small smile that he only get to see in a dream.
"Oh, that. That's Kai Hiwatari, R&D. Real smart kid. I think Julie's pressing him to replace her."
The commentary seemed to be coming from underwater, Tala ignored it. His eyes glued on Kai. Another person entered his line of sight, laughing and talking and touching Kai and making Tala's vision bleed red.
"Tala?"
Tala briskly went up the stairs, seething, taking two steps at the time, reaching Kai in a matter of seconds and then slugged the little shit across the jaw for thinking he could easily just go up to Kai and do what Tala couldn't all those years back.
:::
Michelle had demanded for an explanation but Tala didn't offer any. Bryan would too if his wife didn't mention making amends to Kai and that Lavalier bastard.
Tala lay awake on his bed, watching the ceiling fan's blade lazily rotate above him. After almost a decade...
It was a scene straight out of a badly written soap. Real typical of his life.
:::
Tala spent long weeks avoiding people, calling in a leave from work and not attending the last of his PhD classes.
:::
Their next meeting was full of shouting and accusations and hurts they carried for ten years. And then Tala ruined the moment by simply being himself.
"You were fucking sixteen! I didn't have a choice!"
"You could have said something! Anything!"
Kai's shoulders were trembling and he angrily wiped his hands across his eyes. "You could have said something... You abandoned me."
"Kai..."
"And now you're doing it again."
"I'm not, shit," Tala clicked his tongue. "I'm not."
"Then why are you leaving?"
"Because this isn't proper. I'm your teacher Kai, and you're my student."
Kai glared at him with red rimmed eyes. "You're a fucking moron." He shook his head, laughing dryly. "You were my teacher, idiot. And don't think you could use my age as an excuse, again. I'm twenty six. I'm more than legal to have sex with a forty year old virgin."
Tala's mouth slackened but he quickly recovered his wits. "I'm thirty nine," he hissed.
Kai sighed and then marched straight to him. Tala yelped when Kai harshly pulled down his scarf but quickly found his mouth occupied when Kai gave him a deep, sound kiss.
:::
Response Requested No Later than
May 16
Names .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
.. .. .. Yes, we accept and Bryan promises not to be a wise-ass during the Best Man speech.
.. .. .. Yes, we still accept because, I, Tala Ivanov, swear to God, will personally shave off your sideburns if you don't go to my goddamn wedding. Kai also says he won't be your new kid's godfather if you don't come.
PS. Yes, you can be a wise ass because we all know your best friend's a moron, and I will still be your kid's godfather even if you don't come, but please do. -Kai
Bryan laughed through his nose and checked both options, underlined Kai's post script, then wrote a note of his own saying that the Tala better get used to it because the 'wife's' words will always supersede the husband's.